Chapter 99: A Reminder - Rebirth of the Noble Daughter

 Chapter 99: A Reminder

Zhu Jin quickly prepared a steaming hot breakfast.

After eating, Yunli played quietly with a tangram puzzle under Madam Wen's supervision in the inner room, a behavior quite different from his usual self.

"What’s wrong with him?"

As a father, he had to admit that his younger brother's criticism was accurate; he had indeed been neglectful.

He had been excessively harsh on his eldest son, who bore his hopes, and showed too little care for his usually pampered second son. Seeing Yunli looking so much thinner, he felt distressed.

"A few days ago, a servant took him to winter fish by the pond and he accidentally fell into the water. Later, he had a persistent high fever. It was only thanks to the miraculous medicine sought by Second Brother that his condition stabilized. The doctor now says he just needs to rest quietly. By spring, he should be full of energy again."

As she spoke, Madam Wen seemed unaware of her own overflow of maternal affection, but the three siblings noticed it keenly.

"Such recklessness. Was he punished?"

"Yes, the servant was caned and fined his monthly salary. I think after the New Year, we should get two more reliable ones for Yunli."

Feng Jinxu stared at Madam Wen for a moment, noticing the dark circles under her eyes that couldn't be concealed and how she had grown thinner from taking care of Yunli.

Feeling a surge of tenderness, he said, "You need to take care of your own health. You look thinner. If it’s too much, let Lin Lang take care of Yunli. She is his birth mother, after all."

Mentioning Concubine Lin made Madam Wen uncertain. She hadn't informed Feng Jinxu when she dealt with Concubine Lin, sending her to the countryside. Would he be furious and blame her when he found out?

Even so, she decided to face the consequences and, meeting Feng Jinxu's gaze, she spoke frankly.

"Concubine Lin clung to the unconscious Yunli after he fell into the water, insisting that Yunhe wanted to kill his brother. Despite clear evidence, she insulted me and the children, so I took it upon myself to send her to an estate outside the city."

A moment of silence followed her words.

Feng Jinlin feared his elder brother might blame their sister-in-law. After all, his favoritism towards that concubine was well-known. He was about to speak up for her when Feng Jinxu said calmly.

"You are my wife and the mother of our two children. You should handle the affairs of this household as you see fit."

His trust in Madam Wen was evident and he didn't even mention Lin Lang's name. Zhu Jin and Yueli, observing from the side, felt happy for their mistress.

At last, the master was placing his trust in their mistress.

Madam Wen's eyes turned red. If it weren’t for the others present, she might have had a good cry in Feng Jinxu's arms.

Seeing their harmony, Feng Jinyao felt genuinely happy.

She didn’t feel it was appropriate for her to comment on matters within her brother’s household.

Past grievances had their reasons. Now that they could reconcile, it was a good thing for both of them and their children.

These days, Yunli had been staying in Madam Wen's room while he was ill. To prevent the illness from spreading to Yunhe, he hadn’t been able to pay respects to his mother for several days.

Today, as soon as he got up, he heard that his father, second uncle, and aunt had come.

Excited, he got out of bed, washed quickly, and hurried to Madam Wen's room.

Upon entering, he saw Yunli sitting in their father’s lap, a scene he had witnessed many times. Though he maintained a calm exterior, inside he still felt somewhat upset.

"Yunhe greets Father, Mother, Second Uncle, and Aunt."

After greeting everyone, he walked over, his face serious without a hint of the playfulness typical of a child, looking like a smaller version of Feng Jinxu.

Yunhe intended to stand behind Madam Wen, but Feng Jinxu suddenly said, "Yunhe, sit next to me."

Feng Yunhe stared with wide eyes, puzzled if these words were truly spoken by his father.

For a moment, he seemed lost in thought.

"It's been a while since I held you. Come here, let Father see if you've grown taller and stronger." he said, handing Yunli to Feng Jinlin beside him and reaching out to pull Feng Yunhe over, sitting him on his lap.

Feng Yunhe was completely stunned. As far back as he could remember, he had only seen his father hold his younger brother. He never had this kind of opportunity. What was happening today? Why was his father willingly holding him?

Seeing the astonishment on the child's face, Feng Jinxu felt deep down that he had been too strict in the past.

Even this small bit of father-son affection seemed like a luxury to the child.

"Hmm, you've grown taller and stronger. In another month, school will start again. How about your mother, brother, and I accompany you there?"

The tone of negotiation made Feng Yunhe's nose tingle with emotion. What had happened? In just a few days, his father seemed less severe, showing a bit more fondness and care towards him.

"I'll do as you say, Father."

Madam Wen watched, tears streaming down her face. No matter how much she tried to wipe them with her handkerchief, they wouldn't stop. Feng Jinyao patted her hand, "Sister-in-law..."

"I'm happy, so happy. Let's eat, while it's still warm."

Feng Yunhe felt content after this breakfast, watching his father occasionally place food into his and his mother's bowls. He was moved by fluctuating emotions.

In the study, Feng Jinyao had something to discuss with her elder brother and didn't avoid her second brother either.

It was rare for the three siblings to have a chance to sit together and chat. Madam Wen had tea served to them while she took the two children to the inner room.

"Elder Brother, are the matters at the Court of Judicial Review almost settled? It's less than half a month until New Year's Eve. If you keep being so busy, you might not even make it to the New Year's Eve dinner." Feng Jinyao said, pouring tea for the two.

It was Jingming tea, his favorite, but the water was slightly too hot, making the tea lose some of its flavor, though still drinkable.

After a sip of tea, he slowly said, "It's just these next two days. Most of the handover is almost done and my performance assessment has been settled. Barring any surprises, I'll probably be reassigned to Qiongzhou."

Qiongzhou!

In his previous life, it was on the way to Qiongzhou that he had an accident. How could Feng Jinyao let him go there in this life?

"Has the transfer order already been issued?"

"Not yet. My uncle casually mentioned it. He's quite familiar with people in the Ministry of Personnel, so he heard the news a few days earlier."

That's good. Since the transfer order hadn't been issued yet, there was still a chance!

"Do you really have to go on an external assignment, Elder Brother? Can't you stay in Dongdu City?" Feng Jinyao's words puzzled Feng Jinxu. She had never meddled in the family's official matters before. Why was she saying this today?

"What's the matter?"

"I just think that Yunli has just recovered from a serious illness and Yunhe is about to go to Yunqi Academy. Neither of the children can accompany you on an external assignment. Sister-in-law would probably stay in Dongdu City. You've just reconciled with her, and if you leave for three years, who knows what might happen?"

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