To offer them for free was to first ensure they would willingly pay for them after using them. Secondly, it was to mend the relationship with them; having more friends was better than more enemies. Most importantly, it was to have them cause a scene at Feng Ruoyan's wedding.
She toiled until sunset before finally finishing all the skincare lotions. Feng Jin was sore all over from a day's work and stretched her limbs.
"Mistress, when should we send these skincare lotions to them?"
"There's no rush for that. Have someone take two bottles of the skincare lotion to the residence of Princess Jing and the residence of Princess Pingling respectively."
"Yes, Mistress."
As for the rest, they could be kept here for a while. If their tasks were not yet completed, giving them the items in advance would ensure they worked with more dedication.
Furthermore, it was necessary for them to understand how troublesome and difficult it was to produce these skincare lotions, so they would feel uneasy and perhaps even brazenly ask for more next time.
Things obtained after anxious waiting were always more anticipated.
Within the military camp, Ling Mohan wore a dark expression, and anyone could tell how terrible his mood was.
A few foolish individuals dared to provoke him and, without exception, all received punishment.
Lu Shi, following closely behind Ling Mohan, was also trembling with fear, careful to weigh his words before speaking, lest he too be punished like those unfortunate souls.
"Young General, the soldiers have finished their training. It is time for dinner. Should they be dismissed?"
Everyone was famished, yet no one dared to voice it directly. Lu Shi, having been pushed forward by the others, felt his heart clench after asking the question, his lips trembling unconsciously.
Ling Mohan's expression remained grim. He cast a cold gaze at everyone, his thin lips parting to utter emotionless words: "Continue training for another hour!"
As the words fell, the soldiers immediately resumed their training, not a single one daring to slacken.
"Are you that idle?" Ling Mohan asked in a deep voice, his unfriendly gaze fixed on Lu Shi.
Lu Shi froze for a moment before immediately replying, "Your subordinate..."
"You will join the extra training for an hour as well."
Before Lu Shi could finish speaking, Ling Mohan's icy voice commanded.
"Your subordinate obeys!" Lu Shi could only resignedly agree.
Ling Mohan restlessly glanced at the sundial. It was already past the hour of You (5-7 PM). At this time, Feng Jin would usually send someone to invite him back. Today, however, it was eerily quiet, with not a soul in sight.
Upon thinking this, Ling Mohan's mood soured further. It seemed she was truly ignoring him.
The anger on the man's face intensified. His hands, hanging at his sides, clenched into fists. With a powerful swing, his fist struck out with fierce force, snapping the flagpole in half. It lay broken and forlorn on the ground.
"Reporting to the Young General, someone has arrived from the residence, saying..."
Before the messenger could finish speaking, Ling Mohan, as if propelled by the wind, rushed out.
Lu Shi followed behind anxiously, praying that Ling Mohan would not return.
A while later, Ling Mohan still hadn't returned, and the soldiers' anticipation grew.
"Brother Lu, why don't you go see if the Young General has left?"
"Yes, Brother Lu, go and check. It's getting late and the brothers are starving."
Lu Shi shot them a glare. They were trying to trick him again. If he angered the Young General, he would be the one to face punishment.
"Zhao Kuo, you're usually quite brave. Why don't you go scout ahead for us brothers this time? And you, Sun Xun, you've been in the Young General's good graces lately, so you could go too..."
As Lu Shi spoke, the men who had been egging him on suddenly lowered their heads. None dared to speak out further.
Lu Shi glared at them fiercely. These fellows were usually eloquent when inciting him, but now, when it was their turn, they all became silent as mutes, unable to utter a word.
After half an hour, Lu Shi could no longer bear it. He crept forward to investigate. When he saw no sign of anyone, Lu Shi's spirits immediately lifted, and he strode forward confidently.
"Where is the Young General?"
"Officer Lu, the Young General returned with someone from the Ling Residence."
Upon hearing this news, Lu Shi's heart immediately relaxed. He let out a sigh of relief, finally free. However, his smile froze on his face within minutes of his joy.
"The Young General instructed when he left that Officer Lu should go to the East City to buy three jin of fruit, then to the South City to buy a roast duck, and then to the West City to buy two jin of hazelnut cakes!"
Lu Shi's mouth twitched. The Ling Residence was in the North City. This meant he had to traverse the entire capital.
"The Young General also said that if the Officer does not deliver the items to the residence within an hour, he will be punished according to military law!"
Hearing this, Lu Shi, without even removing his armor, mounted a horse and galloped away.
...
When Ling Mohan returned to the residence, he went directly to his room. Pushing open the door, he did not find Feng Jin hunched over her desk as he had expected. The room was empty.
Only the lingering fragrance filled the air. Ling Mohan's gaze fell upon a white plum blossom porcelain vase on the dressing table. Acting on impulse, he reached for it, recalling how Feng Jin would pour the contents out and apply them to her face.
Mimicking Feng Jin's movements from memory, Ling Mohan clumsily dabbed the substance from the bottle onto his face.
Worried that the effect might not be good, he applied even more. Ling Mohan looked at himself in the mirror. There was no difference from before. Perhaps the product was simply ineffective.
He remembered seeing Feng Jin apply it every morning and evening, and her skin had indeed become much finer and smoother. It seemed he would have to be diligent about applying it in the future.
"Young General, you've returned."
Cai Qing's voice sounded from behind, startling Ling Mohan, who almost dropped the bottle. He calmly placed it back in its original position.
"Where is the Mistress?" Ling Mohan asked in a low voice.
"The Mistress was waiting for the Young General in the main hall for dinner. When she couldn't wait any longer, she sent me out to find you."
Ling Mohan nodded indifferently and walked past Cai Qing, heading outside.
Cai Qing stared at Ling Mohan's retreating back with a puzzled expression. She felt the Young General was acting strangely today. Especially when she entered, it seemed the Young General was fiddling with something. Cai Qing curiously looked at where Ling Mohan had been standing but found nothing.
Suppressing her doubts, Cai Qing rose and headed outside.
Feng Jin waited and waited for Ling Mohan, but he never came. Her stomach, however, couldn't wait. She decided to start eating on her own.