Chapter 1448 – Betrothal (Part Three)
Though Feng Yi was still years away from coming of age, he had always been steady in character and thorough in his actions—a source of great reassurance.
Since he had proactively mentioned to Feng Zhen his desire to enter the military camp for training, it was evident he had given it serious thought.
However, his stepmother Wan Xiuer was not entirely on board. Not only did she fail to support him, but she also shot a fierce glance at her husband. What sort of nonsense was he saying?
Life and death are predestined, don’t blame others?
Feng Yi was the only heir of the old Feng family, and with Feng Zhen’s frail health, bearing offspring was a challenge. What if something happened to him? How could he explain it to their ancestors? Was this father really so unfeeling, willing to toss his twelve or thirteen-year-old son into the fray, not afraid Feng Yi would go and never return?
Wan Xiuer’s good intentions were understood by Feng Yi, yet—
“Father has few heirs, which is precisely why I must shoulder the responsibility of reviving the family.”
Wan Xiuer sighed, “Even so, you’re still too young. Military campaigns are tough even for burly men, let alone you. If you truly want to train, wouldn’t it be better to wait a year or two until you’re older?”
Feng Yi pursed his lips, saying nothing, but only shook his head, firmly rejecting his stepmother’s suggestion.
Seeing this, Wan Xiuer had no choice but to give up. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of her husband Feng Zhen’s half-smiling expression and felt her anger rise, secretly pinching the flesh around his waist, causing Feng Zhen’s smile to crack. Seeing his reaction calmed her anger somewhat.
Feng Yi’s intention soon reached his future father-in-law Feng Jin’s ears. The latter hummed twice, noncommittal.
With no reaction, Changsheng, who was sitting at the side working on her homework, could no longer sit still.
Feng Jin said, “Are there embroidery needles hidden under the cushion? Sit properly, don’t lean all over the place.”
Changsheng put down her pen and blinked at her father, asking, “Did Father say that Rong Li gege is going to the army?”
“Why? Is our little Changsheng worried?”
Changsheng replied, “Not at all… I only heard the maid mention that the battlefield is very dangerous, and Rong Li gege looks thin and small.”
Feng Jin couldn’t help but chuckle as he scolded his daughter lightly.
“Oh my silly daughter—if the eldest son of the Feng family doesn’t go through training and growth, how can he have the right to court your father’s precious daughter?”
Feng Jin was more than happy about this matter.
How could a young man grow into a reliable man without experiencing the trials of reality?
He would rather raise his daughter for life than let her marry an unreliable man who would harm her happiness forever.
“Battlefields are dangerous, but he won’t be fighting; he’ll be learning in the camp, so the risks are minimal.”
Feng Jin decided to betroth Feng Yi and Changsheng, naturally seeing this young man as promising, with good character, worthy of entrusting his daughter to.
Otherwise, with Feng Jin’s background and status, what else was there about Feng Yi that made him worthy of a second glance?
Though Feng Jin could be unbothered about social hierarchy when dealing with colleagues, he was different when it came to his son-in-law.
If it weren’t for the Lord’s involvement, Feng Yi’s background wouldn’t even enter Feng Jin’s candidate list.
Marriage isn’t just about two children falling in love; it also needs to consider the families’ heritage, backgrounds, and family values.
Feng Yi barely counted as a gentry background, but his family had long since fallen into poverty. By the time it reached Feng Zhen’s generation, only a bit of family wealth remained, and connections were scarce. If it weren’t for the chaotic times, this branch of Feng Zhen’s family might have faced complete ruin, leaving no qualifications to match with the refined Feng family.
Feng Zhen was deeply trusted by the Lord, and his future prospects were unlikely to be poor.
Feng Yi had always been steady and wise since childhood, and Feng Jin had a fair grasp of the child’s character.
Adding all these conditions together, Feng Jin reluctantly accepted Feng Yi.
Feng Yi actively sought to undergo training, making Feng Jin think even more highly of him.
“Child, you’re still young and don’t understand these things. When you do, you’ll realize your father’s difficulties.”
Changsheng nodded, “Um… but Father… can I…”
Feng Jin bitterly smiled, “You’re still not grown, and already drifting away? Go on, but remember to come back early to finish your homework.”
Changsheng headed over to Feng Yi’s house with two maidservants.
Upon seeing this, Feng Jin felt a lump in his heart.
“Lady.”
Feng Jin, feeling somewhat stifled, clutched Wei Jingxian’s hand tightly.
“Hmm?”
“I wish for this next child to be a boy; I don’t want another daughter.” After a while, Feng Jin managed to squeeze out two words, “I’m worried.”
Why did such a lovely daughter have to marry?
Feng Jin said, “It’s painful, as if someone has carved out my heart.”
Wei Jingxian was taken aback and laughed; she hadn’t expected her husband to be so childish.
Before long, Jiang Pengji also heard about Feng Jin and Feng Zhen becoming in-laws, and how their children were actually betrothed.
She stared at her pen for a while before saying, “Today’s kids are truly remarkable; this is definitely early love at its finest!”
She felt a pang of disappointment, and the stowaway non-money in the live stream didn’t fare much better.
[Stowaway Non-Money]: If I remember correctly, Changsheng from Feng Jin’s house was delivered by the streamer, and in the blink of an eye, they’re engaged!
[Yao Yingyun]: Little Changsheng, who just started first grade, and Feng Yi, who just entered middle school, are engaged? How do the college students and working folks here feel? What are you watching the live stream for? Got a boyfriend yet? Found a girlfriend? At least we weigh over a hundred pounds, but why are we still single? This live stream is so unfriendly to single dogs, smiling while bidding farewell!
[Mo Yao Kong Huanyi]: Ouch, it hurts, bro!
Elementary school students and middle schoolers are in relationships, while us long-term live stream watchers are left with no future?
Jiang Pengji felt the same pain. She sighed, “Zixiao, aren’t you worried?”
Wei Ci looked up from a pile of documents, blinking in confusion, “Worried about what? Conquering Yang Tao?”
Jiang Pengji propped her chin, “Aren’t you worried our future kids will be the same age as Feng Yi’s kids?”
Wei Ci calmly replied, “If Feng Yi hadn’t drowned in a premature death in his past life, he should have been eighteen when Feng You was born.”
In other words, Feng Yi’s kids would indeed be the same age as Jiang Yan.
Jiang Pengji said, “It’s a pity Feng Yi died too early in his past life.”
Wei Ci continued, “Zishi’s cold food powder incident—Feng Yi, in a panic, sent a servant to fetch the doctor, but accidentally slipped on the moss-covered stone steps and fell into the pond. Though the servant rescued him in time, Feng Yi was weak. After falling into the water, he fell seriously ill and passed away within a few days. Zishi was haunted by this for much of his life; it was only after having Feng You that he felt better. According to Zishi, Feng You looks about fifty percent like Feng Yi.”
As he spoke, Wei Ci paused, reminiscing about Feng You’s appearance from his past life.
He added, “He should look quite similar. However, Feng Yi was serious and unsmiling, while Feng You was warm and always smiling at everyone—each had their own charm.”
Jiang Pengji felt quite curious about her future son-in-law.
After asking a couple more questions, Jiang Pengji couldn’t help but sigh, “Feng Zhen’s proudest achievement in life shouldn’t be his own accomplishments, but his two sons. Others may have seven or eight in a life, but combined, they wouldn’t compare to his two children. It’s absolutely infuriating!”
Wei Ci remarked sourly, “Perhaps it’s because their ancestral grave is buried in a great location.”
