One must not lose in spirit, even if one loses in the fight.
Attire makes the man, and gold adorns the Buddha. Feng Jin specifically changed into a long skirt of fine silk embroidered with gold thread and put on the ruby hair ornaments from her dowry.
"Young Madam, you look truly beautiful dressed like this, more stately than the imperial consorts," Cai Qing exclaimed, her words as sweet as honey.
"There's some 'Flowing Light Brocade' in the storeroom. Get it made into clothes. You're young, you should dress prettily," Feng Jin said.
"Thank you, Young Madam."
Feng Jin took her time in her room before finally heading to the main hall. She sat regally on the main seat and gestured for Cai Qing to have them all come in one by one.
"I am new to the Ling family and do not know you all well. When you come to collect your monthly allowances, please state your names and which branch of the family you belong to," Feng Jin instructed in a low voice, her expression stern, giving her an air of commanding respect without anger.
"Young Madam, I am Fei Yue, a maid to the Second Madam. I am here to collect the monthly allowance for the First Madam of the Second Branch," the maid said.
Feng Jin, flipping through the ledger, replied, "The monthly allowance for the First Madam of the Second Branch is twenty taels."
"Young Madam remembers correctly, it is indeed twenty taels."
Feng Jin closed the ledger with a grim expression. "Second Master Ling holds an official post in the capital, with a monthly stipend of one hundred taels. However, this money has never entered the public accounts, and all profits from Second Master Ling's shops have gone into the private residence of the Second Branch. Since the Second Branch's money has not been contributed publicly, there is no reason for the household to continue supporting the people of the Second Branch."
Fei Yue's face changed. "When Second Master managed the household before, the people of the Second and Third Branches all received monthly allowances. Why has it changed now that it's Young Madam?"
When she came, Second Master and the First Madam had already instructed her to instigate a riot if the Young Madam did not give her monthly allowance, or if it was insufficient.
"I am managing the household now, not Second Master Ling," Feng Jin stated, her stern demeanor radiating an imposing aura that quelled the crowd. "Since the Second Branch's money is not being paid into the public accounts, they will not receive a single coin from the public accounts from now on. All provisions for the Second Branch will be cut off."
The household accounts were not prosperous to begin with. To support this large family, she would have to put in her own money.
"Young Madam, aren't you afraid of the Old Master's reprimand if you do this?" Fei Yue, gathering her courage, invoked the name of Old Master Ling as a last resort.
"The authority to manage the household was given to me by the Old Master himself. I do not enjoy this thankless task. If you are capable of persuading the Old Master to take away my authority, I would be most grateful," Feng Jin replied indifferently, leaving them with no recourse.
"As for the rest of the Third Branch, you would do well to think carefully whether you should be asking for this monthly allowance." Feng Jin spoke coldly. In just a moment, half of the people present had left.
"Young Madam, I am the maid to Consort Bai," a maidservant said timidly.
Consort Bai, Feng Jin frowned. She had never heard of such a person in the household. Feng Jin looked to Cai Qing for help.
"Young Madam, Consort Bai is the First Master's concubine. She was originally a dowry maid of the late First Madam, who was elevated to a concubine. The First Master is away from home for extended periods. Consort Bai has only one daughter, and her status in the household is low. She rarely ventures out," Cai Qing whispered into Feng Jin's ear.
"What is your name?"
"Replying to Young Madam, my name is Chun Lan."
This maidservant seemed honest. Following an unfavored mistress, she must have endured some hardships.
"You may rise. Consort Bai's monthly allowance is five taels. As Consort Bai's residence also houses the young lady, her monthly allowance will be doubled from now on. Cai Qing, please check it for her and take some other provisions for her as well."
"Thank you, Young Madam, thank you, Young Madam." Chun Lan repeatedly expressed her gratitude. There wasn't even any food in Consort Bai's chambers. When she arrived, she had been worried that the new Young Madam would be difficult to deal with, like those of the Second Branch. She never expected the Young Madam to be so kind-hearted.
"Young Madam, this favoritism is not in accordance with the rules," Cai Qing worried that the Second Branch might find leverage and cause trouble for the Young Madam.
"Rules are static, but people are dynamic. Haven't you seen the patched cuffs of Chun Lan's clothes and the worn shoes on her feet? Consort Bai, raising a young child and being unfavored, coupled with First Master Ling's absence, makes life difficult. We should help where we can," Feng Jin explained. It was already hard enough for a widow and her child to survive in this treacherous household.
"Have the congratulatory gifts I asked you to prepare been made?"
"I took a pair of dragon and phoenix tokens from the storeroom. They are made of Hetian jade and are exquisitely beautiful. They will surely not embarrass Young Madam."
Feng Jin took a sip of clear tea. "The imperial decree of arranged marriage was delivered to Marquis Pingyang's residence yesterday. We should seize this opportunity to offer our congratulations and also build a good relationship with Lin Yuwei."
Feng Jin adjusted her dress and gracefully rose, boarding the carriage.
"Young General, you truly look magnificent today. It's a pity that Lin Yuwei has no time to appreciate your dignified appearance. What a shame, what a pity!" Ling Mo Han's face turned ashen, suppressing the urge to sew Feng Jin's mouth shut.
Upon arriving at Marquis Pingyang's residence, Feng Jin first paid her respects to the Old Madam. After exchanging pleasantries, she proceeded to see Lin Yuwei.
"You should not go in with me. This is a young lady's private chamber, and it is not appropriate for a married man like you to enter. Moreover, Miss Lin has deep feelings for you. Meeting you would inevitably cause her pain. It is better for you to wait outside," Feng Jin said, grabbing Ling Mo Han's arm and leaving him outside. He really had no sense of propriety, wanting to enter a young lady's private room.
"Young Madam, I heard you had arrived long ago. I apologize for not coming to pay my respects sooner. You have gone to the trouble of coming to see me first," Lin Yuwei said with a faint smile, her tone still gentle. Ah... what a shame that such a good girl had to marry a cripple. It was like a beautiful flower placed on cow dung. Feng Jin couldn't help but sigh with pity, thinking that such a beauty was about to walk into a fiery pit.
"Young Madam, please be seated. Nian Xia, serve tea."
"Miss Lin, I have prepared a pair of dragon and phoenix tokens as a gift for your betrothal. Please do not reject them."
"Young Madam, you are too kind. These dragon and phoenix tokens are clearly of the finest quality. Thank you, Young Madam." Lin Yuwei's graciousness made Feng Jin's heart ache even more.
"Sister Feng Jin, you are older than I am. May I call you sister? You may call me sister. It would be better than the formal address of 'Madam' and 'Miss,' which sounds too distant."
"That would be most welcome! Sister Yuwei," Feng Jin replied with a smile. She paused and held Lin Yuwei's hand. "Sister, this marriage is a hardship for you." A fine young lady like her having to marry a cripple, it was truly...
"Where is the hardship? His Highness Prince Jing is a prince, with noble status. I, with my humble virtue, am fortunate to marry His Highness Prince Jing." Lin Yuwei's face was very calm. For her, not being able to marry the man she loved was...