Zhang Miaor sobbed softly, her eyes red. After half a moment of thought, she nodded silently, "I will marry into the Chu King's mansion at my mother's word."
Marrying into the Chu King's mansion meant at least securing prosperity and wealth for this generation.
"Good... good..."
Ling Changyi's lips pulled into a smile that stretched almost to her ears.
Although the Chu King was a bit older, he was the Emperor's uncle, powerful and influential, with wealth that could last for generations. If Zhang Miaor married into the Chu King's mansion, her life from now on would be secure.
Finally, her daughter had not been raised in vain. In an instant, all her previous displeasure vanished. Ling Changyi was in an exceptionally good mood.
"Miaor, you rest well for now and wait for the marriage. Your mother will arrange everything else for you, so rest assured."
Ling Changyi patted Zhang Miaor's shoulder, her intention to simply wait for the Chu King's betrothal gifts to arrive.
"Grandfather wants to drive us out of the capital, so if we..."
"Silly child, once you marry into the Chu King's mansion, your status will naturally be different. The Ling family will be too busy trying to curry favor with us to drive us away."
At that time, they would be considered half imperial relatives. No matter how powerful the Ling family was, they were merely subjects, not to be compared with the Chu King.
After enduring so much humiliation, she finally had a day to hold her head high.
As Ling Changyi's triumph grew, Butler Wu walked in directly, followed by several servants.
"Who let you in without my permission? Get out!"
Ling Changyi glared furiously at Butler Wu. How dare a servant barge into her room so brazenly? It was as if they were completely disregarded.
Butler Wu paid no mind to Ling Changyi. His only master was the Old Master Ling, so he naturally did not show much deference to Ling Changyi.
"My apologies, Eldest Miss. The Old Master has ordered that you leave the Ling mansion immediately and never set foot in the capital again for the rest of your lives."
"Impossible, Father wouldn't do this to me, impossible... you must be spouting nonsense!"
Her face showed disbelief. No matter how much her father disliked her, he wouldn't treat her this way. Ling Changyi kept shaking her head in denial, then said, "It must be that little vixen Feng Jin who sent you here, isn't it? She wants to drive us mother and daughter out!"
From the beginning, she felt Feng Jin was no good. If it hadn't been for Feng Jin just now, she would have managed to conceal the matter.
Now, thinking about it, perhaps Feng Jin was also behind the scheme involving Miaor. Ling Changyi's hatred for Feng Jin intensified.
"Eldest Miss, these are the Old Master's orders. Please do not make things difficult for this old servant."
The butler's implication was that Ling Changyi and her daughter should obediently leave the Ling family, so that everyone could maintain appearances and avoid an embarrassing scene.
However, Ling Changyi was determined not to leave obediently. She would cling on stubbornly.
"I am also a daughter of the Ling family, and it is not your place, a mere servant, to boss me around. If you want me to leave, my father must personally drive me out!"
Ling Changyi's attitude was resolute. She sat in her chair, refusing to leave. Having finally returned to the Ling family, it was impossible for her to leave so easily.
"Mother..." Zhang Miaor shrank behind Ling Changyi, seeking protection with a hint of fear.
"Don't be afraid, Mother is here, no one can dare to drive us mother and daughter away!"
Ling Changyi patted Zhang Miaor's hand, reassuring her.
"Eldest Miss, please do not make things difficult for this old servant. This way, everyone can maintain their dignity. If this escalates, it will not look good for your reputation or that of your cousin."
Butler Wu patiently persuaded her, saying that Ling Changyi was still the eldest daughter of the Ling family, and if the situation became too ugly, he would have a difficult time explaining it to the Old Master.
"You dog servant, you are merely a dog raised by my father, you are a servant of the Ling family! How dare you act so presumptuously in front of me? Scram, or you might lose your dog life!"
Anger flared up in Ling Changyi. She did not mince words with Butler Wu. She grabbed the teapot from the table and hurled it directly at him.
A pot of tea splashed onto Butler Wu, accompanied by a "bang" as the teapot shattered into pieces on the floor, spilling tea leaves all over him.
Such humiliation was unbearable for anyone. The last trace of kindness on Butler Wu's face vanished, "Since Eldest Miss is ungrateful for favors, do not blame this old servant for acting ruthlessly."
"What do you want to do!"
At this moment, Ling Changyi began to panic slightly, regretting her words and instinctively shrinking back.
"What are you all standing around for? You eat the food of the master, so you must share the master's burdens. Hurry and escort the Eldest Miss out of the mansion. If you fail to complete the Old Master's orders, your own livelihoods will be at risk."
Butler Wu spoke in a calm tone, but his words carried immense deterrent force for the two women. The servants behind him exchanged glances, then simultaneously stepped forward to surround Ling Changyi.
Zhang Miaor trembled with fear, quickly hiding behind Ling Changyi.
"Are you trying to rebel? I am the Eldest Miss of the Ling mansion, step back!"
Only now did Ling Changyi seem truly flustered, shouting in anger.
The servants who had stepped forward hesitated at her words, caught in a dilemma.
"What are you waiting for? Get moving, don't forget you eat the old man's food!"
Butler Wu's patience wore thin, and he ordered the servants to act, intending to forcibly drag the mother and daughter out.
They were already unwelcome, and after getting married, they still wanted to return to the Ling family to cause trouble. The Old Master's disposition was already lenient. If it were up to the young madam, she would have had these two beaten out long ago. Yet, despite the kind persuasion, they were so uncooperative.
The servants immediately understood Butler Wu's intention. They stepped forward, grabbed the mother and daughter, and dragged them out.
"Let go of me... let go of me! I am the Ling family's Eldest Miss... you dog servants, let go of me!"
Ling Changyi shouted loudly, gripping the corner of the table tightly, refusing to let go. However, four hands were stronger than two fists, and she was pushed and dragged out of the room.
"Eldest Miss, stop struggling. If the servants see this, you'll become a laughingstock. Eldest Miss, listen to this old servant's advice and leave obediently; it's better for everyone."
Butler Wu bent down to meet Ling Changyi's gaze, speaking in a conciliatory tone. He did not want to escalate the situation and merely wanted to persuade Ling Changyi to be sensible and leave.
"Never! I will absolutely not leave!"
Since she had returned to the Ling family, she would not leave so easily. "Even if I die, I will die in the Ling family!"