12. Don't like the way I look? Hold it in!

After bidding farewell to Bai Xi, Leng Sa returned to her family's residence. As she entered the main gate, she encountered her fourth cousin, Leng Mingshu. "Third Sister!" Leng Mingshu was a typical noblewoman molded according to the traditions of the Leng family. Both her attire and her everyday demeanor were following ancient etiquette. Being the eldest daughter of the third concubine, she was favored the most by Old Master Leng compared to the other concubine-borned daughters who had already gotten married or the younger girls whom Leng Sa had slightly influenced.

Leng Mingshu had always disdained to interact with Leng Sa. In the past, Leng Sa had been engaged to the Fourth Young Master Fu, but there was still the looming presence of the First Young Master Fu above. Now that she had been abandoned by the Fourth Young Master Fu and engaged to the First Young Master Fu, instead he was a cripple.

In contrast, Leng Mingshu had been betrothed to the Xiao family of the imperial family in the capital since she was young. However, the one she was betrothed to was the son of Emperor Cheng Ping's cousin and could not be considered a direct heir of the imperial lineage. That Young Master Xiao would eventually inherit his father's dukedom. Thus, Leng Mingshu had regarded herself as the future princess consort, so she naturally looked down upon her sisters.

Leng Sa halted her steps. "Fourth Sister, what's the matter?"

Leng Mingshu glared at Leng Sa and said, "What did you do outside today?!"

Leng Sa frowned slightly. Leng Mingshu's tone was rather grating.

Infuriated, Leng Mingshu continued, "You said such things in public! You've completely embarrassed our Leng family! You… you even caused Miss Zheng to faint from anger! You're so, so ignorant!"

"Are you reprimanding me?" Leng Sa looked at the young girl before her in disbelief. Leng Mingshu had always prided herself on being reserved and proper. Even if she disapproved of Leng Sa going out to study and make public appearances, she would never lose her manners in person. Yet here she was, directly scolding her?

Leng Mingshu hesitated for a moment and then gritted her teeth. "Third Sister, you can do whatever you want, but at least consider others! The Leng family doesn't revolve around just you!"

Leng Sa couldn't help but chuckle lightly. "I don't consider others? Your dowry was brought in by a strong wind?"

"What nonsense are you talking about?!" Leng Mingshu's expression changed.

Leng Sa continued, "You think Grandfather won't break off the engagement because we can't afford to lose face? Which would bring more shame to the Leng family: directly breaking off the engagement or marrying the First Young Master Fu? Our eldest brother and the third brother are about to be promoted, right? And the Fourth Brother's betrothal gift has been arranged, right? Oh, and you… Fourth Sister, you've been engaged for so many years, but the Xiao family hasn't sent anyone to visit. Three years ago, when I got engaged to the Fourth Young Master Fu, the Xiao family immediately sent someone over. If it weren't for this marital connection with the Fu family, are you sure the Xiao family would still want to marry you? I heard that Grandfather added two more businesses in the capital to your dowry. Are you planning to send people to negotiate the marriage with the Xiao family in the capital?"

Leng Mingshu involuntarily took a step back. "You… how did you…"

Leng Sa's voice turned cold. "Don't act innocent after gaining advantages. Don't pretend to be noble and virtuous if you're going to exploit others. Also… tell Grandfather that I agreed to marry into the Fu family, but he can also try to see if I dare to break the engagement. Find me displeasing? Keep it to yourself!"

"You!"

"Step aside," Leng Sa glanced at her, her expression indifferent. She couldn't help but step back, and Leng Sa walked past her without giving her another look.

"Sister! Sister!" Just as they entered the courtyard of the second branch, a small figure rushed out from inside and lunged toward Leng Sa. She suppressed the urge to kick him and stood in place as he hugged her.

Leng Feng was only 12 years old this year. Due to Old Master Leng's insistence on traditional education, Leng Feng had been studying at the Leng family's private school since he was young. However, in recent years, fewer people attend private school. Rich families preferred sending their children to regular schools, and those who were poor couldn't afford to attend the Leng family's private school. Consequently, the private school of the Leng family was left mostly with members of the main branch and a few from the side branches.

Leng Sa patted him on the head. "What's wrong?"

His eyes were red as he looked up at her. "Sister, are you going to marry Fu Fengcheng?"

"That's right," Leng Sa said.

He said, "B-but he's already a cripple."

Leng Sa pinched his cheeks. "As long as he doesn't think of himself as one, he isn't. A true cripple is someone who has given up on himself."

He blinked his eyes in confusion.

She continued, "Anyway, this is something for adults to handle. You, little brat, should mind your own business. Start going to school in the second half of the year."

He was about to say something, but she narrowed her eyes slightly and raised her hand. Immediately, Leng Feng, who was well-trained, shielded his head and moved to the side. "Sister, you're so fierce… I believe you won't be bullied by the First Young Master Fu!"

His sister… was fierce! Outsiders had no idea just how fierce his sister could be! Thinking about the rumors of the First Young Master Fu, who had supposedly been crippled and couldn't move freely, he suddenly felt deep sympathy for his future brother-in-law.

With a future brother-in-law around, Sister won't be fierce with just me anymore, right? He happily pondered, completely forgetting the initial shock of hearing that his sister was going to marry a cripple.

"From now on, don't go to the private school anymore. Spend these few months revising at home. In the second half of the year, go and take the entrance exam for middle school," she said.

He hesitated a bit. "I heard… middle school has a lot of lessons, and I… I haven't even attended primary school."

Leng Sa gave him a chilly glance. "I've been teaching you for three years. If you dare let me find out you haven't learned anything…"

"No no no! I'll study! I'll pass the exam!" He cried out, although there was a cheerful tone in his voice.

After all, as a child, who wouldn't be excited about new things? He had also envied the kids who went to school. Three years ago, his sister had mentioned sending him to school, but his parents didn't dare oppose his grandfather. His grandfather got so angry he fell ill, and in the end, his parents had to convince his sister to give up on the idea.

However, in the past three years, whenever she had spare time, his sister would teach him things that weren't covered in his private school lessons.

Now that he could finally go to school like everyone else, how could he not be happy?

However… all of this came at the cost of his sister's sacrifice. Thinking of their parents' words, he couldn't help but tear up, hugging Leng Sa tightly and saying, "Sister! Don't worry. I'll grow up soon, and when I do, I'll rescue you from the Fu family."

Leng Sa held back her emotions and finally couldn't resist knocking his head, saying, "If you want to grow up, start by holding back your tears!" The second branch of the Leng family was truly a sentimental bunch. Whether it was the Second Master, Second Madam, Leng Feng, or even the Leng Mingyue from three years ago, they were all the same.

Such personalities ran in the family, and it would be strange if they were not bullied by others. Among the three branches of the Leng family, this second branch's family of four led the most difficult life.

Inside the room, the Second Master Leng and his wife exchanged glances upon hearing the siblings fooling around in the courtyard. A faint smile appeared on their faces.

The Second Master Leng took his wife's hand and said, "Wenxian, don't worry. I've inspected the properties father allocated to us. I'll manage them well in the future. I won't let you and the two children suffer anymore."

The Second Madam wiped her tears with a handkerchief and said, "I'll go to the storeroom to take a look. It's time to prepare the dowry for Mingyue. I'm afraid the Fu family will bring forward the wedding date. Hmph! If the dowry we offer is less than what the First Young Lady Leng and Fourth Young Lady Leng got, I'll make a scene with the Old Master!"

"Well, what Old Master gave… why don't we give half of it to Yue'er first? Young… Young Master Fu isn't very reliable, and having more money won't hurt." The Second Master Leng suggested.

They looked at each other and both sighed deeply.

It was their incompetence as parents that led to this situation, and now all they could do was this for their daughter.