"Greetings, Young General, Young Madam!" Lu Shi stepped in and bowed respectfully.
"What happened to cause such a hurry?"
"Young General, Young Master Gu has brought the Princess of Xiliang to the military camp!"
Upon hearing Lu Shi's report, Ling Mo Han's expression immediately turned grim, his brows furrowed.
"What is the situation now?"
"This subordinate has already invited Gu Beichen to the tent and sent people to keep watch on them. Only then did I come to report to the Young General."
Lu Shi had not expected Gu Beichen to bring the Xiliang Princess to the military camp.
The military camp was a forbidden area, not a place for unauthorized entry. However, with Gu Beichen bringing the Xiliang Princess, if he were to stop them, it might threaten the important relations between the two countries, so he dared not act rashly. He had ordered them to be pacified and then rushed back to the residence to report.
"To the military camp!"
Ling Mo Han's lips were tightly pursed, the slight downward curve indicating the man's anger at the moment.
"I'll accompany you," Feng Jin said, taking Ling Mo Han's wrist and stepping forward to stand beside him. "The military camp is full of men, and there's nothing to say to the Xiliang Princess. It would be good for me to go along and say a few words, and perhaps find out what she's up to."
Ling Mo Han hesitated for a moment before agreeing, "Alright, let's go together."
Feng Jin handed the two children over to Cai Qing for care and then hurried back to the military camp with Ling Mo Han.
By the time they arrived, Gu Beichen and Murong Jinyun were already in the tent, chatting happily.
"Where have you been? I've been waiting here for so long!"
Gu Beichen said with displeasure upon seeing Ling Mo Han. He had been sitting there idly for an hour, the tea had long gone cold, and he hadn't seen a soul.
"Trespassing in a military camp is a capital offense. Do you have the Emperor's summons!"
Ling Mo Han's tone was cold and unyielding, demanding the order.
"Summons?"
Gu Beichen was slightly surprised. He had impulsively agreed when Murong Jinyun suggested it. Where would he have a summons? Moreover, the Emperor would not issue him a summons to go to the military camp.
"Without the Emperor's summons, you dare to trespass in the military camp? Guards, apprehend Gu Beichen and deal with him according to military law!"
As the words fell, soldiers outside the door entered and were about to subdue Gu Beichen and escort him away.
Murong Jinyun's eyes tightened, and she quickly stepped forward to stand in front of Gu Beichen. "General Ling, it was I who wanted to see the East Chu military camp and compare it with Xiliang. I didn't expect it to be so serious. This matter is all my doing, and I am willing to bear the consequences alone. Please, General Ling, do not blame others."
"Jinyun, don't beg him. This fellow has always been unforgiving!"
Knowing Ling Mo Han's personality too well, Gu Beichen was certain that he would not let this matter go easily, and begging him would be useless.
"Since you know the seriousness of the matter, how dare you act so recklessly? Breaking the law knowingly is an aggravating offense. Drag him away!"
A fire raged in Ling Mo Han's chest. Had this Gu Beichen been kicked by a donkey? He had never seen him so muddled before. Now he was doing something like this, it was simply foolish.
The military camp was the lifeline of the nation. How dare he bring a princess from another country here? Was he trying to doom the entire Zhennan Prince's Estate?
"This matter is all because of me. I am willing to bear the consequences alone. General Ling, please release Gu Beichen!"
Murong Jinyun finally realized the gravity of the situation. She had originally wanted Gu Beichen to take her to the military camp to investigate East Chu's defenses, but she hadn't expected to implicate him to this extent.
"Ling Mo Han, I brought her here. It was all because of me. Don't touch her!"
Gu Beichen shouted angrily, afraid that Ling Mo Han would make things difficult for Murong Jinyun again. His heart suddenly tensed.
"Have them withdraw first," Feng Jin said urgently, seeing that the situation was about to get out of hand.
Ling Mo Han gestured with his eyes for them to withdraw. He sat down in the main seat, his gaze chillingly fixed on Gu Beichen.
"Do you know you were wrong for trespassing in the military camp?"
"I know I was wrong. This matter was due to my lack of consideration. I will certainly not repeat it in the future."
He had initially not wanted to dampen Murong Jinyun's spirits, so he had agreed. He thought nothing would go wrong, but only now did he realize that he had almost caused a major mistake due to his impulsiveness.
"Alright, calm down. Considering it's his first offense and no major harm was done, let's forgive him this time."
Feng Jin eased the atmosphere between them, also worried that Murong Jinyun might sense something and cause the Xiliang people to change their decisions, which would eventually make things more troublesome for them.
"I apologize. This matter is all because of me. If it weren't for me, this wouldn't have happened. General Ling, please do not blame Gu Beichen for this."
Feng Jin raised her eyebrows slightly. She felt that Murong Jinyun's words sounded a bit manipulative, or was it her imagination?
The way she said it made it seem like she was trying to sow discord, and her words of persuasion completely changed their meaning.
"Princess, you should speak with caution. This general is merely a minister of East Chu, and I naturally cannot pass judgment. As for how he will be dealt with, that is for His Majesty to decide."
Ling Mo Han's tone was distant. He truly did not want to deal with Gu Beichen anymore.
Being reprimanded by Ling Mo Han, Gu Beichen immediately deflated and dared not look up at Ling Mo Han's gaze.
"Help him think of a way. Just help him this once," Feng Jin said, nudging his elbow and whispering in his ear.
Ling Mo Han sighed, his face full of a troubled expression. "I will find a way to help you conceal this matter, but if you make another mistake, I won't be able to protect you."
If it weren't for the fear of alerting the enemy, he would have severely punished Gu Beichen, perhaps even giving him dozens of military rods, to see if he could learn his lesson.
"Thank you."
After being spared the punishment, Gu Beichen secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He had finally dodged this disaster.
Murong Jinyun quickly went to support Gu Beichen, tears in her eyes. "It's all my fault. If it weren't for my momentary impulse, I wouldn't have implicated you."
At this moment, her heart was filled with guilt. If she had known this would happen, she would have used Gu Beichen to achieve her goals.
She had almost cost Gu Beichen his life, and Murong Jinyun still felt lingering fear.
"Princess, the men are discussing matters. We women can't say much. Why don't you come with me for a walk outside?"
"That would be most kind of you, Young Madam."
Her purpose for coming here was to investigate their situation, and she was worried about not having an opportunity to go out. Feng Jin had indeed created a perfect opportunity for her, just as she had wished.
"The Princess seems very interested in the affairs of the military camp. I notice you constantly looking around?"
Murong Jinyun's expression faltered, then she explained, "I've never been to a military camp before, and I was just a bit curious."
Feng Jin responded with a smile, "This is my first time here too. However, I don't like the atmosphere here. A bunch of rough men fighting and sweating, with the smell of sweat all over. If I hadn't been forced to come, I really wouldn't have wanted to be here."