Chapter 8: Family (1)

As Mrs. Zhou watched the scene, she felt strangely satisfied.

Miss Feng was quick-witted and eloquent, skilled at coaxing people. She was the favorite of Mrs. Feng in the women's quarters. Mrs. Zhou had suffered a lot from her younger sister-in-law.

Later, Miss Feng married into the Prince Kang's mansion. As a sister-in-law, she had to flatter her younger sister-in-law even more, and she had endured a lot of grievances.

It was rare to see Miss Feng being put in her place.

After admiring for a moment, Mrs. Zhou broke the silence, "It's getting late, Wen Yan and the others should be back. Let's go to Yonghe Hall and wait for them!"

Miss Feng composed herself and nodded with a smile, "Sure, I haven't seen my mother for some time. I'll go and talk to her first."

Then, she affectionately took Miss Feng Shaojun's hand, "Shaojun, come with me."

Miss Feng Shaojun smiled and agreed.

Miss Feng Shan and Miss Feng Zhu were left aside, each feeling resentful.

This Miss Feng Shaojun was just a country bumpkin from Pingjiang Prefecture. Why was everyone fawning over her? Even the proud sister-in-law, the Princess Kang, showed special favor to Miss Feng Shaojun.

Humph!

The two cousins, who had just been at odds, now gathered together.

"Just look at her!" Miss Feng Zhu said sourly, "Let's not compete with our sisters, who can compete with her!"

Miss Feng Shan felt sour too and let out a light hum from her nose, "That's not necessarily true."

She was just an orphan without parents! No matter how much dowry she had, what kind of good family could she marry into!

She was different. Her father was a fourth-rank magistrate in Huizhou, and her mother came from a scholarly family. She had been well-educated since childhood and had some talent. She also had a full-blooded elder brother.

If anyone should be envious, it should be Miss Feng Shaojun envying her!

The group of people had different thoughts and entered Yonghe Hall in a grand manner.

Mrs. Yao greeted them warmly and called Miss Feng "sister" very affectionately.

Miss Feng had just been choked twice by Miss Feng Shaojun, and although she didn't show it on her face, she was actually very upset. She didn't have the mood to chat with Mrs. Yao, so she casually exchanged a few words and then entered the inner hall.

"Mother, I pay my respects to you," Miss Feng smiled and paid her respects to Mrs. Feng.

Mrs. Feng's tense brows relaxed the moment she saw Miss Feng, and she smiled as she took Miss Feng's hand, "Get up quickly. It's been a while since you've been home."

Mr. Feng's three sons and two daughters, only the eldest Miss Feng was born out of wedlock, the other three sons and one daughter were all born from Mrs. Feng's womb. Mrs. Feng's favorite was her youngest daughter.

Back then, Mr. Feng, driven by greed, betrothed his young daughter to the Prince Kang as a concubine. Mrs. Feng had been in a fuss for several days, her eyes swollen from crying, but she couldn't resist Mr. Feng. She watched helplessly as Miss Feng put on her wedding dress and married the Prince Kang, who was old enough to be her father.

The Prince Kang's eldest son was two years older than Miss Feng.

Being a stepmother was not easy, and there were all kinds of bitterness and suffering, not to mention.

Over the years, Miss Feng had not been able to bear a child, and she couldn't even speak straight in the Prince Kang's mansion. Miss Feng had set her sights on her niece from her natal family to secure her position in the mansion.

Mrs. Feng, feeling sorry for her daughter, readily agreed.

With so many grandchildren in the Feng family, sacrificing one Miss Feng Shaojun was nothing.

Miss Feng had been holding Miss Feng Shaojun's hand all along, so it was inevitable that she would have to face Mrs. Feng.

"Grandmother," Miss Feng Shaojun smiled and called out.

Mrs. Feng's expression changed slightly, and she responded indifferently, "Hmm."

Miss Feng gestured to Mrs. Feng with a meaningful look and then said affectionately, "Mother, I really like Shaojun. When Shaojun settles down, I'd like to bring her to the Prince Kang's mansion for a few days. Is that okay?"

This had been discussed between mother and daughter long ago.

Mrs. Feng nodded slightly, "That's fine."

If Miss Feng Shaojun went to the Prince Kang's mansion for a short stay, it would be natural for her to visit the Qin Prince's mansion.

Mrs. Zhou had a vague idea in her mind but didn't say anything. Mrs. Yao, who was unaware, looked envious and immediately said, "Shaojun, since you have nothing to do, go to the Prince Kang's mansion with Shaojun to accompany your aunt."

This trip would surely yield some clothes and jewelry.

If there were benefits, they couldn't just benefit Miss Feng Shaojun.

Miss Feng smiled and said, "I was just about to discuss this with my elder and second sisters. Let's have Shan and Zhu come over as well, along with Jie. Let me, as their aunt, take care of them."

It was too conspicuous for Miss Feng Shaojun to go alone.

The Feng family still had to save face.

As the Princess Kang, she couldn't act too directly and had to consider some dignity.

Mrs. Yao was delighted and quickly agreed. Mrs. Zhou was actually not very willing, but in front of Mrs. Feng, she still agreed.

Miss Feng Shaojun's eyes flashed with meaning as she smiled.

"Madam," the head maid Yanzhi came to report with a smile, "The eldest young master, the second young master, the third young master, and the young master from the Cui family have arrived at Yonghe Hall."

Upon hearing that her grandsons had arrived, Mrs. Feng's brows relaxed, and she smiled, "Let them in quickly."

A moment later, Cui Yuanhan and the three young masters of the Feng family entered the inner hall.

First was the eldest young master of the Feng family, Feng Wenyan.

Feng Wenyan was tall and handsome, with bright eyes and a handsome appearance. Unfortunately, this eldest young master of the Feng family was just a decorative piece. He had studied at the National Academy with mediocre results and hadn't even passed the imperial examination.

Mrs. Zhou had high hopes for her son to pass the imperial examination and get married. Feng Wenyan was already seventeen and still hadn't settled on a marriage.

"Shaojun's cousin," Feng Wenyan smiled and greeted with a fist salute.

Miss Feng Shaojun smiled and returned the greeting, "Shaojun greets the eldest cousin."

Next was the second young master of the Feng family, Feng Wenhao.

Feng Wenhao and Miss Feng Zhu were twins, and the two siblings looked somewhat alike.

Feng Wenhao, just like his father, had a penchant for beauty. When he saw his stunning cousin, he was particularly enthusiastic: "They say there are many beauties in the south of the Yangtze River, and my cousin grew up in Pingjiang Prefecture, truly outstandingly beautiful."

Smooth-talking and not honest with his eyes, he seemed rather frivolous.

Feng Shaojun gave a faint smile and greeted her.

Seven-year-old Feng Wenli, still small in stature, with delicate features, was reticent and only called out "cousin" before falling silent.

As more people arrived, the atmosphere in the Yonghe Hall became livelier with everyone chatting.

Cui Yuanhan found a moment and approached Feng Shaojun, asking in a low voice, "Are you okay?"

With so many people in the Feng family, each seemed to have their own agenda. It was uncertain whether his cousin could handle it.

Feng Shaojun raised his eyes and chuckled softly, "Cousin, rest assured, I'm doing just fine."

It seemed that this group of Fengs was not particularly happy today.

Seeing Feng Shaojun calm and composed, Cui Yuanhan felt somewhat relieved and quietly advised, "If there's anything, send someone to deliver a message to me."

Feng Shaojun felt a warmth in his heart and nodded slightly.

After a while, a maid came to report that the Feng Envoy had returned home.

Feng's wife immediately got up and led the grandchildren to greet him. Feng Shaojun intentionally or unintentionally slowed his pace, following behind the others.

The figure of the Feng Envoy soon came into view.