Ling Mohan's steady and powerful voice rang out behind Feng Jin, each word landing in her heart, bringing a rare sense of peace.
"I naturally know you will take them seriously, but you've been busy enough with military affairs these past few days. I don't want you to be troubled by these trivial matters. Since Gu Beichen has a way to resolve them, let him handle it."
She had seen Ling Mohan's hard work firsthand these past few days, and a subtle worry had begun to grow in her heart.
She also didn't want him to be distracted by such minor issues; she simply wished he could have some time to rest properly.
"Eldest Brother, Eldest Sister-in-law." Ling Muzhu walked in, his ankle twisting slightly as he dismounted, making walking a little difficult.
"How is your injury?"
"The doctor has examined it. It's just a slight sprain, and I'll be fine after a few days of rest. Thank you for saving my life, Eldest Sister-in-law."
Ling Muzhu was filled with gratitude. If Feng Jin hadn't subdued the horse in time, his injury would have been far more than just a slight sprain.
"It's all because you're too useless. You clearly don't have the skill, yet you insisted on playing polo. You didn't even notice when someone was trying to harm you."
Being so directly ridiculed, Ling Muzhu felt his face burn and stood there stunned, unsure of what to say.
"Your Eldest Sister-in-law is right. Be more mindful in the future. This time, your Eldest Sister-in-law protected you, but what would you do if she weren't here?"
Ling Mohan continued, adding that if this boy hadn't caused trouble, Feng Jin wouldn't have been put out, and he wouldn't have had to rush back from the military camp.
After being lectured by both of them, Ling Muzhu's hard-won self-esteem was instantly shattered.
"I've noted it down. I'll be careful from now on," Ling Muzhu replied meekly, his heart already crushed.
"Alright, you should stay home and rest for the next couple of days. Even bone injuries take a hundred days to recover fully. You should go back now."
Feng Jin couldn't bear to see Ling Muzhu standing there being lectured with a limp and waved him away.
"I'll leave now," Ling Muzhu said dejectedly, lowering his head and leaving in low spirits.
"Let's go back too. We've been out all day, and now we've gotten tangled up in this troublesome business."
With the situation having escalated like this, the polo match was clearly off. Feng Jin had been out all day and her back and legs ached. It would be better to go back and rest. She was also missing the two little ones.
"Slowly," Ling Mohan said, helping Feng Jin onto the carriage.
Shortly after the carriage had departed, it was stopped midway.
"Lu Shi, who is outside?" Ling Mohan's displeased voice sounded from inside the carriage.
"Reporting to Young General, it's the third son of the Sheng family."
Lu Shi's voice reached the carriage, and both Feng Jin and Ling Wan's hearts involuntarily skipped a beat.
Ling Mohan frowned slightly and said in a deep voice, "What is it?"
"He says the Young Madam saved his life and he has come specifically to express his gratitude," Lu Shi replied to Ling Mohan as expected.
Ling Mohan's gaze fell on Feng Jin, awaiting her response.
"I did save him, it was because his heart condition flared up, and I happened to be nearby, so I saved him along the way," Feng Jin quickly explained, turning towards the outside and saying, "Lu Shi, please tell Young Master Sheng that I accept his gratitude and he needn't worry about it. He should return quickly."
Lu Shi, standing outside, became a messenger and turned to Sheng Xubai, "Young Master Sheng, you've heard. Perhaps you should take your leave now."
Sheng Xubai's fervent gaze was fixed on the carriage. Not seeing the person he wished to see, the loneliness in his eyes could not be concealed. He withdrew his gaze and said, "I trouble Guard Lu to tell the Young Madam that this humble scholar will bring a generous gift to express his thanks another day."
As his words fell, Sheng Xubai turned and got back into his carriage.
Feng Jin heard the sound of carriage wheels passing by and, after confirming Sheng Xubai had left, breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, he was gone. If Ling Mohan knew she had forcibly unbuttoned Sheng Xubai's clothes to treat him, who knew what would happen.
Fortunately, Sheng Xubai was sensible and left, so she had managed to escape a disaster.
In contrast to Feng Jin's relief, Ling Wan felt a sudden pang of disappointment upon learning that Sheng Xubai had left. While no one was paying attention, she lifted the curtain, her gaze constantly searching for Sheng Xubai's carriage.
Only when Sheng Xubai's carriage gradually disappeared from her sight did Ling Wan lower the curtain and withdraw her gaze.
"What were you looking at just now? You were so engrossed that you didn't even hear me when I called you?"
Feng Jin leaned in beside Ling Wan and asked in a voice only they could hear.
"N-nothing," Ling Wan replied evasively.
Feng Jin's eyes narrowed slightly, and she looked at Ling Wan suspiciously, her voice rising slightly, "Really?"
Ling Wan nodded busily and said softly, "Mm."
"Oh, then did you see that street vendor outside selling peach blossom cakes?"
"I saw it." Ling Wan answered without hesitation.
Feng Jin covered her mouth and chuckled lightly, not pressing Ling Wan further, and returned to her seat.
There was no peach blossom cake vendor outside just now. It seemed like the peach blossoms had bloomed. The young girl's feelings were undeniable. It was a pity, but was Sheng Xubai truly a suitable match?
Upon returning to the mansion, Feng Jin glanced at the absent-minded Ling Wan and coughed lightly, saying, "Go help at the clinic tomorrow. Don't mope around the mansion all day."
"Yes, Eldest Sister-in-law. I'll go back to my room now."
After Ling Wan left, Feng Jin pulled on Ling Mohan's sleeve and asked, "Did you notice anything different about Ling Wan today?"
"No," Ling Mohan replied faintly.
"You didn't? You didn't notice it, it was so obvious?"
"No," Ling Mohan affirmed again.
Feng Jin's brows furrowed slightly, her face full of doubt, "No?"
Just as Feng Jin was feeling puzzled, Ling Mohan moved closer, his cold gaze fixed on her, and his slightly hoarse voice inquired, "What's going on between you and Sheng Xubai?"
Feng Jin stiffened slightly, her heart pounding as she stammered, "I... Sheng Xubai and I, it's just... it's just that I saved him by chance. Yes, that's it!"
Ling Mohan's probing gaze continued to scrutinize Feng Jin, "Is that so?"
"Naturally, it is. Why would I lie to you? It's just..."
Feng Jin recounted the entire incident to Ling Mohan, naturally omitting the part where she forcibly unbuttoned Sheng Xubai's clothes to treat him.
Ling Mohan gazed at Feng Jin, trying to find a flaw in her eyes, but still found none. Coupled with Feng Jin's flawless account, Ling Mohan was unable to find any discrepancies for the moment.
He could only warn her without much conviction, "You must remember that you are a married woman now and must adhere to the conduct of a wife."