"The Prime Minister's mansion raised you, and even arranged such a good marriage for you. Don't bite the hand that feeds you."
As soon as the woman finished speaking, a maiden in a simple dress with a delicate and beautiful face also spoke softly to persuade her, "Yes, second sister! Mother is thinking of you."
"For my own good?"
Feng Jin sneered, looking coldly at the mother and daughter before her. They were her stepmother, Madam Sun, and her stepsister, Feng Ruoyan. "If it's such a good thing, why doesn't Mother let eldest sister marry?"
"Don't be ungrateful!" Madam Sun choked, glaring at her. "With the Ling family's status, this marriage is not beneath you. If it weren't for the young general's predicament, do you think the Ling family would want you?"
"So? You don't want to sacrifice eldest sister, so you want to marry me off?" Feng Jin's eyes lifted indifferently.
Although she had been raised in the countryside since childhood, her skin was as fair and translucent as fine jade.
With a peerlessly beautiful face, clad in a simple cloth dress, her three thousand strands of dark hair casually tied up, a wooden hairpin slanted in her bun, her graceful and aloof aura was no less than that of noble ladies from prominent families.
Seeing her retort, Madam Sun's eyes were filled with disgust. "Are you feeling wronged by marrying into the Ling family? This is something countless people wish for but cannot obtain!"
"Why don't you say that you want to curry favor with the Ling family, but you're unwilling to let eldest sister marry a living dead man?" Feng Jin's eyebrows rose, and a cold glint flashed in her eyes.
Heh!
Madam Sun and her scumbag father were truly playing a clever game!
They doted on Feng Ruoyan and couldn't bear to let her marry into the Ling family as a widow, yet they wanted to use the Ling family's influence to have Feng Ruoyan marry Chu Yanxi, the Empress's eldest son, the third prince who had the greatest chance of becoming the crown prince.
Therefore, they plotted against her, Feng Jin!
The Ling family was renowned, having assisted the former Emperor and the current Emperor. The young general of the Ling family was even more famous throughout the land, not only accomplished in both literary and martial arts but also skilled in military strategy and esoteric arts.
It was rumored that half a year ago, this young general was poisoned on the battlefield and had been in a coma ever since. Old Master Ling, not sure from where, heard that a daughter of the Prime Minister's mansion had a very auspicious fate that could awaken his grandson.
Old Master Ling then sent someone to the Prime Minister's mansion to propose marriage, hoping to use this joyous occasion to awaken his grandson sooner.
Frankly speaking, it was a marriage for good luck. Everyone knew that if it didn't bring good luck, she would eventually bear the reputation of being a jinx.
"Sister, saying such things wounds Mother's heart." Feng Ruoyan sighed softly, her gentle voice tinged with helplessness. "You've been in the countryside since childhood and are unaware of the matters in the capital. Elder sister doesn't blame you."
"Moreover, the young General Ling is not only outstanding in appearance but also accomplished in both literature and martial arts. Although young, he already has many military achievements. If it weren't for this accident, I'm afraid it wouldn't have been the Prime Minister's mansion's turn."
"One must keep their word. Since our Prime Minister's mansion has accepted the Ling family's betrothal gifts, there is no reason to break the engagement." Madam Sun, not giving Feng Jin a chance to refuse, commanded, "You will marry, whether you want to or not!"
"You were the one who agreed, not me!" Feng Jin's lips curved into a sarcastic smile.
"It's your birth date." Madam Sun sneered, her eyes filled with even greater hatred. "If you don't want to marry, tell the Ling family yourself, as long as Old Master Ling agrees."
Feng Jin narrowed her eyes and said indifferently, "Since it is I who is marrying, then the betrothal gifts should also be given to me in full."
"How can that be?" Feng Ruoyan's expression changed drastically, then, as if realizing her失态, she assumed an elder sister's tone. "Don't worry, sister, you don't need to worry about the betrothal gifts. We will handle everything for you and won't let you lose face."
As if!
Mother had promised her that the Ling family's betrothal gifts would be used as her dowry. What was already in hand, she would never give to Feng Jin.
Seeing the greed and calculation in Feng Ruoyan's eyes, Feng Jin let out a cold laugh. "I can marry, but you must agree to one condition."
"What condition?" Madam Sun's expression visibly relaxed upon hearing her agree.
"After I marry into the Ling family, I will have no further connection with the Feng family."
Feng Jin said, then took a brush and wrote quickly on the paper, pushing it towards Madam Sun after she finished. "Sign it, and I'll marry."
"You want to sever ties with the Prime Minister's mansion? I think you've grown too ambitious and overestimated yourself."
Upon hearing this, Madam Sun's voice became sharp, and her eyes widened in disbelief.
This wretched girl!
Did she really think she could escape the Prime Minister's mansion by marrying into the Ling family?
Don't even think about it!
"If Father finds out about this..." Feng Ruoyan hadn't finished speaking before she was interrupted by Feng Jin's cold voice, "Stop the nonsense, my patience is limited."
"Feng Jin, aren't you afraid that this will spread and you'll be branded as unfilial?"
Her Ruoyan's marriage to the Third Prince wasn't settled yet. If they couldn't get the Ling family's help, how would that work?
Feng Jin actually wanted to escape her control, Madam Sun naturally wouldn't agree.
"I only care about the result. As for reputation..." Feng Jin sneered. "I never had any to begin with, so why should I be afraid?"
"I know it's unfair to you, but the wedding date has already been set. If the engagement is broken off suddenly, it will be a complete break with the Ling family. My Feng family has not come this far easily. If they find any fault..."
Seeing that she was unyielding, Madam Sun thought of coaxing her into marrying into the Ling family first. In any case, this little vixen was still part of the Feng family.
To sever this connection?
Even if she agreed, the Prime Minister would not.
"Fine, I'll sign."
Madam Sun gritted her teeth and signed, then feigned concern. "I'm doing this for your own good. After you marry into the Ling family, serve the young general well. When the young general wakes up, he will naturally appreciate your kindness, and your future life will be no worse than in the Prime Minister's mansion."
"You can leave now," Feng Jin's voice was icy.
Seven days later, a grand procession of ten miles.
A wedding party, with music and fanfare, headed towards the Prime Minister's mansion. Many commoners gathered on both sides of the capital's streets to watch.
"This grandeur, it's even more spectacular than when the Second Prince married."
"Don't you know who's getting married? It's the Ling family!"
"It's a pity the young general hasn't woken up yet. I wonder if the Prime Minister's eldest daughter's fate is truly so good?"
"If the young general were alright, would it be her turn? I heard long ago that this eldest daughter grew up in the countryside."
The wedding procession, playing suona, arrived at the entrance of the Prime Minister's mansion.
"I am the副将 of the young general. Today, I represent the general in welcoming the young madam to the mansion."
A young man in armor stepped into the Prime Minister's mansion and said to Feng Dehai.
As Feng Dehai was about to speak, a voice came from behind him, "Let's go!"
Turning back, he was startled.