"Hmph... Your young general finally remembers this prince, what was he doing? Slapping this prince then giving a candy, do you really think this prince is that easily fooled!"
Gu Beichen's attitude was firm, he ignored Lu Shi's presence and walked straight ahead, truly thinking he couldn't go back.
"Young Master, my young madam also said that she has something for you to discuss at Lianxin Pavilion in the east city tomorrow. If you don't go, she will spread news of your nighttime visit to the girls at Yunyan Pavilion."
Gu Beichen's bước chân forward faltered slightly. He turned his head and glared at Lu Shi, gritting his teeth, "Go back and tell Feng Jin that this prince is not done with her."
"Young Master, so are you going or not? So that I can go back and report."
"I'm going!" Gu Beichen's back molars creaked as he spoke.
He was destined to fall into Feng Jin's hands in this life. If he could choose again, he would absolutely not provoke Feng Jin again.
Feng Jin was definitely the biggest bane of his existence in this life. Their horoscopes did not match; they were born to clash.
"Then I shall take my leave."
Since he didn't need to escort him, it was better to go back and get a good night's sleep. Just as Lu Shi turned the carriage around, Gu Beichen quickly stopped him, "Stop!"
"Young Master Gu, what is it now?" Lu Shi asked impatiently. He just wanted to go back to sleep as soon as possible.
"Take this prince back!"
The Ling Mansion was still some distance from the Zhennan Prince's Mansion. It would take him half an hour to walk back.
To not take the carriage and walk back, he was truly a fool.
With a flip, Gu Beichen stood steadily on the carriage. He lifted the curtain and sat inside.
"Return to the Zhennan Prince's Mansion," Gu Beichen said lazily, leaning against the carriage seat and resting his chin on his hand.
Lu Shi sighed helplessly. If he had known earlier, he would have run faster. Now, he was still caught. It was truly bad luck.
...
At Lianxin Pavilion, Feng Jin was brewing tea, taking sips from time to time, and enjoying the scenery. She was calculating the time, expecting someone to arrive.
"Young Madam, the Princess of Xiliang has arrived," Cai Qing said softly beside Feng Jin.
Feng Jin put down her teacup, tidied her elaborate skirt, and met Murong Jinyun's gaze as she lifted her eyelids.
"Thank you for coming, Princess. Please, have a seat."
Feng Jin gestured to the chair behind her. Cai Qing guided Murong Jinyun to sit down.
"Young Madam, what is the matter that you summoned me here?"
This was the first time Murong Jinyun was carefully observing Feng Jin. In an instant, Murong Jinyun felt overshadowed by Feng Jin.
Her beauty was once what she was most proud of. Now, compared to Feng Jin, it seemed to have dulled considerably. She was ultimately no match for Feng Jin.
Such a beautiful person, even as a woman, she couldn't help but look a few more times. How much more for a man. Her Highness seemed to understand why Ling Mohan treated Feng Jin with such gentleness.
The tenderness and care in his eyes filled her with envy.
"Princess, why are you looking at me like that?"
Being stared at by Murong Jinyun constantly, even Feng Jin, who was thick-skinned, felt a little embarrassed at this moment.
"No... I... I just think Young Madam is very beautiful, so I couldn't help but look a few more times. A peerlessly beautiful woman like you, it's no wonder the young general likes you so much. Standing next to you, I instantly feel inferior."
Murong Jinyun's directness made Feng Jin's heart tremble. In ancient times with rigid thinking, it was truly rare to hear such words.
"You flatter me, Princess. In this world, there are all sorts of people, and everyone has their own merits. There's no need for comparison. Why should you feel ashamed because of a difference in appearance?"
"Young Madam is truly open-minded," Murong Jinyun replied with a smile. Because of Feng Jin's words, she now felt that Feng Jin was not someone who only possessed beauty. "Young Madam, what is the matter you wished to discuss with me?"
"I naturally want to ask about the matter between you and my husband," Feng Jin cut to the chase.
Seeing Murong Jinyun stunned for a moment, Feng Jin quickly explained, "Princess, please don't misunderstand. I'm not here to question you. I just want to know what happened between you two."
"If I tell you, are you willing to divorce General Ling and give me your position as the legal wife? Perhaps I can consider letting you stay as a concubine."
Murong Jinyun's words were sharp and aggressive, leaving no room for sentiment.
"You're really acting so outrageously just because you're the Princess of Xiliang. My young madam married into the Ling Mansion with a proper ceremony. Even if the young general truly marries you, you would only be a concubine."
Cai Qing truly couldn't stand it anymore. Disregarding Murong Jinyun's status as the Princess of Xiliang, she directly retorted impolitely.
"A mere servant dares to speak to this princess like this. Truly, what kind of master, what kind of servant they raise. A mere maid dares to be so arrogant. Young Madam, is this how you manage the Ling Mansion? If you are incapable, then step down and yield!"
Murong Jinyun was determined to force Feng Jin to voluntarily step down and yield. She had waited bitterly for three years. Why should Feng Jin, who came later, occupy the position and even capture Ling Mohan's entire heart?
She truly wanted to ask Ling Mohan face-to-face, if he truly loved Feng Jin, then what about the events that happened between them three years ago? What did his vows of love mean to her?
As a woman herself, Feng Jin could understand Murong Jinyun's feelings at this moment. If she were the person Ling Mohan had made vows to in the past, and after meeting again, he married someone else, and even didn't know who she was.
What woman could withstand such a blow? She could understand what Murong Jinyun was saying to her today.
"Have a cup of tea and rest your throat first."
Feng Jin poured a cup of tea and offered it to Murong Jinyun, showing no anger at her words.
When she came, Murong Jinyun had thought of many ways to deal with Feng Jin. But she hadn't considered what to do if Feng Jin didn't argue with her.
She could defeat any strong enemy, but with Feng Jin's gentle approach, she truly had no way to deal with it.
"Stop pretending. If you want to persuade me to give up Ling Mohan, it's absolutely impossible. I waited, I searched for him for three years before finding him. I will never give up."
Last night, she had thought it through carefully. Even as a concubine, she wanted to marry Ling Mohan. It would be a tribute to her long-held persistence.
"I'm not trying to persuade you to give up. If this happened to me, I would probably be more aggressive than you, my methods would be even stronger, and I would definitely defend my position without hesitation. But..."
"But what? What exactly do you mean?"