Feng Jin took a bite. The sweet taste spread through her mouth. It was so sweet and juicy. This apple tasted really good.
"We're about to enter the capital. Rest for a moment and then we'll set off," Ling Mohan commanded in a deep voice. The closer they got to the capital, the more cautious they had to be. Only by entering the capital earlier would they be truly safe.
After a short rest, the group hurried away.
As the carriage was about to reach the outskirts of the capital, it stopped again midway. Suddenly, a clamor erupted.
"Quick, get out of the capital!" several yamen runners, armed with clubs, were driving away a woman.
When Feng Jin lifted the carriage curtain and saw the scene, her anger flared up: "Lu Shi, see what's happening and bring that woman back."
Even if there were hidden reasons, it was still too much for several grown men to bully a woman like this.
"Yes, Madam."
In a moment, Lu Shi brought the woman before Feng Jin.
"Thank you, Madam, for saving my life!" the woman knelt before Feng Jin and kowtowed repeatedly.
"No need to thank me. It's not safe for a woman alone. You should go home quickly."
Feng Jin didn't want to get involved in more trouble, fearing she might cause more problems for Ling Mohan. She just wanted to get back to the capital as soon as possible.
As she was about to get back into the carriage, the woman directly pounced in front of Feng Jin, blocking her path: "This humble woman has no home. I beg Madam to uphold justice for me!"
Feng Jin was taken aback and reached out to help her up. It seemed she had gotten into trouble again. Just as she was at a loss, Ling Mohan rode over on his horse, dressed in black armor, and looked down at the kneeling woman.
"If you have a grievance, report it to the yamen. Crying here will not help," Ling Mohan clearly did not want to interfere. He had to rush to the capital to inform His Majesty about the matter in Yingzhong Commandery. Every moment's delay meant an increased risk.
Furthermore, this woman appeared just as they were returning to the capital, blocking their path and acting suspiciously. He had to be wary.
Feng Jin lowered her eyes. She understood Ling Mohan's intentions. She paused and said, "Miss, I am not an official who judges cases. If you truly have a grievance, it would be better to go to the yamen."
Feng Jin took out some silver and handed it to the woman: "Here is some money. Please take it."
In the end, she couldn't bear to let someone die without help. After some thought, Feng Jin gave her the money and let her leave.
"Sir, Madam, I don't seek money. I only ask that you help me seek justice. My entire family was massacred by villains, and the yamen dare not accept my case. I walked all the way from home to the capital and was driven out by the Dali Temple. If I hadn't met Madam, this humble woman would have long since lost her life."
Feng Jin's eyes suddenly tightened, and she looked at Ling Mohan for help. She didn't know what to do about this matter either.
"Take her back first," Ling Mohan said in a low voice. He couldn't settle her properly for the moment, so he had to take her along.
"Then you can get in my carriage first."
"Thank you, Madam."
After arriving in the capital, Ling Mohan first settled Feng Jin back at the mansion before rushing into the palace to report.
"Eldest sister-in-law, you're finally back." Ling Wan had already received news of their return. She had been busy tidying and preparing in the East Courtyard for the past two days, and after waiting for several days, she finally welcomed Feng Jin back.
"Brother had sent a letter back long ago saying he would arrive in the capital soon, so I had this courtyard prepared early. I didn't expect to have to tidy it up several times before I could welcome Eldest sister-in-law back."
Ling Wan helped Feng Jin sit down and offered her a cup of hot tea: "Eldest sister-in-law must have had a hard journey. Eldest sister-in-law might not know, but the news of you treating the plague in Yingzhong Commandery has spread throughout the capital. And the fact that you cured Prince Jing's legs is also being widely discussed. Those scholars and poets praise you as a divine doctor, a miracle worker, a heroine..."
Ling Wan seemed to have endless things to say, pulling Feng Jin along and chatting about this and that, wanting to tell her everything that had happened while she was away from the capital.
"Alright, you should rest and drink some tea to moisten your throat."
Having heard so much at once, Feng Jin's brain was overloaded and she couldn't take in any more.
"Eldest sister-in-law, is Ling Muzhu really staying in Yingzhong Commandery?"
Feng Jin nodded in confirmation: "He chose to do so himself."
"Eldest sister-in-law, you don't know. When Second Uncle and Second Aunt heard that Ling Muzhu was staying in Yingzhong Commandery, they made a huge fuss at Grandfather's place, begging Grandfather to order Ling Muzhu back to the capital. Second Uncle even wanted to go to Yingzhong Commandery in place of Ling Muzhu. Second Aunt fainted several times. As soon as she woke up, she cried and begged to go to Yingzhong Commandery."
"Grandfather was so angry that he scolded Second Uncle severely and almost forced him to divorce his wife. As soon as he heard about divorcing his wife, Second Aunt dared not make any more trouble and sheepishly returned to her room to reflect."
Feng Jin chuckled softly, shaking her head and sighing: "A doting mother spoils her child."
No wonder Ling Yan and Ling Muzhu turned out the way they did. It was because the foundation was crooked, leading to crookedness in the upper and lower structures.
"Let's not talk about this anymore. Eldest sister-in-law, how is the baby in your belly?" Ling Wan cautiously reached out and touched Feng Jin's slightly protruding abdomen, then frowned slightly: "Eldest sister-in-law, why isn't he moving?"
Feng Jin chuckled: "It's only five months. It will be some time before he moves."
As soon as she finished speaking, a commotion could be heard from the doorway, growing louder and clearer.
Feng Jin felt that the voice was very familiar, but she couldn't recall who it was. Before Feng Jin could get up and open the door, the closed door was suddenly pushed open from the outside. The loud noise startled Feng Jin.
Then, she saw Madam Zhao stride in angrily, hands on her hips. The moment she saw Feng Jin, she cursed: "You little slut, what kind of love potion did you give my son for him to defy his parents and go to Yingzhong Commandery to find you? You tricked him into staying in that bitter place, Yingzhong! Did you harm my daughter, and now you want to harm my son!"
In her grief, Madam Zhao cried even more miserably, squatting on the ground, wailing like a shrew: "My poor son, you've been harmed by this wicked person, unable to return home, unable to see your mother!"
"Second Aunt, Muzhu chose to stay in Yingzhong Commandery himself. What does this have to do with Eldest sister-in-law? Why are you blaming Eldest sister-in-law for everything and insisting on dragging her into this!"
Ling Wan was truly exasperated and stepped forward to argue with Madam Zhao. How could there be such an unreasonable person.
"Pah! You little vixen, you are just the son of a lowly maid, and you dare to lecture me? Guards, seize this little vixen and slap her hard!"
Madam Zhao suddenly jumped up, and the wet nurse behind her was about to grab Ling Wan.