Gu Bei Chen instantly understood Feng Jin’s implied meaning, gritting his teeth and spitting out a few words: "A gentleman never forgets a grudge!" He could still vividly recall those maidens pouncing on him like wolves the moment he closed his eyes. After escaping, he’d bathed multiple times, truly feeling an unpleasant scent of rouge and powder clinging to him. His reputation, his purity in this lifetime, all were ruined by Feng Jin.
Feng Jin suppressed a smile and said, "I also know a saying, 'A gentleman's revenge is never too late, even after ten years.' Does Lord Gu also intend to take revenge ten years from now?"
"Eldest Sister-in-law..." a cheerful voice interrupted their bickering. Ling Wan strode into the main hall, offering a slight bow to Ling Mo Han. "Greetings, elder brother." She then took Feng Jin's hand and sat beside her, saying, "Eldest Sister-in-law, I was just out on the street with the maid and heard that the Marquis of Zhennan's heir was surrounded by a group of maidens at the temple fair..." As she spoke, a smile played on Ling Wan's lips as she softly continued, "Her clothes were even torn off by those maidens. If not for the patrolling soldiers who saw and dispersed the crowd, that Lord Gu might have been ravished."
Feng Jin could picture Gu Bei Chen's disheveled state that day and suddenly burst into laughter. Gu Bei Chen, the person involved, turned ashen-faced. Hearing others discuss his embarrassing past firsthand, with absolutely no way to stop them, was a truly frustrating feeling!
"That's enough from both of you," Gu Bei Chen warned through gritted teeth.
Ling Wan heard the sound and only then realized others were present. She turned to look, and her expression instantly froze. Wasn't this the male protagonist they had just been discussing? How could he be here? When she entered earlier, she was so focused on sharing this with Feng Jin that she hadn't even looked to see if anyone else was present. This was truly awkward...
Ling Wan, steeling herself, whispered to Gu Bei Chen, "Lord Gu, please forgive me. I certainly didn't mean to mock you. This matter is already known by everyone in the capital and beyond, so you don't need to worry or fret about it. You should try to look on the bright side; life moves forward..."
Known by everyone in the capital... Hearing this, Gu Bei Chen's heart sank, and he stood frozen as if struck by lightning. It was over, truly over. He imagined this news had already reached his father's ears, and now he was finished.
Feng Jin, showing some conscience, finally stopped laughing and tried to comfort him. "After all, you are a man, and you didn't suffer much loss. With so many maidens fawning over you, what great fortune that is! Others would wish for it and not get it..." She tried her best to comfort Gu Bei Chen, as the incident originated from her. "Take Ling Mo Han, for example. Although he's better looking than you, his personality is lacking, and he's not as popular with girls as you are."
Ling Mo Han's expression immediately darkened. Recalling how Feng Jin had compared him to a courtesan that morning, he felt instantly uncomfortable.
"I beg you, just shut up!" Gu Bei Chen pleaded repeatedly, wanting Feng Jin to stop, to spare him. He felt like jumping into the river.
Feng Jin pursed her lips. She hadn't said anything wrong. It was like a dog biting a benefactor who meant well.
"Greetings, Young General, Lord Gu." Lu Shi rushed in from outside. Seeing Gu Bei Chen's despair, his eyes widened. What had this ancestor gotten himself into now?
"What is it?" Ling Mo Han asked in a deep voice.
"Reporting to the Young General, someone from the Marquis of Zhennan's manor has come to summon the Lord Gu back." The people from the Marquis of Zhennan's manor were waiting outside the gate.
"I'm not going back," Gu Bei Chen said without hesitation. He didn't want to go back and be punished. He'd rather hide here until the storm passed and his father's anger subsided.
"Lu Shi, throw him out," Feng Jin immediately ordered. Having Ling Mu Zhu was enough of a headache; if Gu Bei Chen were added, she’d be furious to death.
"Lord Gu, forgive me, but I am acting under orders."
"Lu Shi, how dare you!" Gu Bei Chen roared, and the two began to grapple. After a few rounds, Gu Bei Chen was holding his own against Lu Shi.
"Both of you, stop!" Ling Mo Han, who had been silent for a long time, spoke, directly halting their scuffle.
"I'm not going back anyway. I'm staying here." Gu Bei Chen adopted a rogue-like demeanor, pulled up a chair, and sat down. "Prepare a room for me. I'll be staying here long-term."
"There are no vacant rooms for you," Feng Jin flatly refused.
"Then I'll sleep on the floor."
"Rogue and scoundrel!" Feng Jin pointed at Gu Bei Chen and scolded him angrily.
"Lu Shi, go tell the people from the Marquis of Zhennan's manor that Lord Gu will be staying at the Ling residence for a while."
"Yes, Young General." With Ling Mo Han's permission, Gu Bei Chen instantly puffed up, holding his head high like a victorious peacock. He strutted before Feng Jin to show off, "See? Ling Mo Han permitted me to stay. It has nothing to do with you."
Feng Jin turned her attention to Ling Mo Han, her tone unfriendly. "Then give him your room and personally attend to his meals and drinks." With that, she left without looking back.
One troublesome guest hadn't left, and now another had arrived. Feng Jin collided with Ling Mu Zhu, glaring at him with displeasure.
"Greetings, Eldest Sister-in-law." Ling Mu Zhu bowed respectfully.
"If you have nothing better to do, go and memorize the second chapter of the Great Learning." Ling Mu Zhu blinked in surprise. He had been well-behaved lately and couldn't fathom why he had provoked Feng Jin. He was utterly bewildered and didn't know what to do.
"Hurry up, don't just stand there blankly," Feng Jin urged Ling Mu Zhu impatiently, then walked away.
"Eldest Sister-in-law, wait for me..." Ling Wan instinctively felt that this was not a place to linger; it was best to leave.
...
After coming out, Feng Jin went directly to see Yun Niang. Judging by the time, she should have recovered today and only needed to apply the scar removal cream. In a few days, the scars would be completely gone. Feng Jin removed all the bandages from Yun Niang's face. The stitched wounds on her cheeks had all healed, leaving only faint, pinkish scars.
"Madam, are the scars on my face very frightening?" Yun Niang asked softly.
"Look for yourself," Feng Jin said, handing Yun Niang a mirror. Yun Niang nervously raised her eyelids bit by bit and looked at her reflection. The previously hideous scars on her cheeks had all vanished, leaving only faint pinkish marks. Yun Niang reached out and touched her cheeks, a smile tugging at her lips. Although there were still some faint scars, compared to her previous unsightly appearance, she looked so much better.