It was common for a wealthy family to have three wives and four concubines. As a well-known family in Da Yue, the Houfu had many wives, concubines and children in the backyard. Ling Feng didn't need to hide his intention of taking a concubine for so many years.
This is also the reason why Ling Feng often went in and out of Qingtang Street for so many years without being noticed by anyone.
Now that everything is laid out before their eyes, except for Ling Qingwan who already knew about it, everyone else thought that Ling Long was crazy and talking nonsense.
"Long'er was a clever girl since she was young, and she stood out among all the young masters and young ladies. It's really sad that she has ended up like this now." Ling Shen sighed softly and said with emotion.
"You can't blame others for this." Ling Qingwan lowered her eyes, a deep meaning flashing across them. "At first, she and I only had a verbal dispute, and I didn't take it seriously, but she hated me to the core and even wanted to kill me. With such an impatient and selfish personality, it's not surprising that she ended up like this."
Ling Qingwan knew very well that if her grandfather had not expelled Ling Long from the family, or if she had not had the foresight to send Mingyue to cut Ling Long's tendons, based on Ling Long's personality, she would definitely harm her in every way in the future.
It is her own fault that she has brought disaster upon herself. Ling Long's current fate is her own fault, and Ling Qingwan felt nothing at all.
"Having said that, I still feel a little sorry for Third Madam because of her pity." Ling Shen said and sighed again.
Ling Qingwan understood Ling Shenshi in this regard. When she lost contact with the Marquis' Mansion, Ling Shenshi had been thinking about it for more than ten years. She felt the same way about losing a loved one. More importantly, Ling Shenshi didn't know where Ling Qingwan was, and she still had some hope in her heart, looking forward to her daughter's return. The sister-in-law saw her daughter die in a pool of blood with her own eyes.
"How is the third lady doing now?" Ling Qingwan asked.
She has always been concerned about the affair between Ling Feng and Cheng Man, and didn't pay much attention to the third lady.
"The third lady was so sad that she went crazy. The master thought it was unlucky that there were deaths and plague in the mansion just after the New Year, so he drove the third lady out." Ling Shen frowned tightly, with a trace of sadness on her face.
This seems like something Ling Feng would do, Ling Qingwan thought.
"I felt sorry for her, so I secretly gave her a few silver bars. She should be able to get by for a while. I heard that she has a younger brother at home, so I also sent someone to inform him." Ling Shen told Ling Qingwan.
She was born gentle and considerate, and when the Third Madam fell into such a state, only Ling Shen was willing to help her. Ling Qingwan felt warm in her heart and leaned on Ling Shen's shoulder.
My mother is so kind. Good people will be rewarded. She should live a long life.
There is no such thing as a wall that is impenetrable. Ling Long's words at the gate eventually reached Shen Chengzhou's ears. As Ling Qingwan expected, when she went to the General's Mansion to find Shen Chengzhou, Shen Chengzhou was anxious and was planning to go to the Marquis' Mansion to ask for clarification.
Ling Shen didn't believe that Ling Feng had a lover outside because she had been raised in seclusion since she was a child and was very naive in dealing with people. In addition, she had feelings for Ling Feng and believed in him without a doubt.
Shen Chengzhou was different. He had never accepted Ling Feng. He went to the battlefield when he was a teenager, fought for many years, and stayed in the court in his later years. Shen Chengzhou had seen many people, and his eyesight was more vicious than that of ordinary people.
Upon hearing the rumor, Shen Chengzhou's first reaction was that Ling Feng was indeed unreliable.
"Wanwan? Why are you here? I was just about to go to the Marquis' Mansion." When Shen Chengzhou saw Ling Qingwan, he suppressed his anger and asked in a gentle voice.
"I have two things I want to discuss with my grandfather." Ling Qingwan went straight to the point.
The two returned to the hall and sat down.
Shen Chengzhou originally had no intention of telling Ling Qingwan about Ling Feng's secret lover. After all, Ling Qingwan was still young and had only been back at the Marquis' Mansion for less than half a year. He was afraid that she would not be able to handle the situation if she knew about these things.
Ling Qingwan considered for a long time before coming here today, and after thinking it over, she made a decision.
She handed the letter she got from Mr. Ling's room to Shen Chengzhou.
"I always feel that my grandfather trusted me and let me find this letter. I don't get along with my grandmother, and I'm not close to my father. This matter is serious, and I dare not give it to someone I don't trust. You know my mother, she has a soft temper. She can manage the backyard, but she is still lacking in big things. My brother is only a few years older than me, and I'm afraid he can't handle it well. After thinking about it, I still think it's most appropriate to give this letter to you."
Ling Qingwan explained to Shen Chengzhou why Mr. Ling did not give the letter to the people in the Marquis' Mansion, but gave it to him instead.
After reading it, Shen Chengzhou looked solemn, frowned, and fell into deep thought.
Ling Qingwan didn't ask him what was written in the letter.
Shen Chengzhou really treats her well. If she knows about this, Shen Chengzhou will definitely tell her. The most urgent thing is to deal with the matter between Ling Feng and Cheng Man.
"What about the second thing? What is it?" Shen Chengzhou finally spoke, as if the letter from Mr. Ling had never appeared.
"The second thing is related to my father's affair." Ling Qingwan looked at Shen Chengzhou, carefully observing his reaction.
As soon as he finished speaking, Shen Chengzhou suddenly raised his eyes and met Ling Qingwan's eyes.
"What you mean is that Ling Feng really has a lover outside?" Shen Chengzhou's half body was hanging in the air, and he was ready to get up and set off for the Marquis' Mansion.
"I can't hide it from my grandfather. I have secretly investigated these days and found out that my father's lover lives on Qingtang Street in the south of the city." Ling Qingwan told Shen Chengzhou.
Shen Chengzhou was even more shocked.
Qingtang Street is only a stick of incense's walk away from the Marquis' Mansion. Ling Feng placed his lover here, which really shows that he does not take Ling Shen's family or his general's mansion seriously.
"If you go and ask my father for an explanation now, he will deny it even if you are beaten to death. You will then get a bad reputation as a troublemaker for nothing. It's not worth it." Ling Qingwan advised patiently.
Shen Chengzhou was Ling Shen's daughter, so naturally he loved her dearly. After learning about this incident today, how could he not be angry? It was normal for him to be a little impulsive.
"It would be better to think about how to force my father's lover out. If they admit it themselves, the truth will be revealed and it will be useless to try to defend themselves. At that time, even if you don't punish him, if you report him to the court, the emperor will not let him off easily."
Since it was bound to happen one day, they, standing on the moral high ground, might as well seize this opportunity to teach Ling Feng a lesson.
Just beating and scolding him was too lenient towards Ling Feng.
"Wanwan, do you have any good ideas on how to deal with this matter?" Shen Chengzhou became interested and took the initiative to ask Ling Qingwan.
It was only then that he discovered that Ling Qingwan was intelligent and thoughtful, completely unlike any other woman.
"I think it would be better to make a big fuss about this matter and let the whole city know about it. The emperor will have to order him to be punished." Ling Qingwan opened her pearly teeth slightly, and there was no emotion in her words.