Chapter 3

Feng Nianxiang's old face turned red. He didn't have time to deal with this troublemaker. He looked at Han Fengci with an apologetic look on his face: "I'm sorry to have embarrassed Han Liqing. My daughter is naughty, lively and active, and has not yet settled down."

Han Fengci laughed softly and said, "Minister Feng, you are embarrassing me. Miss Feng is so innocent and lively, which is really rare."

Feng Nianxiang carefully looked at the young man in front of him and was very satisfied. So, he raised one hand to the side and said, "The Feng Mansion is simple, please don't mind, Mr. Han Li. Please come in."

Han Fengci returned the greeting and bowed, "I respectfully refuse to obey your order."

Under the double eaves of green tiles, Feng Mansion faces south. Looking up, the solemn walls and red walls have become like spring under Feng Huanhuan's care. The welcoming pines on both sides of the gate extend all the way to the courtyard. The bamboo shadows under the wall are swaying, full of vitality. Passing through the corridors, there are wild flowers all the way, winter plums, crabapples, and peonies competing for beauty. Even the eaves of the pavilion are hung with red lanterns. The originally bare rockery in the lake now looks like a fairy island full of daisies, which is refreshing.

Feng Nianxiang walked and watched, grinning with joy. He didn't notice much change a few days ago, but today he looked like this. So, he stroked his beard and took a few steps forward, "Han Liqing, although my daughter is naughty, she has the same vision as her mother, and she is unique."

Han Fengci lowered his head and laughed secretly. How could he not hear his old father showing off? So he continued, "Indeed. Miss Feng is extremely talented, and her mansion is quite a sight."

This was what he loved to hear, and Feng Nianxiang was even more proud, and then he laughed out loud: "My little girl could sing at the age of three, recite poems at the age of five, and could copy the pictures of the twenty-eight constellations at the age of seven."

At this time, the two had stopped at the door of the study. Feng Nianxiang led Han Fengci into the room. There was a coffee table and a mahogany carved chair next to the desk. As soon as Han Fengci sat down, he was attracted by the finely framed paintings on the middle wall of the hall. The donkey-headed warrior sat cross-legged on the back of a red donkey. The warrior was naked, with three heads and six arms, each holding a magic weapon. Especially the purple-red stick in the right arm, which emitted purple-red light, as if it could shock everything in the world. He smiled and recognized at a glance, isn't this the Yinshen?

Seeing Han Fengci's eager eyes, Feng Nianxiang walked straight to Danqing and introduced: "This is one of the divine images my daughter drew when she was seven years old, the Yin Shen Leaving the Frontier."

"My daughter is very smart. When she was seven years old, she came to the study with a scroll and said that the Yin God would bring good luck and avoid disasters, and would answer all prayers. She also said that in the future, people would definitely worship the Yin God. So when she was ten years old, she cried and made a fuss, asking me to build a temple for the Yin God."

"It just so happened that my son Wubai went to war, and he also built the Yingshen Temple under the pretext of praying for blessings. Unexpectedly, this move led to the Qingzhao Kingdom never losing a battle again. The beginnings of a prosperous era, the people had plenty of food, and they worshipped Yingshen even more. So the day of the temple's construction was a temple fair, and people spontaneously paraded through the streets to invite Yingshen to descend to the earth to scare away demons and epidemics."

It turns out that the world only knows that the North Street Yingshen Temple was built by Feng Nianxiang for his eldest son Feng Wubai who was going to war. But what people don't know is that it was the suggestion of Feng Huanhuan, the legitimate daughter of the Feng Mansion.

Han Fengci nodded: "Miss Feng is a remarkable woman, to have such a great opportunity."

Feng Nianxiang slowly walked down from the table, sat down opposite Han Fengci, and looked at him, "On the day my daughter was born, hundreds of birds gathered in Feng Mansion. I still remember this scene clearly."

Fifteen years ago, on the third day of the third lunar month, at the hour of You, Phoenix Girl was born. That day, a large area of ​​fire clouds stretched across the sky. Hundreds of birds gathered in the sky above the Phoenix Palace, circling and chirping. For this reason, the Imperial Palace's Imperial Astronomical Observatory was alarmed, and this hexagram was obtained: the divine phoenix appears in the south, and the prosperous era will last for a hundred years. The emperor was very happy, but before the grace could be bestowed, bad news came from the Phoenix Palace.

Feng Mansion's mistress Lang Qingci died due to childbirth difficulties.

Recalling this, Feng Nianxiang's eyes sparkled, "Han Liqing, I have a selfish reason for telling you so much. My daughter has a pitiful life and has been spoiled since she was a child. Now the Dali Temple is replacing the old with the new, and I am often busy. Wu Bai is also on the frontier battlefield. If my daughter...if she... "

Han Fengci understood, "I will take care of Miss Feng, Minister Feng, don't worry."

Feng Nianxiang was quite satisfied with this number one scholar. His article was concise, to the point, and hit the nail on the head. This was why the emperor gave the important position of Dali Temple Minister to a newly crowned number one scholar, which was a unique case in history. Moreover, no matter who took the position of Dali Temple Minister, he would bother him for the sake of the troublemaker at home, Feng Huanhuan.

People really can't stand being talked about. Feng Nianxiang was about to speak when a servant at the door reported, "Master, the eldest lady is waiting outside."

Feng Nianxiang was so shocked that he couldn't even hold the teacup steady. He looked up in astonishment and asked, "Who are you saying is waiting outside?"

"Master, it's the eldest lady." Although the servant lowered his head, his shoulders trembled and he was obviously trying not to laugh.

Feng Nianxiang did not shy away from the question and laughed: "The sun is setting in the east? Hurry up and invite the young lady in."

This story begins from the beginning. Ever since that startled glance, Feng Huanhuan screamed and ran back to her courtyard, circling the wintersweet tree for several circles without stopping. She was surprised, excited, ashamed and angry, and she was dizzy from circling around. Then she returned to the bedroom and fiddled for a long time. The master and servant were busy in front of the bronze mirror for a full half an hour.

Feng Huanhuan looked down at her toes, her crossed hands almost clenched into a ball. Finally, the servant informed her, and she walked with a graceful gait, like a lady from a noble family, with a graceful demeanor. Feng Nianxiang's eyes widened in amazement.

"Greetings to Daddy."

Her voice was as thin as a thread, and her tone was completely different from usual. She was polite and stood in a proper manner, pretending to be very serious. Feng Nianxiang's mouth twitched. He couldn't ruin his daughter's performance on the spot. He glanced at Han Fengci with his peripheral vision, clenched his fist and coughed softly: "Good girl, get up."

Ever since Feng Huanhuan came in, Han Fengci had never looked away. Her hair was tied up in a bun, with a pink cherry blossom hairpin on her forehead, her skin was as white as cream, and her eyes were full of water.

Just one glance, and it lasts for ten thousand years.

Feng Huanhuan suddenly raised her eyes to look at him, "Master Han, you left the court with my father, are you a new noble in the court?"

Feng Nianxiang was so scared that his eyes almost fell out. He quickly stood up and blocked Feng Huanhuan. "Han Liqing, please don't be offended. I don't mean anything else. It's just a normal greeting. Please forgive me."

When Feng Huanhuan heard this, her eyes lit up. She pushed her father away and asked, "Han Liqing, are you the Dali Temple Minister?"

Han Fengci nodded with a faint smile on his face, "Miss Feng is smart."

Feng Huanhuan: "Then if anyone bullies me in the future, I will go to the Dali Temple to find you."

Han Fengci laughed softly, "Okay."

Seeing Feng Huanhuan still wanted to ask more questions, Feng Nianxiang couldn't bear it any longer, so he grabbed Feng Huanhuan by the collar and dragged her out, not forgetting to turn around and tell her: "Please forgive me, Han Liqing, I will take my daughter back to her boudoir first."

"Hey, Daddy, let me go. I haven't finished asking you questions yet." Feng Huanhuan still didn't give up and shouted at Han Fengci: "Han Fengci, you don't have a family? Are you engaged? Do you have someone you like?"

The figure in front of her moved from near to far away, but unfortunately, Feng Huanhuan was dragged far away before she could hear the answer. Seeing that they were almost at her own Huanxin Garden, she was furious and struggled to get rid of the hand on her neck. She pouted, puffed up her cheeks, and had a hint of anger in her eyes: "Daddy! What are you doing!"

"You, you, you! Do you know who he is?" Feng Nianxiang puffed out his beard and glared, and he even stuttered when he was angry.

"I know, Dali Temple Minister."

"He is this year's top scholar. How could a top scholar directly become a third-rank official in history? This man has a deep and meticulous mind. You are just a little girl. Stay away from him in the future. Don't let him sell you. Your father will have to redeem you with your mother's dowry."

After saying that, Feng Nianxiang walked away angrily. Suddenly, he stopped and turned back to add, "Girls will be looked down upon if they ask about men's privacy."

Feng Huanhuan wanted to talk back, but Feng Nianxiang had already run away.

At this moment, Feng Nianxiang was sweating heavily at the door of the study. He was really tough just now. Fortunately, the troublemaker slipped away before he lost his temper, otherwise, he would have to coax him back.

He shook his head and suddenly laughed. This little temper was just like her mother. He straightened his clothes at the door and walked in with his robe. "Han Liqing, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting for so long. I made a fool of myself."

Han Fengci smiled and said, "It's okay. It makes Fengci feel warm."

"Then..." Feng Nianxiang hesitated for a long time, looked at him, and smiled for a moment, "Does Han Liqing have a family? Is there a woman he likes?"

He was obviously stunned for a moment, then replied: "I don't have a family."

Feng Nianxiang saw that he was respectful and polite, and his eyes were sincere, so he didn't find anything suspicious. So he was relieved and would pay more attention to him in the future.

Originally, he and Han Fengci were going to discuss the Fuzhou corruption case after the court session today. Feng Huanhuan's disruption actually delayed the meeting for a while. Feng Nianxiang found a small box from the bookshelf behind the desk and opened it. A stale smell came to his nose, and a few yellowed oil papers were covered with dense ink marks.

Feng Nianxiang lowered his head and was silent. He was even dazed for a moment, then he sighed, "Han Liqing, I have been thinking for a long time in the court today, whether to hand it over to you. I have been waiting for an opportunity, and now, I am still playing the game. The Fuzhou corruption case has not been solved for many years, and there are many people involved. Without the tacit approval of the officials in the capital, who would dare to do it with tens of millions of gold? Now, I hand over this old evidence to you, how to do it, how to do it, or even not to do it, it's all up to you. I won't participate."

Han Fengci took it with both hands. The corners of the paper were dry and warped, and there were cracks and marks on it. It looked like it was indeed many years old. He glanced at it briefly. It was a letter. The prefect of Fuzhou was related to the third prince, Bo Yu.

Ever since Han Fengci took the letter, Feng Nianxiang also restrained the smile that had been on his face for years, and just looked at him steadily, without moving his eyes away for a moment.

Han Fengci knew that Feng Nianxiang had been watching him, but he was puzzled. Did Master Feng seem to be sure that he would investigate? Or was he testing him? Even if he could keep the entire important evidence for so long, there must be a reason.

So, he put aside the skylight and asked directly, "This letter involves many people. Does Minister Feng have anyone he wants to protect?"

Feng Nianxiang stood with his hands behind his back, pacing back and forth, then stopped, as if he had made a great decision, "If the Prime Minister's Mansion is implicated, I hope you can protect the Prime Minister's legitimate daughter Bai Tiao."

Han Feng accepted the offer, which was considered a private deal between the two.

After seeing off Han Fengci, Feng Nianxiang sat alone in the study for an hour. He knew very well how many years it took him to take this step. Now Huan'er is about to reach the age of marriage, and Wu Bai is about to return triumphantly. The current emperor is old, but he has not appointed a crown prince for a long time. The princes are cruel and ruthless in their private attempts to seize the throne. As a father, he will not allow his children to become victims of the powerful.

Now, he was alone, not only because the turmoil in the court was imminent, forcing him to make plans early. In addition, it was because from Han Fengci's article, he could see that he was indifferent to money and desires, and he was willing to throw away his sleeves. Maybe, it would be a breakthrough.

As the dusk deepened, the flowers and trees in the courtyard swayed in the cold wind. In Huanxin Garden, the turbid fire was bright. The Kunpeng lanterns under the eaves of the wing room emitted a dark red light. In the silhouette of the window, she was sitting on the ground in her inner garment, with long hair down to her waist.

"When will this winter end?" Feng Huanhuan sat in front of the charcoal, rubbing her hands, "I hate snow the most. It's so cold."

Feicui kept adding charcoal to the charcoal basin. "Miss has been afraid of cold since she was a child. Don't go out these few days, or you will catch a cold."

Feng Huanhuan held her chin, her black hair draped over her shoulders, her eyes moving, and perhaps because she had just bathed, her cheeks were as pink as lotus buds. She was humming a little tune, shaking her head, looking very leisurely, "Fei Cui, what kind of woman do you think Han Fengci likes?" She suddenly stood up, barefoot, and stepped back and forth, "Does he like gentle and virtuous women, or does he like those who are well-read? He wouldn't like the domineering Sixth Princess, right?"

The rooms were all covered with sheepskin mats, which kept feet warm. Seeing this, Feicui didn't say much. So, she said perfunctorily, "I like this, Miss."

This question has been asked all day. This answer was given under the pressure of the lady.

Feng Huanhuan lowered her head shyly, her black hair covering half of her fair cheek, and the curve of her eyebrows looked like a half crescent moon in the sky.

Feicui covered her face and held her forehead, unable to bear it any longer. When Feng Huanhuan was about to fall asleep and the light blue curtain fell, she suddenly asked again: "Feicui, you said Han Fengci..."

Jade answered quickly: "I like this, Miss!"

After saying this, without waiting for Feng Huanhuan to continue asking, he simply pulled down the curtain and walked out.