Feng Jin almost spat it out and pinched her nose, her expression of disgust quite evident.
"Madam, you're back. The doctor said you must drink this fetal-protection medicine hot before meals."
A maid from the former prefectural office placed the prepared fetal-protection medicine in front of Feng Jin.
The strong medicinal scent filled Feng Jin's nostrils. Enduring the nausea, she took a deep breath, steeling her resolve. She picked up the bowl and downed it in one gulp, then quickly popped a piece of preserved fruit into her mouth.
Only after the bitter taste in her mouth dissipated did Feng Jin's furrowed brow finally relax.
When would this dreadful fetal-protection medicine finally end?
"Well done, drinking your medicine obediently." Ling Mohan glanced at the empty medicine bowl, a satisfied smile on his lips.
"Um... Ling Mohan, can I discuss something with you?"
"Yes, anything except refusing to drink the fetal-protection medicine."
Feng Jin's small face instantly drooped, her hope vanishing.
"I know my body better than anyone. This child is very comfortable in my womb, not the slightest bit of trouble. Medicine has a three-part poison; these fetal-protection medicines are not to be taken casually. Taking too much is bad for the body. You must understand this."
After drinking this incredibly bitter fetal-protection medicine, she would be spitting up sour fluids.
"Just one more month, and you won't have to drink it anymore." Ling Mohan pondered for a moment, deciding to let Feng Jin off the hook.
One month. Feng Jin's eyes dimmed instantly. One month, a bowl of fetal-protection medicine in the morning and evening, meaning sixty more bowls to drink.
Feng Jin's resolve was instantly crushed by this immense number. She stood up abruptly and retorted, "I absolutely will not drink it anymore! If you have the guts, pry my mouth open and force-feed me the fetal-protection medicine!"
With that, Feng Jin turned and left without looking back, leaving Ling Mohan with a resolute silhouette.
"Young General, what about this fetal-protection medicine?" The maid, startled, asked softly from the side.
"Continue preparing it. If Madam drinks even one bowl less, you will all be beaten with ten planks!"
Ling Mohan said the last sentence very loudly, his gaze fixed in Feng Jin's direction.
Feng Jin, who was eavesdropping from inside the room, naturally heard everything. She couldn't help but curse Ling Mohan fiercely in her heart, twisting her sleeves with force until they were tattered before putting them down.
...
The original plan was to stay in Yingzhong Commandery for at most one month before returning to the capital. However, due to the plague, time was delayed, which gave the remnants of the rebel army an opportunity to regroup. In just two months, they had gathered tens of thousands of rebels again and marched south, directly towards Yingzhong Commandery.
Ling Mohan's plan to return to the capital had to be temporarily shelved. However, the city's military strength was only the thirty thousand soldiers Ling Mohan had brought.
Some troops had already been lost when attacking Yingzhong Commandery. Now, facing an enemy force twice their size, winning this battle was by no means easy.
The war had dragged on for several days. Feng Jin was now four months pregnant, and a slight bulge could be seen under her abdomen.
Feng Jin stood by the window, catching a snowflake. It immediately turned into water upon contact with her warm palm and dripped through her fingers.
"Madam, the deep winter snow is piercing cold. You are pregnant and should not be touching these things." Yun Yun draped a cloak over Feng Jin's shoulders.
"I'm fine. Why are you back so soon? How are the frontline soldiers?"
After the plague, Yun Yun had pleaded to stay by her side to study medicine. With the war being critical, Yun Yun had volunteered to go to the battlefield to tend to the wounded.
"With the Young General commanding on the front lines, we have consecutively defeated the enemy, blocking them a hundred li away from Yingzhong Commandery. We will defeat the rebels soon."
Yun Yun described the situation colorfully, her eyes sparkling.
Feng Jin's gaze was fixed on the main door. Ling Mohan had been gone for three days, and Feng Jin's heart was clutched tightly. She didn't know how he was doing, if he had eaten on time, or if he was injured.
"Madam, let's return to the room. It's windy and cold outside."
After gazing at the main door for a long time, Feng Jin retracted her gaze and murmured, "Let's go back."
As she turned around, a creaking sound came from behind her.
Feng Jin thought Ling Mohan had returned and quickly turned around. Upon seeing that it wasn't the person she was thinking of, the light in her eyes gradually dimmed.
"Young Madam... I finally found you!"
Cai Qing, her hair slightly disheveled, walked towards Feng Jin, weeping. Ling Muzhu followed behind her.
"Cai Qing, you weren't in the capital. How did you end up in Yingzhong Commandery?"
Feng Jin had never expected to see Cai Qing and Ling Muzhu here.
"Young Madam... the entire capital... has been spreading rumors that you and the Young General were surrounded by rebels and that Yingzhong Commandery had fallen completely... I... I was worried about your safety..."
Cai Qing cried, gasping for breath, her eyes red like a rabbit's, making people's hearts ache.
"Alright, alright..." Feng Jin gently patted Cai Qing's back to comfort her.
"You must have been cold all the way. Come inside and warm up."
Feng Jin led Cai Qing into the room. At the doorway, she remembered she had forgotten someone. Looking at Ling Muzhu, who was still standing at the door, almost frozen stiff, she said with a slightly gentle voice, "What are you standing there for? Do you really want to be frozen into a snowman? Hurry inside!"
"Okay!" Ling Muzhu nodded heavily, turned his head to wipe away the tears from the corner of his eyes, and quickly walked into the room with a long-lost smile.
Upon learning about the events in Yingzhong Commandery, he had secretly escaped from home. Seeing Feng Jin safe and sound, his worried heart finally settled.
"Have some tea to warm your body." Yun Yun brewed a pot of hot tea and poured them each a cup.
After drinking several cups of hot tea, Cai Qing felt much warmer. Her voice was still slightly choked, "Young Madam, why didn't you bring me with you when you left?"
"It was an emergency; I didn't have time to consider anything else..."
If she had been a step slower at that time, she would have missed Ling Mohan.
Feng Jin shifted her gaze to Ling Muzhu. This boy looked much sturdier after not seeing him for several months, and his features had also matured, looking much more pleasant to the eye.
"Why aren't you studying diligently in the capital and participating in the spring examinations? Why did you come all the way to Yingzhong Commandery?"
"Young Madam, please don't blame Young Cousin. It was I who learned you were in trouble and begged Young Cousin to bring me to find you..."
After the Young General and Madam left, she couldn't find many trustworthy people in the vast Ling Manor.