Soon, the second young lady's injuries healed. They hadn't been too serious to begin with.
"This must be Eldest Miss Ling," the Third Elder suddenly stepped forward and said.
"It is," Ling Luo Yi replied, not offering him a bow.
The Third Elder was displeased. "Eldest Miss Ling, this is, after all, the Song family. The Song family's affairs are for the Song family to resolve. You needn't trouble yourself, Eldest Miss Ling."
"You are the Third Elder, aren't you?" Ling Luo Yi said. "If I recall correctly, my aunt is the matriarch of the Song family. Yet, you have elevated a concubine to the position of Second Madam. Do you believe the Ling family has no one to support my aunt?"
"How could that be?"
Before the Third Elder could finish speaking, Ling Luo Yi interrupted him. "Third Elder, you know the temperament of our Fifth Elder, don't you? If he were to learn that my aunt has suffered such grievances here in the Song family, you know what he would do, don't you?"
The Third Elder scoffed inwardly. What could a cripple confined to his legs possibly do?
"And my paternal uncle. My father is dead, and he is the eldest brother. An elder brother is like a father. Haven't you heard of that, Third Elder? If he were to learn that his sister has been wronged, he would likely come to her defense as well."
The Third Elder scoffed even more. Ling Qi's lack of talent was known throughout the Tianwu Kingdom. What could he do?
"I know what you are thinking, Third Elder. What do you think of me?"
The Third Elder's heart skipped a beat. The person before him was a supreme alchemist. How could he have forgotten?
"And my youngest aunt. She returned a few days ago and is currently in seclusion. By the time she emerges, she will likely have become a First-Rank Alchemist."
"What?!"
Everyone around was astonished. Ling Li had apprenticed herself to an alchemist ten years ago. After the alchemist died, Ling Li began to study on her own, thus remaining an alchemy apprentice. Was she really about to become a First-Rank Alchemist so soon?
If so, that would mean the Ling family would have two alchemists!
The Third Elder's mind raced as he glanced at Concubine Yin, who was equally shocked.
It seemed he needed to change his approach.
"Luo'er, are you telling the truth?"
Ling Yue's question was also on the minds of everyone present.
"Yes, Aunt. The day my youngest aunt returned, I gave her a book on alchemy. She went into seclusion the very next day."
"Then it seems I will have a youngest aunt who is an alchemist," Song Qing Huai's voice suddenly emerged.
"Big Brother!"
"Huai'er, why have you emerged from seclusion?"
"Mother, I heard something had happened here and rushed to see." Song Qing Huai approached, helped Ling Yue to the main seat, and asked with concern, "Why have you come out, Mother? You are not feeling well and need to rest properly. Leave these matters to your son."
"Mother is fine. Your eldest cousin visited me today and gave Mother some pills to help her recover. Mother is much better."
After helping Ling Yue to sit, Song Qing Huai looked at Ling Luo Yi and smiled relaxedly. "Eldest Cousin has also come. Did she come alone?"
"The Ling family's affairs have all been arranged, so I found myself with free time. I remembered that Eldest Cousin had mentioned Aunt was unwell, so I came to visit. As for the others..." Ling Luo Yi felt a slight headache. "They have been cultivating rather... fanatically recently. Oh, a few days ago, I placed a cultivation tower in the courtyard next to the Ling family's training grounds. If Eldest Cousin doesn't mind, you can bring Eldest Cousin to cultivate there as well."
"Cultivation tower?" Song Qing Huai had never heard of such a thing and was rather curious.
"Yes. The spiritual energy within the tower is higher than in the outside world. Cultivating inside can yield twice the results with half the effort."
"Such a good thing, and the other members of the Ling family are willing to let us use it?"
"Why wouldn't they be willing?" Ling Luo Yi seemed a bit confused. "Aren't you the young master of the Ling family by marriage? Besides, that cultivation tower is my property."
Hearing Ling Luo Yi's words, Song Qing Huai genuinely smiled. He had stayed at the Ling family for a short period and envied the atmosphere among the Ling family disciples.
They would compete, they would bicker, they had conflicts, but no one would truly harm another.
"Oh, right, this is for you," Ling Luo Yi produced two more storage rings and said, "They are identical."
Song Qing Huai did not refuse. Since Eldest Cousin was giving them, he would accept.
"Thank you, Eldest Cousin."
"This one is for you, Eldest Cousin. Perform a blood-binding ritual."
Song Qing Yun hesitated, wanting to refuse. She had only met Ling Luo Yi for the first time today. How could she accept such a precious gift?
"Yun'er, take it."
"Mother?"
"Your Eldest Cousin is not lacking in such things."
"Oh, alright. Thank you, Eldest Cousin." Song Qing Yun accepted it and bowed respectfully.
Suddenly, the main gate of the Song family opened, and a tall, upright man walked in.
Upon seeing the newcomer, everyone bowed.
"Greetings, Family Head."
"Greetings, Master."
"Greetings, Father (Daddy)."
"Greetings, Uncle."
The man was Song Jing Shan. He strode quickly towards Ling Yue, draped the warm cloak he was holding over Ling Yue, and said with concern, "Why did you come out? Didn't I tell you that your body cannot endure the cold?"
Ling Yue smiled and said, "I'm fine. My eldest niece is here and gave me some pills. My body has already recovered a lot. By the way, weren't you out on important business? Why have you returned so soon? Is everything settled?"
After confirming that Ling Yue was indeed alright, Song Jing Shan finally felt at ease. "I sent Second Brother to handle the matters. I heard Luo'er had arrived, so I rushed back."
Ling Yue pulled Ling Luo Yi closer and said, "This is Luo'er, my elder brother's daughter. You've met her before."
"Of course, I've met her. Luo'er, the phantom beast you previously contracted for your uncle has advanced. Your uncle must thank you properly."
"Then has Uncle also advanced?"
"Yes."
"So, Eldest Cousin, you are also a beast tamer."
The others also awaited Ling Luo Yi's answer.
Ling Luo Yi said indifferently, "It's just a contract talisman. I've also included them in the storage rings I gave you, with instructions on how to use the items."
"Speaking of storage rings, I almost forgot." Ling Yue took out another storage ring and said to Song Jing Shan, "This storage ring is from Luo'er for you. She said you weren't quite ready the last time she saw you."
Song Jing Shan took it and laughed heartily. "Originally, I, as the elder, should have prepared something for the younger generation. How did it turn out the other way around? Luo'er, if you need anything I have, just tell your uncle. Your uncle will do his best to satisfy you."
"Then thank you, Uncle. Oh, right, I just mentioned to Eldest Cousin that I've placed a cultivation tower at the Ling family. If Uncle doesn't mind, you can also cultivate there."
"Alright, I'll go take a look another day."
"Father, Eldest Brother and Eldest Sister both received gifts from Eldest Cousin. Ruo'er wants one too," the Second Young Lady, Song Qing Ruo, suddenly said.
Everyone looked at her with disdain. What relationship did you have with Ling Luo Yi that she should give you something?
"Qing Ruo, your Eldest Cousin gives gifts to whomever she wishes. Don't you feel ashamed to beg so shamelessly?"
Seeing her daughter being reprimanded, Concubine Yin said unhappily, "Master, you can't say that. Miss Ling is also the Second Young Lady's cousin. She gave gifts to the Eldest Young Master and the Eldest Young Lady, so how can she leave out the Second Young Lady?"
Song Jing Shan instinctively looked at Concubine Yin and frowned. "What are you wearing?!"
Concubine Yin was shocked. She was still wearing her bright red dress and hadn't changed!
She always dressed as a concubine in front of Song Jing Shan, and the other members of the household sided with her, so Song Jing Shan had never realized that she had been acting as the primary wife all these years.
Originally, Concubine Yin had dared to wear the primary wife's attire because Song Jing Shan had left the estate on business today. However, Song Jing Shan had returned unexpectedly, and she hadn't had time to change!
Concubine Yin hurriedly knelt and said, "This concubine has overstepped. This concubine will change immediately!"