"Grandfather, please calm your anger. Your grandson knows his mistake."
Ling Mohan hastily admitted his fault, sorted out his thoughts, and then recounted the whole story.
From the moment he left the capital to his arrival within the city, he informed Old Master Ling of everything that had happened, without missing a single detail.
Although Feng Jin had personally experienced these events, hearing them recounted by another person still made her feel terrified. The dangers encountered along the journey were numerous.
A slight misstep and her life would have been irrecoverably lost.
A sense of relief at having survived washed over Feng Jin's heart.
After hearing Ling Mohan's account, Old Master Ling's expression drastically changed. The hand resting on the armchair tightened, his knuckles turning slightly white.
He had never expected such numerous twists and turns on the journey, nor had he imagined that Xiliang harbored such wicked ambitions, secretly cultivating so many spies who were constantly attempting to annex Dong Chu.
And then there was the Third Prince. Such a noble status, yet he would collude with Xiliang people and even commit acts of treason and regicide.
"This is utterly absurd and chaotic! How could a Prince commit treason? Is he worthy of the past generations of ancestors and the people of Dong Chu!"
Old Master Ling was grief-stricken. If even the Prince was colluding with Xiliang people, would Dong Chu not be doomed?
Anger surged within him, making it difficult to breathe. Old Master Ling suddenly began to cough violently, his vision blurred, and he nearly lost his footing, staggering a few steps.
Fortunately, Ling Mohan quickly caught him and carefully helped Old Master Ling sit back in the chair.
Feng Jin also sensed something was amiss and quickly stepped forward to check Old Master Ling's pulse. "There is no serious issue, merely agitated by anger."
After speaking, Feng Jin took out a pill and placed it in Old Master Ling's mouth. "Grandfather, hold it under your tongue, do not swallow."
Then, using acupuncture, Feng Jin stabilized Old Master Ling's heart脉.
"Grandfather, please do not be angry. Your grandson will handle this matter properly and will not allow Xiliang's plot to succeed!"
Ling Mohan vowed, assuring Old Master Ling to relax. His grandfather had dedicated his life to the country and had been loyal to the Emperor. He would never wish to see the prosperous land of Dong Chu disrupted by Xiliang.
"Good... good..." Old Master Ling placed his hand on Ling Mohan's shoulder. With Ling Mohan present, he felt at ease. This was the grandson he had personally nurtured to success, and he would certainly not disappoint him.
Old Master Ling calmed his nerves, but his worries did not diminish in the slightest. He turned his gaze to Feng Jin, who had been silent by the side.
"This matter, it is fortunate you were there to remind Han'er. You did well."
This granddaughter-in-law was an excellent choice. It seemed what the master had said was true; Feng Jin and Han'er were indeed a match made in heaven.
Since Feng Jin married into the Ling family, everything that had happened was enough to prove that Feng Jin's fate was indeed destined to bring fortune to Han'er. He believed that with Feng Jin by Han'er's side in the future, everything would proceed smoothly.
Startled by the sudden praise, Feng Jin blinked in surprise. After a while, she finally reacted. "Grandfather is too kind. I am merely a woman, how can I understand these matters? It is all my husband's merit."
She dared not take credit. In simple terms, it was praise for her intelligence, but if interpreted deeper, some might say she was a hen crowing at dawn, meddling in state affairs.
If this were to spread, it would be a capital offense. She dared not accept this credit, only wishing that this matter would not be spread further.
"What are you afraid of?"
"Granddaughter-in-law... granddaughter-in-law is not afraid..."
Confused by Old Master Ling's question, Feng Jin paused for a moment and instinctively denied it.
"Your little thoughts, how could I not know? You are merely worried that the matter will be exposed, and someone will say you are meddling in state affairs, causing gossip, and that His Majesty will blame you."
Feng Jin's expression flickered slightly as her inner thoughts were exposed. Old Master Ling was indeed a shrewd person, seeing through her little thoughts without leaving any room for doubt.
"Since Grandfather knows, can you not make a fuss? For a woman to interfere in political affairs, it will ultimately not be good if it spreads..."
Her reputation was already not very good; if this matter spread further, she would truly fall to rock bottom.
"What are you worried about? You are the daughter-in-law of my Ling family. Even if you meddle in politics, no one should say a word."
Old Master Ling was full of confidence, showing no regard for Feng Jin's worries.
His Ling family members, who would dare to speak ill of them? If anyone dared to gossip, they would be dragged away and beheaded.
Being timid and fearful was truly a disgrace to the Ling family.
Feng Jin was momentarily dumbfounded. These words were quite ostentatious. If they spread, they might even be accused of rebellion.
"Grandfather, you are also... also too arrogant..."
Feng Jin mumbled softly, and immediately regretted speaking after saying it.
Old Master Ling laughed instead of getting angry, his hearty laughter echoing throughout the room.
Truly, this was the granddaughter-in-law he had chosen. She was exactly to his liking and temperament. Feng Jin was destined to be part of his Ling family.
"Good, good. Your disposition truly suits me. From now on, you only need to remember that you are part of the Ling family. Do whatever you wish, and do not mind anyone."
Feng Jin smiled and nodded. She finally understood why Ling Muzhu had such a fearless personality before, and why no one had ever come to deal with him even when he committed wrongdoings. It turned out the root lay here, all due to heredity.
However, Ling Muzhu inherited only useless flaws, while Ling Mohan inherited only merits.
Ling Muzhu, who was studying, sneezed three or four times in a row. He thought he had caught a cold and quickly returned to his room to add two more layers of clothing. The imperial examinations were imminent, and he could not afford to get sick.
"Grandfather, there is one more matter. Your grandson believes it is best to inform you first."
After much consideration, Ling Mohan decided to inform his grandfather about this matter. After all, it concerned the Ling family, and a decision should be made after discussing it with his grandfather.
"What is it? Speak freely."
"Grandfather, it's about Second Uncle..."
"Your Second Uncle, what has that rascal done now?"
A father knows his son best. He knew his incompetent son's character better than anyone and immediately suspected that he had caused trouble outside.
"I found out that Second Uncle has been close with the Third Prince and has also accepted bribes from him."
Chu Yanxi was now colluding with Xiliang, and Second Master Ling was colluding with the Third Prince. If the Third Prince were to fall, Second Master Ling would not escape implication, and the entire Ling family would be implicated.
After careful consideration, Ling Mohan decided to inform his grandfather first. The final decision on how to proceed would need his grandfather's judgment.
"This scoundrel... this damnable thing. I originally thought he was just slow-witted, but I never imagined... I never imagined he could do something like this."