Ling Muzhu looked joyfully at the two perfectly carved babies in the cradle, occasionally reaching out to tease them.
"Eldest Sister-in-law, these are gifts I prepared for my two little nephews."
He took out a brocade box from his travel bag, which was tightly wrapped in another layer of cloth. After opening it layer by layer, a pair of jade pendants was revealed on one side.
"Eldest Sister-in-law, these jade pendants were blessed by a master at the temple and then received incense offerings before the Buddha for seven days. Wearing them will ensure the children's safety."
Feng Jin accepted the jade pendants with a smile, "You are very thoughtful, Muzhu. I will put them on them right away."
As she placed the jade pendants on the children's chests, the two little ones immediately grabbed them, shaking them around and playing with them.
"Eldest Sister-in-law, this box contains all sorts of small trinkets I've collected along the way. They'll be perfect for them to play with when they grow up."
He opened another bundle, revealing an array of exquisite and clever little toys.
He had bought these items, one by one, as he passed by places with interesting toys on his way back, which is how he had gathered so many. "Eldest Sister-in-law, this little wooden man is the most ingenious. It can walk on its own with just a touch. I intended to buy a few more for them to play with slowly, but unfortunately, only these two are left."
"This is already very good. You've gone to a lot of trouble preparing these things." Feng Jin could tell that every item was meticulously prepared by Ling Muzhu, and his thoughtfulness was greatly appreciated.
"Eldest Sister-in-law, I was ignorant in the past and made many mistakes, and I always talked back to you. I beg Eldest Sister-in-law to be magnanimous and not hold it against me."
During his time in Yingzhong County, he personally experienced the warmth and cold of human relationships and the various facets of life. Reflecting on his past actions now, he realized how outrageously wrong he had been.
He was also grateful for his Eldest Sister-in-law's diligent guidance. If not for her, he would have become a heinous criminal by now.
He had known he was wrong before, but pride prevented him from admitting it. On his way back from Yingzhong County this time, he had made up his mind to personally apologize to Feng Jin.
"What's done is done, and there's no need to bring it up again. It's good that you can recognize your mistakes and correct them. This also shows that my guidance to you during these times has not been in vain."
Seeing Ling Muzhu turn over a new leaf made Feng Jin feel that her efforts had paid off.
"Muzhu, seeing you turn over a new leaf and become capable of handling things on your own has lifted a great weight off my heart."
Ling Muzhu's situation had always been a heavy burden on his mind. Now that he saw Ling Muzhu had mended his ways, he could finally rest easy.
"Grandfather, I was unfilial before and caused you so much worry. I am truly ashamed."
Elder Master Ling held Ling Muzhu's hand and said with relief, "Good child, we won't mention the past anymore. Go and see your father first, and then we'll have dinner. I'll have the kitchen prepare some of your favorite dishes."
"Grandfather, I will go see Father first. I take my leave now."
"Go ahead."
After Ling Muzhu left, Elder Master Ling gazed at his retreating figure, his gaze lingering for a long time.
"Will Second Uncle mention the Zhao clan's matters to Muzhu? What should we say to him if Muzhu asks about the Zhao clan later?"
Feng Jin asked, her gaze darting between Ling Mohan and Elder Master Ling, waiting for them to devise a plan.
"Just tell him the truth directly. Second Brother wouldn't dare to stir up trouble in front of Muzhu, and Muzhu wouldn't believe his nonsense."
Elder Master Ling snorted, he knew Second Brother's petty schemes. He was too calculating but lacked the substance to achieve anything significant, which is why, even in middle age, he remained in an awkward position, never amounting to much.
"Don't worry, Second Uncle won't make things up." Ling Mohan placed his arm around Feng Jin's shoulder, and his words inexplicably made her feel at ease.
...
"Young Master is back, Master... Young Master is back." As Ling Muzhu entered the courtyard, the servant saw his figure and shouted loudly.
Hearing the commotion from inside the house, Second Master Ling initially thought he had misheard until the servant entered and reported, "Master, the Young Master is back."
Ling Muzhu is back. Second Master Ling's hand, holding a teacup, trembled, and he couldn't react for a moment. After a pause, he asked, "What did you just say?"
"The Young Master is back, he's back!" the servant reported again.
Muzhu is back. The teacup in Second Master Ling's hand fell to the ground with a 'crack!' He quickly stood up and was about to go out when he saw Ling Muzhu's figure appear at the doorway.
"Your son pays his respects to Father. I have not been filial by your side, please forgive me, Father."
"Muzhu, get up quickly, let your husband have a good look at you."
Second Master Ling hurriedly helped Ling Muzhu up, his eyes filled with tears as he examined him. "Why have you lost weight and become darker? Yingzhong County is a harsh place, having just experienced war and natural disasters. Why were you so foolish as to stay there? I worried about you every day after I learned about this."
He only had one son, Ling Muzhu, in his life, and this child was born prematurely and was sickly from a young age. He had never dared to be careless, raising him with great care, never letting him suffer any hardship, cherishing him as if he were a fragile treasure, fearing even the slightest mishap.
Who would have thought that he would be schemed against by Feng Jin, making him stay in the harsh place of Yingzhong County to suffer and toil.
"Father, staying in Yingzhong County was my own decision. Please do not blame Eldest Brother and Eldest Sister-in-law. Moreover, I learned a great deal in Yingzhong County, and only then did I realize how reprehensible my past actions were."
Second Master Ling was not greatly moved by Ling Muzhu's words. Instead, he felt that Ling Muzhu had been brainwashed by Feng Jin.
"How have you become like this, my child? Did Feng Jin threaten you or do something to you? Tell your father, and I will surely stand up for you."
"Father, Eldest Sister-in-law has never done anything to me. On the contrary, it is because of Eldest Sister-in-law's guidance that I have shed my flaws."
"You are truly smitten by Feng Jin's charm. Do you know that it was because of Feng Jin's scheme that your mother was forced to be divorced by your grandfather, and your sister..."
"Enough! Father, stop slandering Eldest Sister-in-law. My sister and mother met their fate because they brought it upon themselves. None of this is Eldest Sister-in-law's fault."
Before returning to the Ling family, Ling Muzhu had already inquired about the whole story. If his mother hadn't gone to trouble Eldest Sister-in-law and beaten Ling Wan, she wouldn't have angered Grandfather.