The scent of food lingered around her nostrils, and having not eaten much all day, Feng Jin’s appetite was instantly whetted. She ate heartily, without a shred of decorum.
Seeing Feng Jin eat with such gusto, Ling Mohan couldn't help but smile. He sat quietly beside her, watching her eat.
"Does it suit your taste?"
Her mouth full, Feng Jin could only nod slightly, unable to speak clearly. She then continued to eat. Her priority was to fill her stomach; everything else was secondary.
After she had eaten her fill, Feng Jin let out a satisfied burp. She still felt a little unsatisfied and could have eaten another dish of pickled fish. However, it was getting late, and eating too much at night could lead to indigestion. It was better to save some room and eat tomorrow.
"Look, you've got food scraps on your chin. How can you be so grown and still eat like a child, not even properly? Seeing this, Da Bao truly is exactly like you, not a trace of difference."
He had mentioned Da Bao's eating habits more than once. Now, seeing Feng Jin devour her food, he finally understood that Da Bao's behavior was entirely a reflection of Feng Jin.
The mother and son ate exactly the same way, unlike the more composed Er Bao.
"What do you know? This is called eating with relish. Besides, I was just too hungry. I'm not usually like this."
Feng Jin mumbled in dissatisfaction. He was blaming all of Da Bao's bad habits on her. Did all the good traits come from him, while all the bad ones were her fault?
"Alright, alright... you're right. You've eaten and are full. Hurry and get some rest. You've been busy for so long, you haven't had a good night's sleep."
She had been busy for many days, without a single complete night's sleep. Especially when Feng Jin was confined to the palace, he had been worried sick and restless, not sleeping a wink, only hoping that Feng Jin would be safe.
Now that things had somewhat eased, some of his duties had been transferred to Chu Yanxi, allowing him to rest for a day.
"Oh no, I still have something to do!"
Just as Feng Jin was about to lie down on the bed, she suddenly remembered an important task she had forgotten. She abruptly stood up, pulled the cloak from the bed, draped it over herself, and hurried out.
Ling Mohan, left alone in the room, sighed helplessly. How could she not change her impetuous nature? He wondered what trouble she would stir up this time.
After much deliberation, Ling Mohan still put on his outer garment and hurried after Feng Jin. He caught up to the woman who was running and grabbed her.
"Why are you running so fast? Where are you going this late at night?"
He grabbed Feng Jin and bombarded her with questions. His gaze fell on the heavy basket in her hand, and he continued, "What's in this basket?"
As he reached out to open it, Feng Jin flinched back as if startled.
"Don't look, it's unlucky to see it this late at night."
Fearing that Ling Mohan would insist on opening it, Feng Jin fiercely protected the basket. "This... this contains... Liu Meng Han's newborn child. It's no longer breathing."
The man's brows furrowed tightly. He withdrew the hand that was suspended in mid-air and let out a deep sigh. He was becoming increasingly confused about what Feng Jin intended to do. Carrying a lifeless child in the middle of the night, where was she going?
If she continued to be so restless every day, could she not find some peace?
Ling Mohan suppressed the anger he felt towards Feng Jin, clenching his fists. Even his breathing became heavy. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.
Silence fell, broken only by the whistling cold wind and the faint sound of falling leaves.
After a moment of silence, just as Feng Jin hesitated whether to explain, Ling Mohan's calm voice broke the quiet, "What are you going to do with this child?"
Seeing the opportunity, Feng Jin seized it and explained, "I... I promised Liu Meng Han that I would let the child see her, and... and the Empress Dowager has also agreed to let Liu Meng Han and the child be buried together. I thought, while Liu Meng Han still has a breath, I should quickly take the child to her so she can see it..."
Feng Jin explained with urgency, her voice growing softer towards the end. If Ling Mohan's hearing hadn't been good, and he hadn't been standing so close to Feng Jin, he likely wouldn't have been able to hear what she was saying.
Hearing Ling Mohan's slightly helpless sigh, Feng Jin lowered her head even further, like a living ostrich burying its head.
"It's not safe at night. I'll go with you."
As soon as he finished speaking, without regard for Feng Jin's wishes, Ling Mohan reached out and took her hand, leading her forward.
Fearing that she might anger Ling Mohan further, Feng Jin let him lead her, not daring to resist at all.
Thus, they walked in silence to the prison gate. The guards at the prison were now members of the newly assigned Black Armored Army.
The guards, seeing Ling Mohan and Feng Jin, quickly opened the gate.
"Your subordinate greets the Young General and the Young Madam..."
Lu Shi's voice was slightly hoarse. His eyes were narrowed, appearing very tired. He had just heard from a subordinate that the Young General and Young Madam had arrived after resting briefly at his desk, so he immediately woke up and rushed to greet them.
"Tired?"
Ling Mohan, with his sharp eyes, noticed Lu Shi's unusual state and immediately asked.
"Your subordinate is not tired!" Lu Shi replied definitively without thinking.
Ling Mohan took a step forward, his gaze scrutinizing Lu Shi. He placed a hand on Lu Shi's shoulder and said, "It's good that you're not tired. Then guard this place with all your might. If even a bird is allowed in, you will be held accountable!"
"Your subordinate understands. Even if I have to give my life, I will not make any mistakes."
The pat on his shoulder sent a jolt through him, and his hair stood on end. His tiredness vanished completely.
"Alright, don't scare him anymore. Lu Shi, how is Liu Meng Han now?"