Feng Ruoyan, unable to contain herself, hastily retorted, which only further proved her guilt.
Madam Sun grabbed Feng Ruoyan and pulled her behind her. She had not expected Feng Jin to dare to openly defy her.
Ever since Feng Jin declared her severance from the Feng family on her wedding day, Madam Sun had sensed something was amiss.
This little vixen’s wings had truly grown strong now, daring to oppose her directly.
"My child, even if you didn't want to marry the young general, you shouldn't disregard the dignity of both families like this. Now that the young general has awakened, this is a good marriage. Since everyone is here, stop causing trouble!"
A sneer played on Feng Jin’s lips. This Madam Sun was indeed more cunning than Feng Ruoyan, that delicate white flower.
With just a few words, she had managed to turn the blame back onto herself.
"When the Ling family proposed, it was for my eldest sister. You were unwilling to let eldest sister marry the young general, yet you desired the Ling family’s support, which is why you married me off to the young general. Furthermore, Madam, you also withheld the betrothal gifts from the Ling family!"
According to etiquette, the betrothal gifts from the groom's family were meant to accompany the bride when she left home, with the bride's family adding a dowry.
Withholding a bride’s betrothal gifts was a laughable matter, even in a common farming household.
What was more, for such a shameful act to be done by the Prime Minister’s wife meant the Prime Minister’s mansion would lose all face.
"You… you child, I gave all those betrothal gifts to you, and even added some…"
Madam Sun’s expression changed abruptly. To maintain her dignity, she insisted forcefully.
"The betrothal gifts are still in the Prime Minister's mansion's treasury… they should have been included in eldest sister’s dowry when she married the Third Prince. The dowry you gave me was all inflated!"
Her words left Madam Sun red-faced. This little vixen had truly grown bold.
"You're spouting nonsense, my mother didn't withhold a single coin of your dowry!"
Feng Ruoyan's face changed drastically. Those betrothal gifts had already become her dowry; there was no reason to return what was already spoken for.
"Is that so? I distinctly remember that among the Ling family's betrothal gifts was a pair of crystal carved phoenix tail butterfly jade pendants, clearly engraved with the Ling family’s name. You can check my dowry chest to see if the jade pendants are there, or if they are still in the Prime Minister's mansion."
Madam Sun's face paled, completely unprepared for Feng Jin to have seen the betrothal gifts. Her heart sank, and she was instantly at a loss for words.
Everyone present was sharp-witted. Seeing Madam Sun's expression, they all understood.
The dignified Prime Minister’s mansion had stooped to privately pocketing a daughter's betrothal gifts.
This Madam Sun, who had risen from concubine to wife, had not managed to shed her ingrained vulgarity despite years of acting refined and proper.
The Prime Minister must have lost his senses to elevate such a person to the position of principal wife, while mistreating the children left by his former principal wife.
Ling Mohhan listened with a dignified demeanor, quietly enjoying the spectacle of Feng Jin’s fierce confrontation with Madam Sun and Feng Ruoyan.
He even suspected that Feng Jin's composed and calm demeanor in front of him was an act, and this was her true nature.
"You… you’re lying… clearly…"
"Silence! Are you not ashamed enough?"
A voice of great authority rang out. A man in a dark robe, around forty years old, with a beard and a stern expression.
"Master."
"Father."
Madam Sun and Feng Ruoyan hastily stepped back and bowed.
Feng Jin observed the man from head to toe. This was her foolish old father, Feng Yuanping, who hadn't even shown his face on her wedding day but had appeared today.
"You unfilial daughter! Publicly slandering your mother and sassing your elder sister – is this the etiquette you’ve learned? Do you have no shame!"
Feng Yuanping harbored a deep aversion for Feng Jin, whom he believed was ill-fated and had caused her own mother's death from a young age. He had abandoned her at a rural estate and neglected her for ten years.
"My mother was the only daughter of the esteemed Grand Tutor Wang from the former dynasty. My mother passed away when I was six. I have long had no mother, so how can I have a mother, or a sister!"
Feng Jin’s words were sharp and incisive, meeting Feng Yuanping's gaze unflinchingly. Towards this father, she felt only hatred.
"You scoundrel!"
Feng Yuanping’s anger flared. As his hand was about to lash out, a cold voice from behind him intervened.
"Father-in-law, this is the Ling family’s residence, not a place for you to discipline your daughter. Moreover, Feng Jin is now married into the Ling family and is a member of our household. Your actions are an insult to the Ling family!"
Ling Mohhan spoke in her defense, pulling Feng Jin to his side. "The betrothal gifts that the Ling family offered when proposing were always Feng Jin’s. We hope Prime Minister’s Madam will return them intact and without omission!"
"That is natural. Perhaps the servants below were ignorant of the rules and overlooked something. I will investigate thoroughly upon my return!"
Madam Sun, having lost face, had no choice but to descend the steps gracefully.
"Very well. Today’s banquet is to celebrate my grandson's recovery, and also, because Han'er was ill a few days ago, the wedding was a simple affair. Today’s grand feast serves as an apology to everyone!"
Grandpa Ling’s words acknowledged Feng Jin’s identity and, more importantly, her as his granddaughter-in-law.
"Third Prince, Fifth Prince arrive!"
Upon hearing the announcement, Feng Ruoyan’s heart leaped. Her gaze, burning with desire, fixed on the Third Prince, Chu Yanxi.
The current Emperor, Emperor Zhaowen, had only five sons. The First Prince, born to the Imperial Noble Consort, was devoted to calligraphy and possessed a weak disposition, having no ambition for the throne.
The Second Prince, Chu Chenyi, was born to the late Imperial Consort Jing. He had fallen from his horse during a hunt in his early years, injuring his leg. He was enfeoffed as Prince Jing and resided outside the palace, remaining uninvolved in court affairs and thus unable to contend for the throne.
The Third Prince, Chu Yanxi, the legitimate son of the Empress, was exceptionally talented in literature, humble, and courteous. He commanded considerable influence in court, with many strongly supporting him as the Crown Prince.
The Fourth Prince, Chu Kai’zhi, born to Consort Xian, was dull-witted.
The Fifth Prince, Chu Junyan, the second son of the Imperial Noble Consort, was consistently intelligent and deeply favored by the Emperor.
Currently, the most likely contenders for the throne were the Third Prince and the Fifth Prince. However, the Fifth Prince was too young, and his birth mother, the Imperial Noble Consort, had declining family influence and no supporters in court.
In contrast, the Third Prince was the Empress’s legitimate son and had numerous supporters in court. Chu Yanxi was already widely considered a candidate for Crown Prince.
"Mohhan's recovery is truly a joyous occasion!" Chu Yanxi said with a gentle smile, exuding an air of courtesy and deference.
"Master's recovery is cause for celebration. This is a newly acquired thousand-year-old ginseng, which I offer to Master for his health!"
The Fifth Prince, Chu Junyan, had taken Ling Mohhan as his master years ago. They shared a relationship of both mentor and friend, and now Chu Junyan addressed him as Master.
"Thank you, Third Prince, Fifth Prince. Please be seated!"
Ling Mohhan, having only recently recovered, was showing signs of strain from standing for so long, clearly forcing himself.
Having just recovered from a serious illness, he knew he could not reveal any weakness to the guests who were all harboring their own intentions at the banquet.
"I shall place a needle at your waist; it will help you regain some strength!"
Feng Jin picked up a silver needle, as fine as a cow's hair, and inserted it at his waist.