Feng Jin's tone was laced with doubt, her scrutinizing gaze fixed on Elder Master Ling as she carefully observed him. She couldn't help but feel that his words were somewhat unbelievable.
Perhaps it was because she knew too little about Elder Master Ling; based on her current understanding, it was indeed difficult to accept his claims.
"This is naturally true!" Elder Master Ling declared with unwavering conviction, his tone leaving no room for any doubt.
Feng Jin pouted. Fearing Elder Master Ling's anger, she immediately fell silent, choosing not to argue over such trivial matters any further. She decided to simply listen to whatever he wished to say.
"Don't think I don't know what you're thinking. You haven't seen my former glory. Compared to Han'er, I was even more exceptional..."
He tried his best to explain, hoping to make Feng Jin believe his account. He only regretted not having had portraits painted in his youth, which led to Feng Jin's current skepticism.
With portraits in hand, he wouldn't have to worry about others doubting the truth of his words. But alas, it was too late.
Feng Jin's mind couldn't help but connect Ling Mo Han and Elder Master Ling, finding the image somewhat amusing.
The main reason was the vast disparity between them now; it was truly difficult to associate them.
No longer arguing these matters with Elder Master Ling, Feng Jin simply went along with his words.
"What Grandfather says is naturally true. It's just a pity that I couldn't witness Grandfather's youthful demeanor. Truly a shame."
Fearing that Elder Master Ling might suspect her words were insincere, she tried her best to appear genuinely regretful.
Feng Jin's flattering words struck a chord with Elder Master Ling, making him ecstatic. A smile was unstoppable on his lips.
"The girl is sensible. Your judgment is not bad."
With that, Elder Master Ling turned and walked back, disappearing into the crowd in the blink of an eye.
Seeing this, Feng Jin quickly followed, "Grandfather, why have you come back?"
"Of course, I came to see what the young lady looks like, whether she's as beautiful as your grandmother."
Feng Jin, however, suspected that Elder Master Ling actually wanted to catch the embroidered ball. Otherwise, why would he push so hard into the crowd?
Unable to suppress her curiosity, Feng Jin finally asked, "Grandfather, you're not thinking of catching the embroidered ball, are you? You're quite old now, it's really not appropriate. You should leave the opportunity to the younger generation."
"Ah... it hurts so much..."
As soon as the words fell, Feng Jin received a heavy rap on her forehead. Her entire forehead throbbed with a fiery pain. She reached up and gently rubbed the spot.
"Serves you right! You're becoming more and more unruly. These words are not to be spoken. If they were to get out, would my reputation still matter?"
"You're just sitting here watching unmarried girls throw the embroidered ball. Anyone else would think the same. If you don't believe me, go ask others if that's not the case."
Feng Jin grumbled indignantly, clutching her forehead. Since they had squeezed into the crowd, they had received so many disdainful looks and hushed whispers, making her feel more embarrassed than ever. She wished she could disappear on the spot.
She had already decided that if Elder Master Ling lingered any longer, she would leave first and then call Ling Mo Han to find a way to bring him back.
If Ling Mo Han were to find out that his grandfather was here watching girls throw the embroidered ball, he would be shocked and think that he intended to remarry.
Just as Feng Jin was about to persuade Elder Master Ling to return with her, there was a sudden commotion from the embroidery building. In an instant, everyone surged towards the building, desperately trying to squeeze their way in.
Fortunately, Feng Jin was quick-witted. She promptly pulled Elder Master Ling back, thus avoiding the fate of being swept along by the crowd.
"A bunch of brash youngsters! Don't they see a living elder standing here? Don't they know about respecting elders and cherishing the young!"
Elder Master Ling muttered discontentedly. If it hadn't been for Feng Jin's timely pull,
he would have been left with two outcomes: either being knocked to the ground by the crowd or being pushed into the throng. If he had been pushed forward, he wouldn't have been able to explain himself even with a thousand mouths.
It would surely spread that he wanted to remarry, and then his reputation in his twilight years would be ruined.
"Grandfather, why don't we go back? This place is not suitable for lingering."
"Alright... Let's go."
Rarely did Elder Master Ling disagree with Feng Jin. It was a moment of rare unity as they left together.
As Feng Jin took a couple of steps forward, something unseen struck the back of her head heavily. Feng Jin cried out in pain and quickly covered the spot that had been hit. It truly hurt, bringing tears to her eyes.
Turning around, she saw the red embroidered ball lying on the ground. Feng Jin crouched down and picked it up.
The accuracy of the girl throwing the embroidered ball was really not great, and it just happened to land on her, a woman. It seemed this girl would have to throw again.
"Girl, your luck is quite good. This embroidered ball actually ended up in your hands."
Elder Master Ling looked at the red embroidered ball in Feng Jin's hand and spoke.
"It even hit me. This kind of luck, I'd rather not have it. Grandfather, please wait for me here for a moment. I'll return this embroidered ball and ask the young lady to throw it again."
This concerned the young lady's lifelong happiness, so she had to return the embroidered ball quickly and not delay it.
With that, Feng Jin held the embroidered ball and walked forward, coincidentally meeting the approaching servants.
The leading servant, who was slightly older, saw the embroidered ball in Feng Jin's hand, his mouth opening in surprise so wide that an egg could have fit inside.
"How did the young lady get this embroidered ball?"
"It happened to hit me. Here's your embroidered ball."
Feng Jin recognized them as the ones looking for the embroidered ball and directly handed it back to them, intending to leave. However, they blocked her path.
"I've already returned the embroidered ball to you. I'm leaving now, please let me pass."
Were these people going to be persistent? The embroidered ball had already been returned to them, what else did they want?
Elder Master Ling, who was standing behind, saw Feng Jin being blocked and hurried over, standing directly in front of her.
"You have great audacity to block my granddaughter-in-law! If you have something to say, direct it at me."
Looking at the slightly aged figure standing in front of her, Feng Jin was filled with emotion.
It wasn't in vain that she had accompanied the Elder Master for so long; it had proven to be somewhat useful.
"Young lady, since the embroidered ball ended up with you, please accompany us back. The master of the house has given orders, and it would be difficult for us to explain if we returned empty-handed."
The leading man said with a troubled expression. Indeed, before they left, the master had specifically instructed them to bring back the person who caught the embroidered ball.