"Don't even think about it! Give up on that idea!"
The man's warning was laced with a hint of threat: "If you dare to find a stepfather for my son, I'll break both your legs and lock you up forever!"
At worst, he would just take care of Feng Jin himself, never allowing her to leave.
Did she really think he was blind to her schemes of finding a stepfather for his son?
"Be gentler with your hands, you're hurting me!"
Feng Jin cried out in pain, the damned man's grip was far too strong, making her bones ache.
"It's only when you feel pain that you'll remember. Do you still dare to have such foolish thoughts?"
He noticed Feng Jin's boldness growing by the day. She was already contemplating finding a stepfather for his son. Had he been too lenient with her all this time?
"I didn't! You're just being overly sensitive. I was just casually saying... Hiss... That hurts!"
Feng Jin gasped in pain and slapped Ling Mohan's arm. Did this guy have a tendency for violence? She had already said she was in pain, yet he still used such force.
"Casual remarks are not allowed. If there's a next time, you'll see!"
"You're violent and paranoid, and you're illegally detaining me!"
Feng Jin berated him angrily. She had to correct Ling Mohan's misguided thoughts.
If this continued, who knew when Ling Mohan might impulsively harm her. That would be too unjust.
"Say whatever you want. Just remember this: if you dare to find a stepfather for my son, you're as good as dead."
If that day truly came, he couldn't guarantee what terrible things he might do to Feng Jin.
Feng Jin glared fiercely at Ling Mohan, regretting her impulsive remark that had led to this. In the end, she was the one who suffered.
"I'm done talking about this. I'm going to check on the child."
With that, Feng Jin pushed the man in front of her away and strode out. If they continued, she was sure she would be angered to death by Ling Mohan.
Ling Mohan watched Feng Jin's retreating back, a smile playing on his lips. He then followed her.
...
When Baili Xuan arrived at Yuncheng with an immeasurable dowry, his face fell upon not seeing Fan Shun.
"Lord Baili, you've worked hard. You've prepared a new dowry so quickly."
"General Ling, please examine this dowry carefully. Don't find any more excuses later to say there's a problem."
Baili Xuan's words were provocative, as if he was deliberately bringing up the previous incident.
Ling Mohan remained unfazed, a cold smile on his lips. "This general initially thought General Baili was talented in writing, but I didn't expect his eloquence to be equally impressive, even surpassing that of women in the marketplace."
"Here is the dowry list. General Ling, it would be best if you have someone review it promptly."
A attendant beside him produced a scroll and respectfully handed it over.
This time, Ling Mohan did not scrutinize it as meticulously as before. He merely glanced at it before tossing it to Lu Shi, who stood beside him. "Compare it thoroughly."
The previous painstaking scrutiny and rejection of the dowry were all to delay his stay in Yuncheng.
After all, the authenticity and quantity of the dowry had little to do with him. He only needed to ensure the dowry was delivered to the capital without incident.
Since Fan Shun's matter was resolved, there was no need for him to linger. Matters in the capital were more pressing, and only by returning could he truly be at ease.
"Young General, the verification is complete. There is not the slightest discrepancy with the list."
Lu Shi meticulously checked everything before handing the scroll back to Ling Mohan.
"Since there are no discrepancies, we will depart for the capital tomorrow. Lord Baili, this general has a busy schedule. Please forgive any lack of hospitality!"
Ling Mohan uttered a perfunctory polite remark and turned his horse, riding away without looking back.
Although Baili Xuan was displeased, their plan had succeeded as they had intended, by having the dowry delivered to Eastern Chu. As for what happened next, it would depend on the princess and Baili Xi's plans.
"Young General, the dowry they sent this time has no difference from the previous one. The maids and eunuchs are essentially unchanged."
Lu Shi had specifically memorized the faces of those maids and eunuchs last time and had meticulously compared them again this time. They were essentially unchanged.
"This dowry has already been arranged. Baili Xuan naturally wouldn't dare to tamper with it. Any slight mistake could disrupt the entire scheme."
The current situation was entirely within Ling Mohan's plan. He had long anticipated that Baili Xuan would not dare to touch the dowry.
The maids and eunuchs arranged within it were all spies trained in advance to infiltrate Eastern Chu. Even with the courage of ten thousand men, Baili Xuan would not dare to harm them.
"Young General, once these people enter the capital, won't the city be in chaos?"
Lu Shi's worry was palpable. After all, Western Liang had always eyed Eastern Chu covetously, their ambition long-standing. They would never pass up such a good opportunity.
"Upon entering the capital, they will all be housed in the post station. Ensure that all personnel in the post station are replaced with the Black Armored Army, and strictly guard anyone entering or exiting."
From the collusion between Fan Shun and the people of Western Liang this time, it was evident that the reach of the Western Liang was far-reaching, even bribing border generals.
Chu Yanxi had also colluded with Western Liang for a long time, and it was likely that the ministers who were attached to Chu Yanxi were also connected to Western Liang.
This matter was more intricate than any before. What worried him even more was that foolish Gu Beichen, and he wondered what stage his relationship with Murong Jinyun had reached during this time.
He hoped he wouldn't let love cloud his judgment and disregard matters of state. He hoped he hadn't truly told Murong Jinyun everything.
If that were the case, it would be treason. The accumulated merits of generations of the Zhennan Prince's Mansion would not be enough to atone for Gu Beichen's crime.
"Hurry the pace. We must reach the capital as soon as possible!"
Ling Mohan commanded with a somber voice. Only by reaching the capital quickly and gaining control of the situation could they better deal with this matter.
"Yes, Young General."
Upon receiving the order, Lu Shi immediately commanded the three armies to quicken their pace, without even a moment to stop for rest or reorganization.
They had traveled the entire day and finally reached a point where they could rest. Feng Jin eagerly jumped off the carriage, stretching her nearly stiff limbs. The carriage was incredibly bumpy, and sitting inside was sheer torture.