"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. My journey was uneventful. I am, however, somewhat shocked to see you today."
Xiao Tingyi smiled, "Did you not already suspect that I was the one behind Xu Lin?"
Feng Jinxu was astonished, "How did Your Highness know my thoughts?"
"Did you not have him investigate the Min family?"
Feng Jinxu was rendered speechless. For someone like him, who possessed a degree of arrogance, absolute dominance commanded absolute respect, as was the case now.
He felt that Prince Ding was indeed worthy of being the man who had fought and triumphed against Southern Yue. His meticulous mind, sharp methods, swift intelligence, and accurate deductions were all beyond his reach.
With this thought, he no longer demurred. He directly knelt before Prince Ding, Xiao Tingyi, and said respectfully, "Three times around the tree, which branch can I cling to? I am willing to die for Your Highness!"
Xiao Tingyi was very pleased with Feng Jinxu. With his assistance, many matters could be set back on the right track.
He then lightly raised his hand and refilled the nearby teacup with a type of Longjing tea picked before the rain. He said to Feng Jinxu, "This is my good fortune."
After being admitted into Prince Ding's manor, Feng Jinxu reiterated the words he had spoken earlier at the Prime Minister's residence. This time, however, it was Xiao Tingyi who fell silent after he finished.
At times, he wondered if His Majesty could also uncover these matters, given that he could.
Yet, why had His Majesty taken no action?
Was it intentional, or was he simply letting it be?
As long as it did not disrupt his court's stability, he could turn a deaf ear even to corrupt officials preying on the common people.
Thinking of this, a chill ran down his spine. His father had reigned for decades, yet the corrupt officials in the court were likely fewer than those in Liangzhe. The former Inspector Yin had died in office and was bid farewell by the populace.
And now, the successor, Inspector Cao, had engaged in wrongdoing for over a decade. Did anyone in power truly know nothing about it?
Or did he know and indulge the Wei family's recklessness, merely to balance the court's dynamics?
His gaze was clear and chilling, fixed on the distance without a word.
After a long while, he said to Feng Jinxu, "Lord Feng has not returned home for a long time. You should return to your family soon. Your sister misses you dearly."
Frowning, Feng Jinxu was unsure how to proceed without a reply from Prince Ding.
Moreover, why was Ah Yao being mentioned at this moment?
But Prince Ding's aura did not allow for questioning. When he asked you to leave, you were expected to obey.
As he rose to leave, Xiao Tingyi leisurely added,
"It has been several months since the two Lords Feng were injured. If the timing is right, it would be best to return to court. I believe April would be a good time. Many matters should be resolved when the flowers are in bloom."
"Yes. I shall obey Your Highness's command."
As he strode away from Prince Ding's manor, Feng Jinxu glanced back at the solemn and majestic main courtyard. After a brief pause, his resolve hardened, and he hurried away.
Since entering officialdom, his sole belief had been to plead for the people and seek their welfare.
Alas, after witnessing the mess in Liangzhe, he understood that His Majesty's grand ambitions were but a fleeting bloom in the Eastern Capital. If Prince Ding had the heart to truly work for the people, he would not mind serving a new master.
His face, as stern and righteous as ever, made those who had been waiting in the shadows, like Xu Lin, feel an insurmountable reverence.
The Feng family, having received an early report from Fu Yi, awaited Feng Jinxu's return in the main courtyard of the eldest branch.
It was only when someone led the firewood delivery man through a secluded path into the eldest branch's courtyard that those who had been worried finally relaxed.
Having been away from the capital for nearly two months, he had grown thinner. Coupled with his travel-worn appearance and coarse linen clothing, he looked a decade older.
Madam Wen waited on the veranda. Upon seeing him, her heart ached for her husband, but she knew he had been working for the people, so she dared not complain.
She walked forward silently and said softly, "My husband, you have traveled hard. Your concubine and the family have missed you dearly."
Feng Jinxu smiled faintly. Looking at Madam Wen's visibly larger belly, he also asked softly, "How have you been feeling, my dear?"
Her eyes welled up with tears as she looked at Feng Jinxu. If not for the rest of the family waiting, she would have rushed into his arms to relieve her longing.
Sensing his wife's restraint, Feng Jinxu took her into his embrace and whispered, "I am back now and will not leave. We will discuss matters after you give birth."
"Mm." Madam Wen was overjoyed, like a child who had received candy. Feng Jinxu was several years her senior, and after all that had happened, he now doted on her like a child.
After a brief moment of tenderness between the couple on the veranda, they entered the main hall.
Inside, Madam Feng and Feng Jinyao sat, secretly smiling. Their expressions made Madam Wen blush, and she hid behind Feng Jinxu with her head bowed.
Feng Jinxu glanced at Ah Yao and said in a soft, threatening tone, "Ah Yao..." He was interrupted by Madam Feng, who was equally protective of her daughter.
"Why are you scolding your sister? You've been away for so long, and I don't know what you've been up to. You've returned but haven't seen your parents first, and instead, you're talking with your wife on the veranda. If Ah Yao hadn't pulled me, I would have gone out to see this ungrateful boy who forgets his mother for his wife."
When Madam Feng said "ungrateful boy," it clearly surprised everyone present.
Using such an adjective for Feng Jinxu was as inappropriate as praising Feng Er for being steady and dignified.
Feng Jinxu knew Madam Feng was joking. He did not maintain his usual stern expression but instead stepped forward with a faint smile, knelt before Madam Feng, and bowed in greeting.
"Your son has been away for a long time and has caused Mother worry. Now that I have returned, I will certainly attend to you morning and evening in Yunhai Courtyard."
Morning and evening attendance. Had he learned to joke during his trip?
Feng Jinyao, however, could not help but chuckle and say to Feng Jinxu, "Elder Brother, it's truly difficult to be you. If you dote on your wife, Mother gets jealous. If you dote on Mother, Sister-in-law is neglected. As a younger sister, I truly..."
She had thought she would say something sympathetic, but instead, she said, "It's always fun to watch a spectacle."
As soon as she finished speaking, everyone present burst into laughter.
Madam Wen knew they were teasing intentionally, so she didn't mind. She said to Madam Feng, "Mother-in-law, my husband has just returned from outside. Why don't we let him wash up first? I'll accompany him to pay respects to Father-in-law afterward."
"Mm, I understand."
People say that absence makes the heart grow fonder. The couple had not been separated since their reconciliation, and Madam Wen was pregnant, making her emotions even more volatile. Giving them some time to talk was only natural.
So, Madam Feng stood up and said to Madam Wen, "Let him eat something first and then have a good wash. If he meets his father looking like this, the people in the courtyard might mistake him for a brother rather than a son."