Her legs were a bit sore from walking for so long, and Feng Jin rubbed her aching limbs as she suggested.
The capital was so vast, and if they continued to wander around so aimlessly, when would it ever end? She really couldn't walk anymore.
Old Master Ling glanced at Feng Jin with a hint of disdain. "How old are you to be so frail? You've only walked for a short while and you're already complaining about being tired. Back in my day, when I led troops into battle, I could march a hundred miles a day and never once uttered the word 'tired.' You young people live too comfortable a life, which is why you're always talking about being tired. You should be made to undergo more trials and tribulations..."
The string of reprimands fell on Feng Jin's ears. Already feeling low due to fatigue, her spirits plummeted further when she was lectured like this, her entire being exuding exhaustion.
She now finally understood how Ling Wan and Chu Qing must have felt when she had forced them to keep walking, and with bags and bundles at that.
A wave of guilt washed over her. Feng Jin decided to find an opportunity to properly compensate Ling Wan and Chu Qing, and to alleviate her inner remorse.
"Young people should indeed be tempered. Hurry up and get going, let's continue forward."
Old Master Ling, after thoroughly scolding Feng Jin, walked ahead on his own.
Feng Jin sighed helplessly, wishing she could just find a place to rest.
"Grandfather, there's a storyteller ahead, shall we sit there and have a cup of tea?"
"Or perhaps we could go to the opera house ahead and listen to a performance? I heard they just released 'The Butterfly Lovers,' and it's supposed to be wonderful. Grandfather, let's go listen."
Feng Jin tried every means to suggest activities that involved sitting, but all were rejected by Old Master Ling.
"What's so good about those flashy things? It's these things that confuse you into pursuing pleasure. With that time, you should read a couple more books..."
"Then, Grandfather, shall we go buy a couple of books?"
Old Master Ling continued to shake his head. "No. Those books are all reprints, and many of the contents are incorrect. They aren't original works. What books are missing from the Ling family's library? When we return to the manor, I'll have someone select a few to send to you."
"No, Grandfather. Ling Mohan's study still has quite a few books, enough for me to read."
Feng Jin instinctively refused. The books Ling Mohan had given her were enough to kill her. The most crucial thing was that she couldn't recognize the characters in those books, so how could she read or learn them?
She was helpless against this cultural difference and could only resign herself to it.
"You have no spirit of inquiry at all. My dear grandson must not be like you."
Old Master Ling looked at Feng Jin with an expression of disappointment, worried that his beloved grandson would end up like Feng Jin in the future.
"Grandfather, then you'll have to worry from now on. Because my son will naturally take after me, and he probably won't be very good at reading."
"Nonsense, they will certainly take after Han'er. Han'er was very intelligent when he was young, he could remember any book after a single glance, and was skilled in both literary and martial arts. My grandson will naturally be just as exceptionally intelligent."
He didn't believe that the two children would turn out like Feng Jin. Er Bao's disposition was exactly like Han'er's, and he would surely be like Han'er in the future.
As for Da Bao, he was mischievous, lively, and clever, much like Feng Jin. He wasn't worried about the children's intelligence, but rather that Da Bao would, like Feng Jin, not know how to study diligently, which would be quite troublesome.
"That's not necessarily true. If he's like Ling Mohan, who can summarize three sentences into one, I really wouldn't want our child to take after him."
Ling Mohan's temperament was already enough to drive people crazy. Having one such person by her side was enough; she didn't want another, or she would truly go mad.
"That's called being steady and composed, what do you know!"
Old Master Ling retorted directly. His grandson was naturally perfect in every way, and even if there were flaws, others were not allowed to point them out.
Feng Jin pouted in dissatisfaction. The way their family members protected each other was truly identical.
"What's happening up ahead? It's so lively!" Attracted by the noise ahead, Old Master Ling went to join the crowd.
"Grandfather..." Feng Jin called out to Old Master Ling's retreating figure and then hurried to catch up. He was truly a worry, always running around. She definitely wouldn't come out with him again next time.
Feng Jin followed closely behind Old Master Ling, her hands held protectively as if fearing someone might bump into him. She was truly overtaxed with worry.
"Girl, I'm fine. They can't touch me. You don't need to follow behind me. Let's go forward and have a look."
After walking a few steps further, it became clear that it was a martial arts contest for marriage. Old Master Ling's interest was instantly piqued, and he moved forward a couple of steps, only to be pulled back by Feng Jin's sleeve.
"Grandfather, they're holding a martial arts contest for marriage, to find a spouse. It's a bit inappropriate for you to push your way in to watch the excitement."
Feng Jin said tactfully. At Old Master Ling's age, it was clearly inappropriate to be in the crowd, and it would be bad if any misunderstandings arose.
After speaking, Feng Jin pulled and tugged Old Master Ling out.
"What's inappropriate about it? Holding a martial arts contest for marriage in a public place means everyone can watch and participate. Besides, I'm just going to see the excitement, what's inappropriate about that?"
Old Master Ling was unfazed. His buried memories were suddenly awakened, and he began to recall past events.
"Back then, I was also a handsome and heroic young man. Your grandmother and I met through a martial arts contest for marriage. Your grandmother was the most beautiful woman in the capital then, and she held a martial arts contest for marriage just like this. She stood on the embroidered tower in a red wedding dress."
"The number of people who came to snatch the embroidered ball back then was more than double the current number. Your grandmother, among all of them, spotted me at a glance and threw the embroidered ball steadily into my hand..."
As Old Master Ling reminisced about the past, the corners of his mouth curved upward, his smile undeniable.
Reminiscing seemed to make him younger, but alas, the past could not be revisited, and the flowing years could never be retrieved.
"So, Grandfather, Grandmother chose you at a glance back then."
"Of course. You have no idea how many people proposed to your grandmother back then, they almost broke down the door. Yet your grandmother was deeply in love with me. It was all because of my outstanding appearance that I so easily won her over."
Speaking of this matter, Old Master Ling's face was filled with pride. Thanks to his striking appearance, he was able to easily win the beauty.
"Is that so?"