"Never! Give up that idea!"
The man's warning words carried a hint of threat: "If you dare to find a stepfather for my son, I'll break both your legs and lock you up forever!"
At worst, he would always take care of Feng Jin and absolutely not allow her to leave.
Did she really think he was dead to even consider finding a stepfather for his son?
"Be gentler with your hands, you're hurting me!"
Feng Jin cried out in pain. The damned man was too strong; his grip made her bones ache.
"It's only when you feel pain that you'll remember. Do you still dare to think of such nonsense?"
He was now realizing that Feng Jin's boldness was growing. She was already contemplating finding a stepfather for his son. Was it really because he had been too indulgent with her all this time?
"I didn't, you're just being overly sensitive. I was just casually saying... Ouch... It hurts!"
Feng Jin cried out in pain and slapped Ling Mohan's arm. Did this guy have a violent tendency? She had clearly said it hurt, yet he was still using such great force.
"Even casual remarks are not allowed. If there's a next time, you'll find out!"
"You have a violent tendency, and you're also a paranoid person who illegally detains people!"
Feng Jin shouted angrily, determined to correct Ling Mohan's misguided thoughts.
If this continued, who knew when Ling Mohan might impulsively harm her. Wouldn't that be too unjust?
"Say whatever you want, but you just need to remember, if you dare to find a stepfather for my son, you're dead."
If that day truly came, he really couldn't guarantee he wouldn't do something terrible to Feng Jin.
Feng Jin glared fiercely at Ling Mohan, regretting her impulsiveness at that moment for bringing up the topic, which ultimately only harmed herself.
"I'm not talking about this with you anymore. I'm going to check on the child."
After speaking, Feng Jin pushed the man in front of her away and walked straight out. If they continued talking, she feared she would truly be angered to death by Ling Mohan.
Ling Mohan watched Feng Jin's retreating back with a smile, then followed her footsteps.
...
When Baili Xuan arrived at the foot of Yuncheng with countless dowries, his expression dimmed upon not seeing Fan Shun.
"Lord Baili, you have worked hard. You have prepared a new dowry so quickly."
"General Ling, please carefully inspect this dowry. Do not find any more excuses later to say there are problems."
Baili Xuan's words seemed to be looking for trouble, insisting on bringing up the previous incident again.
Ling Mohan was unfazed, merely curling his lips into a cold smile: "I only thought General Baili had outstanding literary talent, but I didn't expect your eloquence to be equally impressive, even surpassing women of the market."
"Here is the dowry list. General Ling, it would be best if you have it reviewed quickly."
A subordinate beside him took out a ledger and respectfully handed it over.
This time, Ling Mohan did not examine it as meticulously as before. He merely glanced at it before throwing it to Lu Shi, who was beside him: "Compare it carefully."
The previous deliberate obstruction and rejection of the dowry were all to delay his time in Yuncheng.
After all, the authenticity and quantity of the dowry had little to do with him. He only needed to ensure the dowry was delivered to the capital without any mishaps.
Since Fan Shun's matter was resolved, there was no need for him to linger here. The matters in the capital were more pressing, and only by returning could he truly feel at ease.
"Young General, the verification is complete. There is no deviation from what is recorded on the list."
After Lu Shi had verified everything, he handed the ledger back to Ling Mohan.
"Since there are no deviations, we will set off for the capital tomorrow. Lord Baili, I am busy with official duties. Please forgive any lack of hospitality!"
After uttering a vague polite remark, Ling Mohan turned and rode away without looking back.
Although Baili Xuan was displeased, their plan had succeeded in delivering the dowry to Dong Chu as planned. As for what happened next, it would depend on the princess and Baili Xi's plan.
"Young General, there is no deviation in the dowry they sent this time compared to the previous one. The palace maids and eunuchs have basically remained unchanged."
Lu Shi had specifically memorized the faces of those palace maids and eunuchs last time and had re-compared them with his memory this time. There were basically no changes.
"This dowry has already been arranged. Baili Xuan naturally would not dare to move it carelessly. Any slight misstep would unravel the entire game."
The current situation was entirely within Ling Mohan's plan. He had long predicted that Baili Xuan would not dare to touch the dowry.
The palace maids and eunuchs arranged within were all spies who had been trained in advance to infiltrate the Dong Chu internal affairs. Even if Baili Xuan had the courage of a hundred thousand, he wouldn't dare to touch them.
"Young General, once these people enter the capital, won't the capital and its surroundings be in chaos?"
Lu Shi was somewhat worried. After all, Xiliang had always been covetous of Dong Chu, and its ambition had been long-standing. It would certainly not miss such a good opportunity.
"As soon as they enter the capital, they will first be housed in the post station. Ensure that all personnel within the post station are replaced with Black Armored troops, and strict supervision must be maintained for anyone entering or exiting."
From the collusion between Fan Shun and the Xiliang people this time, it was evident that the Xiliang people had long reached far and wide, even bribing border generals.
Chu Yanxi had also been colluding with the Xiliang people for a long time. It was likely that the officials who attached themselves to Chu Yanxi were not unrelated to Xiliang.
This matter was more troublesome than any previous incident. What worried him even more was that unthinking Gu Beichen. He didn't know what stage he and Murong Jinyun had reached these days.
He hoped that love hadn't truly blinded him to the point of disregarding state affairs, and that he hadn't really told Murong Jinyun everything.
If that were the case, it would be treason, and the merits of the Zhennan Prince's Mansion for generations would not be enough to atone for Gu Beichen's crime.
"Speed up the journey, and reach the capital as early as possible!"
Ling Mohan ordered in a deep voice. Only by reaching the capital quickly and gaining control of the situation could they better handle this matter.
"Yes, Young General."
Upon receiving the order, Lu Shi immediately commanded the army to speed up their journey, not even allowing time to stop and rest or reorganize.
After traveling all day, they finally reached a time when they could rest. Feng Jin eagerly jumped off the carriage, stretching her stiffening limbs. This carriage was truly bumpy, and riding inside was simply suffering.