Da Bao cried out in surprise when he saw Feng Jin standing at the doorway and rushed forward to embrace her.
Sheng Xu Bai turned around upon hearing the commotion, his gaze landing on Feng Jin. He gave a slight nod as Feng Jin stared at him in shock, offering a polite greeting.
"Young Madam Ling."
"Young Master Sheng, you... what is this..."
"It seems General Ling has not yet informed you that I am the tutor for the two young masters, and I will be teaching them well from now on."
Even after personally confirming this, Feng Jin found it difficult to accept that a man of Sheng Xu Bai's immense talent would deign to become a mere tutor in their household. It felt like a waste of his abilities.
However, what surprised her even more was how Ling Mo Han managed to persuade Sheng Xu Bai to teach. What schemes and tricks had he employed?
"Young Master Sheng, with your great talent, it is too much of a waste to have you as a tutor. If this were to spread, people would accuse our Ling family of being thoughtless. Perhaps... perhaps you should instead..."
She couldn't voice her thoughts too directly, as she didn't want to hurt Sheng Xu Bai's feelings.
Compared to Feng Jin's apprehension, Sheng Xu Bai was remarkably at ease.
"Young Madam, you worry too much. Teaching and nurturing people is the most important duty for a scholar. Young Madam need not be concerned."
"But..."
"Mother, Master teaches books so well. Mother, please let Master stay."
"Yes, Mother, please let Master stay."
Da Bao and Er Bao took turns persuading Feng Jin to agree to Sheng Xu Bai staying.
Dizzied by their pleas, Feng Jin reluctantly compromised, deciding to seek clarification from Ling Mo Han upon his return.
"Alright then, you two continue with your studies. I will go back to my room to rest."
As she finished speaking, Feng Jin turned and left, choosing to temporarily set aside the matter and await Ling Mo Han's return to resolve it.
"Young Madam, the Young General is truly strange. Why would he have Young Master Sheng teach the young masters?"
Even Chu Qing found the situation inexplicable, as it didn't seem like something the Young General would do.
"Who knows what he's up to? For now, we'll just have to let it be..."
Since Sheng Xu Bai wasn't leaving on his own accord, she couldn't repeatedly ask him to depart. She could only maintain the status quo for the time being.
As Feng Jin returned to her courtyard, she encountered Ling Wan, who had been waiting there.
"Eldest Sister-in-law... Young Master Sheng... Is Young Master Sheng really at our estate?"
"Yes, he will be teaching Da Bao and Er Bao from now on. We will be seeing each other quite often."
Ling Wan's delicate face immediately drooped, her expression becoming grave. She asked again, somewhat dazed, "Eldest Sister-in-law, you truly agreed to this."
"Your elder brother made the decision. I didn't know it was Sheng Xu Bai at first. Now that it's done, there's nothing I can do. If you truly don't wish to see him, then you'll have to avoid him in the future."
Ling Wan pouted. It seemed that was the only option. She couldn't afford to provoke him, but she could certainly avoid him.
"Eldest Sister-in-law, I'll be going back now."
She decided to take this opportunity to quickly return to her room and avoid encountering Sheng Xu Bai.
Unfortunately, fate had other plans. As Ling Wan stepped out and rounded a corner, she coincidentally ran right into Sheng Xu Bai.
"Ling..."
"Young Master Sheng, greetings. I must be going, I have matters to attend to."
Ling Wan forced herself to remain composed, then hurried away.
Sheng Xu Bai also noticed Ling Wan's deliberate distance. She had always been courteous to him before, so why was she so aloof today? A strange bitterness welled up in his heart, making him feel quite uncomfortable.
"Master, could you tell me the rest of that story again, please?"
Da Bao suddenly popped out from behind, taking Sheng Xu Bai's hand and shaking it, imploring him to continue the story.
"Alright, then."
Overwhelmed by Da Bao's persistence, Sheng Xu Bai relented and allowed Da Bao to drag him along.
His gaze continued to linger on the corridor where Ling Wan had disappeared, but it was now empty.
Feng Jin deliberately avoided Sheng Xu Bai, not leaving her room the entire day.
It wasn't until evening, when she was drawn by the commotion outside, that she opened her door to investigate.
"What's happening? Why is it so chaotic outside?"
"Young Madam... there are soldiers all around the estate, surrounding our residence."
Cai Qing, after scouting the area, rushed back to report to Feng Jin.
"Surrounded? Who dares to do such a thing? Don't they know whose estate this is?"
Feng Jin was momentarily stunned. There were very few people in the entire capital who would dare to surround their estate. Just who possessed such audacity?
As she was about to go out and see for herself, Lu Shi hurried in from outside.
"Greetings, Young Madam."
"What is happening? What about the soldiers outside?"
"Replying to the Young Madam, the soldiers outside were arranged by the Young General to protect the Young Madam's safety. Young Madam, the Young General has instructed that you remain within the estate and not step outside until he returns."
Feng Jin's heart sank instantly. She sensed that something was amiss. If something hadn't happened, Ling Mo Han would not have taken such measures.
"How is your Young General? What exactly has happened?"
"The Young General is currently in the palace with the Crown Prince. As for what has happened, this subordinate is also unaware."
Feng Jin's expression grew solemn. It seemed the Emperor's condition was dire, and it would likely be a matter of days.
"I understand. Report to me promptly if anything else occurs."
"This subordinate obeys."
A change in the imperial court was bound to cause some upheaval. At this moment, remaining in the estate with her children was the safest option. However, she couldn't help but worry about Ling Mo Han.
"Young Madam, it's windy outside. You should return to your room."
"No... I'll go and see the Old Master."
The Old Master was the only one in the estate who could make crucial decisions at this point. She needed to discuss matters with him.
"Why has the Young Madam come at this hour?"
Steward Wu hurried forward to greet Feng Jin upon seeing her.
"Steward Wu, where is Grandfather?"
"The Old Master just had his calming tea and is currently in his room, playing with his birds."
"I'll go see him."
When Feng Jin arrived, the Old Master was leisurely playing with his birds. Since all household matters had been entrusted to Feng Jin, he had become even more relaxed.
"Grandfather."
"Oh... you're quite the rare visitor. What brings you to see this old man today?"
"Grandfather, the estate is surrounded by soldiers, and I am quite worried. I wanted to speak with you."
"Please, sit down and have some tea."
Feng Jin held the teacup for a long time, but she had no appetite for tea.
"Grandfather, aren't you worried at all?"
"What is there to be worried about? The cart will find its way when it reaches the mountain."