Leaving the room where firewood was piled, the siblings walked towards the main house's courtyard.
As they walked, they began to analyze the situation.
"The Luo family wants to deal with us, partly to avenge Aunt Linlang, and partly to control the Feng family. Therefore, they must be after something we possess. Eldest Brother, I have a strong feeling this is connected to the Duke of Wei's mansion!"
Feng Jinxu nodded. "Highly probable. Xiao Er is to take office in a few days. If this plot succeeds, our Feng family will surely fall into dire straits, and his appointment might be postponed or even canceled. The Wei family would certainly arrange for that to give Liang Quanbin time."
Ever since they had harbored ambitions to elevate their father to a higher position and failed, they had been causing trouble for the Feng family intermittently.
There had been several public confrontations in court, all of which Feng Hai had managed to defuse.
However, using matters of the inner chambers to strike at them now was truly despicable!
Thinking of this, he deeply felt that if they did not retaliate forcefully against the Duke of Wei this time, he might believe that the entire Eastern Capital was his domain, and he was the one in charge.
Thus, a plan began to form in his mind, though it was not something he could easily disclose to Feng Jinyao.
"This trip to Jiangnan will undoubtedly be fraught with danger. Ayyao, are you certain you want to accompany Xiao Er on this journey?"
Feng Jinxu was quite worried.
Although Feng Jinyao had demonstrated her intelligence and decisiveness in handling matters, she ultimately lacked any martial arts foundation.
They were still within the capital, and the opposition was already so impatient.
Once they left the city, the attacks would likely become even more unbridled. This path was destined to be turbulent, so Feng Jinxu wanted to dissuade her.
However, Feng Jinyao smiled. "Eldest Brother, rest assured. With Second Brother and Brother Su Cheng accompanying me, I won't be harmed. Sister Banxia is certainly a frightened bird now. If I don't go, she won't reveal the truth. If she doesn't speak, how can Second Brother obtain the evidence to bring down the Wei family and resolve our Feng family's predicament? Therefore, I must make this trip."
Her determined gaze left Feng Jinxu with no further room to persuade.
His thoughts turned to arranging for two skilled individuals from the Dali Temple to accompany and escort them safely.
What he didn't know was that Feng Jinyao was already accompanied by a team of hidden guards arranged by Prince Ding.
Unless the opposing side dispatched more than ten times their number, they would never be able to approach Feng Jinyao.
As the two reached the courtyard, they happened to encounter Madam Wen accompanying her elder daughter-in-law, Wen Shi, returning from a walk. Wen Shi's eyes lit up with a hint of surprise upon seeing them.
"Didn't the Master go to work? Why are you back so early today?"
"Yes, everything is handled. I rushed back to spend some time with you."
Wen Shi blushed slightly, especially in front of her mother. Her husband's words caught her off guard.
Madam Wen watched the couple with smiling eyes. She was naturally pleased to see her daughter and son-in-law getting along so well.
"Greetings, Mother-in-law."
"Ayyao greets Aunt."
"Good, good. Since you're here, let's go to Yanlexuan for a cup of tea. Have Yunhe and Yunli brothers called over as well, so we can have a lively chat."
Feng Yunhe had only just recovered and might be wary of the Wen family noticing anything amiss, so Feng Jinyao said evasively.
"Thank you, Aunt. Mother just sent someone to tell me she wants to discuss the rules for my coming-of-age ceremony, so I must hurry back. I will trouble you again another day."
"Is that so? Then hurry along, don't keep your in-laws waiting."
"Yes. Then Ayyao will take her leave."
"Alright."
After watching Feng Jinyao depart, Feng Jinxu's gaze remained fixed on Wen Shi, causing her to blush deeply.
Seeing this, Madam Wen did not wish to be an "eyesore" and found an excuse to leave the main house, giving the couple some space.
He stepped forward to support Wen Shi's waist. She had gained a bit more weight in recent days compared to before.
Her spirits and complexion had also improved considerably.
"It's all my fault, I almost overdid the tonics sent by the Sixth Prince for you."
He reached out to touch her swollen belly, his gaze and the corners of his mouth softening.
Wen Shi knew he felt some guilt, but it was she herself who couldn't tolerate the rich nourishment. How could he blame anyone else?
"Master, please don't blame yourself. This is my issue. The Sixth Prince meant well."
"Yes. I know."
"However, Physician Zhang is truly remarkable. If he hadn't reminded us in time, my belly might have grown even larger."
She looked down at her stomach, her eyes filled with a deep, inexpressible maternal love and tenderness.
"Yes, the wet nurse and midwife have been found. Mother personally oversaw it. Their entire family's indentures are in Mother's hands. You just focus on your pregnancy and delivery with peace of mind."
"Mother-in-law just sent someone to tell me that."
"That's good. Your health is the most important thing. If anything feels amiss, you must tell me."
"Master, don't worry, I understand."
The couple savored this moment of peace and warmth, unaware of the recent storm that had occurred in the household.
After receiving the antidote, Feng Yunhe regained his ability to move soon after.
He looked at Hehuan with a hint of apology.
"I thought you had betrayed us."
Hehuan smiled and said to him, "The Master, the Eldest Young Master, and the Third Young Lady have all been so good to me. Why would I betray them?"
Fu Yi, standing beside her, scratched his head and smiled.
Initially, he had disagreed with his sister putting herself in danger. But seeing her firm resolve and the Third Young Lady's trust in her, he had reluctantly allowed her to go, his heart filled with worry.
He hadn't expected her to handle the task so competently.
Looking at her now, radiant and graceful, Fu Yi felt that his decision to keep her in the mansion and to help her regain her martial arts skills had been the right one.
Feng Yunhe had been frightened, so Han Jiang specially brought him a calming soup. He fell asleep shortly after drinking it.
They tiptoed out of the inner room and stood on the corridor, where the siblings began to talk.
"Since the Third Young Lady trusts you so much, you must not let her down. However, there's one thing: don't always put yourself in danger. You still need to practice your martial arts more. Otherwise, if a truly critical situation arises in the future, you won't be enough."
"Brother, rest assured. I don't need to serve the Third Young Lady personally. She gives me enough time to practice martial arts every day, which is why my progress has been so rapid. Being able to participate in bringing down Aunt Linlang this time truly fulfills a wish of mine!"
Hehuan was not a benevolent soul; she believed in an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth!
The more miserable Linlang became, the more satisfied she felt!
"She got what she deserved. She will surely have a terrible end this time. Don't dwell on this matter. By the way, who has the Third Young Lady arranged to accompany her to Jiangnan this time?"
"Sister Yunxu and I. Sister Xiuqiu and Sister Lamei will stay at home to look after things."
Fu Yi nodded. It was more or less what he had expected.