"Qinglou Chuguan," especially upon hearing those words, she couldn't help but recall what Feng Jin had said earlier. Her eyes were filled with a chilling darkness as she lowered her voice and said, "Both of you shut your mouths and behave yourselves."
Feng Jin rolled her eyes and meekly closed her mouth.
Chu Chenyi also pulled Lin Yuwei back, keeping the two at a distance lest they utter any more astonishing remarks.
Throughout the entire banquet, the Imperial Consort kept pulling Emperor Xuanwen aside to talk, completely neglecting the Empress.
Fortunately, the Empress was used to such matters and had long since grown accustomed to them. Moreover, the marriage of Chu Yanxi, her greatest concern, had been settled. She couldn't be bothered to fuss over these minor issues and allowed the Imperial Consort to pester Emperor Xuanwen.
After the banquet, Feng Jin and the others paid their respects to the Empress Dowager before returning to their residence.
"Why must the Empress insist on having the Third Prince marry someone from the Liu family? Moreover, there's no one outstanding among the Liu family men. It offers little apparent benefit to the Third Prince's future ascension to the throne. It would be more advantageous to marry Feng Ruoyan as his principal wife."
Feng Jin truly couldn't understand the Empress's thought process at the moment; the priorities were obvious.
Could it be that the Empress was so confident that the throne was Chu Yanxi's by right that she didn't need to find him a powerful father-in-law for his marriage?
"The Liu family had many absurd incidents in their early years, which incurred the Emperor's displeasure. None of the men in their clan are outstanding. The entire clan's future prospects are pinned on the Empress alone. Since the men are useless, they can only rely on a woman to ascend to the position of Empress."
"Relying on a woman, then what use are the men? Everything must prioritize male superiority, yet when trouble arises, women are expected to step forward. The Liu family is truly shameless."
Feng Jin genuinely disdained their conduct, her words brimming with mockery.
"Right, where did Feng Ruoyan get transferred to? Has Feng Yuanping made any moves?"
"Prime Minister Feng is investigating in secret, to the point of turning the entire capital upside down. Three days have passed, and Prime Minister Feng has shown remarkable patience." Ling Mo Han said in a deep voice. After three days without any news of Feng Ruoyan, Feng Yuanping's ability to remain so restrained was indeed extraordinary.
"In a few more days, it will be the wedding day for Feng Ruoyan and Chu Yanxi. Welcoming a secondary consort is different from establishing a concubine. On the wedding day, no doubt princes and ministers will come to offer congratulations. This marriage was personally bestowed by His Majesty. If the bride is absent, it would be an act of deceiving the emperor, punishable by the extermination of the entire clan. At this moment, Feng Yuanping must be as anxious as an ant on a hot pan."
Feng Yuanping would likely be unable to hold back any longer. However, Ling Mo Han's abilities were truly great to have evaded Feng Yuanping's multiple searches for so long.
"Today in the imperial court, Feng Yuanping made multiple probing attempts. I fear he will not be able to hold back for much longer."
"Young General must remain extra cautious, lest someone exploit a loophole and all your efforts be in vain."
"I shall heed my wife's teachings. Your husband will certainly be careful and prudent, never allowing anyone to exploit any gaps."
Ling Mo Han now understood Feng Jin's temperament perfectly, acting entirely according to her words and never daring to object.
Feng Jin was very satisfied with Ling Mo Han's current behavior. In her eyes, such a husband was indeed endearing. "Your progress is truly rapid, a teachable pupil."
"Thank you for your praise, my lady. However, your husband feels he can still improve further. I would like my lady to instruct me more."
As his voice fell, Ling Mo Han moved closer to Feng Jin.
Sensing something was amiss, Feng Jin immediately pushed Ling Mo Han away and dove under the covers. "I feel tired today and need to rest early. We can discuss further instruction another day."
These past two days, Ling Mo Han had been acting as if he were driven mad, constantly bothering her. Every morning, he appeared refreshed, while she felt completely exhausted and couldn't recover even after half a day.
If this continued, she would eventually be worn to death by this man.
The hope that had risen on Ling Mo Han's lips slowly diminished. Unwilling to give up, he lifted the covers and pulled Feng Jin into his embrace. If he couldn't have her, holding her while sleeping would suffice.
After lying down for a moment, Ling Mo Han's hands began to wander restlessly, touching Feng Jin's body haphazardly.
Feng Jin slapped his hand and moved the man's hand from her waist.
"Tomorrow I need to return to the Feng family to watch a show. You mustn't cause trouble."
Tomorrow morning, the imperial decree of enfeoffment would be issued to the Feng manor. She wanted to witness Madam Sun's humiliated expression firsthand.
"Wife, why are you going back to the Feng family? If you want to go back, I'll accompany you tomorrow." Ling Mo Han was worried that Feng Jin would be bullied and absolutely refused to let her go back alone.
"Behave yourself. I'll let you accompany me back tomorrow. If you misbehave, you'll be kicked back to your room from now on."
Feng Jin delivered an ultimatum, immediately stopping Ling Mo Han's troublesome hands. He listlessly lay beside Feng Jin, only daring to hold her in his sleep, forcefully restraining his restless hands.
The next morning, Feng Jin asked Cai Qing to bring her the most valuable hair ornaments. Today, she wanted to make a grand entrance at the Feng manor and absolutely couldn't lose face in front of Madam Sun.
"Hiss... it hurts, Cai Qing, be gentler... my hair..."
Feng Jin winced in pain, feeling as if her beautiful hair was about to be ripped out by Cai Qing.
"Young Madam, don't move around so much. Just bear with it for a moment while I secure your coronet."
Cai Qing's hands were no longer steady due to Feng Jin's fidgeting, and she was sweating profusely, unsure of how to put it on.
Feng Jin endured the pain and had Cai Qing properly place the coronet. Feng Jin glanced at the coronet, which was as large as her head, in the bronze mirror. She twisted her neck and felt as if her neck were about to break. It was simply too heavy.
"It's so heavy. Cai Qing, change it to a lighter coronet."
"Young Madam, this is already the lightest coronet. The others are even heavier, and there are still two hairpins and a back comb to be worn."
Feng Jin glanced at the golden hairpins on the dressing table, her lips twitching involuntarily. There were simply too many.
To be beautiful meant risking life and limb; over ten catties of weight were being worn on her head. Were her neck made of steel?
For the sake of appearing imposing today, Feng Jin could only reluctantly have Cai Qing put on the hairpins.
After everything was in place, Feng Jin, leaning on Cai Qing's arm, could barely stand up. She walked very cautiously, not daring to take even a large stride forward.
She finally understood why those noble ladies walked so slowly. It turned out they were afraid of their hairpins falling off, or of tripping over their skirts.
These seemingly beautiful things were actually strong restraints on women's movements and behavior.
It was a pity that women still flocked to these restrictive items; it was truly pathetic.
"Madam, when you walk, take smaller steps. If you take large steps, your skirts will trip your feet, and you'll fall." Cai Qing reminded her from the side.