"What are you doing? Be careful not to re-open your wound, you reckless thing!"
Feng Jin was startled and quickly stood up from the man's embrace, her movements extremely cautious lest she accidentally touch Ling Mo Han's injury.
He truly had no sense of proportion. Didn't he know he was injured and still dared to act so recklessly? If she had accidentally pressed on his wound, it would have burst open, and he would have had a difficult time.
"I know what I'm doing," the man said, and as soon as his voice fell, he reached out and grabbed Feng Jin's hand again, intending to pull her into his arms. Startled, Feng Jin quickly stood firm and maintained a certain distance from Ling Mo Han.
"Whatever you have to say, just say it from there. Don't move around!"
She was truly still shaken, afraid that Ling Mo Han would do something else. It would be better to clarify things first so she could relax.
The man pouted helplessly, his gaze fixed on Feng Jin with a wronged expression. Was she really that afraid of him, keeping her distance? Did he seem like a ferocious beast to her?
"Tell me first, what do you mean by saying I wouldn't understand? What is the meaning of your words?"
"It means exactly what it says. It's a woman's affair; how would a grown man like you understand? You shouldn't keep asking. Asking too much will only lead to awkwardness."
Feng Jin didn't want to continue this topic with Ling Mo Han, as there was no point in talking more. She didn't expect him to understand what she was thinking.
Moreover, Ling Mo Han would never understand. Perhaps this was the fundamental difference between men and women, a chasm that was difficult to bridge.
"If you don't tell me, how will you know I won't understand..." Ling Mo Han said persistently, appearing determined to get to the bottom of it.
"Even if I told you, you still wouldn't understand."
Feng Jin was resolute. If she couldn't get Ling Mo Han to stop, she would deliberately say the opposite.
A deadlock ensued between them, and in the end, Ling Mo Han chose to compromise, deciding to shut his mouth and stop arguing with Feng Jin.
"Since you're alright, get some rest. I've guarded you for a day and a night, and I need to go back and catch up on some sleep."
Feng Jin yawned, and suddenly drowsiness washed over her like a tidal wave. Her eyes were almost closing, and she needed to go back for a lie-in.
The man watched Feng Jin's retreating back, his eyes gradually dimming as he pondered Feng Jin's words, constantly wondering what she meant.
What did she mean he wouldn't understand? What was it that made her so certain he wouldn't understand?
Indeed, a woman's heart is like a needle in the sea; he couldn't figure out what Feng Jin was getting at. It was truly tiring to guess someone's feelings aimlessly.
...
When Feng Jin returned to her room, she was so tired her eyelids felt heavy. As soon as her body touched the bed, she began to drift off. Just as she was about to fall asleep, she was jolted awake by an urgent knocking at the door, followed by Da Bao and Er Bao's voices coming through the door.
"Mother..."
"Mother, open the door..."
Feng Jin reluctantly got out of bed. Why did these two little rascals have to come at this time? Were they deliberately trying to keep her from sleeping? Were they deliberately causing trouble?
As soon as she opened the door, two small figures rushed in, and their little bodies tumbled onto the bed.
Sighing helplessly, Feng Jin walked to the bedside and looked at the two little ones sitting on the bed.
"Why aren't you two sleeping in your own rooms and coming here? What have I taught you? You're grown up now and can't keep clinging to Mother to sleep. Big boys need to sleep by themselves."
"Da Bao, you're the older brother. You need to set an example for your younger brother. Be good and quickly take your brother back to your room to sleep."
Feng Jin was flattering Da Bao, hoping he would quickly take Er Bao back and stop causing trouble.
"Mother... scared, with Mother... Mother sleep..."
Da Bao's voice was soft, and coupled with his watery, big eyes, he looked incredibly pitiful and adorable.
She really couldn't bring herself to drive away such a cute child. It would be too much of a sin.
"Mother... scared... scared..."
Er Bao, who was usually taciturn, also uncharacteristically clutched Feng Jin's sleeve, his little face pouting. This was the first time she had ever seen him look so pathetic.
Feng Jin frowned slightly. Could they really be scared? She couldn't bear to drive the two little ones away.
"Then you can sleep here, but you must be good and not cause trouble..."
"Okay!"
"Okay!"
The two children agreed in unison. As soon as they finished speaking, the two little ones nimbly burrowed under the covers, not forgetting to leave the outermost spot for Feng Jin.
Feng Jin looked at the two little ones lying on the bed and smiled helplessly. She lifted the covers and lay down beside them.
She reached out to tuck the covers around the two little ones, pulling them close into her embrace. "Close your eyes, it's time to sleep."
Feng Jin gently patted the two children, humming a lullaby she had composed herself. Finally, she managed to lull the two children to sleep.
After confirming that the two children were asleep, Feng Jin, dragging her tired body, lay down on the bed and fell into a deep sleep.
...
"Princess, this servant has been ordered to bring the wedding dress for Your Highness's wedding."
Several maids entered, carrying a bright red wedding dress and placing it on the table. The phoenix coronet was also delivered along with it.
Murong Jin Yun continued with her task, glanced at the glaring red on the table, and said faintly, "Put the items down and all of you may leave."
"Your servants take our leave!"
After everyone had left, Murong Jin Yun signaled the maid beside her to close the door.
"Princess, this wedding dress is in the style of Dong Chu, not at all in the style of our Xi Liang!"
Compared to the maid's surprised exclamation, Murong Jin Yun appeared very calm, as if this was expected. Her expression was placid, showing no emotion.
"Since the wedding dress was sent by the people of Dong Chu, it is naturally in the style of Dong Chu. If it doesn't look good, just throw it away. It's not as if this is the only wedding dress."
It was just a dress; what was there to make a fuss about? If she didn't like it, she could just discard it. She hadn't sunk so low as to be bothered by a piece of clothing.
"Princess, this servant simply feels that Dong Chu doing this is clearly a provocation. They don't take us seriously, and they've gone too far."