Feng Jin's tone was laced with suspicion, her scrutinizing gaze falling on Old Master Ling as she studied him carefully. She couldn't help but feel that his words were somewhat unbelievable.
Perhaps it was due to her limited understanding of Old Master Ling; based on what she knew, it was rather difficult for her to believe him.
"This is naturally true!" Old Master Ling stated decisively, his tone firm and leaving no room for doubt.
Feng Jin pursed her lips. Fearing Old Master Ling's anger, she promptly closed her mouth and stopped arguing with him about these pointless matters. She decided to simply listen to whatever he wanted to say.
"Don't think I don't know what you're thinking. You haven't seen my past glory, which was no less than Han'er's..."
He tried his best to explain, hoping to make Feng Jin believe his story. He only regretted not having some portraits painted when he was young, which led to Feng Jin's current skepticism.
With portraits in hand, he wouldn't have to worry about others doubting the truth of his words. Unfortunately, it was too late.
Feng Jin couldn't help but connect Ling Mohan and Old Master Ling in her mind, finding the image somewhat amusing.
The main reason was the vast difference between the two men; it was truly difficult to connect them.
No longer arguing these matters with Old Master Ling, Feng Jin simply went along with what he said.
"What grandfather says is naturally not false. It's just my misfortune that I couldn't witness grandfather's youthful demeanor. It is truly a pity."
Fearing Old Master Ling would doubt the sincerity of her words, she tried her best to appear earnest.
Feng Jin's flattering words struck a chord with Old Master Ling, making him overjoyed. His smile couldn't be contained.
"Girl, you are quite sensible. Your judgment is not bad."
After speaking, Old Master Ling turned and looked back towards the departing crowd, disappearing into it in the blink of an eye.
Seeing this, Feng Jin quickly followed: "Grandfather, why have you come back?"
"Naturally, I came to see what the young lady looks like, and if she is as beautiful as your grandmother."
Feng Jin, however, suspected that Old Master Ling wanted to catch a thrown繡球 (xiùqiú - embroidered ball) for fun. Otherwise, why would he be squeezing so hard into the crowd?
Unable to suppress her doubts, Feng Jin finally asked: "Grandfather, you're not planning to catch the embroidered ball, are you? You are old, and it's really not appropriate. It's better to leave the opportunity to the young people."
"Ah... It hurts..."
As soon as the words left her mouth, Feng Jin received a heavy rap on her forehead. Her entire forehead instantly burned with pain, and she reached up to gently rub it.
"Serves you right! You're becoming more and more lawless. How can you say such things? If this were to get out, would my reputation be salvageable?"
"You are sitting here watching unmarried girls throw embroidered balls. Anyone else would think the same. If you don't believe me, go ask others if that's not the case."
Feng Jin muttered discontentedly, cradling her forehead. Since they had squeezed in, they had received so many scornful glances and hushed discussions, making her feel more awkward than ever. She wished she could just disappear on the spot.
She had already made up her mind that if Old Master Ling insisted on staying, she would leave first and then call Ling Mohan to find a way to get him back.
If Ling Mohan were to know that his grandfather was here watching girls throw embroidered balls, he would also be surprised, thinking he wanted to get married again.
Just as Feng Jin was preparing to persuade Old Master Ling to return with her, a commotion suddenly erupted from the embroidered building. In an instant, everyone crowded around the embroidered building, desperately trying to push their way further inside.
Fortunately, Feng Jin was quick-witted and pulled Old Master Ling back in time, avoiding the consequence of being swept along with the crowd.
"A bunch of young brats! Don't you know how to look? Can't you see a living person standing here? Do you still know what respecting elders and cherishing the young is!"
Old Master Ling grumbled indignantly. Hadn't Feng Jin pulled him back just in time?
If not, there would have been two outcomes for him: either he would be knocked to the ground by the crowd, or he would be pushed forward with them. If he were pushed to the front, he would have no way to explain himself, no matter how many mouths he had.
It would surely spread that he wanted to get married again, and his reputation in his later years would be ruined.
"Grandfather, why don't we go back? This place is not suitable for lingering."
"Alright... Let's go."
Rarely did Old Master Ling disagree with Feng Jin. For once, they were in unison and left together.
As Feng Jin took two steps forward, something unknown hit the back of her head hard. Feng Jin cried out in pain and quickly covered the spot where she was hit. It truly hurt, bringing tears to her eyes.
Turning around, she saw the red embroidered ball that had fallen on the ground. Feng Jin squatted down and picked it up.
The accuracy of the girl throwing the embroidered ball was truly terrible, yet it landed precisely on her, a woman. It seemed the girl would have to throw it again.
"Girl, you have good luck. The embroidered ball actually landed in your hand."
Old Master Ling looked at the red embroidered ball in Feng Jin's hand and said.
"And I got hit by it. I would rather not have this luck. Grandfather, please wait for me here for a moment. I will return this embroidered ball and ask the young lady to throw it again."
As it concerned the young lady's lifelong happiness, she had to quickly return the embroidered ball and not cause any delay.
After speaking, Feng Jin walked forward with the embroidered ball and coincidentally met the approaching servants.
The slightly older servant at the forefront saw the embroidered ball in Feng Jin's hand, his mouth widening in surprise, wide enough to fit an egg.
"How did the embroidered ball get into your hand, miss?"
"It just happened to hit me. Here's the embroidered ball back to you."
Feng Jin recognized them as the ones looking for the embroidered ball and directly handed it to them. Just as she was about to leave, they blocked her path.
"I have already returned the embroidered ball to you. I am leaving now, please let me pass." httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
Were these people going to be persistent? The embroidered ball had already been returned to them; what else did they want?
Old Master Ling, who was behind her, saw Feng Jin being blocked and hurried over, directly standing in front of Feng Jin.
"How dare you block my granddaughter-in-law? If you have something to say, say it to me."
Looking at the slightly aged figure blocking her way, Feng Jin felt a surge of emotion.
It was not in vain that she accompanied the Old Master for such a long time; it was still somewhat useful.
"This lady, since the embroidered ball has reached you, please come back with us. The master's orders are such, and it would be difficult for us to explain if we returned without you."
The leading man said with a troubled expression. He had been specifically instructed by the master before leaving to bring back the person who caught the embroidered ball.