Madam Sun also vaguely sensed that Feng Jin had slipped from her control, but fortunately, she had a contingency.
“Yan’er, tomorrow you will instruct them to sort out all the betrothal gifts from the Ling family, and the Feng family will add another dowry to be sent to her.”
“What!” Feng Ruoyan immediately flew into a rage. Her mother had promised her that all the betrothal gifts from the Ling family would be counted as her dowry. Now, not only were they to give her the betrothal gifts, but they were also to add a dowry.
Wouldn’t her own dowry be reduced by more than half? With such meager dowry, wouldn’t she be ridiculed when marrying into the royal family?
Madam Sun, being shrewd, had already made her plans.
“You focus too much on immediate gains and overlook long-term benefits. The previous one was the sole daughter of the Marquis’s estate, and her dowry brought into the Feng family was as much as a million. All of this is in my hands. Do you still worry about your dowry?”
After the previous one passed away, her dowry was entirely under her control. Why should she care about these trivial amounts of money?
“A million…” Feng Ruoyan’s mouth opened wide enough to fit an egg. She had never expected such a vast sum of money.
“Your father doesn’t even know about this. I did it secretly, and you must keep it under lock and key.”
Madam Sun said sternly, then paused and continued, “As early as when Feng Jin was young, I planted a poison蛊 within her. If I were to activate the poison蛊, Feng Jin would die within three days.”
“I originally kept this as a precaution, never expecting it to be used today.”
The poison蛊 was bought at a great cost, precisely to prevent Feng Jin from escaping her control one day.
Madam Sun stood up and took out a dark, block-like object from the hidden compartment at the bottom of her dressing case.
“This is the catalyst to activate the poison蛊. Dissolve it in water, sprinkle it on the betrothal gifts, and as soon as Feng Jin comes into contact with it, she will faint within a day. In just three days, the poison蛊 will gnaw away at her internal organs!”
A glint of venom flashed in Madam Sun’s eyes. Anyone who dared to block the path of her and her daughter would only meet with death.
“Yes, Mother, your daughter understands!” Feng Ruoyan tightly grasped the medicine in her hand. This time, Feng Jin was surely doomed.
“Young Madam, Young Madam!” Cai Qing knocked several times on the door without any response.
Young Madam usually woke up by this time. Why was there no movement today?
Cai Qing hesitated for a moment, her worry growing. As she reached out to push the door open, she was stopped by Lu Shi.
“You little girl, you have no sense at all. Last night, the young general stayed in the Young Madam’s room. If you go in now, be careful that the Young Madam punishes you!”
Lu Shi had guarded the door all night, waiting and waiting but not seeing the young general emerge, having endured a night of cold wind in vain.
“The young general stayed here!” Cai Qing exclaimed in surprise. No wonder the Young Madam had not risen yet today.
Then, last night, the young general and the Young Madam must have consummated their marriage.
Before long, the mansion would have a new young master.
Cai Qing was genuinely happy for the Young Madam and diligently spread the news of their consummation to everyone in the mansion.
Let’s see who would dare to gossip and spread rumors that the Young Madam did not have the favor of the young general, had not consummated their marriage for a long time, and that the young general would soon take a concubine.
In an instant, the entire Ling mansion was swept up by the explosive news of their consummation.
As for the two involved, they were still immersed in their dreams.
It wasn’t until the sun was high in the sky that Feng Jin vaguely regained consciousness.
Something seemed to be resting on her chest, making it difficult for her to breathe.
Feng Jin reached out to push it away but found it unyielding. She suddenly used more force and kicked.
“Hiss…”
A man’s low groan was heard in her ears.
Feng Jin finally woke up completely. She abruptly sat up in bed, pulled the quilt over herself, and stared vigilantly at the man who had been kicked off the bed.
“You… where are you putting your hand!”
She had thought he was a pure, innocent child before, but it turned out he was a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
A pervert, daring to lay hands on her. Did he really think this young lady was a pushover?
“You were the one who was lying on top of me first!”
Last night, she had clung to him like a kangaroo, sleeping with her arm around him. Even now, that arm was still sore.
And this morning, she kicked him down and then blamed him.
A blush spread across Feng Jin’s face. No wonder she felt like she was hugging a bolster last night.
She couldn’t be entirely blamed, though. Who told Ling Mohan to insist on sleeping in her bed? Not kicking him out was already a great kindness.
“What nonsense are you talking about? This kind of thing is inherently unclear, and ultimately, it’s the men who have the advantage!”
Ling Mohan was so infuriated by Feng Jin’s words that he felt like spitting blood.
Unclear, and ultimately men having the advantage…
How could a young lady like her say such things?
Didn’t she have any sense of shame?
Ling Mohan’s face turned ashen as he looked at Feng Jin. “Get ready, we’ll be going to the Pingyang Marquis’s estate for a banquet shortly.”
Today was the sixtieth birthday of the old Madam of the Pingyang Marquis’s estate.
He was originally uninterested in such banquets. This time, the invitation from the Pingyang Marquis was directly sent to his grandfather.
Yesterday, his grandfather had personally instructed him to take Feng Jin to the Pingyang Marquis’s estate for the banquet today.
He surmised that his grandfather intended to introduce Feng Jin to everyone. Her earning such favor from her grandfather was indeed a testament to her ability.
After Feng Jin finished washing up and dressing, she was about to leave when Cai Qing hurried over.
“Young Madam, people from the Feng family have arrived, saying they are delivering the betrothal gifts for Yilu, which amounts to over a hundred carts.”
“This is the list. Please check it one by one, then prepare a new list and put it directly into the storeroom!”
She had already secretly prepared a copy of the Ling family’s betrothal gift list.
She had no interest in seeing the Feng family. On the Ling mansion’s territory, she doubted they would dare to play any tricks.
“Young Madam, are you really not going to take a look? Madam Feng and Miss Feng are also here.”
These two were not to be trifled with. If the Young Madam didn’t go, she was truly worried she wouldn’t be able to handle them.
“You just need to publicize the matter of them returning the betrothal gifts. Preferably, let everyone in the mansion know. They will be mindful of their reputation and won’t dare to make things difficult for you. If they ask about my whereabouts, just tell them I’ve gone to the Pingyang Marquis’s estate for a banquet.”
“Yes, Young Madam.”
“Madam, what a brilliant strategy!” Ling Mohan stood outside the door, having heard everything clearly.
Her explanation was watertight. Even if Madam Sun and her daughter intended to cause trouble, they would have no recourse.
“Young General, you flatter me. My humble plans are nothing compared to your command of thousands of troops, strategizing from a thousand miles away.”
Ling Mohan smiled faintly and approached Feng Jin. “Madam, we are already married. You should call me ‘husband’.”
Husband, it sounded so awkward…
Feng Jin opened her mouth, but still couldn’t utter the word!
This fellow was actually a hidden player, truly good at concealing himself.