Feng Jin said helplessly, she did not expect Ling Mohan to change, after all, this was his deeply rooted habit, not something that could be changed by just saying so.
"Really? Then I'll smile more from now on."
Ling Mohan reached out and touched his face. He didn't think he was being cold just now; he was just expressionless. It was nothing like what Feng Jin described.
Then, he would just smile more in the future. It wasn't that difficult anyway.
"Alright, then show me how you plan to smile from now on."
Feng Jin asked again, she wanted to see how Ling Mohan intended to smile in the future.
The man coughed lightly, his lips twitched, and he managed a smile that was uglier than a cry.
Feng Jin was instantly amused by Ling Mohan's expression and laughed heartily without restraint.
Her laughter was filled with mockery. She really didn't mean to, but Ling Mohan's appearance was just too funny, and she couldn't help herself.
The man's expression gradually darkened with Feng Jin's laughter, becoming even more unpleasant. He forced his voice, "Stop laughing..."
But Feng Jin seemed not to hear him. Her laughter grew louder. She clutched her stomach and slumped to the ground, her slender fingers pointing at Ling Mohan, her words interspersed with gasps, "You... you, you'd better... better not smile anymore..."
Because that smile was truly more unpleasant than crying, and Ling Mohan's unusual behavior made one feel scared...
The man's face was grim, and he stared coldly at Feng Jin.
"Don't look at me like that... This way... I, I want to laugh even more..."
Feng Jin suppressed a smile. Would it be bad for her health to hold back her laughter like this?
"If you want to laugh, then laugh. Holding it in all the time, don't you find it uncomfortable..."
As soon as Ling Mohan finished speaking, a burst of hearty laughter erupted again.
With Ling Mohan's permission, Feng Jin no longer held back and laughed freely.
"Hiss... my stomach... my stomach hurts so much..."
Feng Jin clutched her aching stomach, doubled over on the ground, her face contorted in pain.
"What's wrong?" Ling Mohan stepped forward with concern, about to sweep her into his arms, but Feng Jin stopped him.
"I'm fine, it's just... I just laughed too hard. I'll be fine after a rest."
Feng Jin said intermittently, clutching her stomach. If she had known, she wouldn't have laughed so fiercely. In the end, it was all Ling Mohan's fault. When she was laughing, he didn't know to stop her, and instead, he let her laugh like that. Otherwise, it wouldn't have been a problem.
After speaking, Feng Jin glared at Ling Mohan, blaming him entirely.
Suddenly being glared at, Ling Mohan was completely bewildered, not knowing what he had done to offend Feng Jin again.
"Help me up first."
With Ling Mohan's support, Feng Jin staggered to her feet and brushed the dirt off her dress.
"From now on, you'd better not laugh anymore. For the safety of others, promise me you won't laugh anymore."
Feng Jin said earnestly. If Ling Mohan laughed any more, he would either feel as uncomfortable as he did now, or he would be terrified.
Ling Mohan's expression became even more unpleasant. If he continued to talk with Feng Jin, he was afraid he would be angered to death first.
He stood up directly and turned to leave.
Seeing this, Feng Jin quickly stopped him: "Why are you leaving so quickly? I still have something to tell you."
"Speak, what is it?"
"Who are you scowling at? Do I have to endure your moods?"
Suddenly being reprimanded again, Ling Mohan froze in place.
Didn't she just tell him to smile less from now on? Why was she now blaming him for being cold?
"Didn't you just ask me..."
"Alright, say less."
Feng Jin didn't want to listen to his nagging anymore and directly reprimanded Ling Mohan.
"Okay..." Ling Mohan replied helplessly.
"How much longer until we reach the capital?"
Feng Jin asked. The bumps in the carriage were really uncomfortable. She wondered when they would arrive.
"We should arrive by tomorrow afternoon."
They had been rushing for the past two days, and they should arrive in the capital by tomorrow.
"Tomorrow, you and the children will stay at the manor outside the city first, and then enter the city to return to the mansion at night."
"Why? Did something happen?"
Ling Mohan's eyes drooped slightly, his tone a little somber: "I'm just worried... the army can return to the city first to attract some attention. Then, at night, the Black Armored Army will escort you into the city."
"Alright, I'll do as you say."
Feng Jin had never argued with Ling Mohan about such matters.
Because she knew that the man was doing this for her and the children's sake, she agreed with Ling Mohan.
The next day, the group split into two. Half of the Black Armored Army escorted Feng Jin and the children to the manor outside the city to stay.
Ling Mohan, on the other hand, led the dowry from Xiliang and the accompanying palace maids and eunuchs, and entered the capital in a grand procession.
...
"Young Madam, we've arrived at the manor."
Chu Qing's voice from outside the carriage woke Feng Jin from her light sleep. After a moment, Feng Jin slowly alighted from the carriage.
"Greetings, Young Madam, Young Master..."
The servants at the manor said in unison.
Feng Jin recognized them as Ling family servants from their attire.
"Get up, everyone. Who is the steward?"
"This servant, Wu Er, the manor steward, greets the Young Madam."
"Wu Er..." Feng Jin murmured. The name sounded increasingly familiar. She had a faint impression but couldn't recall it for a moment.
"How long have you been working for the Ling family?"
"This servant is a native of the Ling family. My father started working for the Old Master."
Hearing this, Feng Jin suddenly remembered: "Your surname is Wu, and the Ling family steward's surname is also Wu. What is your relationship?"
"Steward Wu is this servant's father."
This way, Feng Jin finally understood what was going on.
"Alright, you may get up. Lead me inside."
This manor was acquired by Old Master Ling years ago and was later gifted to Ling Mohan. It was Feng Jin's first time here. "Steward Wu, you've managed this manor very well. It's orderly. It seems you've put in a lot of effort."
"Young Madam is too kind. This is all part of this servant's duties. Doing it well is also being worthy of the master."
Wu Er said humbly, with no arrogance in his eyes.
Feng Jin could tell that Wu Er was respectful. "It's good that Steward Wu understands this. Do your work well, and the Ling family will not mistreat you."
"Yes, this servant understands."
"Take me to my room." Feng Jin was tired and just wanted to rest well.
"Young Madam, this way."
Wu Er bowed and led Feng Jin into the courtyard on the east side. "Young Madam, this Jin Yuan was just renovated at the beginning of this year. I heard you were coming, so I had people clean it out early this morning."