"You... you must be making it up!"
Ling Muzhu refused to believe Feng Jin could come up with it and was the first to accuse her.
Feng Jin sneered. Ling Muzhu was indeed impatient and easily instigated.
Many in the crowd harbored doubts, but only he spoke out in opposition. Little did he know, the tallest tree catches the most wind.
"Enough!" The elder master Ling on the main seat roared.
He was truly spoiled by the second son. After kneeling in the ancestral hall for three days, his temper had not abated, but rather became more radical. He was utterly useless.
Despite Ling Muzhu's arrogance, he was still genuinely afraid of the elder master Ling. He immediately quieted down, stood in place, and dared not make a sound.
"Disobeying your elder sister-in-law, have you stuffed all your sage's books into the belly of a dog? Starting tomorrow, you will go to the manor to study, cultivate your character, and prepare for the spring imperial examination next year!"
If this child remained under the second son's tutelage, he would eventually grow into a villainous brute who bullied the innocent.
The century-old reputation of the Ling family would be ruined in his hands.
"Father, the manor in the countryside is poor and cold. Muzhu has been weak since childhood. Studying at home would be the same!"
Upon hearing that his beloved son was to be sent to the impoverished and harsh conditions of the countryside manor, Second Master Ling immediately became restless.
This child was the only male heir of his lineage. He had always pampered him, afraid of him falling and afraid of him melting.
He had been raised in luxury since childhood, and they had never even said a harsh word to him.
How could he possibly go to a place like the countryside manor?
"Muzhu has been spoiled by you. Look at what he has become. He openly provoked and insulted his elder sister-in-law. This matter is settled. After the banquet, send him to the manor."
In his later years, the elder master Ling had lived in Shou'an Courtyard. The eldest son and his wife were guarding the border, leaving household affairs to the second branch couple. Only the eldest son's legitimate grandson, Ling Mohan, was brought up by his side. He had never interfered with the upbringing of other grandchildren.
It was only after Ling Mohan's accident that he began to intervene in the household affairs.
Only then did he discover that the household affairs had been managed so poorly by the second branch, and even their children were raised deplorably.
Their eldest daughter, Ling Yan, was indulgently arrogant and overbearing, skilled in none of the arts of music, chess, calligraphy, painting, or needlework.
Their youngest son, Ling Muzhu, was raised to be hot-tempered, easily swayed, without his own judgment, and unlikely to achieve great things. Thus, the second branch's line was destined to decline.
"Yes, Father!"
Second Master Ling reluctantly agreed. He knew his father's temperament and disposition too well. Once he decided on something, there was no room for negotiation.
Only by going to the manor could he think of other solutions.
"Father..." Ling Muzhu whined, tugging at Second Master Ling's sleeve.
In that rustic place, could he still survive?
"Just listen to your grandfather. It will do you good to settle down!"
Ling Muzhu wanted to retort, but upon receiving his father's gaze, he immediately shut his mouth.
This farce ended with Ling Muzhu's punishment, but Feng Jin had made a name for herself in this first battle.
"Sister-in-law, we are playing 'tou hu' over there. Why don't you come and watch too!"
Ling Yan's tone was unusually gentle.
"Alright!"
Feng Jin wanted to see what tricks Ling Yan could pull.
When she arrived, she discovered that Feng Ruoyan, the most bothersome person, was also there.
Her originally pleasant mood instantly plummeted to the bottom.
As expected, the person she disliked the most was the one she couldn't avoid.
"Sister, the matters before were all misunderstandings. Our household servants did not discipline themselves properly, causing you distress. Now that the Young General is here to champion your cause, you will surely enjoy happiness in the future."
Feng Ruoyan put on an air of a knowledgeable and virtuous young lady, handling the demeanor of a noblewoman perfectly.
However, it was precisely these ambiguous words that made Feng Jin the target of everyone's envy.
Before Ling Mohan fell ill, he was the pride of the capital, even more so than the princes, and was favored by many young ladies from noble families.
Alas, heaven was jealous of talented individuals. Once he fell ill, this once sought-after man became someone everyone avoided.
For a time, everyone believed Ling Mohan would never wake up. When Feng Jin married him, there were sighs and ridicule.
Who could have imagined that Ling Mohan would wake up?
"My husband and I are of one heart, and naturally, we live in harmony." Feng Jin would not give others an opportunity to mock them.
"Hmph... living in harmony. You are merely a country bumpkin. The Young General and Sister Ruoyan grew up together. If it weren't for your horoscope matching the Young General's, do you really think you could marry him? What a fool's dream."
The speaker was the second daughter of the current Minister of Revenue, Liu Yanyan. She had admired Ling Mohan since childhood. When she learned of Ling Mohan's serious illness, the Ling family intended to arrange a marriage to bring him good fortune.
Liu Yanyan, disregarding her reputation as a young lady, had offered herself, but unfortunately, their horoscopes did not match, and the Ling family rejected her. She was indeed a devoted soul.
"Miss Liu the Second, whether I am worthy or not, I am now the legitimate Young Madam of the Ling family. The affairs between my husband and me are not something for an unmarried young lady like yourself to discuss. I ask that Miss Liu pay attention to her own reputation."
If she continued like this, it would be a good thing if she could get married at all.
"You, a country bumpkin, dare to talk back to me? How audacious of you!"
Liu Yanyan had always been willful and overbearing. If any of her servants offended her, at best she would scold them, at worst she would whip them. Only in front of Ling Mohan did she put on a gentle and considerate facade.
Feng Jin grasped Liu Yanyan's swinging wrist: "Miss Liu the Second, this is the Ling family. Do not be too presumptuous!"
With a sudden, forceful flick, Liu Yanyan's willow-like body staggered two steps. If Feng Ruoyan had not supported her from behind, she would have fallen face-first.
"Second Sister Liu, my sister has always been raised in the countryside and has a rather spirited personality. For my sake, please do not bicker with her any further. Don't let outsiders see us as a laughingstock!"
Feng Ruoyan said with considerate understanding, worried that Feng Jin would lose control and bring shame upon them.
The Third Prince had already expressed to the Empress his desire to marry her as his consort. Soon, an imperial decree would be issued.
Years of planning were about to succeed. She could not let Feng Jin's matters ruin her good fortune.
Her mother was right. Once she became the Third Prince's consort and the future Empress, Feng Jin would be nothing more than an ant beneath her feet. Her life and death would be hers to decide.
"I will not bicker with her, for Sister Ruoyan's sake."
"It was all a misunderstanding. Sister-in-law, please do not argue with Second Sister Liu either. Shall we go to the lake and release flower lanterns?"
Ling Yan suggested, having her maid bring out the pre-prepared flower lanterns.
"Sister-in-law, this phoenix-tailed flower lantern suits you best."
Feng Jin's brow furrowed slightly, contemplating Ling Yan's intentions. Her sudden change in demeanor must have a reason.
The Ling family's pond was connected to the moat, forming a continuous flow of water, thus making it an excellent spot for releasing flower lanterns.
A crescent bridge was built by the pond, leading directly to a pavilion in the center of the water.