"I've noted it all down, Cai Qing, you must support me." Feng Jin's tone was laced with a hint of worry.
Her movements were considerably more restrained as she walked. Feng Jin only dared to hold her head high, afraid to even lower her gaze, lest she be unable to raise it again.
Ling Mohan waited outside the door for a long while before Feng Jin, leaning on Cai Qing's arm, finally ambled over.
"Why are you dressed so opulently today?" Ling Mohan had never seen Feng Jin dressed so formally before. In the past, she would simply tie up her hair with a single hairpin. Today's attire was truly a refreshing sight.
But why did Feng Jin's gait look so awkward? A journey that could have been completed in two steps now took more than ten.
"What are you standing around for? Hurry and help me onto the carriage."
Feng Jin, mindful of the coronet on her head, dared not even make eye contact with Ling Mohan. She extended her hand and was helped onto the carriage by two people.
Inside the carriage, Feng Jin, her head adorned with pearls and jewels, carefully leaned back against the seat to rest.
"If you find it tiring, you can remove the hairpin from your head."
Ling Mohan couldn't bear to see Feng Jin so weary and asked Cai Qing to remove the hairpin from her head.
"No, don't touch it… I finally managed to put it on."
Feng Jin adamantly refused to let them touch her bejeweled hairpin. What she wore on her head was the equivalent of a house, her weapon for showing off later. She absolutely could not afford even the slightest mishap.
...
Feng Yuanping sat anxiously in the main hall. For three consecutive days, there had been no news of Feng Ruoyan. The men he had sent out had scoured the entire capital but found not a single trace of her.
In the imperial court today, he had probed Ling Mohan several times, but the man was too inscrutable, and his efforts were in vain.
He felt as though he were being roasted over a fire, completely uneasy.
"Master, the wedding date is fast approaching, and there's still no news of Yan'er. What are we to do?"
Madam Sun began to worry. Feng Ruoyan was her own daughter, and her future wealth and status depended on her. Madam Sun was particularly anxious at this moment.
"What are we to do? You're only afraid now. Where were you before? You shouldn't have incited Yan'er to do such a foolish thing. It's too late to regret it now. All we can do is our best and leave the rest to fate. It all depends on her own fortune."
The matter was settled. All he could do was his best and leave the rest to fate.
"Master, are you truly going to abandon Yan'er?"
"It's not that I'm abandoning Yan'er, but I am powerless right now. If Yan'er does not appear on the wedding day, the Feng family will be unable to produce her, which is treason. The Emperor will be furious, and no one in the Feng family will be spared. I will be the sinner of the Feng family then!"
Feng Yuanping knew the Emperor's wrath well. At this moment, he had to plan for the welfare of all the Feng family members.
"Master, the Second Miss and General Ling have arrived."
A servant rushed in to report, enraging Madam Sun. She blurted out, "What is that little slut Feng Jin doing here? She's the one who ruined my Yan'er. How dare she show her face? Mobilize the guards and capture Feng Jin! I want to see if Ling Mohan will truly let her go…"
*Crack…* A crisp slap echoed through the hall. Madam Sun, stunned, clutched the red, swollen side of her face and looked at Feng Yuanping in disbelief.
"Master… you… you hit me…"
"I hit you, you foolish woman! Not only is Feng Jin conferred the title of Princess Jianing by His Majesty, but who is Ling Mohan? He is the God of War of Eastern Chu, the current Imperial Tutor! If you mobilize the guards to surround her, you'll truly destroy my entire Feng family!"
A surge of anger rushed to Feng Yuanping's head. Madam Sun's foolishness was almost enough to kill him.
"What's going on? The Dragon King's temple is flooded, and family members don't recognize each other. Father, why did you strike Aunt Sun?"
Feng Jin's sarcastic voice echoed throughout the hall. This was Feng Jin's second time setting foot here. The first time, Madam Sun had coerced her into marrying Ling Mohan. This time, she had the pleasure of witnessing Madam Sun's pathetic state firsthand.
The tables had turned, and things were no longer the same. Madam Sun had fallen on hard times.
Madam Sun's venomous gaze fixed on Feng Jin, her eyes burning as if she wanted to bore holes into Feng Jin.
"Aunt Sun, why are you looking at me like that? Did I offend you somewhere?"
Feng Jin put on an innocent act, her pure, harmless eyes showing a flicker of fear, making her truly appear like a victim.
Feng Yuanping's expression darkened immediately. He barked sternly, "Are you still standing here embarrassing yourself? Go down and prepare tea."
He couldn't afford to offend anyone right now, so he took his anger out on Madam Sun.
"Yes, Master." Madam Sun's status was no longer what it used to be, so she could only agree meekly. In her heart, however, she chalked this up as a debt to Feng Jin. Once Feng Ruoyan became Empress, she would be the first to devour Feng Jin alive to quench her hatred.
Feng Jin's lips curved into a sarcastic smile. Her cheap father was truly a master at bending with the wind. Such obsequiousness explained why he was able to become Prime Minister. He did have some skills.
"General Ling, why have you come here today?" Feng Yuanping showed no deference as a father-in-law to Ling Mohan. Instead, he acted like an subordinate, deliberately appearing submissive and eager to please, which made Feng Jin feel utterly disgusted.
"I wanted to see the mansion, and he accompanied me back. What… are you not welcoming us?"
"How could that be? I am overjoyed that you are willing to return to see me and that you no longer hold a grudge against your father."
Feng Jin's lips twitched uncontrollably. This man's hypocrisy was truly remarkable. If she hadn't known Feng Yuanping's true nature long ago, she would have been completely fooled by him.
Feng Yuanping, afraid his performance wasn't convincing enough, forcibly squeezed out a few tears.
After a dramatic display, Feng Yuanping's eyes reddened. He sighed, "Feng Jin, I was foolish before, and you suffered a great deal because of it. Please don't resent me. Your father apologizes to you."
What Feng Yuanping said was not entirely untrue. At this moment, Feng Ruoyan, his greatest pride, was useless. Even if she returned safely, she would still be branded with the accusations of mistreating servants and framing others. Her reputation was ruined.
The situation had drastically changed, and he had to re-strategize, repairing his father-daughter relationship with Feng Jin. After all, they were father and daughter; there were no grudges that couldn't be mended.
It was a pity that the original Feng Jin had long since been abused to death by people arranged by Madam Sun due to his cold indifference and neglect.
The current Feng Jin had no blood relation to him. If it weren't for the unfulfilled wish of the original host, Feng Jin wouldn't have stepped foot in this place.
"I… I am truly pathetic. For everything you've done to me, do you truly deserve to be called a father? Have you forgotten that we have long severed ties?"