Zhang Miaor's sky-high confidence stemmed from Ling Changyi's praise. Her words made Zhang Miaor even more ecstatic, walking as proudly as a peacock with its tail feathers spread.
What she enjoyed most was the envious gazes from others, which filled her heart with joy.
...
Feng Jin reclined lazily on the lounge chair, her eyes closed as if dozing, enjoying the warm sunlight.
"Young Madam, the elder aunt has arrived with her cousin."
Chu Qing's voice interrupted Feng Jin's enjoyment. Feng Jin reluctantly opened her eyes and sat up lazily, "Why are they here?"
"They said they brought the cousin to pay their respects to the Young Madam. They are in the front hall now. Young Madam, I am very lazy, but I couldn't stop them."
As if anticipating Feng Jin's next questions, Chu Qing quickly replied.
Feng Jin sighed helplessly. It seemed this meeting was unavoidable. Reluctantly, Feng Jin stood up and walked out.
Upon arriving at the front hall, the mother and daughter were discussing something. Upon seeing Feng Jin, they stood up and bowed slightly.
"Aunt, there's no need for such formality. Please sit down quickly." Feng Jin, with a smile, helped Ling Changyi up and then turned her gaze to Zhang Miaor, who was standing to the side. She looked her up and down, "Is this the cousin?"
"Zhang Miaor greets Elder Sister-in-law. I've heard from Mother since morning that Elder Sister-in-law is extremely beautiful. Seeing you today, Elder Sister-in-law is indeed incredibly beautiful."
Feng Jin didn't react much to Zhang Miaor's flattering words, merely nodding slightly. After all, she had heard such words too many times and had become numb to them, so she didn't pay much attention.
"Sit down first, don't just stand there. Chu Qing, serve tea."
Having had a bad impression of Ling Changyi from the start, Feng Jin was now indifferent to their flattery, responding with a perfunctory politeness. After a while, she casually found an excuse, feigning an urgent matter, and sent the two of them away.
After they left, Feng Jin finally shed her pretense, leaning back lazily in her chair and rubbing her slightly aching corners of her mouth. It was too tiring to keep smiling like that.
"If they come again later, tell them I'm not here. In any case, find a reason to stall them as much as possible. If you can prevent them from coming in, don't let them in."
Not wanting to expend any more effort dealing with them, Feng Jin instructed Chu Qing.
"Your servant understands. This elder aunt is truly difficult to deal with. Her mouth is sharper than a knife, and she speaks without mercy. Your servant was just caught in her trap."
This was the first time she had encountered Ling Changyi, and Chu Qing had not expected her to be so formidable. With just a few words, she was rendered speechless. In a moment of distraction, she allowed the two to barge in.
Since they were already inside, she couldn't drive them away and had no choice but to summon the Young Madam.
"This aunt is already quite formidable, and this cousin is no easy person either. These two will likely not have an easy time in the Ling family."
From the moment they met, Feng Jin had seen that Zhang Miaor was restless. Although there was a smile in her eyes, it couldn't conceal the calculating look.
These two would surely cause trouble in the Ling family, but it was difficult for her to catch them red-handed at the moment, nor did she have a proper reason to drive them away. She would have to be cautious when dealing with them in the future.
"It's understandable that you couldn't handle them. These two have at least eight hundred schemes in their minds, and you alone are no match for them. In the future, when you encounter them again, remember not to argue too much with them. Just stick to your own stance."
"Your servant has taken note and will do her best to stop them."
Learning from experience, and with this failure, she would definitely not fall into their trap again.
Chu Qing nodded solemnly, firmly remembering Feng Jin's instructions.
...
As soon as she returned to her courtyard, Zhang Miaor cast aside her gentle demeanor and revealed her true nature, smashing things in the room.
"Put that down! This is not the Zhang family, this is the Ling Mansion. Have you forgotten what I told you before we came? No matter how much anger or humiliation you suffer, you must control your temper. You've only received a little slight, and you're already smashing things like this. With your inability to stay calm, what great things can you accomplish in the future!"
"With your temperament, unable to endure the slightest bit of grievance, how can you establish yourself in the capital? I went through great effort to bring you here, and it will all be in vain. If that's the case, then go back. Marry a poor scholar as your father intended, and spend your life farming."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Miaor panicked instantly and quickly placed the vase on the table.
With a "thump," she knelt before Ling Changyi, her fair little hands tightly gripping the hem of her clothes, pleading, "Mother... I don't want to go back, I don't want to marry that scholar. Mother, help me, please help me..."
How could she marry a poor scholar? Would she have to farm and grow vegetables for a lifetime? She couldn't endure such a life.
Zhang Miaor pleaded repeatedly, her delicate little face streaming with tears, looking incredibly pitiful.
Ling Changyi's heart finally softened. She reached out and helped Zhang Miaor up, pulling her hand and sitting down with her.
"Mother has always doted on you. I hired the best tutors for your music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. All your food, clothing, and daily necessities have been the best since you were little, all so you could marry into a good family and live a life of wealth and honor. Mother is doing all this for your own good."
"But you, my child, have such high aspirations and cannot bear the slightest grievance. How will you establish yourself in this deep compound in the future? Look at the immense wealth of the Ling family; our Zhang family cannot compare. Of the households your father has arranged for you, which one can compare to this?"
Ling Changyi persuaded her with great earnestness. How much effort had she put in to bring Zhang Miaor to the Ling Mansion? It was all for her to have a good future.
"Daughter knows her mistake. It was my daughter who almost failed Mother's plans. From now on, daughter will strictly follow Mother's teachings and will never disappoint Mother."
Seeing that Zhang Miaor could think this way, Ling Changyi felt much relieved. She gently patted Zhang Miaor's fair hand, "It's best that you think this way. Currently, all the major and minor affairs of the Ling family are managed by Feng Jin. Everyone in the mansion obeys her commands. You must absolutely not have any conflict with her. No matter what, no matter how great the grievance, you must endure it."
"Daughter has noted it all."
Zhang Miaor nodded solemnly, firmly keeping Ling Changyi's words in mind.
The wealth and glory of the Ling family were beyond her imagination.