Bai Yi Niang smiled and nodded, her eyes sparkling with unshed tears. She held them back to avoid worrying Ling Wan. "Now that you've grown up, and you'll be married soon, my hardships will finally end, and the days ahead will be sweet." For so many years, Ling Wan had been the only reason she held on. Watching her grow day by day had given her hope. "Mother, now that I've grown up, I will protect you from now on. I will never let you be bullied again." The mother and daughter embraced each other, just like on many winter nights of the past, finding warmth only in each other's embrace, both body and heart glowing with heat.
...
"Madam, the carriage is ready outside. Shall I go and fetch the Second Miss?" She had asked the servant to prepare the carriage early that morning. Now, as they were about to depart, the Second Miss was still nowhere to be seen. Cai Qing suggested fetching her. Feng Jin took the last sip of porridge from her bowl and stood up, tidying her clothes. "You watch Da Bao and Er Bao. Chu Qing will accompany me to call for Ling Wan." These two little ones were closest to Cai Qing and often caused trouble with Chu Qing. She wasn't sure when she would return, so it was better to leave Cai Qing behind to look after them. "Yes, Madam." The two replied in unison.
When Feng Jin arrived, Ling Wan was just finishing her preparations and about to leave. "Sister-in-law, why are you here? I was just about to leave." She had woken up and washed herself before dawn, but she couldn't get her hair just right, feeling it didn't match the hair ornament. After several attempts, she was finally somewhat satisfied. Feng Jin's gaze swept over Ling Wan. Her attire today was indeed much prettier. "This hair ornament suits you very well. It seems I chose correctly, but..." There was still something that felt a bit off, but she couldn't pinpoint what it was, her eyes constantly scanning Ling Wan. "Sister-in-law, is something wrong?" Ling Wan's tone was slightly worried. She reached out to touch her hair and then looked down at her dress. This was the first time she had worn such an outfit, and she was filled with apprehension, fearing she had made some mistake. "It's nothing. I just feel something doesn't look quite right, but I can't say what it is." Her gaze remained fixed on Ling Wan. After a long time, Feng Jin suddenly realized what was wrong. "I know what it is. It looks wrong here." As soon as she spoke, Feng Jin took Ling Wan's hand and had her sit at the dressing table. She then removed the hairpin from Ling Wan's hair and chose a slightly plainer one to adorn it. She also touched up her makeup. After some effort, Feng Jin was finally satisfied. "This is much better. The hair ornament itself is already very ornate. Wearing another equally gorgeous hairpin next to it would overshadow the main piece, losing the sense of hierarchy. Changing to a plainer hairpin provides a complementary effect, making it look much more pleasing to the eye." Ling Wan glanced at herself in the bronze mirror, a faint smile on her lips. "Sister-in-law's hands are truly skillful. After your touch, I look much better. Thank you, Sister-in-law." She had also felt that her previous attire was a bit too flashy. After Feng Jin's modification, it appeared more radiant yet understated, with a hint of reserved elegance. "It's nothing. Time is almost up, let's hurry. We mustn't be late." Today, guests at the Third Prince's mansion were all nobles and dignitaries from the capital. If they were late, they would likely be gossiped about. She was too lazy to engage in pointless chatter with those foolish people; it was a complete waste of time. "Yes, Sister-in-law."
When their carriage arrived, Feng Jin slowly alighted with Chu Qing's support. The dress she was wearing was too long, and she had to walk carefully, fearing she might trip on the hem and make a spectacle of herself. Feng Jin's steps were slow and deliberate, her movements graceful and dignified. Just as she stepped through the gate of the Third Prince's mansion, a voice called out from behind: "Sister Feng Jin... Sister Feng Jin..." Hearing the voice, Feng Jin turned and looked behind her. "Greetings, Princess Jing." "Sister... please don't be so formal with me. If you continue, you'll be deliberately mocking me." Being addressed as Princess Jing made her uncomfortable. She linked her arm through Feng Jin's shoulder and they walked forward. "The King of Jing mentioned yesterday that you would also be attending the Third Prince's banquet today. I didn't believe him at first and thought he was teasing me again. Seeing you here today, I finally believe him. Sister... have you heard? The Third Prince's Consort cried to the Third Prince about today's banquet, but she couldn't change his mind..." These matters had already spread throughout the capital. Everyone in the capital was discussing how Chu Yanxi favored his concubines over his wife and disregarded his principal wife. Many were also secretly discussing when Liu Menghan would be divorced by the Third Prince. "These are the Third Prince's family affairs. We are guests here. It's not good to discuss the host's indiscretions. If you really want to talk about this, let's do it after we leave." Feng Jin's words reminded Lin Yu Wei. She realized that what she had said was indeed inappropriate and quickly closed her mouth. She looked around, ensuring no one had overheard their conversation, and felt a sense of relief. "Thank goodness you reminded me, Sister. If someone with ill intentions had overheard and spread rumors, I would have been summoned to the palace by the Empress for a scolding." Not long ago, she had merely argued a few words with Chu Chen Yi, and somehow the Empress found out and summoned her to the palace for a severe reprimand. She wondered who the traitor was. If she found out who had betrayed her, she would surely beat them soundly to vent her anger. "The Empress... did the Empress also interfere in your matters with the King of Jing?" From Lin Yu Wei's words, she had already guessed what had happened. "A while ago, the Empress..." Lin Yu Wei recounted the entire incident, her voice filled with indignation. "To this day, I don't know how this matter reached the Empress's ears. Now, I have to think carefully before saying anything in the mansion, for fear of saying the wrong thing." She had thought about it for a long time, but couldn't figure out how these matters reached the Empress's ears. All she could do now was be cautious in everything she did. "If the spy is not removed, leaving them in the mansion is a disaster."