Feng Jin was also astonished. As a prince, Chu Yanxi had always been generous when wooing officials, treating money as dirt. In contrast, Chu Chenyi couldn't even produce this small sum. It was truly pitiful.
"Then write an IOU first," Feng Jin said, taking the paper and brush to write an IOU, even specifying the interest.
She was not one to suffer a loss; the interest had to be clear.
"If you agree, sign and press your thumbprint. If you want to pay in installments, I can reduce the interest a bit."
Feng Jin presented several options to Chu Chenyi, and the choice was entirely his.
Chu Chenyi glanced at the IOU, his lips twitching. There was even a two-point interest rate.
"Why don't you just rob a bank? Two points, and you're charging interest!" Chu Chenyi exclaimed angrily. Was two points so high that he had gone mad for money?
"It's two points. If you don't want to pay interest, then give me the money!"
Feng Jin was speechless. She was doing him a great favor by treating him without charging consultation fees. She couldn't be expected to pay for the medicine herself. Did he really think she was a pushover?
"If you don't have money, that's fine. I'll go ask your father. If the son owes money and the father doesn't pay, that's how you royals are."
Feng Jin was certain that Chu Chenyi would not dare to escalate the matter, especially to Emperor Xuanwen.
"I'll sign!" Chu Chenyi said resignedly, taking the pen and signing and pressing his thumbprint on the IOU.
This was the first time in his life he had signed an IOU. From this day on, he was a debtor. It was truly difficult to get treated.
Feng Jin looked at the IOU with satisfaction. "Your Highness Prince Jing, you must be frugal from now on and repay the debt as soon as possible. I will visit on the first and fifteenth of each month to collect the debt. Your Highness Prince Jing, please bear with me.
"Oh, and considering how pitiful you are, I'll give you a fifty percent discount on the follow-up rehabilitation treatment. You can choose whether or not you want me to help with your recovery. I won't force you. Your Highness Prince Jing, please rest well. Remember that getting angry will be detrimental to your recovery. I'll be leaving now."
Feng Jin, with a charming smile, proudly took the IOU and left.
Lin Yuwei immediately sensed a strange aura around Chu Chenyi and quickly said, "I'll see her out."
With that, she trotted after Feng Jin.
"Sister Feng Jin, are you really going to ask Prince Jing for money?" Lin Yuwei asked tentatively, as these were not small sums. With Chu Chenyi's salary, he wouldn't be able to repay it for an eternity.
"Of course. It's already generous of me not to charge him a consultation fee. Those medicinal ingredients, each one worth a thousand gold. I'm actually losing money here."
What Feng Jin said was absolutely true. The bottle of Tiger Bone Bone Setting Powder alone was a priceless treasure, its value immeasurable by mere money.
"But don't worry. I've always been fair and just. I will absolutely not count the money Chu Chenyi owes you. Don't be foolish enough to use your dowry to subsidize Chu Chenyi. Remember, men's mouths are full of lies. If men could be relied upon, pigs could climb trees. Women are safest when they keep their money firmly in their own hands."
Feng Jin shared her insights and secret strategies with Lin Yuwei, accumulated from years of experience.
Lin Yuwei was instantly brainwashed. "I've noted it all down, Sister. I will definitely keep my money firmly in my own hands."
"My wife is so earnest!" Ling Mohan entered the room just as he heard Feng Jin's lengthy discourse, and a sense of melancholy filled his heart.
"You... why are you here?"
Feng Jin's expression froze. Seeing Ling Mohan, her expression changed spectacularly.
"To take you home."
Ling Mohan said in a deep voice, pulling Feng Jin to his side. He then said to Lin Yuwei, "We're leaving now. Please take care of Prince Jing."
With that, he directly dragged Feng Jin away.
He shoved her into the carriage and then got in beside Feng Jin, his voice grim as he instructed Lu Shi outside, "Lu Shi, return to the manor."
As his words fell, the carriage slowly began to move forward.
Feng Jin felt the atmosphere in the carriage was strange and turned her head, looking out the carriage window.
As soon as the carriage stopped at the entrance of the Ling manor, Feng Jin dashed out.
Of the thirty-six stratagems, fleeing was the best. This place was truly not suitable for lingering.
Feng Jin bolted directly back to her room and quickly told Cai Qing to lock the door tightly.
"Young... Young Madam... If Young General comes, should I open the door?"
She couldn't afford to offend either of them and didn't know who to listen to.
"Of course, you can't open it," Feng Jin said directly. If Ling Mohan got in, he would surely come looking for trouble.
"Later, when no one is around, sneak some food to me."
Feng Jin didn't want to go out again; it was better to lie low.
"But, Young Madam... I..."
"Good Cai Qing, I knew you were the most capable." Feng Jin began her persuasion, successfully getting Cai Qing to leave.
Then, she lay down on the soft, large bed. She realized it was much more comfortable sleeping alone, at least she didn't have to scheme to get the blanket every day.
As soon as she touched the bed, Feng Jin fell into a deep sleep.
While sleeping soundly, she felt someone constantly stirring beside her.
Feng Jin had a peculiar possessiveness over her bed. Feeling an intruder in her territory, she instinctively kicked out a leg, followed by a loud noise and a familiar exclamation.
Feng Jin, who was still half-asleep, suddenly lost all sleepiness. She forced herself to sit up and looked towards the source of the sound.
She saw Ling Mohan sprawled on the floor, his face ashen.
"Why are you here?" Feng Jin exclaimed in shock. How could he be here? The doors and windows were tightly locked, so how did Ling Mohan get in?
The man's face was exceedingly grim. As he moved slightly, he felt a sharp pain in his waist, entirely due to Feng Jin's actions. That kick had been delivered with full force, as if she wanted to kick him to death.
Supporting himself with his arms on the floor, Ling Mohan stood up and, holding his injured waist, sat on a nearby chair.
"You still haven't told me how you got in?" Feng Jin continued to press.
The man raised a finger and pointed towards the door, saying lightly, "Through the door."
Feng Jin followed his gaze and saw that the lock that should have been on the door was now shattered and scattered on the floor.
"You dismantled the lock?"
Ling Mohan nodded truthfully. He still had the courage to admit his actions.
Feng Jin's mouth twitched. So, he was indeed a hidden master. This skill of picking locks was also honed to perfection. She had underestimated him before.