"This is the little beggar I brought back from outside the gate yesterday," Song Shuqing explained flatly.
Feng Tianxing had already changed into girls' clothing that had been bought fresh from the shops early that morning—completely different from how she'd looked begging at the front gate.
Her round face, though lacking much flesh, was graced with especially bright eyes. It was those very eyes that made the others see at a glance how much she resembled Song Shuqing, who was holding her.
"Sister-in-law, a little beggar—why did you bring her to Mother's place?" Feng Ruyue's face was full of disgust, as if she'd seen something filthy.
"This child and I are fated to meet. I intend to adopt her," Song Shuqing said unhurriedly.
"A-Qing, the Marquis is gravely injured right now, and Yuanji is only three. Why would you bring home some unrelated beggar?" Ruan Ruoying picked up her teacup, took a light sip, then set the cup down with displeasure, letting out a crisp clink.
"Mother, I believe this child is a lucky star. My husband was injured so severely yesterday, yet he's still alive—perhaps it's because I took in this child and accumulated good fortune," Song Shuqing said, uncharacteristically firm.
[Way to go, Mother! You have to stand your ground when it counts.] Hearing Song Shuqing call her a lucky star, Feng Tianxing was overjoyed inside, her round eyes wide as she looked around at everyone in the room, each wearing a different expression.
Song Shuqing was also carefully observing their reactions.
Seeing no strange expressions on their faces, she concluded that none of them could hear Feng Tianxing's inner voice, and only then did she relax.
Ruan Ruoying stared at her usually gentle and filial eldest daughter-in-law for several breaths.
What was going on?
She studied Feng Tianxing's face for a few more breaths, then suppressed the surprise and doubt in her heart.
After paying her respects, Song Shuqing intended to leave.
Nowadays, just seeing the second branch's people made her feel uneasy.
But before she could take her leave, she heard the sound of running footsteps outside the door.
"Madam, someone from the palace has arrived." Cuiping rushed in urgently without waiting to announce herself.
A visit from the palace was no small matter.
Though the Wu'an Marquis household held a title, Feng Zuwen himself held no high office—he was merely a canjiang in the Imperial Guards, third rank.
The Imperial Guards protected the entire imperial city.
A stolen tribute item should have been handled by the Court of Judicial Review, but because the thieves were so skilled, the Imperial Guards were asked to assist.
Feng Zuwen took on the assignment and was injured as a result.
Song Shuqing hurried back to Luoxia Courtyard, and sure enough, a eunuch stood in the courtyard with two palace maids carrying trays.
Feng Yuanhao, seated in his wheelchair, was exchanging pleasantries with them.
"Eunuch Ren, thank you for your trouble," Song Shuqing greeted him immediately.
She knew the man—one of the Emperor's trusted attendants.
"You're too kind, Lady Marquis. I've come by imperial order to visit the Marquis, and I've brought precious medicinal herbs for him." With that, he gestured for the two palace maids behind him to step forward and hand the items to Song Shuqing.
Song Shuqing received them with her own hands, expressing gratitude for the Emperor's reward.
Eunuch Ren said little more and went inside to see the Marquis.
At that moment, Feng Zuwen was "unconscious."
For the sake of realism, he had drunk a calming soup and gone straight to sleep.
His face had been made up by Song Shuqing, looking deathly pale—clearly the look of someone who had lost a great deal of blood.
"Lady Marquis, how is the Marquis's condition?" Seeing Feng Zuwen looking half-dead, Eunuch Ren couldn't help but sigh.
Song Shuqing naturally "answered truthfully," even stepping forward to pull back his clothing. The bandages wrapped around him from the night before were still stained with blood, the seeping blood spreading into a large blotch.
Tears welled in Song Shuqing's eyes, and Feng Yuanhao wasn't faring much better.
"Madam Hou, take good care of the Marquis. His Majesty has granted the Marquis three months to recuperate. Once he has recovered, he may return to duty," Eunuch Ren relayed the Emperor's decree.
"Thank you for His Majesty's great kindness." Song Shuqing sank into a bow.
"His Majesty is also very concerned about the Young Heir's leg. Have you continued to seek physicians?" Eunuch Ren glanced at Feng Yuanhao's leg as he asked.
It was, in truth, a probe. If the leg couldn't be healed, the position of heir would have to be given up. Now that the Marquis was gravely injured—Imperial Physician Hong had already reported Feng Zuwen's condition to the Emperor just yesterday.
If he passed away, the title of the Hou residence would have to be re-granted.
"My father has been searching for renowned doctors for me all along. I heard him say he's found word of a miracle physician and is preparing to go invite him," Feng Yuanhao replied respectfully, leaving himself plenty of room.
As soon as Eunuch Ren left after completing his mission, visitors arrived at the Hou residence.
The visitors were none other than Xue Jingwen and his wife.
Xue Jingwen was Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works, a third-rank official. Though the same rank as the Marquis, civil officials and military officers were entirely different matters.
A third-rank civil official wielded considerable power, while a third-rank military officer was far beneath that. To put it bluntly, in peacetime, a military officer in the capital was essentially in retirement—unless stationed at the frontier.
But there was no denying that the Feng family was a Marquis's household, with far higher standing than his own.
Song Shuqing was quite pleased. Her family's daughter, Xue Yarong, had long been betrothed to Yuanhao—they were future in-laws, after all.
The two children were seventeen and sixteen, just at the age for marriage.
Their coming to visit the Marquis at the first opportunity showed how much they valued this betrothal.
Especially since Feng Yuanhao had been paralyzed for over two years and they had never once suggested breaking off the engagement—that truly moved Song Shuqing.
"Lord Xue, Madam Xue." Song Shuqing greeted them warmly, her hand never releasing Feng Tianxing.
"Madam Feng." The Xue Jingwen couple returned the greeting politely.
Feng Yuanhao also came forward to pay his respects.
But his leg made it inconvenient, so he could only offer verbal greetings.
Then they were shown to the main room and seated. Maids served tea and withdrew.
Song Shuqing sat with Feng Tianxing on her lap.
"Madam Feng, we heard the Marquis was gravely injured yesterday and came specially to visit." Madam Xue, Qin Huanqiao, cast a faint glance at Feng Yuanhao's legs dangling below the wheelchair.
Everyone saw that glance.
Feng Tianxing's eyes swiveled too. She remembered—this was the family her big brother was betrothed to.
Feng Yuanhao unconsciously smoothed his robe, trying to cover himself.
"Thank you for your concern, Madam Xue. The Marquis was indeed in grave danger yesterday…"
[Mother, you should make it sound worse. You could test their hearts.] Feng Tianxing knew full well that Feng Yuanhao would end up alone in the end.
Hearing this inner voice, Song Shuqing paused for a moment, then continued: "We don't know if the Marquis will make it through. The dagger went straight into his heart. Yesterday I was so frightened I fainted from crying several times. But fortunately, the Marquis still has breath in him."
Song Shuqing's tears fell freely, without restraint.
[Mother can act this well?] Feng Tianxing was stunned. She looked up at Song Shuqing and raised her hand to wipe her face with her sleeve.
That remark nearly made Song Shuqing lose her composure and give herself away. She quickly pulled down Feng Tianxing's hand, took out a handkerchief to wipe her tears, covering her face.
Xue Jingwen and his wife exchanged a look.
Qin Huanqiao gave a slight nod.
"Madam Feng, perhaps we should go see the Marquis first." Xue Jingwen still wanted to confirm for himself.
The group went to the bedroom. When they saw Feng Zuwen lying lifelessly on the bed, along with that blood-red gauze bandage, it was a shocking sight.
Returning to the main hall and sitting down, Xue Jingwen took a sip of his somewhat cooled tea and suppressed the pity in his heart.
The Marquis would have a hard time getting through this! If he didn't pull through, the future of the Marquis household was easy to imagine.
Having served as an official for over a decade, he had seen through the second branch's Feng Zuwu completely—no ambitions? How could that be possible? Otherwise, why would he have married the third granddaughter of the Duke of Zheng? Only Feng Zuwen, a military man, couldn't see it.
"Madam Feng, the children of our two families are no longer young—they've reached the age when they should be married. But whenever my daughter goes out, people mock her, and she hasn't left the house for more than half a year now. As her parents, we feel terrible about it…"
Qin Huanqiao held a handkerchief and dabbed at her eyes. The image of a mother worried sick over her child was portrayed just perfectly.
Hearing this, Song Shuqing felt such a jolt that she could hardly process it.
Feng Yuanhao also stared wide-eyed at his "future parents-in-law."
"Madam Xue, what exactly do you mean…?" Song Shuqing looked at Qin Huanqiao in disbelief.