The Empress walked over to the Imperial Consort's side, glanced at her, let out a cold snort, and left.
The Imperial Consort smiled dismissively. As soon as the bothersome person was gone, her mood instantly brightened. She sat upright in her chair, exuding an undeniable air of regality.
“Princess, there may be some misunderstanding in this matter. Perhaps you should sit down first. After the palace banquet concludes, I will surely give you an explanation.”
Emperor Xuanwen’s face showed a hint of anger, but considering the presence of so many people, he kept his tone as gentle as possible.
Murong Jin Yun was unwilling to give up and tried to say more, but Baili Xi, standing behind her, spoke first, “Princess, please sit down first.”
Murong Jin Yun turned to look at Baili Xi, then at Ling Mo Han. Suppressing the impulse in her heart, she sat down.
“Young General Ling, please return to your seat.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Ling Mo Han cupped his hands in response. Under everyone’s gaze, he sat back down and reached out to take Feng Jin’s boneless hand.
“Why is your hand so cold? It’s late and the dew is heavy, and you’re wearing such thin clothing. Put on a coat.”
With that, Ling Mo Han took off his outer robe and draped it over Feng Jin, carefully arranging it for her.
Feng Jin’s gaze fell on Ling Mo Han, and a faint smile touched her lips. “You gave me your clothes, aren’t you cold?”
“I am fine. I have endured the coldest winter months in a single layer of clothing. It’s different for you. If you catch a cold, it is I who will be heartbroken.”
Ling Mo Han looked at Feng Jin with eyes as tender as water, a stark contrast to the cold expression he had moments before.
It was only when facing Feng Jin that a smile would appear on his face.
Murong Jin Yun watched their loving display, a wave of bitterness washing over her. The hand holding the wine cup tightened abruptly, and veins bulged on her fair skin.
Her eyes welled up with an unbearable sourness. She raised her wine cup and drank it down in one go. The strong liquor burned her throat slightly, sending a burning sensation down her esophagus, yet it paled in comparison to the bitterness in her heart.
“Princess, drinking too quickly is bad for your health. Please sip it more slowly,” Baili Xi cautioned.
Murong Jin Yun drank another cup of wine, already showing signs of intoxication. “A Xi, do you think I shouldn’t have come here? He has long forgotten who I am. It’s I who has been so persistent. Look, he’s already married and has children, and they seem to be very much in love…”
“I only feel that everything I’ve done is like a joke. I shouldn’t have asked my father to let me come to Eastern Chu to find him. Then I could have continued to live in my unrealistic dreams.”
She had held this dream for three years, anticipated it for three years, and traveled to Eastern Chu from afar with great expectation, only to find it all for naught, leaving her with nothing but sorrow.
“This humble general only knows that whatever the Princess does is for a reason, and there is no right or wrong.”
Baili Xi’s gaze towards Murong Jin Yun was mixed with other emotions. He had been sent to the palace from a young age to accompany Murong Jin Yun as they grew up.
Countless people had instilled in him the idea of protecting the Princess and prioritizing her safety.
However, they did not know that from the first time he saw the young Murong Jin Yun holding his sleeve and calling him brother, he had secretly sworn in his heart to protect his little princess with all his life.
Upon learning that she was going to Western Liang, he had abandoned all his military duties and begged His Majesty to allow him to accompany her to Eastern Chu.
Even if the person Murong Jin Yun loved was not him, as long as he could see Murong Jin Yun safe and happy, that would be his lifelong aspiration. This was the first time he had seen Murong Jin Yun so sad and upset, and he cast a hostile gaze towards Ling Mo Han.
Ling Mo Han also felt this hateful, unfriendly stare. He turned his head and met Baili Xi’s gaze.
This look was like the gaze of two males competing for a female, making Ling Mo Han feel utterly speechless. How could he have attracted such annoying unwanted romantic attention?
“Baili Xi must see you as a love rival. General Ling’s charm is truly considerable.”
Feng Jin saw through the situation at a glance and said teasingly.
“As long as my wife is attracted to me, that’s enough. I don’t want anyone else.”
“Stop your chatter. When we return to the residence, you can tell me all about your matters with the Western Liang Princess. If you leave out even a single word, I will never let you off.”
Feng Jin whispered fiercely in Ling Mo Han’s ear, “Damn man, you truly have a lot of unwanted romantic attention, blooming one after another. I’m too tired from constantly pruning these peach blossoms.”
“They are the ones who have no eyes and insist on throwing themselves at me. I am innocent.”
He wished he could write the word ‘innocent’ on his forehead. Why did everyone keep throwing themselves at him? Ling Mo Han was truly exhausted.
After the palace banquet ended, Feng Jin did not linger for a moment. She pulled Ling Mo Han and walked out, afraid that if they stayed any longer, her husband would be snatched away.
Upon returning to the residence, Cai Qing hurried forward to greet them. “Young Madam, the two young masters are asleep. Was the palace banquet fun today? Is the Western Liang Princess really as beautiful as the rumors say…”
Feng Jin looked at Ling Mo Han with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Whether she’s beautiful or not, you’ll have to ask someone else. What do you say, Young General?”
Although Feng Jin was smiling, her expression was terrifying.
“I truly don’t know what’s going on with that Western Liang Princess. I don’t know her at all.”
Ling Mo Han felt more wronged than Dou E. He had never met the person, yet she suddenly claimed they were privately betrothed and clamored to marry him, even producing a token of love. With ten mouths, he couldn’t explain how this situation had come about.
“Then tell me, what is that jade token about? Since it’s your item, how did it end up with the Western Liang Princess?”
Feng Jin pressed on, unwilling to let go. The jade token was indeed real.
Seeing that the situation was not good, Cai Qing discreetly retreated, lest the conflict escalate and draw her into the crossfire.
“The jade token was lost on the battlefield three years ago. I searched for it but couldn’t find it, so I let it go. I don’t know how it ended up in the Western Liang Princess’s hands. In any case, I am innocent. You are the only woman I have ever had, and there will never be a second.”
“That is strange.” Feng Jin frowned slightly. Since the jade token was lost long ago, how did Murong Jin Yun obtain it?
When Murong Jin Yu took out the jade token, Feng Jin had observed it carefully. The cut surface of the half jade token was very neat, clearly cut by hand, and not broken due to physical collision.
Could it be that someone had impersonated Ling Mo Han and colluded with Murong Jin Yun, deliberately trying to frame him?
But if they wanted to slander him, they wouldn’t do it so sneakily. Yet, judging by Murong Jin Yun’s demeanor, she seemed confident and not at all like she was faking.
Feng Jin stared intently at Ling Mo Han, her doubts growing even stronger. After a moment, Feng Jin asked tentatively, “You don’t happen to have dissociative identity disorder, do you?”