Chapter 4: Hot Hands

Madam Feng's nose was almost crooked with anger.

She usually managed the household, and both her daughters-in-law were respectful, her son and married daughter were filial, and her grandchildren were obedient in front of her, not daring to disobey her in the slightest.

This Feng Shaojun!

This troublemaker!

He was deliberately trying to anger her to death!

Feng Shaojun looked at Madam Feng, who was glaring at him with eyes spitting fire, feeling quite pleased. Just as he was about to continue and try to make Madam Feng so angry that she would faint, his cousin Cui Yuanhan cleared his throat loudly.

Feng Shaojun looked at Cui Yuanhan.

In Cui Yuanhan's eyes, there was a plea.

"My dear cousin, I'm begging you on behalf of your cousin. It's my first day back at the Feng residence, can you tone it down a bit?" Cui Yuanhan said.

Feng Shaojun pursed his lips, and a small dimple appeared at the corner of his mouth, looking incredibly sweet and obedient.

Cui Yuanhan secretly breathed a sigh of relief and politely said to Madam Feng, "Cousin, she's young and doesn't know any better. She misspoke, please forgive her."

Madam Feng took a deep breath, suppressed her anger, and said calmly, "As a grandmother, how could I argue with an ignorant girl? Previously, it was my fault for not speaking carefully, and I had no intention of blaming the Cui family."

After a pause, she added, "You sisters should greet each other."

The tension in the air finally dissipated a bit.

The four cousins greeted each other as equals.

"Second cousin," Feng Shaojun greeted with a smile, "I'm new here and don't understand the rules of the Feng residence. Please guide me in the future, Second Cousin."

The previous incident had stunned both the proud Feng Shaolan and the petty Feng Shaozhu.

Feng Shaolan, looking at her smiling cousin, felt a bit uneasy for some reason. She couldn't maintain her proud expression and coughed before responding, "Cousin Shaojun, you're being too polite."

Feng Shaojun then turned to Feng Shaozhu, "Fourth cousin."

Feng Shaozhu felt a chill down her spine and dryly replied, "Cousin, if you need anything, just ask me."

Feng Shaojun smiled and said, "Fourth cousin, you're so enthusiastic. In the future, I won't hesitate to ask for your help."

Feng Shaozhu: "..."

The youngest cousin, Feng Shaoju, obediently called out, "Cousin Shaojun."

Among all the members of the Feng family, Feng Shaojun only had some goodwill towards this little cousin.

In her previous life, she had lived in the Feng residence for over a year. Feng Shaolan always competed with her and they often quarreled. Feng Shaozhu always coveted her clothes and jewelry, shamelessly taking a lot of them.

Only Feng Shaoju, who was quiet and obedient, didn't compete or grab anything.

After the appearance of the Queen of Qin, Feng Shaoju had subtly hinted to her that the young prince of the Qin palace had been bedridden for a long time.

Unfortunately, at that time, she was deceived by Feng's family and agreed to a marriage, jumping into a pit of fire.

Later, she changed her identity and returned to the capital. By then, several of the Feng sisters had already married. Feng Shaoju couldn't escape the fate of marriage and was married to an older military officer.

Looking at the innocent face of Feng Shaoju, Feng Shaojun felt a pang of regret in his heart. He reached out and held Feng Shaoju's hand, smiling as he said, "Fifth cousin, I feel happy when I see you. It seems that we have a connection, cousin."

Feng Shaolan: "..."

Feng Shaozhu: "..."

What was this?

The two legitimate daughters of the Feng family couldn't compare to a cousin born from an aunt?

Even Yao, with a somewhat embarrassed expression, glanced at Feng Shaoju.

Feng Shaoju, who was usually quiet and low-key, suddenly became the center of attention and felt quite uneasy. She replied softly, "Seeing you, cousin, also makes me feel very close."

Feng Shaojun smiled slightly and let go of her hand.

Feng Shaoju breathed a sigh of relief and quietly moved back a bit.

Madam Feng said with a smile, "It's been a while since Shaojun returned home. Today, we should have a lively gathering. I'll have someone send a message to the National Academy to have Wenhan and Wenhao come back."

The youngest son of the Feng family, Feng Wenli, was studying with a private tutor in the residence.

Yao immediately added, "My husband is attending a literary gathering today. I'll have someone send a message to him to come back early tonight."

Feng's second son had been taking the imperial examination for over ten years without success. He often gathered with a group of unsuccessful scholars, writing poetry and making friends, and also making connections with talented women from the brothels.

Madam Feng, from the bottom of her heart, looked down on her self-important and talentless younger brother-in-law, and she smiled and said, "It's been a few days since my younger brother-in-law returned home. Make sure the message is sent to the right place."

Yao, feeling stung, forced a smile and replied, "Thank you for your concern. My husband has always been thinking about his niece. He'll definitely come back as soon as he hears that Shaojun has returned."

Madam Feng cleared her throat lightly, "My husband is working at the yamen, so someone should send a message there as well." After a pause, she added, "Send messages to the Shen family and the Prince Kang's residence as well."

The Shen family was quite far away, taking half a day for a round trip. The Prince Kang's residence was much closer, only taking half an hour by horse. Tonight, the Feng residence was hosting a family banquet, and as long as the elder and younger Mrs. Feng wanted to come, they could make it in time.

When Feng Shaojun heard the name Shen, a cold and handsome young face flashed through his mind, and his eyebrows twitched slightly.

Madam Feng, feeling quite annoyed, didn't feel like saying much more and instructed Madam Zhou to take Feng Shaojun and Cui Yuanhan to settle in. Then, she got up and left first.

Feng Shaojun's residence had already been prepared.

However, Madam Feng had not intended to let Cui Yuanhan stay at the residence before.

After some consideration, Zhou made a decision in his mind and smiled as he spoke to Feng Shaokun and Cui Yuanhan, "Shaokun, you will stay at the Lotus Fragrance Courtyard, which is close to Shaolan and Shaozhu's courtyard. Cui, as an outsider, it would be inconvenient for you to stay in the main residence, so for now, you will stay at the Listening to Waves Pavilion with Wen Yan."

Feng Wenyan was the eldest grandson of the Feng family and usually studied at the National Academy. He only returned home once every ten days. Cui Yuanhan staying at the Listening to Waves Pavilion was quite convenient.

Cui Yuanhan quickly expressed his gratitude.

Feng Shaokun seemed satisfied with this arrangement and whispered, "Cousin, go and rest first. I will come to talk to you in the afternoon."

Cui Yuanhan smiled and agreed.

Zhou had someone lead Cui Yuanhan to the Listening to Waves Pavilion, while she personally led Feng Shaokun to the Lotus Fragrance Courtyard. Feng Shaolan reluctantly followed along.

Yao, with nothing else to do, also joined in the fun. She walked alongside Feng Shaokun, holding his hand and speaking affectionately, "Shaokun, the Cui family is the most famous wealthy family in Pingjiang Prefecture. You must be enjoying luxurious delicacies and exquisite fabrics every day while staying at the Cui family's residence!"

"Look at the fabric you are wearing, so light, thin, and bright. We rarely see such fine fabrics in the Feng residence."

Her gaze was filled with eager greed.

Feng Shaozhu also stared enviously at Feng Shaokun's attire, her eyes full of longing.

The young ladies of the Feng family made four new sets of clothes every season and added two new sets of jewelry. While it was enough for daily wear, it might be insufficient for visiting other households.

Her mother had privately told her that Feng Shaokun not only inherited the family business of the second branch of the Feng family and the dowry left by his birth mother but also received support from the Cui family. In the future, when Feng Shaokun settles in the Feng residence, all the gold, silver, jade, jewelry, fields, and shops will belong to the Feng family. Her mother said that she would have a share in it!