"Alright... let's not talk about this. Let's go back to find some peace and quiet, bask in the sun. There's nothing for me here anymore. When you're old, you're not important, so don't block the way. You old fellow has worked hard for so many years, it's time to rest."
Old Master Ling walked forward with his shuffling steps. Watching these children grow up bit by bit, he also realized that he had aged considerably, and some things were beyond his strength.
It’s truly impossible to defy old age. Fortunately, all these children are promising, and the days in the manor are getting better day by day. He can finally find peace and enjoy his old age.
...
"Eldest Sister-in-law, should we go out and take a look?"
Seeing that Feng Jin hadn't made any move for a long time, Ling Wan couldn't help but ask.
The Sheng family was all kneeling outside the manor. Without guessing, there must be crowds surrounding the manor. If they didn't find a way to disperse them, the Ling family would surely be pushed to the forefront.
With the situation becoming critical, how could Eldest Sister-in-law still look so relaxed and unconcerned?
"Eldest Sister-in-law..."
Ling Wan was about to say more, but was interrupted by Feng Jin raising her hand: "I know what you want to say. Wait for the time it takes to brew a cup of tea. After the time is up, I will go out and take a look immediately."
She could roughly guess why the Sheng family had come, but the time was not yet ripe, and she had to wait a little longer.
After the time it took to brew a cup of tea passed, Ling Wan quickly turned to look at Feng Jin, her heart filled with anxiety. Her brows were tightly furrowed, and her breathing became slightly tense as she silently waited for Feng Jin to speak.
"Young Madam... It's bad... Young Madam, the Sheng family... the Sheng family wants to force their way in!"
A servant rushed in, his voice intermittent as he reported.
Feng Jin's hand holding the teacup trembled slightly. A smile touched the corner of her lips. They finally couldn't wait any longer, and it was time for her to make her appearance.
Putting down the teacup, Feng Jin stood up and tidied her skirt. Her gaze swept over Ling Muzhu and Ling Wan on the sides, and she said lightly, "You two come with me."
"Yes, Eldest Sister-in-law!" Ling Muzhu readily agreed. He had already been thinking about how to go out and see, but he didn't expect his eldest sister-in-law to understand his thoughts so well. He naturally couldn't ask for anything more.
Ling Wan, on the other hand, was the opposite. Her face was full of hesitation, and she did not step forward for a long time. It was Ling Muzhu who stepped forward and pulled Ling Wan out.
"Second Sister, come on. What are you standing there for? Let's go and see for ourselves!"
After speaking, Ling Muzhu grabbed Ling Wan's wrist and hurried forward.
"Hey! Muzhu..."
Startled by the sudden pull, Ling Wan exclaimed in a daze, but her feet obediently moved forward.
Outside the Ling Manor gate, dense crowds of onlookers stood around. Servants formed a human wall, tightly guarding the entrance. Facing them were Master Sheng and Madam Sheng, each with a younger woman standing beside them, holding their arms.
"Master Sheng and Madam Sheng, your presence truly graces our humble abode. We apologize for not welcoming you sooner and ask for your understanding."
Feng Jin slowly moved her steps to the main entrance. Her gaze was calm as she looked at the four members of the Sheng family, a hint of a sarcastic smile on her lips. She had no intention of inviting them into the manor.
Ling Muzhu and Ling Wan followed closely, appearing at the gate, both carefully examining the Sheng family members before them.
"Is this how you treat guests, your Ling family? We have been outside the manor for so long, and not a single one of you has come out to greet us. You even have servants guarding the gate, preventing us from entering. Your Ling family is simply going too far!"
As soon as the words fell, the surrounding onlookers also began to point and whisper.
Some of the words were so unpleasant that even the good-tempered Ling Wan couldn't stand it and was about to retort when Feng Jin stopped her with a look.
"May I know which lady you are?" Feng Jin asked, smiling instead of being angry. She spoke so arrogantly, appearing to be quite a formidable person.
"I am the eldest daughter-in-law of the Sheng family."
Feng Jin couldn't help but burst into laughter: "Who in the capital doesn't know that the Sheng family has strict rules and values etiquette the most? I didn't expect that after seeing you today, you are all hypocrites, all for show."
"How dare you insult us like this... your Ling family is truly vulgar and rude..."
"Shut your mouth. How polite are you? Your in-laws are still here. They haven't spoken yet, so what right do you have to speak!"
Feng Jin's words left her speechless, her face extremely unsightly. Master Sheng, however, was a sensible man. He stepped forward and said, "Young Madam Ling, our family has come here with a request. I hope Young Madam can..."
"Master Sheng, you are too kind. I have already told Madam Sheng that the Ling family and the Sheng family have no further ties. My Ling family members will never enter the Sheng family's door again, and your Sheng family will never enter my Ling family's door again."
"This... Young Madam, these are my wife's foolish words. I hope Young Madam can..."
"Master Sheng, scholars value their promises the most. Since a promise has been made, do not break it. Master Sheng and Madam Sheng, please return!"
Feng Jin's tone was very firm, as if she had made up her mind not to interact with the Sheng family anymore.
Master Sheng's face became extremely grim. He was burning with anxiety and glared at Madam Sheng fiercely, roaring, "This is all your doing! If Xu Bai has an accident, you will regret it for the rest of your life!"
"I... I... it's all my fault. Xu Bai... Xu Bai, it's mother's fault..."
Madam Sheng's eyes welled up with tears, and tears kept falling. At this moment, she regretted it to the core.
After a moment of composure, Madam Sheng, as if driven mad, rushed forward to Feng Jin and directly knelt down.
This sudden action stunned Feng Jin and the other two. Feng Jin was also extremely speechless. She stepped forward to help Madam Sheng up: "Madam Sheng, kneeling like this is useless to me. A promise is worth a thousand pieces of gold. Your words still seem to echo in my ears. If Madam Sheng breaks her promise now, she is truly slapping herself in the face."
Feng Jin's eyes were full of sarcasm. She said in a cold and mocking tone, "Madam Sheng, for the sake of your last shred of dignity, please return!"
"Close the manor gate. Don't let the Sheng family in. You must know that the Sheng family values their reputation and credibility the most. If you let the Sheng family in today, you will be harming them. Once scholars lose face and betray their promises, they are harming others. Do you all understand clearly!"