"My dear, what is this? It smells rather nice."
Ling Mohan was drawn by the emanating fragrance but dared not approach to touch, afraid of touching something he shouldn't.
After all, Feng Jin always carried these troublesome items with her, and he didn't want to be a guinea pig for free.
Feng Jin placed the snow lotus petals into a bottle. "Would you like to try? I just developed this. It's for beauty and nourishment, to fade fine lines and whiten skin."
"As a man, using these feminine things would surely invite mockery," Ling Mohan said disdainfully. He, the pillar of masculinity, the renowned God of War of Southern Chu, using such things, wouldn't he be laughed out of court?
"Who are you? The God of War of Southern Chu, yet you were still poisoned and plotted against, ultimately relying on me, a mere woman, to save you." Feng Jin's words carried a hint of mockery.
She glanced at Ling Mohan. He was handsome, pleasing to the eye, but his skin was a bit rough.
Truth be told, she preferred young, tender men with fair and smooth skin; they felt more comfortable to touch.
However, after crossing over, fate hadn't granted her wish, instead giving her a rough soldier who fought on the battlefield.
Ling Mohan immediately detected the pity in Feng Jin's eyes and became flustered. "What do you mean by that? Do you think marrying me is a loss!"
Feng Jin nodded resolutely. "Of course. You're not bad-looking, but your skin is so rough and a bit dark. Most importantly, you have no money! Living with this whole family at your age, no house, no money, following you has truly wronged me."
Her dowry from her late mother alone was worth millions, not to mention the gifts from the Marquise of Pingyang's elderly madam and the Empress Dowager. Each item was priceless. She was a wealthy woman.
Looking at Ling Mohan, the value of his meager possessions couldn't even match the price of one of her hair ornaments. Marrying him was indeed a compromise.
Ling Mohan was rendered speechless. Feng Jin's words were all too true.
A portion of his salary and the Emperor's rewards had been used to purchase military equipment, while the rest was distributed to the families of fallen soldiers. Not only did he have no money, but he was also nearly in debt.
"See for yourself, which word is wrong? Even the medicinal herbs you drink are worth a thousand gold pieces. This bowl of medicine alone costs ten taels of gold..."
Feng Jin enumerated them one by one and realized she had been footing the bill for so much. Her heart ached. The money she had worked so hard to earn was all being spent on someone else.
Ling Mohan guiltily turned his head away, hastily covering up. "I'm tired, I'm going to sleep."
With that, he pulled up the quilt and lay down.
"Get off me! This quilt is made of warm satin, one foot of which costs twenty gold. The mattress is filled with the finest silk. You sleep so comfortably."
Poor her, she had to make do on a soft couch the previous two nights, while Ling Mohan hogged her bed and slept soundly.
Ling Mohan then noticed the quilt. No wonder the material felt warm to the touch, and the mattress beneath him was exceptionally soft. His sleep had even improved over the past two days.
All these fine things were used. Ling Mohan had to admire Feng Jin's extravagance; she truly knew how to enjoy life.
On the battlefield, having a place to shield him from the wind and rain was a luxury.
"Extravagance runs rampant," Ling Mohan sighed, yet he very pragmatically enjoyed the hundred-gold quilt.
"Get off! You eat mine, drink mine, and yet you slander me for being extravagant? You are simply a freeloader!"
Feng Jin felt she was about to explode. It was the first time she had seen someone freeload so brazenly.
Eating off someone and acting so entitled; he even had a point.
"My freeloading is also a skill. Others wish they could do it and can't!"
Ling Mohan retorted righteously, leaving Feng Jin at a loss for words.
What he said... actually made some sense.
Just as Feng Jin was about to lose her temper, Lu Shi entered to report, "Young General, Madam, the person who met with Li San has been apprehended."
"Well done!" Feng Jin praised. Lu Shi's efficiency was indeed commendable.
"Capturing him alive this time is all thanks to the arrows the young madam provided the subordinates. The young madam is truly prescient, anticipating his suicide."
After these events, Lu Shi was filled with admiration for Feng Jin.
Feng Jin's status in his heart was gradually surpassing that of Ling Mohan.
Ling Mohan, who had been ignored by the two, turned pale. Lu Shi no longer seemed to know who his superior was. He cleared his throat in dissatisfaction. "Lu Shi, have you interrogated them to find out who the mastermind is?"
"They haven't been interrogated yet. I specifically came to ask the young madam for advice..."
"You don't even know how to interrogate now? You come to ask the young madam for everything. What use are you? If you continue to be so lazy, return to the barracks and have Li Zhong replace you."
"Your subordinate admits his mistake, Young General. Please calm your anger."
Lu Shi, terrified, quickly pleaded for mercy. The border was harsh and cold; he had endured the biting wind there for three full years and didn't want to experience it again.
"If you know you're wrong, then scram!"
"Your subordinate takes his leave." Lu Shi fled as fast as he could, not forgetting to close the door behind him.
Outside the door, Lu Shi looked dejected. Why did he feel the Young General was so strange today...
"Brother Lu, were you kicked out by the Young General?"
"Isn't that obvious? Look at Brother Lu's expression; he must have been severely scolded by the Young General."
"Seeing Brother Lu get scolded by the Young General, we brothers are truly enlightened today."
Some guards who were good friends with Lu Shi couldn't help but snicker and tease him upon seeing his frustrated state.
"Go... go... hurry up and do what you're supposed to do. If you anger the Young General, you'll all be in trouble!"
Having been thoroughly scolded, Lu Shi, filled with anger and nowhere to vent it, unleashed a torrent of abuse on them.
"What's wrong with you? Why are you taking your anger out on Lu Shi? He didn't do anything wrong."
Feng Jin spoke up in Lu Shi's defense. He hadn't done anything wrong, yet he was unfairly berated.
Ling Mohan's expression darkened. He advanced on Feng Jin, his tone carrying a warning. "You are not allowed to defend other men in the future."
His wife shouldn't be defending other men.
"I am merely stating the facts, not defending him. I would treat anyone else the same way."
Feng Jin replied neither subserviently nor arrogantly. She was simply stating the facts; she wasn't deliberately defending Lu Shi.
"There's no need for you to be jealous over nothing."