Chu Chenyi looked speechlessly at the two people walking in front, feeling utterly indignant. They were going too far, acting this way simply because he was alone – truly… despicable.
Especially Ling Mohan, who had become so fickle, discarding even a friend with whom he had faced life and death for many years.
“Your Highness Prince Jing, if you don't hurry up, you’ll have to ride by yourself.”
Upon reaching the entrance, Feng Jin remembered that one person had been left behind and urged him loudly. Time was of the essence; if Chu Chenyi didn't come soon, she would leave without him.
When Chu Chenyi walked over upon hearing her voice, the other two were already gone.
“Your Highness Prince Jing, our young general and his lady are waiting for you in the carriage,” Lu Shi reported.
Chu Chenyi glanced at the carriage behind him, a few dark lines appearing on his forehead. If he had any sense, he wouldn't have shared the carriage with these two.
“This King will ride his horse!” Chu Chenyi said through gritted teeth, then mounted his horse. How had he, a dignified prince, been reduced to a mere vanguard scout? The drop in status was immense.
Feng Jin lifted the carriage curtain and saw Chu Chenyi walking at the very front. She couldn't help but chuckle and say to the man beside her, “You know, having Prince Jing lead the way on horseback truly gives a majestic feeling.”
“You pulled me into the carriage first just to have Prince Jing ride ahead and clear the path for you.”
Ling Mohan had been wondering why Feng Jin had been in such a hurry to drag him into the carriage. So, this was her plan.
“When we return to the capital, I still have to help him with his affairs. Having him ride ahead to clear the path for me now is considered him repaying a favor.”
Feng Jin, enjoying her moment of borrowed authority, hadn't had enough of it before they arrived.
“Let’s get off.” Ling Mohan alighted first, extending his hand to help Feng Jin down.
“Why so soon? I was just starting to get into the mood, and it's already over.”
Feng Jin grumbled unhappily, blaming Fan Shun for building his mansion so close to the post station. It had taken less than fifteen minutes. She even suspected that Chu Chenyi might have sped up out of embarrassment.
“There will be plenty of opportunities. Let’s go inside and watch the good show.”
Ling Mohan led Feng Jin forward, holding her hand. As their feet crossed the threshold, he felt a gust of wind brush past his ear. When Feng Jin shifted her gaze, she only saw Chu Chenyi’s proud back as he strode inside, like a peacock displaying its feathers.
He was quite proud now, but she would see if he could maintain that swagger when they returned to the capital.
“Your subordinate greets Your Highness Prince Jing, General Ling!”
Upon hearing the news, Fan Shun hurried over. From a distance, he looked like a rolling ball of flesh. Feng Jin instinctively hid behind Ling Mohan. Judging by Fan Shun’s physique alone, he must have weighed around two hundred pounds.
In this harsh border region, with its scarcity of food and clothing, it was a feat for Fan Shun to have kept himself so plump. How much did he have to eat daily to get so fat? Feng Jin made a rough mental calculation, arriving at a astronomical figure that astonished even herself. He truly had a hearty appetite, a very hearty appetite…
When Fan Shun’s gaze fell upon Feng Jin hiding behind Ling Mohan, his eyes lit up as if he had discovered treasure. “This must be Madam Ling. I only caught a fleeting glimpse of Madam that day, and I already found her to be divinely beautiful. Now to…”
“Ah…” A sound like a slaughtered pig pierced the heavens. Startled sparrows on the trees flapped their wings and flew away in haste. Ling Mohan had put his full strength into that kick. Fan Shun, already corpulent, was sent flying several meters away, landing on the ground and unable to get up for a moment, resembling a turtle flipped onto its back.
Feng Jin couldn't help but laugh at his pathetic state. She mocked him, “Look… look at him now, doesn't he resemble… doesn't he resemble an overturned turtle…”
With Feng Jin’s reminder, Chu Chenyi couldn't help but draw the parallel. The more he looked, the more it seemed apt. He struggled to suppress his laughter.
“If you utter another word of nonsense, this general will pull out your tongue and feed it to the dogs!”
Ling Mohan’s eyes were filled with murderous intent, his thin lips pressed tightly together. His anger had reached its breaking point.
With the help of his attendants, Fan Shun managed to get to his feet. His chest ached from the kick, and even speaking made his chest feel like it would split open.
“Your subordinate… your subordinate would never dare…”
Ling Mohan, his face as cold as ice, tugged on Feng Jin’s hand, asserting his claim, and walked directly towards the inner hall. Sensing that the situation was not good, Fan Shun whispered a few words into his attendant’s ear before being helped into the inner hall by several people.
Before Fan Shun could speak, Ling Mohan threw a memorial directly onto Fan Shun’s face.
“These are the complaints from the people of Yuncheng, accusing you of bullying the innocent and seizing property by force… Fan Shun, do you admit to this!”
Fan Shun glanced at the scattered memorial papers, and his heart suddenly chilled. He realized that his fate was sealed. Not only would his future glory and wealth be lost, but it was also questionable whether he could even keep his head. Fan Shun hurriedly explained, “Your Highness, General, your subordinate has never committed such acts. This has… has nothing to do with your subordinate. Someone must be trying to harm me… frame me!”
Ling Mohan had anticipated that Fan Shun would not admit it so easily, but he still had a final move.
“Since you refuse to confess, we will hold a public trial. Fan Shun will be sent to hard labor, and upon opening the yamen, this general will personally preside over the case.”
“Yes, Young General!” Lu Shi beckoned, and the men behind him stepped forward to drag the terrified Fan Shun away.
“You’re making an unnecessary fuss. Instead of opening the yamen to convict Fan Shun, a swift sword strike would have been more satisfying!” Chu Chenyi yawned, feeling that Ling Mohan was simply too idle, always indulging in these convoluted schemes.
“Fan Shun has served as the commander of Yuncheng for nearly ten years. His influence is deeply entrenched; he is practically a local emperor. If killing Fan Shun alone could solve the problem, would I go to such lengths? What I worry about is that after Fan Shun’s death, some of his subordinates might cause trouble. This time, we must eradicate these tumors.”
He had planned for a long time, waiting for this day to rid Yuncheng of this great tumor, Fan Shun.
“This King has already requested an imperial decree from His Majesty to appoint another person as the commander of Yuncheng, ensuring there will be no unrest.”
“Your Highness Prince Jing’s considerations are indeed thorough. You have truly made it difficult for yourself.” Compared to before, Chu Chenyi’s ability to think this far ahead filled him with immense relief. Fortunately, he had made some progress during this period.
“Whatever this King considers and does, is it not always thorough and proper!” Chu Chenyi stated and walked straight ahead.