"Young Madam, the Old Master has sent people to rush you twice already. You must go over quickly…"
Seeing that Feng Jin remained unmoved, Chu Qing urged her softly.
"I'm getting up…"
Feng Jin slowly got up and changed her clothes. After dressing and making herself up, she hurried to the Old Master's courtyard.
As she reached the entrance, she heard the Old Master Ling's hearty laughter, indicating he was in a very good mood. Upon entering the room, Feng Jin immediately spotted a dignified and elegant woman sitting beside the Old Master.
She appeared to be around forty years old but was exceptionally well-preserved, with hardly any wrinkles on her face. Every movement, every smile, and every glance was graceful, exuding the aura of a noble lady.
"Feng Jin is here. Come and greet your paternal aunt."
The Old Master Ling saw Feng Jin standing at the doorway and called out to her.
Feng Jin withdrew her thoughts, a smile on her lips, and walked forward with as much dignity as she could muster. "Greetings, Aunt."
"You seem quite dignified. Your marriage with Han'er was rather hurried, and I didn't have the chance to offer my congratulations. Huichun, bring up what I've prepared."
A maid stepped forward, holding a red box, and placed it before Feng Jin.
"This is a pair of intertwined phoenixes and peonies auspicious gold-woven collar necklaces. They were part of my dowry, and I present them to you as a wedding gift."
Ling Changyi gestured for the maid to hand the items to Feng Jin and took a sip of clear tea.
"Thank you, Aunt."
Chu Qing, standing behind Feng Jin, stepped forward to accept the box.
"Alright, you've met. Hurry and sit down so we can chat," the Old Master Ling quickly urged Feng Jin to sit, attempting to ease the slight awkwardness.
"Where are the children? Why didn't you bring them? I have gifts prepared for them too."
"The weather is turning cold, and it was a bit chilly this morning, so I didn't have them wake up so early," Feng Jin replied respectfully, sitting opposite him.
"The men of my Ling family are destined to protect the country and fight on the battlefield. How can they be so pampered? When the weather is a bit cold, they must stay in their rooms and refuse to come out. If you raise children like this, aren't you being too doting?"
Ling Changyi's earlier amiability vanished, and her words were now laced with sharpness.
Before Feng Jin could speak, the Old Master Ling's displeased voice rang out, "My grandchildren are naturally precious. The morning is cold, and the children are still so young. Must they wake up this early? Do you only consider yourself a good parent if you push them until they fall ill?"
"Father, I didn't mean it that way. I just think boys shouldn't be raised to be so delicate…"
Ling Changyi hurriedly explained. Even though she had been married for many years, she still greatly feared the Old Master Ling.
"The children of my Ling family are naturally precious!" The Old Master Ling snorted, then shifted his gaze to Feng Jin. "Feng Jin, hurry back and look after the children."
"Yes, Grandfather." Knowing that the Old Master intended to send her away, Feng Jin was more than happy. She quickly got up and replied. After bowing to Ling Changyi, she left directly.
After Feng Jin departed, the Old Master Ling's remaining trace of gentleness vanished. He placed his teacup heavily on the table and looked sternly at Ling Changyi, who was sitting beside him.
"Did you come here specifically to provoke Feng Jin, or do you simply not want the Ling family to have a peaceful life?"
Ling Changyi's heart trembled, and she quickly stood up and knelt. "Father, please calm your anger. Daughter has absolutely no such intention. My words just now were unintentional, and I meant no harm. I beg you to calm your anger."
"It's good if that's the case. Since you're here, stay for a while and settle down. Go offer incense to your mother."
The Old Master Ling waved his hand, intending to dismiss her.
"Yes, Father. Daughter takes her leave."
Ling Changyi curtsied slightly and retreated cautiously.
"Old Master, are you being too harsh on the eldest young lady?" The butler placed a fresh cup of tea before the Old Master Ling. Having served him for many years, the butler dared to speak, knowing that the Old Master would not blame him.
"You know what kind of person her birth mother was. I married her off far away. Once a daughter is married, she has little connection to the family. My being so strict is because I fear she might become like her mother."
The Old Master Ling lowered his eyes, memories of the past unfolding in his mind.
Ling Changyi was the result of a drunken encounter where he was tricked by a maid, Ling Changyi's mother. Who would have thought that a mere maid would become ruthless once she gained favor? Relying on her child, she had bullied the principal wife.
She had used all sorts of schemes to frame the principal wife. In the end, he had no choice but to have her executed, leaving only Ling Changyi as his daughter. He had not taken any more concubines in his life.
"Go and have someone keep an eye on her. Don't let her cause trouble everywhere and stir up more waves."
"Yes, Old Master. Your old servant will see to it."
…
"Young Madam, who exactly is that madam from earlier? Your servant feels she harbors ill intentions towards you."
Chu Qing felt more and more that the woman was difficult to get along with. After just one meeting, she had spoken ill of the Young Madam.
"You noticed too, but I truly don't know who she is, nor have I heard anyone mention her."
After thinking for a long time, Feng Jin couldn't recall any information about her, which made her even more perplexed.
"Let's go ask someone."
With that, Feng Jin went directly to the courtyard of Concubine Bai. She assumed Concubine Bai would know something about this matter.
"Young Madam, why have you come?"
When Feng Jin arrived, Concubine Bai was drying freshly picked flower petals. Seeing Feng Jin's figure, she quickly put down her work and went to greet her.
"What are you using these flower petals for, Aunt?"
"I saw that autumn has arrived and the flowers are wilting. It would be a shame to let them fall on the ground, so I thought I'd pick them to dry and make flower tea."
"Aunt is truly skillful."
"Young Madam is too kind. If Young Madam doesn't mind, I'll send some to you once the flower tea is ready?"
Concubine Bai looked at Feng Jin with eyes full of goodwill. If Feng Jin hadn't helped them, her and her daughter's lives would have been even more difficult.
"How can I trouble Aunt to deliver it? I'll come and get it myself then."
"Eldest sister-in-law, you're here." Ling Wan, hearing Feng Jin's voice from inside, rushed out.
"Child, you're becoming more and more undisciplined. Didn't I tell you to stay in your room and embroider? Why are you running out again?"
Concubine Bai's tone was gentle yet held a hint of reprimand. This child was becoming increasingly restless, lacking her former composure.
"This is good. Women should be more lively. If one is silent all day and acts timidly, she will inevitably suffer in her marital home after marriage."