"You... you must be making it all up!"
Ling Muzhu refused to believe that Feng Jin could actually recite it, and was the first to accuse her.
Feng Jin sneered. This Ling Muzhu was truly impatient and easily incited.
Many people present harbored doubts, but only he voiced his opposition. Little did he know, the tallest nail gets hammered down.
"Enough!" Old Master Ling on the main seat roared, stopping him.
He was truly spoiled by his second son. After kneeling in the ancestral hall for three days, his temper had not been curbed; instead, it had become even more extreme. He was truly useless.
Despite Ling Muzhu's arrogant personality, he still feared Old Master Ling in his heart. He immediately quieted down and stood still, not daring to make a sound.
"Disobeying your elder sister-in-law, have you eaten all your sage books to the dogs? Starting tomorrow, you will go to the manor to study, cultivate yourself, and prepare for the spring imperial examination next year!"
If this child were to remain under his second son's tutelage, he would eventually grow into a villain who bullies the weak and oppresses the common people.
The reputation accumulated by the Ling family over a hundred years might be ruined in his hands.
"Father, the village manor is simple and poor. Muzhu has been weak since childhood. If he needs to study, it's the same whether he stays at home!"
As soon as the second master Ling heard that his precious son was to be sent to a poor and cold place like the country manor, he immediately became agitated.
This child was the only male heir of his lineage. He had always cherished him like a jewel, afraid of dropping him and afraid of melting him in his mouth.
He had been raised in luxury since childhood, and not even a harsh word had been uttered to him.
How could he be sent to a place like a country manor?
"Muzhu has been spoiled by you. Look at what he has become, publicly challenging and insulting his elder sister-in-law. This matter is settled. After the banquet, he will be sent to the manor."
In his later years, Old Master Ling had resided in Shou'an Courtyard. His eldest son and daughter-in-law were stationed on the border, and the household affairs were managed by the second branch. Only his eldest grandson, Ling Mohan, was brought up by his side. He had never interfered in the upbringing of other grandchildren.
It was only after Ling Mohan's incident that he began to meddle in the affairs of the household.
Only then did he discover that the household affairs had been managed chaotically by the second branch, and even their children were raised deplorably.
His eldest daughter, Ling Yan, was dotingly arrogant and domineering, proficient in none of the arts such as music, chess, calligraphy, painting, or needlework.
His youngest son, Ling Muzhu, was raised to be hot-tempered, easily swayed, lacking his own opinions, and unlikely to achieve greatness. Thus, the second branch of the family was in decline.
"Yes, Father!"
Second Master Ling reluctantly agreed. He knew his father's temper and disposition too well. Once his father made a decision, there was no room for negotiation.
He would only think of other ways once they reached the manor.
"Father..." Ling Muzhu complained, tugging at Second Master Ling's sleeve.
In that rural place, could he still survive?
"Just listen to your grandfather, and you can also settle your mind!"
Ling Muzhu wanted to retort, but upon receiving his father's gaze, he immediately shut his mouth.
This farce ended with Ling Muzhu's punishment, but Feng Jin had made a name for herself in this first battle.
"Sister-in-law, we are playing Touhu over there. Why don't you come and watch too!"
Ling Yan's tone was unusually gentle.
"Okay!"
Feng Jin wanted to see what tricks Ling Yan could play.
When they arrived, she discovered that Feng Ruoyan, who annoyed her the most, was also present.
Her originally beautiful mood instantly plummeted to the bottom.
As expected, the more she disliked someone, the more she couldn't avoid them.
"Sister, everything that happened before was a misunderstanding. It was the servants at home who were not properly disciplined and caused you to be wronged. Now that the Young General is here to support you, you will surely enjoy a good fortune from now on."
Feng Ruoyan put on a scholarly and sensible appearance, her demeanor as a lady from a prominent family was handled perfectly.
However, it was precisely these ambiguous words that made Feng Jin the target of everyone's envy.
Before Ling Mohan fell ill, he was the pride of the capital, even more so than the princes, and was admired by many noble ladies.
Alas, heaven was jealous of talent. Once he fell ill, the originally sought-after treasure became something everyone avoided.
For a time, everyone believed that Ling Mohan would never wake up. When Feng Jin married him, there were many sighs and jeers.
Who could have imagined that Ling Mohan would wake up?
"We are of one mind as husband and wife, naturally we live in harmony." Feng Jin would not give others a chance to mock them.
"Hmph... live in harmony? You're just a country bumpkin. The Young General and Ruoyan sister were childhood sweethearts. If it weren't for your birth characters matching the Young General's, you would dream if you thought you could marry the Young General. It's a fool's dream."
The speaker was the second daughter of the current Minister of Revenue, Liu Yanyan. She had been infatuated with Ling Mohan since childhood. When she learned of Ling Mohan's severe illness, the Ling family intended to arrange a marriage to ward off bad luck.
This Liu Yanyan had boldly volunteered herself, disregarding her reputation as a young lady. Unfortunately, their birth characters did not match, and she was rejected by the Ling family. She was indeed a devoted admirer.
"Second Miss Liu, whether it's suitable or not, I am now the legitimate young madam of the Ling family. It is not appropriate for an unmarried young lady like you to discuss matters between my husband and me. Please, Miss Liu, pay attention to your own reputation."
If she continued to act like this, it would be a good thing if she could get married.
"You, a country bumpkin, dare to talk back to me? How dare you!"
Liu Yanyan had always been willful and arrogant. If any of her servants displeased her, they would be reprimanded or beaten, or even whipped. Only in front of Ling Mohan did she act gentle and considerate.
Feng Jin grabbed Liu Yanyan's wrist as she swung her hand, "Second Miss Liu, this is the Ling family. Don't be too presumptuous!"
With a sharp shove, Liu Yanyan's willow-like body staggered back a few steps. If Feng Ruoyan hadn't supported her from behind, she would have fallen flat on her face.
"Second sister Liu, my sister has always been raised in the countryside and is accustomed to a fiery temper. Please, for my sake, don't argue with her anymore. Don't let others laugh at us!"
Feng Ruoyan advised with understanding. She was worried that Feng Jin, in her madness, would lose face by acting recklessly.
The Third Prince had already expressed his desire to marry her as his consort to the Empress. Soon, an imperial decree of marriage would be issued.
Years of planning were about to succeed, but she couldn't let Feng Jin's affairs ruin her good fortune. Her mother was right. As long as she became the Third Prince's consort and the future Empress, Feng Jin would be nothing more than an ant beneath her feet; her life or death would be decided by a mere word.
"For Ruoyan sister's sake, I won't argue with her."
"It was all a misunderstanding. Sister-in-law, you shouldn't argue with Second Sister Liu either. Shall we go to the lake to release flower lanterns!"
Ling Yan suggested, and had her maid bring out the prepared flower lanterns.
"Sister-in-law, this Phoenix Tail flower lantern suits you the best."
Feng Jin's brows furrowed slightly as she pondered Ling Yan's intentions. Such a sudden change in attitude must have a reason.
The Ling mansion's pond was connected to the city moat, with flowing water, naturally making it a good place to release flower lanterns.
A simple arched bridge was built by the pond, leading directly to the pavilion in the center of the pond.