"Your treasonous words, if they were to reach His Majesty's ears, would cost both our heads."
Ling Mo Han said helplessly. He had completely given up on Feng Jin's loose tongue, only hoping these words wouldn't reach the Emperor's ears.
"If His Majesty were to punish me for these matters, it would only prove that His Majesty is truly narrow-minded. Freedom of speech, to be monitored even for a single word, makes life utterly meaningless."
If Emperor Xuanwen truly knew and blamed her, she would have countermeasures, thus naturally not worrying about losing her head.
Ultimately, it was the Empress Dowager's wisdom and astuteness that saw early on that the Empress was not as gentle and virtuous as she appeared, and that Chu Yan Xi was incapable of taking on the great responsibility.
She had begun cultivating Chu Chen Yi early. Fortunately, Chu Chen Yi had lived up to expectations, being far superior to Chu Yan Xi, thus not disappointing the Empress Dowager's many years of hard work.
"This is for you." Ling Mo Han took out a dazzling invitation from his embrace and handed it to Feng Jin.
"What is it? Why have you been receiving so many invitations lately?"
Feng Jin took the invitation and examined it from all sides. "Why do you accept everyone's invitations? Since you received it, you go yourself. I don't want to go."
With that time, she only wanted to stay at home and study medical books. She was not skilled in or fond of such social gatherings, yet she was being forced into it.
"The invitation is for the female family members. What am I supposed to do? If you truly don't want to go, you can simply not go. Out of respect for the Ling family's reputation, no one would dare say anything."
He had never cared about such social matters before. In the past, his second uncle managed the family affairs, and these miscellaneous invitations would naturally go to the second branch. Now that he managed all family affairs, these had naturally fallen upon Feng Jin.
These were all trivial matters to him, and he didn't expect them to assist his career.
"If you don't want to go, I can help you..."
"No, I am now the matriarch of the Ling family. These are my responsibilities. Not only must I go, but I must also uphold our family's reputation."
Since she had accepted the invitation, she naturally wouldn't refuse. It was just women's small talk, how could a modern person like her not handle these trivial matters?
Feng Jin opened the invitation and took one look, instantly losing her earlier enthusiasm. If she had known it was an invitation from the Third Prince's manor, she wouldn't have agreed so quickly.
The words had already been spoken, and it was too late to go back. Feng Jin dejectedly threw the invitation onto the stone table beside them.
"Do you want me to send a reply now?"
His reaction to Feng Jin's current state was within his expectations. It was still timely to send a reply now.
Feng Jin's sharp senses detected something amiss in his words and she looked at the man beside her. "Are you deliberately provoking me?" httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
"No..." the man's voice sounded a little guilty, lacking any confidence.
"This invitation was already opened when you gave it to me. You knew it was from the Third Prince's manor. You clearly know I'm not on good terms with people from the Third Prince's manor. If you were truly considering me, you shouldn't have given me this invitation; you should have refused it directly..."
"Now you've not only given me the invitation and let me see its contents, but you're also constantly reminding me whether to refuse or not. You are clearly provoking me on purpose."
Initially, she hadn't thought much of it. Ling Mo Han's actions were simply too unusual.
In the past, he would never have cared about such matters. This inexplicable level of concern made her suspicious. Now, seeing the man's expression, her suspicions were further confirmed.
"Speak. Why must you make me go? Do you need me to do something for you?"
She understood Ling Mo Han quite well. If there were no benefits to be gained, he would absolutely not meddle in this. She also wanted to hear what Ling Mo Han actually wanted her to do.
The man opened the folding fan in his hand and gently waved it, concealing the trace of awkwardness that appeared on his face due to being found out.
"It's nothing much when you get there. I just want you to visit the Third Prince's manor more often. Know yourself and your enemy, and you will win a hundred battles."
There was nothing to investigate. However, they were already at loggerheads with Chu Yan Xi in the imperial court, only the last veil between them had not been torn.
This was a crucial moment. If she could gain any information by visiting the Third Prince's manor more often, it would be even better.
Originally, he hadn't wanted Feng Jin to go. He also knew how much she detested everyone in the Third Prince's manor.
However, a copy of this invitation had also been sent to Lin Yu Wei, who absolutely had to attend. He was worried that Lin Yu Wei, with her naive disposition, would be completely devoured if she went alone to this den of wolves. After much consideration, it was safest for Feng Jin to accompany her.
"If you don't say it, I won't force you. Then this matter is over..."
Ling Mo Han became a little flustered. He grabbed Feng Jin's wrist and pulled the little woman, who was about to leave, back. He then pushed her onto a chair by the side and confessed all his plans to Feng Jin.
It seemed that if he didn't tell Feng Jin the truth, it would be difficult to make her go willingly.
"That's all. Are there any other unclear points?"
"No, I've told you everything."
Feng Jin scrutinized the man for a long time. From his expression, she finally concluded that Ling Mo Han was not lying at this moment.
"Considering your good attitude in admitting your mistake, I will forgive you this time. If there is a next time, don't blame me for being impolite!"
"So, your answer is to go... or not to go?"
Feng Jin did not answer immediately. She stood up lazily and tidied her clothes that had been rumpled during the struggle. "Whether to go or not; I haven't decided yet. If your attitude were better, I might consider going."
The man let out a low chuckle and walked up to Feng Jin, closing in step by step until he cornered her. His deep voice sounded, "I wonder when my wife will finish considering. Your husband is eagerly awaiting your reply?"
"Then you'll just have to labor... and wait slowly!"
As the words fell, she stomped heavily on the man's foot.
A sharp pain shot from her foot throughout his body. Ling Mo Han hastily retreated a few steps, staggering a bit before he stabilized himself.
"You..."
By the time he came to his senses, the person before him was long gone, leaving only a receding figure.
"Daddy... Daddy..." Da Bao tugged at Ling Mo Han's clothes and called out.