Ling Mo Han's tone was firm, allowing no room for doubt. On this matter, he would completely follow Feng Jin's wishes. As long as Feng Jin was willing, she would naturally acknowledge Feng Yuan Ping, just as she would acknowledge Feng Jin.
"General Ling is quite obedient to Feng Jin. If you continue like this, won't you earn a reputation for being henpecked? It won't sound good if it gets out."
Ling Mo Han remained unbothered, a smile playing on his lips. "One cannot please everyone. As long as my conscience is clear, why should I care what others say?"
Feng Yuan Ping lowered his eyelids and sighed. "All these years, I listened to Sun Shi's biased words, harming Miao Qing and, even more so, wronging Feng Jin, causing her to suffer so much injustice. All of this is my fault. It is too late for me to repent now, and it is too late to make amends."
"Fortunately, she married you. With General Ling protecting her, I can rest assured."
In this life, his greatest regrets were towards He Miao Qing and Feng Jin. Miao Qing was already gone, and no amount of remorse could bring her back. As for Feng Jin, she harbored deep resentment towards him, and even if he wished to atone, she might not accept it.
Being able to witness Feng Jin find a good home, he could die with peace.
He took out a piece of brocade from his怀 and presented it to Ling Mo Han. "This is a map of the troop deployment at the border. This map will be of great use in your hands."
Ling Mo Han picked up the brocade and looked at it, his brow furrowing slightly. "This brocade is blank. This..."
"Place the brocade in water, and the map will appear. It will disappear as soon as it encounters sunlight."
When this map was first drawn, he was worried it might fall into the hands of someone with ill intentions, so he used specially made ink. Only when it came into contact with water would the characters appear, and once exposed to sunlight, they would vanish. Furthermore, with this ink, the writing could remain legible for a hundred years without fading.
He had originally planned to present this map to His Majesty after it was completed. However, before he could do so, he had already fallen out of favor with His Majesty and was subsequently imprisoned by Sun Shi.
Now that he was handing this map to Ling Mo Han, he could finally find peace.
"Regarding this map, I will report it to His Majesty. When His Majesty learns of this, he will surely..."
Feng Yuan Ping waved his hand. "No need... no need to tell His Majesty that I drew this map. If His Majesty truly asks, General Ling can simply say that you drew it."
After experiencing such a dramatic turn of events, he had long grown tired of the political struggles. Reaching his current position was more than enough.
With this matter resolved, he could retire peacefully and live out his remaining days. If he continued to vie for power and anger His Majesty, his end would surely be death.
"In my decades as an official, I have served the people and engaged in corruption. To have reached the position of Prime Minister is to have left a legacy like scattered blossoms. Now is the time to retire and live in seclusion, far from courtly disputes."
Feng Yuan Ping rose and looked at the crescent moon hanging in the sky. His thoughts drifted back to the time when he traveled to the capital to take the imperial examinations. The moonlight then was just like tonight. He had hoped to achieve high honors and contribute his knowledge to the court.
Counting carefully, twenty years had passed. From a penniless scholar with nothing to his name to a powerful Prime Minister, he felt he had honored his ancestors.
"Prime Minister, retiring now is indeed the best choice. I imagine His Majesty will not make things difficult for you. When you return to your hometown, I will dispatch the Black Armored Army to escort you."
"Thank you, General Ling."
Feng Yuan Ping readily agreed. Having served in court for over twenty years, he had made numerous enemies. With the escort of the Black Armored Army, his journey home would be safe and sound, a prospect he welcomed wholeheartedly.
"General Ling, there is one more matter I wish to entrust to you."
"Please speak, Prime Minister. I will do my best to fulfill it."
Feng Yuan Ping took a set of keys from his sleeve and placed them before Ling Mo Han. "All my savings from these years are hidden in the courtyard where Miao Qing used to live. I entrust all of these to you. After I am gone, please help me transfer them to Feng Jin, as a small compensation from her unworthy father."
"Why not give it to her yourself? Perhaps Feng Jin could forgive you."
"No... perhaps we are simply incompatible. We argue after only a few words. After I am gone, you can give her these things, so she might remember me fondly."
This was his life's savings. After accumulating it, he was ultimately leaving it for Feng Jin, hoping these things could somehow compensate her.
Ling Mo Han paused before taking the keys. "Prime Minister, rest assured, I will definitely deliver these items to Feng Jin."
"I have entrusted everything I needed to. Now I can finally relax. Once my injuries heal, I will request leave from His Majesty to retire and live a carefree life."
After settling all his affairs, he felt a significant burden lifted from his shoulders, a weight he had carried for years.
"General Ling, please do not tell Feng Jin about today's events. Tell her after I have left the capital."
He wished to leave the capital quietly, without Feng Jin knowing.
He now realized that Feng Jin not acknowledging him was perhaps for the best. After he was gone, even if things were revealed, it would not implicate Feng Jin. This was the only thing he could do for her.
"Prime Minister, rest assured."
Ling Mo Han understood Feng Yuan Ping's intentions. Indeed, it was best not to tell Feng Jin.
After Ling Mo Han left, the room became so quiet that even the sound of breathing could be heard.
A cold wind blew, and Feng Yuan Ping shivered. He pulled his outer garment tighter and took out an old-fashioned jade pendant from his inner pocket. There were faint cracks on its surface.
Feng Yuan Ping caressed the jade pendant as if it were a treasure. His cloudy eyes misted over. "Miao Qing, I have wronged you in the end. I have let down our daughter. She has grown up now and is as beautiful as you were in your youth, but she hates me... she refuses to acknowledge me. But I don't blame her. This is my retribution, my just deserts!"
"I have wronged you, Miao Qing. I have failed your deep affection. Miao Qing, I will come to atone for my sins soon. You must wait for me, give me a chance to make amends!"
The scene of their first meeting flashed through his mind. He Hua Miao Qing's voice and appearance seemed to be right before his eyes. Feng Yuan Ping's heart was wracked with pain. Overwhelmed by guilt, tears streamed down his wrinkled cheeks.
His low sobs echoed throughout the room. Even in the dead of night, Feng Yuan Ping's voice of repentance could be heard.
He had already decided that after all matters were settled and all his attachments were severed, he would personally go to He Miao Qing to atone for his sins.