Chapter 591 - Convincing The Feng Family (II)

Chapter 591: Convincing The Feng Family (II)

Feng Jin wasn’t well-respected at home. His elder brother was the rightful heir of the clan while his younger brother was well-loved by all. His father was busy with work and his mother was occupied with overseeing the household. Being the middle child, he was often ignored. Luckily, Feng Gui was a dependable brother and the relationship between the brothers was relatively positive.

He’d left the house many years ago, originally thinking of using the opportunity to call them out. Unexpectedly, Feng Gui’s words made him hold his tongue.

Only family matters would be discussed, work was to be excluded.

This caused Feng Jin to involuntarily swallow back the words that he’d wanted to say.

Changsheng was only a young child, unaware of the hidden thoughts that flowed within her father and her elder uncle. She cheekily grabbed Feng Gui’s beard and refused to let go.

Feng Gui was mature and adept at preserving the accomplishments of previous generations, but he was not stingy with his family members.

With one hand, he supported Changsheng’s knees and let her sit on his shoulders. With his other hand, he held her shoulders to prevent her from falling and hurting herself.

Both his hands were holding her tightly. Naturally, he was helpless and could only watch as this child played with his newly grown beard.

“This child’s grasp is rather strong…”

Feng Gui thought about his own two sons, then he looked towards Changsheng with envious eyes.

A migraine filled his head. This naughty child… it was fine if she bullied him, her father, but how was it that she could also climb over her elder uncle’s head?

“Father!”

Feng Jin felt a hint of anger just then, but as soon as his daughter called him “Father” so endearingly, all his fury dissipated.

Feng Gui led Feng Jin and his family members back to the Feng family’s main apartment.

The Feng family has been around for close to a thousand years. Those with the surname “Feng” in Shangyang county, if they were to flip through their family lineage, would find that their ancestors were likely to have blood relations with this Feng family.

Such a renowned and upright family had ancestors that were rather righteous, unlike those who’d gained riches overnight and adorned themselves in splendor. Unlike them, the Feng family kept a low profile.

During the earthquake last year, the Feng family’s ancestral manor had sustained some damage, but the house was still sturdy. The wood used to build their house was renowned for not decomposing even after ten thousand years. An earthquake was able to reduce Shangjing city to rubble, but only a few old houses that were seldom used had collapsed at the Feng family’s ancestral manor. Only a few people were hurt.

“Father?”

Changsheng huddled in her elder uncle’s bosom. Her bright and inquisitive eyes surveyed her surroundings. The foreign and solemn, silent buildings made her feel uneasy. She desperately wished to see a familiar face, and when she saw that Feng Jin was near her, she rested her lower chin on Feng Gui’s shoulder as she looked at her father directly.

“When you see your grandparents later, remember to obediently greet them. You must not be rude or be mischievous, do you understand?”

“Grandfather and grandmother?” Changsheng turned her head in confusion.

Feng Jin sighed as he felt regret in his heart.

When he was her age, he’d already undergone strict etiquette lessons conducted by his nanny and servants so that he would not misbehave or be rude.

Amongst the aristocratic families, even a one- or two-year-old child must have manners and be able to behave themselves. Age was not considered immunity against making mistakes or being mischievous.

Except for Changsheng…

Before she was born, she’d followed her parents to Shangjing. When she was about to be delivered, she’d met with an earthquake. After a long period of drifting around in a sorry plight, they’d settled down in the Xiangyang district. He’d doted on his precious daughter dearly and even spoilt her somewhat, happy for her to just be alive.

She should have been taught etiquette from a young age, but he still hadn’t taught her any.

Now that was so last minute, he didn’t know if it’d be useful.

Feng Jin’s heart was uneasy. He feared that, at the critical point, Changsheng would not cooperate.

What he didn’t know was that, although Changsheng was still young, her ability to lean towards a favorable situation and escape from harm was already top-notch.

Hearing Jiang Pengji’s words, the young girl was endowed with the ability to make the right judgments innately. It was almost frightening.

For example, other children feared Jiang Pengji, but Changsheng was especially close to her. When she came over to the government office to play and she accidentally created trouble while Jiang Pengji was around, what was the little girl’s first reaction? Invariably, she’d rush towards her and hug her legs to hide from Feng Jin.

If Jiang Pengji wasn’t around, Changsheng would go and hug other people’s legs and hide behind them as fast as possible.

With such an astute daughter, why fear that she’d not know how to respond appropriately to the situation?

News spread that Feng Jin had returned, so the Feng family’s ancestral manor was bustling with activities. Such a lively atmosphere was indicative of numerous people being around.

The maidservants came and went, but these ladies in waiting did not make any sound as they walked around.

Feng Jin entered the main hall. His parents, whom he hasn’t seen in years, were seated in the place of honor. Together with his wife, Wei Jingxian, they paid their respects to his parents.

Changsheng stared down at her feet, wanting to be lowered. Feng Gui smiled and let her down. She mimicked Feng Jin’s actions closely.

However, her clothes were thick and her head to body ratio was in 3 parts, so it was difficult for her to find her balance. Just as she knelt to pay her respects, she fell forward.

This caused her to roll two times. It was so painful that her eyes reddened.

Her original expression had been solemn yet gentle, but this quickly took a huge turn.

Feng Ren couldn’t maintain his disposition as an elder. Madam Feng directly ordered her old servant to carry Changsheng over to her.

Madam Feng was filled with emotions. “Huaiyu and Jingxian’s child is already so grown up…”

Back then when they’d chosen Feng Jin and his wife to be hostages at Shangjing, she’d been very unwilling, deep down in her heart.

When she’d heard half-way through the journey that Wei Jingxian was pregnant, her weary heart became even more unsettled.

Then there’d been the earthquake in Shangjing which few people had survived. Madam Feng had cried uncontrollably and almost lost her sight over that.

He commented, “Mother, Changsheng, this child is rather playful. I hope she has not been disrespectful to you.”

Madam Feng carried Changsheng over, the child obediently resting in her bosom and being extremely well-behaved.

“This child is mischievous, but at least it shows that she has a strong constitution,” Madam Feng said without lifting her head. She entertained Changsheng for a moment and then continued. “Do you know how to greet me?”

Changsheng articulated well but with a hint of doubt.

“Grandfather?”

There was no one around to consult, and Changsheng could not differentiate the two.

Feng Jin dared not to lift his head.

Madam Feng could not help but laugh. She pointed to Feng Ren who was by her side. “This is Grandfather.”

Changsheng quick-wittedly switched her words immediately as she greeted her. “Grandmother!”

“Ai! Changsheng is so clever.”

Madam Feng took off the prayer beads that she had worn for many years and placed them on Changsheng. A deep and genuine smile broke across her face.

Witnessing this action, Feng Jin was relieved in his heart. They’ve crossed the first hurdle.

Wei Jingxian knew the importance of those prayer beads to her mother-in-law. She too was exceedingly pleased in her heart.

There was one person who was not pleased. Her eyes were filled with maliciousness. Her hands, which were hidden in her sleeves, were clenched so tightly that she left imprints from her fingernails on her palms.

Feng Gui’s eyes turned cold and he secretly signaled to his wife so that she’d be sober.

When his wife detected the stern glare from her husband, she cowered in fear and lowered her head. Then she twirled her finger around a handkerchief.

Sensing the rather menacing look, he turned to have a look and frowned.

Was that his elder sister-in-law?

“Just now Elder Sister-in-Law…”

In the past, he’d tolerate it for the sake of his elder brother, but now she was flaring up at Changsheng over some prayer beads. That, he couldn’t accept.

Madam Feng’s face was overcome with an embarrassed look. Then she spoke softly, “It’s our family’s misfortune.”

Feng Jin was flabbergasted. What exactly had occurred in the past two years that had caused his mother to be so annoyed with his nearly perfect elder sister-in-law?

Intuitively, he felt that it wouldn’t be easy to convince his family of anything.