Old Master Ling held a child in each arm, proudly displaying his two treasures, his smile deepening.
Feng Jin watched the scene, a sigh escaping her lips. Old Master Ling’s vanity was truly something. His grin stretched from ear to ear as people praised his grandchildren.
"Eldest sister-in-law, this is a non-toxic bellyband that my mother and I made for the children," Ling Wan said, holding up two red garments embroidered with patterns of the five poisons. They were exquisitely made.
It was Feng Jin's first time seeing such finely embroidered bellybands. Truly, handmade items were far more lifelike than machine-made ones.
Every stitch and thread was so delicate, clearly indicating a lot of effort had been put into them.
"Thank you on my behalf to Auntie. I really like these bellybands."
The five-poison bellybands were believed to ward off illness and disaster. They would be perfect for the two little ones, bringing good fortune.
"I’m glad you like them, Eldest sister-in-law. If you like them, I can also make the children some tiger-head hats and tiger-head shoes. They’ll be warm and cozy," Ling Wan said with a smile. While she couldn't afford expensive items, she could at least make small clothes and hats.
"To flaunt such meager things as treasures, only you would dare to preen. Aren't you afraid of being laughed at? Do you truly believe she genuinely likes these things? She's merely saving face for you, and only you would take it seriously!"
A sharp, sarcastic voice cut through the air. Ling Yan maintained her haughty demeanor, her eyes filled with disdain.
Ling Wan had been bullied and mocked by Ling Yan since childhood. After Ling Yan's cruel words, she lowered her head, her inferiority evident in her eyes.
"Oh, isn't this Ling Yan? Didn't you return to the Zhao family with your mother? What brings you back today?" Feng Jin’s tone was laced with sarcasm. She paused before continuing, "Ah, yes, I seem to recall your second uncle arranged a marriage for you. I heard your fiancé's family is quite wealthy. With you marrying into such a family, you'll surely enjoy wealth and prosperity, and live a life without worry."
"You..." Ling Yan pointed at Feng Jin, her face flushed with anger.
The entire Ling household knew about her impending marriage. Her fiancé's family had been merchants for generations, but he was a notorious dandy. He frequented brothels daily, indulging in the company of courtesans, and had no fewer than a dozen concubines in his household.
Everyone was watching her with amusement. Now that Feng Jin had brought it up so openly, Ling Wan’s anger surged.
"Everyone knows your wedding is approaching, Sister. You mustn't let this matter upset you. It's a joyous occasion to find such a good match. When you marry, I will certainly prepare a grand gift for you."
Feng Jin's lips curved into a mocking smile. "Second Uncle and Grandfather truly dote on you, Sister. You were the first person they thought of for such an excellent marriage."
"Eldest sister-in-law is right. Eldest sister Ling Yan is the legitimate daughter of our Second Uncle, possessing noble status. I am merely a concubine's daughter, naturally unable to compare in any aspect. To receive such a superior marriage, I can only envy Eldest sister Ling Yan!"
Ling Wan, having learned from Feng Jin, now satirized Ling Yan with an even sharper tongue, proving to be more than worthy of her teacher. She was in no way inferior to Feng Jin.
"You... you dare to mock me like this!"
Ling Yan's lips trembled with rage. If not for the presence of others, she would have surely lunged at them.
"I feel like giving you a beating. Want to try?" Feng Jin rolled her eyes, utterly dismissive of Ling Yan.
"Just you wait, I won't let you off!"
With those words, Ling Yan turned and stormed away.
"She truly deserves a good scolding. She’s the typical type who will climb to the roof and dismantle the tiles if you don’t discipline her for a day."
Feng Jin had initially thought that after being divorced and sent back by Madam Zhao, Ling Yan’s temper and disposition might have mellowed. To her surprise, she was still the same, perhaps even more so, resembling Old Madam Zhao more and more. It seemed she had learned a great deal from Old Madam Zhao during her time in the Zhao family.
It was no wonder Old Master Ling was eager to marry off Ling Yan, arranging for her to wed a man a thousand li away from the capital. Keeping her in the household for another day meant another day of trouble.
"Sister Feng Jin." Lin Yuwei, having spotted Feng Jin, hurried over.
"Sister, let me see the children."
Lin Yuwei’s gaze swept around but she couldn't see the children.
"Old Master took them away. How have you been these past few days? Has Chu Chenyi bullied you?"
"What are you saying? You're always accusing me of bullying her. It's good enough if she doesn't bully me," Chu Chenyi said with dissatisfaction, as if he were the one being wronged.
"What, do you have a problem?" Lin Yuwei raised an eyebrow, her tone slightly rising.
"No," Chu Chenyi quickly denied.
"Sister Feng Jin, I've prepared a gift for the two children. See if you like it."
Lin Yuwei beckoned to the rear. Chu Chenyi obediently handed over a brocade box.
Inside the box were two gold-inlaid jade collars, intricately carved with auspicious cloud and dragon motifs, with white jade longevity locks hanging below.
"How exquisite." Just looking at the craftsmanship, Feng Jin could tell a significant sum had been spent.
"I searched for a long time to find these two collars. They are meant to bring good fortune," Lin Yuwei explained. The white jade locks alone, dangling from the collars, had cost her a thousand taels of silver to create, let alone the collars themselves, which were carved from entire pieces of jade.
Preparing these collars had cost Lin Yuwei a considerable amount, leaving her small treasury quite depleted. However, compared to the gifts Feng Jin had bestowed upon her in the past, these were minor expenses.
"The Third Prince, the Prince Consort, and the Concubine have arrived."
Feng Jin heard the announcement and looked towards the entrance. She saw Chu Yanxi enter, accompanied by two women on his left and right. However, Chu Yanxi's gaze and attention were clearly fixed on Feng Ruoyan, who was on his right.
Since Feng Ruoyan's miscarriage the last time, Chu Yanxi had pleaded with the Empress for a long time before finally securing the title of concubine for Feng Ruoyan.
Although Liu Menghan was displeased about Feng Ruoyan being made a concubine, she dared not defy Chu Yanxi's wishes.
Furthermore, after Feng Ruoyan's miscarriage, Chu Yanxi harbored suspicions towards Liu Menghan. However, with the Empress's staunch support and the absence of concrete evidence linking Liu Menghan to the incident, Chu Yanxi had no choice but to let the matter drop.
To prove her innocence, Liu Menghan had tearfully persuaded the Empress to agree to Feng Ruoyan's promotion to concubine, even enduring a stern reprimand from the Empress.
"General Ling, Madam, this Prince congratulates you both on the birth of your son. This small gift is merely a token of my regard and intended to add a little auspiciousness for the child."
Feng Jin glanced at the gifts the Third Prince had brought. They were all rather common, clearly perfunctory items, chosen at random. "Thank you, Third Prince. Please, take a seat."