With just a few words from Granny Cuizhu and Old Madam Hao, Lu Qiqi figured out the trickery involved.
It was simply that the general had unfortunately died in battle, and the second branch of the family had the idea of inheriting the title. They colluded with the elders of the clan to try to seize the title for themselves and enjoy its protection for generations.
Lu Qiqi even suspected that Madam Feng's sudden illness was deliberately orchestrated.
Lu Qiqi whispered, "Grandmother, why don't we go and take a look? We won't interfere in other people's clan affairs. As a close friend of Old Madam Feng, you can act as a witness, and others shouldn't say anything."
After pondering for a while, Madam Hao glanced at Madam Feng, who was lying on the bed with a furrowed brow, and said, "Very well, I suppose I still have some face. The Feng family members can't just kick out the people who are watching the ceremony."
"Help me over there and take a look. Consider it as supporting my old friend's granddaughter."
Granny Cuizhu stayed behind to continue taking care of Old Madam Feng, and found a trustworthy steward to take Lu Qiqi and the others there.
The Feng Family Ancestral Hall was quite a distance from the Feng Residence. Lu Qiqi helped Old Madam Hao into the carriage and headed to the Feng Family Ancestral Hall.
Madam Hao sat in the car, closing her eyes to rest.
Taking this opportunity, Lu Qiqi asked Granny Yu Ru, "Granny, please tell me what's going on at the Feng family residence."
Yu Ru glanced at Old Madam Hao, and seeing that the old lady had no intention of stopping her, she said, "I only know a little, I don't know much."
"Tell me about it, I just need a general idea," Lu Qiqi said.
Since Lu Qiqi said so, Granny Yuru decided not to hide it anymore.
After hearing this, Lu Qiqi fell into deep thought.
There was also some resentment.
General Feng bravely sacrificed his life to protect the people on the border. Even the emperor not only offered him a pension but also rewarded him and treated his family well.
It's unbelievable that the second branch of the Feng family would set their sights on the children of their deceased elder brother; this is clearly an attempt to drive them to their deaths.
How will the orphaned girl and her young half-brother survive after the death of Madam Feng, with no one to protect them?
"Madam, we've arrived," the steward called out from outside the carriage as it stopped.
Old Madam Hao suddenly opened her eyes and said, "Go down."
Lu Qiqi got off the carriage first, followed closely by Granny Yuru, who was helping Old Madam Hao.
"This way, please," the steward said, leading the way.
The ancestral hall doors were wide open, and as Lu Qiqi and the others entered, they saw many people standing in the courtyard watching the ceremony.
The steward led the way, breaking through the crowd. Lu Qiqi and Granny Yu Ru, one on each side, supported Old Madam Hao as they walked to the front to watch the ceremony.
"Second Uncle, isn't that taking advantage of me as a woman? My half-brother is still young!" Feng Yu'er said resolutely. "Although my father died a heroic death, he still has children. I would never let you live off someone who has no descendants!"
"If my younger brother and I were to have an accident in the future, your family, Second Uncle, would not be able to escape responsibility!"
“My dear niece, you’re showing no respect for your second uncle by saying that,” Feng Wei said, his face turning pale and then red. “I adopted Feng Zijun because I didn’t want my elder brother to be without an heir. You will get married sooner or later, and the Feng family’s legacy must not be handed over to someone else.”
Upon hearing this, Feng Yu'er immediately knelt down with her back to everyone, raised three fingers, pointed to the sky, and swore, "There are gods three feet above your head. I, Feng Yu'er, swear before our ancestors today that I will never discuss marriage until my younger brother inherits my father's position. If I break this oath, may I die a horrible death!"
Feng Wei never expected that Feng Yu'er would dare to make such a vicious oath. Feng Zijun is only eight years old this year, and it will be more than ten years before he can enter officialdom. By then, no one will be willing to marry Feng Yu'er!
Feng Wei said coldly, "Have you thought this through? If you swear an oath, you'll be an old maid for the rest of your life."
Feng Yu'er stood up, raised her cold chin, and said, "No regrets!"
The incident happened so suddenly that it was too late for Madam Hao to explain that she needed to submit an ultimatum regarding the succession to the title.
Old Madam Hao pounded her palm in anguish, "Such a fine young lady, and she's been wasted like this! The second branch of the Feng family is utterly despicable!"
Madam Hao's voice was quite loud, and Feng Wei turned his gaze over, but when he saw that it was Madam Hao, his face turned ashen, and he dared not speak out.
Feng Yu'er made a solemn oath, and Feng Wei, who had originally intended to blackmail her by threatening to adopt her, was completely helpless, since he couldn't really kill his nephew.
Otherwise, not only would Old Madam Feng not let him off the hook, but even the Emperor would condemn him.
The elders in the clan had only done such a shameless thing because they had received guidance and benefits from Feng Wei.
Now that Feng Yu'er has been forced to make a poisonous oath, she will likely lose all face in Luzhou Prefecture from now on.
In no time, the elders of the clan dispersed.
After working hard for half a day and getting nothing, Feng Wei could only shake his sleeves, glare at Feng Yu'er resentfully, and leave angrily.
As the spectators gradually dispersed, Lu Qiqi stepped forward and looked at the slender Feng Yuer, barely daring to recognize her.
Even when they parted ways, Feng Yu'er was still well-fed and radiant thanks to Lu Qiqi's care during their escape from famine.
Now, Feng Yu'er looks even worse than when she was fleeing famine.
It's all the fault of that bunch of scoundrels in the second branch of the Feng family. I wonder if Old Madam Feng will fall ill again from Feng Wei's actions after she recovers from her illness.
Lu Qiqi called softly, "Yu'er".
“Qiqi,” Feng Yu’er saw Lu Qiqi, her eyes filled with tears, she let go of her younger brother’s hand and rushed towards Lu Qiqi.
Lu Qiqi was bumped into by Feng Yuer, whose chin rested on her shoulder.
Hearing the sobbing, Lu Qiqi gently patted Feng Yuer's back, not minding her tear-streaked shoulder at all.
After Feng Yu'er cried for a while, Lu Qiqi finally spoke up, "That's enough. If you keep crying, your eyes will get swollen. If Old Madam Feng sees this when we get back, she'll worry."
“Grandmother,” Feng Yu’er released Lu Qiqi’s neck and said, “My grandmother is awake?”
Lu Qiqi shook her head.
Feng Yu'er's bright eyes dimmed instantly.
Lu Qiqi said, "When you go back, Old Madam Feng should wake up soon."
Feng Yu'er blinked her innocent big eyes, confused, waiting for Lu Qiqi to explain.
Granny Yu Ru stepped forward and told Feng Yu'er about Old Madam Hao's search for the snake king's gall and Lu Qiqi's offering of it.
Feng Yu'er bowed to Madam Hao, then pulled Feng Zijun to her side and said, "Zijun, these two are both benefactors who saved Grandmother, and also benefactors to you and me, my brother and me."
"Come, kneel down and kowtow to thank your benefactor."
After saying that, Feng Yu'er pulled Feng Zijun and kowtowed to thank Old Madam Hao and Lu Qiqi.
Lu Qiqi did not stop her; she knew perfectly well that she couldn't stop her.
They also understood that through this experience, Feng Yu'er would grow up completely, and from now on, the two siblings would only support each other.
Before Feng Zijun had fully developed his abilities, Feng Yuer had to stand on her own and support him.
Gratitude and repaying kindness are the paths that the siblings must take.
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