Ling Wan, not daring to look at Feng Jin, lowered her head slightly in embarrassment. As a mere concubine-born daughter, how could she dine in the main hall with her grandfather? Wouldn't that be considered grave disrespect? If her mother found out, she would surely scold her fiercely.
Seeing Ling Wan's demeanor, Feng Jin could roughly guess her worries. She held Ling Wan's hand and said, "We are all family, blood is thicker than water. If we were to distinguish between noble and concubine-born, and draw lines of hierarchy based on that, would we still be considered a family? Wouldn't it create distance?"
Feng Jin's words were not just for Ling Wan, but for everyone to hear. Was the distinction between noble and concubine-born really that important?
We are all the same people, why insist on dividing ourselves into high and low, noble and humble? It's entirely unnecessary.
"Yes, Second Sister, please sit down. You don't need to worry so much."
Ling Muzhu also chimed in to persuade her. In the past, he did indeed care about the distinction between noble and concubine-born, and as a son born to the main wife, he looked down on Ling Wan for being born of a concubine.
However, their interactions during these past days had completely changed his perspective. They were all family, siblings. Why bother with such matters of noble and concubine-born hierarchy?
"Ling Wan, sit down. You've never dined with your grandfather since you grew up. Today, accompany your grandfather for a meal."
"Grandfather... I..."
Ling Wan looked at Old Master Ling in surprise. This was the first time her grandfather had spoken to her like this since she could remember. Tears welled up in her eyes.
"Grandfather knows you are a good child. You and your mother have suffered all these years."
Old Master Ling sighed. Due to the matter with Concubine Feng, he had an aversion to concubines from the bottom of his heart and paid little attention to his children born of concubines. It was precisely because of his mindset that Ling Wan and her mother had such a difficult time in the manor.
"Steward Wu, go and invite Concubine Bai to the main hall for dinner. From now on, you will all dine in this hall; there's no need to send meals to the individual courtyards."
"Yes, Old Master, this old servant will go immediately."
Ling Wan remained slow to react. She couldn't believe these things were real and thought she was dreaming.
"Why are you still standing there like a fool? Grandfather has already spoken. Aren't you going to sit down and eat? If you keep standing, do you plan to eat the cold wind?"
Seeing this, Feng Jin directly pulled Ling Wan to sit beside her, handing her a pair of chopsticks. Worried that she would be too reserved and awkward, she placed many dishes in front of her, soon piling them up like a small mountain.
"Eldest Sister-in-law, this is too much. I... I can't eat that much..."
"If you can't eat it, then eat with all your might. This is the first meal Muzhu has eaten at home after finishing his imperial examinations. You can't leave anything behind. Eat quickly."
Ling Wan nodded, her eyes slightly dazed, picked up her chopsticks, and put food into her mouth.
"Old Master, Concubine Bai has arrived."
"Greetings to the Old Master." Concubine Bai had always been afraid of Old Master Ling and dared not make a sound upon entering the hall.
Her gaze flickered to Ling Wan sitting there, and her heart skipped a beat. She quickly said, "Ling Wan, why are you sitting there? Hurry up and get up. Is this your place? You truly have no manners now!"
After being chided, Ling Wan quickly lowered her head. Not wanting her mother to worry, she was about to stand up when Feng Jin grabbed her wrist.
"I asked Ling Wan to sit down. I also called you here so you can sit and eat together. Hurry up and sit down; don't stand."
Old Master Ling commanded everyone. As the head of the family, his authority was undeniable.
Seeing this, Concubine Bai dared not say anything and quickly sat down next to Ling Wan.
This was the first time she had ever dined at the same table as Old Master Ling. She was incredibly tense, even her breathing was cautious.
"From now on, you will bring Ling Wan here to dine. There's no need to eat in your room, do you understand?"
"Yes, Old Master, I understand."
Concubine Bai replied fearfully, complying with every word Old Master Ling said, daring not to voice the slightest objection.
"Everyone eat. Don't be so reserved."
Halfway through the meal, Lu Shi rushed in. After bowing to Old Master Ling, he whispered a few words into Feng Jin's ear.
Feng Jin's expression suddenly changed. She hurriedly stood up and, under everyone's gaze, left in a rush.
"Eldest Sister-in-law, wait for me! I'll go with you!"
Ling Muzhu shouted from behind her and quickly got up to follow.
"Eldest Sister-in-law..." Ling Wan called out and was about to stand when her mother, Concubine Bai, pressed her hand down.
Concubine Bai signaled with her eyes for Ling Wan not to go, not to act impulsively.
Ling Wan lowered her eyelids. For her mother's sake, she could only temporarily give up. However, her gaze kept drifting towards the doorway, hoping that her eldest sister-in-law would be alright.
"Eat quickly. Everything will be fine. Put your heart at ease," Old Master Ling said repeatedly. He believed Feng Jin could handle matters and naturally wasn't as worried.
...
"Eldest Sister-in-law, wait for me!"
Ling Muzhu shouted loudly behind Feng Jin, jogging to barely keep up with her pace.
"Why have you followed? Why didn't you stay in the hall to eat?"
"Eldest Sister-in-law, wherever you are going, take me with you. I promise I won't cause trouble, and who knows, I might even be able to help."
Ling Muzhu was practically clinging to Feng Jin, refusing to leave her side, as if a rope had tied them together.
Bothered by his persistence, Feng Jin stopped and turned to look at Ling Muzhu. "If you can keep your mouth shut, I'll take you with me."
"Alright, I promise not to speak."
Having achieved his goal, Ling Muzhu followed Feng Jin obediently, not saying a word the entire way.
Feng Jin reached the study door and pushed it open.
Upon seeing Ling Mohan standing by the window, Ling Muzhu instantly regretted his insistence on following Feng Jin.
Even though Ling Mohan's attitude towards him had softened, he still feared his elder brother from the bottom of his heart.
There was no one in the entire Ling Manor, or even the entire capital, whom he feared. Yet, when facing Ling Mohan, he dared not utter a sound and always behaved himself.
Perhaps it was the lingering trauma from his childhood, but even after growing up, he was still afraid.
When Ling Mohan's gaze fell upon him, Ling Muzhu shivered instantly. The hint of laziness that had been on him vanished without a trace. He respectfully saluted Ling Mohan, "Greetings, Eldest Brother."
Ling Mohan did not speak, merely nodded slightly, and then shifted his gaze to Feng Jin, handing her the invitation.
Feng Jin took the invitation and glanced at it. A deep look of disgust flashed in her eyes. "This foolish old man. He's asking me to handle something like this? Does he have a hole in his brain? I'd have to be out of my mind to go."