Dabao let out a surprised cry upon seeing Feng Jin standing at the door and immediately rushed forward.
Upon hearing the sound, Sheng Xubai also turned around, his gaze falling on Feng Jin. Under Feng Jin’s astonished eyes, he nodded slightly, greeting her politely.
“Madam Ling.”
“Young Master Sheng, you… you are…”
“It seems General Ling hasn’t informed you yet that I am the tutor to the two young masters. I will be teaching them well from now on.”
Even after personally confirming this, Feng Jin found it hard to accept. Sheng Xubai, a man of such great talent, was coming to their home as a mere tutor. It seemed like a great underutilization of his abilities. What surprised her even more was how Ling Mohan had managed to persuade Sheng Xubai to teach. What kind of scheme or trickery had he employed?
“Young Master Sheng, your talents are immense, and having you be a tutor is a great waste. If word of this gets out, people will accuse our Ling family of being disrespectful. Perhaps… perhaps you should…”
She couldn’t speak too directly, lest she hurt Sheng Xubai’s feelings.
Compared to Feng Jin’s apprehension, Sheng Xubai was remarkably open-minded.
“Madam, you worry too much. Teaching and nurturing the young is what scholars should be doing. Madam need not be concerned.”
“But…”
“Mother, Master tells stories wonderfully! Mother, please let Master stay.”
“Yes, Mother, please let Master stay.”
Dabao and Erbao took turns persuading Feng Jin to agree to Sheng Xubai staying.
Dizzy from their chatter, Feng Jin had no choice but to compromise for the moment. She would ask Ling Mohan for a clear explanation when he returned.
“Alright then, you two continue with your studies. I’ll go back to my room to rest.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Feng Jin turned and left, deciding to put the matter aside for now and wait for Ling Mohan’s return to resolve it.
“Madam, this Young General is truly strange. Why would he have Sheng Gongzi teach the young masters?”
Even Chu Qing found the situation hard to fathom. It didn’t seem like the Young General’s usual style.
“Who knows what he’s planning? For now, let’s just leave it like this…”
Since Sheng Xubai wasn’t leaving on his own, she couldn’t keep chasing him away. She could only let things be for the time being.
As Feng Jin returned to her courtyard, she encountered Ling Wan, who had been waiting there.
“Eldest Sister-in-law… Sheng Xu… Is Sheng Gongzi really in our manor?”
“Yes, he will be teaching Dabao and Erbao from now on, so we will be seeing each other frequently.”
Ling Wan’s delicate face immediately drooped, her expression growing serious. She asked again with a slight daze, “Eldest Sister-in-law, you really agreed to this?”
“Your eldest brother made the decision. I didn’t know it was Sheng Xubai at first. Now that it’s done, there’s nothing I can do. If you truly don’t want to see him, then just avoid him from now on.”
Ling Wan pouted. It seemed that was the only way. She couldn’t afford to offend him, but she could certainly avoid him.
“Eldest Sister-in-law, I’ll be going back now.”
Taking this opportunity, she quickly returned to her room and avoided encountering Sheng Xubai.
Unfortunately, fate had other plans. As Ling Wan stepped out and reached the corner, she coincidentally bumped into Sheng Xubai.
“Ling…”
“Greetings, Sheng Gongzi. I have matters to attend to, so I must be going.”
Ling Wan forced herself to remain calm, and after speaking, she hurried away.
Sheng Xubai also sensed Ling Wan’s deliberate distance. In the past, she had always been polite to him. Why was she so distant today? A peculiar bitterness and discomfort filled his heart.
“Master, can you tell me more of that story? Please?”
Dabao suddenly appeared from behind, tugging at Sheng Xubai’s hand and pestering him to tell a story.
“Alright then.”
Unable to refuse Dabao’s persistence, Sheng Xubai allowed himself to be pulled along by Dabao’s hand.
His gaze kept drifting towards the corridor where Ling Wan had disappeared, but it was empty.
Feng Jin deliberately avoided Sheng Xubai, not leaving her room for the entire day.
It wasn’t until evening that she was drawn out by the commotion outside. She opened her door and stepped out.
“What’s happening? Why is it so chaotic outside?”
“Madam… there are soldiers all around the manor, surrounding our residence.”
Cai Qing, after scouting the situation outside, hurried back to report to Feng Jin.
“Surrounded? Who dares to be so bold? Don’t they know whose manor this is?”
Feng Jin was slightly taken aback. There were very few people in the entire capital who would dare to surround their residence. Who could be so audacious?
Just as she was about to go out and investigate, Lu Shi rushed in from outside.
“Greetings, Madam.”
“What exactly is going on? What are those soldiers outside about?”
“Replying to Madam, the soldiers outside were arranged by the Young General to protect Madam’s safety. Madam, the Young General said to keep Madam safe within the manor and not to leave under any circumstances until he returns.”
Feng Jin’s heart sank instantly. She had a bad feeling about this. Something must have happened, or Ling Mohan would never act like this.
“What about your Young General? What exactly has happened?”
“The Young General is currently in the palace with the Crown Prince. As for what happened, this subordinate is also unsure.”
Feng Jin’s expression turned grave. It seemed the Emperor’s condition was very poor, and it was only a matter of a day or two.
“I understand. Report to me promptly if there is any news.”
“This subordinate obeys.”
A change in the court would inevitably bring about turmoil. At this moment, her and the children’s staying in the manor was the safest option. However, she couldn’t help but worry about Ling Mohan.
“Madam, it’s windy outside. Perhaps you should return to your room.”
“No… I’m going to see the Old Master.”
The Old Master was the only one in the manor who could make decisive decisions now. She needed to discuss this with him.
“Why has Madam come at this hour?”
Steward Wu rushed forward to greet Feng Jin upon seeing her.
“Steward Wu, where is Grandfather?”
“The Old Master just drank his calming tea. He is currently in his room, playing with a bird.”
“I’ll go and see him.”
When Feng Jin arrived, Old Master Ling was leisurely playing with his bird. Ever since all the household affairs were handed over to Feng Jin, he had become increasingly relaxed.
“Grandfather.”
“Oh… what a rare visitor. What brings you to see this old man today?”
“Grandfather, there are soldiers surrounding the outside, and I am too worried to settle down. I wanted to talk with Grandfather.”
“Sit down first, have some tea.”
Feng Jin picked up the teacup and held it in her hand for a long time, having no mood to savor the tea.
“Grandfather, aren’t you worried at all?”
“What is there to worry about? The cart will find its way when it reaches the mountain.”