Marrying anyone would be the same, just a perfunctory passing of the rest of one's life.
"Even for the sake of Pingyang Marquis Manor, for my family, I will marry His Highness Prince Jing."
The imperial decree had been issued, and she had no chance to refuse. Since she was destined to marry, why not do so happily.
She had once had the good fortune to see Prince Jing. He possessed a graceful demeanor, and if not for his injured leg, he would have been an excellent match.
"Do you truly feel that way? I just think you deserve someone better."
Lin Yuwei smiled faintly, taking Feng Jin's hand and saying, "Actually, I liked the young general since I was little, but fate did not allow it. For things that do not belong to me, I must learn to let go and choose to accept my destiny. This way, my latter half of life can be more joyful."
"It's good that you can let go," Feng Jin's impression of Lin Yuwei soared by several degrees.
She liked beautiful women who were kind and intelligent like this.
She was so much better than Feng Ruoyan.
"Sister, don't you blame me for having liked the young general in the past?"
In her understanding, no woman could tolerate another woman liking her husband. Yet, looking at Feng Jin's expression, there was not the slightest hint of displeasure.
"Since you said it was in the past, why should I dwell on past matters? It would only lead to unhappiness. Besides, what good is a stinky man compared to a sister?"
Moreover, she did not like Ling Mohan, and she certainly did not care if other women liked him.
At the same time, Ling Mohan, standing outside the courtyard, sneezed several times in a row.
"Young General, you must have caught a chill. Please put on an outer coat."
Lu Shi draped the pre-prepared outer coat over Ling Mohan's shoulders.
He somehow felt that ever since the young general woke up, he had become somewhat frail.
It wasn't even cold today, yet standing at the door for a while caused him to sneeze multiple times.
"I'm fine..." Ling Mohan flung off the outer coat from his shoulders. Why hadn't Feng Jin come out yet?
Could it be that she had quarreled with Lin Yuwei...
The man's face was filled with worry. How could Lin Yuwei be a match for Feng Jin? This was Pingyang Marquis Manor, the Lin family's territory. If trouble arose, it wouldn't be easy to extricate themselves.
Just as Ling Mohan's imagination was running wild, the two of them emerged from the room, chatting and laughing.
"Is everything alright inside, Young General?" Lin Yuwei greeted him with impeccable manners.
Ling Mohan did not respond. How had these two become so friendly in an instant?
"They're talking to you, what's with your attitude?" Seeing that Ling Mohan ignored her, Feng Jin said with some dissatisfaction, patting his shoulder.
"My apologies, Miss Lin. Please forgive me."
Ling Mohan, regaining his senses, cupped his hands and said, then grabbed Feng Jin's hand, examining her up and down. Seeing that she was not harmed in the slightest, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
Feng Jin looked at Ling Mohan with an expression that suggested he was ill.
"Sister Yuwei, we'll be leaving now. I'll bring you the beauty-enhancing water in a couple of days. I guarantee it will rejuvenate your complexion."
"Thank you, Sister."
After leaving Pingyang Marquis Manor, Ling Mohan could no longer suppress his curiosity. "What did you and Miss Lin discuss in the room? And what is that beauty-enhancing water?"
"These are secrets for women. Naturally, I can't tell you."
Feng Jin refused without a second thought, then turned her curious gaze to Ling Mohan, playfully remarking, "I didn't expect the young general to be interested in such things. Your taste is truly unique?"
Ling Mohan's face instantly darkened. He gave Feng Jin a displeased look, pulled her into his arms, leaned close to her ear, and said in a deep voice, "I'm interested in other things too. Would my wife like to know?"
"Who wants to know!" Feng Jin said angrily and pushed him away.
With a 'bang!', Ling Mohan's shoulder slammed heavily against the carriage frame.
"Hiss..." The intense pain in his shoulder made Ling Mohan frown slightly. "Are you trying to murder your husband!"
"Stop pretending. I know how hard I pushed!"
She had only given him a light push. On the battlefield, what kind of injuries had he not sustained from swords and spears? That little injury was nothing to him.
Yet he was acting as if he had lost half his life.
"I really am..."
Before Ling Mohan could finish speaking, Feng Jin jumped off the carriage, not wanting to listen to his complaints.
"Young Madam, you're finally back. Granny Yun has been waiting for you at the manor. She's brought all the rewards from the Empress Dowager."
Cai Qing looked as if she had never seen the world.
"Tell the kitchen to prepare the meal and have Granny Yun dine at the manor."
"Yes, Young Madam!"
Seeing Feng Jin, Granny Yun put down her teacup and slowly stood up. "Greetings, Young Madam."
"Thank you for making the trip in person, Granny."
"This servant was sent by order of the Empress Dowager, so there's no hardship involved. Once the Feng family sends the late madam's dowry and it's tallied, I will return to the palace."
"Thank you, Granny."
Feng Jin was respectful. She knew that the Empress Dowager had sent Granny Yun to prevent the Feng family from interfering.
"Granny, why don't you have lunch first? Tallying the dowry will take some time, and it will likely be delivered this afternoon."
She suspected that her cheap father and the Sun family's mother and daughter were currently trying to pass off fakes.
The hall of the Feng Manor.
Feng Yuanping's face was dark, his vicious gaze fixed on the mother and daughter trembling on the floor. The memorial he held was squeezed into a ball.
He picked up the teacup from the table and hurled it viciously at Sun Shi.
The teacup hit Sun Shi's left shoulder, scalding tea splashing all over her. The precious blue and white porcelain bowl shattered instantly.
Sun Shi still did not dare to move.
Feng Ruoyan was terrified and at a loss. She had never seen her father so furious.
"Fa... Father..."
"Shut up. I don't have a disreputable daughter like you."
Feng Yuanping was filled with rage, wishing he could kill the mother and daughter with a single sword.
Feng Ruoyan had been beaten ten times. Although the third prince had secretly interceded, she still had to endure some physical pain.
Her injuries had not healed, and she had been kneeling on the cold floor for a long time. Feng Ruoyan's frail body could not withstand such torment. She was already swaying.
"My Lord, Yan'er just received punishment. She cannot endure kneeling for so long! The Emperor has already decreed the marriage, making Yan'er the secondary consort to the third prince. Yan'er cannot get into the sedan chair while ill."
Feng Yuanping's anger subsided somewhat upon hearing that Feng Ruoyan was to marry the third prince.
He could not count on that girl Feng Jin to help the Feng family. His only hope was Feng Ruoyan. As long as she married the third prince, there would be no worry about her becoming empress one day.
"Get up and sit for now! How can you get into the sedan chair if you're injured?"
"Thank you, Father."