Ling Mo Han also noticed something amiss with the horse beneath him. He pulled hard on the reins with all his might, barely managing to control the beast.
Feng Jin was also slightly startled. She hadn't expected the horse to be so spirited, actually understanding what she was saying. It was truly a rare occurrence.
No… if this horse were truly this intelligent, then the last time… the last time it almost threw her off, it meant it did so intentionally.
The curve of Feng Jin's lips widened further, but her eyes became even more inscrutable. Looking at the horse before her, she felt a fire burning in her chest, as if she would die of discomfort if she didn't vent it.
To be bullied by a horse after living so long! If this got out, her reputation would be ruined. She absolutely could not swallow this insult.
"Stop studying the horse. If you really want to eat horse meat, I'll slaughter one for you when I get back. But Zhui Feng has been with me for many years and has countless merits on the battlefield. Don't set your sights on Zhui Feng anymore."
Ling Mo Han vaguely guessed Feng Jin's true intentions. She was still brooding over the fact that Zhui Feng had almost thrown her off the horse last time.
To be so petty about a horse at her age, if word got out, it would be a laughingstock.
"No way, I must eat this horse. I'll see if you can keep an eye on me all the time, or if you can hide this old horse!"
Zhui Feng's mane stood on end. This was it. How could it have provoked someone so difficult to deal with? It seemed the master couldn't save it this time. It had charged into battle countless times and survived, yet now it might be eaten.
"Get on the horse first!"
Ling Mo Han stopped arguing with Feng Jin about the horse. He reached out, pulled Feng Jin onto the horse's back, and galloped away.
Startled by the threat, Zhui Feng obediently carried the two of them forward at a gallop. It dared not offend Feng Jin again, prioritizing its own life.
Upon arriving at the Ling Manor, Ling Mo Han helped Feng Jin dismount and tossed the reins to a nearby servant.
"Wait a moment!"
As the servant was about to lead Zhui Feng away, Feng Jin quickly called out to stop him. "Where are you taking the horse?"
"Replying to Madam, I am to take Zhui Feng to feed it fodder and give it a bath!"
The servant answered respectfully. Everyone in the manor knew Zhui Feng was the young general's beloved horse. Its treatment was practically that of a half-master, and no one dared to neglect it. Even the fodder it ate was the finest quality, costing more per jin than white flour.
People lived less comfortably than a horse. Compared to this, it was quite disheartening.
"No matter how precious, it's still just a horse, a beast that can be ridden and slaughtered. You treat it like an ancestor, yet do you treat your own parents with such diligence? To be so attentive to a beast now, it's truly shameful!"
Feng Jin's words repeatedly emphasized that Zhui Feng was just a beast, seemingly directed at Ling Mo Han as well.
"Enough. Take this beast to the backyard. Give it some grass, and treat it like any ordinary animal. There's no need for such special treatment, understand!"
"Yes, I understand."
He had long since grown tired of serving Zhui Feng, treating it like an ancestor every day, while his own life was worse than a horse's. Now that the young madam had spoken, he could relax considerably. He immediately led Zhui Feng to the backyard and tied it up in a random spot.
Mixed in with the other horses, Zhui Feng no longer appeared noble. As the young madam said, it was just a lowly beast, subject to slaughter.
Zhui Feng whinnied incessantly. Its luxurious stable had been replaced by a communal sleeping area, and this fodder was inedible compared to what it used to eat. How had it fallen to this state?
…
"Why do you have to quarrel with a horse? Zhui Feng has been with me for so many years, and it carried me to safety through many perilous battles. You really shouldn't mistreat Zhui Feng like this!"
In his heart, Zhui Feng was a loyal partner with whom he had faced life and death on the battlefield. He had never treated Zhui Feng as mere livestock.
With a 'bang!', Feng Jin slammed the teacup in her hand onto the table. The warm tea splashed out, some of it landing on her hand and the table.
"What, are you going to argue with me over a horse? Or do I not have the right to discipline a horse in this manor? Or perhaps, in your heart, my status is even lower than that of a horse. In that case, you can spend the rest of your life with your horse!"
Feng Jin's angry reprimand filled the room. Even though the door was tightly shut, the sound of their argument seeped through the cracks.
Lu Shi, who had just finished burying Liu Meng Han and her son, was hurrying back to report to Ling Mo Han. As he reached the door and was about to knock, he heard the argument within. The hand he had extended stopped midway, remaining there for a long time.
Just as he was about to step forward to listen more clearly, the closed door was violently pushed open. Caught off guard, Lu Shi fell to the ground. Before he could react, an unknown object fell from above and struck him hard on the head.
Following this, Feng Jin's furious voice rang out, "Ling Mo Han, get out! Go find your horse!"
Then came the sound of the door slamming shut violently. Lu Shi flinched, quickly pulling away the quilt that had fallen on his head. His eyes fell upon Ling Mo Han, which made him sober up even more.
"Young General, what is this?"
Ling Mo Han was wearing only a thin inner garment, holding an outer robe in his hand. At his feet lay a discarded pillow and shoes.
Lu Shi's gaze swept over Ling Mo Han. He then noticed the quilt in his own hands. Could it be… had the young general been driven out by the young madam?
He seemed to have stumbled upon something he shouldn't have. In this situation, would he live to see the sunrise tomorrow?
"Young General, I have other matters to attend to, so I must leave. Don't worry, I saw nothing today. No… no… I mean, I was never here at all. I'll be going now!"
Lu Shi reacted very quickly this time. He immediately turned to flee.