"Last time I saw your nephew, I stayed here for over half a month. Now I see your father, and you want me to stay a few more days. Why don't you just say you want me to move into your mansion directly!"
"That would be even better! As long as you're willing, I'll build an exact replica of your Pear Blossom Lane residence within the mansion! I won't let you be inconvenienced."
Pah!
He didn't even want to go to Prince Ding's mansion, and the Feng family thought they could keep him?
What a pipe dream.
Slamming his sleeves, he glared at Feng Jinlin. Divine Doctor Zhang left with a dark expression. He didn't even accept the carriage prepared by the Feng family to see him off, and stormed back to Guiyuan Hall.
Feng Jinlin touched his nose, looking wronged. He felt he hadn't said anything wrong. Why had he angered this powerful figure again? He wondered if he could ever invite him to act again.
Pah pah pah, forget it. It's better if they never meet again. Otherwise, every meeting would bring disaster to the Feng family.
After seeing the divine doctor leave, he instructed two clever servants to follow, ensuring they reported back only after seeing the divine doctor safely home.
Not long after the divine doctor left, he returned to the courtyard.
He had intended to check on his father, but halfway there, he turned back to the place where he had been attacked. To attempt an assassination during the New Year, were they tired of living? Once he found out who it was, he would show no mercy!
With a displeased expression, he arrived at the corridor outside the study and meticulously recalled everything that had happened.
Something was wrong!
The black-clothed assailant's martial arts were excellent, and their movements were swift and precise. His father did not possess great martial prowess. If the assailant truly intended to kill him, they would not have acted this way.
It seemed like a deliberate grand gesture to draw attention. Could there be something else behind this assassination attempt?
He reenacted the assailant's moves from memory, a clearer picture gradually forming in his mind, his expression growing more grim.
Could it be him?
Thinking of this possibility, Feng Jinlin became agitated and uneasy.
The entire affair was shrouded in a mist, making the truth impossible to discern. If that was the case, it seemed he would have to pay a visit tonight to probe for information.
In Yunhai Courtyard, Madam Feng, having woken up, rushed to her husband's side.
Madam Feng sobbed uncontrollably. Feng Hai wanted to comfort her, but lacked the strength to speak. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and he could only tightly grip her soft hand to offer solace.
"Master, you must not have any trouble. If you... how can I live?"
Madam Bai, the eldest wife, clasped her hands tightly and stepped forward to comfort the weeping Madam Feng. "Eldest Sister, be careful not to hurt your eyes from crying. Brother-in-law's injuries are not serious, weren't they examined by Divine Doctor Zhang?"
Feng Hai nodded weakly and said, "Thank you, Sister-in-law."
"We are family, why be so polite."
As soon as she finished speaking, Bai Silang arrived out of breath, bringing medicinal herbs and styptic powder, along with the ginseng that had been sent previously.
The family gathered around, all concerned about Feng Hai's injuries.
"How is Brother-in-law?"
"Father's injuries are not critical, but he still needs rest."
"That's good, that's good. You scared me to death, that scene just now..." Bai Silang suddenly stopped, afraid his words would frighten his eldest sister again. She was already timid, and she and her husband were deeply in love. Now that her husband was suffering, she would naturally be distressed.
Prime Minister Bai, however, remembered something and also hurried over from the front hall.
He leaned down and whispered a few words into Feng Hai's ear. When he looked up again, his expression was as stern as if facing a great enemy.
Feng Hai was slightly surprised but quickly understood Prime Minister Bai's intentions. He nodded and said weakly, "Father-in-law, please rest assured, your son-in-law knows what to do."
"Good. If that's the case, then I won't stay any longer. There are matters to attend to outside. You focus on recovering."
"Yes."
After saying this, Prime Minister Bai immediately called for the Bai family to leave. As they reached the entrance of the Feng residence, he stumbled a few steps, his eyes red, as if he might collapse at any moment.
Those outside looked on in bewilderment. What was going on?
During the New Year, could there have been a dispute between the Bai and Feng families, angering Prime Minister Bai to such an extent?
The carriage sped back. All the occupants were devoid of their earlier excitement and eagerness, remaining silent, their brows deeply furrowed.
Winter nights are long, but in a short while, the sky darkened.
With such a major incident, all the servants in the mansion were uneasy. They understood the Madam's methods; she showed no leniency for even minor mistakes, let alone life-threatening matters. They feared they might be the next ones to be interrogated.
After hastily washing away the blood from the corridors, they doubled the number of lanterns in various places, making the entire Feng Mansion as bright as day.
In Yunhai Courtyard, Madam Feng had calmed down after her bout of crying.
Although Feng Hai's complexion was pale on the bed, he did not appear weak, and Feng Yun had been in a similar dangerous state a few days prior.
"I don't know which powerful figure we've offended. My Feng family has been experiencing one incident after another recently. I think, once you've recovered, we should make a trip to Fahua Temple as soon as possible to donate some merit money."
As she spoke, she fed Feng Hai his medicine.
Spoon by spoon, she blew on it to warm it before sending it to him, showing great care.
Madam Wen was pregnant, and the two children were young, so they had already been sent back to the main residence to rest. Currently, besides Madam Feng, only the three children were present.
Mama Bai, using the assassination as an excuse, had bound several people and confined them to the woodshed. Now, only trusted confidantes were serving in the courtyard.
After taking the medicine, his injuries no longer pained him as much, and Feng Hai slowly said.
"Madam, don't worry, I'm fine. However, my father-in-law's intention is for me to take this opportunity to recuperate for half a year, and wait until the political turmoil in the court subsides."
Political turmoil?
Upon hearing this, Feng Jinxu understood. This excuse was perfect. His father could not even get out of bed, so how could he continue to hold his position at the Grand Canal Administration? A disaster averted with a loss of wealth, perhaps this time he had truly escaped a calamity.
Feng Jinlin, standing beside him, frowned deeper, as if recalling something, his heart growing more uneasy.
Feng Jinyao, on the other hand, let out a sigh of relief. Her maternal grandfather's action was indeed saving her father's life. Otherwise, after the New Year's festivities, when her father returned to court, the first thing he would likely do was be assigned to the Grand Canal Administration, and the Feng family's genius would truly be ruined.
Madam Feng knew little and, upon hearing this, wanted to ask more questions. However, seeing her husband's reticence, she did not press further. After finishing his medicine, Feng Hai went to rest.
It was inconvenient for the others to stay, so Madam Feng asked them to return to their own quarters.
Feng Jinlin had matters to attend to and walked away quickly. Feng Jinxu escorted his sister back. On the way, brother and sister had a heart-to-heart talk.
"Sister, do you know what the commotion my father mentioned is?"
Feng Jinyao guessed, but feigned innocence, shaking her head and asking, "Big Brother, what is it?"
"My eldest uncle sent word that the court intends to send Father to Liangzhe as the Supervisor of the Grand Canal Administration."
Her heart skipped a beat. As expected, what was meant to happen in her previous life would not be missed.