"The Prime Minister's mansion raised you, and even arranged such a good marriage for you. Don't be ungrateful when you are blessed," the woman said.
As soon as the woman finished speaking, a young girl in a plain dress with a beautiful face also gently persuaded, "Yes, second sister! Mother is thinking of you with all her heart."
"For my own good?"
Feng Jin sneered, looking coldly at the mother and daughter before her, her stepmother Madam Sun and stepsister Feng Ruoyan. "If it's such a good thing, why doesn't Mother let Big Sister marry?"
"Don't be ungrateful!" Madam Sun was choked, glaring at her. "With the Ling family's prestige, this marriage doesn't dishonor you. If the young general hadn't had this accident, do you think the Ling family would want you?"
"So? If you are reluctant to sacrifice Big Sister, you want me to marry?" Feng Jin's eyes were indifferent as she raised her gaze.
Though raised in the countryside since childhood, her skin was as fair and translucent as condensed jade. Her breathtakingly beautiful face, dressed in simple plain cloth, with her three thousand black tresses casually tied up, a wooden hairpin slanted in her bun, exuded an elegant and aloof aura no less than that of noble daughters from aristocratic families.
Seeing her talk back, Madam Sun's eyes were filled with disgust. "Are you feeling wronged by marrying into the Ling family? This is something countless people would beg for!"
"Why don't you say that you want to curry favor with the Ling family, but you are reluctant to let Big Sister marry a living dead man?" Feng Jin's eyebrows lifted slightly, a cold glint flashing in her eyes.
Hmph!
Madam Sun and her scumbag father were truly calculating! They doted on Feng Ruoyan and couldn't bear to let her marry into the Ling family and live as a widow. Yet, they wanted to use the Ling family's influence to marry Feng Ruoyan to Chu Yanxi, the Empress's eldest son, the prince most likely to become the Crown Prince, the third prince. Therefore, they had plotted against her, Feng Jin!
The Ling family was renowned, having assisted the former Emperor and the current Emperor. The young general of the Ling family was famed throughout the land, not only accomplished in civil and military arts but also proficient in military tactics and formations, and the art of yin and yang. It was said that half a year ago, this young general was poisoned on the battlefield and had been in a coma ever since. Old Master Ling had heard from somewhere that a daughter of the Prime Minister's mansion had an auspicious fate that could awaken his grandson. Thus, Old Master Ling sent someone to the Prime Minister's mansion to propose marriage, hoping to use this joyous occasion to hasten his grandson's awakening. In plain terms, it was a wedding for good fortune, and everyone knew that if it didn't work out, she would end up with the reputation of being a jinx.
"Second sister, saying this is not breaking Mother's heart," Feng Ruoyan sighed softly, her gentle voice tinged with helplessness. "You grew up in the countryside and are not clear about the affairs of the capital. Elder sister does not blame you." "Not only is the young general Ling handsome, but he is also accomplished in both civil and military arts. Though young, he has already achieved brilliant military exploits. If not for this accident, it would likely not be the turn of our Prime Minister's mansion."
"One must keep their word. Since our Prime Minister's mansion has accepted the Ling family's betrothal gifts, there is naturally no question of breaking the engagement," Madam Sun said, giving Feng Jin no chance to refuse. "You will marry whether you want to or not!"
"You were the one who agreed, not me!" Feng Jin's lips curled into a mocking smile.
"It's your birth characters," Madam Sun sneered, her hatred intensifying. "If you don't want to marry, go tell the Ling family yourself, as long as Old Master Ling agrees."
Feng Jin narrowed her eyes and said faintly, "Since it is I who is marrying, the betrothal gifts should also be given to me in their entirety."
"How can that be?" Feng Ruoyan's face changed instantly. Then, as if realizing her失态 (loss of composure), she assumed a tone of eldest sister. "Second sister, don't worry about the betrothal gifts; we will arrange everything for you. You will not lose face." How could she allow that! Mother had promised her that the Ling family's betrothal gifts would be used as her dowry. What was already in her hands, she would never give to Feng Jin.
Seeing the greed and calculation in Feng Ruoyan's eyes, Feng Jin sneered, "You want me to marry, fine. But you must agree to one condition."
"What condition?" Madam Sun's expression visibly relaxed upon seeing her willing to consider it.
"After I marry into the Ling family, I will have no further ties with the Feng family."
Feng Jin said this, then quickly wrote it down on paper and pushed it to Madam Sun. "Sign it, and I will marry."
"You want to sever ties with the Prime Minister's mansion? I think you've grown too ambitious and are overestimating yourself." Upon hearing this, Madam Sun's voice became sharp, and her eyes widened in disbelief. This wretched girl! Did she really think she could escape the Prime Minister's mansion by marrying into the Ling family? Don't even think about it!
"If Father finds out about this..." Feng Ruoyan had not expected Feng Jin to do this. Before she could finish speaking, Feng Jin interrupted her coldly, "Stop the nonsense. I don't have much patience."
"Feng Jin, aren't you afraid that this matter will spread and you will be branded as unfilial?" Currently, her Ruoyan's marriage to the third prince was not yet settled. If they couldn't get the Ling family's support, how could that work? Madam Sun naturally would not agree if Feng Jin wanted to escape her control.
"What I care about is the result. As for reputation..." Feng Jin scoffed. "I never had it in the first place, so how can I be afraid?"
"I know it's difficult for you, but the wedding date has already been set. If we break the engagement now, we will fall out with the Ling family. My Feng family has not had an easy time reaching this point. If they find any fault..." Madam Sun, seeing that she was not backing down, decided to coax her into marrying into the Ling family first. No matter what, this little vixen was still a member of the Feng family. To sever this relationship? Even if she agreed, the Prime Minister would not.
"Fine, I'll sign." Madam Sun gritted her teeth and signed, then put on a show of concern. "I am also doing this for your own good. When you marry into the Ling family, serve the young general well. When the young general awakens, he will naturally remember your kindness, and your future life will be no worse than that in the Prime Minister's mansion."
"You can leave now," Feng Jin's voice was icy.
Seven days later, a procession of ten miles, adorned with red. A wedding entourage, with music and fanfare, proceeded towards the Prime Minister's mansion. Many commoners gathered along the streets of the capital to watch the spectacle.
"This grandeur! It's even more magnificent than when the second prince got married!"
"But who is getting married? It's the Ling family!"
"It's a pity the young general hasn't woken up yet. I wonder if the eldest daughter of the Prime Minister's mansion truly has such a good fate?"
"If the young general were well, would it be her turn? I've long heard that this eldest daughter grew up in the countryside."
The wedding procession, with loud blasts of suona, arrived at the gates of the Prime Minister's mansion.
"I am the deputy general of the young general, and today I am here on behalf of the general to welcome the young madam to the manor." A youth in armor stepped into the Prime Minister's mansion and said to Feng Dehai.
Just as Feng Dehai was about to speak, a voice came from behind him, "Let's go!" Turning his head, he was startled.