Her determination to stay grew stronger. The courtyard where her elder sister-in-law resided was paved with glazed tiles, and every ornament inside was priceless. Even the cups for drinking water were made of white porcelain glaze, and the cushions on the chairs were embroidered with Suzhou embroidery. Her own bed was not as soft as those cushions.
All these were things she had never even seen before. Her mother was also named Ling, and was her maternal grandfather's daughter. She deserved to enjoy all this boundless wealth.
Why could they live comfortably and enjoy good lives in the Ling mansion, while she had to suffer in the countryside and marry a poor scholar? This was the life she should be living.
"But Mother, how can I stay in the Ling family forever? Mother, I don't want to leave this place."
If she had never experienced such a life, she would not have yearned for it. But once she had tasted it, she found it impossible to give up.
"Don't worry, Mother has already made plans."
Ling Changyi smiled and gently stroked Zhang Miao'er's hair, her eyes revealing a calculating glint. "Mother will definitely ensure you stay here. My daughter is so beautiful, she is destined to bloom in the capital."
She had already planned everything. The best option was for Zhang Miao'er to marry into the Ling family, which would allow her to stay legitimately. Failing that, she would use the Ling family's influence to find her a good marriage. With the Ling family as her backing, and marrying in the capital, she would not be wronged.
Either of these paths was far better than remaining in that countryside. Ling Changyi’s lips curved into a calculating smile, and she began to ponder where to start.
...
"Madam, this servant has learned that the paternal aunt has taken the young lady to the second young master's courtyard."
Chu Qing informed Feng Jin of the information she had just gathered.
"What..." Feng Jin exclaimed, dropping a chess piece onto the board. Their pace was too fast. Could they really be planning to target Ling Muzhu?
"Madam, shall we go and take a look?"
"No..." Feng Jin shook her head. "Let's not act rashly. We don't know their true intentions yet. If we act without caution, we might be bitten back, and that would cause more trouble. Let's keep a close watch. Perhaps they have other plans."
Feng Jin calmed herself. She was not yet clear about Ling Changyi's true intentions. Acting rashly now, if she were caught off guard and bitten back, it would be more loss than gain. The best course of action was to patiently wait and not make any moves.
"Yes, Madam. This servant will dispatch people to keep watch immediately."
"Mother, will this work? Isn't it shameful for a young lady to be so forward? I... I really can't do it..."
As they neared their destination, Zhang Miao'er suddenly lost her nerve. After all, she was a young lady with a delicate disposition. Although her family background could not compare to the Ling family, she was still a young lady raised in seclusion. To put herself out there and associate with a stranger, and with such intentions... Zhang Miao'er felt a surge of shame and did not want to go through with it.
"He is your cousin. You are cousins. What is wrong with cousins sitting together and talking? Who would dare to mock you? Mother is here, and nothing will happen. Have you forgotten what you promised me? If you really don't want to, then let's go back!"
Ling Changyi rebuked her, filled with disappointment, making her intentions clear. If she truly didn't want to, they should go back and stop wasting their time here.
"I... I..." Zhang Miao'er was filled with inner conflict, biting her lip tightly, her fingers twisting together.
After a moment's pause, Zhang Miao'er nodded and agreed to the matter.
Ling Changyi nodded with satisfaction and led Zhang Miao'er forward.
In the Ling mansion, the only person around Miao'er's age was Ling Muzhu. Furthermore, he would soon be taking the imperial examinations, and if he succeeded, he would have a boundless future.
In truth, her first choice had been Ling Mohan, but he was already married and had children. She could not possibly let her daughter marry him as a concubine. Therefore, Ling Muzhu was her only choice.
"Muzhu, still reading? Staring at books for too long strains your eyes. Auntie has made you some Chuanxiong Mingmu soup. Drink some first and then rest before continuing your studies."
Ling Changyi acted with great familiarity, completely disregarding Ling Muzhu's discomfort. She took the book from his hands and gestured for him to sit on a nearby chair.
As a senior, Ling Muzhu could not vent his displeasure, so he complied with Ling Changyi placing the book in his hands.
"Miao'er, why are you standing there? Hurry and bring the soup to your cousin."
Zhang Miao'er immediately understood her mother's intention and brought the soup from the food container to Ling Muzhu.
"Cousin, you work hard studying, which strains your eyes. This Chuanxiong Mingmu soup is most beneficial for nourishing blood and improving eyesight. Cousin, please have some."
Following the sound of her voice, Ling Muzhu turned his head. Seeing a young woman placing soup before him, her eyes filled with gentle affection, he realized it was impolite to stare at a woman so intently and quickly turned his head away, retracting his gaze.
He said a word of thanks, picked up the soup, and drank it down in one gulp, wishing only to finish the soup quickly so that the two of them would leave and not disturb his studies any further.
"You child, drinking so quickly is not good for your body," Ling Changyi said, feigning the demeanor of a loving elder.
"Miao'er, didn't you say earlier that you couldn't complete a poem? Your cousin is learned and talented. Why don't you ask your cousin for advice?"
Zhang Miao'er looked at Ling Muzhu with a shy expression. "Cousin, Miao'er has a poem, but only managed the first three lines. I am unable to think of the last line. I hope cousin can offer some guidance."
Clearly prepared, Zhang Miao'er directly took out a handkerchief and handed it to Ling Muzhu. The handkerchief was inscribed with three lines of delicate handwriting.
Ling Muzhu did not even look at it. A woman's handkerchief was a personal item, and he absolutely could not accept it.
Was she not also a lady from a respectable family? Did she not know that personal items could not be casually given to men?
In an instant, any sliver of good feeling Ling Muzhu had previously felt towards Zhang Miao'er vanished. Now, he only wished for them to leave quickly.
"I apologize, I am untalented and not skilled in poetry and prose. It is Sister-in-law who is quick-witted and adept at poetry and prose. If you have any questions, feel free to ask Sister-in-law."
Ling Muzhu politely and firmly refused. "Aunt, the imperial examinations are approaching, and your nephew needs to continue his studies. Please excuse me, Aunt. Nephew will not see you off."
With that, Ling Muzhu picked up his book and began reading diligently, not sparing them even a glance. Inside, he silently prayed for them to leave quickly.