"Father speaks too harshly. It is I, your son, who is unworthy of the great task and requires more experience."
Though he said this, he did not hold back his hand, and immediately played a move in the game of Go.
A hint of inquiry finally appeared in Bai Xiang's shrewd eyes. He was increasingly unable to fathom his son's thoughts.
Seeing his son's calm demeanor, seemingly unfazed by wealth and status, was a good thing. But whether he was truly as he appeared on the surface, Bai Xiang was unsure.
The Bai family had no worthy successor, and his three sons were not men destined for great things.
The eldest, though mediocre in talent, was content with his lot. As an academician in the Hanlin Academy, he sought no contention and lived a stable life.
The fourth son had a natural inclination for a leisurely, carefree life. Having married a county princess, his path in officialdom was thoroughly severed. However, finding a place in an academy where he could apply his talents was also a fortunate turn of events.
Only the third son was deep in thought and had served as an official in the provinces for many years. The Ministry of Personnel had initially given him an "Excellent" rating, but he had insisted on changing it to "Good."
Barring unforeseen circumstances, he would retain his original post.
Outsiders believed this was due to his status as a concubine's son, making him disfavored and deliberately suppressed.
But Bai Xiang knew in his heart that a man with a crooked mind climbing to a high position would only bring disaster to the court and the people.
It might even ruin the position the Bai family had painstakingly achieved.
Therefore, he was uneasy.
In the battlefield of officialdom, only those who could see through the fog and discern right from wrong could carve out a path to survival.
Clearly, Bai Sanlang was not such a person.
The chess game was fiercely contested. Both were decisive players, and a game concluded within the time it took for two sticks of incense to burn.
This time, Bai Chaoke emerged victorious by a narrow margin, a rare smile gracing his stern face.
"Father, you were too kind."
"Hmm, your chess skills have improved. Go now. After the New Year, return to Qiongzhou. The climate in the Eastern Capital is not good; Qiongzhou is more nurturing."
These words chilled Bai Chaoke's heart by half.
He pinched his palm fiercely to prevent himself from losing composure in front of his father. He replied respectfully, "Yes," and then departed.
Watching his son's unsteady steps as he left, Bai Xiang frowned, a hint of disappointment in his eyes.
After accompanying his eldest aunt to see off the female guests one by one, the sky had grown dark.
His elder brother, Feng Jinxu, had prior engagements and had left earlier. Thus, only the siblings paid their respects to Old Madam Bai and Bai Xiang before returning home.
After a day of bustling activity, upon returning to Ning'an Courtyard, Feng Jinyao felt as if her entire body had fallen apart.
Fortunately, Xiuqiu was perceptive and immediately arranged for a bath.
The tub was filled with flower petals collected in early summer, and soothing oils were added to the water. Xiuqiu and Yunxu attended to her.
Feng Jinyao closed her eyes, her mind filled with thoughts of how the Feng family would fare in the future.
In her previous life, after her maternal grandmother's birthday banquet, the Feng family enjoyed a few days of peace. But what followed was like a nightmare.
After much deliberation, she felt the problem stemmed from the performance evaluations.
Her father and elder brother were both sent to serve in distant posts due to their "Excellent" ratings in the evaluations. Both met their end while away from home.
If their assignment to distant posts could be thwarted, could they avoid this calamity?
Recalling her past life, the imperial decree for their reassignment was issued in mid-April. This meant she still had time to plan carefully.
As she was contemplating, she heard a maid crying outside, reporting.
She said that an姨娘 (concubine) in her elder brother's chambers was causing a scene, threatening to hang herself. The First Madam was at a loss and dared not alarm the Master and Madam, so she requested Feng Jinyao to come and see.
"That Linlang姨娘 is truly an annoying pest. Relying on the fact that she gave birth to a son, she causes trouble day and night. It's only because the First Madam is so kind that she allows herself to be manipulated like this. What do you say, Miss? Should we go?"
Xiuqiu, being forthright and quick-tongued, could not stand seeing subservient servants bully their masters. Her words were filled with dissatisfaction towards that姨娘.
Yunxu, however, interrupted her, "She is an姨娘, and you are a maid. Watch your status. Don't say the wrong thing and give them an excuse to seize on you, understand?"
Xiuqiu was annoyed but knew Yunxu meant well, so she fell silent, though her eyes still showed her displeasure.
"Let's go. Let's go see our esteemed, precious姨娘."
Feng Jinyao opened her eyes and looked towards the outside, signaling the two to help her up.
The steam made her cheeks flush, but her eyes were clear.
What a troublesome姨娘! She wanted to see who dared to give her such audacity to bully her elder sister-in-law!
The night was deep and the road cold in winter.
Feng Jinyao, without any makeup, draped in a heavy cloak, walked towards her elder brother's courtyard.
Xiuqiu and Yunxu held lanterns on either side, illuminating the path ahead for her.
The maid who came to deliver the message was named Yuegui. She was a second-rank maid in the First Madam's service and appeared honest and well-behaved.
"Do you know what the姨娘 is making a fuss about?"
The young maid looked troubled. As a subordinate, she dared not casually gossip about her masters, even if it was just an姨娘. Therefore, she chose her words carefully, reporting to Feng Jinyao as neutrally as possible.
"The Eldest Young Master sent a set of fine brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone as a gift for the young master's studies. The姨娘 happened to see it, and so..."
"So she's making a scene, demanding that her son also be sent to study?"
Feng Jinyao finished the sentence, her tone devoid of emotion.
Yuegui nodded, her face grave.
She had omitted many unpleasant words, afraid that if others heard them, they would say their mistress was weak and easily bullied.
Hmph, as expected, she was restless.
In her previous life, her son had usurped the status of the嫡子 (legitimate son) to enter the academy, causing chaos and implicating her father and elder brother in impeachment proceedings.
If this second nephew of hers were well-behaved and sensible, it would be one thing. But he was spoiled by his姨娘 to the point of being lawless and undisciplined.
Today, she would see if he was still as detestable as before.
If that were the case, then his path to studies must be completely severed.
As she pondered, she saw a group of people arriving at the courtyard.
Indeed, the crying and clamor of Linlang姨娘 could be heard intermittently.
Feng Jinyao pushed open the door and saw the chaotic scene.
The First Madam, Wen Shi, sat slumped in a huanghuali wood armchair, her handkerchief constantly dabbing her tears. A maid beside her was patting her back to soothe her, looking frail.
Standing beside her was Feng Yunhe, the eldest嫡子 (legitimate son) of her elder brother.
He was fair and handsome, and his small features subtly exuded an unyielding spirit.
Though only a six-year-old child, he stood like a little adult with his hands behind his back, looking at the姨娘 and庶弟 (concubine's son) rolling on the ground and crying incessantly. His expression was solemn, and his eyes were somber.
In contrast, the kneeling Linlang姨娘 on the ground was dressed flamboyantly, and her son beside her was also plump and well-fed.
Although he was two years younger than Feng Yunhe, he was slightly taller.
At this moment, the庶子 Feng Yunli's round face was full of disgust as he shouted at the First Madam Wen Shi.