Chapter 2: Fengfu

The carriage and a dozen spirited horses stopped outside the Feng residence.

The gatekeeper of the Feng residence hurriedly sent a servant boy to deliver a message to the inner hall.

Feng Shaokun lowered the bamboo curtain and sat inside the carriage.

Jixiang covered her chest with her hand and murmured softly, "Oh no, why is my heart beating so fast?" She had been serving the young master since she was six and had never been to the capital before!

Feng Shaokun comfortingly glanced at Jixiang and said, "Don't be nervous, we will only stay at the Feng residence for a few days before leaving."

What did she mean by "staying for a few days before leaving"?

Where is the young lady going?

Jixiang was startled and looked up, "Young lady..."

The sweet-smiling young lady, at this moment, had an expressionless face and a cold glint in her black eyes. She seemed somewhat unfamiliar. Jixiang's heart skipped a beat, and she couldn't bring herself to say anything more.

Feng Shaokun didn't explain either.

After about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, Cui Yuanhan personally opened the carriage door and whispered quickly, "Cousin, the Feng residence has opened its main gate, and everyone is here to welcome you. Hurry and get out of the carriage to pay respects to the elders of the Feng family."

Jixiang watched in astonishment as her mistress transformed as if she had changed her face, revealing a sweet smile, "Jixiang, come with me out of the carriage."

Jixiang: "..."

For some reason, Jixiang had a premonition that "today is definitely not going to be good."

However, Jixiang didn't have much time to be stunned. Feng Shaokun had already taken Cui Yuanhan's arm and stepped out of the carriage. Jixiang quickly came to her senses and got out of the carriage.

The main gate of the Feng residence was wide open.

Standing in front was a woman in her fifties, wearing a crimson embroidered jacket and a dark blue long skirt. Her hair was half white, and she wore a crimson headband, with wrinkles at the corners of her eyes, and her gaze was sharp.

This woman was none other than Feng Shaokun's grandmother, Madam Feng.

Standing to the right of Madam Feng was a woman in her late thirties. She had slightly round cheeks and a kind and friendly look, and she was Feng residence's eldest daughter-in-law, Madam Zhou.

To the left of Madam Feng was the second daughter-in-law of the Feng residence, Madam Yao.

Madam Yao was thirty-five years old, wearing a cherry red jacket and an autumn-colored long skirt. She had three golden hairpins in her hair, her face was powdered white, and her lips were painted a bright red. Her sharp eyes revealed her shrewdness.

Behind Madam Zhou was a young girl of about fifteen or sixteen, with an oval face and a slightly proud look. She was the eldest legitimate daughter of the main branch, Feng Shaolan.

Behind Madam Yao were two young girls.

One was about fourteen years old, with a melon seed face, and she was the second legitimate daughter of the second branch, Feng Shaozhu. Feng Shaozhu had delicate features, but her skin was not very fair, so she had to apply powder every day to make her face look white before meeting anyone.

The other was an eleven-year-old girl, still small in stature, slender, with willow eyebrows and almond-shaped eyes, very pretty.

This was the illegitimate daughter of the second branch, Feng Shaoju.

Madam Yao's eldest daughter, Feng Shaomei, had been married off two years ago.

The men of the Feng family, whether they were servants or scholars, were not in the residence. The concubines and servants of the inner residence were not qualified to appear.

The legitimate female members of the Feng residence were all present.

Feng Shaokun's gaze fell first on the stern and harsh face of Madam Feng, and she sneered inwardly.

This grandmother had obstructed her parents' marriage, and had always been very disdainful of her mother, Cui. She was also very dissatisfied with her son, Feng Lun. Over the years, she had shown no concern for her granddaughter.

Now she was eagerly coming to greet her.

In Madam Feng's eyes, she was like a piece of juicy meat.

Madam Feng looked at Feng Shaokun with a more relaxed expression when she saw the beautiful face of Feng Shaokun.

The only good thing about that short-lived ghost, Cui, was that she had given birth to a face that could bewitch men. Feng Shaokun was even more beautiful than her own mother.

With such beauty, great things could be achieved.

Madam Feng's mood improved a lot, and she smiled and said, "You must be Shaokun! Poor child, you've been wandering outside for so many years. Come to your grandmother's side quickly."

Madam Zhou and Madam Yao each had their own calculations, and they both showed a friendly smile on their faces.

Feng Shaolan and Feng Shaozhu, however, looked at Feng Shaokun with hostility, their eyes full of resentment.

Feng Shaolan, who usually prided herself on her beauty and outstanding temperament, felt overshadowed by her cousin at first sight, and felt a bit frustrated.

Feng Shaozhu didn't fare any better. From a distance, Feng Shaokun's skin was as white as jade, and when she approached, it seemed to glow. It was hard to bear the jealousy!

Feng Shaoju quickly glanced at her cousin and then lowered her head.

The maidservants and old women who followed their mistress also looked at Feng Sanxiaojie, who had returned from afar, and each marveled in their hearts.

It's true that the south of the Yangtze River produces beauties, without a doubt.

This third young lady, who grew up in Pingjiang Prefecture, had skin like condensed fat, a beautiful face, eyes like autumn water, and a slight smile that was refreshing to the heart.

There are millions of beautiful women in the world, some are stunning, some are charming. The beauty of Feng Sanxiaojie was not at all vulgar. It was a gentle beauty that could easily win the favor of everyone.

This gentle and sweet Feng Sanxiaojie walked lightly, and when she paid her respects, she was dignified and graceful, her voice like pearls falling on a jade plate, "I have seen my great-grandmother!"

Madam Feng: "..."

Madam Feng's smile suddenly froze.

In just a few words, like sharp, slender needles, they pierced into Madam Feng's ears.

When Feng Lun was young, the younger brother of the Feng family's steward fell seriously ill. As he had no son, the dying Feng Erlaoye begged his elder brother to adopt a son for him.

Feeling sorry for his dying brother, Feng Erlaoye agreed. He then comforted Madam Feng, "My younger brother's family line cannot be cut off. We have three sons, and we will adopt the youngest son for my younger brother. When my younger brother closes his eyes, our son will burn incense and paper for him every year."

Most importantly, he could openly and honestly inherit all the family property of the second branch.

After all, Feng Erlaoye's life was short. It was better to raise his son himself.

Madam Feng calculated repeatedly and nodded in agreement.

Unexpectedly, after Feng Lun was adopted, Mr. Feng's health improved day by day. He brought the young Feng Lun to the ancestral home in Pingjiang Prefecture and personally taught him to read and write.

It wasn't until Feng Lun passed the provincial examination at the age of thirteen that Mr. Feng passed away.

To make matters worse, before his death, Mr. Feng arranged for Feng Lun to marry into the Cui family.

Feng Lun observed a three-year mourning period for Mr. Feng. After that, he passed the local examination, went to the capital for the imperial examination, and was ranked as a top scholar, bringing honor to his ancestors.

At the same time, the young and beautiful Princess Ning Hui took an interest in the outstanding new top scholar. However, the top scholar only had eyes for his childhood sweetheart, his unmarried fiancée, and firmly rejected Princess Ning Hui.

Madam Feng was furious and forced Feng Lun to break off the engagement.

The outcome is needless to say.

In short, whenever Madam Feng thinks of this past event, it is like a dagger to her heart. Over the years, she has been very cold towards her granddaughter, Feng Shaojun.

Mr. Feng has been dead for over a decade. Madam Feng made up her mind to put this old matter behind her and never mention Feng Lun's adoption in public.

Unexpectedly, Feng Shaojun struck a chord in Madam Feng's heart with just one word.

Grandmother, great-grandmother.

Although it seems to be just one word apart, upon careful consideration, they are completely different.

Mrs. Zhou and Mrs. Yao each had a sudden realization and quickly exchanged glances.

Feng Shaojun seemed not to notice the momentary change in Madam Feng's expression and smiled as he greeted Mrs. Zhou and Mrs. Yao, "Shaojun pays his respects to Grandmother and Great-Grandmother!"

Mrs. Zhou coughed and forced a kind smile as she helped Feng Shaojun up, "Please, get up quickly. We are family, there's no need for such formality."

Mrs. Yao quickly added, "Shaojun, you've come a long way. Come inside and have a seat. We can talk slowly."

Madam Feng suppressed the flames of anger in her heart and said calmly, "Let's go inside first."

Feng Shaojun sweetly smiled, "Yes, Great-Grandmother."

Madam Feng: "..."