Feng Jin was full of helplessness, completely unable to understand why Ling Mohan would choose to believe Gu Beichen's words and do such a foolish thing.
"You shouldn't listen to Gu Beichen anymore in the future. You have to believe that you are perfect. You must face yourself, and being yourself is the best."
Feng Jin persuaded him earnestly, hoping to persuade Ling Mohan to turn back and not go down this path to the end.
"Really?" Ling Mohan asked uncertainly. Why did he feel that Gu Beichen's words had some truth to them? At least the words Gu Beichen had taught him earlier had indeed made Feng Jin's anger subside a little.
Now she could speak to him calmly, which showed that it had some effect. She just didn't understand why Feng Jin had such a big prejudice against Gu Beichen.
"Naturally. If you dare to learn those useless things from Gu Beichen again, see how I deal with you!"
Feng Jin warned him fiercely, only wanting Ling Mohan not to do those foolish things again.
Especially don't learn those brainless silly things from Gu Beichen. She really couldn't accept Ling Mohan slowly becoming like Gu Beichen.
"Alright, I'll listen to my wife."
Although he couldn't figure out why Feng Jin was doing this, he ultimately followed Feng Jin's words. It was definitely the best choice for him.
"Alright, let's eat first!"
Her stomach was empty. If Ling Mohan hadn't delayed her, she would have eaten long ago. Now that the time had been delayed, the food would be cold.
"Young Madam, the food has gone cold. Shall I take it down to be heated before you eat?"
"No need to trouble yourself. We'll just make do with it like this."
Saying that, Feng Jin picked up her chopsticks and picked up a piece of fish, eating it with relish. Whether it was cold or hot, she would fill her stomach first before worrying about other things.
"Eating quickly and also eating cold food can easily damage the spleen and stomach. How can you, as a physician, knowingly break the rules?"
Ling Mohan lectured her, blaming Feng Jin for not taking care of her body.
She clearly knew the consequences but insisted on breaking the rules knowingly, which was really too wrong.
"Shut up. If you don't want to eat, hurry up and leave. Don't hinder others from eating here!"
Just when she was eating happily, he had to pour a basin of cold water on her. Wasn't Ling Mohan doing it on purpose?
The man closed his mouth sheepishly, acting as if he hadn't said anything just now.
Saying anything else would only incur Feng Jin's resentment. It was better for him to eat his fill in peace.
"Young General, my subordinate has discovered that Fan Shun has a副将 (fùjiàng - deputy general) who strongly resembles the deserter Wang Yun Jian from years ago."
"Wasn't he already shot to death by a thousand arrows? Are you sure you didn't misidentify him?"
"My subordinate worked with Wang Yun Jian for three years and is too familiar with him. I can confirm that I did not misidentify him."
That figure was too familiar, as if it were etched in his mind. And those incredibly similar facial features, even with some scars on his face, he could still recognize that person as Wang Yun Jian.
It was just that Wang Yun Jian had defected back then, and the soldiers who pursued him reported that Wang Yun Jian was indeed dead. How did he become Fan Shun's deputy general?
"Go and investigate again. Once you confirm, find a way to bring Wang Yun Jian here."
"Your subordinate obeys."
Ling Mohan's brows were tightly furrowed. How could a dead person come back to life? It could only mean that Wang Yun Jian had not died at all back then, but had fled to Yuncheng, met Fan Shun, and become his deputy general.
However, he was curious whether Fan Shun knew Wang Yun Jian's true identity. Harboring a deserter was a capital offense.
This Fan Shun was truly audacious, capable of doing such a thing. No one in Yuncheng dared to speak the truth. Fan Shun's influence had already permeated every corner of Yuncheng.
It would probably take some effort to uproot Fan Shun. Moreover, he did not have enough evidence to convict Fan Shun at present, and there would likely be many twists and turns.
And tomorrow, the Western Liang envoys would arrive at the border with the dowry.
The handover location was set in Yuncheng by His Majesty long before he departed. Once the dowry arrived, Fan Shun would find an excuse to make him leave Yuncheng. He had to find a way to delay for another day or two.
...
Wang Nan Shi vaguely felt someone staring at him from behind, so he quickened his pace, hurrying through the path ahead. As long as he reached the main street where there were many people, he would be safe.
Just as he was about to exit, several black-clothed men descended from the sky, as if they had been ambushed.
Wang Nan Shi was startled and immediately tried to retreat. Upon seeing the person blocking his path behind him, his legs went weak, and he collapsed to the ground, looking at the person in front of him in disbelief.
"How... how could it be you..."
"Why not me? It's been a long time, and you're doing well, Qian Hu Wang Yun Jian."
When Lu Shi clearly saw the appearance of the person in front of him, his conjecture was completely confirmed. This person was the deserter Wang Yun Jian from years ago.
"Lord Lu... Lord Lu, please, for the sake of our having served in the same court and fought on the battlefield together, please... please show mercy and spare my life!"
Wang Nan Shi did not deny his identity, but knelt on the ground and begged Lu Shi for mercy. The most important thing at the moment was to save his life.
"Pah!" Lu Shi spat fiercely on his face.
"Knowing you is the greatest shame of my life. How dare you speak of fighting on the battlefield? You were once a famous general, yet you could commit the act of deserting the battlefield. Because of your timidity and cowardice, tens of thousands of our soldiers lost their lives!"
"I never expected you to survive and become Fan Shun's deputy general in Yuncheng, but heaven has eyes. The net of heaven is vast and its mesh is coarse, but nothing escapes. You will come back with me to see the Young General, and let the Young General deal with you!"
Wang Nan Shi had witnessed Ling Mohan's ruthless methods firsthand. If he went back, he would definitely not have a good outcome. "I won't go back! Even if I die here, I will never go back with you!"
As soon as the words fell, Wang Nan Shi drew the dagger from his waist and was about to commit suicide. Even if he died immediately, it would be better than returning to suffer endless torment and wish he were dead.
Just as the dagger was about to touch his neck, a stone flew out and hit Wang Nan Shi's wrist firmly, causing the dagger in his hand to fall to the ground.
The several black-clothed men behind him stepped forward and restrained Wang Nan Shi.
"It's not that easy to die. People like you deserve to suffer all the tortures of the world before dying. It would be too cheap to let you die like this. Take him back."
Afterward, Wang Nan Shi was directly lifted and taken back to the post station.
"Young General, the person has been brought."
Lu Shi turned and said to the person behind him, "Bring Wang Yun Jian forward."
As soon as the words fell, Wang Yun Jian, bound with ropes, was roughly thrown to the ground.
Ling Mohan looked down at the man with a face full of scars and a somewhat lewd appearance. It really was Wang Yun Jian.
His impression of Wang Yun Jian was already very faint, and he had not recognized him at first glance.