At the front of Lei household.
The halls bustled with activity as the servants announced the arrival of the Ling family's gift procession.
It had just been a few days but by now everyone was aware.
And so, when Madam Ling stepped out of her carriage. The crowd had already gathered outside the Lei family residence murmuring in low voices. Some genuinely excited as others muttered in disdain.
Her face stiffened, her smile turning bitter with a look that didn't quite reach her eyes. Behind her, servants carrying ornament boxes of silks, jewelry, scrolls of marriage contracts and other beautiful treasures. An obvious public display of generosity, meant to be seen and remembered by everyone.
Madam Lei stood at the entrance of the main hall waiting with a slight smile as she watched the gift procession arrive and next to her was Lei Mi.
She stood straight, her expression shy with a light tinge of rouge enhancing her beauty. She wore pale robes, simple but clean. Her hands were folded in front of her, her gaze lowered making her look obedient.
Madam Ling who had approached saw this and her face which had been slightly contorted by anger relaxed a bit, her smile becoming more genuine as she reached the courtyard.
"It seems she had been overthinking things for the last few days, a child like this one couldn't have been the reason her plan failed " Madam Ling thought
She shook her head
"This young lady greets you Auntie Ling " Lei Mi stepped forward to greet her though her steps were hesitant.
That made Madam Ling's smile grow more genuine.
At least she knows her place
Stepping forward she waved to her servants to take the prepared gifts forward.
"You must be Lei Mi," she said warmly,
"Yes "
Reaching out to her hand, Lei Mi froze.
"This scheming old woman" she wanted to avoid her touch, but she knew right now any move to dodge would give her out.
"First of all, my child. I'd like to sincerely apologize to you on my son's behalf I really didn't expect that child to be so senseless that he would do that to you" she said with an apologetic face though her nails dug into Lei Mi's hand
Lei Mi frowned slightly though it wasn't very visible
"Auntie Ling it's alright I know it was a mistake to begin with"
Madam Lei not too far away cleared her throat which made the two women came back to their senses.
Madam Ling smiled then gently stepped back
"And before I forget I've brought some gifts for you. A token of our family's appreciation."
Lei Mi bowed slightly. "You are too kind, Mother Ling."
The word *Mother* hung in the air between them. A test maybe a reminder.
Madam Ling's smile flickered for just a moment as she followed Madam Lei into the inner hall.
Looking down at her hand Lei Mi frowned visibly
" Spiteful old woman " She thought
After taking a deep breathe she stepped forward following them inside.
---
Meanwhile in the Ling Household
Across the capital, in the main hall, the atmosphere was far from gracious.
Since the imperial order from the princess was read out Ling Feng had been drinking continuously.
Currently he was slumped against a low table, a half‑empty wine jug at his elbow. His robes were disheveled, his hair loose, his eyes dazed and unfocused.
"Wei Mei," he mumbled, his voice slurred.
"Wei Mei... where is she...?"
"Where did you go?"
Walking into the main hall after a long tiresome night of having to deal with the effects of the scandal. His father, Master Ling, stood a few paces away, his hands clenched at his sides.
He had been standing there for the past ten minutes, watching his son spiral endlessly like a madman. He felt heartbroken but remembering all the measures he'd taken to save the Ling family's business he grew angrier.
Walking towards his son he swiped the wine bottle by his elbow away. The young man groaned heavily trying to stand but stumbling every single time.
"You're drunk," Master Ling said, his voice flat.
"I'm not drunk," Ling Feng slurred.
"I'm... I'm thinking. Strategizing."
"Stop this foolishness" his father said sternly
"You're mumbling a servant's name."
Ling Feng's eyes flickered. For a moment, a sharp glint surfaced beneath the haze clouding his eyes.
"She wasn't just a servant," he said.
"She was mine. Mine"
"You're now engaged"
"NO" Ling Feng hit his fist on the low table aggressively
" That—that woman—" he waved a hand vaguely,
"It was her"
".... she took her place."
Master Ling's jaw tightened.
"You did this to yourself. You and your mother."
Ling Feng laughed—a hollow, bitter sound.
"Mother"
"What mother?"
"She only had one job. Yes. She planned everything. She told me it would work. And now I'm marrying a woman I don't even know because of her."
"You can't speak of your mother like that" Master Ling glanced at his son in disappointment.
"How did this happen? His good child, reduced to nothing but a waste." Master Ling asked himself really wondering where he went wrong in raising this child of his.
Taking this chance when he was distracted, Ling Feng reached for the wine jug again.
Seeing him reach for the wine again, Master Ling could not stand to look at his son any longer and so he turned and walked away.
He walked toward the backyard, where he had been spending more and more time with his concubine surnamed Rui.
The air here felt much cleaner and the noise of the main hall fading away like background noise.
"Master" a soothing voice was heard not too far away.
Turning around Master Ling watched a gracious looking woman walking towards him. Her sleeves gently swept the air wherever she went, and this woman was no one other his beloved Concubine Rui and behind her maid followed behind her breathing heavily.
"My lord"
Glancing at Concubine Rui, Master Ling couldn't help but frown.
Why was she wearing so little?
He turned to her maid who immediately lowered her head.
"Forgive me, My Lord"
Concubine Rui smiled lightly waving her hand "Don't blame her it was my fault my Lord I ran out on my own"
"Wear more next time" he said glancing at the maid who immediately handed him.
Concubine Rui's cloak which he gently helped her wear before pulling her back into the courtyard.
"Yes, My Lord" she said