He did not ask for extraordinary performance, only for a stable one like this.
"Your grandson has noted it and will never fail to live up to his grandfather's trust."
With the imperial examination only seven days away, it was natural to feel anxious. However, seeing his grandfather's concern filled him with gratitude, strengthening his resolve to achieve top honors, to bring glory to the Ling family, and to show the world that he was not a useless person.
"It's windy and getting cold. Go back, don't catch a chill."
"Yes, grandson will help grandfather back."
Ling Muzhu was about to help Old Master Ling when he was stopped. "You go back first, I want to stroll a bit more..."
"Yes, then grandson will leave first. Grandfather's health might be harmed by the cold wind, grandfather should also return soon."
"Alright, I know. You go back."
Old Master Ling nodded and urged Ling Mohan to leave. The smile on his face instantly faded, and the hand holding his cane tightened abruptly.
"Go and bring the eldest young lady back to her courtyard."
"Yes, old master. This servant will go at once."
The butler nodded his compliance busily and hurried away.
...
Ling Changyi stood in the hall, a look of panic on her face. Her gaze darted around, and she paused her steps, yet dared not walk out.
"Madam, we've been waiting for an hour and still haven't seen anyone. Perhaps we should go back."
"Silence. Since father has asked me to come, there must be something he wishes to say. Just wait, and do not speak of going back again."
Hui Chun lowered her head, a flicker of weariness flashing across her face. She truly regretted coming to the capital with Madam.
She didn't understand what Madam was thinking. She lived so comfortably at home, yet insisted on coming here to endure humiliation. The events of the past few days were unbearable.
Madam, who always had the highest aspirations, was able to endure it all this afternoon; it was truly beyond her expectations.
Another quarter of an hour passed, and the sound of a cane tapping on the ground was heard outside the hall. Ling Changyi quickly rose to greet him, her eyes falling on Old Master Ling. She then stepped forward to support him.
"Father, please sit slowly. Father, the wind is strong outside today, you should wear an extra layer when you go out..."
Ling Changyi's face was filled with solicitous concern, and her words were all about care. For a moment, Old Master Ling could not discern whether her intentions were sincere or feigned.
If it was fake, then her disguise was too perfect, truly chilling upon reflection.
However, he had ignored Ling Changyi with indifference for years, choosing to turn a blind eye. He didn't have many days left, and there was no need to change anything. After all, Ling Changyi's mother was a wicked woman. Who knew if her current display of kindness and gentleness was real or not.
"Mu Zhu's marriage, and the marriages of all the young men of the Ling family, are not for you to decide. You need not bother with matchmaking!"
Old Master Ling said with irrefutable authority, his stern gaze fixed on Ling Changyi, as if issuing a warning. Ling Changyi's hand, holding the teacup, trembled slightly.
With a 'plop,' Ling Changyi knelt down. "Father, forgive me. It was my daughter's momentary foolishness and thoughtless words. Seeing that Mu Zhu is of similar age to my own daughter, I thought it would be good to deepen the family ties through marriage. I did not realize that Mu Zhu's marriage was to be decided by Father..."
"My daughter acted impulsively and almost made a grave mistake. I beg Father to punish me. My daughter will not complain in the slightest."
Old Master Ling looked down at Ling Changyi kneeling before him. He had expected her to argue a little, but not this... In that moment, he didn't know what to do. He could only ask her to rise and then give her a few words of admonishment.
"Go now, lest the servants see and make a spectacle of it. I did not summon you here to punish you, but Mu Zhu's marriage has long been decided by me, and it is best that you do not interfere."
"As for your daughter, if she is not yet married and has no suitable candidate, this old man can arrange one for her."
He had indeed wronged Ling Changyi in her own marriage. He had also worried that she would be like her birth mother, and had hastily chosen a family for her, marrying her off. In retrospect, it was indeed a great injustice.
He could now use this opportunity to make amends to her daughter, and his heart would be at peace.
"Father... you..."
Ling Changyi could not believe that her father would make such a proposal. Overcome with emotion, she forgot to reply.
"What, you are unwilling?"
"No... no... Father, my daughter is willing. If Father decides, my daughter can rest assured."
Seeing Ling Changyi's respectful demeanor, Old Master Ling's expression softened considerably.
"Father, I wish to bring my child to the Ling family for a two-day stay. She always tells me how she misses seeing her maternal grandfather... It's just that there's never been an opportunity. This time when I returned, I promised her that once I had settled down in the capital, I would bring her back to the Ling family to pay her respects to her maternal grandfather."
Ling Changyi was much wiser this time, resorting to emotional appeals, which indeed swayed Old Master Ling.
"Let her come... I will send someone to pick her up."
Out of guilt towards Ling Changyi, he did not refuse her. A young girl could not stir up much trouble.
"My daughter thanks Father!"
Ling Changyi kowtowed gratefully. As she bowed her head, a triumphant smile flashed across her face. When she looked up, she once again wore a look of respect.
After leaving Old Master Ling, the meek and respectful expression vanished from Ling Changyi's face, replaced by a triumphant grin.
"Madam, are you really going to let the Ling family's Old Master casually arrange a marriage for Miss? Our young lady possesses a beauty that can make fish sink, birds fall, moon hide, and flowers blush. If our family has no power, our young lady, let alone a noble consort, could even become a princess or empress."
Hui Chun said obsequiously, which greatly pleased Ling Changyi. "You are right. Our young lady is a hundred times superior to the noble daughters of the capital. It's just a pity she was born into the wrong family, and unfortunately, recognizes me as her mother. There is no one in the family who holds an official position. A daughter from a merchant family has a bleak future. If she were the legitimate daughter of the Ling family, she could indeed become a princess or empress."
"Since I have come to the Ling family and endured humiliation, I will surely carve out a path for my daughter. I must ensure she stays in the capital."
She had not had these plans originally. However, the suitors who had visited recently were either from merchant families or were poor scholars seeking patronage. Such families were truly not suitable matches.
Thus, her gaze fell upon the Ling family. Why should the Ling family be prosperous and flourishing, enjoying wealth and high positions? She was also a daughter of the Ling family, and these glories and riches should rightfully belong to her in part.
Since she had come, she would risk everything to keep her daughter in the Ling family, in the capital, so that her future life would be worry-free.
"Hui Chun, send a message back with all speed. Tell Miss to pack her belongings and hurry to the capital as soon as possible."
The longer she delayed, the more her heart would be filled with suspense.