Supporting Feng Yuanping onto the carriage, she hurried towards the agreed meeting point with Ling Mohan.
Ling Mohan was locked in a fierce battle with Sun Shi’s men. After several exchanges, he realized their martial arts were not weak, their moves vicious and aimed at killing him. How could mere servants of a noble household be so sharp and deadly, their stances reminiscent of soldiers clashing on the battlefield? This made him suspect their true identities.
"Attack... all of you, attack! Bring him to me, dead or alive! Don't let him leave this place!"
Sun Shi, directing from behind the crowd, knew that if her master found out Feng Yuanping had escaped, she would not be spared. She needed someone to take the blame, and he was the perfect candidate.
With a ‘bang’, blue fireworks lit up the sky.
Knowing Feng Jin had already left, Ling Mohan no longer bothered to entangle himself with them. He quickly broke free, leaving the Feng residence.
"Chase... hurry and chase!"
Seeing him escape, Sun Shi became enraged and ordered her men to pursue.
"A bunch of useless fools, you can't even keep track of one person! All useless!" Sun Shi yelled hysterically, consumed by the fear of Feng Yuanping’s escape, terrified.
Feng Jin drove the carriage to a manor and helped Feng Yuanping alight before walking inside.
"This manor is quite large, so conspicuous. I’m afraid Sun..."
"You don't need to worry about these matters. Since I brought you here, I can ensure your safety. Everyone on this estate is trustworthy. Rest here and recover from your injuries. We'll discuss everything once you're healed."
Feng Jin interrupted Feng Yuanping, settling him in and awaiting Ling Mohan's return.
After waiting for about half an hour and seeing no sign of Ling Mohan, Feng Jin became restless. She got up and walked outside. As soon as she opened the door, she saw him, dressed in black, striding in.
The emotions she had suppressed for so long burst forth, and Feng Jin rushed into his arms.
"Why did it take so long? Didn't we agree that as soon as I signal, you'd disengage and come back?"
"It was a bit tricky. I dealt with everything before returning. I'm sorry to have worried you."
He hadn't expected Sun Shi's men to be so reckless, pursuing him relentlessly. He had to take a longer route to deal with them one by one before returning.
"Are you injured?"
Upon hearing that it was tricky, Feng Jin’s worried gaze scanned him from head to toe. Only when she confirmed he wasn't hurt anywhere did she relax.
"I'm fine. They aren't capable of injuring me," Ling Mohan replied with a lighthearted chuckle, aiming to reassure Feng Jin.
"What about Prime Minister Feng? How are his injuries? Is he gravely hurt?"
The mention of Feng Yuanping caused Feng Jin's expression to fall. "He's fine, just superficial wounds. Sun Shi wouldn't dare to severely injure him while trying to get something from him. She didn't hit any vital spots, just flesh wounds that will heal on their own in a few days."
Looking at Feng Yuanping's weak appearance, she had initially thought he was seriously injured. But upon examining his wounds, they were all superficial scratches, no bones were broken, and he would recover within a few days.
"That's good... I'll arrange for more people to guard the surroundings of the manor. Sun Shi won't give up easily. Let Prime Minister Feng recover first, and then we'll discuss other matters."
He had other matters that required Feng Yuanping's help and could not afford any mistakes.
Although this manor was somewhat secluded, it couldn't guarantee that Sun Shi's men wouldn't find it. It was best to deploy the Black Armored Army to guard the surroundings to feel at ease.
"There's no need to send so many people. Too many will only arouse suspicion. Just send a few skilled individuals disguised as servants to patrol the manor."
If they were to follow Ling Mohan's suggestion and surround the manor with the Black Armored Army, it would be like protesting too much, essentially telling everyone that Feng Yuanping was here.
"We'll do as you say. Sun Shi doesn't know who took Prime Minister Feng. Even if they investigate, they won't dare to be too conspicuous."
Ling Mohan's eyes narrowed slightly, filled with coldness.
If a Prime Minister were to disappear, a large-scale search would undoubtedly cause a stir in the imperial court. Sun Shi wouldn't have the guts to do such a thing.
"Sun Shi is malicious and will stop at nothing to achieve her goals. What is she incapable of doing? However..."
Feng Jin paused mid-sentence, her brow furrowed with worry. "Do you think Feng Ruoyan was involved in Sun Shi's actions, or perhaps Chu Yanxi..."
Upon hearing Chu Yanxi's name, Ling Mohan's expression also turned grave. He had not forgotten Chu Yanxi's collusion with Xiliang.
Sun Shi's motive for imprisoning Feng Yuanping was to obtain the border troop deployment map. If Chu Yanxi were also involved, then Xiliang...
"I will have someone thoroughly investigate Sun Shi's background. If she is truly from Xiliang, then all of this will make sense."
If Sun Shi were indeed from Xiliang, then they would have to be extremely vigilant.
"Cough... cough... General Ling, I have something I need to discuss with you privately..."
Feng Yuanping's slightly weak voice called from behind. Ling Mohan turned to look, then glanced at Feng Jin before nodding his agreement.
As Feng Jin was about to follow, Feng Yuanping stopped her at the door. "Men's talk, it's best for you, a woman, to listen less!"
"You..."
‘Bang!’
Before she could argue with Feng Yuanping, the door was shut heavily, separating them into two worlds. Feng Jin suppressed her anger.
How dare Feng Yuanping, after studying the classics, resort to such patriarchal behavior.
"What does Prime Minister Feng wish to say?"
Ling Mohan's voice was extremely cold, devoid of any emotion.
"General Ling is truly businesslike. But don't forget, I am Feng Jin's biological father, your father-in-law. Does General Ling truly intend to be like that unfilial daughter and disown me as your father-in-law?"
"Everything depends on Feng Jin's wishes. If she's willing to acknowledge you as her father, then I will naturally acknowledge you as my father-in-law."
Ling Mohan leaned back, shifting the blame. Feng Yuanping had always been at odds with him in the imperial court. The only reason he had saved him this time was for Feng Jin's sake.
Feng Yuanping, enraged, could only blame himself. He couldn't blame Feng Jin for not acknowledging him. Ultimately, it was his own doing, his poor judgment of character, that led him to this predicament. He couldn't blame anyone else.
"If it's about this, Prime Minister Feng, it would be best to have Feng Jin speak with you."