Feng Jin unceremoniously picked up her chopsticks and began to eat heartily, not forgetting to look after Ling Wan, who seemed a bit reserved, placing all the dishes she found delicious in front of Ling Wan.
"Eldest sister-in-law, that's enough… I can't eat this much…" Ling Wan looked at the pile of food in front of her, which was almost forming a small mountain, and quickly whispered to Feng Jin. If she continued to be served, she would truly be unable to eat any more.
Reminded by Ling Wan, Feng Jin then noticed that she had accidentally served so much. The piece of fish she had just picked up was finally placed in her own bowl.
"Old Master… Old Master…"
The butler rushed in in a panic. Because he ran too fast, sweat covered his forehead. He wiped it in distress, gasping for breath.
"What is it? Such a joyous occasion, why the panic!"
A trace of displeasure crossed Old Master Ling's face. The butler had been by his side for so many years and had always been steady. He rarely saw him so flustered, and Old Master Ling's nerves also tensed up, and he immediately asked, "Old Master!"
After taking a deep breath and calming himself, the butler continued, "Old Master… Outside the mansion… Outside the mansion, people from the Sheng family are kneeling…"
"The Sheng family!" Old Master Ling's eyes narrowed sharply. Although their Ling and Sheng families served in the same court, they had always had very little private interaction. Why was the Sheng family here, kneeling outside their mansion? Wasn't this putting their Ling family in a precarious situation?
Among those present, only Feng Jin understood the situation clearly. Although she had long anticipated that such a day would come, she did not expect it to happen so quickly.
"Eldest sister-in-law… I…"
Ling Wan looked at Feng Jin with deep concern, her heart unable to calm down, her palms covered in sweat.
"It's alright, don't worry!" Feng Jin reached out and patted Ling Wan's hand to reassure her.
Old Master Ling could no longer sit still. Just as he was about to stand up and walk to the hall entrance, he stopped. If he went out, wouldn't it appear that the Ling family attached too much importance to this matter, thereby emboldening the Sheng family?
After much thought, he felt it was inappropriate to go personally. Old Master Ling turned around, his gaze sweeping over the people in the room, and finally fell on Feng Jin. The more he looked, the more he felt that it would be most suitable for Feng Jin to go out. Having made up his mind, he coughed lightly and said, "Granddaughter-in-law, you go and see."
Feng Jin, who was planning how to enjoy the show, was suddenly called upon. She was first slightly stunned, then quickly waved her hands in refusal, "Grandfather, it's not appropriate for me to go. Such a big matter is best handled by you personally."
If Old Master Ling went, he would surely be able to deter the Sheng family. If she went out, she would undoubtedly be pestered by them and find it difficult to escape.
Feng Jin still wanted to trick Old Master Ling into going. Her eyes darted around suspiciously, and she continued to cajole him, "Grandfather, you are the head of the Ling family. It's inappropriate for you not to see such a big matter yourself. It would be best to trouble Grandfather to make this trip. As long as Grandfather goes, you will surely be able to awe that bunch of rabble from the Sheng family."
Old Master Ling was flattered by Feng Jin's words, but he still maintained his last bit of reason: "No… You are in charge of the Ling Manor now, and all major and minor affairs of the manor are decided by you. Regardless, guests are guests, and as the mistress of the Ling Manor, you should do so."
"This matter can also be considered as training for you. You will face many such situations alone in the future, so you need to hone your skills. Grandfather believes you can handle this matter well and will not bring shame to our Ling family. That is why I have decided to let you handle it."
Quickly and swiftly, he tossed this hot potato away. Old Master Ling showed a rare expression of ease on his face: "I am tired and will go back to rest."
After saying this, Old Master Ling left as if escaping, quickly departing and leaving the younger generation behind.
The butler, standing to the side, saw this and quickly and discreetly retreated, hurrying to follow Old Master Ling.
"You old rascal, you're running quite fast. Don't you know to stay and help!" Old Master Ling glared at Butler Wu, who had caught up, and scolded him.
"Old Master, now that you've left, who will serve you if this old servant stays? Don't you agree?"
"You, you… You've truly become a spirit!"
Old Master Ling pointed at Butler Wu, a smile on his lips. This old fellow had been with him for so long that he had truly grasped his personality, and nothing could be hidden from his eyes.
"Secretly send someone to go out through the back door and call Han'er back to the manor. I'm truly a bit worried that Feng Jin that girl won't be able to handle that stubborn bunch from the Sheng family!"
He simply disliked those who, after reading a few books, thought they were sages with their heads in the clouds, looking down on others with their eyes fixed on the sky.
That's why he hastily found an excuse to run out. However, he was a little worried that Feng Jin was too young to handle it, so it would be best to call Ling Mo Han to deal with them.
"Old Master, there's no need to worry. Our young madam is as clever as a spirit. It's uncertain who will end up at a disadvantage. You can rest assured and wait for our young madam to deal with them!"
When Butler Wu spoke of Feng Jin now, his face was full of pride. In the past, he had truly looked down on the young madam, thinking she was a country bumpkin with no knowledge and crude manners.
After so many events, he was now genuinely impressed by the young madam, calling her a heroine, far more capable than most men.
It was truly a blessing from several lifetimes for the young general to marry such a woman as his wife. Otherwise, it had to be said that Old Master had good eyesight in choosing the young madam from the daughters of the Feng family.
"It's truly not easy to hear words of praise from your mouth. It seems Feng Jin is truly remarkable, even you old fellow are convinced. Marrying this granddaughter-in-law was absolutely the right choice!"
"That's all thanks to Old Master's discerning eye, who directly brought the young madam in with a grand sedan chair. Otherwise, our Ling family wouldn't be what it is today. Look at this manor; isn't everything organized by the young madam? It's truly orderly. In a daze, I feel as if I've returned to the time when the Old Madam was alive…"
Old Master Ling's thoughts were also stirred, and he couldn't help but sigh, his tone slightly melancholic: "Yes… It's been so many years since it's been so orderly. Finally, the days in the manor can be peaceful for a while."