C81 Fighting You

Feng Tiange thought about turning away; pretending not to see someone you don't want to talk to is usually the wisest choice. But she suddenly stopped, perhaps...

"Eldest Miss Feng? What a coincidence!"

A coincidence indeed, what else could it be? Feng Tiange mocked herself for thinking Rong Qi would be like Bai Yushuang. In their past life, she and Rong Qi were merely acquaintances, barely even that. So there was no way Rong Qi was here to pay respects to her.

"What are you doing here?" Since ignoring him wasn't an option, Feng Tiange walked over and asked suspiciously.

"Grilling meat and enjoying the scenery," Rong Qi replied, handing her a skewer of snake meat from the campfire. "Life's tough sometimes; you really need to relax."

Tough? Did she hear that right?

"Someone like you, living off others, has the nerve to say life is tough?" Feng Tiange blurted out, unable to hold back.

Rong Qi looked at her calmly, though his heart felt like it hit a wall. "Eldest Miss Feng, don't you think you're a bit harsh on me sometimes?"

"Not at all." Having said it, Feng Tiange had no intention of taking it back.

Seeing the wine next to Rong Qi, Feng Tiange sat down and picked up the jug. "A hypocrite is worse than an honest villain."

This unexpected comment didn't surprise Rong Qi, as he understood the significance of this place to Silver Mask.

Back when Dugu Yan met Silver Mask here, he was present too. At that moment, hearing Dugu Yan say she was pregnant, his world fell apart, losing all color and turning to black and white.

"I'm not a hypocrite, nor am I a true villain," Rong Qi declared with utmost seriousness.

"I believe you," Tiange replied.

Just as Rong Qi felt relieved, Tiange added a comment that made him nearly choke, "But you're not exactly gifted."

Tiange, I'm going to—

Rong Qi was just about to roll up his sleeves and confront Tiange when Bai Yushuang arrived.

"What are you doing here?" Bai Yushuang's emphasis was clearly on "you," unlike Tiange, who focused on the "here."

Compared to Bai Yushuang's fierce expression, Rong Qi suddenly thought Tiange seemed like a decent person.

"Grilling some meat and enjoying the view... life can be tough, and sometimes you just need to relax," Rong Qi said without a pause, knowing Bai Yushuang wouldn't believe a word.

He could swear he was a man, and Bai Yushuang still wouldn't buy it!

In Bai Yushuang's eyes, he was nothing but a shameless scoundrel, living a life woven with lies.

Bai Yushuang didn't say a word, just rushed forward to snatch the skewer from his hand, kicked out the campfire in front of him, and left a perfectly executed punch on his face, making him see stars.

On one side, Tiange hesitated to intervene after hearing Yushuang's outburst.

"Even if your sister comes, I'll still take you down!"

Tiange thought it over and decided it was best not to get involved since even her sister wouldn't step in.

On the way back to the capital from Puning Temple, Tiange kindly invited Rong Qi to ride in her carriage. Rong Qi declined, but Yushuang pulled him into the carriage anyway.

Throughout the journey, Yushuang talked non-stop, as if her tongue had grown moss. If Tiange hadn't heard it herself, she wouldn't have known Yushuang had such a talent for insults, capable of routing an army with her words. Meanwhile, Rong Qi kept glancing at Tiange, his eyes nearly stuck in that direction, conveying a clear message: betrayal of one's mentor and ancestors.

The next morning, Yushuang left for Zhao Country. As Rong Qi put it, "She better leave soon, or I won't be far from death."

Just a couple of days after Yushuang's departure, a modest yet joyful event occurred in the capital. The granddaughter of the Martial Peace Marquis, Qin Luoyi, married the newly appointed Minister of War, Soong Yu. The wedding was hastily arranged yet lavish, with nearly half the city's officials in attendance, including Tiange. The rush was mainly because Qin Luoyi's house had burned down, leaving her temporarily homeless.

At dinner time, Crescent handed the confidential document she received from Ruyi to Tiange. Someone remarked on how Qin Luoyi truly valued loyalty, delivering news even on his wedding night.

The secret message revealed that Feng Yan had approached Soong Yu, hoping the Ministry of War would issue orders to transfer Feng Ranxiu to the Tiger Cavalry Battalion. However, Soong Yu firmly refused. If he didn’t agree now, he certainly wouldn’t agree later.

"Miss, I just saw the Marquis return from outside and head straight to the Zhongqi Courtyard," Crescent said respectfully as she set the meal on the table.

Tiange held the document to the candle flame, watching it turn to ash. "How could the family banquet at the South Suppressing Marquis Mansion not include me, the eldest daughter?"

Some things are easy to guess without much thought. Since the route through Soong Yu was blocked, the second branch of the family would surely pressure the old lady, who would, in turn, exert pressure on her eldest son.

Moreover, with Feng Qing being such a filial son, any touching words might undo all her efforts.

As expected, a heartwarming scene was unfolding in the Zhongqi Courtyard. The old lady had the kitchen prepare several dishes that Feng Qing liked and invited the entire second branch to join them.

"When you think about it, it's been a while since our whole family gathered for a meal. I'm getting old, and I fear these days will become fewer..." The old lady hadn't even finished her opening remarks before tears began to fall, adding to the drama.

Feng Qing sat beside the matriarch, trying to comfort her, "I promise it won't be less and less. I'll make sure to find time to come back and spend more time with you."

Just then, a maid's voice came from outside the courtyard, and as everyone looked up, Feng Tiange walked into the main hall. "What a lively gathering!"

"Tiange, come over here. I was just about to send someone to call you," Feng Qing said, his stern and resolute face softening into a rare smile at the sight of his daughter.

At that moment, everyone in the room seemed to understand something unspoken.

Once Feng Tiange took her seat, the matriarch didn't even glance at her and continued, "You're close by, so you can come back whenever you say you will. But it's different for Xiu. He just got back, and who knows when he'll be called away again..."

Before she could finish, Feng Tiange picked up the silver chopsticks and took a piece of colorful beef stir-fry, popping it into her mouth.

"Ahem!" The matriarch was secretly annoyed. In this house, no one dared to touch their chopsticks before she gave the word.

Feng Qing understood the matriarch's meaning but didn't intend to scold his daughter. "Mother, the food's getting cold."

Normally, the matriarch would have reprimanded Feng Qing, but she held back this time because she had a favor to ask. "Alright, everyone, eat."

Across the table, Feng Yan and Sunn Hexiang exchanged a glance. Feng Xueyao remained silent, but Feng Ranxiu, who greatly admired his eldest sister's boldness, remarked, "Big Sis, you're lucky. You arrived last but got to eat first."

When someone else from the second branch says something, it usually carries a deeper meaning. But when Ranxiu says it, it's just a joke. Tiange doesn't mind.

"Big brother, besides inviting you back for a family dinner, I have something else to discuss with you..." The old lady glanced at her grandson. "Now that Ranxiu is back, I think we should keep him here. See if you can transfer him to the Tiger Cavalry Battalion to be by your side. You're his uncle, and it's better than him being with someone else."