Zhang Miaor sobbed softly, her eyes red. After a long period of contemplation, she finally nodded in a hushed voice, "I will marry into the Chu King's manor, as Mother wishes."
Marrying into the Chu King's manor meant at least her current generation's prosperity and status were secured.
"Good... good..."
Ling Changyi's lips stretched into a smile, almost reaching her ears.
Although the Chu King was a bit older, he was His Majesty's uncle, powerful and influential, with wealth that could last for generations. If Zhang Miaor married into the Chu King's manor, her future would be worry-free.
It was finally worth raising this daughter. In an instant, all her previous displeasure vanished, and Ling Changyi felt extremely pleased.
"Miaor, you should rest well and await your marriage. Your mother will arrange everything for you afterward, so rest assured."
Ling Changyi patted Zhang Miaor's shoulder, and all that remained was to wait for the Chu King's betrothal gifts to arrive.
"Grandfather wants to drive us out of the capital, so if we..."
"Silly child, as long as you marry into the Chu King's manor, your status will naturally be different. The Ling family will be eager to curry favor with us; why would they drive us away?"
At that point, they would be considered semi-royalty. No matter how powerful the Ling family was, they were merely subjects and could not be compared to the Chu King.
After enduring so much humiliation, she would finally have her moment of triumph.
As Ling Changyi grew more triumphant, Steward Wu walked in directly, followed by several young servants.
"Who allowed you to enter without my permission? Get out!"
Ling Changyi glared furiously at Steward Wu. How dare a mere servant barge into her room so brazenly? They were clearly not being taken seriously.
Steward Wu paid no mind to Ling Changyi. In his eyes, the only master was the Old Master Ling, so he naturally showed no pleasantries to Ling Changyi.
"Eldest Miss, I apologize. The Old Master has ordered you to leave the Ling manor immediately and never set foot in the capital again, for this lifetime."
"Impossible! Father wouldn't do this to me, impossible... You're lying!"
Her face filled with disbelief, Ling Changyi shook her head, denying it. After a pause, she said, "It must be that slut Feng Jin who sent you here, isn't it? She wants to drive us mother and daughter out!"
From the very beginning, she had felt that Feng Jin was trouble. If it weren't for Feng Jin just now, she would have managed to cover things up.
Now, thinking back, it was likely Feng Jin who orchestrated Miaor's predicament. Ling Changyi instantly harbored a deep hatred for Feng Jin.
"Eldest Miss, these are all the Old Master's instructions. Please do not make things difficult for this old servant."
The steward's implication was that Ling Changyi and her daughter should obediently leave the Ling family so that everyone could save face and avoid an embarrassing situation.
However, Ling Changyi refused to leave so readily. She was determined to stay, clinging on stubbornly.
"I am also a daughter of the Ling family. It's not your place, a servant, to boss me around. If you want me to leave, my father must personally expel me!"
Ling Changyi's attitude was resolute. She sat on the chair, refusing to budge. After finally returning to the Ling family, she would never leave so easily.
"Mother..." Zhang Miaor, somewhat frightened, shrank behind Ling Changyi, seeking protection.
"Don't be afraid, Mother is here. No one can dare to drive us mother and daughter away!"
Ling Changyi patted Zhang Miaor's hand, reassuring her.
"Eldest Miss, please do not make things difficult for this old servant. This way, everyone saves face. If this escalates, it will not look good for your reputation or the young lady's."
Steward Wu spoke patiently and kindly. After all, Ling Changyi was still the Eldest Miss of the Ling family, and if the situation became too ugly, he would have a hard time explaining it to the Old Master.
"You dog servant! You are just a dog raised by my father, a subordinate of my Ling family. You dare to run rampant in front of me? If you don't get out, watch your dog life!"
Anger surged through Ling Changyi, and she spoke no kindly words to Steward Wu. She snatched a teapot from the table and hurled it directly at him.
A pot of tea splashed all over Steward Wu. With a 'bang,' the teapot shattered into pieces on the floor, its contents of tea leaves falling onto him.
Anyone would be unable to tolerate such humiliation. The last trace of kindness on Steward Wu's face vanished, "Since Eldest Miss is ungrateful, do not blame this old servant for taking matters into his own hands."
"What do you want to do!"
At this moment, Ling Changyi felt a slight panic, regretting her earlier words. She involuntarily shrank back.
"What are you standing around for? You eat the master's food, so you should help the master. Hurry up and escort the Eldest Miss out of the manor. If you fail to complete the Old Master's orders, none of you will keep your jobs."
Steward Wu's voice was calm, but it carried immense authority for the other two. The young servants behind him exchanged glances, then all stepped forward and surrounded Ling Changyi.
Zhang Miaor trembled with fear and quickly hid behind Ling Changyi.
"Do you intend to commit insubordination? I am the Eldest Miss of the Ling manor, retreat!"
Only now did Ling Changyi begin to panic, shouting angrily.
The servants who had stepped forward hesitated at her words, finding themselves in a dilemma.
"What are you hesitating for? Hurry up and act! Don't forget you eat the Ling family's food!"
Steward Wu's patience ran out. He ordered the servants to act, to forcibly escort the mother and daughter out.
They were already unwelcome, and after marrying out, they still wanted to return to the Ling family to cause trouble. The Old Master's punishment was already lenient. If it were up to the Young Madam, these two would have been beaten out long ago. Yet, they were being so uncooperative even with polite persuasion.
The servants immediately understood Steward Wu's meaning. They stepped forward, restrained Ling Changyi and her daughter, and dragged them out.
"Let go of me... let go of me! I am the Eldest Miss of the Ling family... you scoundrel servants, let go of me!"
Ling Changyi shouted loudly, her hands tightly gripping the corner of the table, refusing to let go. However, she was no match for several people and was eventually pushed and dragged out of the room.
"Eldest Miss, stop struggling. If the other servants see this, it will be a spectacle. Eldest Miss, listen to this old servant's advice: leaving obediently is best for everyone."
Steward Wu bent down to meet Ling Changyi's gaze, trying to persuade her kindly. He did not want to escalate the situation; he just wanted Ling Changyi to be sensible and leave willingly.
"Never! I will absolutely not leave!"
Since she had returned to the Ling family, she would not leave so easily. "Even if I die, I will die in the Ling family!"