Chapter 39: The Matriarch Intervenes

With Zuo Jincheng gone, it would have been unseemly for Feng Yuzhi to linger, so she took her leave of the magistrate. Zhao Qingyun did not attempt to stop her.

"Xu Feng, I have no desire to interfere in your family affairs. However, this matter is of grave importance and must be handled appropriately; otherwise, I will have no way to account for it to the imperial court."

"Understood, Magistrate."

Xu Feng had long since grown disappointed with Feng Yuzhi and felt no attachment to the Feng family.

Honglian spoke up once more. "Magistrate Zhao, in my opinion, this matter need not be so complicated. You need only report it to the court, and the authorities there will naturally reach a verdict. Right and wrong can be clearly determined with a simple investigation."

After whispering a few words to Zhao Qingyun, she convinced him to proceed with the report.

"Xu Feng, return home and await word. When the time comes, the court will surely grant its rewards."

With the matter seemingly concluded, Xu Feng and Honglian departed from the yamen.

"Master Xu, I must truly bid you farewell now. If you find yourself without a place to stay, do consider Red Maple Mountain. My doors are always open to you."

"My thanks. Should the need arise, I will certainly consider it."

Xu Feng did not stand on ceremony; the mask of civility between him and the Feng family had been completely torn away. As for his future path, he had no concrete plans. He would take things one step at a time, but he now possessed the confidence to fear no one.

At the crossroads, they parted ways.

Upon arriving at the Feng estate, Feng Yuzhi found her belongings discarded outside the gate. Sitting by the stone lion was a pitiful figure—it was Dong'er. Seeing Xu Feng return, she trotted over, her voice thick with grievance.

"Young Master, we’ve been kicked out. We have nowhere to go now."

Seeing Dong'er’s tear-streaked face, Xu Feng’s heart ached. His predecessor had been truly useless, and Dong'er had suffered greatly in his shadow. Their status in the Feng household had been the lowest of the low, beneath even the common servants. He had been pushed around by everyone, and Dong'er’s situation had been even more precarious.

"It matters not. We shall rely on one another. The world is vast, and there is no need to remain here and suffer indignity. I will take you away now; there is no reason to pine for this place."

Xu Feng’s expression was icy. Just as they were about to leave, a familiar, elderly figure emerged, leaning heavily on a cane.

"Feng'er, stay your hand. I have been bedridden for some time and did not know so much had transpired. You have been wronged, but rest assured, I shall see that you receive justice."

It was the matriarch of the Feng house. Seeing her, Xu Feng quickly stepped forward to support her. While everyone else in the household treated him as less than human, the matriarch had always been his protector. She was a kind-hearted woman who never forgot the debt the Fengs owed to the Xu ancestors. Unfortunately, she was frail and terminally ill, unable to oversee every detail of the household.

"I dare not trouble you, Grandmother."

"Good child, it is the Feng family that has failed you. Go back inside for now. No matter what, I will see this set right. While I still draw breath, I must discipline these unfilial descendants."

It seemed he could not leave today. Xu Feng sighed, unable to defy the old woman; he could not find it in his heart to be cruel to her. Yet, this was no long-term solution. He could not remain in the Feng house for much longer.

As he helped the matriarch through the gate, Master Feng and Feng Yuzhi appeared before them.

"You have the gall to return? My family has no room for a son-in-law like you! Take your things and begone; from this day forth, you have no ties to the Feng family."

"Hmph, how shameless. Your things were tossed out, yet you bring them back? It seems you finally realize you are nothing without us."

Both Master Feng and Feng Yuzhi shared the same sentiment; they did not believe Xu Feng would ever amount to anything.

Before they could finish, the matriarch struck Master Feng across the head with her cane.

"I should beat the unfilial nature out of you! Have you forgotten the favor the Xu ancestors bestowed upon our family? Without them, where would we be today? It is fortunate no outsiders know of this, or our family would be a laughingstock. You have brought shame upon our ancestors."

Master Feng scrambled to protect his head, helpless against his mother. However, the exertion left the elderly woman breathless, and Xu Feng had to help her back to her room.

"Xu Feng, as long as I am alive, if you are ever wronged, come to me. I will uphold justice for you."

"Grandmother, please rest. I can handle matters between us juniors. Do not worry yourself; enjoy your remaining years in peace."

He settled the matriarch down and tossed his belongings back into his small courtyard. He told Dong'er not to bother unpacking; this was merely a temporary stop.

"Young Master, the Master wishes to see you," a maid said, while Dong'er looked at him with concern.

"You pack up. I’ll return shortly. Don't worry, they cannot harm me."

Master Feng seemed slightly embarrassed, but he had not been enlightened by his mother's cane; he was still obsessed with the credit for the grain transport.

"Xu Feng, since you have returned, let us be clear. You may stay, but only on the condition that you transfer all the credit for this achievement to Zuo Jincheng. Then we can live in peace."

The decline of the Feng family was inevitable. Once the matriarch passed, the remaining family members would be unable to hold onto the estate. They could not even manage simple tasks like grain transport, and if not for Xu Feng, Master Feng would have been in mortal danger. Yet, they remained blind. Master Feng had chosen to bet his future on Zuo Jincheng, unaware that he held a golden opportunity right under his nose.

Xu Feng remained silent. The yamen had already registered the matter. To transfer the credit to Zuo Jincheng now would be to admit to a false claim, a crime punishable by death. Master Feng did not even mention the risk, clearly viewing Xu Feng as a disposable pawn.

"Master, the Matriarch asks for your presence," a servant interrupted.

"Think it over. Leave or stay, the choice is yours," Master Feng said, before rushing off to appease his mother.