“Ancestor, why did you take so long to get here? You have no idea how anxious I was waiting.” A young man hurried over as soon as he saw Feng Wangge climb in through the window.
Feng Wangge’s expression was indifferent. She sat down on her own, pouring herself a cup of tea.
“I had just returned to my biological parents’ home when you started urging me to come. Mo Tang, it’s not that I was slow—it’s that you were impatient.”
The young man who had spoken sat down across from Feng Wangge, rubbing his nose somewhat awkwardly, his expression settling back into composure.
“Isn’t it because I’m anxious? Besides, this is all your business. Now that something’s gone wrong with the trade, if we lose money, it’s your money we’re losing.”
Mo Tang wore a look of “I’m only thinking of you,” and Feng Wangge couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh.
“You rascal. You’re always right, aren’t you? Go on, tell me—what happened?”
If those others found out she’d come to see Mo Tang first, they’d probably be upset again.
“It’s our goods—they’ve been seized at the ferry dock. They claim there are contraband items, but our cargo is nothing more than some fabric, jewelry, and fine foodstuffs.”
Mo Tang was somewhat annoyed. Feng Wangge had entrusted all her Jingcheng business to him, yet he couldn’t even resolve a matter like this. A hint of guilt crept onto his face.
“Seized, huh. It seems our business has made some people envious lately.”
Feng Wangge tapped her fingers on the table, her voice calm, though a trace of ruthlessness flickered in her eyes.
No one had ever bullied her and gotten away with it unscathed.
“Don’t worry. Within three days, the goods will be released.”
Mo Tang didn’t know what plan Feng Wangge had, but she’d said outright that it would be resolved within three days.
Yet he believed in Feng Wangge with unwavering conviction, and his mood instantly brightened.
“That’s good. I knew the boss would have a way.”
He was clearly much older than Feng Wangge, yet he called her “boss”—it was truly an odd sight.
“By the way, any news on the Gouchenzhi I asked you to keep an eye out for?”
This was also one of the most important reasons Feng Wangge had come to Jingcheng. Gouchenzhi was one of the key medicines needed to treat Elderly Master Chu.
“I was just about to tell you. There’s word from the Heishi—it’s said to appear tomorrow. It goes to the highest bidder, to the one most capable. You absolutely must make time to go tomorrow.”
Hearing Mo Tang’s words, Feng Wangge nodded. She’d waited this long—she was definitely going to obtain it.
“Also, regarding Jiangzhou—stop supporting the Chu family’s business. And if the Jiangzhou prefect has any troubles, don’t help him either.”
Since they’d already cut ties completely, there was no need for such assistance.
Feng Wangge was not the kind of soft-hearted fool who repaid harm with kindness.
“If you ask me, you should have let go long ago. Look at the Chu family and the Fan family—what kind of people are they? Without you, could the Chu family have become wealthy in Jiangzhou? Could the Fan family have held onto their position as Jiangzhou prefect?”
Mo Tang was delighted to hear Feng Wangge’s words, and his face twisted with disdain when mentioning the Chu and Fan families.
“If it were up to me, the best approach would be to use some tricks and strip away everything they gained because of you.” Mo Tang continued to suggest.
“Enough.” Feng Wangge waved her hand. Consider it repayment for her grandfather’s upbringing. Besides, it would be too much trouble.
Mentioning the Chu family parents reminded Mo Tang that Feng Wangge had come to Jingcheng to reunite with her biological family, and he quickly asked.
“Aren’t you here to find your biological parents? Have you returned home? Are they treating you well? Do you need some financial support?”
The Chu family had said the boss’s family lived in a mountain valley. Even if they’d moved to Jingcheng now, their household circumstances probably weren’t great.
To keep the boss from living a hard life, Mo Tang decided he wouldn’t quietly send warmth anymore—he’d send money and silver to her biological parents’ home in the boss’s name.
“That probably won’t be necessary. The Shezhengwang and Chang Gongzhu shouldn’t be short on money.”
Feng Wangge thought it over carefully, then spoke to Mo Tang.
“Even if they don’t need it, we should still help—wait, what did you say? Shezhengwang? Chang Gongzhu?”
Mo Tang reflexively continued the conversation, then jumped up, his eyes bulging as wide as copper bells.
“My biological father is Shezhengwang Ling Cang, and my biological mother is Dongping Changgongzhu Feng Zhuyue.”
Pouring Mo Tang a cup of tea, Feng Wangge spoke calmly.
“So from now on, you can extend your business channels to the Shezhengwangfu, and send any intelligence directly there as well.”
Having come to Jingcheng, Feng Wangge still had many things to accomplish, and she would inevitably need to obtain a great deal of information from Mo Tang.
After a long moment, Mo Tang finally settled down from the shock of this revelation.
“That’s absolutely staggering. You actually turned out to be the daughter of the Shezhengwang and Dongping Changgongzhu. Incredible. But I always knew your parents couldn’t be ordinary people—otherwise, how could they have produced a daughter like you?”
After the initial surprise, Mo Tang was genuinely happy for Feng Wangge.
Having such an identity was definitely a good thing for her.
“And also, go notify Liu Xue and Qian Xun to have them stay by my side from now on, so they’ll stop causing a fuss.”
Feng Wangge added another instruction, letting out a helpless chuckle as she mentioned those two names.
“Those two girls will be overjoyed to hear that.” Mo Tang nodded.
The two chatted for a while longer before Feng Wangge took her leave.
The next day, after she had risen, Feng Zhuyue personally came to call Feng Wangge for a meal.
“Wangge, your mother personally cooked breakfast for you today. Come, have a taste.”
Looking at the exquisite breakfast spread across the table, Feng Wangge could feel her mother’s genuine affection.
She dutifully tasted each dish one by one, offering praise without any reservation.
Ling An’an watched this scene, and anger flared up in her heart once again. Her parents had never been this attentive to her. Even her noble-born mother would personally cook for Feng Wangge.
They were a loving family together—what was she, then?
“An’an, take Wangge out for a stroll later and buy her some things she likes and that suit her. Your father and I have matters to attend to at the palace.” Feng Wangge’s identity needed to be reported to the Emperor and Empress, and the engagement with the Crown Prince also needed to be clarified.
After the meal, Feng Zhuyue instructed Ling An’an, while Ling Cang placed a stack of banknotes into Feng Wangge’s hands.
“Buy whatever you want. Your parents have money.”
Ling Cang’s words were truly bold and generous.
“Don’t worry, Father and Mother. I’ll take good care of taking my sister out and looking after her.”
Ling An’an was jealous inside—her parents only gave banknotes to Feng Wangge, not to her.
They said they still treated her as their daughter, but they were clearly playing favorites.
“No need. I don’t like shopping with others. I know the way, so I can go by myself.”
She had important matters to attend to today and didn’t want Ling An’an tagging along.
Ling An’an’s expression immediately turned sour. Feng Zhuyue thought for a moment, then smiled anyway.
“Alright then, go by yourself, but do be careful.”
They wanted to give their daughter the best care, so of course they would respect her wishes.
After returning to her room, Ling An’an was so angry her eyes turned red. She wished Feng Wangge would disappear from this world that very instant. Why couldn’t she just die out there? Why did she have to come back?
“Junzhu, please don’t be upset. I just received word that the Crown Prince has secretly returned to Jingcheng today. Now is the time for you to shine. If you win the Crown Prince’s heart, then no matter whether Miss Wangge is their biological daughter or not, she’ll never compare to you.”
Liu’er looked at the furious Ling An’an and whispered words of consolation.
Upon hearing this, Ling An’an immediately stood up.
“You’re right. Brother Crown Prince is coming back today. Let’s go—we’ll wait for him at the city gate right away.”
She truly loved the Crown Prince. No matter what happened this time, she couldn’t let Feng Wangge steal Brother Crown Prince away.
Meanwhile, Feng Wangge, who was already standing at the entrance of Zhenbaoge in Jingcheng, ran into a very unpleasant person.
A gentle-looking young man blocked her path, his face full of surprise as he asked:
“Wangge, it really is you! Why are you in Jingcheng? Isn’t your family out in the mountain valley?”