This cannot go on. Second Brother's temperament is now like a newly unsheathed sword, sharp and dazzling, but also attracting too much attention.
If this matter were to ruin his future prospects, it would be a loss outweighing any gain.
So, she secretly made a mental note: Wen Mengsheng, our score is far from settled, and we will settle it slowly. Killing you off now would be too easy.
How could I live up to the great fire of my previous life if I didn't make you taste the pain of a destroyed clan?
"It's not that I dislike him, I just find his demeanor frivolous and inexplicable. Logically speaking, our relationship with our maternal grandfather's family and the Assistant Minister of Personnel isn't that close. Why does his son always eagerly seek us out to talk? Don't you think there's something suspicious about it?"
Feng Jinyao deliberately made her words sound serious, allowing Feng Er to speculate wildly.
"You mean, it's highly possible someone behind him is deliberately making him approach us?"
"It's hard to say. But the Ministry of Personnel has already begun the assessment of officials, which will continue until the end of April next year. I think it's best to avoid people we don't usually interact with during this period. Otherwise, if someone catches any leverage and threatens Father and Eldest Brother's reputation, it won't be good."
Feng Jinlin was not foolish. If he passed the imperial examinations next spring and entered officialdom, he would naturally understand the importance of reputation.
Thus, he nodded solemnly, "Sister, you are indeed thoughtful."
Seeing that he had a plan, Feng Jinyao didn't dwell on the matter any longer and changed the subject. "Why are you here? Shouldn't you be greeting guests at the front?"
"Hmph, don't even mention it. Tell your so-called good sister to pay more attention. That young master Liang is not a suitable match. I just saw him sneaking towards the small path. I quietly followed him and saw that he was meeting with Miss Wei's maid. He even seemed to have handed her something. I suspect he's either trying to seduce the maid or the mistress behind the maid. Either way, he's no good."
As he spoke, contempt was evident in his eyes. He genuinely looked down on such people.
He was neither learned nor skilled, always relying on women to get ahead, just like his father.
Speaking of which, Lord Liang was just a commoner back then. If it weren't for the incredibly fortunate marriage to the Earl of Changyi, how could he have risen so quickly?
Unfortunately, the Earl of Changyi offended Emperor Qi a few years ago and has since declined.
Lord Liang, who used to visit his father-in-law every few days, now distances himself completely. Truly a snobbish attitude.
"I heard that the marriage to the Xu family was arranged by the late Madam Liang and the Xu family. It's a pity. If she knew her two children were being raised like this by her husband, do you think she would jump out of her grave in anger?"
"Second Brother, what are you talking about? Aren't you afraid of offending the gods!"
Ever since she was reborn, she had been extremely wary of divine matters, fearing that his words might disturb something and cause trouble.
"Alright, alright, I won't say anything more. You can remind them yourselves. I'm going to the front courtyard to find Su Cheng and the others. That kid has been clamoring for drinks every day, and today I'll make sure he goes home crawling!"
With that, he turned and left.
As he reached the moon gate, he bumped into Yun Xu, who was returning after seeing someone off. He left a parting remark, "Take good care of Miss," and strode away.
Yun Xu was somewhat bewildered. Wasn't Miss standing right there in the corridor?
Looking at the withered branches before her, Feng Jinyao fell into thought.
Feng Jinlin's words had given her a reminder. She tried hard to recall the reason for the broken engagement between the Liang and Xu families in her previous life.
It had been a sensational event at the time, but the news that spread was a mix of truth and falsehood, making it difficult to discern.
Could it be...
That the Liang family wanted to climb higher by marrying into the Wei family, and thus found a way to break off the engagement with the Xu family?
Highly likely!
Judging by the attitude of Miss Liang towards Wei Lanxuan and Xu Mingyue just now, one was merely an acquaintance, and the other was her future sister-in-law. Anyone could see where her affections lay from her expression.
A faint smile flickered across her lips. Since that was the case, she would go with the flow and bestow upon this young Master Liang a grand future.
"Miss, the hand warmer has grown cold. This servant has brought a new one, it's quite warm."
With that, Yun Xu handed over the warm stove she was holding. Feng Jinyao took back the hand warmer she had been clutching, and indeed, its temperature had dropped significantly.
Feeling a wave of warmth spread from her fingertips again, Feng Jinyao's earlier suffocating mood finally dissipated.
"Where is Cousin?"
"The County Princess is in the back courtyard. Old Madam drank a bit too much today and is feeling a little tipsy. Madam and the others are keeping her company."
"En, let's go over too."
"Yes."
The mistress and servant couple turned back towards Shou Kang Yuan.
Unexpectedly, after only a few steps, they ran into Eldest Brother Feng Jinxu and Fourth Uncle Bai Zhaohe, with the disheveled Second Brother behind them.
She was slightly taken aback. Hadn't Second Brother gone to the front courtyard? Why were they here?
Feng Jinyao glanced at him sideways and saw him stick out his tongue slightly, looking like he had been caught red-handed.
Serves you right for not listening to advice, now you've been caught by Eldest Brother.
Good sister, please help me, otherwise Eldest Brother will surely punish me by making me copy books hundreds of times!
Their eyes exchanged glances. The Fourth Uncle beside them was happy to watch the show. Having stayed in the academy for too long, such an exciting drama hadn't been seen in a while.
Feng Jinyao shot him a pleading look. Unfortunately, Fourth Uncle's eyes were full of mischief.
He fanned his ever-present folding fan listlessly. Wasn't he afraid of catching a cold in this chilly weather?
"Eldest Brother? Why are you here?"
"Hmph, if I had arrived a moment later, this brat would have gambled away all of Grandfather's stored wine. What's more, he hasn't been to the academy for four or five months. If I hadn't met Fourth Uncle today, Father and I would still be kept in the dark."
Feng Jinyao glared fiercely at Feng Er. Didn't he say it was only two months?
It seemed he really needed to be taught a lesson to remember it.
Thus, she gave up the idea of helping and even added fuel to the fire when speaking to Feng Jinxu.
"A few days ago, Second Brother went hunting foxes on Mingchi Mountain with his friends. It's not hard to imagine that he's not the only one skipping school this time."
Good heavens, with one sentence, she dragged all his friends down with him.
Feng Er finally understood what it meant to say that women and petty people are difficult to deal with.
Feng Jinxu sneered and looked back at Feng Er. He saw that Feng Er's eyes were teary, and his lips were pouting. If there were a rattan whip on his back now, he would probably look even more pitiful.
"From now on, cut off all those disreputable friends of yours. If you don't pass the imperial examinations this spring, I'll skin you alive!"