He did not look down on Ling Muzhu, but rather his reputation was known to everyone. Moreover, the matter of guarding Yingzhong Commandery was of great importance. How could it be entrusted to such an unreliable person as Ling Muzhu.
"He has changed a lot now, no longer the same as before. If men are not saints, who can be without fault? As long as one can bravely recognize their mistakes and correct them in time, we should all give him a chance to be a new man!"
Ling Mohan was also wavering, but he was still a little uneasy about Ling Muzhu.
"Don't hesitate. Even if you don't trust Ling Muzhu, don't you trust me? How could the people I teach be ordinary people? Besides, you should at least ask Ling Muzhu for his opinion before making a decision."
As Feng Jin finished speaking, the tightly shut tent door was opened from the outside. Ling Muzhu stepped in, his face heavy, and knelt before Ling Mohan.
"All my previous faults were due to my immaturity, which caused a lot of trouble for the Ling family and tarnished its reputation. But now I sincerely want to amend myself. I beg my elder brother to give me a chance to stay in Yingzhong Commandery. I will naturally govern Yingzhong Commandery well, never let the common people suffer, and never disgrace the Ling family."
Ling Muzhu's words were inspiring. This was definitely the most agreeable thing he had ever said in his life.
"He has expressed his determination so clearly. For the sake of Old Master, give him a chance to temper himself properly!"
Feng Jin also spoke well of Ling Muzhu. One could not just dismiss all his future efforts just because he made a mistake at one time. That would be too unfair.
Ling Mohan's gaze swept back and forth between the two. After a moment, he said with a slight hesitation, "On behalf of your elder sister-in-law for pleading on your behalf, I will let you stay. But you must be careful in your work and not be caught by anyone. Otherwise, the Ling family will not be able to protect you. Do you understand?"
"I have noted it all down. Please rest assured, elder brother. I will definitely supervise Yingzhong Commandery well!" Ling Muzhu said sincerely, his eyes firm.
Ling Mohan was still a little uneasy and specially took Ling Muzhu to familiarize himself with all the affairs of Yingzhong Commandery.
He stayed in Yingzhong Commandery for two more days. After knowing that Ling Muzhu had fully taken over, he decided to leave.
"Young Madam, the belongings are all packed and ready to depart at any time." Cai Qing packed everything and put it into the carriage.
Feng Jin nodded slightly, looked at Ling Muzhu, grabbed his ear, and warned him fiercely, "I boasted to your elder brother that you could manage Yingzhong Commandery well. If you dare to mess up and cause trouble, I will teach you a harsh lesson and cripple your legs. Do you understand?"
"I have noted it all!" The place where his ear was being grabbed was burning with pain. Ling Muzhu covered his ear and quickly begged for mercy, "Elder sister-in-law, please let go. Otherwise, my ear will really be pulled off."
"If you dare to cause trouble, boy, I will pull off both your ears and make you a person without ears!"
After a fierce warning, Feng Jin reluctantly let go.
Ling Mohan rubbed his aching ear. He dared to say that his ear must be red and swollen beyond recognition now.
It could only be said that Feng Jin's hand was truly fierce, almost pulling his ear off.
"I have noted it all, elder sister-in-law. Please rest assured, I will definitely not disgrace you and elder brother. I will govern Yingzhong Commandery well!"
This rare opportunity was his only chance to prove himself.
"Muzhu, be careful with everything. If there is any trouble, send me a message by carrier pigeon immediately."
To tell the truth, Ling Mohan was still murmuring in his heart, fearing that Ling Muzhu would cause trouble. He suddenly had the urge to take Ling Muzhu with him.
"Yes, elder brother!"
"I've told you everything I need to. We should go, or we won't reach the post station before dark!"
Feng Jin stepped forward and took his arm, indicating that he should leave.
"Are you two still leaving? This young prince is almost asleep in the carriage!" Gu Beichen's impatient voice sounded. What was there to dawdle about? He had been sitting in the carriage for almost half an hour, and he had finished all the pastries, yet these two showed no sign of wanting to leave.
Feng Jin rolled her eyes and glared fiercely at Gu Beichen. She should have left Gu Beichen behind, so she wouldn't have to listen to his nagging all the way.
"Elder brother, elder sister-in-law, it's getting late, we should be going!"
"Let's go!" Ling Mohan helped Feng Jin into the carriage, while he himself mounted his horse and rode forward.
In the carriage, Feng Jin's thoughts were in turmoil. She lifted the curtain and looked into the distance. When she first arrived in Yingzhong Commandery, she had just experienced disaster and war. The houses were dilapidated, and the city was filled with wailing, showing a desolate scene.
Following that, they encountered an epidemic. She had seen the warmth and coldness of the human world here and had stayed for two full months. As she left now, Feng Jin could not help but feel a sense of reluctance.
"Young Madam, don't look anymore, it will only increase your sorrow."
Feng Jin sighed, lowered the curtain, and sat back. She hoped that the people of Yingzhong Commandery would be safe and sound in the future.
The moving carriage suddenly stopped, which made Feng Jin feel puzzled. She frowned slightly, lifted the curtain, and asked Lu Shi, who was following them, "Guard Lu, what's wrong? Why did the carriage stop?"
"Reporting to Young Madam, the people of Yingzhong Commandery have blocked the way ahead and are asking to see the Young General and Young Madam."
Seeing her... Feng Jin lowered her eyes, got up, and got out of the carriage.
"Slowly!" Ling Mohan helped Feng Jin out of the carriage, and the two walked straight ahead.
When the people of Yingzhong Commandery saw them, they all knelt down in unison.
"Please rise, villagers. I cannot accept such a great礼!"
Ling Mohan hurriedly stepped forward to help them up.
"The General and Madam saved the lives of all the people in our city. You are our benefactors. Please accept our bow!"
"Everyone, please don't be like this. My wife and I truly cannot accept it."
With so many people kneeling before them, Feng Jin was indeed a little flustered. Would this shorten her lifespan? She hadn't lived enough yet.
"Thanks to Madam for curing the plague. Otherwise, if we didn't die by the hands of natural disasters and war, we would have died from the plague. We thank Madam for saving our lives."
Yun Yun, upon hearing that Feng Jin was leaving, hurried over and knelt down before Feng Jin with a thud, kowtowing.
This made Feng Jin's mind go blank. Was their way of thanking just kowtowing? Couldn't they find another way?
As the saying goes, a man's knees are made of gold. Even if a woman's knees were not made of gold, they should be made of silver. Is it really alright to kneel down like this? Aren't they afraid of shortening their lifespan? She was afraid of not being able to accept it.
"You get up first." Feng Jin stepped forward and helped Yun Yun up. She looked at the others, "Everyone, please rise as well."