Feng Jin said helplessly. She didn't expect Ling Mohan to change. After all, this was something deeply rooted in him, and it wasn't something he could change just by saying so.
"Oh? Then I'll smile more when there are people around from now on."
Ling Mohan reached out and touched his face. He didn't think he had a cold expression just now; it was more like no expression at all, and he didn't think he was as Feng Jin described.
Then, from now on, he would just smile more. It wasn't a difficult thing anyway.
"Alright, then perform for me. How are you planning to smile from now on?"
Feng Jin continued to ask, wanting to see how Ling Mohan planned to smile in the future.
The man coughed lightly, his lips twitching. He managed to pull out a smile that was uglier than a cry.
Feng Jin was immediately amused by Ling Mohan's expression and laughed out loud without any reservation.
Her laughter was filled with mockery. She really didn't mean to, but Ling Mohan's appearance was too funny, and she couldn't help herself.
The man's expression gradually turned grim with Feng Jin's laughter, becoming even more unpleasant. He suppressed his voice and said, "Stop laughing..."
But Feng Jin acted as if she hadn't heard him. Her laughter grew louder. She clutched her stomach and collapsed onto the ground, her slender fingers pointing at Ling Mohan, her words broken: "You... you, you might as well... as well not smile anymore..."
His smile was truly uglier than crying, and Ling Mohan's unusual behavior was what made people feel afraid...
The man's face was grim as he stared coldly at Feng Jin.
"Don't look at me with that expression... When you're like this... I, I want to laugh even more..."
Feng Jin suppressed the smile on her lips. Would it be bad for her health to hold back her laughter like this?
"If you want to laugh, then laugh. Holding it in, don't you find it uncomfortable..."
As soon as Ling Mohan finished speaking, he was met with another burst of hearty laughter.
With Ling Mohan's permission, Feng Jin no longer held back and laughed to her heart's content.
"Hiss... my stomach... my stomach hurts so much..."
Feng Jin clutched her aching stomach, crouching on the ground, her face full of pain.
"What's wrong?" Ling Mohan stepped forward concernedly. He was about to lift Feng Jin by the waist when she stopped him.
"I'm fine, I just... I just strained myself from laughing. I'll be fine after resting for a bit."
Feng Jin said intermittently, clutching her stomach. She should have known not to laugh so hard. In the end, she blamed Ling Mohan. When she was laughing, he should have stopped her; instead, he let her laugh like that, so it was no wonder she strained herself.
With that, Feng Jin glared at Ling Mohan with blame in her eyes, all directed at him.
Unexpectedly glared at, Ling Mohan was utterly bewildered, not knowing where he had offended Feng Jin again.
"Help me up first."
With Ling Mohan's help, Feng Jin staggered to her feet and brushed the dirt off her skirt.
"From now on, you shouldn't laugh anymore. For the sake of others' safety, promise me you won't laugh."
Feng Jin said earnestly. If Ling Mohan laughed a few more times, he would either feel uncomfortable like her, or he would be terrified.
Ling Mohan's face grew even more displeased. If he continued to converse with Feng Jin, he was afraid he would be angered to death.
He stood up abruptly and turned to leave.
Seeing this, Feng Jin quickly stopped him: "Why are you leaving so quickly? I still have something to tell you."
"Speak, what is it?"
"Who are you showing that long face to? Am I supposed to endure your sour expression!"
Suddenly being reprimanded again, Ling Mohan froze in place.
Didn't she just tell him to smile less in the future? Now why was she blaming him for looking cold?
"Didn't you just tell me..."
"Enough, you should say less."
Feng Jin didn't want to listen to the nagging anymore and directly rebuked Ling Mohan.
"Alright..." Ling Mohan replied helplessly.
"How much longer until we reach the capital?"
Feng Jin asked. The bumps in the carriage were truly unbearable, and she didn't know when they would arrive.
"We should arrive by tomorrow afternoon."
They had been rushing for the past two days, and it was estimated that they would reach the capital by tomorrow.
"Tomorrow, you and the children will stay at the manor outside the city first. You'll enter the city and return to the mansion in the evening."
"Why? Did something happen?"
Ling Mohan lowered his gaze, his tone slightly阴沉. "I just worry... the main army returning to the city first can attract some attention. By evening, the Black Armored Army will escort you into the city."
"Alright, I'll listen to you."
On these matters, Feng Jin never argued with Ling Mohan.
Because she knew in her heart that the man was doing this for her and the children's sake, she agreed with his words.
The next day, the group split into two. Half of the Black Armored Army escorted Feng Jin and the children to the manor outside the city to stay.
Ling Mohan, on the other hand, led the dowry from Xiliang and the accompanying palace maids and eunuchs, entering the capital in a grand procession.
...
"Young Madam, we've arrived at the manor."
Chu Qing's voice from outside the carriage woke the half-asleep Feng Jin. After a moment, Feng Jin slowly alighted from the carriage.
"Greetings, Young Madam, Young Master..."
The servants at the manor said in unison.
Feng Jin recognized these people as Ling family servants from their clothing.
"All of you rise. Who is the steward?"
"Your servant, the manor steward Wu Er, greets the Young Madam."
"Wu Er..." Feng Jin murmured, finding the name increasingly familiar. She had a vague impression but couldn't recall it for a moment.
"How long have you been working for the Ling family?"
"Your servant is a born servant of the Ling family. From my father's time, he has been serving the Old Master."
With this explanation, Feng Jin instantly remembered: "Your surname is Wu, and the Ling family's steward also has the surname Wu. What is your relationship?"
"Steward Wu is my father."
This clarified everything for Feng Jin.
"Alright, you may rise. Lead me inside."
This manor was acquired by the Ling Old Master in his early years and then gifted to Ling Mohan. It was Feng Jin's first time visiting this manor. "Steward Wu, you've managed this manor very well, it's all in order. It seems you've put in a lot of effort."
"You are too kind, Young Madam. This is all within my duties. Doing it well is also a way to honor our masters."
Wu Er said humbly, without any arrogance in his eyes.
Feng Jin could tell that Wu Er was respectful. "It's good that Steward Wu understands this. Work diligently, and the Ling family will not mistreat you."
"Yes, your servant understands."
"Take me to my room." Feng Jin was tired and just wanted to rest well.
"Young Madam, please this way."
Wu Er bowed and led Feng Jin towards the east courtyard. "Young Madam, this Jin Garden was just renovated at the beginning of this year. Hearing that the Young Madam was coming, your servant had people clean it out early this morning."