Ling Mo Han arrived to see Feng Jin devouring food with no regard for decorum.
"Eat slower, no one is going to fight you for it," Ling Mo Han said helplessly, worried she would hurt her stomach by eating so fast.
"It's all your fault for being so late, I was almost starving to death."
Feng Jin spoke indistinctly with her mouth full of food.
"Eat slowly, chew and swallow."
Ling Mo Han handed her a cup of water, wondering who she inherited such eating habits from.
Feng Jin had no time to pay attention to Ling Mo Han and focused entirely on eating. After filling her empty stomach, she finally lifted her eyelids to glance at Ling Mo Han.
"Are you going tomorrow?" Feng Jin was referring to the wedding banquet of Feng Ruo Yan and Chu Yan Xi.
"I can't get away from the military camp. It will be troublesome for you, my dear wife, to make this trip alone."
Ling Mo Han's refusal was exactly what Feng Jin wanted. She had been worried that if Ling Mo Han went, her own actions would be hindered. With no one around to obstruct her, she could finally unleash her full potential.
"Then I'll have to go alone. It's a pity you can't go," Feng Jin feigned a look of regret, but in reality, she was overjoyed.
...
Early the next morning, Feng Jin woke up early and dressed herself up.
She then headed to the Feng manor. When Feng Jin arrived, it was eerily quiet. Under normal circumstances, on such a joyous occasion, red silks should have been hung from the gate. Although Feng Ruo Yan was marrying the Third Prince as a concubine and it was not meant to be a grand affair, this was still too simplistic.
Not only was the entrance bare, but there was also no sign of festivity within the manor. Not a single guest was in sight. Had they all gone to the Third Prince's manor? This was clearly showing no respect to the old man Feng Yuan Ping.
As Feng Jin walked towards the main hall, before she could even step over the threshold, she heard an angry shout.
"There is no banquet at the Feng manor today. Send all those who have come to congratulate away!"
Feng Yuan Ping's face was filled with fury. To him, this marriage was a disgrace, a disgrace to the entire Feng family. His Feng family had been a scholarly lineage for generations, a family of such integrity, yet they had produced a daughter who would become a concubine. His reputation was utterly ruined.
He felt he could not face his ancestors even if he were to die immediately. How could he have raised such a daughter? It was shameful, so shameful.
"Regardless, today is Feng Ruo Yan's wedding day. It's already bad enough that the manor is so deserted, but Prime Minister Feng, you are refusing to let guests in. Aren't you afraid they will impeach you before His Majesty?"
Seeing Feng Jin arrive, Feng Yuan Ping's expression worsened. He suspected she had come to mock him.
"A clear conscience fears no slander. Naturally, I am not afraid of villains scheming behind my back."
Feng Jin almost burst out laughing at Feng Yuan Ping's words. With his demeanor, he dared to say such a thing. He had done countless underhanded deeds in the past; how could he possibly utter words like that? It truly opened her eyes.
"But Prime Minister Feng seems to have forgotten, although Feng Ruo Yan is becoming a concubine to the Third Prince, it was personally decreed and approved by His Majesty. By treating the marriage that His Majesty sanctioned with such neglect and harboring resentment, you are showing disrespect to His Majesty, which is a capital offense. If the censors catch wind of this and impeach you harshly, what do you think His Majesty will do to you?"
Feng Jin's words instantly turned Feng Yuan Ping's face pale. His heart clenched. How had he not considered these matters?
He had always been extremely cautious in court, navigating and maintaining relationships with all sides. Even as Prime Minister, he dared not offend powerful figures in court, fearing it would bring disaster upon himself and implicate the entire Feng family.
Only then did he realize how foolish he had been. Feng Yuan Ping stood up abruptly and hastily instructed, "Steward, go with the men and apologize to each household. We must bring the guests back."
"Master, as you ordered yesterday, we did not prepare a banquet. If guests arrive, we won't be able to host them."
"This... what should we do!"
Just as Feng Yuan Ping was at a loss, Feng Jin said in a hushed voice, "With so many restaurants in the capital, can't we get food prepared?"
Feng Jin's words suddenly enlightened Feng Yuan Ping. "Yes, restaurants... have the restaurants quickly prepare the banquets. Price is negotiable. If one restaurant can't do it, find several."
"Yes, Master. I will go now." The steward quickly agreed and hurried out.
"The manor still needs to be decorated. It can't be this desolate. At least put up a few 'joy' characters."
Feng Jin began to point and direct, and remarkably, everything she suggested was carried out.
After a round of commotion, Feng Jin felt much better. Next, she would go and properly greet the bride.
...
Feng Ruo Yan looked at herself in the mirror, the gloom in her eyes impossible to hide.
"My daughter is truly beautiful," Madam Sun praised her. Seeing the pink wedding dress on Feng Ruo Yan, she sighed slightly, "It's a pity the wedding dress isn't crimson. You would look even more stunning in a crimson wedding dress."
"These are all superficial. As long as I can win the Third Prince's heart, nothing else matters. Then, the position of Empress will still be within my grasp."
A calculating coldness flickered in Feng Ruo Yan's eyes. It was fine to be a concubine today. As long as the Third Prince loved her and she bore him his eldest son, her position would be unshakeable.
"If you can think like this, I, as your mother, don't need to worry about you anymore. As long as you are well, I am willing to endure any hardship."
Madam Sun was moved to tears by Feng Ruo Yan's current transformation.
"Mother, don't worry. Once I establish myself, I will surely bring you to enjoy a life of ease."
"Good... good!"
Madam Sun nodded quickly, her heart filled with fantasies of future good times.
This made Feng Jin, who was standing outside the door, let out a laugh. She walked up to the two of them, her gaze cold as she surveyed them, and couldn't help but sneer, "You speak with such grand aspirations. Having fallen to this point, you are still daydreaming. Truly admirable."
"What are you doing here? Get out!"
She could have been the Third Prince's consort. It was all Feng Jin's scheming that forced her into this position. Feng Ruo Yan now hated Feng Jin to the bone, wishing she could flay her alive.
"You dare tell me to get out? You are not qualified. You are merely a concubine now. Do you not want your life, acting so presumptuously before me!"
Feng Jin spoke fiercely, her gaze scornful and disdainful as she looked at Feng Ruo Yan.
"How dare you! I am about to marry the Third Prince. What do you think you can do to me!"