He did not expect him to perform exceptionally, as long as his performance was steady, it would be good.
"Your grandson has noted it and will not fail his grandfather's trust."
Seven days remained until the imperial examination. It was false to say he wasn't worried, but seeing his grandfather's concern filled his heart with emotion. He was even more determined to achieve a high rank, to bring glory to the Ling family's name, and to show the world that he was not useless.
"The wind has picked up, and it's getting chilly. Go back; don't catch a cold."
"Yes, grandson will help grandfather back."
Ling Muzhu was about to help Old Master Ling when he was stopped, "You go back first. I'll stroll a bit longer..."
"Yes, then grandson will return. Grandfather, the cold wind is bad for your health. Grandfather should also go back soon."
"Alright, I know. You go back."
Old Master Ling nodded and urged Ling Mohan to leave. The smile on his face instantly faded, and his hand gripping the cane tightened abruptly.
"Go and bring the eldest young lady back to her courtyard."
"Yes, old master. This old servant will go now."
The housekeeper nodded quickly and left in a hurry.
...
Ling Changyi looked flustered in the hall, her gaze darting left and right. She paused her steps but dared not walk out.
"Madam, we have been waiting for an hour and have not seen anyone. Shall we go back?"
"Be quiet. Since Father asked me to come, he has something to say. Just wait, and do not speak of returning."
Huichun lowered her head, a fleeting look of weariness crossing her face. She truly regretted coming to the capital with Madam.
She didn't know what Madam was thinking. She lived so freely at home, yet she insisted on coming here to endure humiliation. She could no longer tolerate what had happened these past few days.
Madam, who always had the highest aspirations, was able to endure it all this afternoon, which was beyond her expectation.
After another quarter of an hour, the sound of a cane tapping the ground was heard from outside the hall. Ling Changyi quickly stood up to greet him and went forward to support him upon seeing Old Master Ling.
"Father, please sit slowly. Father, the wind outside is strong today. You must wear more clothes when you go out..."
Ling Changyi's face was full of solicitous care, and her words were all concern. For a moment, Old Master Ling couldn't tell if she was sincere or pretending.
If it was fake, then her disguise was too good, truly chilling.
But he had been indifferent and chose to ignore Ling Changyi for many years. Now that his remaining days were numbered, there was no need to change anything. After all, Ling Changyi's mother was a malicious person. Who knew if her current display of kindness and gentleness was true or false?
"As for Muzhu's marriage, and the marriages of all the Ling family's young men, it is not for you to decide. You do not need to be busy arranging matches!"
Old Master Ling said unequivocally, his stern gaze falling on Ling Changyi, as if warning her about something. Ling Changyi's hand holding the teacup trembled slightly.
With a "thump," Ling Changyi directly knelt down. "Father, please forgive me. It was my daughter's momentary foolishness and loose talk. I saw that Muzhu was around the same age as my daughter and thought it would be good to have a double happiness, like relatives marrying relatives. I did not know that Muzhu's marriage was to be decided by Father..."
"My daughter was impulsive and almost made a mistake. Please punish me, Father. My daughter will have no complaints whatsoever."
Old Master Ling looked down at Ling Changyi kneeling before him. He had expected her to argue a bit, but he didn't expect her to be like this... For a moment, he didn't know what to do and could only ask her to rise first and then admonish her a few more times.
"Go now. Don't let the servants see and make a spectacle of yourselves. I didn't call you here to punish you, but I have already made a decision about Muzhu's marriage. It's best if you don't interfere."
"As for your daughter, if she is not yet married and has no suitable candidate, this old man can arrange one for her."
He had indeed wronged Ling Changyi in her marriage before. He was also worried that she would be like her birth mother, so he hastily chose a family and married her off. Speaking of it, she had indeed suffered.
It just so happened that he could make amends for this guilt through her daughter, and his heart would be at ease.
"Father... you..."
Ling Changyi could hardly believe that her father would propose this. In her excitement, she forgot to reply.
"What, you are unwilling?"
"No... no... Father, my daughter is willing. If it is decided by Father, my daughter can rest assured."
Old Master Ling looked at Ling Changyi's respectful demeanor, and his expression improved considerably.
"Father, I would like to bring my child to the Ling family for a few days. She always tells me she wants to see her maternal grandfather... It's just that she has never had the chance. This time I've returned, I promised her that after I settle down in the capital, I would bring her back to the Ling family to meet her maternal grandfather."
Ling Changyi was much smarter this time and began to play the emotional card, which did indeed move Old Master Ling.
"Let her come... I will send someone to pick her up."
It was also out of guilt for Ling Changyi that he did not refuse. A little girl couldn't stir up any trouble.
"Daughter thanks Father!"
Ling Changyi kowtowed gratefully. As she bent her head, a triumphant smile flashed across her face, and when she looked up, her expression was again one of reverence.
After leaving Old Master Ling, Ling Changyi's gentle and respectful expression vanished completely. In its place was a triumphant smile.
"Madam, do you really want the Ling family's old master to casually arrange a marriage for Miss? Our young lady is as beautiful as a falling fish and a shy goose, and as alluring as the moon and flowers. If our family had no power, our young lady would not only be a noble lady, but she could also be a princess or even an empress."
Huichun said with a fawning smile, which delighted Ling Changyi. "You are right. Our young lady is a hundred times better than the noble ladies in the capital. It's just a pity she was born to the wrong family and happened to recognize me as her mother. No one in the family is an official. The daughter of a merchant family has a bleak future. If she were the legitimate daughter of the Ling family, she could also be a princess or an empress."
"Since I have come to the Ling family and suffered humiliation, I will surely find a way out for my daughter. I must keep her in the capital."
She hadn't had these plans originally, but in recent days, the people who came to propose were either from merchant families or impoverished scholars who were looking for handouts. Such families were truly not good matches.
This was why her gaze was fixed on the Ling family. Why should the Ling family be flourishing, living in luxury, and holding high official positions? She was also a daughter of the Ling family, and these honors and riches rightfully belonged to her in part.
Since she had come, she would risk everything to keep her daughter in the Ling family and in the capital, so that her later life would be worry-free.
"Huichun, ride back quickly and tell Miss to pack her belongings and come to the capital as soon as possible."
The later she arrived, the more her heart would be hanging in suspense.