He found it difficult to feel any closeness to this aunt he had never met, and even a few extra words made him feel awkward.
Just as Ling Muzhu was at a loss for what to do, Ling Mohan and Feng Jin arrived with the children.
Upon seeing the two children, Elder Master Ling's face instantly lit up with joy, his smile deepening. He beckoned to the children, affectionately pulling the little ones into his arms. The scene was very warm.
"Hurry and sit down. You've taken so long, the food will be cold."
Elder Master Ling urged the latecomers, Ling Mohan and Feng Jin, to take their seats while he held Da Bao and Er Bao, feeding them snacks.
Ling Changyi was about to stand up and say a few words to Ling Mohan to exchange pleasantries, but Ling Mohan seemed not to see her, walking past her directly.
In this short time, Ling Changyi experienced an unprecedented awkwardness in her life.
At that moment, she just wanted to find a hole to crawl into and end this awkwardness. Ling Changyi sat quietly in a corner, trying to minimize her presence and downplay what had just happened, hoping to find an opportunity to act when the time was right.
After a long while, seeing that no one was speaking, Ling Changyi spoke again, "Why don't I see second brother today? Muzhu, did you forget to ask your father to come?"
Upon hearing this, Ling Muzhu's hand, which was holding chopsticks, froze. He didn't know how to respond for a moment.
Elder Master Ling's face also became extremely unpleasant. He heavily slammed his chopsticks on the table, making a loud noise that made Ling Changyi's heart tremble.
She pondered what she had said wrong to provoke such anger from her father.
The air instantly fell silent, and even the slightest sound of breathing was exceptionally clear. Ling Changyi became cautious with her breathing, not daring to make any loud noises.
"Do not speak while eating or talking. If you've forgotten even that, and don't wish to eat, then leave!"
Elder Master Ling's authority was at its peak. With a casual remark, Ling Changyi dared not say anything more, and the entire banquet was unusually quiet.
Feng Jin immediately saw the underlying situation. This aunt was not liked by Elder Master Ling at all; she even felt that Elder Master Ling somewhat disliked this daughter of his.
Even so, they were father and daughter. To have reached such a point was quite something.
This elder aunt seemed accustomed to it. After being reprimanded in front of the younger generation, she acted as if nothing had happened, calmly finishing the meal. She even spoke to Elder Master Ling occasionally, but only received a perfunctory response from him.
Ling Changyi, however, was not embarrassed at all. Instead, she kept smiling and interacting with Elder Master Ling, her face full of fawning.
"I'm done eating. I'll go for a walk. You all continue eating."
Elder Master Ling put down his chopsticks and instructed a maid to take the two children with him for a stroll.
With the person she was primarily trying to please gone, Ling Changyi turned her attention to the others, starting with Ling Muzhu, who was the easiest to deal with.
"Muzhu, you've been so focused on preparing for the imperial examinations, but what about your marriage? Is there any prospect?"
"I am still young and not yet married. Everything is secondary to my studies."
"Yes, studies should indeed come first. However, it's good to have someone by your side who cares for you in sickness and in health... Auntie happens to have a daughter of similar age to you, who is very gentle and amiable. Auntie will arrange for you two to be betrothed."
"Cough... cough..."
Ling Muzhu coughed violently, startled, and quickly waved his hands in refusal, "No... no... Auntie, I am still young and not at all interested in matters between men and women. Let's forget about marriage for now."
"This... this..."
Ling Changyi had not expected Ling Muzhu to refuse so politely, leaving her in an awkward position.
She took a deep breath, paused for a moment, and then forced a smile, turning to Ling Muzhu, "This is something that should be mutually agreed upon. It cannot be so hastily decided. Let you two get to know each other for a while first."
"Auntie, are you trying to marry your daughter into the Ling family, to strengthen the ties?" Feng Jin immediately understood Ling Changyi's intention and stated it directly.
Ling Changyi had not expected Feng Jin to say it so bluntly, and was caught off guard.
"I... even if I have such intentions, it still depends... it depends on the children's wishes. A forced melon is not sweet. If the children are unwilling, it cannot be done."
"Whether a melon is sweet or not, only one can know after tasting it, Auntie?"
Unexpectedly, Feng Jin's words were so sharp that Ling Changyi found herself unable to cope. She quickly changed the subject, "Let's not talk about this... let's discuss something else..."
Before Ling Changyi could speak, Feng Jin slammed her bowl and chopsticks on the table, "I'm full. Auntie, please take your time."
"I'm also done. Eldest Sister-in-law, I'll leave with you."
Ling Muzhu hurriedly put down his bowl and chopsticks and trotted to catch up with Feng Jin, leaving as if escaping.
Ling Mohan, however, ate his meal unhurriedly and quietly. Even if Ling Changyi wanted to say a few words to him, she didn't know how to interject and could only awkwardly close her mouth and finish her meal silently.
"Eldest Sister-in-law, this aunt's eyes are full of schemes. How do I feel... her... her gaze at me is so frightening..."
Just now, when Eldest Sister-in-law looked at him, it was so frightening, as if she wanted to devour him whole. He immediately felt goosebumps all over.
"You're not entirely foolish, you can see it. Your aunt indeed sees you as a meal on a plate. She's probably trying to marry her daughter to you. You're about to become her son-in-law. I didn't expect your marriage to come so quickly. Strengthening ties is indeed good, but..."
Imagining the scene, Feng Jin couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle. After a pause, she continued, "It's just that I wonder what Auntie's daughter looks like. If she's pretty, that would be good. But if she's ugly, wouldn't that be too unfair to you?"
Ling Muzhu's appearance was indeed good. Although he was slightly less handsome than Ling Mohan, he was still a handsome man.
He should at least be matched with a beauty to look good together. If he found someone ugly, it would be a waste of talent.
"Eldest Sister-in-law, please stop making fun of me. I don't want to marry Auntie's daughter. This aunt is not easy to get along with, and her face is full of schemes. Her daughter must be the same. If it were such a woman, I would rather remain unmarried for life."
He did not want to marry such a woman as his wife; wouldn't that be like stepping into a pit of fire with one foot?
Thinking about his future, he felt terrified. If that were the case, he would rather remain unmarried for life.