Years have passed, and everything has changed like the ebb and flow of the tides. The little girl from back then has grown up, but her fear of him has not changed one bit.
Ling Mohan sighed softly and placed a hand on Ling Wan's shoulder. "Stop overthinking. Hurry back to your room."
"Mm... okay..." Ling Wan replied blankly, forgetting to even say goodbye before she hurried away.
Ling Wan's steps didn't falter once along the way, as if pursued by a flood or a ferocious beast. She ran with all her might.
Once inside her room, she quickly shut the door, collapsing onto a chair, panting heavily. She grabbed her teacup and gulped down several mouthfuls of water, her dry throat finally feeling somewhat better.
"You child, what's with all the rush? Are wolves chasing you from behind!"
Aunt Bai watched Ling Wan, who was sweating profusely and struggling to catch her breath, and couldn't help but scold her. This child was becoming less and less like a young lady. If she were to get married in the future, she would surely be ridiculed by her in-laws and disliked by her mother-in-law for not knowing the rules. Thinking about this now, she was filled with worry. What would become of her in the future if things continued like this? If Ling Wan wasn't taught properly now, would her in-laws be the ones to teach her the rules when she got married?
"You won't be going out tomorrow. You can stay in the room and embroider or read!"
Aunt Bai pondered for a long time before finally voicing the matter she had been contemplating. As expected, Ling Wan objected as soon as she spoke: "Mother, you can't always keep me locked in my room like this. I'll go mad if I'm cooped up inside all the time. I'm not leaving the manor, you must at least let me walk around outside."
Knowing she would object, Aunt Bai took Ling Wan's hand and said earnestly, "Wan'er... don't forget your status. You are a concubine's daughter in this household. Your mother was not a noble lady but merely a concubine, the lowest of the low..."
"If you don't learn properly now, do you want to end up like your mother and become a concubine!" Aunt Bai shouted angrily, her tone extremely stern and more so out of frustration for her lack of progress. She had experienced the hardships of being a concubine and was determined not to let her daughter tread the same path. She would rather have Ling Wan marry a poor farmer than become a concubine to someone.
The light in Ling Wan's eyes gradually dimmed. Her mother's words were like shattering the last glimmer of hope in her heart. She slumped onto the chair, completely devoid of spirit, her head hanging low, lacking any vitality.
"Child, it's not that mother is heartless, but this is our fate. Since fate has dictated it, we must learn to accept it!" Seeing Ling Wan's state, it felt as if knives were piercing her heart, causing her immense pain and distress. Filled with a surge of bitterness, Aunt Bai embraced Ling Wan, tears falling uncontrollably.
"Mother, don't cry. I'll listen to you. From now on, I'll stay obediently in my room and won't go out anymore." With Ling Wan's assurance, Aunt Bai finally felt at ease. Ling Wan was an obedient and sensible child. Since she had said so, she wouldn't sneak out again.
Ling Wan's eyes were vacant and dull as she slowly stood up and walked towards her room. Upon entering, she immediately locked the door, then dared to take out the box hidden in her sleeve. She hesitated for a long time, her hand hovering over it, still lacking the courage to open it. Her mother's words echoed in her ears; she had been foolishly dreaming. She let out a self-deprecating laugh. Looking at the box in her hand, she finally placed it at the very bottom of her jewelry box.
...
The sound of the door opening drew Feng Jin's attention. She put down the bottles and jars in her hands and turned to look, saying casually, "You're back." It had to be said that Ling Mohan always returned at precisely the right moment. As soon as matters were handled, Ling Mohan would return. It was an uncanny coincidence.
"Did the Sheng family leave?"
Feng Jin did not answer Ling Mohan's question immediately. She merely looked at him indifferently, her gaze mixed with a hint of disdain. "Don't you have eyes? Can't you see if they've left or not?"
His expression darkened noticeably after being rebuffed. He had merely asked a polite question and was immediately met with such a retort. Did he have no dignity? Fortunately, no outsiders were present, or he would have lost face completely.
"I was just asking casually..." Ling Mohan's tone lacked confidence, and he immediately deflated.
Feng Jin glared at him fiercely. "You sure know how to pick your timing. Just as things were wrapping up here, you came scurrying over. Do you really think I don't know that the Old Master secretly sent people to find you? You were there... and then you came immediately!" She had eyes and ears everywhere in the manor. Was there anything she didn't know? The Old Master had already sent people to discreetly find Ling Mohan. Now that everyone had left and the matters were resolved, Ling Mohan finally appeared at his leisure. She didn't believe Ling Mohan was too busy to get away. This was clearly Ling Mohan deliberately refusing to come.
"How did you know?" Ling Mohan's tone held a hint of surprise. He hadn't expected Feng Jin to know these things. Could it be that Feng Jin had infiltrated the Old Master's inner circle with spies? "Could it be... you have people around the Old Master... I think there are spies of yours everywhere in this manor. I'll probably have no privacy left." Ling Mohan's tone was tinged with dissatisfaction. It seemed he would have to be more careful with his words and actions from now on, lest he fall into Feng Jin's traps at any moment.
Feng Jin did not answer Ling Mohan's question, instead giving him a meaningful glance. She would let him figure out the rest himself.
"As expected, a woman's heart is like a needle at the bottom of the sea. It's truly unfathomable," Ling Mohan said helplessly. After a pause, as if remembering something, he quickly asked again, "Right, what did the Sheng family come here for? How come I never knew you had any contact with them?"
Feng Jin's expression froze. For a moment, she forgot how to answer, her mind racing to find a suitable response. After thinking for a long time, she couldn't come up with a satisfactory one.
"Why aren't you speaking?" the man continued to press, his patience gradually wearing thin.