Feng Jin’s heart skipped a beat, and she didn’t know how to answer the man.
After a moment of hesitation, she broke free from his embrace, took two steps back, and said, "Young General, let’s just part ways amicably."
She didn’t want to entangle herself with Ling Mohan anymore, nor did she want to live in the Ling family’s corrupt environment.
Ling Mohan’s body stiffened slightly. Perhaps it was the alcohol, his mind went blank. He sat in the chair for a long time, only regaining some clarity after a while.
Seeing that his expression had somewhat recovered, Feng Jin’s worry faded. After a pause, she told him to leave, "If you have nothing else, you should go back. It’s getting late, and I need to rest."
Ling Mohan opened his mouth, but the words he wanted to say were swallowed back. His face was a little pale. Feng Jin probably wouldn’t listen to anything he said at this moment, so it was better to wait until she calmed down.
"I’ll go back now. You should rest early."
After he left, Feng Jin quickly shut the door.
With a loud "bang!", it sounded behind Ling Mohan.
Ling Mohan hesitated slightly, turned around, and looked at the closed door. A feeling of powerless frustration welled up in his heart.
Even when he had faced the siege of a thousand troops with no water or food, he had not felt fear or worry.
But faced with Feng Jin’s cold rejection today, he couldn’t help but feel worried and scared.
It was as if if he showed the slightest distraction or negligence, Feng Jin would disappear from his side.
Ling Mohan slumped onto the ground. The cool night breeze blew, dispelling much of the alcohol from his body. His mind became inexplicably clear. It wasn't until dawn that he finally succumbed to sleep.
Inside the room, Feng Jin tossed and turned on the bed, unable to sleep. Her mind was completely consumed by the events of the past few days.
What she recalled were all related to Ling Mohan.
The good and bad aspects of the man played out in her mind, causing her emotions to fluctuate. For a moment, she felt like she was going crazy.
The next day, as Cai Qing stepped into the courtyard, she saw an unidentifiable object lying in front of Feng Jin’s door. Suppressing the gasp that was about to escape her lips, she mustered her courage and walked to the door.
Only then did she realize what the mysterious object was. How had the Young General ended up lying there?
Cai Qing gently shook Ling Mohan awake, "Young General… Young General…"
Ling Mohan groggily woke up. The alcohol caused his temples to throb. He staggered to his feet, the dizziness from drinking very severe.
"Young General, are you alright? Shall I call a doctor?" Cai Qing stepped forward to support the wobbly Ling Mohan. The Young General was still wearing yesterday's clothes. Had he guarded the Young Madam’s door all night?
"I’m fine. You take good care of the Young Madam," Ling Mohan said with a slightly hoarse voice. He glanced at the closed door, hid the loneliness in his eyes, and turned to leave.
For some reason, Cai Qing felt a pang of sadness seeing the Young General’s back.
Alas, if he had known this would happen, why did he act like that in the first place? The Young General had brought this upon himself.
After a moment, Cai Qing pushed open the door and went inside.
"Young Madam, please wash up. The small kitchen has made your favorite Eight-Treasure Sweet Congee."
Cai Qing handed Feng Jin the warmed towel. The moment she looked up again, she was so startled that the towel fell from her hands.
"Young Madam, what happened? Why are your eyes so bruised?"
Feng Jin coughed lightly and looked at herself in the mirror. Her face was pale from not sleeping all night, and her eyes were dark with bruising, giving her the appearance of a panda.
"It’s nothing. I didn’t sleep well last night."
She didn’t know why, but she had tossed and turned in bed and felt no sleepiness at all. It was only when dawn broke that she managed to close her eyes for a little while.
This resulted in a pair of panda eyes, which would be invisible once some makeup was applied.
"Young Madam, concerning the wedding banquet for the Second Prince and Miss Lin today, perhaps you shouldn’t attend. We can send the wedding gift."
Feng Jin’s hands paused as she applied makeup. She had been so preoccupied with the matter of divorcing Ling Mohan that she had forgotten it was their wedding day.
"Hurry and count the wedding gift from the treasury and put it in the carriage. We’ll go to Marquis Pingyang’s residence first."
Ling Mohan would likely be heading to Prince Jing’s residence, so she didn’t need to worry about that.
Since she wanted to befriend Lin Yuwei, a trip to Marquis Pingyang’s residence was necessary.
After washing up, Feng Jin concealed her exhaustion with makeup, changed into a blue and pink outfit, and hurried onto the carriage.
Marquis Pingyang’s residence was decorated with lanterns and colorful banners, exuding an atmosphere of joy.
In her boudoir, Lin Yuwei had changed into her wedding dress, her face adorned with exquisite makeup, which made her beauty even more radiant and shy.
Madam Lin, however, had tears on her face, her heart filled with bitterness.
"Mother, please help me put up my hair," Lin Yuwei said softly as she looked at herself in the mirror.
Madam Lin turned her head, wiped away her tears, and forced a smile, "Okay."
As she reached for the peach wood comb and began to comb her long, dark hair, Madam Lin felt even more heartbroken, and her tears fell uncontrollably.
"Mother, today is my wedding day. You should be happy."
"It’s all my fault for crying. But Mother can’t bear to part with you. The thought of you marrying Prince Jing makes my heart ache. I am useless, watching you jump into a fire pit with no way to stop you."
Prince Jing had injured his leg, and over the past two years, he had consulted numerous renowned physicians, all of whom concluded that his legs would never be able to stand again.
Although her daughter was not as noble as a princess, she was still cherished and doted upon. To marry a cripple, how could she live the rest of her life?
With the Empress Dowager and His Majesty personally bestowing the marriage, Marquis Pingyang’s residence could not disobey the imperial decree.
"Since the imperial decree has been issued, today is my wedding day. It is already decided, and there is no use saying more."
Lin Yuwei’s expression was calm. Since it was already a foregone conclusion, she could only accept it with a smile. She couldn’t complain and lament every day, otherwise, there would be no joy in her future life.
Besides, she had met Prince Jing before, and he had a gentle personality. Consort Yi Jing had passed away long ago, so she would have fewer mother-in-law conflicts after marriage, which could be considered a good thing.
"It’s best that sister can think this way." Feng Jin, standing outside the door, overheard their conversation and felt a surge of admiration. Lin Yuwei looked delicate, but her spirit was actually strong.
"Sister Feng Jin, you’ve arrived," Lin Yuwei exclaimed with joy. She had originally thought Feng Jin would go to Prince Jing’s residence with Ling Mohan today, but she hadn’t expected her to actually come here.
"Sister, why didn’t you go to Prince Jing’s residence?"
"After I escort you into the sedan chair, I will then go to Prince Jing’s residence."
"You child, how can you directly address the Princess of Jia Ning as ‘sister’? You are being disrespectful and lacking in proper etiquette," Madam Lin said with a hint of reproach.