The person was already gone, and Feng Yuanping could only sigh helplessly, filled with regret. If he had known this would happen, he wouldn't have wasted so much time there and could have spent more time talking with Feng Jin.
"Go and prepare some flower cakes and fruits from home to send to the Ling Manor."
He had originally intended for Feng Jin to take them with her, but now he could only send them separately.
"Yes, Master. This old servant will go and arrange it." The housekeeper agreed and turned to leave. After taking a few steps, he seemed to remember something and turned back to ask, "Master, do you think we should prepare an extra portion to send to the Third Prince's Manor as well?"
In the past, the Master's most beloved was the eldest daughter, and good things were always given to her first, with arrangements made early to send them to the Third Prince's Manor.
However, since the Master returned from his travels, his entire demeanor had changed. He no longer cared for the eldest daughter as before, and instead seemed to detest her. Conversely, his attitude towards the second daughter, whom he had previously disliked, had undergone a complete 180-degree turn, showing immense concern and meticulous attention to every detail for her.
This time, when sending gifts, he cautiously inquired if they should also send a portion to the eldest daughter.
"There is no eldest daughter or second daughter in this manor. From now on, there is only one young lady in the manor, and that is Feng Jin. I have only this one daughter. Do you understand?"
"This old servant understands, understands. I will go and instruct people to send the items to the young lady now."
The housekeeper did not dare to inquire further into the matter. As servants, they were only required to follow the master's wishes and did not need to ask for reasons.
"Stop!"
Just as the housekeeper took a few steps, Feng Yuanping's commanding voice rang out behind him. He quickly stopped and turned back to ask respectfully, "Master, do you have any other instructions?"
"From now on, if Feng Ruoyan comes to the manor again, no one is allowed to let her in without my command. Those who disobey will be beaten with sticks and expelled from the manor."
Madam Sun had already been buried, and he had treated her with all due respect. He had not exposed Feng Ruoyan's true identity, partly to preserve his own reputation and partly out of consideration for the fact that Feng Ruoyan had still called him father for so many years, leaving her with some final dignity.
As for the future, he did not wish to see Feng Ruoyan again, as it would only remind him of Madam Sun's wicked deeds and further his disgust for Feng Ruoyan.
"Yes, Master, this old servant will pass on the order now!"
The housekeeper quickly nodded in agreement and issued the instructions according to Feng Yuanping's wishes.
This caused a sensation throughout the entire household. The eldest daughter, who had been so doted upon by the Master, was now forbidden from entering the manor by the Master's order after Madam Sun's death.
Several trusted confidantes of Madam Sun, upon hearing this news, tried their best to inform Feng Ruoyan, who was at the Third Prince's Manor.
"Eldest Miss, this old servant heard it with her own ears. It was the Master's personal order. Eldest Miss must make plans early. Madam worked hard for so many years; we cannot let that little slut Feng Jin take everything in the manor."
Granny Zhang was an old servant who had been by Madam Sun's side. She had often committed misdeeds with Madam Sun, bullying the other servants and maids in the manor and withholding their monthly allowances. Now that Madam Sun was dead and everyone had turned against her, although the Master had not punished her severely, the people in the manor were all opportunistic. Seeing that she had lost her influence, they all bullied her, and her life in the manor was difficult.
Upon learning of this matter, she decided to leak the information to Feng Ruoyan as a way to gain favor and secure a good position for herself, thus avoiding further bullying from those petty people in the Feng Manor.
"Did Father really say that? Did you hear it with your own ears?"
"Eldest Miss, although this old servant did not personally hear the Master say it, this was the instruction from the Master's confidant, Steward Wang. Therefore, it naturally represents the Master's intention. Madam treated this old servant with great kindness during her lifetime, and this old servant understands that Madam's greatest concern was Eldest Miss. Now that Madam is gone, this old servant must repay her kindness and prioritize Eldest Miss in everything."
Feng Ruoyan sat in her high seat, looking down at Granny Zhang, who was kneeling on the ground.
This Granny Zhang, relying on her mother's influence, had been acting recklessly in the manor. Now that her mother was gone, Granny Zhang's life must not be easy.
From the moment Granny Zhang arrived, she had guessed Granny Zhang's intentions. A good bird chooses a tree to nest in; now that her mother was gone, it was only natural for her to seek a new path and a new master.
"Granny Zhang, please rise."
"Thank you, Eldest Miss."
Feng Ruoyan picked up her teacup and took a sip of the clear tea, saying calmly, "Granny Zhang, I know why you have come to me. However, I am already married from the Feng family, and your indenture is still held by my father. You are aware of my father's current attitude towards me. It is also a matter of concern that a married daughter interferes in her maiden family's affairs, lest it attract gossip. I fear I cannot help you with what you seek."
Hearing Feng Ruoyan's words, Granny Zhang immediately panicked and knelt before Feng Ruoyan, repeatedly pleading, "Eldest Miss, please consider my past loyalty to Madam and take me out of the Feng family. This old servant truly cannot bear to stay in the Feng Manor any longer. I implore Eldest Miss for mercy and to spare my life. This old servant will repay Eldest Miss with utmost devotion."
"Granny Zhang, I cannot accept such a grand gesture. It's not that I don't want to help you. You are currently a house servant of the Feng family, and I do not possess your indenture. Even if I were to keep you here, and my father were to bring your indenture to court, you would be considered an escaped servant and, according to the law, your legs would be broken. Even our entire Third Prince's Manor would be implicated... Unless..."
Granny Zhang had already lost hope, but Feng Ruoyan's final word, "unless," rekindled her hope.
"Eldest Miss, you said 'unless,' so there must be another way. Please tell this old servant what to do!"
If there was a way to escape, she would try her best. It was better than continuing to suffer bullying in the Feng Manor.
Feng Ruoyan's brow furrowed slightly, her face filled with hesitation. "Actually... actually, this method is also not feasible. Granny, please just pretend... pretend I never said anything."
"Eldest Miss, this old servant will kowtow to you and beg you to spare my life!"
"Granny Zhang, you are shortening my lifespan by doing this. Hurry and get up, I will tell you the method!"
Feng Ruoyan bent down to help Granny Zhang up and, in doing so, conveyed the plan she had already devised to Granny Zhang.
"The method is for you to steal your indenture. Only when I have your indenture can I take you in, and we won't have to worry about my father coming to claim you."
"To steal the indenture, if I'm discovered, I'll be..."