With a hardening of her heart, Feng Jin turned around directly, lowering her head as low as it could go, and said in a hushed voice, "Greetings, Young General. Your subordinate is a soldier from the Western Camp. I shall return now."
After speaking, Feng Jin took off running. Of the thirty-six stratagems, fleeing was the best. She needed to save her life first before worrying about anything else.
"Halt!" Ling Mohan's sharp command startled Feng Jin, causing her to freeze in place. She hesitated, unsure whether to retract the foot she had already put forward.
Ling Mohan rode his horse closer to the person, wanting to get a clear look at who it was.
Feng Jin seemed to be playing a game of hide-and-seek with Ling Mohan. Wherever Ling Mohan looked, she would turn her head in the opposite direction, refusing to meet his gaze.
The man's patience wore thin. He drew his sword and pointed it directly at her, "Lift your head!"
Lu Shi couldn't help but sweat, as if he could already see the consequences for the Young General.
The sharp edge of the sword pointed directly at Feng Jin, making her swallow hard. Feng Jin thought Ling Mohan had truly gone mad and intended to kill her.
"Lift your head!" Ling Mohan said impatiently.
Feng Jin took a deep breath and slowly raised her head. Their eyes met, and Ling Mohan froze, momentarily stunned, almost dropping the sword in his hand.
"You... why are you here?"
"Since the Young General can be here, can I not?" Feng Jin retorted fearlessly.
Ling Mohan's expression grew even gloomier. He glared at Lu Shi, intending to settle accounts with him later.
He directly pulled Feng Jin onto his horse, "Lu Shi, lead the army onwards."
"Yes, Young General."
Then, Ling Mohan rode off with Feng Jin in the opposite direction.
"Let me down..." Feng Jin shouted. The man, however, remained unmoved. Helpless, Feng Jin decided to unleash her ultimate move and squeezed hard at Ling Mohan's waist.
The man winced in pain, his brows furrowed tightly, and he quickly stopped. Feng Jin seized the opportunity and jumped off.
"Are you trying to murder your own husband!"
Ling Mohan rubbed his aching waist, noting how mercilessly she had struck.
"Then why were you pointing that ridiculous sword at me earlier? You were the one trying to kill me first, Young General Ling!"
Remembering his arrogant demeanor from earlier, Feng Jin felt a surge of anger.
He was so arrogant before, but now he had nothing to say.
Ling Mohan cleared his throat, changing the subject, "Didn't I tell you not to follow? Have you completely ignored my words? This path is full of rebels, and it's extremely dangerous. If you follow me, it will distract me, and I'm afraid I won't be able to take care of you."
"I don't need you to take care of me. I can protect myself. You go ahead and do your work."
Feng Jin stepped forward and took the man's hand, speaking earnestly, "Since I've made up my mind, whether it's fortune or misfortune, disaster or hardship, I want to face it together with you. I only beg you not to leave me behind and let me worry alone for you."
A soft, delicate part of Ling Mohan's heart was touched. It would be a lie to say he was not moved. He reached out and pulled Feng Jin into his embrace.
"I am only worried that you will be in danger. If anything were to happen to you, it would be like taking my own life. I value you more than my own life, do you understand?"
Feng Jin buried her head in the man's chest and nodded solemnly, "I understand everything. That's why I want to be by your side all the time. Please don't send me away. I will definitely obey you and won't cause any trouble."
After a moment of hesitation, Ling Mohan finally nodded in agreement, "Alright... but you must disguise yourself as a soldier and stay close to me to serve. You are not allowed to run off without my permission."
In order to stay, Feng Jin readily agreed to all of Ling Mohan's requests.
Upon returning to the military camp, Feng Jin was directly pulled by Ling Mohan into the main tent.
"Let me go. Someone will come in soon."
Feng Jin sat on the man's lap, pushing him away repeatedly. This was a military camp, and he should be mindful of appearances.
"Don't fidget. I'm holding my own wife. Who dares to say a word!" Ling Mohan declared with righteous indignation, leaving Feng Jin speechless.
"Ling Mohan... I need to tell you..."
When Gu Beichen walked into the tent, he saw Ling Mohan holding another man in a very intimate manner. He was instantly stunned. After recovering himself, he turned and quickly averted his gaze, "I saw nothing. Rest assured, I will never reveal your preferences, nor will I let Feng Jin know!"
To prevent Ling Mohan from killing him in a fit of rage, Gu Beichen repeatedly assured him that he would not breathe a word.
Feng Jin felt extremely awkward. She punched the man with her fist, blaming him for her humiliation.
However, she wondered what Gu Beichen meant by "not letting her know."
"Why wouldn't you let me know?"
Gu Beichen replied without hesitation, "If you found out that Ling Mohan was messing around behind your back, and with a man at that, wouldn't you..."
Mid-sentence, Gu Beichen realized something was amiss. The voice was so familiar, it sounded like...
To confirm his suspicion, Gu Beichen quickly turned around. Upon seeing who it was, the corners of his mouth twitched uncontrollably.
"Why are you here?"
"What, is it only you who is allowed to be here and not me?" Feng Jin asked in a very calm tone. She then continued to press him, "You seem quite adept at covering for him. I presume you two have done this before..."
Feng Jin's gaze carried a hint of threat as she looked back and forth between the two.
Gu Beichen turned his head away, avoiding Feng Jin's gaze, "I just remembered I have something to do. I'll be going now."
"You stop right there!"
Before Feng Jin's angry roar had subsided, Gu Beichen had vanished without a trace.
"Ling Mohan, tell me, is there something you're hiding from me?"
"No."
"I don't believe you. Tell me the truth!"
"Really, there isn't."
Ling Mohan said helplessly. Why had this issue landed on him again?
Feng Jin scrutinized the man with a probing gaze. She hadn't forgotten how popular Ling Mohan was among noble ladies, with thousands eager to marry him.
With so much feminine charm offered, perhaps he couldn't resist and had a secret mistress.
"Tell me, have you taken a concubine!"
"There truly isn't. If I'm lying, may lightning strike me."
*CRACK!* A clap of thunder accompanied by a flash of lightning.
Ling Mohan froze. This was too coincidental!
"See? Even heaven can't stand it anymore and is about to strike you with lightning. You must have someone on the outside!"
Feng Jin was convinced that Ling Mohan had someone else and glared at him fiercely before turning away in anger.
"I..."
Ling Mohan's mouth opened slightly. He was truly in a situation where he couldn't clear his name even if he jumped into the Yellow River. He quickly got up and went to chase after Feng Jin.
"Listen to me, I really haven't..."