Chapter 27: Explanation - Rebirth of the Noble Daughter
Chapter 27: Explanation
"Second Brother saw Father giving me the entrance ceremony gift, and insisted on having one as well. Aunt saw it and cried, demanding Mother to let Second Brother go to school with me. She accused Mother of obstructing Second Brother's future, which made Mother so angry that her head ailment flared up, prompting her to ask Aunt to help handle the situation."
Feng Jinlin frowned upon hearing this heartfelt explanation.
Father had no concubines, so they didn't have any half-siblings. Over the years, the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children in the family had become blurred.
But hearing these words from his eldest nephew made him feel that his older brother's concubine and illegitimate child were becoming too presumptuous.
Feng Jinxu remained composed, showing no hint of anger in his eyes, and spoke after a moment.
"It's good that Yunli wants to go to school. In a few years, register him under your mother's name, and he'll naturally be able to enter the academy."
Hearing his words, Feng Yunhe's heart felt as if it had been struck by something, breaking once again.
When he looked up again, there was no trace of the brightness in his eyes from before.
Feng Jinlin and were about to speak up for the child and their sister-in-law, but Feng Jinyao pulled him aside, shaking her head with a rare seriousness in her eyes.
Well, this was a matter concerning his older brother's household after all, and they couldn't interfere too much.
When Xiuqiu brought breakfast with her attendants, it broke the silence in the room.
However, with Feng Jinxu present, the three of them didn't eat with much joy.
"After you finish eating, quickly go back to practice calligraphy. Master said your 'Li Ting Tie' is not good. Put more effort into it. Don't just stay by your mother's side all day. A man's ambition should be to explore the world, understand?"
"Yes, I will follow Father's teachings."
At this moment, Feng Yunhe had already lost all expectations for this father who was essentially absent. Whatever he said was just empty words.
Feng Jinxu sensed his son's indifference and was about to reprimand him when Feng Jinlin cleverly intervened.
With a smile on his face, he said to his brother, "Big Brother is still going to send me back to the academy, right? Hurry up and leave. If the heavy snow blocks the mountain road, it'll be troublesome for you to come back."
"Humph, you have the nerve to say that! This time, you better make amends to the academy! If I find out you skipped classes again, I'll skin you alive!"
"I know, I know, let's go."
"Big Brother, wait."
Feng Jinyao stopped the two about to leave with a smile and said, "It's nearing the end of the year, and Big Brother is busy. Big Sister-in-law needs to rest due to her health. How about letting Yunhe come to my courtyard during the day? I've recently acquired some good books, perfect for early education. Let Big Brother take a look. When he goes to the academy later, he'll understand more."
Feng Jinlin finally understood the purpose of her inviting them for breakfast.
Feng Jinxu frowned, initially about to refuse, but after some thought, he swallowed his words and simply said, "Alright."
Then he left with Feng Jinlin, leaving Feng Yunhe looking dejected.
"Big nephew, I know what you're thinking, but do you know why Father is so strict with you but lenient with your illegitimate brother, even affectionate?"
Suddenly being touched upon a sensitive topic, Feng Yunhe's tears burst forth like a dam breaking, but he remained stubbornly silent, refusing to cry out.
Sighing, Feng Jinyao approached him, bending down to wipe the tears from his face.
"We don't have half-siblings, so Father treats us all with love, just in different ways. He's stricter with Big Brother and Second Brother, but more indulgent with me."
As she spoke, thinking of Father's loving demeanor, Feng Jinyao's heart warmed.
"I think Big Brother's intentions are the same. You're his legitimate son, naturally intelligent since childhood, and everyone has pampered you. If he treated you the same way, you might become arrogant before reaching adulthood. Do you understand?"
Feng Yunhe's face relaxed a bit, and although he doubted, his sorrow lessened slightly.
"Raising children requires strictness, especially for those with high expectations. Your future, actions, all relate to the Feng family. So Father has to raise you in a strict environment from a young age. This way, you won't grow up to be a pampered child but someone who can protect the Feng family, understand?"
Feng Yunhe wiped away his tears and, for the first time, heard such words.
In the past, Father's strictness towards him, Mother's constant sighs, and the constant curses from the maidservants and servants around him had made him feel like they blamed him and his illegitimate brother for stealing Father's love.
But why did Aunt's description of Father seem different?
"As for your illegitimate brother, he doesn't need to bear the burdens of the Feng family, so there's no need to treat him harshly. Each finger has its length, and you were born to be the one to take on the responsibilities of the Feng family. Isn't enduring hardships, training your mind and body, and experiencing hunger and fatigue the necessary path before assuming great responsibilities?"
Feng Yunhe's eyes brightened, and his previous sadness disappeared completely, replaced by gratitude.
So Father treated him this way because he had such high hopes for him. He had been narrow-minded, not understanding Father's intentions, and even blaming his innocent illegitimate brother.
With this realization, Feng Yunhe respectfully bowed to Feng Jinyao.
"Nephew misunderstood before, thinking that Father didn't like me. If it weren't for Aunt's guidance today, I'm afraid my thoughts would have remained misguided. Thank you, Aunt. I understand now and I will study and practice diligently in the future, not to disappoint Father and the family's expectations of me."
Feng Jinyao nodded happily. This child was indeed quick-witted.
In fact, these words were what Feng Jinxu had told her after Yunhe passed away in her previous life.
Back then, she couldn't understand why her brother didn't like his legitimate son but locked himself in his study for half a month after his son's death.
Only after getting drunk one day did he cry and confess why he had been so strict with Yunhe. Hearing it, Feng Jinyao's heart ached with him.
Approaching thirty, not only had he lost his legitimate son in pain, but his beloved wife had also succumbed to depression shortly after, leaving him to suffer mentally. His errors in his external duties led to his own demise.
Even in death, he couldn't resolve the misunderstanding with his legitimate son, leaving him with regrets for the rest of his life.
Since she had been reborn, Feng Jinyao would never allow such things to happen again. Her eldest nephew's life, she was determined to save.
After resolving their misunderstandings, the aunt and nephew chatted for a while.
Then they heard Xiuqiu reporting from outside that Bai Mama had brought something over and had important matters to discuss.
"Let Bai Mama come in quickly."
"Yes."
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