"Yes, your subordinate understands. We will certainly make Yan'er useful to Xiliang." To save her life first, Madam Sun had no choice but to agree to Baili Xi's every word.
"Guards, take her down to change into clean clothes and then escort her out."
As Baili Xi finished speaking, a maid appeared from a side door and led Madam Sun away through a smaller exit.
"Here are clean clothes and wound medicine. Apply the medicine yourself and change, then you may leave."
"Thank you, miss." Madam Sun's attitude was extremely humble, even a little subservient. Gone was the arrogant, unapproachable demeanor she had as the Prime Minister's wife.
Madam Sun endured the pain as she changed out of her clothes. Striking red whip marks were even more apparent against her bloody skin. After quickly applying the medicine and changing, Madam Sun dared not linger for another moment, fleeing as if she were escaping.
...
"Reporting to Young General, Madam Sun returned to the Feng residence only to be knocked unconscious and taken away. Your subordinate followed with men until they reached the vicinity of the post station, and then they vanished."
Lu Shi, following Ling Mohan's orders, had been keeping watch outside the Feng residence. He had personally witnessed Madam Sun enter the residence, only to be knocked unconscious and taken away.
"Continue to monitor Madam Sun, and also Baili Xi."
It was now basically confirmed that Madam Sun was Baili Xi's subordinate. As for their true intentions, they would need to continue monitoring them before any decisions could be made.
"Your subordinate obeys!"
As Lu Shi was about to depart, Ling Mohan's voice called from behind him: "Increase the surveillance on the Third Prince's manor as well. Report every single movement."
"Your subordinate obeys!"
Lu Shi bowed in acknowledgment and then directly retreated and left.
"It seems Madam Sun really is one of Baili Xi's people."
Feng Jin, who had been hiding behind a screen, walked out. She had heard everything Lu Shi had reported just now.
She hadn't expected that the people of Xiliang had planted spies in Dong Chu twenty years ago, and that this spy had even become the Prime Minister's wife of Dong Chu. Truly… quite capable.
"It's basically confirmed. Madam Sun wants the border troop distribution map, likely on Baili Xi's orders."
Baili Xi harbored ambitious intentions. He was determined to avenge his grandfather and reclaim the territory of Shanhai Pass. Without eliminating Baili Xi, the Dong Chu border would never be stable.
"Madam Sun is from Xiliang… then could she… could she possibly…"
Feng Jin rested her chin on her hand, her brow furrowed. The words on the tip of her tongue, however, she swallowed back.
"You hesitate to speak, have you thought of something?"
"This… this is really hard to say…"
"Is there anything you're too embarrassed to say? It's just the two of us here. Speak your mind."
Feng Jin paused, took a step forward, and whispered into Ling Mohan's ear, "I was just thinking, since Madam Sun is from Xiliang, then is Feng Ruoyan truly Feng Yuanping's biological daughter…"
If not, wouldn't the cuckold's green hat on Feng Yuanping's head be blindingly dazzling.
Ling Mohan's brow furrowed tightly upon hearing this. How could she even think of such a thing? Looking at Feng Jin's expression, she seemed quite eager for Feng Yuanping to be cuckolded.
"If she really isn't Feng Yuanping's child, then wouldn't that be raising someone else's child for them all these years for nothing? That's quite a long-standing green hat to wear."
Upon thinking of this, Feng Jin's smile couldn't be concealed, and she burst into uncontrollable laughter.
"No matter what, she is your father. It's not quite right for you to be like this."
He had never seen a daughter discuss her father's affairs. Feng Jin was truly the first. If Feng Yuanping were to know what Feng Jin was thinking, he would likely be angered to death.
"I am merely stating facts. If she is not truly his child, then it's best to know early. Must one continue to be a green-hatted turtle raising children for others?"
Feng Jin put on an expression of inevitability. Although her words were not pleasant to hear, they were indeed logical. For a moment, even Ling Mohan couldn't find words to refute her.
Ling Mohan shook his head and sighed helplessly. Anyone who had such a daughter would truly be angered to death.
He had originally planned to have another daughter, but seeing Feng Jin like this, he no longer dared to bring it up, fearing that any daughter born would have the same disposition as Feng Jin, in which case he would truly be angered to death.
He was even worried if their eldest child, Da Bao, would have the same temperament as Feng Jin when he grew up.
"What is that look on your face? Have I said something wrong?"
"No, of course not. You haven't said anything wrong." Fearing Feng Jin would get angry, Ling Mohan quickly changed the subject. "It's getting late. Let's go back to the room to rest, and you can continue researching this matter tomorrow."
Ling Mohan pulled Feng Jin eagerly back to their room. As soon as the door was closed, his hands became restless, moving all over Feng Jin's body.
"What are you doing… Let… Mmm… Mmm…"
Before her words of refusal could be spoken, her lips were sealed. All of Feng Jin's unfinished words turned into muffled sounds.
Seeing the woman in his arms quieten down considerably, Ling Mohan directly picked her up and tossed her onto the bed, his sturdy body pressing down.
Without giving Feng Jin any chance to react, the man's hands worked their way to remove her outer garments.
...
After fleeing and returning to the Feng residence, Madam Sun felt as if she was being watched. Filled with unease, she hurried to the Third Prince's manor to find Feng Ruoyan.
"Mother, why are you coming at this particular time? And what is it this time…"
Upon seeing Madam Sun clearly, Feng Ruoyan's words stopped abruptly. Her mouth widened in surprise, "Mother… your face… what happened to your face…"
Her mouth was full of bruises, and there were slight dark circles under her eyes. Feng Ruoyan quickly helped Madam Sun sit down.
"I… I'm fine, Yan'er…"
Madam Sun glanced at the people standing around, her eyes filled with hesitation. The words on the tip of her tongue were swallowed back.
"You all may leave!"
Sensing Madam Sun's embarrassment, Feng Ruoyan dismissed everyone.
"Mother, it's just you and me now. Speak whatever you need to say."
Madam Sun grabbed Feng Ruoyan's hand, tears welling up in her eyes, and revealed the secret that had been weighing on her heart for years: "Yan'er, Feng Yuanping is not your biological father."
"Mother, what nonsense are you spouting? How could I not be Father's biological daughter!"
Feng Ruoyan flung Madam Sun's hand away, feeling that Madam Sun had lost her mind and was speaking utter gibberish.
"I know you won't believe me, but what I'm saying is the truth. Your biological father is not Feng Yuanping. When I married into the Feng residence, I was already pregnant!"
"No… this isn't true… it isn't…"
Feng Ruoyan slumped onto the chair. The father she had called for so many years turned out not to be her biological father after all.