"My second brother saw the scholarly gift Father gave me and insisted on having one too. Auntie saw this and cried, forcing Mother to let second brother study as well. Her words were all accusations that Mother was blocking second brother's future. Mother was so angry that her headache flared up, so she invited Aunt to help resolve the situation."
Everything he said was so sincere that Feng Jinlin frowned.
Their father had no concubines, so the three siblings had no half-brothers or sisters. Over the years, the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children had blurred within the household.
But upon hearing his eldest nephew's words, it made him feel that the elder brother's concubine and illegitimate son had rather ambitious intentions.
Feng Jinxu's face remained calm, his eyes showing no trace of anger. After a moment, he spoke.
"It's a good thing Yunli wants to study. Let's wait a few years, then register him under your mother's name, and he'll naturally be able to enter the academy."
Hearing his words, Feng Yunhe's heart felt as if it had been struck, shattering once more.
When he looked up again, the light in his eyes was gone.
The brother and sister saw it clearly. Just as Feng Jinlin was about to speak up for the child and his sister-in-law, Feng Jinyao pulled him aside and shook her head at him, her eyes showing a rare seriousness.
Forget it. It was ultimately the elder brother's family affair, and they couldn't interfere too much.
When Xiuqiu brought the morning meal, it broke the silence in the room.
However, with Feng Jinxu present, the three of them did not eat happily.
"After you finish eating, go back and practice your calligraphy. I heard from Master that your 'Liting Tie' is not written well. Put more effort into it, and don't just stay by your mother's side all day. A man's ambition lies in the wider world, do you understand?"
"Yes, I will strictly obey Father's teachings."
At this moment, Feng Yunhe had long lost any expectation of his nominal father. Whatever he said was meaningless.
Feng Jinxu heard the perfunctory tone in his voice and was about to reprimand him when he saw Feng Jinlin cleverly step in front of him.
With a smiling face, he said to him, "Brother, aren't you supposed to escort me back to the academy? Let's set off quickly. Be careful that the heavy snow blocks the mountain road, and you won't be able to return then, which would be troublesome."
"Hmph, you still have the nerve to say that! Go back and apologize to the academician properly this time! If I find out you skipped school again, I'll skin you alive!"
"I know, I know, let's go."
"Brother, wait a moment."
Feng Jinyao called out to the two who were about to leave, saying with a shallow smile.
"The New Year is approaching, and Brother is so busy he can barely stand. Sister-in-law is also unwell and needs to recuperate. Why don't Yunhe come to my courtyard during the day? I have a few new books that are perfect for his early education. Let Brother have a look, and when he enters the academy, he'll understand more."
Feng Jinlin looked as if he finally understood. This was her true purpose for inviting them to breakfast.
Feng Jinxu frowned. The refusal was on the tip of his tongue, but after a moment's thought, he swallowed it back, only saying indifferently, "Alright."
He then took Feng Jinlin away from Ning'an Courtyard, leaving behind a crestfallen Feng Yunhe.
"My dear nephew, I know what you're thinking in your heart, but do you know why your father is so strict with you alone, yet so lenient and even doting towards your illegitimate brother?"
His heart's secret was suddenly exposed, and Feng Yunhe's large tears began to fall like a breaking dam. However, his stubbornness made him bite his lip tightly, refusing to make a sound.
Sighing, Feng Jinyao walked to his side and bent down to wipe the tears from his face.
"We don't have half-siblings, so Father has always doted on us. It's just that the way he doted on us was different. He was much stricter with Elder Brother and Second Brother, and more indulgent towards me."
As she spoke, thinking of her father's loving demeanor, Feng Jinyao felt an immense warmth in her heart.
"I believe my elder brother's intentions are the same. You are his legitimate son, intelligent from a young age, and cherished by everyone. If he were to treat you the same way, you would likely become an arrogant child spoiled by this so-called talent before you even reach twenty."
Feng Yunhe listened, his little face scrunched up. These words sounded good, but was the reality truly like this?
Despite his doubts, the sorrow in his heart lessened.
"Discipline children strictly, especially those to whom great expectations are placed. Your future prospects and conduct will be of great importance to the Feng family, so your father must let you grow up in a rigorous environment from a young age. This way, you will not be a pampered child raised on sweets, but a pillar of strength who can shield the Feng family from storms, correct?"
Feng Yunhe wiped the tears from his eyes. This was the first time he had heard such words.
In the past, when his father was strict with him, his mother would only sigh, and the servants and maids around him would incessantly curse the concubine and illegitimate son, making him feel that their appearance had stolen his father's affection.
But why did the father in his aunt's words seem different?
"As for your illegitimate brother, he does not need to bear the responsibility of the entire Feng family, so there is no need to treat him so rigorously. Even five fingers have different lengths. You were born to be the head of the Feng family, so is it not a necessary path before great responsibility to 'suffer their minds, exhaust their bones, and starve their bodies'?"
Feng Yunhe's eyes lit up. The grief of moments ago vanished completely, replaced by gratitude.
So, his father had such high hopes for him that he treated him this way. He had been narrow-minded, not only failing to understand his father's painstaking efforts but also blaming the innocent illegitimate brother.
Thinking this, he bowed respectfully to Feng Jinyao.
"Nephew was wrong in the past. I thought Father didn't like me. If not for Aunt's guidance today, my thoughts might have been misguided. Thank you, Aunt. Nephew understands and will certainly study and train harder in the future, so as not to disappoint Father and the family's expectations."
Feng Jinyao nodded happily. This child was indeed quick to understand.
In fact, these were words that Feng Jinxu had told her in their previous life after Yunhe passed away from illness.
At that time, she couldn't understand why her elder brother, who didn't seem to favor his legitimate son, shut himself in his study for half a month after the legitimate son's death.
When he emerged, he had become gaunt.
One day, while drunk, he tearfully explained why he had treated Yunhe so harshly, which also caused Feng Jinyao's heart to ache.
Approaching thirty, he not only lost his legitimate son but also his wife, who died of depression not long after. The successive blows tormented his mind, leading to a mistake in his official duties and his own death.
Even until death, he had not resolved this misunderstanding with his legitimate son, leaving him with lifelong regret.
Since she had been reborn, Feng Jinyao was determined not to let these things happen again. She would protect her grand-nephew's life.
After the aunt and nephew resolved their misunderstandings, they chatted for a while.
Then, Xiuqiu, who was outside the door, reported that Mama Bai had brought something and had something important to convey.
"Quickly, let Mama Bai in."
"Yes."