Lin Yuwei found herself caught between laughter and tears, her eyes welling up, only for her to forcibly hold them back. The situation was so awkward, she didn't know how to continue the conversation.
Feng Jin covered her mouth and chuckled softly, propping up her chin lazily.
"Pack all these cosmetics and take them back. Just put them on my tab. I have a few bottles of skincare water and lotion at home. When I return, I'll send someone to deliver them to your estate."
"Sister Feng Jin, you are so kind to me. How can I ever repay you..."
After much thought, she realized she had nothing substantial to offer Feng Jin in return. She wasn't lacking in wealth, and besides, she didn't have any money herself.
However, Sister Feng Jin seemed to lack nothing either, which truly stumped her.
"I don't need your repayment. As long as you live comfortably and don't quarrel with Prince Jing every other day and run to the Ling estate, I'll be content. If you stay at the Ling estate for a few days, Prince Jing will wear down the doorstep."
Feng Jin's tone was filled with helplessness. Recently, Lin Yuwei had been practically staying at the Ling estate every few days, only for Chu Chenyi to follow her, lingering and refusing to leave.
She had to worry about the affairs of these two people daily. As long as they stopped bothering her, she was willing to spend more money.
"I don't do that... It's all Chu Chenyi who picks fights and troubles me. Wherever I go, he follows. Why don't you have the guards at the gate be more vigilant? As long as it's Chu Chenyi, don't let him in."
It was all Chu Chenyi's fault, and she was being implicated along with him. She thought this method was quite good; it would allow her to block Chu Chenyi at the door and prevent him from entering.
Feng Jin sighed helplessly, her ears catching the words that suggested Lin Yuwei still planned to bother her from time to time.
If things continued like this, would she ever have any peace?
It seemed necessary to have a good talk with Chu Chenyi about this matter, to stop him from provoking Lin Yuwei daily and from shamelessly lingering in her home.
If this endless torment continued, anyone would be overwhelmed.
Once Feng Jin made up her mind, she began planning to visit Prince Jing's estate on a certain day to have a proper chat with Chu Chenyi.
"How could the Ling estate's guards stop him? I would be content if you two would just quarrel less."
Feng Jin's tone was filled with helplessness. She wondered why other couples, after a quarrel, would reconcile, while these two seemed to turn the world upside down.
Their previous argument about divorce had even reached the palace, and it was heard that only the Empress Dowager's intervention had managed to suppress the matter.
Things had been relatively calm for some time now. She didn't know how long it would last. All she hoped was that their quarrels wouldn't turn her domain into a battlefield.
After a few casual remarks, the two returned to their respective estates.
"Young Madam, I will go and heat some water for you to soak your feet."
Chu Qing helped Feng Jin sit down comfortably on a chair, and then went to the small kitchen to boil water.
Upon returning to her room, Feng Jin immediately removed the pearl hairpins and jade ornaments from her bun, as well as the faux bun.
In an instant, the weight on her head was significantly reduced, making her feel light as a feather, though the soreness in her neck intensified.
She reached up and vigorously massaged her sore neck, which provided some relief.
Wearing these things on her head was sheer torture. She wondered how ancient people wore them all day without getting tired.
Just wearing them today, with the heavy and elaborate bejeweled hair, her neck felt as if it would break.
"Young Madam, the hot water is ready. Please soak your feet first. Later, I will help you massage your acupoints so you can sleep soundly at night."
"You know how to do that? I never saw you possess such skills before."
Feng Jin was slightly surprised. She had never realized Chu Qing had so many hidden talents. It was as if she was now in "unmasking" mode; she wondered what else she didn't know.
"These were all taught to us by Granny Sun's people, specifically so we would be proficient in various tasks. This way, it would be easier for us to disguise ourselves when on missions. It seems to be quite useful now."
When they first learned these things, it was through force and coercion. Now, they were truly being put to use.
As Chu Qing finished massaging Feng Jin and was about to get up and leave, before her hand even touched the doorknob, the door was violently kicked open from the outside.
Then, a familiar figure slowly appeared. Lin Yuwei, who should have been at Prince Jing's estate, had returned once more.
At that moment, Feng Jin's heart skipped a beat. She had a feeling that nothing good was about to happen. Just as she was contemplating how to speak, Lin Yuwei opened her mouth and said.
"Sister Feng Jin, I have nowhere else to go. Please take me in for a while."
Before Feng Jin could utter a refusal, Lin Yuwei hastily spoke first.
Being preempted, Feng Jin's words were forcibly swallowed back. She looked at Lin Yuwei helplessly and asked wearily, "Tell me first, what happened today that made you run away from home again?"
Lin Yuwei sat down heavily on a chair, her hands on the table clenching into fists.
She truly didn't know how to express it. As soon as she returned to the Prince's estate today, she happened to run into Ling Mohan, who was coming out. Before she could even greet him, he had already walked past her, not even sparing her a glance.
When she encountered Chu Chenyi, he immediately launched into a barrage of scolding.
Ultimately, wasn't it because she had told Sister Feng Jin about the Third Prince's private matters?
After all this, Ling Mohan's late-night visit was perhaps to discuss this matter with Chu Chenyi.
She naturally couldn't stand Chu Chenyi's nagging, and in a fit of anger, she argued with him. Filled with fury, she naturally didn't want to return to the Pingyang Marquis's estate. After much deliberation, the only place that could shelter her was Sister Feng Jin's.
"Actually, it's because..." Lin Yuwei decided to tell Feng Jin everything.
"You're saying Ling Mohan actively came to talk to Chu Chenyi about these things..."
Feng Jin found it completely unbelievable that Ling Mohan would do something so childish and brainless, her tone filled with doubt.
"Perhaps you've guessed wrong. Ling Mohan's visit must have been for important matters that needed discussion."