Aunt Zhang was also astute, and immediately saw the clue. She said quickly, "Miss, I'll get another pair of bowls and chopsticks."
Feng Jin sat down with a cold face, "How did you find this place?"
Ling Mohan ignored her and ate by himself, having to admit that Feng Jin's research into food was quite deep.
Ling Wan and Cai Qing became instantly uneasy due to Ling Mohan's sudden visit, unsure whether to stand or sit.
"Continue eating, just pretend he's not here."
Feng Jin directly ignored the man. He invited himself over and ate heartily; only Ling Mohan could be so shameless.
"Miss, here are the bowls and chopsticks." Aunt Zhang placed two sets of bowls and chopsticks on the table and beckoned to Lu Shi, "Young man, sit down and eat something too."
It was mealtime, and they couldn't let others stand and watch them eat.
"Lu Shi, sit down and eat something too." Feng Jin finally noticed Lu Shi, who was standing to the side.
"Thank you, Madam."
Having run all day, Lu Shi was already hungry. The aroma made his hunger even more pronounced.
After receiving Feng Jin's permission, Lu Shi quickly sat down, picked up his chopsticks, and began to eat.
Ling Wan was restless. She could never have imagined that she would one day eat at the same table as Ling Mohan.
Even though they were siblings, there was a distinction between the legitimate and illegitimate child. Her mother was a concubine, and as an illegitimate daughter, she had to eat in her own room.
During festivals and banquets, even if they attended, they had a small, separate table with a few simple ingredients.
"Eldest sister-in-law, eldest brother, I'm done eating. I'll go make you a pot of tea."
After speaking, Ling Wan left as if escaping.
Feng Jin cast an unfriendly gaze at Ling Mohan. It was his presence that made Ling Wan uncomfortable and leave in such a hurry.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Ling Mohan felt Feng Jin's gaze was strange.
"Eat your food, you'll stuff yourself to death sooner or later!"
Feng Jin said with annoyance. He ate heartily.
After eating and drinking their fill, Feng Jin stared coldly at Ling Mohan. Why hadn't he left yet? Unable to bear it any longer, she asked, "When are you leaving?"
"When are you leaving?"
He had come here to take Feng Jin back with him. Naturally, he would leave when she did.
Feng Jin's lips twitched involuntarily, and she rolled her eyes.
This man was now a complete scoundrel.
"Miss, it's getting late. It wouldn't be good for the reputation of these two young ladies to spend the night outside. Why don't you go back with this young master today?"
Aunt Zhang, having lived through many years, immediately saw the situation and advised Feng Jin to return first.
She didn't care about herself, but she had brought Ling Wan and Cai Qing with her, both unmarried girls.
Spending the night outside would damage their reputation and make it difficult to find a husband.
"Let's go back," Feng Jin said dejectedly.
"Aunt Zhang, please pick some vegetables and fruits for us to take back."
She didn't want to eat the dried vegetables and fruits from the Ling Mansion anymore.
"Okay, Miss, I'll go right away."
Aunt Zhang was capable and soon picked a basket full of vegetables and fruits, enough to last for some time.
Lu Shi took the basket and put it into the carriage. It was a novelty to see fresh vegetables in this season.
After getting into the carriage, Ling Mohan unceremoniously picked up a grape and ate it with relish.
It was even sweeter than the grapes that had been offered as tribute before.
By the time they reached the Ling Mansion, there were no grapes left in the basket.
Feng Jin frowned deeply. She had specifically asked Aunt Zhang to pick more grapes. It was uncanny; could they have been stolen?
"Did you see my grapes?" Feng Jin asked Ling Mohan, lifting her eyelids.
"No," Ling Mohan replied in a low voice, then got up and jumped off the carriage.
Immediately after, Feng Jin's angry roar was heard from inside the carriage.
"Ling Mohan, you ate them all, and you still won't admit it!"
On the spot where the man had just been sitting, there was a pile of grape skins. He had just adamantly claimed he hadn't seen them.
Feng Jin took a deep breath, preventing herself from choking in anger.
"Eldest sister-in-law, elder brother definitely didn't do it on purpose. Please don't be angry." Ling Wan, who had witnessed the whole thing, was also very surprised. She couldn't reconcile the taciturn Ling Mohan with stealing food.
It completely overturned her worldview and perception.
"He did it on purpose, just to spite me. I'll be so angry I die eventually."
She had to divorce Ling Mohan as soon as possible and pursue her new life.
"Take these fruits back to Aunt Bai." Feng Jin handed the fruits to Ling Wan. Aunt Bai's courtyard didn't have a small kitchen, so the vegetables couldn't be eaten if brought back. It would be better to cook some and send them over.
"Cai Qing, put the rest of the vegetables in the small kitchen and take some fruit to the Old Master."
After all, Old Master Ling was a figure of absolute authority in the Ling family. Flattering him would bring her nothing but benefits.
"Yes, Madam."
After eating and drinking their fill, Feng Jin lay on the couch, leisurely eating tangerines.
It was a pity that they were in a temperate climate and couldn't eat tropical fruits.
It was now the season for lychees, and not being able to eat them was a great regret.
"A ride in the dust, a concubine's smile, no one knows it's lychees coming."
She didn't have the good fortune of Consort Yang; if she wanted to eat lychees, she had to rely on her own efforts.
"Madam, it's cool in autumn. Eat less cold fruits, or your stomach will feel uncomfortable."
Cai Qing said, looking at the pile of tangerine peels. If she ate so many, her stomach would feel uncomfortable later.
"I won't eat anymore." Eating too many tangerines would turn her skin yellow.
"Cai Qing, is the bathwater ready?"
After a day of traveling, she needed to take a medicinal bath to relax.
"It's all ready, Madam. Your maid will help you change."
"No need. You go rest early. I can do it myself." Feng Jin really disliked being served during her bath, so she quickly sent Cai Qing away.
Her tired body was completely immersed in the hot water filled with medicinal herbs, and her mind and body instantly relaxed.
She had added herbs to promote blood circulation, resolve stasis, and aid sleep. After soaking for a while, Feng Jin felt drowsy.
Feng Jin got up, put on her clothes, and was about to go to bed when there was a loud bang at the window. Before Feng Jin could react, a man in black with a sword broke in through the window.
The man was extremely quick. He held the sword to Feng Jin's neck and threatened, "If you dare to make a sound, I'll kill you!"
"Don't... spare me, good sir. I'm just a weak woman. I'll do whatever you say."
Feng Jin wisely conceded and stealthily moved back, putting some distance between herself and the dangerous sword.
"Quick, search thoroughly, don't miss a single corner..."
Noisy voices could be heard from outside the window. Feng Jin immediately recognized Lu Shi. The man in black before her must be the assassin they were looking for.