The implication of Feng Jin's words was instantly understood by Gu Beichen, who gritted his teeth and spat out a few words: "A true gentleman never rests until he has had his revenge!"
Now, whenever he closed his eyes, he could imagine those girls pouncing on him like hungry wolves. After escaping, he had washed himself several times, truly feeling as though he carried a lingering scent of perfume on him.
His reputation and innocence in this life had been utterly ruined by Feng Jin.
Feng Jin suppressed a chuckle: "I also know a saying, 'Revenge is a dish best served cold,' or rather, 'A gentleman's revenge is never too late, even after ten years.' Does Lord Gu's revenge also have to wait ten years?"
"Eldest Sister-in-law..." a cheerful voice interrupted their bickering.
Ling Wan strode into the main hall and bowed slightly to Ling Mohan: "Greetings, Brother."
Then, she took Feng Jin's hand and sat down beside her, saying, "Eldest Sister-in-law, I was just out on the street with my maid, and I heard that the Marquis of Zhennan's heir was cornered by a group of girls at the temple fair..."
As she spoke, Ling Wan's lips curved into a smile, and she softly continued, "His clothes were even torn off by those girls. If it hadn't been for the patrolling soldiers who saw what was happening and dispersed the girls, that Lord Gu might have been violated."
Feng Jin could vividly picture Gu Beichen's disheveled state that day, and suddenly burst into laughter.
Gu Beichen, the subject of their discussion, had a thunderous expression. To hear his embarrassing past discussed firsthand, with no power to stop it, was truly infuriating!
"Can you two just stop now?" Gu Beichen reminded them through gritted teeth.
Ling Wan heard the sound and only then realized that others were present. She turned her head, and her expression instantly froze. This was precisely the male protagonist they had been discussing.
How could he be here? When she entered earlier, she had been too focused on sharing the gossip with Feng Jin to notice if anyone else was around.
This was truly awkward...
Ling Wan, biting the bullet, softly said to Gu Beichen, "Marquis Gu, please forgive me. I certainly didn't mean to mock you. This matter is already known to everyone inside and outside the capital. You don't need to worry or fret about it. You must try to be more open-minded and look forward to the future..."
Known to everyone in the capital... Hearing this, Gu Beichen's heart sank. He felt as if he had been struck by lightning, frozen in place.
It's over, it's really over. He reckoned this matter must have already reached his father's ears. He was truly finished now.
Feng Jin, showing some semblance of conscience, ceased her laughter and began to console him: "You're a man after all, you didn't really suffer much. And with so many girls flocking around you, isn't that a great blessing? Others can only wish for such fortune..."
After all, this incident had started because of her, Feng Jin tried her best to guide Gu Beichen: "For example, Ling Mohan, although he's better looking than you, his personality isn't as good. He's not as popular with girls as you are."
Ling Mohan's expression also turned grim. Recalling Feng Jin comparing him to the courtesans of brothels that morning, he felt a sudden discomfort.
"I beg you, just shut up!"
Gu Beichen pleaded with Feng Jin repeatedly to stop, to spare his life. If she continued, he'd have the urge to throw himself into a river.
Feng Jin pursed her lips. She hadn't said anything wrong just now. It was like a dog biting a kindly scholar who offered help.
"Greetings, Young General, Your Lordship." Lu Shi hurried in from outside. Seeing Gu Beichen's despair, his eyes widened. What had happened to this ancestor now?
"What is it?" Ling Mohan asked in a deep voice.
"Reporting to the Young General, someone from the Zhennan Prince's mansion has arrived to request the Marquis's return."
The people from the Zhennan Prince's mansion were still waiting outside the gate.
"I'm not going back," Gu Beichen said without a second thought. He had no desire to return and be punished.
He would rather hide here until the storm passed and his father's anger subsided before considering going back.
"Lu Shi, throw him out." Feng Jin hastily ordered. Having Ling Muzhu was enough to annoy her; if Gu Beichen were added, she'd surely die of anger.
"Marquis Gu, please forgive me, but I am merely following orders."
"Lu Shi, how dare you!"
Gu Beichen roared angrily. The two then grappled, and after several rounds, Gu Beichen was holding his own against Lu Shi.
"All of you, stop!"
Ling Mohan, who had been silent for a long time, spoke up, directly halting the two men who were fighting.
"In any case, I'm not going back. I'll stay here."
Gu Beichen put on a rascally air, pulled over a chair, and sat down: "Prepare a room for me. This Marquis intends to stay here long-term."
"There are no vacant rooms for you," Feng Jin replied directly.
"Then I'll sleep on the floor."
"Rascal, scoundrel!" Feng Jin pointed at Gu Beichen and berated him angrily.
"Lu Shi, go tell the people from the Zhennan Prince's mansion that Marquis Gu will be staying at the Ling residence for a while."
"Yes, Young General."
With Ling Mohan's permission, Gu Beichen immediately perked up. Head held high, chest puffed out like a victorious peacock, he walked up to Feng Jin to flaunt: "See? Ling Mohan approved my stay. It has nothing to do with you."
Feng Jin turned her attention to Ling Mohan, her tone becoming unfriendly: "Then give him your room, and you can personally serve him his food and drink."
With that, she left without looking back.
One troublesome guest hadn't even left, and another had arrived.
Feng Jin bumped into Ling Muzhu as she came out. She glared at him with displeasure.
"Greetings, Eldest Sister-in-law." Ling Muzhu bowed respectfully.
"If you have nothing better to do, go and memorize the second chapter of the Great Learning."
Ling Muzhu's expression faltered. He had been behaving himself lately and couldn't imagine where he had offended Feng Jin. What was going on? Ling Muzhu was utterly bewildered and didn't know what to do.
"Hurry up, don't just stand there." Feng Jin impatiently urged Ling Muzhu, then left on her own.
"Eldest Sister-in-law, wait for me..." Ling Wan had a premonition that this was not a place to linger, and it was best to leave.
...
After coming out, Feng Jin went directly to see Yun Niang. Judging by the time, she should have recovered today, and with the application of the spot-removing ointment, the scars would be gone in a few days.
Feng Jin removed all the bandages from Yun Niang's face. The sutured wounds on her cheeks had all healed, leaving only faint pinkish scars.
"Madam, are the scars on my face very frightening?" Yun Niang asked softly.
"You can see for yourself." Feng Jin handed Yun Niang a mirror.
Yun Niang's heart pounded with anxiety. She slowly lifted her eyelids to look at herself in the mirror.
The originally ferocious and ugly scars on her cheeks had all disappeared. Only a few faint pinkish scars remained on her face.
Yun Niang reached out to touch her cheeks, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. Although there were still some faint scars, they were infinitely better than her previous ugly appearance.