"Young General, Young Madam, the carriage is ready outside," Lu Shi's voice interrupted the two of them at the opportune moment.
Feng Jin snapped back to reality, pushed Ling Mohan away, and tidied the stray hairs on her forehead.
"Young General, it's time to go," she said, then strode out.
Madame Sun and her daughter blocked the front door, so the two had to exit through the back.
"Thanks to my wife, this is my first time leaving through the back door," Ling Mohan said with a sigh, fanning himself with a paper fan.
"A true man knows when to bend and when to straighten. The Young General surely wouldn't mind such trivialities."
Feng Jin's retort left Ling Mohan speechless. She had never lost an argument, and Ling Mohan was no match for her.
Madame Sun and her daughter's faces turned ashen, yet they still forced smiles at Cai Qing.
"Madam, Miss, the Young Madam and the Young General are attending a banquet at Marquis Pingyang's estate. They specifically instructed us to itemize the dowry list."
Cai Qing, following Feng Jin's instructions, had notified everyone in the household and specially brought in several burly men to verify the list.
"She actually sent you, a mere maid..." Feng Ruoyan began, but Madame Sun stopped her.
"Then we must trouble you, girl." Madame Sun was far more composed than Feng Ruoyan. As long as the poisoned water touched Feng Jin, activating the蛊 (gu) poison within her, everything would be settled.
"Cai Qing, you are truly capable and organized. With you looking after Jin'er, I am at ease!" Madame Sun clasped Cai Qing's hands, showering her with pleasantries.
Cai Qing was well aware of the true nature of this mother and daughter. Any overtures from them were bound to be deceitful.
"Madam, this servant owes the Young Madam a great debt and is therefore loyal to her unconditionally."
Madame Sun chuckled obsequiously and took a jade bracelet from her wrist, pressing it onto Cai Qing's hand. "Cai Qing, this is just a small token of my appreciation. Please accept it."
Cai Qing immediately tried to take off the bracelet. "Madam, this bracelet is too valuable. This servant dares not accept it."
"You're embarrassing me. The bracelet isn't worth much, just accept it!" Madame Sun held Cai Qing's hand as she tried to remove the bracelet and quickly signaled for Feng Ruoyan to leave.
"Mother, she's just a servant. Why give her a bracelet?" The jade of the bracelet was clearly of good quality; giving it to a servant was a waste.
"I sprinkled the bracelet with the medicinal water. She's Feng Jin's personal maid and is with her day and night..."
Feng Ruoyan caught on quickly this time, immediately understanding Madame Sun's intention. "Mother is brilliant. This way, Feng Jin is surely doomed."
"Mother, the Marquis Pingyang's banquet will also be attended by the Third Prince. Should we go?" As a lady of the inner chambers, she naturally couldn't arrange secret meetings with the Third Prince. The only opportunities for them to meet were at banquets and similar gatherings.
"No need. The incident of you falling into the water a few days ago has not yet subsided. You are forbidden to appear in public for now. In half a month, it will be the Mid-Autumn Festival. You should prepare well for the banquet in the palace."
The capital had no shortage of gossip. As long as new, more explosive news emerged, this matter would be overshadowed. Once the wind passed, and an opportunity arose to impress, Feng Ruoyan would still be known as the foremost talented woman.
The Marquis Pingyang's elderly matriarch was celebrating her sixtieth birthday. All the high-ranking officials and dignitaries in the capital had come to attend the feast, even the King of Dingbei, who had lived in seclusion for many years. Only the Prime Minister's mansion sent no one, merely dispatching a servant to deliver a birthday gift. Feng Ruoyan had always loved attending such banquets, showcasing her title as the foremost talented woman. Why was she so uncharacteristically absent today? Moreover, the Third Prince was also present. Would Feng Ruoyan willingly give up the chance to meet him?
As the saying goes, unusual occurrences often hide something sinister. It seemed Madame Sun and her daughter were plotting something else.
"I'll take you to pay our respects to the Marchioness. You'd best behave and mind your tongue!" Ling Mohan's greatest concern was Feng Jin's sharp tongue, and he uttered this warning.
"I have my limits. I don't need you to tell me!" She had specifically studied the intricate etiquette of ancient people.
"Han gege." A sweet, cooing voice came from behind them. Feng Jin shivered, disgusted. This was surely Ling Mohan's troublesome admirer coming to find him.
"It really is you, Han gege. I thought you weren't returning today. I heard your illness had recovered and I hadn't had the chance to visit your manor. Please forgive me, Han gege." The woman wore a pink dress embroidered with peonies and had her black hair styled in a snake bun, a white jade rose hairpin slanted in her hair, its pink tassels swaying with the breeze. Her beauty wasn't stunning, but she possessed an elegant, orchid-like temperament. Her pair of watery eyes appeared gentle and harmless, much like an innocent piece of white jade. Especially when she looked at Ling Mohan, her face was filled with adoration and her eyes brimmed with love. Another pitiful woman driven to ruin by love. Ling Mohan truly was a calamity that brought misfortune to beautiful women...
Ling Mohan sensed Feng Jin's disdainful gaze. He coughed and took a step back, widening the distance. "Miss Lin, it has been many days. I trust you are well." His tone was distant, like a knife cutting into Lin Yuwei's heart. She suppressed the dejection in her eyes and spoke in a gentle tone, "Everything is well. Seeing Han gege as he always was puts my mind at ease." She then cast her gaze upon Feng Jin. "This must be Han... the Young General's new sister-in-law..." Lin Yuwei changed her words at the last moment, thus cutting off her own lingering feelings. Since fate had not intertwined them, it was better to sever the tangled threads, which would be better for everyone.
"Miss Lin." Feng Jin gave a slight curtsy in greeting. This pure and harmless little rabbit made her truly reluctant to speak harshly.
"Sister-in-law, hello." Lin Yuwei curtsied in return.
"Miss Lin, I will first escort my wife to pay our respects to the elderly matriarch. We shall take our leave," Ling Mohan said, pulling Feng Jin's wrist as they departed, leaving Lin Yuwei gazing wistfully at his retreating back.
Feng Jin turned her head slightly and saw Lin Yuwei standing like a statue of longing, her watery eyes tearful. Truly a pitiable Lin Meilin. Even Feng Jin, with her cold heart, felt a pang of emotion at the sight.
"You are truly heartless. Your Miss Lin is still gazing at you so earnestly. Can you not feel even a little sympathy?"
Ling Mohan tightened his grip on Feng Jin's hand. "Wife, are you perhaps wishing for me to take concubines?"
"Young General, do you truly wish to embrace both left and right, enjoying the blessings of others?" Men were all creatures who forgot old loves for new, who thought with their lower halves. To talk of feelings with them was a waste of time. Ling Mohan pulled her into his embrace and whispered in her ear, "I'm afraid I will have to disappoint you, my dear. I have no immediate plans to take concubines."