Ling Mo Han's face was ashen, a flame igniting in his eyes, his tightly pursed lips showcasing his suppressed rage.
His thin lips parted, uttering words as cold and devoid of warmth as ice: "Wife, are you still a top courtesan from the brothel?"
Feng Jin stammered in fear, "Yes... no..."
Having long forgotten how to explain, Feng Jin faltered, unable to clarify.
"Are you or are you not!" Ling Mo Han growled, his voice low and strained.
"Of course not," Feng Jin suddenly found her courage and directly refused.
Ling Mo Han's expression gradually softened. He then cornered Feng Jin and warned, "If my wife steps foot into that brothel, I will tear it down."
Feng Jin couldn't help but be startled by his intensity, nodding mutely.
"Good girl," Ling Mo Han said, immensely pleased with Feng Jin's reaction. He reached out and stroked her hair.
Snapping back to reality, Feng Jin realized she had been intimidated by his words. Feeling utterly embarrassed, she smacked his hand away and coughed to cover her awkwardness, "I'm hungry, let's go eat."
With that, she stood up and walked out first.
Feng Jin walked ahead without looking back, only hearing familiar footsteps behind her. Her pace quickened.
As she stepped into the hall, Feng Jin's smile froze on her face as she took in the scene.
"Why are you here?" Feng Jin's voice, tinged with confusion and rising slightly, echoed through the hall.
Gu Bei Chen, holding his wine cup, paused slightly, his brow furrowing. He spoke with impatience, "Can't you see I'm eating? Is your loud commotion your Ling Manor's hospitality?"
He acted as if he were the host.
Feng Jin rolled her eyes, snatched the exquisite wine cup from Gu Bei Chen's hand, and slammed it onto the table. Her tone was unfriendly, "I'm sorry, my Ling Manor cannot host esteemed guests like you. Someone, escort Duke Gu out."
If she found out who let Gu Bei Chen in, she would flay them alive.
The servants were immediately in a difficult position; they couldn't afford to offend either of them.
Seeing that no one moved for a long time, Feng Jin's face darkened with anger. "Don't you understand? It's best you know your place. You are servants of the Ling family, bound by indenture, subject to your masters' disposal."
Instantly, a group of servants moved towards Gu Bei Chen. Their formation was such that they directly lifted him up and were about to escort him out.
"You dogs, have you gone mad? I am the Crown Prince of the Zhennan Royal Estate, how dare you disrespect me!"
Gu Bei Chen panicked, trying to leverage his status to suppress them, but it had no effect.
"Your Highness, please forgive us. We are merely following our master's orders." They were truly in a bind, and any misstep could direct the blame onto themselves.
"Stop! Lower Duke Gu."
Ling Mo Han arrived at the hall and witnessed this farce, looking utterly annoyed. It was undoubtedly Feng Jin's doing.
Gu Bei Chen, now released, straightened his clothes and glared at Feng Jin with ill will. If not for his status, he would have already started a shouting match with Feng Jin.
Feng Jin stared back defiantly. She had never lost a staring contest.
"That's enough from both of you, sit down and eat!"
Caught in the middle, Ling Mo Han sensed the brewing hostility in their glares and said to them in a stern voice.
Feng Jin immediately sat down and began eating with gusto, chopsticks in hand. She absolutely refused to let her stomach go unfed.
"This Crown Prince will absolutely not eat with her."
"Go straight ahead, then turn left. I won't see you out," Feng Jin gestured with her hand.
"You want me to leave? I'll stay precisely because you want me to leave! I'll anger you, you ugly and poisonous woman."
Gu Bei Chen adopted a rogue demeanor, pulled out a chair, and sat opposite Feng Jin.
Unexpectedly, a wine cup flew from his right and struck his arm directly. Gu Bei Chen cried out in pain, clutching his arm tightly.
"Are you insane!" Gu Bei Chen shouted furiously, his eyes blazing as he glared at the instigator.
Ling Mo Han nonchalantly picked up his teacup and took a sip, warning with a hint of threat, "If you dare to speak nonsense again, what I throw will be more than just a cup. If you can't speak properly, then perhaps you shouldn't speak at all."
His words, delivered lightly, sent a shiver down Gu Bei Chen's spine. He mumbled, "You abandon your friends for your lover. So disloyal, I truly chose the wrong friends."
In such a short time, he was so smitten with Feng Jin that he would harm his long-time friend, how detestable!
He had waited all night, enduring countless mosquito bites, only to end up like this. Gu Bei Chen felt a burning rage erupt within his chest.
Looking at the table full of delicacies, he instantly lost his appetite.
Feng Jin, on the other hand, was the complete opposite, with a hearty appetite. She devoured almost all the dishes on the table.
Ling Mo Han, on the other hand, was happily serving Feng Jin food.
They appeared to be a loving couple.
This scene, to the single Gu Bei Chen, was an eyesore. His anger grew, and he fanned himself incessantly, a knot of frustration tightening in his chest.
After finishing her meal, Feng Jin let out a satisfied burp, patting her slightly rounded belly. It felt so good to be full!
"Duke Gu, aren't you going to eat more?" Feng Jin said provocatively.
"I'm not eating. The food at your Ling Manor is too poor, this Crown Prince has no appetite, especially when faced with such an ugly person, I have no appetite at all."
Gu Bei Chen retorted with sarcasm, determined not to lose face.
This time, before Feng Jin could speak, Ling Mo Han's steady voice rang out, "Since you have no appetite, there's no need to force yourself to stay. Lu Shi, see the guest out."
Gu Bei Chen froze on the spot, his expression changing like a palette of colors.
Feng Jin couldn't help but burst into laughter. Ling Mo Han's retort was simply brilliant, truly admirable.
"Ling Mo Han, you..." Gu Bei Chen pointed a finger at the nonchalant man, his entire body about to erupt in smoke from anger.
He was being foolish, why did he come here? He was just asking for trouble.
"You two husband and wife are in cahoots, neither of you is good."
"What we have is marital harmony, this is love. What would you, a single dog, understand? If you keep barking nonsense, I'll kick you out."
After a pause, Feng Jin continued, "If Duke Gu is lonely on these long nights, I wouldn't mind going to the trouble of finding you a companion. After all, Duke Gu's charm... it's quite..."