Chapter 6: Boxes and Cages

Feng Shaozhu followed Yao Shi into the inner room.

As the maidservants withdrew, Feng Shaozhu's eyes turned red and she stomped her feet forcefully, "Feng Shaokun bullies me everywhere! Mother doesn't even stand up for me!"

Yao Shi immediately embraced her daughter and coaxed in a low voice, "She's an orphan girl without parents. There will be plenty of opportunities to deal with her in the future."

"Don't worry. I will definitely help you vent your anger in the future!"

Yao Shi had given birth to a son and two daughters. The eldest daughter, Feng Shaomei, was already married, while her son, Feng Wenhao, and Feng Shaozhu were twins.

Feng Wenhao started studying at the age of six and was sent to the National Academy at the age of twelve. He could only return home once every ten days. Feng Shaozhu was always by Yao Shi's side.

Yao Shi doted on her daughter, which also nurtured Feng Shaozhu's spoiled and selfish nature.

Thinking about the humiliation she had suffered today, Feng Shaozhu felt indignant and tears welled up in her eyes.

Yao Shi felt distressed and wiped her tears with a handkerchief, saying, "Stop crying. I have two good pieces of fabric saved up. I'll give them to you to make spring clothes."

Feng Shaozhu sobbed, "Did Feng Shaokun wear good clothes today?"

Yao Shi hesitated.

She didn't!

The clothes Feng Shaokun wore today were light, soft, brightly colored, and exuded an elegant aura.

Yao Shi, who considered herself knowledgeable, couldn't even recognize the fabric Feng Shaokun was wearing. The two pieces she had saved couldn't compare.

Yao Shi's eyes flashed, and she lowered her voice, "Silly girl, why cry? Everything Feng Shaokun brings back to the mansion belongs to the Feng family. You will have your share in the future."

Yao Shi had said such things in private many times.

Only then did Feng Shaozhu wipe away her tears.

Yao Shi's eyes were full of calculation as she continued in a low voice, "Don't be foolish. Spend more time with Feng Shaokun in daily life, and you will benefit more. Her luggage and belongings will arrive at the mansion in the afternoon. I'll have someone watch the lotus fragrance courtyard. When there's any movement, you can 'help' over there."

It's a good opportunity to see how much the Cui family has given to Feng Shaokun.

Feng Shaozhu's eyes lit up, and she nodded vigorously.

It took almost half a day.

In the afternoon, more than a dozen carriages stopped outside the side gate of the Feng mansion.

A steward's mother got off the carriage first and smiled as she greeted the gatekeeper, "I am the steward's mother by Third Miss's side, surnamed Zheng. Third Miss's luggage and gifts are all on the carriage. Please open the door for convenience."

She handed over a bulging purse.

The purse was full and heavy.

The gatekeeper immediately smiled and had the side door opened, then sent someone to deliver a message to the lotus fragrance courtyard. In no time, Jixiang came over with a joyful expression, "Aunt Zheng, you've finally arrived. Miss has been waiting for you!"

Aunt Zheng was a maid who came with the Cui family. She had never married. After the death of Cui's lady, Aunt Zheng followed Feng Shaokun to the Pingjiang Mansion and took care of her daily life.

In Feng Shaokun's heart, Aunt Zheng was like a mother.

Aunt Zheng, a woman from Jiangnan, had fair skin and a delicate appearance. She was already thirty-two years old but looked like she was only twenty-five or twenty-six, dressed neatly and cleanly.

"I have been thinking about Miss all this time." Aunt Zheng smiled and asked in a low voice, "Did you have a smooth journey into the mansion today?"

It was smooth enough!

After all, it wasn't Miss who suffered grievances.

Jixiang nodded.

Aunt Zheng didn't have time to ask more questions and directed the maids to unload the luggage from the carriages. The carriages were soon bustling with more than a dozen maidservants coming down.

The gatekeeper of the Feng mansion couldn't help but stare.

The constant unloading of these boxes seemed like it would never end. When would it end?

How much did Third Miss bring back to the mansion?

"Aunt Zheng," the gatekeeper approached with a respectful smile, "with so many boxes, it's afraid it will be busy until dark. Why don't I call some people to help?"

Aunt Zheng smiled politely and replied, "Thank you for your kind offer. However, the boxes contain precious items such as gold, silver, jade, and delicate fabrics. If they get bumped or scratched, it won't look good."

If someone with ill intentions took the opportunity to steal or touch them, it would be even worse.

The gatekeeper smiled awkwardly and his gaze couldn't help but drift away.

So many boxes!

Soon, the entire Feng mansion was in an uproar.

A warehouse was opened in the lotus fragrance courtyard, and under Aunt Zheng's command, the maidservants systematically moved the boxes into the warehouse. Feng Shaozhu, who came to "join in the fun," watched with eyes turning red.

Feng Shao Lan, who was more reserved, couldn't help but sneak a few glances and tightened the handkerchief in her hand.

Feng Shaokun didn't pay attention to what they were looking at or what they were thinking.

In her previous life, she had escaped from the Qin mansion alone.

Jixiang was poisoned while serving her, and Aunt Zheng, who was her maid, also didn't have a good ending. She was hanged with a white silk rope.

In this life, Jixiang appeared lively and well before her eyes, and Aunt Zheng was also alive and well.

Feng Shaokun suppressed her excitement and called out softly, "Aunt Zheng."

Aunt Zheng's face lit up with joy as she bowed to her mistress, "I greet Miss. There's still a lot of luggage left, and it will take another two hours to finish. I'm afraid it won't be possible to arrange everything today."

Still a lot left!

Feng Shaozhu couldn't hold back any longer and blurted out, "With so many boxes, will the warehouse be able to hold them? There's still space in the warehouse in my courtyard..."

Feng Shaokun glanced over and smiled ambiguously, "Fourth Sister's kind intentions are well received. I agree. The warehouse is indeed not enough. Let's open two more empty guest rooms, and that should be enough. It will also be more convenient for arranging things in the future."

"If these things are moved to the Qingyu Garden, and something gets mixed up, Fourth Sister might be labeled as coveting the Second Branch's property. How could I, as the elder sister, bear to see that!"

Feng Shaozhu felt his thoughts being exposed and his face flushed.

Feng Shaolan looked at the room full of chests and boxes and also felt a burning sensation in her eyes. However, she prided herself on being aloof and looked down on Feng Shaozhu's obvious greed and eagerness.

Feng Shaolan sneered, "The dignified daughter of the Minister of Rites, with such shallow-mindedness, aren't you afraid of being laughed at?"

"Who are you calling shallow-minded?" Feng Shaozhu glared angrily at Feng Shaolan.

Feng Shaolan smirked, "I'm talking about whoever fits the description."

Feng Shaozhu's face turned red with anger, "Feng Shaolan! If you have the guts, say it again!"

Feng Shaolan raised an eyebrow and sneered, "I said it, do you think I dare not? Even if the young lady's chests and boxes are numerous, it has nothing to do with you. You have the nerve to ask for the 'storeroom' to be lent out. If things really go into the Green Jade Garden, can you get them back?"

"Do you really think that your thoughts are so hidden that no one else can see them?"

Feng Shaolan became even more cutting, showing no mercy in her words.

Feng Shaozhu wished she could rush forward and tear Feng Shaolan's mouth apart.

Feng Shaojun was delighted to stand by and watch the drama unfold.

Just then, Mrs. Zhou's laughter came from the courtyard gate, "Shaojun, come and see who has come to visit you."

Before the words had finished, a group of people had stepped into the Lotus Fragrance Courtyard.

Feng Shaojun's gaze sharpened as it fell on the woman at the front.