“Ice block, you quickly punish this woman properly!”
Gu Beichen’s face was full of anger, a breath seemed to be stuck in his chest, unable to escape. In his twenty-plus years of life, this was the first time he had been bested by a woman.
And it was by an ugly woman. If this got out, his reputation would be ruined.
“This is your own doing!”
Ling Mohan already knew the whole story. With Feng Jin’s abilities, merely silencing Gu Beichen for half an hour was already showing mercy.
“You ice block, how can you be so disloyal and prioritize a woman!” Besides, that woman wasn’t even worth mentioning in terms of looks.
Could it be that lying in bed for too long had also addled his brain?
“She is the young madam of the Ling family. You should be more polite to her in the future.”
Ling Mohan said in a deep voice, his tone sounding like protection, yet also like a warning.
As long as Feng Jin wore the title of the Ling family’s young madam, he would protect her.
“You… you’re truly crazy!”
This was the first time Gu Beichen had seen him speak up for a woman. Did he really have feelings for that ugly woman?
“Young General, it’s time for your foot bath!” Feng Jin carried a basin of murky medicinal water.
The strong medicinal scent made Gu Beichen frown. Just as he was about to retort, a sharp pain shot through his throat, the events of earlier flashing through his mind.
Gu Beichen wisely swallowed the words that were about to escape his lips. “Discretion is the better part of valor.” He wouldn’t argue with a woman, especially an ugly one.
Feng Jin placed the medicinal soup on the ground. This soup was her secret recipe, brewed with over ten precious medicinal herbs. It was highly effective for dispelling cold, promoting blood circulation, breaking blood stasis, and strengthening the body. It was perfect for treating Ling Mohan’s chronic cold legs, promising a complete cure.
Ling Mohan immersed his legs in the medicinal soup, and a warmth spread from his legs throughout his body. Ling Mohan felt a long-lost sense of relaxation.
As Feng Jin’s fingers massaged his legs, he felt warmth spreading through him. The comfort was so profound that he felt drowsy.
Ling Mohan couldn’t help but look at Feng Jin. The girl in white was sideways to him, her jet-black hair tied up with a single jade hairpin, revealing her fair neck.
Her slender eyelashes, like cicada wings, fluttered gently. Her features were delicate, and her slightly sallow skin was dotted with a large patch of freckles.
Such a woman could not be considered beautiful. Strictly speaking, she was somewhat ugly. Yet, it was precisely her calm and cool demeanor, and her eyes, as placid as a deep pool, that were deeply captivating him.
“Alright, I will have someone bring the medicine later. You must not get out of bed for the next two days!”
Feng Jin slowly stood up, tidied the acupuncture pack on the table, and left without looking back.
Only after the door closed did Ling Mohan avert his gaze.
“Ice block, you’re not really falling for her, are you?”
Ling Mohan shot Gu Beichen an displeased glance. He was being far too talkative today.
“Lu Shi, escort the young prince out. And issue an order to refuse all visitors!”
News of his recovery would surely spread like wildfire, attracting people eager for information. He didn’t have the energy to deal with them right now; it was better to refuse all visitors.
“You can only enjoy these few days of freedom. Old Master Ling has already spread the news of your recovery and is planning a grand banquet in seven days!”
Gu Beichen had heard the news, which was why he had rushed over.
“Alright, you get some rest. I’ll come to see you again in a couple of days!”
After Gu Beichen left, Ling Mohan summoned Lu Shi, who had been guarding the door.
“How is the investigation?”
“Reporting to the Young General, the master has calculated that your and the Prime Minister’s legitimate daughter’s birth dates and times are compatible. The Prime Minister’s mansion did not wish to marry Feng Ruoyan to the Young General, which is why they brought Feng Jin, who had been raised in the countryside, back to marry the Young General. I also discovered that the young madam lived a difficult life on the rural estate, and no one taught her any medical skills!”
Ling Mohan’s eyes tightened. No one taught her medical skills, so where did her incredible medical knowledge come from…
“Keep an eye on her. If she contacts anyone outside, report to me immediately!”
“Yes, Young General!”
Hopefully, it wasn’t as he suspected…
When Feng Jin returned to her room, the butler brought several people into her courtyard.
“Young Madam, these four maids will be at your disposal from now on!”
These maids were all assigned by Old Master Ling, who had also ordered that no one in the mansion was to make things difficult for Feng Jin, and that her food and clothing should all be the best.
The butler, always one to curry favor, had abandoned his usual haughty demeanor and was now full of respect towards Feng Jin.
Feng Jin’s lips curled into a cold smile. She had witnessed the fickleness of human relationships since childhood and was indifferent to the butler’s fawning.
Her gaze fell upon the four women. Feng Jin pointed to the maid on the far left, “I only want her. Take the others away!”
“Young Madam, these were all arranged by the Old Master. If you do this, I… I won’t be able to explain myself!”
The butler looked troubled, but his heart was in a panic. Could it be that the young madam still resented him for what happened yesterday?
“I am accustomed to quiet. I don’t need so many people serving me. Thank you for your trouble, Butler, please take them back!”
Feng Jin’s words were earnest, leaving no room for negotiation.
“Then… alright!” The butler reluctantly led the remaining three away, looking sheepish.
She really is a country girl. Perhaps no one has ever served her this much in her life, and she claims to be accustomed to quiet. What a convenient excuse.
However, how was he going to report back to the second master, the third master, and the cousin? He hadn’t handled the assigned task well.
“What is your name?”
“Your servant is Cai Qing!”
“That’s a good name. Do you know why I chose you out of the four?”
Feng Jin took a sip of clear tea and asked plainly.
“Your servant does not know. Please enlighten me, Young Madam?”
Feng Jin was straightforward. “The clothes worn by those three are all Chu Jin silk, a fabric only worn by first-class maids in this mansion. Furthermore, their fingers are slender and fair, clearly indicating they are personal maids to other ladies in the manor. To transfer personal maids to me, who knows what their intentions are!”
“The clothes you are wearing are a bit too big, and there is a cut on your left index finger, injured while chopping vegetables. You, girl, are clearly a substitute pulled in at the last minute!”
The Ling mansion had complex relationships. As soon as she arrived, the second and third branches were impatiently trying to place informants around her. Her future days would not be peaceful.
Cai Qing looked at the faded scar on her hand in surprise. The young madam could even discern that was incredible.
“I only have one request for you, and that is loyalty. As long as you are loyal, I will not treat you unfairly!”
“Cai Qing will only obey the Young Madam from now on and will never have divided loyalty!”
Cai Qing quickly knelt down, pledging her loyalty.
Feng Jin helped her up. As her hand touched Cai Qing’s脉搏, her expression slightly changed, “When you have your period, do you suffer from severe lower abdominal pain?”
Cai Qing’s small face flushed. How could the young madam ask such a personal question? She merely nodded shyly.