"Your Majesty and the Emperor of Xiliang have already agreed to the marriage, and it is known to all under heaven. If we unilaterally reject it without absolute evidence, we will surely give the Xiliang people an excuse to control us. At that time, we will be in a difficult situation, so this marriage must proceed."
This marriage alliance was a conspiracy from the very beginning, destined from the moment the Xiliang people arrived in the territory of Dongchu.
Murong Jinyun might have used this opportunity to go to Dongchu to find the one who made a promise to her. However, this matter involved other factors and was no longer purely about love. If this were exposed, Gu Beichen would be the one most hurt.
"But if we continue to conceal it, and they truly marry, can Gu Beichen really bear the day when the truth comes to light?"
From the moment Feng Jin saw them together that day, she could tell that Gu Beichen's feelings for Murong Jinyun were already very deep. Even if she explained the matter to Gu Beichen now, it might not be enough to persuade him to turn back.
However, continuing to conceal it would hurt everyone.
With these matters weighing on her mind, Feng Jin couldn't help but sigh, "What do you think we should do?"
She no longer had the energy to think about these things and decided to let Ling Mohan handle it himself.
"Pretend not to know and wait and see."
They did not yet know the true intentions of Xiliang. If they alerted them prematurely, all their previous efforts would be in vain.
"Alright," Feng Jin nodded in agreement. It seemed this was the only way for now.
"Let's go back to the manor."
The next day, Feng Jin sat by the pond, feeding fish with a sense of boredom. The two children had been taken away by Old Master Ling, and Cai Qing had been sent to look after the shop. She was now the biggest idler in the manor.
"Eldest sister-in-law, try this peony cake I just made."
Ling Wan placed a plate of exquisite pastries in front of Feng Jin, having meticulously carved them into the shape of peonies.
"The taste is a bit bland; it would be better if it were sweeter."
"Eating too much sweet food is bad for your health. This taste is just right."
It was precisely because she worried that too much sweetness would be bad for one's health that she had used less sugar. Ling Wan felt that the taste was perfect as it was.
"Young Madam, Second Miss, the third young master of the Sheng family has come to visit the Young Madam."
A servant hurried forward to report.
Feng Jin put down the peony cake in her hand and glanced at Ling Wan, saying plainly, "Ask Sheng Third Young Master to wait in the front hall. I'll be there shortly."
"Yes, Young Madam."
"You come with me to see."
"Eldest sister-in-law, I still have..."
"Let's go, don't dawdle."
Feng Jin gave Ling Wan no chance to refuse, pulled her up, and walked towards the front hall.
"Young Madam." Sheng Xubai stood up busily as he saw Feng Jin appear at the doorway.
"Young Master Sheng, there's no need for formalities. Please sit."
Feng Jin waved her hand and directly arranged Ling Wan opposite Sheng Xubai, so she could observe more clearly.
"Young Master Sheng, what is the purpose of your visit?"
After all, the Ling and Sheng families had never had any dealings, except that she had treated Sheng Xubai. However, the Sheng couple had personally come to express their gratitude not long ago. What was the reason for Sheng Xubai's visit this time?
"I have come specifically to thank the Young Madam for saving my life. If it weren't for your rescue, I would have long been dead."
After recovering from his serious illness, Sheng Xubai was still confined to the Sheng manor for over a month. Only after the imperial physicians diagnosed him as fully recovered was he allowed to go out.
"Uncle and Aunt Sheng have already come to express their thanks. It's truly too formal for Young Master Sheng to make another trip. It's getting late, why don't Young Master Sheng stay for a simple meal?"
This was the first time Feng Jin had generously invited someone to stay for a meal. If it weren't for Ling Wan, she wouldn't have bothered keeping Sheng Xubai for dinner.
"This..." Sheng Xubai's expression was a little hesitant. He glanced at Feng Jin, then quickly looked away.
"It seems Young Master Sheng is inconvenienced. Then it was I who was presumptuous."
"No... no, it's not that. Young Madam's hospitality is too kind, how could I refuse? I am overjoyed."
Sheng Xubai hurriedly agreed, his gaze lingering on Feng Jin for a moment, forcefully suppressing his impulse.
"Ling Wan, go and escort Young Master Sheng to the rear flower hall to wait for a moment. I'll go and check on the small kitchen."
"Eldest sister-in-law..."
Before Ling Wan could finish speaking, Feng Jin had already disappeared from the hall.
Ling Wan sighed helplessly, her gaze shifting to Sheng Xubai, and she said in a tone as calm as possible, "Young Master Sheng, please accompany me to the flower hall for a moment."
"Thank you, Miss."
Sheng Xubai maintained his etiquette and followed Ling Wan, not daring to overstep in the slightest.
"Young Master Sheng, Second Miss, here is some tea." After a maid served the tea, she immediately withdrew.
"Young Master Sheng, a humble cup of tea. Please do not be displeased."
Although the Ling family was a prominent household, they were still somewhat inferior to the Sheng family, a scholar-official family with generations of prestige.
"Second Miss, you are too kind. How could I possibly be displeased?"
Sheng Xubai raised the teacup, took a sip with elegant movements, and after a moment of contemplation, said, "This tea is Yuqian Longjing, but it is infused with the fragrance of jasmine, leaving a lingering, novel taste."
"Young Master Sheng is truly a connoisseur of tea. The water used to brew the tea was steeped with jasmine petals before being used to make the tea, hence the jasmine fragrance."
"I see. Brewing tea with jasmine water is indeed a good idea. Second Miss is also a person of originality."
Ling Wan seized the opportunity while drinking tea to glance at Sheng Xubai. With just that one glance, her heart began to beat uncontrollably. Sheng Xubai did not have the stern, sharply defined features of her elder brother; instead, he possessed a kind of gentle handsomeness. His skin was fair, and even a woman of outstanding beauty would be overshadowed standing beside him.
No wonder all the young ladies in the capital vied for a glance at Sheng Xubai; he indeed had the right to be so sought after.
"Second Miss, staring at me like this, is there something on my face?"
Sheng Xubai's clear voice fell into Ling Wan's ears. Recovering her senses, Ling Wan's small face instantly turned crimson.
Being caught staring, who could understand this awkwardness? Ling Wan wished she could dig a hole and hide herself. Just as she was at a loss, the appearance of Ling Muzhu was a great help to her.
"Sheng Xubai, what are you doing here?"
Their Ling family had no dealings with the Sheng family. Moreover, it was strange that Sheng Xubai was in the flower hall, and at this hour. Could it be that he was staying for dinner?
"Second Sister, why is he here? Did you invite him?"
"Muzhu, be more respectful. Young Master Sheng is here specifically to thank Eldest sister-in-law for saving his life, and it was Eldest sister-in-law who wanted to keep Young Master Sheng for a simple meal."