Feng Jin paused, then continued, "I don't expect you to believe me, but I hope you will be fair in your dealings, and that will be the best!"
She knew herself well enough to state things clearly early on, to avoid misunderstandings.
During her time at the Ling residence, she wanted to live a peaceful life.
"I... I didn't mean that..."
Ling Mo Han caught the trace of disappointment in Feng Jin's eyes and opened his mouth to explain, but Feng Jin interrupted him directly.
"Enough, no need to say more. I have something to do, and you should get some rest!"
Feng Jin stood up and walked towards the door, taking out a porcelain bottle from her embrace and placing it on the table. "This is medicine to replenish blood, invigorate qi, and calm the nerves. Take it and go to sleep early."
Leaving the medicine behind, Feng Jin turned and left without looking back.
Ling Mo Han stood up, picked up the medicine bottle, and his gaze was as dark and inscrutable as the abyss.
In the main hall of the Feng Mansion, Feng Yuan Ping's face was ashen, his icy gaze fixed on the mother and daughter, Sun Shi and her daughter, who were kneeling on the hall floor.
"How many times have I warned you to be cautious and discreet during this period? Years of planning have been ruined by you. The Ling family banquet was filled with royalty and nobility. After such a scandal, can you still marry into the royal family!"
Feng Yuan Ping was furious at their lack of progress. He couldn't count on that disobedient Feng Jin. He had originally thought Feng Ruo Yan was sensible and had a good reputation, but who knew she would also be so disappointing.
By doing such a shameful thing, she had completely disgraced him.
"Father, out of your compassion, my lifelong wish is to ascend the throne of the empress. I cannot fail at the last hurdle, Father!"
Tears streamed down Feng Ruo Yan's delicate face, truly making her look pitiful.
"My lord, you can't blame Yan'er for this. Yan'er says someone pushed her. My lord, I think it must be that girl Feng Jin. She's holding a grudge because you've withheld her betrothal gifts and is trying to frame Yan'er!"
*Bang!*
The white porcelain teacup shattered at Sun Shi's feet.
"Nonsense! How dare you mention the betrothal gifts again? Even a common farmer's family wouldn't withhold their daughter's betrothal gifts. Don't think I don't know what you're planning. You just want to use all the betrothal gifts from the Ling family as Yan'er's dowry!"
"By doing such a disgraceful thing, and letting that girl Feng Jin confront you in person, you two mother and daughter are truly embarrassing!"
Feng Yuan Ping's anger surged, and he felt a rush of blood to his head, causing him to become dizzy.
Slumping onto the chair, he felt a little better after a moment of calm.
"My lord, what about Yan'er's marriage to the Third Prince?" Sun Shi asked tentatively.
"Don't even think about it. The Third Prince is the Empress's only legitimate son. The Empress will not allow someone full of scandal to marry the Third Prince. Moreover, the Empress already favors her maternal nephew's daughter to be the Crown Princess."
"My lord, this marriage can't just be called off. What about Yan'er..."
Feng Yuan Ping sighed, "I will try my best to mediate. Being a concubine will be a great fortune."
Looking at the disappointed mother and daughter, Feng Yuan Ping shook his head and sighed.
It was too late for regrets now.
"Mother, go and beg Father, and think of a solution. As the legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister, how can I be a concubine!"
Concubines were of low status and could be bought and sold. Even the position of a secondary consort was still that of a concubine. She would always be inferior. How could she endure such humiliation?
Sun Shi also panicked, trying her best to control her emotions. "Yan'er, don't worry, there will be a way."
After a long pause, Sun Shi said, "The position of Crown Princess is not entirely without hope. It depends on whether you are willing to take a risk."
"I married Feng Jin into the Ling family to win over the Ling family and make them an ally for you to ascend the throne of the empress. I didn't expect Feng Jin to openly sever ties with the Feng family. And now you've had this incident. Yan'er, see if you can endure this humiliation for the sake of the empress's throne."
Sun Shi whispered in Feng Ruo Yan's ear.
"No, Mother. This kind of thing, this..."
Feng Ruo Yan's face was full of shame. How could she do such a thing? She hadn't even married yet and had a private affair with a man. If this got out, the Feng family would be truly disgraced.
"You child, why are you so weak? As long as you can capture the Third Prince's heart, the Empress won't be able to stop it. Back then, your grandmother, the former one, was so adamant that I shouldn't enter the family, but she couldn't stop your father. If I hadn't conceived you first, would I have this glory today?"
This was a path she had walked before and succeeded. That's why she dared to ask Feng Ruo Yan to do it.
Face was all vanity; only wealth and status were real. Once she became the Prime Minister's wife, who would dare mention these past matters to her?
Wouldn't they all have to respectfully call her Madam?
"Mother, this kind of thing is truly too embarrassing."
Feng Ruo Yan really couldn't do it. If her father found out, he would break her legs.
"I've protected you too well normally, Yan'er. The Feng family's reputation is not important. What's important is your wealth and status. When you ascend the throne of the empress, everyone will kneel at your feet!"
"Yes, Mother!" Feng Ruo Yan's red fingernails dug into her palm. Mother was right. Only the empress's throne was real.
"Also, the Ling family must become your ally. You and Ling Mo Han have a childhood sweetheart relationship. You must hold onto it tightly. If Feng Jin dares to hinder you, then get rid of her!"
A vicious glint flashed in Sun Shi's eyes. Back then, she saw Feng Jin as weak and easily bullied, not a threat, and spared her out of kindness.
If she dared to obstruct Yan'er from becoming empress, then she shouldn't blame Sun Shi for being ruthless.
"I understand, Mother. I will visit the Ling residence tomorrow."
Feng Ruo Yan was very confident. With her childhood sweetheart relationship with Ling Mo Han, she definitely had an advantage over Feng Jin.
...
As usual, Feng Jin was performing acupuncture for Ling Mo Han. Unlike before, they were both silent this time, especially Feng Jin, who moved like a machine, repeating her actions emotionlessly.
Only when Lu Shi reported that Feng Ruo Yan had come to visit did Feng Jin's hand holding the needle tremble slightly.
Feng Ruo Yan would never visit her for no reason, so her target was...
Removing the silver needles from the man's legs, Feng Jin packed her acupuncture kit and said indifferently, "Your childhood sweetheart has come to see you. I'll take my leave now." She paused, then continued, "Young General, please don't forget that you are a married man. I don't have the habit of sharing a husband with my sisters."
Lu Shi stood frozen. The young madam was too formidable. Could such words really come from a woman's mouth?
The young madam was constantly refreshing his understanding of the world.
Ling Mo Han's face turned ashen. This woman, couldn't her mouth be controlled for even a moment?
He would be angered to death by Feng Jin sooner or later.
Only after Feng Jin left did Lu Shi cautiously ask, "Young General, Miss Feng is still waiting outside..."
Ling Mo Han took a deep breath. "Please ask her to wait in the front hall."