The rooms were originally enough, but later a group of people arrived at the inn. Xu Di knew them; the newcomers were the second son of the current Grand Secretary, named Feng Zhongyi, who was passing through the area with his family on their way back to the capital.

The second son of the Feng family was serving as the prefect of Wuzhou. It was said that there was something going on at home and he had to take his family home. After a long and tiring journey, when he arrived at the inn, he heard that most of the superior rooms had been booked by Xu Di. So he sent his steward to present Xu Di with a visiting card. Xu Di then gave up two superior rooms for their family. There was no other way but to let Li Yuexi stay with her aunt Xu Ru for the night, while he himself would stay with his cousins.

After Xu Di had arranged the rooms, several of Zhang's cousins, along with several of Yue's cousins ​​and Xu Bai, came over to make a request to Xu Di. They noticed that many lanterns had been lit up on the street and that many customers were coming and going in and out of the shops, so they wanted to go and have a look around.

Xu Di had been pondering what kind of revenge the Third Prince would take after Xu Zhi married Zheng Boyuan these past few days, so he wasn't in the mood to accompany them. Instead, he had his steward take a few guards to accompany the group of young masters shopping. He laid down three rules with his cousins: they couldn't cause trouble, and even if they encountered something that made them indignant, they couldn't act rashly. If they really couldn't stand it, they could come back and tell him. In the end, he, as the person in charge, would make the decision.

The younger cousins, all playful and curious, readily agreed and urged the steward and guards to hurry out.

Xu Di was in the room, waiting for them to return so they could go downstairs for dinner together.

Xu Di naturally had no objection to Xu Zhi's marriage. Xu Di had spent a long time with Zheng Boyuan and knew his character. Zheng Boyuan was a man of loyalty and righteousness, and was certainly not the kind of person who would betray Xu Zhi for any benefit. Xu Di was quite satisfied that Xu Zhi was able to marry him.

What displeased Xu Di was that Xu Zhi's marriage was being arranged so hastily. Thinking about Xu Zhi's age, Xu Di gritted his teeth in anger. He did not advocate that girls marry too early, and even if they did marry, he did not advocate that they have children too early. In this era, medical standards were low, and childbirth was truly a life-or-death ordeal for girls. Whether they lived or died sometimes depended on fate. How many women did not make it through that ordeal and died with their unborn children?

Furthermore, marriage is clearly a good thing, a joyous occasion, but if it's a marriage forced upon her by others, will Xu Zhi be happy in the future?

Xu Di grew angrier and angrier, feeling increasingly humiliated, but there was nothing he could do. Although his family was a marquis's household, it was still far inferior to that of a prince. Furthermore, the Third Prince was known for his wisdom and virtue in court. Even during the Hexi incident, they, along with the Wan family, had spread rumors that the Third Prince had caused the undeserved misfortune of his brothers. Xu Di knew he couldn't confront the Third Prince right now, and feeling wronged, he could only swallow his anger.

As Xu Di lay in bed lost in thought, he heard someone knocking on the door. When he opened it, he found it was Feng Zhongyi, the second son of Chief Minister Feng and the prefect of Wuzhou.

Xu Di quickly addressed Feng Zhongyi as Lord Feng and bowed. Feng Zhongyi nodded slightly and said, "Young friend Xu, I have come to thank you for your assistance."

Xu Di repeatedly said he dared not accept such a request. After inviting Feng Zhongyi to sit down, he said, "It is inconvenient to be away from home. I hope you will not take my small favor to heart, Lord Feng."

Feng Zhongyi said, "I once heard people say that the eldest son of the Marquis of Yongning is a learned man with a chivalrous spirit. Today I see that it is indeed true."

Xu Di repeatedly expressed his humility. Seeing that Feng Zhongyi looked haggard, he couldn't help but ask, "Lord Feng, you seem to have traveled a long way with your family. Has something happened at home?"

Upon hearing this, Feng Zhongyi sighed softly and said, "To be honest, young friend Xu, something has indeed happened at home."

Upon hearing this, Xu Di felt a pang of regret. Why had he asked what was going on? He could have simply exchanged a few pleasantries and seen the man out. But since the man had already said that, it meant that Feng Zhongyi's arrival meant that the man would have told him anyway, even if he hadn't asked.

Feng Zhongyi said, “I have a daughter who is of marriageable age. Since I am away on duty with my wife, my daughter is staying in the capital. I have entrusted her to my elder sister-in-law to help her find a husband. A few days ago, I received a letter from home saying that the Third Prince wants my daughter to become his concubine. I was shocked and had no choice but to take my wife home to ask what happened.”

Hearing this, Xu Di finally understood what this so-called Lord Feng was all about. It turned out that the Third Prince was casting a wide net to catch more fish in order to strengthen his own power. His own sister hadn't been brought into the mansion by him, so he was thinking of Chief Minister Feng again.

Feng, the chief minister, came from a humble background. Although his mother was born into a noble family, she unfortunately suffered misfortune. Fortunately, Madam Feng was a strong-willed person who turned the tide and raised her son to become the chief minister of the court.

Chief Minister Feng entered officialdom through the imperial examinations and was a loyal and upright official who did not form cliques or factions. He was wholeheartedly devoted to serving the emperor and was naturally the object of the princes' attempts to win him over. Regardless of which prince he was, as long as he could establish a relationship with Chief Minister Feng, he would be seen by outsiders as siding with that prince, which was tantamount to taking sides.

Xu Di frowned and said, "Lord Feng, I dare not speak on this matter. Marriage has always been based on mutual consent. No matter who it is, if the other party is unwilling, can you forcibly take them away?"

Feng Zhongyi said, "That's what I think too, but my family letter said that my daughter's reputation has been damaged this time, and I don't know how to deal with it now."

Xu Di sighed and said, “Lord Feng, my parents have always treated my siblings and me like the apple of their eye. When my sister was young, my parents said that it is not easy for women. They cannot be like us, wandering the world and studying in school. Our small house only has four corners of sky. For a woman, reputation is a shackle and a death warrant. Nothing is more important than my sister’s happiness and joy. Therefore, they repeatedly told my brother and me not to be too harsh on my sister in the future.”

Upon hearing this, Feng Zhongyi's brows twitched slightly. He stood up and said with a smile, "It's getting late. Young friend, you have a long journey ahead of you tomorrow. You should get some rest."

After seeing Feng Zhongyi to the door, Xu Di didn't stay in bed any longer. He instructed his men to quickly find his cousins ​​who had gone shopping and bring them back. After dinner, they would rest and set off early the next morning to reach Ganzhou as soon as possible.

After listening to Feng Zhongyi's words, Xu Di had a feeling that the princes in the capital, who had been lying low for several years since the Battle of Hexi, were about to start to emerge again. Soon, the capital would be plunged into another bloody storm. After all, they were not fighting alone; they had many people behind them. Fortune and honor are sought in danger, and the merit of following the emperor was no ordinary achievement.