Although Madam Zhao was unwilling, she did not dare to cause any further trouble. After all, the entire Zhao family was now in the hands of this unfilial son.
If she truly angered this unfilial son and was sent to the manor, it would be terrible. Life on the manor was harsh, and she could not endure it for a single day.
"Nephew, you are so righteous. I am relieved. Come, bring out the divorce papers."
Old Master Ling had prepared the divorce papers early, waiting for the Zhao family's consent.
Second Master Ling hesitated for a moment with the brush but still wrote his name on the divorce papers. Uncle Zhao, as the elder brother, signed on his behalf.
Feng Jin watched the farce as if she were an onlooker. This Madam Zhao, who had been arrogant and tyrannical in the Ling mansion for so many years, had now fallen to such a state. She would likely spend the rest of her life on the manor.
...
"Why isn't your sister here? Where did you send her?"
After leaving the Ling residence, Madam Zhao, not seeing Madam Zhao in the carriage, immediately pointed at Uncle Zhao and questioned him.
"She has already been sent to the rural manor. Mother, please return with me."
"You... How can you be so heartless? That is your own full sister. You actually sent her to the rural manor. She has never suffered such hardship!"
Madam Zhao's tears streamed down her face as she cried and pleaded with Uncle Zhao to send Madam Zhao back, "If you don't bring your sister back, I will die, and you will be accused of forcing your mother to death. Let's see if you still care about your son's career!"
Uncle Zhao had endured to the extreme. Earlier, he was at the Ling residence and had shown some restraint. Now, he truly could not tolerate it anymore.
"Enough. If you truly miss her, I will send you to the manor. If you want to commit suicide, that's your choice. After you die, I will publicly announce that you died of a serious illness!"
For years, he had been considerate of family ties and done too many unavoidable things. Now, he no longer wanted to be blackmailed into doing things against his conscience.
"I worked hard to raise you. Since you are telling me to die, you unfilial son, unfilial son!"
"Mother, reflect on yourself. In all these years, for whatever you asked, was there a single time I didn't agree? How much harm and evil has my sister done, openly and secretly, over the years? How many messes have I cleaned up for her behind the scenes? What more do you want from me? Do you want to drag down the lives of the entire family before you are at peace!"
Madam Zhao's face was filled with embarrassment. She knew all these things clearly, but that was her own flesh and blood. She could not abandon her.
"Then you shouldn't treat your sister this way. She is your own sister, your blood relative!"
Seeing that force would not work, Madam Zhao began to play the emotional card. She knew her son very well. He spoke harshly, but he valued emotions the most and cared about his sister.
Unfortunately, this time, Uncle Zhao ultimately chose the family over Madam Zhao.
"It's just that my sister never treated me as a blood relative. Why should I risk everything for such a cold-hearted person? Mother, don't you truly understand? The Ling family is determined to divorce her, and they have seized all her leverage. Every single offense, let alone divorcing her, if it were to reach the Dali Temple, her life might not be saved. The Ling family has already shown utmost benevolence by doing this."
Yesterday, before he got up, someone had compiled the entire story and Madam Zhao's misdeeds over the years and sent them to his study.
At this juncture, the Ling family sending these documents was meant to save face for everyone. As long as Madam Zhao was divorced and no longer a member of the Ling family, and he took Madam Zhao back, the two families would live in peace.
Otherwise, the Zhao family was merely a merchant family; how could they compare to the Ling family? Moreover, half of the Zhao family's influence stemmed from the Ling family's support.
If they truly fell out, the Ling family would be enraged, and it would be easy for them to eliminate the Zhao family.
"Your father owed them a life-saving debt. It's just that the Ling family has prospered now and wants to sever ties with us. Absolutely not!"
Madam Zhao was convinced that the Ling family was ungrateful. Her calculations began. As long as she, an old woman, was alive, today's matter would not be easily dismissed.
"Mother, what are you planning to do now? Don't blame me for not warning you in advance. If you cause more trouble, don't blame your son for being unfilial."
Uncle Zhao understood Madam Zhao's intentions too well. She was vindictive and would not easily let go of a grievance.
"What can I do? My daughter has been divorced by the Ling family and is now missing. As a lonely old woman, I want my granddaughter to stay by my side. Is that not human nature? Does the Ling family truly have no shame, not even fulfilling this request!"
Her daughter had given the Ling family a son and a daughter. Her son was not close to her from childhood, so she could no longer extend her influence there, but her daughter was in the Ling family.
After Madam Zhao returned to the mansion, she sent maids and servants to the Ling residence to demand the person.
After much contention, it was Ling Yan herself who stepped forward, declaring that she would go with them to the Zhao family, which finally ended the turmoil.
In Old Master Ling's opinion, Ling Yan was a daughter, and she would eventually marry into another family. Even if Madam Zhao corrupted her, it was a minor matter, so he did not intervene, merely accompanying them.
"Ling Yan was really taken away by the Zhao family?"
When Feng Jin learned of this, Ling Yan had already packed her belongings and left the Ling residence. This surprised her. Why would Ling Yan willingly leave?
Could it be that the matter of Madam Zhao's divorce had greatly affected her, making her mind go dull?
"Yes, Young Madam. I heard from the people in the second branch that Second Master did not want the young lady to go to the Zhao family. The two sides even argued for a while. In the end, the young lady herself stepped forward and said she was willing to go to the Zhao family to fulfill filial duties in place of Madam Zhao. Only then was the matter settled."
Feng Jin's hand, which was playing with the teacup, froze. Ling Yan actively went to the Zhao family and would fulfill filial duties in place of Madam Zhao? With Ling Yan's disposition, could she even manage filial duties? It would be a laughingstock if it got out.
However, in the span of one day, the two most annoying people in the Ling mansion were gone. Feng Jin couldn't be happier.
During dinner that evening, her happiness increased her appetite considerably. "Cai Qing, serve me another bowl of rice."
"Stop eating. Eating too much at night can lead to indigestion," Ling Mo Han said heartlessly as he snatched the bowl and chopsticks from Feng Jin's hand. She had already eaten so much; if she ate any more, she would definitely burst.
Feng Jin glanced resentfully at Ling Mo Han. Did he live by the sea? He was so nosy, not even allowing her to eat.
Anyway, there were still plenty of preserved fruits in the room, perfect for a late-night snack. It was just a pity that there was no one to chat with.