Chapter 34: Return and Windstorm

sed her intentions. After Feng Ling Xi paid her respects and took her seat."Mother Consort, the Empress...""Your mother already knows, but you... Your mother heard that Prince Yu came to look for you..."Mother, don't worry, Xi'er is doing very well in the Four Kings' Mansion. The Empress Dowager treats Xi'er extremely well. Look at these, they are all brought back by the housekeeper at the behest of the Empress Dowager."

Feng Lingxi held her mother's hand, watching even the rouge couldn't hide the paleness of her face. She felt heartache for her. It seemed that her mother hadn't had an easy life since she got married.

Zhang quickly said, "Don't stand at the door, let's go inside and talk."

Wind Ling turned around and instructed the steward, "Please trouble yourself to send these return gifts to my mother's courtyard."

The steward responded, instructing the servants from the Fourth Prince's Manor to deliver all the gifts safely to Zhang's courtyard. Xiao Li immediately led the way and arranged everything.

"Your Highness, this old servant will go back and report to the old Empress first. I'll come back to pick you up after dinner."

Wind Ling followed sound, saw off the steward, and then returned to her courtyard with her mother.

"Xier, please move everything to the front hall. When your father comes back, he'll be delighted to see it."

“Mother, he doesn’t care about me, his daughter. Why should I care about him, my father Besides, you are the one who gave birth to and raised me. The steward didn't even say to put the dowry in the front hall. Just accept it. After this, when Xi’er is no longer by your side, please take good care of yourself.”

Feng Lingxi looked at her like this, truly worried for her. This Liu Shi was not someone to be trifled with, these gifts given to her mother, she might not even be able to keep them safe.

Zhang held her down, “Xi’er, after all, he is your father.”

"Mother, after Father returned, did he ever stay in your garden"

Feng Lingxi's question made Zhang's face stiffen, her expression awkward as she said, "Why are you asking these things, Xi'er"

"Mother hasn't said anything, so I don't even know if you have ever come here, or even sent a greeting"

Feng Ling Xi's words made Zhang Shi's face turn quite ugly. She grabbed her hand and said softly, "Xi'er, mother is in such a state, how could your father bear to see me There are so many concubines in the house, I can't even compete with them."

Feng Lingxi took out the prepared pills and gave them to her, "These are the pills Ai'er made for you. Take three pills three times a day. This is enough for ten days. When you finish them, I will prepare another batch for you."

Zhang watched as she brought over the box. The pills inside were all made by her own hand.

"Xi'er, tell your mother the truth. When did you learn medicine Since you had a fever when you were four, I haven't seen you read a book. You can't even read, how did you learn medicine"

Wind Lingxi, upon being questioned like this, thought to herself: Wind Lingxi used to be a fool who burned his brains out. Now that the pills she had personally made were exposed, wouldn't she suspect her medical skills

"Mother, do you still remember how Xi'er used to sneak out to play at night"

Zhang nodded, "Remember, your mother asked Xiaoli, she said you would go out every three days or so, and wouldn't let her follow you because you are foolish and naive. Everyone in this Kyoto knows it, your mother stopped you several times but you didn't listen, so she just let you play."

Because she wasn't allowed out during the day before, Xi'er went out at night and met a very skilled doctor. In fact, Xi'er was cured by him, and her medical skills were learned from him.

Feng Lingxi casually made up such a reason. Looking at Zhang's surprised eyes, it seemed that she really didn't know about her past.

Maybe she truly didn't know why she went out, or perhaps Feng Lingxi was really a fool in the past. As for how she developed feelings with the Crown Prince, that would have to be investigated slowly later on.

Zhang suddenly realized, "So that's it, no wonder Xi'er's medical skills are so good now."

"Mother, what worries me most now is you. Your life in the manor isn't even as good as that of a concubine. If this continues, your position as mistress will be in jeopardy. While you're still young, why don't you bear a child for father"

When Zhang heard this, her face flushed.

"How can I still have a child with this body Your father doesn't even want to come and see me, how could he possibly have a child with me."

Since ancient times, a mother's glory has been derived from her sons. It was always a regret that she had not given birth to a legitimate son for the Feng family.

Feng Lingxi smiled and said, “If Mother wishes, Xi'er can naturally help Mother.”

To get Mother back to her position as the head wife of the Feng family, I must give birth to a legitimate son. Though Father currently has three sons, none of them are legitimate.

Zhang looked at her, her eyes conflicted.

“The pills your mother's poison had concocted for you have almost worked their magic. These pills were meant to help your mother regain her health, and after taking them, her complexion will be restored to its former glory. She'll be as beautiful as those other concubines, not to mention she was your father's original wife! Once she's healthy, he will naturally want to spend the night with her. While he's still here before his expedition, why don't you try taking advantage of this opportunity"

Zhang Shi heard her say this, and her heart moved.

"Xier, can Mama really do this"

Wind Ling Xi responded, "How dare I deceive mother"

Zhang looked at the pills in the box, "Xi'er, mother will try it."

For Xier, for her position as the mistress of a general's household, she was willing to give it a try.

As the mother and daughter were chatting merrily, they heard Xiao Li's voice coming from outside.

"Your Highness, the General is back."

Feng Aotien and Liu Shi received the news that Feng Lingxi was returning home, so they hurriedly returned to the General's Mansion. Although they didn't have high expectations for this daughter, since she had returned, her father still wanted to come back and see her. What's more, this time when she returned, she brought a lot of gifts, which proved her status in the Fourth Prince's Mansion.

Zhang hurriedly placed the box away, and as she stood up, she saw Feng Aotien walking in with Liu Shi. Both of them had smiles on their faces.

"Xi'er is back."

Feng Aotian laughed and stepped forward, "Dad still thought you wouldn't come back today."

Liu smiled broadly and said, "Xi'er is now the Fourth Princess Consort. My lord, we'll have to change our address to call her Fourth Princess Consort from now on."

Feng Lingxi looked at Liu's heavily made-up face with a cold gaze and said in a nonchalant tone, "Father, today I am returning to my maiden home. Although this is the first time Father is giving away his daughter, he should know the proper etiquette. Why didn't you wait for me at home Could it be that in Father's eyes, I, his daughter, am not worthy of returning home"

Feng Aotian's face changed drastically, and he hurriedly explained, "Xi'er, Father didn't mean that. Father thought that with your current status, you wouldn't come back to visit... "

"The reason why I don't go back home now is because the Fourth Master's life and death are unknown. Father thinks that if I go back, wouldn't it make Father lose face"

Feng Lingxi coldly questioned, her eyes sweeping past Liu shi who was standing beside her. Liu shi hurriedly explained, "Xier, I wasn't feeling well today, so your father wanted to accompany me to the temple to offer incense. When we heard you were back, we immediately returned."

"My second aunt's illness sure picks its days. I return to my family home today, and she happens to be unwell. Perhaps she's just uncomfortable seeing me"

Feng Lingxi's words caused Liu Shi's face to change drastically. She looked at Feng Lingxi with grievance, "Xi'er, the second aunt-in-law really didn't mean to target you, I…"

Enough!

Feng Aotian coldly shouted, "Isn't it just returning home Isn't this me coming back Xi'er, what exactly do you want Do you think because you became the Fourth Princess, you can give me face"g Xi remembered what Lan Fei had told her before, thinking that they must know each other.Suddenly, Feng Lingxi felt a tinge of envy towards them. Having known Duguxing since childhood, their relation...