Madam Sun sensed vaguely that Feng Jin was slipping out of her control, but luckily, she had a backup plan.
“Yan’er,” she commanded, “Tomorrow, arrange for all the betrothal gifts from the Ling family to be prepared. The Feng family will add another dowry to them and send them over.”
“What!” Feng Ruo Yan immediately exploded in fury. Her mother had promised her that all the Ling family's betrothal gifts would be considered her dowry. Now, not only were they being given to Feng Jin, but an additional dowry was to be added.
Wouldn't her own dowry be reduced by more than half? With such a meager dowry, wouldn't she be laughed at when she married into the royal family?
Madam Sun, being the shrewd woman she was, had already made her calculations.
“You are too focused on immediate gains and fail to see the long-term benefits. The previous one was the sole heir of the Marquis's estate. The dowry she brought to the Feng family was worth a million. All of it is in my hands. Do you still worry about your dowry?”
After the previous one passed away, her dowry had fallen entirely under her control. Why bother with such trivial amounts of money?
“A million…” Feng Ruo Yan’s mouth gaped so wide an egg could fit into it. She had never imagined there would be such a sum of money.
“Your father doesn’t know about this. I did it secretly. You must keep your mouth shut.”
Madam Sun said sternly. After a pause, she continued, “As early as when Feng Jin was young, I planted a poisonous蛊 in her body. If I were to activate it, Feng Jin would die within three days.”
“I originally just kept this as a contingency, in case of emergencies. I didn’t expect it to be used today.”
The poisonous蛊 was bought with a thousand gold pieces, just in case Feng Jin ever slipped out of her control.
Madam Sun rose and took out a dark, lumpy object from a hidden compartment at the bottom of her vanity box.
“This is the catalyst to activate the poisonous蛊. Dissolve it in water and sprinkle it on the betrothal gifts. Feng Jin will faint as soon as she comes into contact with it. In just three days, the poisonous蛊 will gnaw away her internal organs!”
A glint of malevolence flashed in Madam Sun’s eyes. Anyone who dared to stand in the way of her and her daughter would meet their end.
“Yes, Mother. Your daughter understands!” Feng Ruo Yan tightly clutched the medicine in her hand. This time, Feng Jin was surely doomed.
“Young Madam, Young Madam!” Cai Qing knocked several times on the door, but there was no response.
Usually, the Young Madam would be up by this hour. Why was there no movement today?
Cai Qing hesitated, her heart filled with worry. Just as she was about to push the door open, she was stopped by Lu Shi.
“You little girl, you have no discretion 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 doesn’t punish you!”
Lu Shi had guarded the door all night, waiting and waiting for the Young General to emerge, enduring a whole night in the cold wind.
“The Young General stayed here!” Cai Qing exclaimed in surprise. No wonder the Young Madam hadn’t gotten up yet.
Then, last night, the Young General and the Young Madam must have consummated their marriage.
Before long, the estate would welcome a little young master.
Cai Qing was genuinely happy for the Young Madam and took it upon herself to inform everyone in the estate about the consummation.
Let’s see who would dare to gossip and spread rumors about the Young Madam not being favored by the Young General, having not consummated their marriage for a long time, and that the Young General would soon take a concubine.
Suddenly, the entire Ling estate was abuzz with the explosive news of the couple’s consummation.
As for the two involved, they were still deep in slumber.
It wasn't until high noon that Feng Jin vaguely regained consciousness.
Something was pressing against her chest, making it difficult for her to breathe.
Feng Jin reached out to push it away, but it didn't budge. With a sudden surge of strength, she kicked.
“Hiss…”
A man’s low groan echoed in her ears.
Feng Jin finally woke up completely. She sat up abruptly, pulled the quilt over herself, and stared vigilantly at the man who had been kicked off the bed.
“You… where are you putting your hands!”
She had thought he was a pure little boy, but he turned out to be a wolf in sheep's clothing.
Shameless old rogue, daring to lay a hand on her. Did he really think she was a pushover?
“It was you who was lying on top of me first!”
Last night, she had clung to him like a kangaroo, sleeping with her arm as her pillow. Even now, her arm was still sore.
And this morning, she had kicked him off the bed and was now playing the victim.
A blush crept across Feng Jin’s face. No wonder she had felt like she was hugging a bolster last night.
She couldn't be blamed for this. Who told Ling Mo Han to insist on sleeping in her bed? Not kicking him out was already a display of great mercy.
“What nonsense are you talking about? This matter is ambiguous to begin with. Ultimately, it’s you men who have the advantage!”
Ling Mo Han was so infuriated by Feng Jin’s words that he felt like spitting blood.
Ambiguous, and ultimately men had the advantage…
Such words, how could a young lady like her utter them?
Did she have any sense of shame?
Ling Mo Han’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 had initially been uninterested in such banquets. However, the invitation from the Pingyang Marquis had been sent directly to his grandfather.
Yesterday, his grandfather had personally instructed him to escort Feng Jin to the Pingyang Marquis’s estate for the banquet.
He supposed his grandfather intended to introduce Feng Jin to society. Her ability to gain such favor from his grandfather was indeed a testament to her capabilities.
Feng Jin had finished washing up and dressing and 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. There are over a hundred loads.”
“This is the list. Please verify it one by one, then create a new list and put it directly into the storeroom!”
She had secretly made a copy of the Ling family’s betrothal gift list.
She had no interest in meeting the Feng family. On the Ling family’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 easy to deal with. If the Young Madam didn’t go, Cai Qing was truly worried she wouldn't be able to handle them.
“You just need to spread the word about them returning the betrothal gifts. Make sure everyone in the estate knows. They’ll 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 clever stratagem!” Ling Mo Han stood outside the door, having heard everything clearly.
Her explanation was flawless. Even if Madam Sun and her daughter intended to make things difficult, they wouldn’t be able to act.
“Young General, you flatter me. My small schemes are nothing compared to your command of thousands of troops and your strategic brilliance from afar.”
Ling Mo Han 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 bring herself to say it!
This fellow was a hidden gem, a master of subtlety, and he hid it so well.