Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Madam Feng-Du was quite amazing. She was the first to hold the title of “The First Matriarch to Get Divorced.”
By the time Feng Jin and Wei Jingxian received news, Feng Ren and the other clan leaders had already approved. They convened a meeting at the ancestral hall to remove her name.
Regardless of how much Madam Feng-Du, no, how Madam Du made a commotion, Feng Gui refused to see her. He sent hundreds of troops to escort her back to Zhongzhao.
As for his two young children, Feng Gui decided to home-school them. If he really could not handle them, he requested that his parents help to look after them.
She said, “Elder Brother-in-Law hasn’t had it easy all these years.”
There were differences in seniority and in legitimate and illegitimate children.
Feng Gui was the clan leader. He was the heir who possessed all the rights over the clan. He also had to bear the burden of supporting the entire Feng family. He had to find a balance between power and responsibility.
“No, it hasn’t been easy for Elder Brother all these years. Father retired from his official position early. Emperor discreetly tries to put the Feng family down. He has a heavy responsibility to handle.”
Feng Jin had often felt unhappy when he was young. Why was it that, although they were all from the same parents, he and his younger brother couldn’t challenge their elder brother? Were they that inferior compared to him?
The stress was too overwhelming.
It was rare to have a ruling monarchy for thousands of years, yet there many respectable families that spanned thousands of years.
But was it really so easy for reputable families to last for thousands of years?
Every generation of leaders had to not only stabilize the clan’s standing externally, but they must also rid the family of any vices that did not align with the upright and honorable principle within the clan. He must ensure that these values would be passed on.
The Feng family had always upheld the principle of “uprightness” in their clan, but a man’s heart is complex. When one’s interest is at stake, they may waver in their values. How can the principle of upholding morals be enforced then?
As the patriarch and clan leader, the leader must not only unite the hearts of his people, but he must also purge any violations of principle to prevent trouble before it happens.
Although Feng Jin and Feng Jue could not inherit the Feng family, the clan would not shortchange them of their clothes or food. They still possessed freedom to some degree.
For example, during the earthquake, Feng Jin was able to go with the flow to help Jiang Pengji. It was ideal because it had allowed him to escape from danger and fulfill his goal in life.
That rebellious and wayward child, Feng Jue, had his own ambitions. He’d chosen his lord.
As for Feng Gui?
There was probably only death left for him.
Looking forward to the day when the world would split apart, Feng Gui’s “wise lord” would not be solely chosen by him. His lord would be chosen by the entire Feng family.
Changsheng sharpened her ears when she heard the words “Elder Uncle.” She craned her neck so that she could see what was going on outside. She pouted disappointedly.
“Elder uncle is not around.”
She was joyfully surprised. “Elder Brother-in-Law has a way with little children. After just two to three meetings, Changsheng misses him so much.”
Feng Jin commented, “Elder Brother loves little kids. When we were young and Father and Mother were busy, Huaijie and I were often taken care of by my elder brother. He watched the maidservants very closely and he would check on them every few days to give them a wake-up call and prevent them from slacking.”
When Feng Jue was born, Feng Gui was already a young adult. He’d had to manage his studies and also take care of his two younger brothers.
Wei Jingxian imagined this scenario and laughed. “When Changsheng is a little older, I trust she’ll be a responsible elder sister.”
Feng Jin laughed as he stroked Changsheng’s braided hair, then asked, “Is Changsheng going to be an elder sister soon?”
Wei Jingxian shot him a look and said, “Changsheng is still young. What would she know if you asked her?”
“After the new year passes, she’ll be 2 years old. She isn’t young anymore.”
The relationship between husband and wife grew closer every day. Moreover, Changsheng played the role of mediator, which further deepened their marital bond.
“To take a retreat away from the cares of life and enjoy peaceful days like this… I can’t even remember when we last had times like these…”
The days spent at the Feng manor were relaxing. After eating, they’d go to sleep. Then the cycle repeated itself.
After 7 or 8 days passed, his bones were getting lazy.
He’d already accomplished his most important goal since arriving in Shangyang county. He wasn’t in a rush to return to report his status. Instead, he sent a messenger on a speedy horse to Fengyi county and spent the meantime with his wife and daughter… Eh, it was truly a chance to rest.
Her lips were hidden as she smiled, “Let’s see how long you can slack. Your wife dares to bet on the number of days you rested. Lanting will demand that you pay back the exact number of days.”
Feng Jin looked downcast as he gazed at the pile of snow outside the pavilion.
“Wife, whose side are you on?”
“Whoever is by my side, I will be on their side.” She picked up Changsheng from Feng Jin’s chest and added, “Changsheng stared multiple times at you already. As her father, were you acting ignorant? She is your daughter, not a living bed warmer. If you wish to keep warm, please go get the maidservants.”
He stood up bashfully, his facial expression looked rather modest.
At such a tender age, Changsheng has a warm body constitution. Feng Jin tucked her against his chest again and let her keep him warm.
“Don’t be playful.” Wei Jingxian gently expressed her displeasure.
His facial expression was filled with embarrassment.
It took the messenger days to deliver the letter. He went as fast as he could to get Feng Jin’s letter to Jiang Pengji. When it arrived, she tore it apart immediately.
Xu Ke was especially worried. “My Lord, what’s the outcome?”
Feng Zhen was very confident when he remarked, “It must be good news. The lord is bent on taking over Shangyang county. Although the Feng family is one of Dongqing’s great families, they don’t possess many private troops. Their ability to safeguard Shangyang county is a sign that they are innately weakened already. If the lord doesn’t take over by the beginning of spring, they’ll not be able to hold on until next summer. So far, our lord has chosen diplomacy over force. If they have brains, they’ll surely agree and request some benefits for themselves.”
Without speaking, she tore it open and took a careful look at the letter.
She raised her brows. “Good, good, good…”
She said “good” so many times that it raised everyone’s morale. However, Feng Zhen frowned. Had he made the wrong guess?
She said, “Huaiyu has learned how to be cunning. He knows how to escape from work.”
As the saying went, when one is far from his lord, he has the autonomy to decide for himself. His entire family was huddled together at Shangyang county. She had no means of getting him back to work.
Feng Zhen was nervous as he leaned forward. When he heard what she said, he almost choked on his saliva.
“My Lord, did Huaiyu say anything else?” Xu Ke coughed lightly, then went back to the topic at hand.
She replied, “The Feng family has agreed to let go of Shangyang county, but they raised some insignificant requests.”
Xu Ke took the letter from Jiang Pengji’s hands and read it carefully. He almost choked again.
If they agreed to the request made by the Feng family, wouldn’t that be a silent approval to allow them to change their allegiance anytime?
Was this considered a small matter?
Xu Ke ignored the suffocating pain he felt as he passed the letter to the others to have a look.
Feng Zhen and Qiguan Rang both frowned.
The Feng family did not possess a lot of military might, but their reputation and commanding power were extremely frightening.
What was it about their compelling reputation that made them so attractive?
It was the high honor they possessed among the literates and virtuous scholars.
Once the Fengs made their clear stand, the powers on their side would gain the upper hand.
After some time, the people around Jiang Pengji began to understand the situation. But which of them had willingly submitted to her?
Xu Ke?
He was originally sold to the Liu manor. Jiang Pengji had written off his slave deed, but there was still a mark on his body that showed he belonged to the Liu family.
Qiguan Rang?
Jiang Pengji had fooled him with her words. Before he could react in time, he was trapped. Moreover, because of his principles, he’d agreed half-heartedly.
Feng Jin?
There was a hint of taking advantage of a person’s dire circumstances. If not for the sudden earthquake, would Feng Jin have chosen to follow Jiang Pengji?
How about the others?
The encounter with Li Yun, a naïve man, had happened by chance. Zhang Ping had been conveniently brought into this by Wei Ci. Yang Si had gotten himself into this mess by accident. While Feng Zhen was recommended by Wei Ci through a letter, he came primarily for Wei Ci rather than for Liu Xi or the Liu family.
After evaluating all of them, only Wei Ci was considered to have willingly followed her.
But if the entanglements of his previous life were absent, would he have chosen her?
She thought too much.
