The father and daughter had finished discussing the proper matter, but for a moment neither of them knew what to say next. They looked at each other in silence, feeling somewhat inexplicably awkward.

  Ling Wu Ye coughed and broke the silence: "Ah Shu, you're fourteen this year, aren't you?"

  At this age, it's the right time to talk about marriage. The probing words of Madam Ling that day still lingered in his ears, and after careful consideration, Old Master Ling thought it was a good match.

  Ling Jingyu immediately understood the implicit meaning of Ling Wuya's words and responded, "Father, I am now single-mindedly thinking about curing Ah Xiao's illness. Other things are really not on my mind. As for lifelong matters, let's talk about it after Ah Xiao and I return from the capital!"

  Looking at Ling Jingyu's calm and composed expression, a strange feeling arose in Ling Wuya's heart.

  A maiden in the boudoir, shouldn't she be shy and hesitant to mention marriage? Ling Jingxiao is too calm and composed...

  Ling Jingyu raised her eyes, and a beautiful bright gaze floated out with a hint of pleading: "This is a matter concerning my lifelong happiness. Daughter begs Father, no matter who mentions marriage to Father, don't easily agree, wait for me to come back and make the decision."

  Although it is said that children's marriages should follow their parents' orders, however, parents who dote on their children will always ask for their opinions before making a decision. Ling Jingxiao's request doesn't seem excessive either, so after some thought, Ling Wuya nodded in agreement.

  At this time, Ling Wu Ye would never have thought that Ling Jing Xiu led Ling Xiao to leave Dingzhou for the capital, and had already made up her mind to go without returning.

  Just as they were talking, there was a knock at the door.

  Ling Wu Ye was in his study and did not like being disturbed, he asked in a low voice: "Who is it?"

  "Master, it's me and Ah Ru," a smiling voice echoed from outside the door.

  It's Mrs. Li and her son who have come.

  Ling Wu's expression softened slightly, and he instructed Ling Jingxu to go open the door.

  ......

  Mr. Li saw Ling Jingxian coming to open the door, and he didn't feel surprised at all. He smiled and shouted: "So sister Xian is also here. Why didn't you let anyone announce your arrival?"

  It was clear that she knew she had come, and deliberately led Ling Yu to make trouble. In recent years, the estrangement between her and Ling Wu Ye, Li Shi has made great contributions.

  Ling Jingyu pulled up the corner of her lips and responded, "I wanted to say some private words with Father, so I came over quietly. Didn't expect to still startle Mother."

  Mrs. Li was choked for a moment, and she was secretly annoyed in her heart. However, in front of Old Master Ling, she would never tear her face with Ling Jingxuan. This is also the cleverness of Mrs. Li.

  Madam Li immediately changed the subject, smiling at Old Master Ling and saying: "Because of the old lady's birthday, school is closed for seven days. However, Ah Yu doesn't want to idle around even for a day, and early in the morning she was making a fuss about wanting to read books. I thought that since Master is free in the mansion, why not bring Ah Yu here and have Master teach her to read and write himself."

  Although Ling'er was small, she inherited the cleverness and cleverness of the Li family. She walked up to the front with a serious expression and bowed to Ling Wu Ye: "Ask father for more guidance."

  A six-year-old child, making such a grown-up move, is both lovely and pleasing. Moreover, Ling Yu was the youngest son of Ling Wuya, men generally have strict requirements for their eldest sons, but are always more doting on their younger sons.

  Ling Wu Ye was taken aback and lost his smile, but he agreed without hesitation.

  Mr. Li's eyes flashed with joy and pride, intentionally or unintentionally glancing at Ling Jingxu.

  What's the use of Ling Xiao being clever in his youth? Now he's blind and useless. Although Ling Wu Ye has some sympathy for Ling Xiao, his favorite is still his youngest son.

  Ling Jingxu secretly sneered in her heart.

  Let Li's family be proud for now. Soon she will let them taste the pain of being unable to live.

  ......

  Ling had been staying in Yonghe Hall all along, but after Lu An came, she had to take care of her husband's food and clothing, so the time she spent in Yonghe Hall was greatly reduced. However, Mrs. Ling never lacked people accompanying her. Her sons, daughters-in-law, grandsons, granddaughters-in-law, and granddaughters all competed to serve her.

  Today, Yue led Ling Jingxian here.

  "....Second Master brought his concubine and illegitimate son back, and my daughter-in-law did not treat them harshly. It's just that yesterday she said a few words, Second Master got unhappy and scolded her. My sister-in-law was anxious to protect her mother and argued with Second Master for a few sentences. In a fit of rage, Second Master actually hit my sister-in-law. Poor sister-in-law hasn't seen her father in years and has been longing for his return day and night, who would have thought that this is what happened when they met... Mother, you must take charge for us mother and daughter..."

  As she spoke, she covered her face with a handkerchief and burst into tears.

  Ling Jingxian's eyes also turned red, and she choked out a cry of "Grandma".

  Upon closer inspection, her delicate face indeed showed some redness and swelling. It was clear that Ling Er Ye had used considerable force in his anger.

  Mrs. Ling did not want to interfere with the affairs of the concubine's quarters.

  Yue's family was jealous and had a heavy heart, her words were sharp and sour. Seeing Ling Er Ye bringing his concubine and illegitimate child back home, how could she not make trouble? If Ling Er Ye wasn't so angry, he wouldn't have lost his temper that badly.

  However, Ling Jingxian's face still had scars and tears, which was indeed pitiful.

  Mrs. Ling sighed and comforted, "Alright, you two mother and daughter stop crying. Tomorrow when the second elder comes, I will say a few words to him. No matter how angry he is, it's not right to vent on Xiaojie. A young lady's face is the most delicate, how can she withstand such a big blow?"

  Yue's family used a handkerchief to wipe away tears and thanked her.

  "Grandma, Father has been distant with me and Mother too, it's also because of the reason that we are apart for a long time. In a few days, Father will leave Dingzhou, please let us mother and daughter follow him together..."

  "Shut up!" Mrs. Yue hastily interrupted Ling Jingxian: "It's all nonsense. If we followed your father, wouldn't we be unable to take care of your grandmother? This must never be mentioned again."

  Ling Jingyan was so humiliated that she didn't dare make a sound anymore.

  Yue's family looked at Ling Lao Tai Tai apologetically: "Wan Jie is still young, and her words are often not tactful, don't take it to heart, Mother."

  Ling Lao Tai Tai had lived to be seventy years old and was already a wise and discerning person, so how could she not see through the little tricks of Yue Shi Mu Nu? She said calmly: "Yan Jie's words also make sense. A husband and wife living in different places is ultimately not a long-term plan. Tomorrow I will have a good talk with Er Ye and let him take you two mother and daughter together to your post."

  Madam Yue was secretly delighted, but she said: "This won't do. Second Master has been busy outside all along, and it's only right that his daughter-in-law stays in the old house to take care of you. If we say we want to leave, Second Master will be the first to object."

  Ling Jingxian whispered in a timely manner: "Mother, didn't Eldest Uncle's wife also leave the old house?"

  The voice was not loud, just enough for Lao Tai Tai to hear.

  Mrs. Ling felt somewhat displeased in her heart. Listening to the tone of this speech, it wasn't what they had previously discussed and planned, which was strange. It seemed that Madame Yue had harbored this idea for a long time.

  Kui Yue's family has a face and a long house to compare with.

  Ling Dàyé is a serious fourth-rank official, having been in the capital for many years, and has set up his own residence. He can be considered to have taken root. On weekdays, he is busy with official duties, and it's unavoidable that Sun Shi will make an appearance when interacting with various officials.

  Ling Siye is just a humble county magistrate, having concubines by his side is enough. His wife, Yue Shi, should stay in the old mansion to take care of her mother-in-law, that's the proper thing to do.

  If Mrs. Yue really wants to leave, she can say so openly. Old Lady Ling won't be happy in her heart but won't stop her either. But since Mrs. Yue is being so insincere and manipulative, it's really unpleasant for others.

  Mrs. Ling's face sank, and her voice was tinged with coldness: "You mother and daughter wanting to follow the second master is a common human sentiment, I didn't plan on stopping you. What's the point of dragging in the eldest house? If this kind of talk gets out, wouldn't it make people think that I, this old wife, have been mistreating you two from the second house all these years?"

  Mrs. Ling had been in charge of the household for many years and was extremely dignified. At this moment, her face was stern and devoid of any smile, causing Mrs. Yue and her daughter to feel a sense of trepidation immediately.

  "Grandma, please calm down..."

  Mrs. Ling was in no mood to listen to their chatter and impatiently waved her hand: "I'm a bit tired, you two go down first!"

  Yue Shi had no choice but to reluctantly lead Ling Jingxian away. Before the two of them could leave the inner hall, they saw Mo Kui smiling as he came in to report: "Reporting to Old Madam, Ninth Miss has a matter she wishes to discuss."

  Old Lady Ling, who claimed to be "a bit tired", immediately said: "Quickly let Sister Ju come in."

  Mrs. Yue and her daughter: “......”