“Yes, it’s wrong to visit brothels.” Tan Rou suddenly sat down calmly. She smiled at the old lady who had been silent all along. “Mother, tell me, how should we punish those who go to brothels for pleasure?”

The old lady remained silent, and Xie Zhao's expression had become extremely unpleasant.

Feng Guang really praised her second aunt highly, actually throwing this problem to the old lady. If the old lady punished her, it would make Xie Zhao, who had made the same mistake but was not punished back then, feel embarrassed. If she did not punish him, then Xie Zhao would have no grounds to say that Xie Jie should be punished.

In Xie Yaoyao's heart, she naturally hoped that Xie Jie would be punished, but now the Xie family was not up to her to decide.

The old lady finally spoke up, "Jie'er is still young, so it's natural for her to make mistakes. The important thing is to correct them, not to punish her. Zhao'er, you two must teach Jie'er well."

"Yes... Mother." Xie Zhao bowed his head and replied.

Tan Rou smiled but didn't say anything.

Decades ago, when an epidemic was rampant in the capital, medicine was in short supply. It was the Tan family, who ran a clinic, who sent a batch of life-saving medicine to the Xie family. The Xie family was indebted to the Tan family, so they naturally took good care of the Tan family. Tan Rou was a strong-willed person. After discovering that Xie Zhao had a mistress, she insisted on getting a divorce. It was Old Madam Xie who persuaded her to stay. But for more than ten years, she had been holding a grudge in her heart.

Because of her stubbornness, even though she knew she was in the wrong, Old Mrs. Xie had no choice but to indulge her a little.

When it was time for dinner, the butler came to report that the food had been prepared, and everyone began to walk towards the dining room.

The old lady walked in front, holding Xie Zhan's hand and saying heartfelt words. Then came Xie Xun and Zhao Wan, Xie Zhao and Tan Rou, and Xie Jie, who felt he had made a mistake today, walked at the back. Slowly, he ended up with Feng Guang, who was walking the slowest with Huan'er.

Regardless of which family it was, the eldest son's wife and the second son's wife had always been at odds. Moreover, Xie Jie had heard from some servants that the eldest son's wife had returned to fight for his family property, so he couldn't help but feel hostile towards her. However, after the eldest son's wife returned for a few days, he didn't see them causing any trouble, so he stopped disliking them so much.

After walking for a while, Xie Jie finally looked down at Feng Guang and said with dissatisfaction, "Why didn't you greet me when you saw me?"

In his mind, women... especially women from wealthy families, should be more polite.

Feng Guang looked up at him, wondering why he didn't go against Xie Yaoyao. Little did she know, it was because Xie Yaoyao's status had recently changed and she had been praised by the Empress. Xie Jie had become much more obedient. She said perfunctorily, "Hello, brother."

Xie Jie was quite pleased to be called "brother" for the first time, and he asked, "Do you know how to play the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting?"

"Won't."

Xie Jie frowned, "You don't know how to play the zither, chess, calligraphy, or painting. Aren't you going to be outdone by our illegitimate daughter?"

Originally, Xie Jie felt that Feng Guang should be on the same side as him because they were both legitimate sons.

Huan'er wanted to say something, but Feng Guang tugged at her hand, so Huan'er shut up.

Feng Guang asked Xie Jie, "Are you skilled in the arts, such as playing the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting?"

"Music, chess, calligraphy, and painting are all subjects that students are required to learn in school," Xie Jie said proudly. "Although I am not very talented, I am somewhat proficient in them all."

"Do you think you can become the prince consort?"

Her question jumped so quickly that it took Xie Jie a while to react. "The royal family has no princesses, so it's naturally impossible."

Feng Guang pointed to Xie Yaoyao walking in front, "But who knows, she might become the wife of the Marquis, then the princess, and eventually her status will be incredibly high."

“That’s impossible,” Xie Jie immediately retorted. “Given her background, it’s impossible for her to have reached that position.”

“Nothing is impossible in this world,” Feng Guang laughed. “But once something you think is impossible happens, you can only bow down and submit.”

The thought of having to bow down to a concubine's daughter he looked down upon filled Xie Jie with inexplicable panic. He frowned again, "Then how do you know these things are possible?"

Feng Guang shook his head and said like an old charlatan, "The saying goes, 'There are houses of gold and beauties in books.' If you read the Four Books and Five Classics a lot, you will naturally be able to understand a little bit of this."

"Are the Four Books and Five Classics really that magical?" Xie Jie wondered, because he often felt like falling asleep as soon as he opened the books.

Feng Guang said, "I don't know if it will be useful to you, but I do know that when people are educated, even their cursing sounds better."

Xie Jie looked somewhat bewildered, seemingly understanding but not quite.

You don't believe me?

Xie Jie snapped out of her daze. "Of course I don't believe it."

“Then let’s give it a try.” Feng Guang stopped and said with a smile, “Raise one hand first.”

Xie Jie did as instructed.

“Raise your other hand.” Seeing that he had raised both hands, Feng Guang stretched out his own hand, “Put your hand in mine.”

Xie Jie did it without hesitation.

Let me see your tongue coating.

He stuck out his tongue.

Feng Guang then asked, "How do you pronounce the character with the water radical (氵) and the radical for 'king' (王)?"

"Woof."

She smiled, her eyes narrowed, and tiptoed to pat his head, saying, "Good boy."

After saying that, she turned around and continued walking forward. Before Xie Jie could react, she suddenly saw the man who had been standing behind her for who knows how long.

Xie Zhan smiled faintly and said, "I'm here to remind you to hurry up."

"Oh..." Feng Guang nodded and walked past him calmly.

Just as they were about to pass each other, she heard his laughter: "If the old lady finds out, you'll be in big trouble."