Feng Jin detested the ancient system of oppressing women. Why could men serve in office and be granted noble titles, while women were confined to their homes, only to attend to household chores? A slight misstep could lead to beatings from their husbands, with no right to speak out, let alone resist.
"Eldest sister-in-law, isn't it the way things have always been? Men manage affairs outside the home, and women manage affairs within. Wouldn't that be a subversion of natural order?"
From childhood, Ling Wan had been taught by concubine Bai to be cautious and modest as a daughter. Upon marriage, she was expected to learn to assist her husband and raise her children, living a plain life.
Hearing Feng Jin speak of these matters now, she was first shocked, then found it difficult to accept.
"You have these thoughts because everyone around you has taught you this way since you were young. Over time, this mindset has become deeply ingrained in your mind, so it's natural that you find it hard to accept what I'm saying. But you must remember that we women are independent individuals, never mere appendages to men, understand?"
Ling Wan nodded, as if she understood but not quite. While she still couldn't comprehend or accept what her eldest sister-in-law was saying, she knew that her eldest sister-in-law's words and actions were for her own good. She could try her best to understand and accept them.
"I understand, eldest sister-in-law."
As soon as Ling Wan finished speaking, a man barged in, his face somewhat flustered.
"Ah!" Seeing a man suddenly barge in, Ling Wan cried out in alarm. Because the polo match had clearly stipulated separate seating for men and women, Ling Wan was understandably startled by the unexpected appearance of a man.
"Who are you? This is the women's seating area. Your uninvited entry is improper according to propriety. Tell us, whose son are you?"
Feng Jin asked calmly, her tone aggressive.
"My apologies, madam. This humble student is from the Sheng family..." Before he could finish, he heard a commotion outside. The man's face visibly paled in alarm: "Madam, the situation is urgent. I implore your grace to allow me to hide here for a while."
"Hide behind the screen for now," Feng Jin pointed to the screen behind her, gesturing for him to hide quickly. With so many people outside, turning him away now would only cause more gossip. She could only let him hide for a while.
"Thank you, madam."
As soon as the man hid, a group of young women rushed in. After seeing who was present, the woman in the lead said with a hint of panic: "Jing Wangfei, please forgive us. Ling Shaofuren, please forgive us. We were merely looking for someone and did not realize Wangfei and Madam were here, thus we intruded unintentionally."
"You are all daughters of princes and high officials. How can you be so flustered in your every action? Whom were you looking for that caused you such haste, forgetting all your manners." Feng Jin questioned with a stern voice and a slight frown.
"We were looking for... looking for..."
"How dare you hesitate when answering? Speak quickly!" Lin Yuwei also adopted the bearing of Jing Wangfei, angrily interrogating them.
"Replying to Wangfei, we were looking for Sheng Sanlang." After replying, the woman's face suddenly burned, even the roots of her ears turned red, and she quickly lowered her head. They were all unmarried ladies. To be seen surrounding a man like this, and to have lost their decorum while searching for him, would not only shame them but their entire families if it got out.
"This is truly absurd. To be so disrespectful for a man. Today's events will be as if Feng Jin and Jing Wangfei never saw them. Hurry and leave." As Feng Jin's words fell, the group of women quickly retreated. After all, following Sheng Sanlang around would sound bad if it got out.
After the women had all left, Feng Jin spoke to the man behind the screen, "Young master Sheng, everyone is gone. You can come out now."
Then, the man hiding behind the screen emerged gracefully, "This humble student is Sheng Xu Bai. I thank Madam for her life-saving grace." Lin Yuwei's gaze kept scanning Sheng Xu Bai. Rumors in the capital said Sheng Sanlang's appearance was astonishingly beautiful. Seeing him now, she realized the rumors were true.
"Sheng Sanlang is indeed favored by women, to be pursued so ardently." Feng Jin said with a playful tone. Sheng Xu Bai was indeed well-bred. Unlike Ling Mo Han's rugged handsomeness, Sheng Xu Bai possessed a more delicate beauty. His skin was so fair, even fairer than hers, making even her, a woman, feel inferior.
"Madam, please do not tease. Thank you for saving me this time. If in the future..." Before Sheng Xu Bai could finish, his body stiffened, and he clutched his chest, his face turning pale and weak as he leaned against the table.
"What is wrong with you?" Feng Jin, sensing something was amiss, quickly inquired.
"I... I..." Sheng Xu Bai's voice was intermittent and weak. Sweat beaded on his forehead due to the pain.
Feng Jin immediately saw that something was wrong. She quickly got up and walked to his side, grabbed his wrist, and felt his pulse. Her expression grew increasingly grim. "You have a heart condition?"
"An old ailment. Please... please ask my attendant to come. He has medicine. If I... if I take some, I'll be fine."
"By the time your attendant is found, your life might be forfeit." This heart condition was an emergency. A slight misstep could cost him his life.
"Yu Wei, Ling Wan, help me. Help me get him to the ground."
"Okay." Lin Yuwei quickly got up and helped Feng Jin support him. Ling Wan, after a moment of daze, also hurried to help.
Feng Jin reached out to unbutton his clothes, but felt it inappropriate. She glanced back at the two women. "You two, quickly go out and guard the door. Don't let anyone else in."
"Okay, we're going out now." Lin Yuwei was extremely obedient to Feng Jin's words and pulled Ling Wan to get up. As Ling Wan stood up, she felt her hand being held firmly. Turning, she saw Sheng Xu Bai's pale hand tightly gripping hers, and Ling Wan's face immediately turned as red as blood.
"This person is not honest even when he's fainted." Feng Jin snatched Sheng Xu Bai's hand away. "You two, go out quickly."
After the two left, Feng Jin unbuttoned Sheng Xu Bai's clothes, used silver needles to seal several of his acupoints, and placed a pill in his mouth from her pocket. After a moment, Feng Jin removed the silver needles. Sheng Xu Bai slowly opened his eyes. Dazed, he saw Feng Jin's figure, like a fleeting light in front of his eyes. A faint, unknown fragrance wafted to his nose, inexplicably calming his violently beating heart.
"You're awake, so stop pretending to be dead. Your condition is only temporary. Once it passes, you'll be like a normal person. Get up now." Feng Jin put away the silver needles, her tone as if nothing had just happened.