When she was in the room, she heard the noise outside, and was so scared that she rushed out, only to not expect Ling Mo Han to have arrived.
At this moment, her heart was still pounding, and she looked like she was still recovering from the shock. She took a deep breath, barely managing to appear less flustered.
"Your elder sister-in-law sent me to get some flower tea from you," Ling Mo Han said plainly, cutting to the chase without any pleasantries, which was typical of him.
"Okay... I'll go get it now."
Ling Wan nodded, her gaze a little vacant. Her feet, seemingly of their own accord, sped towards the room. She took down the jar of flower tea from the cabinet, her hands trembling slightly.
Without any hesitation, she handed the entire jar to Ling Mo Han. "Elder brother, this is all of it. Please take it all... take it all to elder sister-in-law."
Hearing her voice, Ling Mo Han lifted his eyes and glanced at the jar in Ling Wan's hands. It was a bit too much. He coughed lightly, "That's too much, just a little will suffice."
With so much, Feng Jin would be drinking it for ages, and besides, carrying such a large jar back would be inconvenient.
Ling Wan's heart jolted, not daring to defy Ling Mo Han's wishes. She then followed his suggestion, finding a smaller jar and pouring some flower tea into it. Due to her nervousness, she fumbled about, her hands busy and flustered.
Ling Mo Han, however, was not in any hurry. He occasionally lifted his teacup and took a gentle sip, his gaze casually sweeping around the room.
"Are you getting used to living in this courtyard?"
"Used to it... used to it..."
Realizing she was being addressed, Ling Wan quickly replied, her voice filled with tension and sounding very stiff.
Ling Mo Han naturally heard the nervousness and fear in Ling Wan's voice. His handsome brows furrowed slightly. After a moment of hesitation, he voiced his suspicion, "Are you afraid of me?"
Ling Wan's back instantly shivered. She instinctively denied it, "No... no, I... I'm just too nervous..."
Although she said she wasn't afraid, her heart was trembling uncontrollably. She had been most afraid of her elder brother since childhood.
Even though they had interacted somewhat during this period, her heart could not suppress its fear upon seeing her elder brother again. Perhaps this was a matter of instinct.
Ling Wan took a deep breath, trying her best to appear calm, but her slightly trembling fingers had already betrayed her completely.
"Is that so?" Ling Mo Han's tone lifted slightly. His sharp eyes had taken in Ling Wan's reaction entirely. She was so terrified, yet she was still trying to put on a brave face, refusing to admit it verbally.
He had to admit, Ling Wan's inherent stubbornness was very much in the Ling family's blood.
He didn't press Ling Wan further. Ling Mo Han stood up, took the jar of flower tea that had been packed, and prepared to leave. As he neared the door, his gaze suddenly fell upon a fan on the table, catching his attention.
As if guided by an unseen force, he walked over and picked up the folding fan. This was a man's item; how could such a thing be in a young lady's private chamber?
"Elder brother..."
Seeing Ling Mo Han's action, Ling Wan's heart leaped into her throat, and she instinctively called out.
Ling Mo Han continued to pick up the folding fan and examine it closely, his scrutinizing gaze falling upon Ling Wan. "This is a man's folding fan. How did it end up in your room?"
"This is... it's... I, I picked it up by the roadside... by the roadside..."
Her explanation was so stiff that even she found it hard to believe. Ling Wan quickly lowered her head, not daring to look at Ling Mo Han's expression, her face filled with embarrassment.
"Picked it up by the roadside? You, who never steps out of your door, finding a folding fan by the roadside is indeed quite rare. Tell me, by what roadside did you find this fan? Perhaps I can try my luck there and see if I can find one too?"
Ling Mo Han's sharp eyes had already discerned the truth. This fan was clearly a valuable item. The silk used for the fan surface was Su brocade, and the paintings and calligraphy on it were extraordinary.
It was indeed not easy to find such a fan lying around. Ling Wan had no talent for lying.
"Elder brother, I... I..."
He placed the fan back on the table, his probing gaze fixed on Ling Wan. He said softly, "Are you still not going to tell me the truth?"
Ling Wan lowered her head, remaining silent, not daring to look up at Ling Mo Han. Her fingers continuously fidgeted with her skirt, indicative of her inner turmoil.
After a moment of silence, Ling Mo Han spoke softly, "Is this fan from the Sheng family?"
He didn't explicitly state whose it was, but just mentioning the Sheng family made everything clear.
Ling Wan's heart suddenly trembled. She didn't say anything, but lowered her head even further. Her current demeanor was more like an admission of the matter.
Ling Mo Han instantly understood, sighing with a hint of helplessness. His gaze fell on Ling Wan, and he deliberately lowered his voice, "Are you still not going to tell me the truth?"
"Elder brother..." Ling Wan murmured with her head down, still not daring to look up at Ling Mo Han.
However, she didn't know how to explain it. After hesitating for a long while, she still said nothing.
Ling Mo Han looked at Ling Wan's hesitant yet somewhat pitiful expression. The words of reprimand that were on the tip of his tongue couldn't bring themselves to be spoken.
After all, she was his own sister. His greatest concern for Ling Wan was his care for her, and his worry that she, at such a young age, might fall for the wrong person. He knew what kind of den the Sheng family was, and the waters within large families were deep.
Especially families like the Sheng family, who placed great importance on a woman's background. In the eyes of the Sheng family, their sons were more than worthy of marrying a princess.
He genuinely didn't want Ling Wan to get entangled with the Sheng family. As an elder brother, he had certainly not neglected Ling Wan's marriage prospects. He intended to find a man of noble character for Ling Wan, even if his family background was not as prominent, as long as he treated Ling Wan well and ensured her happiness for the rest of her life.
"It's normal for a young lady to have her own thoughts as she grows up. Since you're unwilling to say, I won't force you. But you must know that a young lady's reputation is of utmost importance. Don't do anything out of line."
Ling Mo Han's voice carried a hint of anger. Ling Wan's heart suddenly sank upon hearing this, and she nodded faintly, "I understand, elder brother. I will absolutely not do anything improper."