Zhang Miaor's soaring confidence stemmed from Ling Changyi's praise. Her words made Zhang Miaor even more elated, walking as proudly as a peacock with its tail feathers spread.
She most enjoyed the envious glances directed at her, which filled her heart with joy.
...
Feng Jin leaned back lazily on the chaise lounge, her eyes closed as if in slumber, basking in the warm sunlight.
"Madam, the elder paternal aunt has arrived with her cousin."
Chu Qing's voice interrupted Feng Jin's reverie. Feng Jin reluctantly opened her eyes and sat up languidly. "Why have they come?"
"They said they've brought the cousin to pay their respects to you, Madam. They are currently in the front hall. Madam, I was lazy and didn't stop them," Chu Qing quickly replied, as if anticipating Feng Jin's next question.
Feng Jin sighed helplessly. It seemed this encounter was unavoidable. Reluctantly, she stood up and walked out.
Upon arriving at the front hall, the mother and daughter were discussing something. Upon seeing Feng Jin, they stood up and offered a slight bow.
"Aunt, there's no need for formality. Please sit down quickly," Feng Jin said with a smile, helping Ling Changyi up. She then turned her gaze to Zhang Miaor, who stood to the side, and scrutinized her. "Is this your cousin?"
"Zhang Miaor pays her respects to my elder sister-in-law. I heard from my mother early this morning that my elder sister-in-law is extremely beautiful. Seeing you today, my elder sister-in-law is indeed incredibly beautiful."
Feng Jin showed little reaction to Zhang Miaor's flattering words, merely nodding faintly. After all, she had heard such things too many times and had become numb to them, naturally paying them no mind.
"Sit down first, don't keep standing. Chu Qing, go serve tea."
Having had a poor impression of Ling Changyi from the start, Feng Jin was now indifferent to their flattery, merely offering a perfunctory response. After a while, she casually found an excuse, feigning an urgent matter, and sent the two away.
After they left, Feng Jin finally dropped her pretense, leaning back against the chair listlessly and rubbing her slightly sore lips. Smiling foolishly for so long was exhausting.
"If they come again later, tell them I'm not here. In any case, find any excuse to fob them off. If you can prevent them from entering, don't let them in," Feng Jin instructed Chu Qing, unwilling to deal with them anymore.
"I've noted it down, Madam. That aunt is truly difficult to deal with. Her words are sharper than a knife, and she speaks without any restraint. I fell into her trap just now." Chu Qing had never expected Ling Changyi to be so formidable during their first encounter. With just a few sentences, she had been rendered speechless, and in a moment of daze, allowed the two to barge in. Since they were already inside, she couldn't drive them away and had to invite Feng Jin.
"This aunt is already formidable enough, and this cousin is no easy match either. Their days in the Ling family will likely not be peaceful." Feng Jin had seen Zhang Miaor's restlessness from the moment they met. Although there was a smile in her eyes, it couldn't conceal her calculating nature. These two would undoubtedly stir up trouble in the Ling family. However, it was difficult for her to catch them red-handed or find a legitimate reason to drive them away. She would need to be cautious when dealing with them in the future.
"It's understandable that you couldn't handle them. These two have a thousand and one schemes, and you alone wouldn't be their match. In the future, if you encounter them again, remember not to argue too much with them. You just need to hold your ground."
"I've noted it all down and will do my best to block them." Having learned from this experience, Chu Qing vowed never to fall into their trap again. She nodded heavily, firmly committing Feng Jin's instructions to memory.
...
Upon returning to their courtyard, Zhang Miaor discarded her gentle facade and revealed her true nature, smashing things around the room.
"Stop it! This is not the Zhang family; this is the Ling estate. Have you forgotten what I told you before we came? No matter how much anger or humiliation you suffer, you must control your temper. You've only received a little slight, and you're already smashing things. If you are so impatient, what great things can you achieve in the future!"
"With your temperament, unable to tolerate the slightest grievance, can you truly establish yourself in the capital? It would be all for naught that I went to great lengths to bring you here. If that's the case, then go back. Marry a poor scholar as your father intended, and live your life farming."
Hearing this, Zhang Miaor panicked instantly. She quickly placed the vase in her hand on the table. With a 'plop,' she knelt before Ling Changyi, her fair hands tightly clutching the hem of her clothes as she pleaded, "Mother... I don't want to go back. I don't want to marry that scholar. Mother, please help me, help me..." How could she marry a poor scholar and spend her life farming? She couldn't bear such a life. Zhang Miaor pleaded repeatedly, her delicate face streaked with tears, appearing pitiful.
Ling Changyi's heart softened. She reached out and helped Zhang Miaor up, taking her hand and sitting down.
"Mother has always doted on you the most. I hired the best tutors for your music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. You've always had the best in terms of food, clothing, and daily necessities. All of this was so you could marry into a good family and live a life of wealth and honor. Everything I've done is for your own good."
"But you, my child, are so proud and unable to tolerate even the slightest grievance. How will you ever establish yourself in this deep and grand household in the future? Look at the immense wealth of the Ling family; it's nothing compared to what our Zhang family can afford. The families your father has arranged for you to marry into, none of them can be compared to this." Ling Changyi advised earnestly. How many schemes had she devised to bring Zhang Miaor to the Ling estate, all for the sake of her future good fortune.
"Daughter knows she was wrong. Daughter almost failed to live up to Mother's plans. From now on, daughter will strictly follow Mother's teachings and will never disappoint you." Seeing that Zhang Miaor could think this way, Ling Changyi felt much relieved. She gently patted Zhang Miaor's fair hand. "It's best that you think this way. Currently, all the major and minor affairs of the Ling family are managed by Feng Jin. Everyone in the household obeys her orders. You absolutely must not come into conflict with her. No matter what happens, no matter how great the grievance, you must endure it."
"Daughter has noted it down." Zhang Miaor nodded solemnly, firmly keeping Ling Changyi's words in her heart. The wealth and glory of the Ling family were beyond anything she could have imagined.