Clad in her wedding attire, Feng Jin appeared behind him without a sound.
Beneath the veil, her makeup was heavy and garish, her face painted like a monkey's backside. Her eyebrows were drawn thick and black, her lips painted a blood-red maw, as if she had just drunk the blood of the deceased. She looked as frightening as one could possibly be.
The副将 (fùjiàng - second-in-command/lieutenant) was also stunned. This was the lucky star the Old Master had spoken of? She was terrifying.
A woman so ugly that she reached the heavens, how could she be worthy of the Young General? Though the副将 (fùjiàng) did not voice his thoughts, his eyes clearly showed his disdain.
Feng Jin did not lower the red veil, but walked brazenly into the sedan chair.
Closing her eyes to rest in the sedan, her mind turned to the information Qing Ling had gathered about Ling Mo Han.
It was said that Ling Mo Han had suffered a head injury on the battlefield and had been in a comatose state, akin to a living death, for half a year.
With her medical skills, she should be able to save him. The specific situation would only be clear once she saw him.
The welcoming procession, with its music and drumming, returned to the Grand Tutor's mansion.
Elder Ling, the Grand Tutor, was a veteran of three dynasties, his students scattered across the realm. Half the officials in court were his disciples, and his family's influence was not to be underestimated.
Elder Ling had five sons and one daughter. His only daughter was born to a concubine but was his most beloved.
Four of his sons held official posts in the court. However, his youngest son, disliking the path of officialdom and preferring commerce, had incurred Elder Ling's great wrath. The relationship between father and son had been strained, and the youngest son had gone south to pursue business, never to return.
Ling Mo Han, born to Elder Ling's eldest son, was the pride of the Ling family. He could compose essays at the age of three, and at five, his essay on governance shocked the court. By eight, he was the Dean of the Imperial Academy, and at twelve, the Emperor's Tutor, renowned throughout the land. At sixteen, facing national crisis, he had forsaken his scholarly pursuits for the military.
In that one battle, Ling Mo Han, with twenty thousand elite troops, had faced and decisively defeated Cang Nan Kingdom's two hundred thousand strong army, earning him fame. He then went on to recover border territories, defeat the Xiongnu, and expand the empire's domain. The people hailed him as the "God of War," and the Black Armored Army under his command was invincible.
His sudden severe injury and coma had caught the Ling family completely off guard. To awaken his grandson, the Old Master Ling had exhausted every possible method. In the end, with no other recourse, he had resorted to the method of "chōngxǐ" (冲喜 - a marriage for good luck, especially to ward off ill fortune).
"Young Madam, you may alight from the sedan." The副将 (fùjiàng - second-in-command/lieutenant)'s voice came from outside the sedan.
The butler was already waiting outside. Upon seeing the sedan curtain lifted and the poorly disguised woman step out, he was aghast.
This woman was the one the Old Master had arranged to bring good fortune to the Young General?
She was truly... an eyesore!
How could someone so hideous be worthy of their Young General, who was like an immortal in their hearts?
"Young Madam, it would be best if you kept your red veil on." Though the butler's tone was respectful, there was a discernible distance in his voice.
"No need. Don't waste time." Feng Jin refused.
"The Old Master is waiting for Young Madam in the study." Despite his displeasure, the butler, bound by his status as a servant, dared not overstep.
Feng Jin stepped into the mansion and followed the butler towards the study, passing through the garden.
The Ling mansion covered a considerable area. The garden was planted with various precious flowers, and it was springtime, with a hundred blossoms in full bloom. The air was filled with a succession of floral fragrances.
Seeing her calm demeanor, devoid of any greed, the butler couldn't help but feel surprised.
Perhaps this woman was quite cunning, knowing to feign composure.
They arrived at the study.
"Old Master, the Young Madam has arrived." The butler stood respectfully at the doorway.
"Enter."
Elder Ling set down his wolf-hair brush and looked up.
Upon seeing Feng Jin, Elder Ling frowned. Although he had heard that the eldest daughter of the Feng family was ugly and uncouth, having grown up in the countryside, and therefore unworthy of his most proud grandson, all that was unimportant for the sake of his grandson's awakening.
"Feng..."
"Feng Jin." Feng Jin introduced herself.
Elder Ling nodded, his cloudy eyes showing a hint of pain. "You must have heard of Han'er's condition. He has not yet awakened and cannot perform the wedding ceremony."
"However, rest assured, you are still the officially wedded Young Madam of my Grand Tutor's mansion."
"Mhm, I understand." Feng Jin's expression was calm, showing no hint of resentment.
Seeing this, Elder Ling was clearly somewhat surprised. "You do not mind?"
Having seen countless people, he had never encountered eyes like those of this young girl before him—spirited and clear, without a trace of impurity. Her composed and indifferent demeanor did not resemble that of someone from the countryside at all.
It seemed the master had spoken the truth.
"Butler, escort Young Madam to the East Courtyard."
Ling Mo Han's residence was in the East Courtyard, the most favorably situated courtyard in the entire mansion.
"Yes, Old Master."
The butler led Feng Jin away from the study, heading towards the East Courtyard.
Along the way, the butler, worried that the newly arrived Young Madam would not be able to care for the Young General, chattered incessantly: "Although the Young General is currently unconscious, he might awaken at any moment."
"The Young General is fond of cleanliness. You will need to bathe him and change his clothes daily. This task will trouble Young Madam from now on."
"Also, although the Young General is unconscious, he still needs to eat. The servants will bring the prepared ginseng soup and other nourishing broths. Young Madam must remember to feed him on time..."
"Young Genera..."
"Are you finished?" Feng Jin suddenly spoke, interrupting the butler's unfinished words.
Meeting her clear, cold gaze, akin to a thousand-year-old frozen pool, the butler felt as though his blood had frozen, a chill spreading throughout his body.
"I do not need anyone to teach me how to do my work."
Feng Jin looked at him coldly, her icy eyes like a frigid pool, sending shivers down one's spine.
"Such arrogance! A lowly individual brought here to bring good fortune to my elder brother dares to act wildly in my Grand Tutor's mansion."
A spoiled voice rang out.
Feng Jin frowned and turned towards the newcomer.
The maiden was dressed in a crimson water lily gown. A purple belt with pink ribbons cinched her slender waist, making it appear impossibly narrow. Her water-blue skirt trailed long to the ground. Her face, like a spring peach in March, was delicate and charming beyond words.
The newcomer was Ling Yan, the youngest daughter of Elder Ling's second son.