Being politely dismissed, Ling Changyi's face instantly soured. However, being a person of deep thought, her expression shifted in an instant, and she smiled at Ling Muzhu, saying, "Then you should focus on your studies. Your aunt won't disturb you any further."
With that, she pulled Zhang Miaor away. As soon as they left the courtyard, Zhang Miaor flung Ling Changyi's hand away and stomped forward furiously. She had never been treated with such disdain in her life. What man had ever met her without being polite, smiling, and fawning over her? This was the first time she had ever been so thoroughly rejected.
Zhang Miaor's face was stiff with anger, and she cursed Ling Muzhu fiercely in her heart. She suddenly kicked a flower branch, causing the already withered petals to fall to the ground.
"Alright, stop taking your anger out on the flowers. The fabric of your shoes is Suzhou embroidery; it can't withstand this kind of abuse!"
Ling Changyi pulled Zhang Miaor back. If she continued to make a fuss, those shoes would be ruined. She knew how precious Suzhou embroidery shoes were and how much money they had cost her. They weren't meant to be treated so carelessly.
"Money, money, money… you only talk about money all day. You can't stop mentioning money. It's so vulgar!"
"Without money, how do you expect to eat and drink? Where do you think the fine silks, brocades, and bejeweled hairpins you wear come from? If I didn't earn this money, relying only on your useless father, you would have starved to death long ago. If you truly had any capability, you'd marry into royalty, and you wouldn't have to worry about money for the rest of your life!"
Ling Changyi was truly disappointed in her daughter's lack of understanding despite being raised with care for so many years. She was nothing like her own daughter.
"Mother, you…"
"I'm not going anymore. It's too embarrassing. I practically threw myself at him just now, and he didn't care at all. I refuse to do such shameful things!"
She had never been so humiliated in her life. There were plenty of men in the world; she wouldn't stoop so low to pursue him.
"He is the only son of the second branch. Once he achieves success, with the backing of the Ling family, his future is limitless. Moreover, he is handsome and talented. Where else will you find someone so suitable? You're giving up after being rejected once? How disappointing! A man pursuing a woman is like crossing a mountain, but a woman pursuing a man is like piercing a veil. That veil is finally pierced, isn't it!"
Ling Changyi tried her best to persuade Zhang Miaor. If she missed out on Ling Muzhu, it would be difficult to find anyone so suitable. Besides, she knew him well, which would make him easier to control.
"Miaor, listen to your mother. Wait until it gets dark later, and then you can bring him some pastries. It's better when it's just the two of you for intimate conversation…"
"Mother… you…"
Zhang Miaor's face turned red with embarrassment. It was so shameful for a young lady to actively pursue such matters.
Ling Changyi, however, was unperturbed and continued to impart her wisdom to Zhang Miaor.
…
"Mother, will this work?"
Zhang Miaor looked at herself in the mirror and felt a sense of shame, constantly pulling her clothes inward.
"You look beautiful. Don't pull the collar inward. It looks better when it's exposed. Any man who sees you like this will be unable to resist."
She reached out and pulled Zhang Miaor's collar outward, revealing a large expanse of fair skin on her chest. Ling Changyi examined her daughter like a brothel madam, a satisfied smile on her lips.
"Mother, this is too revealing. If I dress like this, I'm no different from…" The latter half of the sentence was too shameful for Zhang Miaor to utter.
"Revealing? This is called 'you can't catch a wolf without sacrificing your child.' If you are coy now, you will surely regret it later. I've already found out that Ling Muzhu used to be a dissolute young master who frequented brothels. He only started to behave himself recently. Once he sees you like this, he'll surely lose control. Then, you'll be firmly seated as the young madam of the Ling family, and you won't have to worry about wealth and prosperity for the rest of your life."
The thought of future wealth and prosperity brought an irrepressible smile to Zhang Miaor's lips. She no longer cared about anything else. Her mother was right; in the face of wealth and prosperity, everything else seemed insignificant.
"Madam, Miss, the pastries and porridge are ready."
Hui Chun placed all the prepared items on the table.
"Miaor, it's your turn to go."
Ling Changyi picked up the tray and placed it in Zhang Miaor's hands, signaling her to depart.
Zhang Miaor gripped the tray tightly and, as if making a firm decision, walked away.
"Madam, will this work? If it succeeds, all well and good. But if it fails, our young lady's reputation will be ruined."
Hui Chun said with some worry. A young woman's reputation was the most important thing. If it was ruined, how would she live the rest of her life?
"It will definitely succeed. Did you put what I told you to put in the porridge?"
"Your maidservant put it in the porridge as you instructed, Madam."
"Then it's settled. We just have to wait to catch them in the act. This time, I'll see if Father will continue to obstruct me. Unless he truly doesn't care about Ling Muzhu's reputation and future career."
Calculations flickered in Ling Changyi's eyes. If this succeeded, even if her father was unwilling, he would have to accept it.
Didn't her father try his best all those years ago to drive her out of the Ling family? But in the end, she would finally return with legitimacy. This Ling family would be hers sooner or later.
She turned her gaze to the spirit tablet on the offering table and knelt on the prayer cushion, offering three sticks of incense.
"Mother, please watch over me. Your daughter will return to the Ling family with legitimacy. What you did not obtain, I will help you seize."
"Madam, a wind has picked up. I will go close the doors and windows."
A cold, sharp wind blew into the room, and Hui Chun couldn't help but shiver, quickly closing the doors and windows.
…
Zhang Miaor, holding the pastries, lingered at the doorway for a moment before stepping inside.
She looked around the room, unable to find Ling Muzhu. Thinking he wasn't there, she was about to turn and leave when she heard footsteps behind her.
Turning around, she saw Ling Muzhu emerging from the inner room, wearing only a thin undergarment, his hair still wet.
Even with her thick skin, Zhang Miaor was so startled by the sight that she quickly turned her head away.
Ling Muzhu was also taken aback and hurriedly retreated into the inner room.
After the time it takes to brew half a cup of tea, Ling Muzhu emerged, dressed properly, and said with slight displeasure, "How did you get in here? What brings you?"
These lazy subordinates couldn't even keep an eye on one person, letting her walk in so brazenly.
Zhang Miaor took a deep breath with her back to Ling Muzhu, adjusted her emotions, and then turned around, a seductive smile on her lips.
"Miaor knew that cousin would also be studying tonight, so I specifically made some pastries and a bowl of light porridge. It would be more comfortable for cousin's stomach if you ate something."