The scent of food wafted to Feng Jin’s nostrils. Having barely eaten all day, her appetite suddenly surged, and she ate heartily, without any regard for her appearance.
Watching Feng Jin eat with gusto, Ling Mo Han couldn't help but curve his lips into a smile. He sat quietly beside her, watching her.
"Does it suit your taste?"
Feng Jin’s mouth was full, making it difficult to speak clearly. She simply nodded slightly and continued eating. Her priority was to fill her stomach; other matters were unimportant.
After eating her fill, Feng Jin let out a satisfied burp. She still felt a little unfulfilled, wishing for another bowl of pickled fish, which she could have easily consumed. However, it was getting late, and eating too much at night could lead to indigestion. It was better to save some appetite for tomorrow.
"Look, you've got food scraps all over your chin. How can you be so old and still eat so messily, just like Da Bao? Seeing you like this, Da Bao truly takes after you. Not a single difference."
He had criticized Da Bao’s eating habits more than once. Now, seeing Feng Jin wolfing down her food, he finally understood that Da Bao's demeanor was entirely from Feng Jin.
The mother and son ate exactly the same way, with no resemblance to Er Bao's composure at all.
"What do you know? I'm eating with relish. Besides, I was just too hungry. I'm not usually like this."
Feng Jin pouted in dissatisfaction. He was trying to pin all of Da Bao's bad habits on her. Were all the good qualities his doing, while the bad ones were all her fault?
"Alright, alright... You're right. Now that you've eaten and are full, go rest. You've been busy for so long without a good night's sleep."
She had been busy for days without sleeping a full night. Especially when Feng Jin was confined in the palace, he had been extremely worried and anxious, unable to sleep. He had only hoped for Feng Jin's safety. Now that things had eased up, some of his duties had been transferred to Chu Yan Xi, allowing him to rest for a day.
"Oh no, I still have one thing to do!"
Just as Feng Jin was about to lie down on the bed, she suddenly remembered an important task. She jumped up, grabbed her cloak from the chair, threw it on, and hurried out.
Ling Mo Han, left alone in the room, sighed helplessly. How could she still not change her impetuous nature? He wondered what kind of trouble she would stir up this time.
After much deliberation, Ling Mo Han put on his outer garment and quickly followed Feng Jin. He caught up to her, who was running, and grabbed her.
"Why are you running so fast? Where are you going in the middle of the night?"
Holding Feng Jin, Ling Mo Han bombarded her with questions. His gaze fell on the heavy basket in her hand, and he asked, "What's in this basket?"
As he reached out to open it, Feng Jin flinched as if startled and quickly dodged backward.
"Don't look. It's unlucky to see it late at night."
Fearing that Ling Mo Han would insist on opening it, Feng Jin tightly protected the basket. "This... this is... Liu Meng Han's newborn child. It's no longer breathing."
The man's brows furrowed deeply. He retracted his hand that was hovering in mid-air and let out a heavy sigh. He was increasingly bewildered by what Feng Jin intended to do. Carrying a lifeless child in the middle of the night, where was she going? If she insisted on being so restless every day, she would never find peace.
Ling Mo Han suppressed the anger that welled up, clenching his fists, his breathing becoming heavy. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.
Silence fell instantly, broken only by the whistling cold wind and the faint sound of falling leaves.
After a moment of silence, as Feng Jin hesitated whether to explain, Ling Mo Han’s calm voice rang out, "What are you going to do with this child?"
Sensing an opening, Feng Jin seized it. "I... I promised Liu Meng Han that I would send the child to her for one last meeting. And... and the Empress Dowager has already agreed to let Liu Meng Han and the child be buried together. I thought, while Liu Meng Han still has some breath left, I should quickly send the child over so she can see him one last time..."
Feng Jin explained eagerly, her voice trailing off at the end. If Ling Mo Han hadn't had sharp hearing and been close to her, he might not have been able to hear what she was saying.
Hearing Ling Mo Han's slightly exasperated sigh, Feng Jin lowered her head even further, like a veritable ostrich burying its head deep in the sand.
"It's not safe at night. I'll go with you."
As he finished speaking, regardless of Feng Jin's willingness, Ling Mo Han took her hand and started walking. Fearing that she might anger Ling Mo Han further, Feng Jin let him lead her, not daring to show any resistance.
Thus, they walked silently to the prison gate. The guards were now the newly assigned Black Armored Army.
Upon seeing Ling Mo Han and Feng Jin, the guards quickly opened the gate.
"Your subordinate greets the Young General and the Young Madam..." Lu Shi said, his voice hoarse. His eyes were slightly narrowed, appearing quite drowsy. He had just been resting at his desk when he heard the report of the Young General and Young Madam's arrival and immediately sobered up, rushing to greet them.
"Tired?"
Ling Mo Han, with his sharp eyes, noticed Lu Shi's unusual state and asked.
"Your subordinate is not tired!" Lu Shi replied instinctively and resolutely.
Ling Mo Han took a step forward, his scrutinizing gaze fixed on Lu Shi. He placed a hand on Lu Shi's shoulder. "It's good that you're not tired. Then, guard this place with all your might. If even a bird gets in, you'll be held accountable!"
"Your subordinate understands. Even if I have to give my life, I will not make any mistakes."
Being patted by Ling Mo Han made him jolt, his hairs standing on end. He was no longer sleepy in the slightest.
"Alright, stop scaring him. Lu Shi, how is Liu Meng Han now?"