Her background had always been something Bai Sanlang aspired to, yet it paled in comparison to the wives of Bai Jialang and Silang.
The eldest sister-in-law of the main branch hailed from the prestigious Lin family, her elder brother a commander of the Imperial City Army in the capital, wielding command over fifty thousand imperial guards, a position of considerable power that commanded respect from all.
The youngest sister-in-law of the fourth branch was none other than Princess Wenyi of the Kang Wang Mansion. Raised in luxury and favored by His Majesty, her dowry upon marrying into the Bai family was prepared to the rank of a princess, a procession of red silks that evoked much envy.
While those two branches were not prone to petty disputes, she insisted on vying for superiority, never yielding an inch.
For Bai Sixian, she had also poured considerable effort into her upbringing from a young age, with the sole aim of seeing her soar to great heights one day.
Watching Bai Sixian by Wei Lanxuan's side, her charming and adorable face, Madam Shen's pride swelled.
What if the Lin family held real power? The main branch had no children.
What if she was of noble birth? She still had difficulty bearing children, giving birth to only one daughter and then nothing more.
Though she too had only one daughter, she was far superior to the sickly princess's child.
This return to Dongdu was intended to leverage her daughter's beauty, coupled with her own schemes, to find a good marriage for her here, thus elevating their entire family.
Her husband would no longer need to take up posts in distant locations, and she would no longer have to endure the disdain of the Lin family and Princess Wenyi!
After several rounds of wine, many of the female guests were feeling tipsy. As male guests were also present, they were arranged to rest in side chambers in the rear courtyard to sober up.
Bai Siruo and Feng Jinyao, accompanying their eldest aunt, Madam Lin, shuttled back and forth between the front and rear courtyards, assisting in attending to the guests.
Today, they had truly broadened their horizons, their skills in receiving guests and navigating social graces advancing by leaps and bounds.
As they accompanied the sisters-in-law from the Duke of Zheng's household to the side chambers, Feng Jinyao felt a slight ache in her head.
However, it was not from the wine but from being startled awake by a nightmare.
Therefore, she asked Yunxu to accompany Bai Siruo to help, while she herself would rest for a moment under the corridor.
After all, this was the Bai family's rear courtyard, and no one was allowed to enter without summons. Yunxu thought for a moment, "Miss, please wait a moment. I'll be right back after I see them off."
"Mm."
Feng Jinyao stood under the corridor, clad in a snow-white cloak. The withered branches by the corridor were dusted with a thin layer of frost. Her delicate features held a hint of melancholy.
In the depths of the night, she was always jolted awake by nightmares from her past life, drenched in cold sweat.
Navigating these treacherous situations alone, had she ever not been weary?
But if she were to advise her family about her rebirth, how would they believe her?
They might dismiss it as baseless talk, treating her counsel as mere wind, and wouldn't that be like lifting a rock only to drop it on her own feet?
Never mind. In her previous life, the Feng family had protected her until their last breath. In this life, she would be the guardian of the Feng family.
When Wen Mengsheng quietly followed her in, he witnessed this scene.
He felt a sense of confusion.
Noble young ladies of the world were either innocent and lively or willful and unrestrained, yet she always exuded a sense of distance and wariness.
Perhaps this would be a weakness to approach her by, but first, he had to find a way to disarm her defenses.
Thus, he picked up the jade pendant that Wen Yuwei had not yet given away, a plan forming in his mind.
He stepped forward, each stride filled with confidence.
Hearing footsteps behind her, Feng Jinyao assumed it was Yunxu, returning out of concern for her. She turned with a smile, but her expression turned to horror.
"How could it be you!"
"I apologize for my intrusion. I found your jade pendant and was worried about you..."
Before he could finish speaking, Feng Jinyao interrupted him loudly.
"This is the rear courtyard of the Bai Mansion. To trespass without a summons, Young Master Wen has quite the nerve. Do you not fear that someone might report you to your father for poor discipline of his children?"
"You... Miss, you worry too much. I was merely..."
"Guards! Guards..."
Feng Jinyao paid no mind to his attempts at explanation, only regretting that she had not learned martial arts. Otherwise, she could have dealt with him herself at this moment, instead of having to call for help.
Wen Mengsheng was startled by her shouting.
He knew his father cherished his reputation above all else. If his father were to learn that he had foolishly followed Feng Jinyao to the rear courtyard, he would likely be so enraged that he would break his legs.
So, he quickly stepped forward, intending to cover her mouth.
However, before his hand could reach her, he was roughly pulled back from behind and thrown to the ground, his back aching and hunched.
"Who!"
Dare to lay hands on the son of the Minister of Personnel? Is he tired of living?
He turned to glare fiercely at the newcomer, only to see a horsewhip crack, making a resounding noise against the withered branches beside him.
The sound of the whip breaking through the air still echoed in his ears. Seeing the withered branches and fallen leaves on the ground, Wen Mengsheng's face turned ashen.
"Seeking death? You dare to lay hands on my sister? Do you not want these hands anymore?"
"You... What do you want?"
He was panicked and flustered, yet he tried to maintain a calm facade.
He refused to believe that this "Second Master Feng" would be so bold as to act so outrageously at the Bai Old Madam's birthday banquet!
Feng Jinlin's starry eyes were now filled with icy coldness. He looked at Wen Mengsheng as if he were a ghost messenger under Yama, his voice not loud, but it made Wen Mengsheng break out in a cold sweat.
"My whip has killed people before, especially those blind dogs. This is the Prime Minister's rear courtyard. If I were to deal with you as a lecher, no one would dare to say a word against it."
The blatant threat made Wen Mengsheng so angry that he couldn't catch his breath. However, since he couldn't defeat this "Second Master Feng," he decided that discretion was the better part of valor.
He immediately scrambled away in a disheveled state, not forgetting to leave a parting threat, "You just wait!"
Watching his utterly pathetic state, Second Master Feng let out a few mocking laughs.
"Hmph, what a coward."
He turned back to Feng Jinyao, his fierce demeanor gone, replaced by an ingratiating smile.
"Hehe, A'Yao, do you think second brother is impressive?"
That same expression again!
The gratitude he felt for his timely appearance instantly vanished.
Thinking of him showing off in the front courtyard, Feng Jinyao couldn't help but tease him.
"Impressive! However, I think I just saw Father and Grandfather passing by that small path in front, and their expressions weren't very good. Do you think they saw you whipping things around?"
Second Master Feng deflated like a leaky balloon. "No way, that unlucky?"
"Who told you to be so arrogant?"
Second Master Feng cried inwardly, *I was standing up for you! You little brat!*
Seeing him so flustered, Feng Jinyao felt much better.
Seeing his sister finally smile, Feng Jinlin felt relieved, but he still had doubts.
"A'Yao, why do I feel like you particularly dislike that person? It's... I can't quite describe the feeling."
Feng Jinlin was exceptionally perceptive. After only meeting twice, he had already noticed her aversion and hatred.