Old Master Ling held a child in each arm, proudly displaying his two treasures, his smile deepening.
Feng Jin watched the scene and couldn't help but shake her head. Old Master Ling's vanity was indeed strong; his grin stretched from ear to ear whenever someone praised his children.
"Eldest sister-in-law, this is a non-toxic bellyband that my mother and I made for the children." Ling Wan held up two red bellybands embroidered with the five-venomous-creatures pattern, which looked extremely exquisite.
It was Feng Jin's first time seeing such beautifully embroidered bellybands. Handmade embroidery was indeed more lifelike than machine-made ones.
Every stitch and thread was so delicate; it was clear a lot of effort had been put into them.
"Please thank Aunt for me. I really like this bellyband."
The five-venomous-creatures bellyband was believed to ward off illness and disaster. It was perfect for the two little ones, symbolizing good fortune.
"I'm glad you like it, Eldest sister-in-law. If you like them, I can also make tiger-head hats and tiger-head shoes for the children, to keep them warm and cozy."
Ling Wan smiled. While she couldn't produce anything luxurious, she could still make small clothes and hats.
"To flaunt such humble things as treasures, only you would be so pleased with yourself. Aren't you afraid of being laughed at? Do you really think she genuinely likes these things? She's just saving your face, and only you would take it seriously!"
A sharp, caustic voice rang out. Ling Yan maintained her haughty demeanor, her eyes filled with disdain.
Ling Yan had always oppressed Ling Wan since childhood. After Ling Yan's sarcastic taunts, Ling Wan couldn't help but lower her head, her inferiority evident in her eyes.
"Oh, isn't this Ling Yan? Didn't you return to the Zhao family with your mother? What brings you back today?" Feng Jin's tone was sarcastic. She paused before continuing, "Ah, yes, I recall. Second Uncle arranged a marriage for you. I heard your fiancé's family is quite wealthy. If you marry into their family, sister, you'll surely enjoy wealth and prosperity, and live without worry."
"You..." Ling Yan pointed at Feng Jin, her face flushed with anger.
The entire Ling mansion was aware of the situation. Her fiancé's family was a prominent merchant family, but he was a complete rake, a frequent patron of courtesans, practically living in the brothels. He had no less than a dozen concubines at home.
Everyone watched her predicament with amusement. Now that Feng Jin had exposed it publicly, Ling Wan's anger flared intensely.
"Everyone knows your wedding is approaching, sister. You mustn't let this upset you. It's a great joy to find a good match, and I will certainly prepare a generous gift for you on your wedding day."
Feng Jin's lips curled into a mocking smile. "Second Uncle and Grandfather truly dote on you, sister. They thought of you first for such an excellent marriage."
"Eldest sister-in-law is right. Ling Yan sister is the legitimate daughter of our Second Uncle, with noble status. I am merely a concubine's daughter, so naturally, I can't compare in anything. Ling Yan sister has found such a superior marriage, and I can only envy you!"
Ling Wan, having learned from Feng Jin, now satirized Ling Yan with superior skill, showing no less prowess than Feng Jin.
"You... you dare to mock me like this!"
Ling Yan's lips trembled with anger. If not for the presence of others, she would have likely resorted to fighting them both.
"I feel like beating you up. Do you want to try?" Feng Jin rolled her eyes, showing no regard for Ling Yan.
"Just you wait, I won't let you off."
With those words, Ling Yan turned and left.
"She truly needs a good thrashing. She's the type who would climb to the rafters if not disciplined."
Feng Jin had initially hoped Ling Yan's temper and disposition would improve after her mother, Madam Zhao, was divorced. However, she remained as she was, even becoming more like Old Madam Zhao. It seemed she had learned much from Old Madam Zhao during her stay at the Zhao family.
It was no wonder Old Master Ling was eager to marry off Ling Yan, choosing a groom whose home was a thousand miles away. Keeping her at home for another day would only lead to more trouble.
"Sister Feng Jin," Lin Yuwei spotted Feng Jin and hurried over.
"Sister, let me see the children."
Lin Yuwei looked around but couldn't see the children.
"Old Master took them. How have you been these past few days? Has Chu Chenyi bullied you?"
"What are you saying? With you mentioning 'me bullying her' right off the bat, it's good enough if she doesn't bully me."
Chu Chenyi's tone was full of displeasure. It sounded as if he were the one bullying Lin Yuwei.
"What, do you have a problem with that?" Lin Yuwei raised her eyebrows, her tone slightly elevated.
"No," Chu Chenyi quickly denied.
"Sister Feng Jin, I've prepared a gift for the two children. See if you like it."
Lin Yuwei beckoned behind her, and Chu Chenyi obediently handed over a brocade box.
Inside the box were two gold-inlaid jade collars, carved with auspicious cloud and dragon patterns, with white jade longevity locks hanging below.
"How exquisite!" Just looking at the craftsmanship indicated a significant investment.
"I searched for a long time to find these two collars. They are meant to bring good luck."
The white jade locks alone, hanging from the collars, cost her a thousand taels of silver to create, not to mention the collars themselves, carved from a single piece of jade.
Preparing these two collars had cost Lin Yuwei a considerable amount of money, and her little savings were now meager.
However, compared to the gifts Feng Jin had given her in the past, these were minor expenses.
"Third Prince, Crown Princess, and Consort arrive."
Upon hearing the announcement, Feng Jin glanced towards the entrance and saw Chu Yanxi walking in with two women on his left and right. However, Chu Yanxi's gaze and attention were clearly fixed on Feng Ruoyan, who was on his right.
Since Feng Ruoyan's miscarriage the last time, Chu Yanxi had pleaded with the Empress for a long time to grant Feng Ruoyan the title of consort.
Although Liu Meng Han was displeased with Feng Ruoyan being made consort, she dared not defy Chu Yanxi's wishes.
Furthermore, due to Feng Ruoyan's miscarriage, Chu Yanxi had harbored suspicions about Liu Meng Han. However, with the Empress's strong backing and no definitive evidence pointing to Liu Meng Han's involvement, Chu Yanxi could only let the matter go.
To prove her innocence, Liu Meng Han had tearfully persuaded the Empress to agree to enfeoff Feng Ruoyan as consort, for which she was severely reprimanded by the Empress.
"General Ling, Madam, this Prince congratulates you both on the birth of your sons. This small gift is nothing much, just a token to add to the children's joy."
Feng Jin glanced at the gifts brought by the Third Prince. They were all common items, clearly meant to be perfunctory, as if chosen carelessly. "Thank you, Third Prince. Please take a seat."