"Greetings, Young General, Young Madam!" Lu Shi stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
"What happened that you are in such a hurry?"
"Young General, Duke Gu brought the Western Liang princess to the military camp!"
Upon hearing Lu Shi's report, Ling Mohan's expression immediately darkened, his brows furrowed.
"How is it now?"
"Your subordinate has invited Gu Beichen to the military tent and has people keeping an eye on them. That's why I've come to report to the Young General."
Lu Shi hadn't expected Gu Beichen to bring the Western Liang princess to the military camp.
The military camp was a restricted area, not a place to be trespassed upon. However, since Gu Beichen had brought the Western Liang princess with him, if Lu Shi had stopped them, it might have threatened the diplomatic relations between the two countries. Thus, he dared not act rashly, only ordering them to be held steady before rushing back to the mansion to report.
"To the military camp!"
Ling Mohan pursed his lips, the slight downward curve of his mouth indicating the man's suppressed rage.
"Let me accompany you," Feng Jin said, taking Ling Mohan's wrist and stepping forward to stand beside him. "The military camp is all men, and they wouldn't be able to say much to the Western Liang princess. It would be good for me to go along and chat with her, and perhaps find out what she intends to do."
Ling Mohan hesitated before agreeing, "Alright, let's go together."
Feng Jin entrusted the two children to the care of Cai Qing and then hastily followed Ling Mohan back to the military camp.
By the time they arrived, Gu Beichen and Murong Jinyun were already chatting happily inside the tent.
"Where did you go? This Duke has been waiting here for so long!"
Gu Beichen's tone was displeased upon seeing Ling Mohan. He had been sitting there empty-handed for an hour, and the tea had long since turned cold, yet he hadn't seen a single person.
"Trespassing in a military stronghold is a capital offense. Do you have the Emperor's summons!"
Ling Mohan's voice was icy and unforgiving as he demanded the necessary permit.
"Summons?"
Gu Beichen was slightly surprised. He had acted on Murong Jinyun's whim and hadn't bothered with any summons. Besides, the Emperor would never issue him a summons to go to the military camp.
"Without the Emperor's summons, you dare to trespass into the military camp? Guards, seize Gu Beichen and deal with him according to military law!"
As the words fell, soldiers waiting outside entered and moved to subdue Gu Beichen and escort him away.
Murong Jinyun's eyes tightened, and she quickly stepped forward to block Gu Beichen. "General Ling, it was I who wished to see the Eastern Chu military camp and how it differs from Western Liang. I did not expect it to be so serious. This matter originated with me, and I am willing to bear the consequences alone. I implore General Ling not to blame others."
"Jinyun, don't beg him. This fellow is always unreasonable!"
Knowing Ling Mohan's character too well, Gu Beichen was certain he wouldn't let this matter go easily, and begging him would be useless.
"Since you know the severity of it, how dare you act so recklessly? Breaking the law is an even greater offense. Drag him away!"
A surge of anger brewed within Ling Mohan. Had this Gu Beichen's brain been kicked by a donkey? He had never been so muddled before, and now he had done something like this – it was utter foolishness.
The military camp was vital to the nation's survival, and he dared to bring a princess from another country here. Was he trying to get the entire Zhennan Royal Mansion killed?
"This matter originated with me, and I am willing to bear it all alone. General Ling, please release Gu Beichen!"
Murong Jinyun finally realized the gravity of the situation. She had initially asked Gu Beichen to bring her to the military camp to probe Eastern Chu's strength, but she hadn't expected to implicate him to this extent.
"Ling Mohan brought her here, and the cause was me. Don't touch her!"
Gu Beichen shouted angrily, afraid Ling Mohan would further trouble Murong Jinyun, his heart suddenly tensing.
"Have the guards step down first," Feng Jin said quickly, seeing the situation escalating beyond control.
Ling Mohan gestured with his eyes, and the guards withdrew. He sat down in the main seat, his gaze coldly fixed on Gu Beichen.
"Do you admit your mistake in trespassing into the military camp?"
"I admit my mistake. I was inconsiderate in this matter, and I will never do it again."
He had initially not wanted to dampen Murong Jinyun's spirits, so he had agreed, thinking nothing would go wrong. Only now did he realize he had almost caused a major mistake due to his impulsiveness.
"Alright, calm down. Considering this is his first offense and no major harm was done, let him off this time."
Feng Jin mediated the atmosphere between them, also worried that Murong Jinyun might notice something and the Western Liang people might change their decisions, which would eventually be troublesome for them.
"I apologize. This matter originated with me. If it weren't for me, this wouldn't have happened. General Ling, please do not blame Gu Beichen for this."
Feng Jin raised an eyebrow. She found Murong Jinyun's words to be somewhat manipulative. Was it her imagination?
With that statement, it almost sounded like she was trying to sow discord, completely changing the nature of her plea.
"Princess, you should speak cautiously. This General is merely a subject of Eastern Chu. I cannot speak of blame. As for how he will be dealt with, that is for His Majesty to decide."
Ling Mohan's tone was distant. He truly did not wish to engage with Gu Beichen any further.
After being reprimanded by Ling Mohan, Gu Beichen immediately deflated, not daring to meet Ling Mohan's gaze.
"Help him think of a way. Just help him this once," Feng Jin nudged his elbow and whispered in his ear.
Ling Mohan sighed, his face etched with a look of difficulty. "I will find a way to help you cover this up, but if you offend again, I won't be able to protect you."
If it weren't for fear of alarming them, he would have severely punished Gu Beichen, wishing to give him dozens of military lashes to see if he could learn his lesson.
"Thank you."
After being spared punishment, Gu Beichen secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He had finally managed to escape this ordeal.
Murong Jinyun quickly went to support Gu Beichen, tears welling up in her eyes. "It's all my fault. If it weren't for my momentary whim, I wouldn't have implicated you."
At this moment, her heart was completely filled with guilt. Had she known it would turn out this way, she would have certainly used Gu Beichen to achieve her goals.
She had almost cost Gu Beichen his life, and Murong Jinyun still felt lingering fear.
"Princess, the men are discussing important matters. We women can't say much. Why don't you come with me for a walk outside?"
"Thank you, Young Madam."
Her purpose in coming here was to probe their strength, and she was just worried about not having an opportunity to go out. Feng Jin had truly created a good opportunity for her, exactly as she had hoped.
"The Princess seems very interested in the matters within the military camp. I notice you've been looking around constantly?"
Murong Jinyun's expression faltered, then she explained, "I have never been to a military camp before, and I'm just a little curious."
Feng Jin smiled and replied, "This is my first time here too. However, I don't like the atmosphere here. A group of big men fighting, with the smell of sweat all over them. If I weren't forced to come, I truly wouldn't want to be here."