Feng Jin rolled her eyes speechlessly. It was clearly something he had snatched, yet he insisted it was something he had earned.
What a way to boast. He probably had long forgotten about the time they had a fierce fight over a painting and calligraphy at the Jing Prince's mansion.
"You better keep it safe. Don't let it get stolen one day if you're not careful," Feng Jin said sarcastically, with a hint of mockery.
"Who dares? I'd like to see who dares to steal from me. They'd better consider if they have the ability."
Ling Mo Han was incredibly arrogant. Did they even consider if they had the ability to steal from him when they coveted his possessions?
The thief was more indignant than the one being stolen from.
"Madam, the second young lady is here," Cai Qing announced as she entered.
"Please invite the second young lady in."
Cai Qing acknowledged the request, curtsied, and left. Shortly after, she returned with Ling Wan.
"Eldest sister-in-law," Ling Wan called out softly with a smile. However, upon seeing Ling Mo Han standing by the side, the smile vanished from her face, replaced by nervousness.
"Greetings, brother," Ling Wan said respectfully.
Feng Jin sensed something was amiss. She gave Ling Mo Han a look and said, "Weren't you going to the study? You go ahead. Ling Wan and I have something to discuss."
Ling Mo Han was taken aback. He hadn't said he was going to the study. Receiving Feng Jin's signal to leave, Ling Mo Han hesitated for a moment and then left immediately.
"Alright, everyone's gone. You don't need to be so nervous anymore. Just relax."
Feng Jin pulled Ling Wan to sit down and placed a cup of fragrant tea beside her.
"Thank you, eldest sister-in-law." She was indeed a little timid when she saw Ling Mo Han.
"It's nothing. He's your brother, why are you so afraid of him?"
Feng Jin had noticed it many times. Whenever Ling Wan interacted with Ling Mo Han, her demeanor changed entirely, and she wouldn't even dare to speak loudly.
"I..." Ling Wan looked conflicted. She took Feng Jin's hand and whispered, "Eldest sister-in-law, don't you find brother scary? Especially when he has a cold expression."
When she was young, she had been punished by Ling Mo Han for breaking a vase. From then on, every time she saw Ling Mo Han, she couldn't help but recall the punishment.
She felt intimidated and found it much better to keep her distance.
"Scary? I don't think so. This is a classic childhood trauma. You need to learn to overcome it. If you really think about it, when Ling Mo Han smiles at you or cares about you, you won't find him scary."
Feng Jin patiently guided Ling Wan, helping her to overcome her psychological barrier.
Following Feng Jin's line of thought, Ling Wan slowly recalled. However, all that came to mind were images of Ling Mo Han reprimanding her with a cold face. There wasn't a single moment of him showing care.
"Eldest sister-in-law, perhaps it's best not to. I'll continue to keep my distance from brother. I'll come to visit you when brother is not at home."
Ling Wan took out a bottle from her embrace and placed it on the table. "Eldest sister-in-law, this is the Nine Revolutions Heart Protection Pill. My mother asked me to give it to brother."
"I'll accept it on behalf of your brother. Wait here for me. I'll go get you something to take back to Aunt Bai."
Feng Jin accepted the medicine bottle and walked into the inner room. When she returned, she held a money bag.
"Take this money back and buy whatever you need."
When Second Master Ling managed the Ling family, he had mistreated them mother and daughter considerably. Lack of food and clothing was common, let alone the monthly allowance.
"Eldest sister-in-law, I can't accept this money." Ling Wan refused outright. Her eldest sister-in-law had already increased their monthly allowance significantly, which was already a great kindness. She absolutely couldn't accept more money from her.
"Don't be so hesitant. We're family, why be so formal? It makes us strangers. I know that you and Aunt Bai have had a difficult life in the Ling family all these years, always lacking food and clothing. Take this back and buy some things."
Feng Jin pressed the money bag into Ling Wan's hand and then had Cai Qing bring out some items. "The weather is getting cold. I've had a few clothes made for you and Aunt Bai. Take them back and see if they fit. If not, tell Cai Qing to have them altered."
"Thank you, eldest sister-in-law." Ling Wan thanked her repeatedly. She reached out and touched the fabric of the clothes. They were warm, the material was smooth, and they were generously filled with cotton. Even the fur collars on the neckline and cuffs were made of the finest fox fur.
She had never even dared to dream of such clothes before. In winter, her clothes and charcoal would be embezzled by Second Master Ling's subordinates. The cotton-padded clothes sent were damp, the cotton filling was thin, and the charcoal was the lowest quality used in the kitchen, making it unusable.
Her mother would pile all the cotton-padded clothes on her, and at night, they would huddle together for warmth.
"It's alright. If you need anything in the future, just ask for it. You are the second young lady of the first branch of the Ling family. Your status is no less than anyone else's. Never underestimate yourself."
"I understand, eldest sister-in-law. I'll take my leave now."
This was the first time someone had spoken to her like this.
...
When Ling Mo Han returned, Feng Jin was alone in the room. "Ling Wan has left?"
Feng Jin was focused on something in her hands and merely nodded without looking up at Ling Mo Han.
"Why do I feel like that little girl is a bit afraid of me?"
He had noticed it many times. As soon as he appeared, Ling Wan would become very uncomfortable and quickly find an excuse to leave.
Feng Jin looked up at Ling Mo Han at his words and gave him a "you're finally realizing it" look.
Anyone could see that Ling Wan was afraid of him, and not just a little.
"I'm not scary-looking. Why should she be afraid of me?" Ling Mo Han asked, perplexed. He considered himself quite handsome. Which young lady in the capital didn't flock to him when they saw him? She was truly the only one who avoided him like this.
"You really have a lot of confidence in your looks," Feng Jin said, looking at him with disdain and a hint of helplessness. "You should smile at Ling Wan more and show her more care in the future. After all, she is your own sister."
Ling Mo Han hesitated. His memory of Ling Wan was not as deep as his impression of Ling Yan.
The main reason was that Ling Wan was timid and, being a concubine's child, was also somewhat inferior. She always tried to avoid him.
He had been busy with court and military affairs for many years, so he had interacted with her less. She was no different from a stranger, and he had never truly cared about this sister.
Upon Feng Jin's reminder, he realized that he had indeed paid very little attention to Ling Wan, and it was his oversight. After all, Ling Wan was his closest sister.
"I understand. I will pay more attention in the future."
Ling Mo Han responded in a deep voice. He would have to care more about Ling Wan from now on.