Before Murong Jinyun could refuse, Gu Beichen readily accepted. He knew that a golden opportunity to rip off Feng Jin was rare and he wouldn't let it pass. Besides, Feng Jin's private stash was almost as abundant as the national treasury, so these things were nothing to her.
"It's nothing. If you like them, you're welcome to visit anytime." Feng Jin smiled, but her eyes shot Gu Beichen a fierce glare, as if to say it wasn't so easy to scheme against her.
"Cai Qing, pack those items nicely and send them to Marquis Gu's carriage."
"Yes, Madam." Cai Qing, having followed Feng Jin for a long time, immediately understood her intentions. She didn't forget to add a record to Gu Beichen's ledger. Looking at the final amount of debt, Cai Qing couldn't help but worry, wondering when it would ever be repaid.
"Thank you, Madam." Murong Jinyun had not expected Feng Jin to be so generous. In comparison, it made her previous pettiness even more apparent.
"These are just small things, not worth much," Feng Jin said, waving her hand. After all, as long as someone else was paying in the end.
As the group chatted happily, a piercing horse neighing sound echoed from the entrance. Feng Jin turned to see a horse she recognized all too well standing arrogantly at the entrance, occasionally wagging its tail at her. She would recognize that horse even if it were turned to ash. It was Ling Mohan's arrogant steed. As expected, in the next moment, Ling Mohan, clad in a dark robe, strode in and walked directly towards Feng Jin.
"What time is it? You're still not returning home. The children miss you." Ling Mohan had waited for a long time at home for Feng Jin to return, so he came out to look for her.
"I was just about to head back. I didn't expect you to come," Feng Jin replied, lowering her head, her tone carrying a hint of coquettishness.
This made Gu Beichen, who was watching from the side, click his tongue. "You two should at least pay attention. There are other people present. Save your affection for when you get home!"
Ling Mohan cast a stern glance at Gu Beichen. "Why is he here?" His gaze was on Gu Beichen, but the question was directed at Feng Jin.
"Do I need your permission to be wherever I am!" Gu Beichen shouted angrily. The thought of Murong Jinyun mistaking Ling Mohan for him earlier made a fire burn in Gu Beichen's chest. Moreover, what annoyed him even more was that Ling Mohan was truly handsome. If he were a woman, he would also be attracted to Ling Mohan. Thinking of Murong Jinyun in this context, he felt as though he was bathed in a green light.
Ling Mohan coldly glanced at Gu Beichen. If it weren't for the mess Gu Beichen had caused, he wouldn't have had his reputation inexplicably tarnished. His hard-earned reputation as a devoted and good man, a doting husband, was almost ruined. How could he not be angry? His gaze towards Gu Beichen naturally held little kindness.
"General Ling!" Murong Jinyun, who had been silent for a long time, spoke up. "General Ling, I admit that I was wrong in all the previous matters. I mistook the person and almost implicated you. I beg General Ling to be magnanimous and not hold it against me."
"It's nothing." At this point, he had too many grievances to express. As long as Feng Jin believed him, she was too lazy to care about other gossip.
Before anyone else could say anything, Ling Mohan took Feng Jin's soft, boneless hand and strode out.
"Ling Mohan, you scoundrel!" Gu Beichen cursed in dissatisfaction. Must he always act so cool and dashing every day, for whom?
"General Ling's temperament is truly chilling." Murong Jinyun truly wondered how Feng Jin could stand him. She used to see Ling Mohan through rose-tinted glasses, but now that the truth was revealed, those glasses had shattered. Now, she only found him cold and difficult to get along with. If she had to live with such a person, she would likely be driven mad sooner or later. Fortunately, the person was Gu Beichen, not Ling Mohan. Murong Jinyun felt a pang of relief at this moment, glad that she had found the right person. She also felt some sympathy for Feng Jin. Such a good girl, how could she have fallen into Ling Mohan's hands? Her life must be extremely difficult.
"What are you looking at Ling Mohan for? Could it be that you still have feelings for him..."
"Don't talk nonsense. He's already married and has children. Such gossip will cause trouble." She didn't want to cause any unnecessary trouble because of these baseless remarks.
"Weren't you unconcerned about that before? You were determined to marry Ling Mohan." Gu Beichen had learned about these matters from others later. Although he understood Murong Jinyun's reasons for acting that way, and that she had mistaken Ling Mohan for him, his heart still felt uneasy, like a thorn stuck in it.
"I mistook the person back then because I was confused. How can you blame me? If you hadn't given me someone else's belongings and explained clearly, would I have made such a mistake!" In the final analysis, it was Gu Beichen's mistake in giving her the wrong item that led to her mistaking the person and causing such a mess.
"It's all my fault. Let me take you to eat something delicious." Gu Beichen quickly changed the subject. He planned to spend the day entertaining Murong Jinyun with food and fun, and he wouldn't let any irrelevant matters disrupt his plans.
...
"Why did you rush to drag me here? Did something happen?" Ling Mohan's expression was extremely grim. He took out a piece of brocade from his怀 and handed it to Feng Jin. "You'll understand everything after reading this."
Feng Jin opened the brocade and read it, her expression immediately turning serious. "Xi Liang is amassing troops at the border and secretly training. Are they intending to start a war?"
"This is from the spies I've planted in Xi Liang. The Emperor will only receive this news in a few days. Xi Liang has always had treacherous ambitions, and with such movements this time, we must be on guard." Since the Xi Liang envoys entered the Eastern Chu territory, he had activated the spies he had placed in Xi Liang years ago. This time, they had sent back such news.
"If they are going to war, then what are the Xi Liang envoys plotting in the capital..." Feng Jin asked, confused. The Xi Liang envoys and princess are all here. If war were to break out now, they would be the first to be in danger. Would the Xi Liang Emperor really be willing to put his own daughter in such a perilous situation?
"We don't know what Xi Liang is planning, but the Xi Liang Emperor has already agreed to the marriage between Gu Beichen and Murong Jinyun. The imperial edict will be issued soon." Emperor Xuanwen had announced this matter publicly in the court and had heavily rewarded the Zhennan Royal Mansion, making them the center of attention. However, it was these very developments that made Ling Mohan even more worried.
"Don't worry. Let's make thorough preparations and be cautious," Feng Jin said softly, holding his hand to comfort him.