Feng Jin did not stand on ceremony and began to eat heartily, not forgetting to attend to the somewhat reserved Ling Wan, placing whatever she found delicious onto Ling Wan's plate.
"Eldest sister-in-law, that's enough... I can't possibly eat all this..." Ling Wan said softly to Feng Jin, looking at the pile of food that was almost forming a small mountain, quickly telling Feng Jin. If she kept adding more, she truly wouldn't be able to eat any more.
Reminded by Ling Wan, Feng Jin then noticed that she had inadvertently placed so much food. The mouthful of fish she had just picked up was finally placed into her own bowl.
"Old Master... Old Master..."
The housekeeper rushed in in a panic. Because he ran too quickly, his forehead was covered in sweat. He wiped it in a flustered manner, panting heavily.
"What is it? Such a joyous occasion, and you're so flustered!"
A hint of displeasure crossed Old Master Ling's face. The housekeeper had been by his side for so many years and was always very steady. He rarely saw him so flustered, and Old Master Ling's nerves also tensed up. He hurriedly asked, "What happened?"
"Old Master!" The housekeeper took a deep breath. After calming his emotions, he continued, "Old Master... outside the manor gates... outside the manor gates, people from the Sheng family are kneeling..."
"The Sheng family!" Old Master Ling's eyes narrowed sharply. Although their Ling and Sheng families were both officials in the same court, they had very little private interaction. What was the Sheng family here for? And they were kneeling outside the manor gates. Wasn't this putting their Ling family in a precarious position?
Among those present, only Feng Jin knew what was truly going on. Although she had long anticipated that such an event would occur, she did not expect it to happen so quickly.
"Eldest sister-in-law... I..."
Ling Wan looked at Feng Jin with a heart full of worry, unable to calm down, her palms covered in sweat.
"It's alright, don't worry!" Feng Jin reached out and patted the back of Ling Wan's hand to reassure her.
Old Master Ling could no longer sit still. Just as he was about to stand up and walk to the entrance of the hall, he stopped. If he went out, wouldn't that make the Ling family seem too concerned about the matter and thus embolden the Sheng family's arrogance?
After much deliberation, he felt that it was not appropriate to go personally. Old Master Ling then turned around and his gaze shifted among the people in the room, finally landing on Feng Jin. The more he looked, the more he felt that it was most suitable for Feng Jin to go out. Having made up his mind, he cleared his throat and said, "Granddaughter-in-law, go and see."
Feng Jin, who was contemplating how to watch the show, was suddenly named. She was first slightly stunned, then quickly waved her hands in refusal upon realizing. "Grandfather, it's not appropriate for me to go. Such a major matter requires you, Grandfather, to go personally."
If Old Master Ling went, he would certainly be able to awe the Sheng family. If she went out, she would undoubtedly be pestered by them and find it difficult to escape.
Feng Jin still wanted to trick Old Master Ling. Her eyes rolled suspiciously, and she continued to try and persuade him, "Grandfather, you are the head of the Ling family. It is not appropriate for you not to go and see such a major event. It is still up to you, Grandfather, to make this trip. As long as you go, you will definitely be able to awe that bunch of undisciplined rabble from the Sheng family."
Old Master Ling was flattered by Feng Jin's words, but he still maintained his final reason. "No... you are in charge of the Ling family's affairs now. All major and minor matters in the manor are decided by you. Regardless, all visitors are guests. As the mistress of the Ling manor, you should naturally do this."
"This matter can also be considered as training for you. In the future, you will have many more opportunities to face such matters alone. You must continue to hone your skills. Grandfather believes you can handle this matter well and will certainly not disgrace our Ling family. That is why I have decided to let you handle it."
Very quickly, he tossed this hot potato away. Old Master Ling displayed a rare look of ease on his face. "I am tired, I shall go back and rest."
After saying this, Old Master Ling left as quickly as if he were escaping, leaving the younger generation behind.
The housekeeper, standing to the side, saw this and quickly retreated without a trace, hurrying to follow Old Master Ling's footsteps.
"You old fellow are running quite fast. Don't you know to stay and help a bit!" Old Master Ling scolded Wu housekeeper, who had caught up, not very kindly.
"Old Master, since you've left, who will serve you if this old servant stays there? What do you say?"
"You, you... you've truly become a spirit now!"
Old Master Ling pointed at Wu housekeeper, a smile on his lips. This old fellow had been by his side for so long that he truly knew his temperament thoroughly, and nothing could escape his eyes.
"Secretly have someone go out the back door and call Han'er back to the manor. I am really a bit worried that Feng Jin, that girl, won't be able to handle those stubborn people from the Sheng family!"
He just disliked those who, after reading a few books, thought they were sages with all the ink in their bellies, looking down on people all day long with their eyes fixed upwards.
That's why he hurriedly found an excuse to run out. However, he was a little worried that Feng Jin was too young and couldn't handle it, so it would be better to call Ling Mohan to handle it.
"Old Master, there's no need to worry. Our young madam is a shrewd person. It's not certain who will be at a disadvantage then. Just put your heart at ease and wait for the young madam to deal with them!"
Wu housekeeper's face was now full of pride when he spoke of Feng Jin. In the past, he had truly looked down on the young madam, thinking she was just a country girl with no experience and vulgar behavior.
After so many incidents, he now sincerely admired the young madam. She was truly a heroic woman, far more capable than most men.
It was truly a blessing for several lifetimes that the young general could marry such a woman as his wife. Otherwise, it must be said that Old Master's eyesight was good, selecting the young madam from the Feng family's daughters.
"It's truly not easy to hear praise from your mouth. It seems that Feng Jin is indeed amazing, even you old fellow are convinced. Marrying this granddaughter-in-law was absolutely correct!"
"Isn't that Old Master's discerning eye? He directly carried the young madam into the manor in a sedan chair adorned with red flowers, otherwise our Ling family wouldn't be like this today. Look at how the young madam has organized every part of the manor. Everything is so orderly. In my daze, I feel as if I've returned to the time when the Old Madam was alive..."
Old Master Ling's thoughts were also stirred. He couldn't help but sigh, his tone slightly melancholic. "Yes... it's been so many years since things have been so orderly. The days in the manor can finally be quiet for a while..."