Feng Jinlin returned from the academy and learned about the commotion at Fahua Temple.
He glanced at Chi Ling's injuries, and his anger flared up. With a cold expression, he remained silent. The person who was usually jovial suddenly turned icy, which was quite frightening.
Looking at the footprints on Chi Ling's body, it was clear that the young lady from the Liang family had been ruthless. If that kick had landed on his own sister, she might have been bedridden for days. The thought made him even more furious.
He turned and left Ning'an Courtyard without a word, his whereabouts unknown.
To his surprise, that very evening, he heard that when Lord Liang was returning home, his carriage had been startled, and after a wild run, he had been thrown out of the carriage, injuring his leg.
He then directly took leave to recuperate, and many said it was retribution for the Liang family's many misdeeds.
Only Feng Jinyao knew that her second brother must have had a hand in this.
Her heart grew more worried.
Chi Ling had been pampered recently, and its injuries had long since healed. Its body had also grown considerably, becoming so plump that it barely resembled a fox anymore.
It lay quietly in Feng Jinyao's arms, allowing Feng Jinlin to examine it.
"You've recovered well. Just a bit fat. A'yao, feed it less. Be careful it doesn't get so fat it can't walk once its injuries are healed."
Chi Ling snorted coldly and glanced at Feng Jinlin with a haughty look, as if to say, "Shut up!"
This made Feng Jinlin laugh heartily.
Entering the room, the charcoal fire dispelled the chill from their bodies. Holding the hand warmer passed by Lamei, Feng Jinyao felt much warmer.
"How has your second brother's close friend been these past few days?"
"He's doing well, just locks himself in his room to study every day. I've tried to persuade him to go out, but he refuses. If I say a few more words, he uses the excuse of not wanting to offend the ladies of the household and insists on not leaving his courtyard."
Feng Jinyao nodded upon hearing this.
Knowing etiquette and not seeking to climb higher – these two points alone were enough to earn him respect.
Feng Jinlin didn't know why she brought this up and asked curiously, "A'yao, you seem to care about him quite a bit. What is it? Do you have other thoughts?"
His sly look made Feng Jinyao unable to resist giving him a light tap on the head.
"What nonsense are you spouting? I see that Young Master Yin is no ordinary person. Last time, my fourth uncle also said he had a good chance of placing in the top three. He's also a student from your year. If you can help each other in the future, it would be a great thing."
Feng Jinlin wore an expression of understanding, but disbelief, which angered Feng Jinyao so much that she didn't want to talk to him anymore.
"With your personality, I'll have to tell Mother to find you a formidable wife to teach you some manners."
Feng Jinlin burst into laughter upon hearing this, "You can search the entire capital city, and you won't find anyone who can subdue this young master! If you're not afraid of becoming an aunt late, I don't mind waiting a few more years."
"You're so glib! I'll definitely complain to my sister-in-law in the future!"
As the siblings were joking, they heard someone crying and running in from outside.
Xiùqiú blocked the person at the door. Upon seeing that it was Yuegui, the maidservant of the First Madam, with red eyes from crying.
"What's wrong?"
"Sister Xiùqiú, please quickly ask Third Miss to come and see. Second Young Master fell into the pond in the backyard. He was just fished out and is crying incessantly. Concubine Linlang insists that Eldest Young Master harmed him, and now it's causing unrest in the First Madam's courtyard."
Concubine Linlang again?
"Didn't the Master confine her to the small courtyard last time and forbid her from coming out? Why is she causing trouble again?"
"Alas, it's hard to explain in a moment. Sister, please let me in to speak with Third Miss."
Yuegui was so anxious that she was stamping her feet in the corridor. Just then, Yunxù lifted the curtain, and the siblings Feng Jinlin and Feng Jinyao walked out.
"Causing trouble again?"
"Yes, the concubine is holding Second Young Master tightly and refusing to let the household physician examine him. The First Madam fears injuring the child and dares not use force. Moreover, the Master has been busy and has been staying at the Dali Temple these past few days, so we have no choice but to ask Third Miss for help."
Feng Jinlin's star-like eyes were filled with coldness. "She's just a concubine. Knock her out and pull her aside. Are we going to let her delay Yunli's treatment? The water in winter is the most choking. If he catches a cold and it worsens, can she bear the responsibility?"
His tone was stern, and his gaze was chilling as he looked at Yuegui, scaring the girl so much that she couldn't speak clearly.
Feng Jinyao tugged at his sleeve. "Let's go and see. It's almost New Year's. I hope nothing bad happens."
Feng Jinlin nodded. This concubine in his elder brother's chambers was truly a troublesome one. He wondered what his elder brother saw in her to allow her to be so presumptuous!
The group arrived at the courtyard of the eldest branch. They saw the Eldest Madam Wen standing in the corridor, with the maidservant Zhujin to her left and Feng Yunhe to her right. Beside them stood an anxious household physician, who had been looking at Yunli in Concubine Linlang's arms.
"First Madam, if you don't let me examine him soon, I fear Second Young Master's body won't be able to hold on."
Yunli was soaking wet. In this weather, instead of changing his clothes first, he was being exposed in the heavy snow. Was Concubine Linlang crazy? Was she using her own son as a stepping stone?
"Why are you all standing there foolishly? Hurry and snatch Second Young Master over!"
Wen Shi gave the order, and several maids and servants stepped forward. However, Concubine Linlang actually pulled out a dagger and waved it wildly, preventing anyone from getting close!
Her eyes were fierce as she glared at Wen Shi and spat, "Hmph, a weasel wishing the chicken a happy new year, with no good intentions. If your son hadn't tricked my son to the pond, how would he have fallen in! And now you want this household physician to examine him? Last time, my son's leg wasn't treated properly, and who knows how you'll harm my son this time. You think by killing my son, you mother and son will succeed! I want to see the Master, I want to see the Master!"
Concubine Linlang's hatred for Wen Shi and Feng Yunhe was deeply rooted in her heart. No matter how much she said, it was useless. She refused to let the household physician treat him, even if it meant death.
If this continued, it was likely that a simple cold would turn into pneumonia. How could a child withstand it?
Seeing this, Feng Jinlin's eyes grew cold, with a hint of anger as he looked at Concubine Linlang.
He whispered to Feng Jinyao, "A'yao, distract her. I'll snatch the child."
"Okay."
Thus, Feng Jinlin circled around to the back of the courtyard, hiding in an inconspicuous spot, waiting for an opportunity.
Feng Jinyao took a deep breath, walked to Wen Shi's side, and turned to look at Concubine Linlang with eyes burning with anger.
"You're here? Disturbing your peace again, aren't I."
"Eldest Sister-in-law, you're being too formal. We're family, so there's no need for such words." She then turned to Concubine Linlang and said calmly, "I am Yunli's aunt. I wouldn't harm him, would I? Hurry and give me the child. If we delay any longer, it will be truly troublesome. Don't you see he's already starting to twitch?"
Linlang was startled by her words and quickly lowered her head to check. In this moment of distraction, Feng Er snatched the dagger from her hand and used the momentum to take the child from her arms.