Chapter 222: A Favorable Countenance - Rebirth of the Noble Daughter

 Chapter 222: A Favorable Countenance

Seeing Feng Jinxu with a look of 'disdain,' the couple couldn’t help but laugh and cry at the same time.

Feng Jinyao, picking up on the mood, stepped forward to help Madam Feng and said, “The evening meal will be set up in the Yunhai Courtyard. Please come early with Big Brother and Sister-in-law to talk.”

“Understood.”

Feng Jinxu responded indifferently.

After they had left, Madam Wen quickly instructed the servants to boil water and prepare dishes. After a flurry of activity, the once handsome and stern eldest son of the Feng family was finally home.

The servants in the outer courtyard began to spread the word that the master’s health had improved, and he could receive visitors.

After several reminders and warnings, even if there were doubts among the servants, they dared not speak out. They kept their heads down and continued their work.

Since the internal spy in the courtyard had been caught, Madam Feng and Bai Mama finally felt at ease.

As Feng Jinyao and Madam Feng were chatting and laughing, someone outside reported, “Madam, Miss San, Second Master has returned with Eldest Brother and Young Master Yin. They are on vacation before the imperial examinations.”

Madam Feng was overjoyed. “What a wonderful day! Ah Xu has returned, Little Er is back, and my Yunhe too. Quickly, Bai Mama, go instruct the kitchen to prepare more of their favorite dishes. Let’s not eat in the Yunhai Courtyard today; let’s set up a feast in Jiuyatang.”

Jiuyatang was the place used by the Feng family to entertain guests. With more people at home now, a larger table was needed.

Bai Mama, also pleased, hurried off to give instructions.

Suddenly, Feng Jinyao remembered something and wanted to discuss it with her second brother. She turned to Madam Feng and said, “Mother, I’ll go greet Second Brother.”

“Go ahead. I know you and your siblings have a good relationship.”

As she lifted her skirts and headed outside, Bai Mama, who had just arrived, looked at Madam Feng with a smile and said, “Miss is about to come of age at the end of April. Have you found a suitable match yet?”

The sudden mention of this topic made Madam Feng feel somewhat troubled.

There were indeed many young masters of similar age in the capital, but none of them were to her liking. Either they were playboys or they lived indulgently on ancestral privileges. Su Cheng, who had close dealings with Feng Jinlin, was one such example.

This thought gave her a headache.

Bai Mama, noticing her concern, reminded her, “This Young Master Yin seems quite good. His family background may be modest, but what matters is that he is upright and hardworking. He is sure to do well in the spring exams! He might even become the next Xu Gelao! What do you think, Madam?”

Madam Feng fell into contemplation. Bai Mama's words were not without merit.

Moreover, since Young Yin Canwen had taken the initiative to care for Yunhe, she had begun to view him as one of their own.

Appearance, temperament, talent, and character—he seemed impeccable.

The more she thought about it, the more suitable he seemed! His modest family background was of no consequence; they could support him. This way, her daughter would not suffer in her marital home, making it a good match.

She steadied her thoughts and said, “Hmm, I will ask my husband about this first. If he thinks it’s suitable, then I will discuss it with Ah Yao. However, Young Master Yin must first prove himself in the exams; otherwise, how could I risk my daughter’s future?”

She was not a wicked mother-in-law who judged based on appearance, nor did she look down on Yin Canwen’s background.

But if he couldn’t even succeed in the imperial exams and become an official, his future, not to mention his survival, would be difficult.

Given his help to Yunhe, the Feng family would certainly be grateful and take care of him for life. However, they would not gamble on their daughter’s marriage for a favor.

While Madam Feng and Bai Mama were discussing this, Feng Jinyao had already arrived at the entrance of the house.

Seeing no one coming despite the wait, she found it strange. Second Brother’s nature was such that he could hardly wait.

The message had been delivered, but the person was missing—someone must have detained him.

Yunxu suddenly pointed to the carriage at the street corner and Feng Jinxu, who was riding in front, and said, “Miss, it’s Second Master and them.”

Feng Jinyao smiled and was about to go greet them when she saw that Second Brother was indeed accompanied by an unwelcome guest.

Wen Mengsheng—he truly had no sense of propriety.

However, thinking that the Wen family would soon face disaster, she found herself smiling as she looked over.

Feng Jinxu, who had been thoroughly annoyed by Wen Mengsheng, knew that his sister was out to greet him.

He quickly dismounted his horse and said, “Why are you out here? You could have waited in the courtyard. You’re dressed so lightly—aren’t you afraid of catching a cold?”

Feng Jinlin's concern for his sister had reached the point of being overbearing. Although Feng Jinyao was dressed warmly, in his eyes, it was still too light. For a moment, Feng Jinyao and her entourage were at a loss for how to respond.

“Miss Feng, what a coincidence.”

“Young Master Wen?”

Wen Mengsheng was surprised to see Feng Jinyao looking at him properly for the first time. Perhaps his time at the academy had restored some of his charm, or maybe Miss San was showing him more respect as she was about to come of age.

Regardless of the reason, he approached and greeted her warmly.

“I heard about the serious illness of Minister Bai while at the academy. I was very concerned and wanted to send some family-recipe medicine to Brother Feng, but he refused to accept it. Now that the academy is on break, and our residences are close, I came back together. I just wonder why Brother Feng always brings Young Master Yin, disregarding the reputation of the Feng family’s women.”

Upon hearing his words, Feng Jinyao sneered inwardly. What had she seen in him in the past life? Was it his superficial appearance, his flowery words, or his dirty and foolish heart?

She maintained an indifferent expression and replied with a smile, “Young Master Yin is a distinguished guest of our house. It’s normal for Second Brother to bring him along. As for Young Master Wen’s kind gesture, I will thank you on behalf of my grandfather. I hope you perform excellently in the spring exams and achieve great results, so you and Lord Wen can serve together in the court. It would make for a splendid story.”

Wen Mengsheng, flattered by Feng Jinyao’s almost flattering words, fell into the trap.

When someone who had always despised you suddenly spoke so amiably, he didn’t consider any ulterior motives. Instead, he thought it was because of his own talent and distinguished background that the Feng family might be considering him as a suitor, leading to the change in attitude.

Second Brother, unaware of why his sister was acting this way, was displeased with Wen Mengsheng all along.

If not for Yunhe and Yin Canwen in the carriage, he would have ridden off long ago, rather than being annoyed by him.

With a whip crack on the ground, a deep white mark appeared.

“I’m sorry, Young Master Wen, but my whip has a mind of its own and likes to lash out at people. You’d better stay away, or you might end up with a few stripes and have to go back and complain to your teacher or father.”