Chapter 83 (1/2)

The matriarch sat in her seat with her eyes closed. Jin Zhen was half-seated and half knelt by her feet, massaging her legs. While she massaged her legs, the matriarch said: “Ah, that Chen shi really knew how to relax, raising a girl to be so good at massaging. You as well, with such good skills, why did you not come to me earlier.”

Jin Zhen had a gentle appearance and said with grief: “This concubine has admired mother-in-law for a long time, but I never dared come forward. This concubine has a poor background and is afraid of dirtying mother-in-law’s eyes.”

The matriarch also knew when to treat the people she used. Hearing Jin Zhen say these things, she quickly responded: “If we are speaking of background, you are a girl who was raised by our Feng manor, so we at least understand your background. Unlike Han shi, who came from some brothel. That is truly losing face for the Feng manor.”

Jin Zhen felt her heart bloom from the matriarch’s words. Turning her head, she just happened to see Feng Yu Heng enter and quickly rose to greet her: “Paying respects to the second young miss.”

The matriarch, hearing that Feng Yu Heng had arrived, smiled out of habit before even opening her eyes “A-Heng! You have returned?”

Feng Yu Heng went forward with a smile, “Yes, I have caused grandmother to be concerned.”

“Grandmother is concerned about you. If I do not worry about you, who would I worry about! Quickly, come sit.” The matriarch pulled Feng Yu Heng’s hand and had her sit on a soft cushion next to her.

“How was it, was playing with imperial daughter Tian Ge fun?”

Feng Yu Heng nodded, “It was alright. We went to Refined Deity Building to eat, and I even met some girl friends.”

“Oh!” Hearing that there were other girls, the matriarch quickly asked: “What families are the girls from?”

Feng Yu Heng replied with a smile: “There is the young miss of the palace’s Bai craftsman family, Bai Fu Rong. There was also the daughter to the first wife of the prime minister’s family, Feng Tian Yu. Then there was the daughter of the first wife of General Ping Xi’s manor, Ren Xi Feng.”

The matriarch nodded, “Un, imperial daughter Tian Ge’s friends really are some impressive figures. There is no need to speak of the daughter to the first wife of General Ping Xi’s manor. Although that prime minister, Lord Feng, is an opponent of your father’s at court, their family is indeed on par with our Feng manor. As for the palace’s craftsman Bai…”

The matriarch paused for a moment, while Feng Yu Heng waited for the matriarch’s evaluation of Fu Rong. She had always believed that Bai Fu Rong being able to become friends with Xuan Tian Ge was not solely because of a good personality. If it were simply a good personality, perhaps the daughter of a craftsman would never have the chance to meet the imperial daughter. Thus the reason for them being so close now, there must be some other reason.

Sure enough, after a long silnce, the matriarch had some insights: “Although the Bai family is only a craftsman family, they are respected by the Emperor. This was especially the case when the late Empress was still alive, craftsman Bai was hand picked by the late Empress to make jewelry. Over these years, all of the wives to high-ranking officials find receiving a piece of craftsman Bai’s jewelry to be awe-inspiring. Naturally, the palace is no exception. The Bai family’s daughter to the first wife, Bai Fu Rong, is present every year at palace banquets. The nice things that the Emperor gives to imperial daughter Tian Ge, will also be given to her as well. She has truly become something akin to an adopted daughter. She is doted on far more than that imperial daughter Qing Le.”

Feng Yu Heng nodded. No wonder Bai Fu Rong could play with the people of the imperial family from childhood. Their relationship, naturally, was good. Thinking of Qing Le’s attack today, it should be related to Bai Fu Rong being doted on.

“A-Heng.” The matriarch solemnly and sincerely said: “Being able to meet this young miss, you must take good care of this opportunity to get along with them more. You are also the child of the Feng family. The honor of the Feng family is closely tied to you.”

Feng Yu Heng faintly smiled but did not speak.

Seeing that she did not answer, the matriarch resentfully closed her mouth. Instead, she turned to the reason she called Feng Yu Heng and Feng Xiang Rong to Shu Ya courtyard “Just now, someone came from Ding An palace with an invitation. In three days, Princess Ding An will be celebrating her birthday. As usual, they have invited our manor to enjoy the festivities.”

Feng Yu Heng remembered the words Xuan Tian Ge had said and asked the matriarch: “In years past, have people of the Feng family gone?”

The matriarch shrugged, “How could there be anyone that went. Just sending some gifts symbolically was enough.”

Feng Yu Heng let out an “Oh” sound, “Then grandmother wants A-Heng and Xiang Rong to make a visit this year?”

The matriarch patted the back of her hand, smiling: “My dear granddaughter really is smart. Originally, our Feng family dislikes attending these sorts of occasions. That Lord Ding An is not someone related to the imperial bloodline. The Emperor also is not very fond of them. In the capital, most of the wealthy and respected people do not give Lord Ding An any face. But you have not been in the capital. I figured that you have just returned, so you should come interact with the madams and young misses of the capital some more. In any case, this will let everyone know that the Feng manor’s second young miss has returned.”

Feng Yu Heng corrected the matriarch: “Not second young miss, it should be concubine’s young miss. If I am always called the second young miss outside, others will believe that I am the Feng family’s second daughter to the first wife. This would be bad for eldest sister.”

The matriarch was embarrassed for quite a while before helplessly changing the topic: “Also, there is Xiang Rong. Previously, she and Fen Dai were both too young, so there was no need for them to attend this type of occasion. Now that she is ten years old, she should go out some more. Originally, Fen Dai should also be going, but she has been injured.” Bringing up Fen Dai’s injury, the matriarch subconsciously glanced at Feng Yu Heng and saw Feng Yu Heng looking at her with innocent eyes. She could not help but feel a little embarrassed, “That… just treat it as taking your little sister out to gain some experience.”

Feng Yu Heng did not refuse and nodded, “Ok. A-Heng will bring third sister on a trip to Ding An palace.” Perfect, she had wanted to see what the place Xuan Tian Ming had set fire to looked like now.