Ling Mohan could not understand Feng Jin's writing at all. The different fonts and writing styles showed significant differences.
"I can understand it anyway," Feng Jin mumbled, managing to decipher it somehow.
She was too lazy to learn the writing of this dynasty. She felt that time would be better spent figuring out how to earn more money. This was ancient times, and it was always advocated that women's lack of talent was a virtue. After much thought, she concluded that earning more money was the most important thing. Initially, she wanted to earn money to find a secluded place and live a carefree life after divorcing Ling Mohan. Now, she was striving to become the richest person.
"I'm not talking to you anymore, I..."
Feng Jin stopped mid-sentence, her gaze scrutinizing Ling Mohan. She took a step closer, her eyes fixed on his shoulder. She reached out and plucked a long strand of hair from his shoulder. Bringing it to her nose, she immediately recognized that the scent did not belong to her; it was very unfamiliar.
"Whose hair is this on your shoulder?" Feng Jin asked coldly.
Ling Mohan's heart leaped in shock. He quickly explained, "His Majesty summoned me to the palace today, and a maid accidentally spilled tea on us. I imagine it fell on me when she was helping me wipe it off. Look, the tea stains are still here."
Pointing to the tea stains on his clothes, Ling Mohan eagerly sought to prove his innocence. "This hair must have fallen on me from that little maid. I was in the military camp all day... Lu Shi was with me the entire time, and he can vouch for my innocence." Ling Mohan explained in a flustured manner, afraid that Feng Jin might misunderstand. He was almost ready to drag Lu Shi there as a witness.
"Alright, I believe you."
Feng Jin, getting a headache from his rambling, quickly said, telling him to shut up and give her some peace. She stood up, threw away the hair in her hand, and washed her hands.
"Do you really believe me? Aren't you angry?" Feng Jin was so easily letting it go, which was too abnormal and made Ling Mohan even more uneasy.
"I am not angry. I believe what you said."
The reason she did not hold Ling Mohan accountable was that Feng Jin had already discerned the scent on the hair was from camellia oil, a scent palace maids often used to nourish their hair. Moreover, Ling Mohan was still wearing the same clothes from when he left, and the soil on his shoes was black. In the entire capital, only the military camp had such unique black soil. All signs indicated that Ling Mohan had stayed in the military camp all day and had not gone anywhere else.
Ling Mohan frowned. The calmer Feng Jin was, the more uneasy he felt. If Feng Jin had argued with him, he would have felt more at ease.
"You..."
"Shut up. If you say one more word, you can get out." Feng Jin said sharply. Why was this man so naggy all day? Didn't he find it annoying?
Startled by her reprimand, Ling Mohan immediately shut his mouth, daring not to say another word. However, his heart felt somewhat relieved.
After a long while, Feng Jin finally spoke, "Is there going to be a war?"
"Why do you ask?"
"You've been practically living in the military camp these past two days. You wouldn't normally be like this. It must be that the border is unstable, and you've been training the soldiers all day."
Feng Jin's words greatly astonished Ling Mohan. "My wife is truly exceptionally intelligent. Nothing escapes your notice."
"Is the border really unstable?" Feng Jin had initially guessed, but upon confirmation, her heart grew more apprehensive. Unstable borders meant an imminent war, hundreds of thousands of soldiers rushing to the front lines, and civilians suffering the ravages of war, becoming displaced…
Ling Mohan nodded slightly. "There have been frequent clashes at the border with Cangnan Kingdom these past few days. Furthermore, the Emperor of Cangnan Kingdom has passed away, and the Crown Prince ascended the throne. The first thing he did after his enthronement was to reorganize the army. His wolfish ambition is evident, and we must guard against it." Although there was outwardly peace, inwardly, the situation was turbulent. The border walls had been reinforced and raised by over a zhang, armies were being reorganized everywhere, grain and fodder were being collected, and war was on the horizon.
"Cangnan Kingdom..." Feng Jin did not have much knowledge of military affairs, but the name felt strangely familiar. After thinking for a moment, she suddenly realized, "The time you were poisoned by the Ice Curse and nearly died, wasn't it in a battle with Cangnan Kingdom?"
"You truly go to great lengths to worry about me, remembering it so clearly," Ling Mohan said in a peculiar tone. This incident had always been a thorn in his heart. He had never experienced defeat in his years of campaigning, except for this one time that nearly cost him his life. He had investigated multiple times who had cast the curse on him but had never found out. If war broke out with Cangnan this time, he was determined to vent the stifled frustration in his chest and regain his lost honor.
Feng Jin covered her mouth and chuckled, teasing, "Of course, I remember clearly. Has the young general perhaps forgotten? If I hadn't taken pity and saved your life, would you still be alive to talk to me now?"
Ling Mohan was speechless. Feng Jin was stating the undeniable truth, leaving him no room to find fault. "But, have you truly not found out who cast the Ice Curse on you? such insidious and cunning methods clearly aimed to take your life. Have you considered who you might have such deep enmity with that they would want to kill you?"
"On the battlefield, everyone fights for their own side; they are natural enemies. This is not entirely unusual."
"But it's also possible that someone in the court colluded with the enemy, wanting you to perish in Cangnan," Feng Jin said slowly, her words startling Ling Mohan.
"You... How did you know?"
Feng Jin pouted, her tone carrying a hint of sarcasm. "Didn't you yourself suspect that? When I lifted the Ice Curse from you, didn't you suspect that I was in league with the one who cast the curse, intentionally trying to harm you? Didn't you even dispatch hidden guards to investigate this matter? Isn't that right, General Ling?"
His secrets exposed, Ling Mohan could not hide his embarrassment. He coughed lightly and turned his head away, his attempt at an explanation sounding weak. "Who could blame me? Your identity was too suspicious at the time. My actions were only natural."
Feng Jin's mouth twitched, and she rolled her eyes. "Yes, it's the first time I've seen someone treat their savior not with utmost gratitude and repayment, but by suspecting them of having ulterior motives."
"Why are you still bringing up these old trivial matters?" Ling Mohan, worried that Feng Jin would continue to dredge up the past, quickly changed the subject.