Ling Wan lowered her head, feeling a bit awkward, not daring to look at Feng Jin. As a庶女 (shu nü - daughter of a concubine), how could she sit and eat with her grandfather in the main hall? It would be considered disrespectful. Her mother would surely scold her fiercely if she knew.
Seeing Ling Wan's demeanor, Feng Jin roughly guessed her concerns. She took Ling Wan's hand and said, "We are all family. Blood is thicker than water. If we have to distinguish between the legitimate and illegitimate daughters to establish superiority, does that make us a family anymore? Wouldn't that create a sense of distance?"
Feng Jin's words were not just for Ling Wan but for everyone present. Was the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate truly that important?
Everyone was a human being. Why insist on dividing them into high and low, noble and common? It was entirely unnecessary.
"Yes, second sister, please sit down. You don't need to worry so much," Ling Mu Zhu also chimed in. He admitted that in the past, he did care about the legitimate and illegitimate status and looked down on Ling Wan as a庶女 because he was a legitimate son. However, after spending time together, his perspective had completely changed. They were all family, brothers and sisters, so why bother with these distinctions of legitimate and illegitimate status?
"Ling Wan, sit down. You've never had a meal with grandfather since you grew up. Today, you'll eat with grandfather."
"Grandfather... I..." Ling Wan looked at Old Master Ling in surprise. This was the first time her grandfather had spoken to her like this since she could remember. Tears welled up in her eyes.
"Grandfather knows you are a good child. You and your mother have suffered these past years." Old Master Ling sighed. Due to Concubine Feng's matter, he had a strong aversion to concubines and didn't pay much attention to children born of concubines. It was precisely because of his mindset that Ling Wan and her mother had a difficult time in the manor.
"Steward Wu, go and invite Concubine Bai to the main hall for dinner. From now on, meals will be taken in the hall, and they will not be delivered separately to the courtyards."
"Yes, Old Master. This old servant will go now."
Ling Wan was still stunned, unable to believe that these things were real. She thought she was dreaming.
"Why are you still standing there foolishly? Grandfather has already spoken. Aren't you going to sit down and eat? If you keep standing like this, are you planning to go drink the northwest wind?"
Seeing this, Feng Jin directly pulled Ling Wan to sit beside her and handed her chopsticks. Worried that she would be too reserved and unable to loosen up, she put many dishes in front of her. Soon, they piled up like a small mountain.
"Eldest sister-in-law, this is too much. I... I can't eat it all..."
"Eat it even if you can't. Today is the first meal Mu Zhu is having at home after his imperial examination. You must not leave any behind. Hurry up and eat."
Ling Wan nodded dazedly, picked up her chopsticks, and put a mouthful of food into her mouth.
"Old Master, Concubine Bai has arrived."
"Greetings to Old Master." Concubine Bai had always been afraid of Old Master Ling. Upon arriving in the hall, she dared not even utter a sound. Her gaze fell upon Ling Wan sitting there, and her heart skipped a beat. She quickly said, "Ling Wan, why are you sitting there? Hurry and get up! Is this your place? You have no manners at all now!"
After being reprimanded a few times, Ling Wan quickly lowered her head. Not wanting her mother to worry, she was about to stand up when Feng Jin held her wrist.
"I asked Ling Wan to sit down. I also called you here to sit and eat together. Everyone, sit down quickly and don't stand." Old Master Ling instructed everyone. As the head of the family, Old Master Ling's authority was unquestionable.
Seeing this, Concubine Bai dared not say anything further and quickly sat beside Ling Wan. This was the first time she had eaten at the same table as Old Master Ling. Her nerves were taut, and she breathed cautiously.
"From now on, you will bring Ling Wan to eat here. You don't need to stay in your rooms to eat. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Old Master. I have noted it all." Concubine Bai replied fearfully, obeying every word Old Master Ling said without the slightest objection.
"Eat, everyone. Don't be so formal."
Midway through the meal, Lu Shi rushed over. After paying his respects to Old Master Ling, he whispered a few words into Feng Jin's ear. Feng Jin's expression suddenly changed. She hurriedly stood up and left amidst everyone's gazes.
"Eldest sister-in-law, wait for me! I'll go with you!" Ling Mu Zhu shouted from behind and quickly got up to follow.
"Eldest sister-in-law..." Ling Wan called out and was about to stand up when her mother, Concubine Bai, pressed her hand down. Concubine Bai signaled Ling Wan with her eyes not to go and not to act impulsively. Ling Wan lowered her eyelids. For her mother's sake, she had to give up for now. However, her gaze kept darting towards the door, hoping that her eldest sister-in-law would be alright.
"Eat quickly. Nothing will happen. Put your heart at ease," Old Master Ling said repeatedly. He believed Feng Jin could handle matters and naturally wouldn't worry so much.
...
"Eldest sister-in-law, wait for me!" Ling Mu Zhu shouted loudly, following behind Feng Jin. He had to run to barely keep up with Feng Jin's pace.
"Why did you follow? Why didn't you stay in the hall to eat?"
"Eldest sister-in-law, wherever you are going, take me with you. I promise I won't cause any trouble, and perhaps I can even help." Ling Mu Zhu stuck to Feng Jin like a shadow, refusing to leave. It was as if a rope was tied between them.
Annoyed by his persistence, Feng Jin stopped and turned to look at Ling Mu Zhu. "If you can keep your mouth shut, I'll take you with me."
"Okay, I promise not to speak." Having achieved his goal, Ling Mu Zhu followed Feng Jin obediently, not saying a word the entire way. Feng Jin arrived at the study door and pushed it open.
Upon seeing Ling Mo Han standing by the window, Ling Mu Zhu immediately regretted pestering Feng Jin to come along. Even though Ling Mo Han's attitude towards him had softened, he still feared his elder brother from the bottom of his heart. There was no one in the entire Ling manor, or even the entire capital, whom he feared. But facing Ling Mo Han, he didn't dare to utter a word and always behaved himself. Perhaps it was due to the shadow cast in his childhood, as he was still afraid even after growing up.
When Ling Mo Han's gaze fell upon him, Ling Mu Zhu shivered instantly. The laziness on his body completely disappeared. He respectfully greeted Ling Mo Han, "Greetings, eldest brother." Ling Mo Han did not speak, merely nodded faintly, then turned his gaze to Feng Jin and handed her the invitation. Feng Jin took the invitation and glanced at it. A deep look of disgust flashed in her eyes. "This muddle-headed old man! He's asking me to do this? Is his brain broken? Am I so brainless and sick that I would go?"