Chapter 008: shrewdness

Madam Feng was so angry that her face turned purple.

"You think your relationship is important, but do you think the state affairs are not important?" she scolded.

"Mother, you worry too much. There are many capable ministers in the court to assist the emperor. Even without me, the Great Yan Dynasty will not collapse," Feng Qizhou replied respectfully but without any hint of humility on his face.

"You!" Madam Feng was so furious that she tightly gripped the Buddhist beads in her hand.

Feng Qizhou's words were polite, but there was no trace of humility on his face. "Mother, you are already tired from worrying about the affairs of the inner courtyard every day. You need not worry about the matters in the court. I know how to handle them."

"You!! How dare you! Do you think I'm meddling too much?!"

"I dare not, Mother."

Madam Feng was so angry that she trembled all over, her face turning from purple to white, and she couldn't even speak.

Liu and Wang hurriedly went forward to support her.

Liu anxiously said, "Second Brother, how can you speak to Mother like this? She cares about you. Do you know that she has been suffering these days, staying by Qinqin's bedside? How can you make her feel this way?"

"Yes, Second Master, Madam has been unwell, and as soon as she heard that Fourth Miss woke up, she rushed over without any regard for her own health. Please don't upset her," Wang also interjected.

Feng Qizhou glanced at Madam Feng upon hearing their words.

Madam Feng, who was over sixty years old, had white hair, and her face no longer retained the former beauty.

She was clutching her chest, her face tense, and her chest heaving, clearly deeply upset by his words.

Feng Qizhou pursed his lips, recalling Madam Feng's kindness to him. His face softened slightly.

"Mother, I know you care about me, but you should also understand how important Qinqin is to me. While I am relieved that she has returned safely, I also fear and hate the person who harmed her. I am afraid of what would happen if she hadn't returned. How would I face Yunsu a hundred years later and tell her that I lost our daughter?"

Seeing his expression, Madam Feng's anger subsided a little, and she said stiffly, "I know you care for Qinqin, and I also hate the villain. Now that Qinqin is safe, I will take good care of her. How can you let her interfere with your affairs?"

Feng Qizhou helped Madam Feng sit down and said, "Mother, when have you seen me neglect my duties?"

Madam Feng was taken aback.

Feng Qizhou handed her a cup of tea and said, "The situation in Lin'an is unresolved. The Third Prince's attempt to recruit allies failed and somehow angered Qiu Pengcheng, causing him to turn to Cao Ku. Now, four out of six officials from the Southern Capital have left, and the emperor is extremely angry. The court officials want to distance themselves from this matter as much as possible."

"Mother, you also know that I control the transportation of goods from various regions. The Third Prince is pressing for military supplies, while the First and Fourth Princes want to obstruct it. No matter whom I help, I will inevitably offend the other side, and the emperor will not want to see me siding with the princes."

Madam Feng's expression changed slightly. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, it's better to stay low-key at this time than to attract attention. Although the emperor may criticize me for acting in my own interests, you can see that the valuable items brought by Physician Zhou on his recent visits to our residence indicate that the emperor is satisfied with my actions."

After Feng Qizhou finished speaking, Madam Feng's expression changed unpredictably.

She had always known that her second son had his own way of doing things, but she had not expected that seemingly simple state affairs would involve so many complexities.

Previously, she had thought that Feng Qizhou was being foolish by focusing solely on taking care of Feng Qiao, neglecting other matters. However, she now realized that he was not only not foolish but also shrewder than anyone else.

Liu's expression also changed upon hearing Feng Qizhou's words. She made a mental note to return all the valuable items sent by the First Prince's residence as soon as possible. She couldn't afford to risk her family's well-being for some small gains.

"When will you stay here until? Look at how haggard you've become these days. Why don't you let your wife and maidservants stay here and go back to rest?" Madam Feng suggested.

Feng Qizhou shook his head. "My wife has many household matters to attend to, and I am even more worried about the maidservants. Qinqin has finally returned safely, and I will not allow anything to happen to her again."

Liu's face turned unpleasant upon hearing this.

Was he guarding against her, afraid that she would harm Feng Qiao?

Madam Feng understood that Feng Qiao's awakening was the only reason why he was determined not to leave.

She was not pleased, but she also knew how much her son doted on his granddaughter.

Liu's eyes turned red as they left the courtyard.

"Mother, I think Second Brother hates me now."

"Nonsense!"

Liu wiped her eyes with a handkerchief. "How can you say that? Second Brother has never liked me, and now he is convinced that I deliberately lost Qinqin. He probably hates me even more."

Madam Feng scolded, "It's not your fault. What are you afraid of?"

"Besides, you know very well how much Lao Er dotes on Qingqing. When Qingqing was lost because of you and almost lost her life, it's normal for him to be angry with you for a few days. Just make it up to her and treat her better. What's the point of making a fuss about it?"

"But... I feel wronged, mother-in-law."

Liu lowered her voice, looking extremely aggrieved.

Madam Feng felt a headache coming on. Seeing Liu's petty appearance, she directly pushed her away and held onto her own hand.

"What's the big deal that makes you cry like this? You're now the mother of two children and in charge of the inner courtyard. What will people think if they see you like this?"

Aunt Wang also whispered beside her, "Madam, please don't be angry. Lao Er has always been like this. We are all one family. If Lao Er really doesn't like you, Master and Madam Feng will protect you."

Madam Feng patted Aunt Wang's hand and frowned at Liu, "Look at you, even Aunt Wang is more sensible than you, and you are the mistress of the house."

Liu felt extremely wronged and wanted to explain, but Madam Feng was impatient with her petty appearance and directly asked Aunt Wang to support her, then turned and went back to Changqing Courtyard.

Liu was so angry that she twisted her handkerchief fiercely and glared at Aunt Wang's swaying figure, muttering under her breath.

A sly fox who knows how to sweet-talk!