C71

Feng Tiange acknowledged that Bai Yushuang had a knack for the battlefield, which had fostered her overbearing personality, making her unaware of when to hold back.

"That's me," Feng Tiange replied, following along.

"What's your name?" Bai Yushuang, intrigued by someone for once, clapped Feng Tiange on the shoulder. "Want to come with me to Zhao Country? I'll personally train you."

"My last name is Feng, first name Tiange. You can just call me Tiange," Feng Tiange said with a slight smile.

As Bai Yushuang nodded, something seemed to occur to her. "You're called Feng Tiange? The same Feng Tiange who topped both the Imperial Academy and the Martial Academy entrance exams? If I remember correctly, you're the eldest daughter of South Suppressing Marquis Feng Qing, or..."

"Or the granddaughter of Empress Dowager Chu," Feng Tiange added, not intending to provoke, but simply to let Bai Yushuang know that if she wanted to learn, she didn't necessarily need to learn from her.

Still, Bai Yushuang felt a bit provoked.

Luckily, she managed to keep her cool in front of a junior. "I used to think Dugu Yan was a bit much, but Empress Dowager Chu is on another level..."

Feng Tiange couldn't help but think, is it really okay for you to call my royal grandma over-the-top right in front of me?

After a moment of silence, Feng Tiange heard Bai Yushuang's sigh.

"It's a pity Dugu Yan was taken by the heavens so soon. With Empress Dowager Chu's age, she's got a good ten years left. In the end, this general will still be unmatched. So lonely..."

Feng Tiange finally understood that Bai Yushuang's unbeatable strategy was simply to outlast her opponents.

After escorting Bai Yushuang back to the Happiness Prolonging Hall, Feng Tiange barely exchanged a few words with her before she fell asleep at the table.

Meanwhile, Feng Ranxiu, the eldest son of the second house of the South Suppressing Marquis Mansion, finally returned home.

In the Zhongqi Courtyard, the old lady held Feng Ranxiu's hand, tears of joy brimming in her eyes. Among her three sons, the eldest had no children, and the youngest was yet to marry. Her fondness for the second son made Feng Ranxiu, as Feng Yan's eldest son and her eldest grandson, particularly dear to her heart.

"Ranxiu, why did it take you so long to come back? Your grandmother missed you so much, and you've lost weight!" The old lady held one of Feng Ranxiu's hands and gently touched his still-handsome face with the other. "You must have endured a lot in the southern region. Look at how your face isn't as fair as it used to be!"

"Grandmother, why would I need to be so fair?" Feng Ranxiu's features were sharp, with long, slender eyes and slightly upturned corners. His russet robe highlighted his tall, graceful figure, and the gold-threaded belt at his waist added to his refined appearance.

"Exactly, I think my brother looks better with a bit of a tan. It gives him more of a general's look," chimed in Feng Xueyao with a playful tone.

The elderly lady looked at her grandson and sighed, "If it weren't for your father's insistence, I truly wouldn't have let you join the army back then..."

"Mom, that's all in the past now." Feng Yan had taken a special leave from the Ministry of Rites when he heard his son had returned from the southern region.

Sunn Hexiang noticed Feng Yan signaling her and immediately went over to hold Feng Ranxiu's arm. "We don't even know how long you'll be home this time. If the Ministry of War sends you off to some godforsaken place again, how will my son endure it..."

"Look at you, my grandson's return is a happy occasion, why are you crying!" The elderly lady gently pulled Sunn Hexiang aside and held Feng Ranxiu tightly. "Don't worry, I've already spoken to your uncle. No matter what, he'll make sure you're transferred to the Tiger Cavalry Battalion. If he can't manage that, I'll have a word with him!"

As she spoke, the elderly lady removed the precious blue jade bracelet from her wrist. "Here, this family heirloom is yours today. Once you're settled in the Tiger Cavalry Battalion, hurry and find yourself a wife, and give me a great-grandchild!"

Watching the elderly lady hand the bracelet to Feng Ranxiu, Feng Xueyao's eyes briefly flickered with a hint of coolness before it vanished. "Exactly, you're the only one in our family who can give Grandma a great-grandchild!"

Feng Ranxiu obediently tucked the bracelet into his pocket. "Thank you, Grandma."

"What are you talking about! Everything Grandma has will be yours eventually!" The old lady held onto Feng Ranxiu, chatting for a while longer before reluctantly letting him go to rest. Feng Yan and the others also took their leave.

As they left the courtyard, Feng Ranxiu caught up with Feng Xueyao, who was walking ahead. "Are you upset?"

"How could I be upset when I'm so happy to have my brother back?" Feng Xueyao replied. She had been doted on since childhood, but it was this brother who spoiled her the most.

"I know you've had your eye on Grandma's blue jade bracelet for a while. Here, take it!" Feng Ranxiu pulled out the bracelet and offered it to Feng Xueyao.

Feng Xueyao admitted she did like the bracelet. She had almost had it on her wrist before, but because she only placed third in the academy, the old lady changed her mind and gave it to her brother instead.

She wasn't upset with Feng Ranxiu, but she was a bit annoyed with the old lady in the courtyard.

"You should keep it, brother. If Grandma finds out you gave it to me, she'll definitely nag," Feng Xueyao said, pushing the bracelet away. "We're almost at the pavilion. You must be tired from the journey, so get some rest."

"Are you sure you don't want it?" Feng Ranxiu tucked the bracelet back into his pocket. "Alright, I'll keep it then."

Feng Xueyao paused, noticing the sparkle in Feng Ranxiu's eyes. She couldn't help but ask, "Brother, have you met someone you like?"

Strictly speaking, Feng Ranxiu's personality doesn't resemble anyone else in the family. He's a bit of a rebel but has a good heart and is quite straightforward.

"Brother's silence means there's someone. Who is it?" Feng Xueyao asked seriously, raising an eyebrow.

Feng Ranxiu blushed slightly. "Stop guessing, there's no such thing!"

Watching Feng Ranxiu shyly head towards the study, Feng Xueyao narrowed her eyes. Any woman who marries her brother must come from a distinguished family...

In the west wing study, Feng Yan returned from visiting the matriarch, his expression dark and brooding.

Sunn Hexiang brought over a cup of tea. "What's on your mind?"

"Xie Jin, that incompetent fool, couldn't have chosen a worse time to mess up. Just as Ranxiu returns, he's demoted to Assistant Minister of War. Now, if I want to get Ranxiu into the Tiger Cavalry Battalion, I need not only my brother's approval but also the new Minister, Soong Yu's consent," Feng Yan said, frowning, ignoring the tea.

Sunn Hexiang had heard of Soong Yu. "He should know you're aligned with the Crown Prince. If he's smart, he won't disrespect you."

"You don't understand! If Soong Yu were truly astute, he wouldn't have just been promoted to Minister of War now. The problem is, he's not aligned with the Crown Prince!" Feng Yan leaned heavily against the chair. "And Ranxiu, if he'd returned just a day earlier, we wouldn't be dealing with this mess."

"What should we do?" Sunn Hexiang slowly sat down, her face clouded with worry.

Feng Yan's eyes darkened. "No matter what it takes, I'll get Ranxiu into the Tiger Cavalry Battalion. The title of South Suppressing Marquis will be mine..."

Ever since Xie Jin was demoted, Xie Ruxuan hadn't shown up for classes at the Martial Academy for two days.

Feng Xueyao wasn't concerned about it. Skills are personal; whether you learn or not is up to you. However, if you fail the academy's two assessments due to personal reasons, you'll be expelled. You can't blame anyone but yourself.

On the high platform of the Martial Academy's training ground, a cold wind swept across.

At this moment, Su Hu, who was sparring with Feng Tiange, leaned in. "Feng Tiange, have you noticed that Instructor Rong acts a bit strange? Why does he keep watching me?"

"Maybe he likes you," Feng Tiange replied. The sword techniques he practiced were unpredictable and ever-changing, barely matching the Grand Yin Scripture. However, the moves were too decisive, unsuitable for anything but life-and-death battles.