Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Drinking tea is a refined activity, and Feng Qi (female) naturally agreed.

She said to Rong Yue, "Bring the best rolled tea I have here, and the full set of tea utensils as well."

Feng Qi (male) also sat down casually, watching Feng Qi (female) skillfully wash the tea utensils, place a silver kettle on the small red clay stove, wait for the spring water to slightly boil, and then begin grinding the tea cake.

The rolled tea was of excellent quality, emitting a fresh fragrance as it was finely ground. The spring water also began to bubble and boil.

Feng Qi (female) was very busy, scooping out water, removing the charcoal from the stove, and placing the finely ground tea powder into the teacup. Her hands moved as if playing a five-stringed instrument, her eyes following the returning geese, not missing a beat, while she said to Rong Yue, "Rong Yue, you know, I like to brew my own tea, with undivided attention. You go out and wait."

As Rong Yue left, Feng Qi (female) was using a tea whisk to froth the tea, pouring boiling water into the Jian kiln black-glazed partridge-spotted teacup. The light green tea was whipped into a cloud-like froth, and the aroma of the rolled tea was instantly unleashed, filling the room with a refreshing tea fragrance.

Feng Qi (male) admired it, gazing intently at the teacup in his sister's hand, even holding his breath.

Feng Qi (female) also performed "water painting," holding a small silver pot, she poured it over the foam on the tea, the white foam forming the shape of a plum blossom like a paintbrush.

Feng Qi (male) couldn't help but applaud, "This tea, with its misty condensation, surging milk fog, and fragrance like dragon's musk, is truly top-notch!" He reached out to take the Jian kiln teacup.

Feng Qi (female) withdrew her hand and smiled, "Just like that, for free?"

Feng Qi (male) laughed, "Shall I exchange it for news about Gao Yuntong?"

Feng Qi (female), caught in her thoughts, stubbornly said, "Who wants to hear about Gao Yuntong? You bring news about that scout to exchange."

Feng Qi (male) said, "That scout committed suicide." He reached out to take the tea.

Feng Qi (female) was stunned, suddenly angry, and placed the teacup on her side, saying, "The prefect is truly incompetent!"

Feng Qi (male)'s hand, halfway extended, awkwardly stopped in mid-air, then he sighed, "The man was determined to die, what could the prefect do? He was beaten nearly to death, didn't confess a word, everyone thought he couldn't move, who knew he would hang himself on the prison bars in the middle of the night when the guards were drunk and sound asleep."

Feng Qi (female) handed the teacup to Feng Qi (male) and said, "He was quite a man."

After Feng Qi (male) had taken a few sips of tea and was full of praise, she asked again, "What about that Gao Yuntong?"

Feng Qi (male) said, "Someone who was expelled from the capital, sneaking back, naturally received a severe sentence. The prefect said it was most likely military exile."

Feng Qi (female) was stunned, "He returned to the capital to apprehend enemy scouts! Besides—"

She secretly felt a pang of regret: if she hadn't played tricks on him then, forcing him to return to the capital, he might not have been charged by the prefect, nor would he have received such a heavy sentence as "military exile"—for a scholar, having a shameful green mark tattooed on his face and being exiled to serve in the frontier army, his face lost, his life ruined.

Isn't it said that the path of speech is wide open?

How could it come to this!

She said to Feng Qi (male), "Brother, help me think of a way!"

Feng Qi (male) shrugged his shoulders and said, "What can I do?"

Feng Qi (female) said, "Who doesn't know you are the crown prince's choice in the emperor's heart! Even if you don't speak up, there are always people who want to curry favor with you, right? You drop a hint, and there will always be someone who understands and is willing to do things for you. It's not some high-ranking official, afraid of widespread impact, just a Taixue student stripped of his status, quietly let him go back to his hometown, isn't that enough?!"

Feng Qi (male) could only smile bitterly.

Pressed by Feng Qi (female), he said, "Good sister, I dare not."

Feng Qi (female), seeing his lack of courage, was both amused and exasperated.

About to persuade him further, she saw Rong Yue frantically knocking on the door outside, "Madam, madam, the princess is coming!"

Feng Qi immediately ducked his head: "Oh no!"

Feng Qi stood up: "We're siblings, just having tea together, what's the harm?" She straightened her clothes and smoothed her hair, then glanced at her cowering brother: "What? Aren't you going to greet her? I have nowhere to hide or run here, going out to pay respects might save us some scolding."

Feng Qi had no choice but to rise and follow Rong Yue to the courtyard gate to welcome her.

Zhou Liao had not yet reached the main room, slowly walking along the covered corridor, frowning as usual, finding fault everywhere. She complained that the floor wasn't swept clean, the plants not being trimmed well, and the maids and servants being too casual in their demeanor... She criticized coldly all the way, frightening the maids and servants so much that their faces turned pale, bowing deeply and repeatedly saying, "I know, I will correct it immediately!"...

Zhou Liao finally reached the main gate, just as the siblings arrived, and they greeted her in unison.

Zhou Liao habitually frowned: "Why are you here?"

Feng Qi hesitated, and Feng Qi answered for him directly: "Brother rarely comes back, so I invited him for tea."

Zhou Liao then smiled slightly: "Indeed! He rarely comes home! Even when he has time, he doesn't come home to study, just wanders around the pleasure quarters." She sighed almost inaudibly: "Like father, like son!"

Feng Qi knew he was bound to be scolded and was already used to it, so he quickly responded: "Mother is right to scold! I have indeed been negligent lately, not studying well, and I won't dare to do so again!"

This practiced response only earned a disappointed sigh from his mother: "Eldest son, I've heard this so many times it's become a cliché. If you really want to study well, first of all, stop frequenting those pleasure houses!"

She then turned to Feng Qi: "As for Tingniang, don't just focus on studying all day. A woman's virtue is not in her intellect, shouldn't you be learning to manage household affairs? Look at the state of your courtyard! It doesn't look like a place where a princess should live!"

Feng Qi looked around; although it was autumn, the plants were thriving, and insects and birds were flying around. The courtyard wasn't beautiful, but it was natural. She said: "Mother, I think it's quite nice."

Zhou Liao frowned even more, looking at her stepdaughter with disdain, and after a long while, she smiled: "You really need to change your temper." She then walked straight into the inner chamber.

Feng Qi saw the tea set she and her brother had used still on the table and hurriedly said: "I was just brewing tea, would mother like a cup?"

Zhou Liao said: "No need, I have important matters to attend to." She then sat down in the main seat.

Seeing her children standing by, Zhou Liao's tone softened a bit: "Tingniang, our family is finally reunited in the capital. Since I married your father, I've followed him to his estate, and it's been twenty years since I returned to the capital. Now, everything has changed, and seeing every plant and tree brings tears to my eyes, emotions that are hard for others to understand."

She wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes and sat up straight again: "The Empress plans to gather the imperial clan's family members in the capital the day after tomorrow at Huining Hall for the Cold Clothes Festival, for sacrifices and a family banquet. Preparations are being made for war, and it's likely that the imperial clan and officials' families will be mobilized to donate cold clothes to the north, as a gesture of the court's respect for the soldiers."

Feng Qi couldn't help but look at her stepmother: "What, do I have to go too?"

As a stepdaughter, such opportunities usually didn't come her way, and she disliked such social obligations.

Zhou Liao said: "If you weren't going, why would I have come all this way?"

Feng Qi secretly pursed her lips: "I'm afraid I won't be presentable."

Zhou Liao said: "If you're not presentable, we'll just have to push you onto the stage. Like your brother, no matter what, he now has to learn the ways of governance with the officials and ministers." She glanced at the awkward Feng Qi. Feng Qi could only touch his nose to hide his embarrassment.

Seeing that Feng Qi still wanted to speak, Zhou Liao interrupted: "I'm not here to hear whether you agree or not. I'm afraid you won't have suitable clothes for the occasion the day after tomorrow, so I came specifically to check."

She turned to Rong Yue, who was nervously serving: "That maid, bring out Tingniang's best clothes and jewelry, I'll pick something for her."

Every year, the public allocation of fabric, making clothes, and crafting jewelry never fell short for Feng Qi.

But looking at the various dresses spread out on a long couch, Zhou Liao still frowned: "Why is there no proper outfit for going out? Tingniang, you're too careless in your daily life, letting these servants fool you!"

She sighed and said: "I'll find two good pieces of fabric and have them made for you now. Fortunately, it's the day after tomorrow, so we can have the skilled maids and servants work overnight, it should be in time." Without waiting for Feng Qi's agreement, she turned and left as if it was settled.

Feng Qi felt a wave of frustration, unable to act spoiled with her stepmother, she could only bow and see her off.

Feng Qi, standing by, said: "Mother is still quite good to you, she has a sharp tongue but a soft heart. Although her words are harsh, she always acts fairly."

Feng Qi said: "I don't like being constrained in everything."

Feng Qi said, "Fortunately, you're not in the court yet, otherwise you'd really know what it means to be constantly restrained! Young lady, it's common that eight or nine out of ten things don't go your way, and only two or three can be spoken of. That's the truth!" He smiled, made a bow, and said, "Thank you for the good tea, sister."

Feng Qi said, "Brother, you might as well inquire more about the affairs of the prefectural governor, Gao Yuntong."

Feng Qi replied, "What good would it do if I asked?"

"Just ask."

Feng Qi smiled helplessly, "Alright, I'll help you find out. But if Zhang Yi is offended, he probably won't fare well. Previously, due to the overwhelming sentiment in the Imperial Academy, Zhang Yi barely allowed him to escape. Now that he's found another opportunity, how could he let him off easily?"

Feng Qi lowered her head, tidying the small table with the tea set, and after a while said, "Although I didn't kill Bo Ren, it was always I who stirred up the trouble. Even if I can't help much, knowing how he is, it somewhat alleviates the guilt in my heart."

"He brought it upon himself, why should you bear this responsibility?" The brother shook his head, probably mocking his sister's pedantry and stubbornness in his heart.

Feng Qi remained silent, her face as impassive as ever.

But in her heart, she vividly recalled that serene night a few days ago, filled with dark twilight.

Unable to clearly see his sweat-stained and dirty face, she could feel his star-like eyes and the sharp scent of ink on his body.

In secret, she felt a deep melancholy.