Bai Yiniang’s eyes welled up with tears as she looked at Ling Mohan with a gaze full of affection. This one address, "Bai Yi," directly pulled her thoughts back to Ling Mohan’s childhood.
She was then just a maid by the side of the late Madam, taking care of Ling Mohan's daily life.
After the late Madam passed away, the eldest master was ordered to guard the border, and Ling Mohan shouldered the heavy responsibility of the main family. He was appointed Imperial Tutor at a young age, and from then on, his face never showed a smile again. He became distant and aloof, devoid of any human warmth.
“Bai Yi, I am deeply grateful for your care back then.”
“No… no… Young Master, please don’t say that. I was the late Madam’s maid, and taking care of you was my duty. If it weren’t for the late Madam’s mercy, I wouldn’t have what I have today.”
Bai Yiniang was also a kind-hearted person, always remembering the kindness of the late Madam towards her. The Madam even asked the eldest master to take her in as a concubine, which was a tremendous favor.
“It was my oversight before, causing you and your sister such great hardship. If you lack anything in the future, tell Feng Jin, and she will arrange it for you.”
When Ling Mohan entered the room, he realized how impoverished Bai Yiniang and her daughter’s lives were. There wasn't a single decent piece of furniture in the room, the tables and chairs were all chipped and peeling, and even the teacups had small nicks.
The house was old and in disrepair, with visible cracks in the walls and a few pieces of plaster falling off. It was indeed no longer suitable for living.
“Bai Yi, the walls of this house are cracked and it’s no longer habitable. You and your daughter should move to the courtyard behind the East Courtyard. That courtyard was renovated just the year before last.”
“No need, Young Master. It’s just my daughter and I, we can make do. As long as we have enough to eat and wear, there’s no need for such fuss. As long as you are well, my heart will be at ease. When I meet the late Madam in the afterlife, I will have something to tell her.”
Bai Yiniang was acutely aware of her status. She was content to live peacefully in the Ling family. As long as Ling Yan could marry into a good family and become a principal wife, she could die with a smile.
“This house is severely damaged and indeed cannot be lived in. Bai Yi, take Ling Wan and move over. Besides, Ling Wan is growing up, and it’s almost time to arrange her marriage. Let her stay with me so I can oversee Ling Wan’s marriage arrangements.”
Feng Jin knew Ling Mohan’s guilt towards Bai Yiniang and her daughter. She held Bai Yiniang’s hand and persuaded her kindly, which also helped Ling Mohan.
“Young Madam, your great kindness is something I can never repay!”
Bai Yiniang’s face was filled with joy as she held Feng Jin’s hand and thanked her repeatedly.
Because Ling Wan was a daughter born of a concubine, her status was low and she had no one to rely on. The eldest master was always away guarding the border, and the late Madam had passed away early. Ling Wan’s marriage had become her biggest worry.
Watching Ling Wan grow up day by day, and her appearance becoming more and more beautiful and refined, her heart became even more anxious. She feared that others might harbor ill intentions and send Ling Wan to be a concubine to royalty.
Now that Feng Jin was in charge of the Ling family and had promised to arrange Ling Wan’s marriage, she could finally rest assured.
“We are family, there’s no need for such formal words. Since Ling Wan calls me elder sister-in-law, I will certainly take her marriage to heart.”
Feng Jin genuinely liked Ling Wan and treated her as a sister, so she would naturally not let her suffer any injustice.
“Thank you, Elder Brother, Elder Sister-in-law.” Ling Wan repeatedly thanked them, and the fear in her eyes towards Ling Mohan lessened.
“It’s nothing, Ling Wan. Help Bai Yi pack her things, and I’ll have Lu Shi bring some people over to help you move.”
There was no time to delay. The courtyard was ready; they just needed to pack and move in. Feng Jin instructed the servants to help move all their belongings.
The mother and daughter did not have many belongings, only packing some clothes and hairpins.
Just as they finished arranging things in the new courtyard, shouts were heard from the courtyard entrance.
Feng Jin and Bai Yiniang and her daughter in the room heard the commotion and rushed out to investigate.
They saw Ling Muzhu and Ling Yan standing outside the courtyard, accompanied by many servants, each holding a stick. It seemed they were well-prepared.
“Be sensible and move out quickly. This courtyard was given to me by Grandfather long ago!”
Ling Muzhu arrogantly pointed at the three of them with his stick.
A flicker of disgust flashed in Feng Jin’s eyes. These two were truly persistent.
“What a display of arrogance, all of you with sticks, forcing your way here. Have you forgotten who the true masters of the Ling family are, and who is in charge of the Ling family?”
Feng Jin’s words were full of imposing might, her sharp gaze sweeping over everyone.
The servants, who were initially aggressive, suddenly became timid. As their eyes met, some directly put down their sticks.
Seeing someone take the lead, the rest also put down their sticks.
After all, the power of the Ling family was now in the hands of the main family. Although they worked for the second branch, they were ultimately affiliated with the Ling family and had to obey the head of the family.
“Who told you to put down your sticks? You… you ungrateful dogs!”
Ling Yan cursed with a sharp tongue. In her eyes, servants were lowly beings, slaves she could scold and beat at will.
“Muzhu, you see, even someone born of a concubine like Ling Wan has climbed over our heads. If we don’t teach them a lesson today, there will be no place for us in the Ling family.”
Ling Yan knew Ling Muzhu’s character well. As long as she fanned the flames, Ling Muzhu would do as she commanded.
Their father and mother doted on Ling Muzhu the most. If he took the lead, even if something happened, their father would protect him.
She was different. Since her appearance was ruined by that bitch Feng Jin, she had lost her value in her parents’ eyes. They no longer doted on her and would often scold and beat her.
Even this lowly concubine’s daughter, Ling Wan, dared to step all over her. This was absolutely unbearable for her.
“Sister, what should we do?”
Ling Yan rolled her eyes speechlessly. How could she have such a foolish brother? Hoping he would achieve high official status would be like the Ling family's ancestral graves smoking.
“Didn’t Grandfather say he would give you the courtyard? Are you willing to let Ling Wan and her mother occupy it? Just take it back…”
Ling Yan kept fanning the flames, and Ling Muzhu, being incredibly stupid, was led by the nose by Ling Yan. He picked up his stick and smashed the door open in a few blows.
One blow landed on the table, knocking over a white glazed teacup. The floor was covered with fragments, and as Ling Muzhu’s stick fell again, the courtyard became a mess.
“Ling Muzhu, try smashing one more thing, and even your father won’t be able to save your life.”