The title of nobility, in the Duke of Wei's mouth, was as easily dismissed as a seventh-rank official.
Wen Xinglu looked at the Duke of Wei, feigning pleasant surprise in his eyes. "In that case, I thank the Duke for his favor."
He drained his cup in one gulp, concealing the hatred in his eyes.
He had a vague feeling that someone was secretly targeting the Wei family. Otherwise, the Wen family's affairs wouldn't have been so swiftly and thoroughly exposed. Yin Canwen was merely a pawn pushed to the forefront; the true mastermind was still in hiding.
But Wen Xinglu had no interest in pursuing that line of inquiry. His goal was to tie the person he hated to the same ship, so that when their opponent sank the vessel, they would go down together.
It had to be said, his sharp mind was utterly misapplied. Had he chosen the righteous path, he might have become an official who could bring prosperity to the people.
But in this world, there was no turning back, nor any regrets. Everything had to proceed as it was.
After traveling intermittently for half a month, Feng Jinyao and her entourage finally arrived in Jinling City just before the twelfth of May, the date of the Zhu and Chi families' marriage.
The words "Jinling City" under the sun seemed to be plated with gold, shining brightly. It was indeed worthy of being the domain of the wealthy merchants of Chengchi. Even the name sounded exceptionally opulent; it wouldn't be surprising if it were literally dusted with gold powder.
Feng Er took the lead. Upon reaching the city gate, he presented his dispatch. The guards, after a furtive glance, smiled at Feng Er and said with a hint of obsequiousness, "So it's the Assistant Magistrate, sir. This humble one was blind. I shall open the gate for you immediately!"
A seventh-rank Assistant Magistrate was not a particularly high official in Jinling City. However, Feng Jinlin's early success was undeniable. At such a young age, to achieve such an honor, his future was bound to be limitless. The guard, having served at the city gates for many years, was shrewd enough. After shouting "Pass!" he turned to Feng Jinlin with a fawning smile. "Sir, please!"
"Thank you!"
The group then entered Jinling City. Unlike the dry air of the Eastern Capital, this place possessed a unique gentle moisture characteristic of Jiangnan.
Yunxu was able to restrain herself, but Hehuan was filled with curiosity about the outside world. However, out of respect for Feng Jinyao, who was still resting with her eyes closed, she dared not peek too openly. She could only lift the curtain slightly to observe the appearance of Jinling City. The color of the bluestone slabs was deeper than those in the capital. Perhaps due to its proximity to the sea, the air here was faintly humid. It felt a little sticky to breathe, but for the three of them, it was a minor matter.
After entering the city, Feng Jinlin and his companions proceeded directly, bypassing several stone bridges before stopping in front of an inn. The journey had been quite bumpy, and Feng Jinyao had lost her appetite, appearing much thinner. Seeing her dismount from the carriage, Feng Er felt a pang of heartache. "It's a good thing this Jiangnan region is nourishing. Stay here for a few more days to recuperate, A'yao. If Mother sees you like this, she'll have my hide!"
Su Cheng walked over and also felt something was amiss when he looked at Feng Jinyao. They were all accustomed to hardship and travel, so the pace of the journey was not an issue for them. But Feng Jinyao, a noble lady from the capital, who had been pampered since childhood, was truly put through a ordeal on this trip. "I know of several renowned Jiangnan restaurants. I'll have someone deliver their specialties to your room later. Eat something delicious, and you'll naturally recover."
Feng Jinyao smiled. Although her complexion was not good, her mood was cheerful. Ever since leaving the Eastern Capital, the carefree spirit of her youth seemed to have returned, rather than constantly worrying about how to protect her family and relatives from schemes. Although the journey had been swift, with little rest or sightseeing, she was content to breathe this free air. She then said to her two concerned brothers, "Don't worry. I've just been unable to eat for the past couple of days. Now that I've seen Jinling City, I can eat three bowls at a meal."
Her playful expression and relaxed demeanor also brought smiles to Feng Er and the others. "A'yao, you're finally acting like a sister. When you were at home, you were as stern as Big Brother!" Feng Er truly disliked his elder brother's stern and unapproachable demeanor, so he certainly didn't want his beloved sister to become like that. As a young lady, happiness was most important. This current state was perfect! "The official residence hasn't been prepared yet, so you'll stay with us at the inn for these few days. Once everything is settled, it's better to move back home." Feng Er explained. Feng Jinyao nodded. Although her physique was delicate, her disposition was not. When she had accompanied her mother before, they had also stayed at an inn, and it had been perfectly fine.
The innkeeper, seeing that the group had an extraordinary aura about them, yet also appeared travel-worn, immediately stepped forward. "Are you distinguished guests looking for lodging? We have hot soup, hot dishes, fine food, and good wine, all ready." His round face exuded politeness, but lacked the shrewdness of a merchant.
Feng Jinlin smiled. "You are quite the businessman, innkeeper. We'll take three superior rooms, and you can arrange the rest as you see fit. Prepare some hot water for us to wash up, and then serve your signature dishes."
"No problem, honored guests, please come inside."
The inn's facade was not grand, but the interior was surprisingly spacious. Feng Jinyao had expected a typical setup of lodging upstairs and dining downstairs. Instead, the innkeeper led them around to the back, through a moon gate, and directly into a small courtyard. Every mountain, water feature, house, and tile here was exquisite and meticulously arranged, clearly indicating a substantial investment. This innkeeper bringing them to such a private courtyard suggested the price would not be cheap. She then observed Feng Jinlin and Su Cheng, who remained expressionless, showing no surprise at this arrangement.
After the innkeeper departed, Su Cheng jumped out. "This place is a private residence belonging to a friend of mine. It's usually used to entertain guests. I figured it would be fine for us men to stay at an inn, but since A'yao is a young lady, it would be more comfortable to stay in this courtyard. It's quiet and less likely to attract unwanted attention."
"So the innkeeper is..."
"This inn is all his, used as a cover for this small courtyard."
Feng Jinyao remained silent, quickly understanding the implication. She glanced sideways at the expressionless man following behind Su Cheng and felt that it was indeed beneficial to have powerful connections. Even their accommodation had been arranged so perfectly. It offered the vibrant atmosphere of the bustling human world while maintaining a quiet and elegant place to rest. The strength of the Min family was truly extraordinary.
Feng Jinyao had already figured out the reason but maintained an air of ignorance. "So that's how it is. I must thank you, Brother Su Cheng."