==Chapter Twenty-Two==
After exiting the reception hall, the two paused in the covered corridor. Feng Wenzhou hung his head, his voice thick with stifled emotion:
“I failed to protect you.”
As her elder brother, he should have taken better care of her.
But all he knew was studying, all he cared about was studying. He hadn’t even known his younger sister was being bullied by outsiders.
He had neglected his duty.
Feng Wenyu’s nose tingled with suppressed tears. She stepped forward and embraced Feng Wenzhou, just as they had clung to each other in childhood. Taking a deep breath to hold back her rising emotions, she whispered, “Second Brother is the best older brother in the world.”
Second Brother had been born frail and spent many youthful years confined to the courtyard recuperating. Later, this fostered a reclusive nature in him, and he disliked interacting with others.
But from beginning to end, Second Brother had always been affectionate toward her.
Because Second Brother felt they were two halves of a whole from birth, that no one in this world could be closer to them than each other.
Feng Wenyu had always known Second Brother was different from others.
No matter how well others treated her, when faced with truly formidable circumstances, they might weigh the pros and cons. Only Second Brother would not.
Feng Wenzhou stiffened for a moment before returning his sister’s embrace, raising a hand to gently stroke the top of her head. He recalled Zhou Chiyu’s words and frowned unhappily:
“Don’t listen to them. Marry if you want to, don’t marry if you don’t.”
He actually knew everything—knew that their mother was intentionally making marriage arrangements for his sister, and knew about his aunt’s petty schemes.
He was accustomed to maintaining silence, provided his sister was also willing.
He disliked seeing his sister being pushed forward against her will.
He would exert his utmost effort in the upcoming Provincial Examination, and even the Imperial Examination. In the future, his sister’s support wouldn’t rely solely on their father and eldest brother.
Feng Wenyu couldn’t help but laugh through her tears. “Second Brother, you worry too much.”
Feng Wenzhou felt somewhat displeased.
He wasn’t worrying too much. Women didn’t necessarily have to marry. One day, he would be able to provide for her himself.
Feng Wenzhou was a bit troubled. Why were he and his sister the same age, yet she had already had her coming-of-age ceremony while he hadn’t undergone his capping ceremony? Because of this, even though his sister addressed him as ‘Second Brother,’ she actually always treated him like a younger brother.
Feng Wenzhou glanced at his sister. At least she no longer looked as awful as she had in the reception hall; a slight smile now graced her features. His lips moved as if to speak, but in the end, he said nothing.
City Lord’s Mansion, the lodgings for the Imperial Envoy’s party.
Mu Fan replaced the candle inside the lantern shade. Turning, he saw his superior still handling official business. Remembering the day’s events, he couldn’t help but feel puzzled:
“Sir, you’ve had people watching the Li family all along. Why didn’t you intervene beforehand?”
By ‘intervene,’ he meant preventing Zhou Chiyu from being set up.
Mu Fan was somewhat prone to mixing personal and professional matters. In his eyes, Feng Guniang was one of their own, so the Zhou family was also one of their own. Wouldn’t it have been better to avert the Zhou family’s disaster in advance?
Gu Yushi’s hand stilled mid-action. His expression remained detached:
“He needed to learn his lesson sooner or later.”
He could have prevented Zhou Chiyu from falling into Li Fengqing’s trap beforehand. But what then? Zhou Chiyu wasn’t exactly young anymore, and his temperament was already somewhat set. If the Zhou family didn’t become aware of Zhou Chiyu’s true nature sooner, he would inevitably cause trouble again later.
Mention of Zhou Chiyu brought a flicker of disgust to Gu Yushi’s eyes. He couldn’t keep cleaning up Zhou Chiyu’s messes forever. It was better to cut off the problem at its root.
Mu Fan was unaware of the so-called past life events, so he scratched his head and said, “But, if Feng Guniang finds out about this, won’t she resent you, sir?”
Gu Yushi instinctively blurted out, “She won’t.”
How could Feng Wenyu possibly resent him over someone like Zhou Chiyu?
Mu Fan wore a strange expression, puzzled as to why his lord was so certain. The two had long since broken off their engagement, and Zhou Chiyu was Feng Guniang’s own cousin.
Mu Fan muttered to himself, did his lord even understand the principle that outsiders shouldn’t come between relatives?
Gu Yushi also noticed Mu Fan’s doubtful gaze. He looked up and said, “She’s not someone who can’t distinguish right from wrong.”
But Gu Yushi didn’t realize that as he spoke these words, he was slightly frowning – a subconscious lack of confidence.
It was true that Feng Wenyu could distinguish right from wrong, but she was even more protective of those close to her.
Now that they didn’t have the husband-wife relationship from their past life, would she really not resent him because of Zhou Chiyu?
Gu Yushi imperceptibly pressed his lips into a straight line, suddenly feeling somewhat irritable inside.
Tonight was destined to be sleepless for some, and the Pei residence was anything but peaceful.
Madam Pei leaned on the table with one hand, her head aching unbearably. She couldn’t help raising a hand to her forehead. The matron quickly supported her: “Madam!”
Madam Pei gasped twice before calming her turbulent emotions. She seemed somewhat dazed, her words coming out vaguely:
“Matron, did you hear? Was Yan’er just now blaming me?”
The matron immediately fell silent.
The young master had just left. Although he hadn’t said anything explicitly blaming, his attitude clearly indicated a rift had formed with his mother.
Back when Madam had promised the young master she would properly thank Feng Guniang, she had indeed expressed gratitude, but with an attitude of wanting to sever ties.
Feng Guniang was still young, at that age when one is most concerned about face. She had likely already developed reservations in her heart.
The matron understood perfectly well that this was Madam’s deliberate doing. Young women value their reputation – after such an incident, anyone with self-respect would absolutely avoid further involvement with the young master.
Madam Pei sat weakly on the stool, saying sadly:
“Why can’t he understand that the situation in Yangzhou City is complicated right now? The Imperial Envoy was previously engaged to that Feng Guniang. For this reason alone, he absolutely cannot be involved with that Feng Guniang.”
The Imperial Envoy had come to Jiangnan to investigate the salt merchant case, which destined him to be a target.
All the influential families and officials involved would be watching Gu Yushi’s every move. Feng Wenyu, who had connections with Gu Yushi, would also come under their scrutiny. Their Lao Ye’s term was about to end – he didn’t want to offend anyone, only to maintain discretion and withdraw from Yangzhou City as soon as possible.
Madam Pei said: “He can like any young woman, just not Feng Guniang. At least not at this stage!”
The matron sighed, she could only try to comfort her:
“The young master will understand your well-intentioned efforts, Madam.”
Madam Pei didn’t say whether she believed this or not. She smiled bitterly: “I used to hear that sons forget their mothers when they get wives. I never believed it before, but now I know this saying is completely true.”
Remembering Pei Yan’s cold attitude today, Madam Pei felt somewhat hurt. She lowered her voice slightly:
“And…”
She stopped abruptly after saying just this much.
The matron looked up at Madam in confusion. Madam Pei hesitated for a long time, perhaps unable to hold back any longer, she finally said:
“Lao Ye said that after the Provincial Examination, an official in Jingcheng wants to take Yan’er as his disciple.”
Nowadays, the bond between mentor and disciple is no less significant than that between father and son. As long as Yan’er secures the top position in the Provincial Examination, his acceptance as a disciple by Lord Zheng will be set in stone.
Although her Lao Ye holds a fourth-rank official position, he lacks foundational support in Jingcheng. Officials without factional backing struggle to survive in court. For Yan’er to enter officialdom, it would be best for him to have a mentor, as this would provide greater stability for his official career.
If it were merely apprehension about the Imperial Envoy and the situation in Yangzhou City, she wouldn’t have publicly slighted Feng Guniang, especially since Feng Guniang is backed by the Feng family.
Lord Zheng is a third-rank capital official, and his mentor is Grand Secretary Gao of the Grand Secretariat. Faced with such an extensive network of connections, Madam Pei doesn’t want Pei Yan to miss this opportunity.
Unfortunately, the Gao Faction and the Feng Faction have long been at odds.
If Pei Yan wishes to become Lord Zheng’s disciple, he must absolutely avoid any association with the Feng family!
At this moment, the matron finally understood why her mistress had acted so uncharacteristically toward Feng Guniang. In this world, everything revolves around interests. To climb higher, sacrificing personal attachments means nothing.
The matron said, “Madam has planned so meticulously for the young master. One day, he will understand your intentions.”
Madam Pei remained silent for a long time before letting out a deep sigh:
“I hope so.”
Feng Wenyu was completely unaware of the Pei family’s thoughts, and even if she had known, she wouldn’t have cared. To her, Pei Yan was merely a stranger.
Preoccupied with her own concerns, she waited anxiously for the next day, tossing and turning all night without proper sleep.
As soon as the sky began to brighten, Feng Wenyu rose from bed, not waiting for Jinshu to wake her. Dark circles faintly shadowed her eyes as she sat before the dressing table, applying powder to conceal them. Jinshu frowned:
“Did Guniang not sleep well last night?”
Feng Wenyu neither nodded nor shook her head but instead asked, “Has there been any follow-up on yesterday’s matter?”
She was inquiring about the outcome of Zhou Chiyu’s situation.
Jinshu, who had been keeping a close watch, answered promptly:
“I heard he knelt in the ancestral hall all night. They say a decision will be made only after Lord Gu arrives.”
Feng Wenyu’s expression darkened initially but improved upon hearing the latter part. If Zhou Chiyu were only confined to the ancestral hall for one night, she would have been so disgusted that she’d have moved out of the Zhou residence overnight.
Observing her mistress’s expression, Jinshu added, “The second young master’s letter was sent out last night. Presumably, Jingcheng will receive it soon.”
Feng Wenyu curled her lip:
“Jingcheng and Yangzhou City are far apart. By the time the letters go back and forth, the Jiangnan case will already be resolved.”
By the time Feng Wenyu finished preparing, someone came to inform her—the Imperial Envoy had arrived, and Lao Ye requested her presence.
Feng Wenyu frowned. She knew perfectly well that her uncle had taken Zhou Chiyu’s words from yesterday to heart; otherwise, he wouldn’t have specifically sent for her on such an occasion.
Even though she understood her uncle’s motives, Feng Wenyu still chose to go to the reception hall.
The area around the reception hall was eerily quiet, so much so that as soon as Feng Wenyu stepped inside, she heard her uncle’s voice explaining the origins of Zhou Chiyu’s Salt License to someone.
Feng Wenyu entered the reception hall accompanied by the warm sunlight. Her first glance fell upon Gu Yushi. The sunlight bathed half of his face, slightly softening his usually cold and stern expression. He was undeniably handsome, with strikingly beautiful features that could captivate with a mere smile. It was precisely because of this that he often maintained an aloof demeanor, refusing to let others take liberties due to his appearance.
Feng Wenyu still remembers the breathtaking moment she first saw him. He stood beneath a tree, scattered rays of warm sunlight filtering through the leaves to dance upon his figure, as if crowning him with a halo. When he lifted his gaze to hers, the youthful sincerity and unwavering focus in his eyes were illuminated by the golden light, becoming particularly dazzling.
Hearing a sound, Gu Yushi seemed to sense her presence. He raised his eyes and looked over—he always managed to spot her first in any crowd.
This realization brought a moment of stillness to Feng Wenyu.
No one could resist such undivided attention.
And so, she cherished him for many years.