When cleaning and bandaging the wounds last night, the situation was urgent, and Feng Jin did not get a good look at the man's back.
Upon seeing it today, Feng Jin's face was full of surprise.
Cuts and gashes from various weapons like swords, spears, sabers, and halberds crisscrossed his back. Was he trying to collect all eighteen types of weapons?
New wounds mingled with old, and there wasn't a single spot on his entire back that was unharmed.
"These wounds..."
"Did they scare you?" Ling Mohan asked with a tense tone.
Feng Jin reached out and touched the man's scars. Her eyes welled up, and tears streamed down her face. Her voice choked with emotion. "No, I just feel you have too many scars on your back. How did you get this one..."
On his left shoulder, a hideous, ugly scar coiled like a centipede. The wound appeared to have gone deep into the bone, with newly grown granulation tissue colored pink. It seemed to be a fresh injury.
"It was when we were fighting the Cangnan Kingdom. We ran into an ambush, and I was cut by an enemy's saber. It will fade with time."
On the battlefield, sabers and swords have no eyes. To be able to return alive is already a great fortune, and a few injuries are nothing to mention.
"Nonsense. If it could really fade, why is this scar still here..."
This spear wound looked quite old, and one could still discern the danger it posed. An inch higher, and Ling Mohan would have been long dead.
"I'll get some scar removal medicine to apply when I return. It will disappear quickly," Ling Mohan said hastily, thinking Feng Jin disliked his scars.
Earlier, Gu Beichen had found a box of miraculous scar removal medicine, but he had thrown it aside, deeming it too effeminate to use.
He had to get Lu Shi to fetch it quickly and remove the scars. He couldn't afford to lose his wife because of these scars; that would be a greater loss.
Feng Jin's mood turned somber, and she remained silent, though her hands busied themselves cleaning the man's wounds.
The wound medicine she had developed was indeed effective; the redness and swelling had subsided, and the wound would heal in a couple of days.
"Alright, for the next two days, you should sleep on your stomach to avoid touching the wounds. This way, they will heal faster."
Feng Jin finished bandaging the wounds and helped Ling Mohan lie down.
"I'll go and decoct some medicine for you. You should rest here for a while."
As soon as Feng Jin opened the door, she ran smack into Lu Shi, who had an anxious look on his face.
"Young Madam, officials and dignitaries have gathered outside. They all heard about the young general's assassination and have come to visit. Even the Third Prince is here."
Lu Shi could no longer handle the crowd outside, so he came to report.
"I can't make decisions on this matter. Go in and ask the young general to see how he wants to proceed."
This matter was neither too big nor too small. It was better for her not to interfere.
She moved aside, making way for Lu Shi to enter and ask Ling Mohan himself.
She would rather go and熬夜 (ao ye - stay up late) than know too much and die quickly.
"Young General, the people outside are all here to visit. Even the Third Prince is among them."
Ling Mohan's eyes were filled with coldness. His assassination was definitely related to the same people who had cast the ice spell on him before.
While they claimed to be visiting, they actually just wanted to know if he was alive or dead.
"Just say that I am still in a coma, and the young madam is personally taking care of me. If they have anything, they can find the young madam."
"Young General... This..." Lu Shi hesitated, utterly surprised by this outcome.
Feng Jin, who was carrying the herbal soup outside, couldn't help but twitch her mouth twice.
Damn Ling Mohan, he couldn't sleep without scheming against her for a day.
After composing herself outside, Feng Jin entered with the medicine. Upon seeing Ling Mohan's face, she was still full of anger.
"Lu Shi, go directly and tell them that the young general has fallen critically ill and died. Tell them to prepare and come for the funeral."
Lu Shi looked utterly bewildered, not knowing what to do. It would be best for him to leave first. "Young General's wife, I'll go and make arrangements at the entrance."
Outside were swarms of demons and ghosts. This was a battle between two immortals. Was there any place left for him to survive?
"The young general truly has a good plan, pushing me out to be your shield, while you enjoy yourself leisurely."
Feng Jin gnashed her teeth in anger. If it weren't for Ling Mohan's injuries and the fact that she had saved him last night, she would have slapped him long ago.
"With my wife planning for me, of course, I can enjoy myself."
He had already learned from Lu Shi that Feng Jin had spread the news of his injury last night.
This was to build momentum and make the mastermind behind the scenes relax their guard.
In that case, leaving the rest to Feng Jin would surely be done with ease.
Furthermore, when a husband is injured, it is most appropriate for the wife to step forward.
"Take your medicine," Feng Jin slammed the bowl onto the table.
Seeing him so full of vigor, it seemed he didn't need anyone to attend to him anymore.
She still had to deal with a bunch of people outside, which gave her a headache just thinking about it.
Cai Qing had just come to report that Old Master Ling had fainted from anger and anxiety upon hearing about Ling Mohan's injury.
"You rest well. Cai Qing is guarding outside. If you need anything, just call Cai Qing. I'm going to see the Old Master. He's worried sick knowing you were injured."
Worried about Ling Mohan, she directly concealed the fact that Old Master Ling had fainted.
When Feng Jin hurried to the courtyard where the Old Master resided, people were gathered all around, inside and out.
The second and third branches of the family stood to one side, anxiously guarding the perimeter.
Her gaze fell upon an unwelcome presence. Ling Muzhu, when had he returned? To come back without the Old Master's permission showed considerable audacity.
Second Master Ling appeared preoccupied, his gaze darting left and right. Upon seeing Feng Jin, his eyes immediately lit up, and he hurried over, "How is Mohan? Is he seriously injured?"
Second Master Ling had never shown such concern for Ling Mohan before. Now, his words were so earnest. Something was amiss.
"He is still in a coma and has not woken up," Feng Jin replied, following their prior arrangement.
Second Master Ling's expression changed, a mixture of emotions crossing his face before settling into sorrow for the world to see. "My poor nephew, why must you be so plagued by misfortune? Just as he was recovering, he fell ill again. How can I face your father?"
"Father, please don't be sad. Your intentions for Cousin Mohan, Uncle will surely understand."
Ling Muzhu stepped forward to comfort Second Master Ling. The two of them standing together presented a picture of paternal affection and filial piety.
Feng Jin curved her lips into a slight, disdainful smile and said in a low voice, "Uncle, Mohan is not dead yet. Your premature wailing is quite inauspicious. If Grandfather sees you like this later, he will surely feel sorrowful."
"You woman, does my father saying a word bother you? Don't forget, you came to our Ling family for the wedding ceremony to ward off evil. If Cousin Mohan met with trouble, it must be you who brought the bad luck!"
Ling Muzhu, already harboring resentment towards Feng Jin, naturally would not miss the opportunity to target her.