Chapter 1738 – Return
Looking at the trembling Sun Lan, even someone as kind-hearted as Feng Yi couldn’t help but laugh in a not-so-kind manner.
He chuckled, “You really look much better, now you’re quite the handsome youth. Are you feeling more at ease now?”
The pearl powder facial mask had indeed worked wonders, Sun Lan’s face looked a shade lighter, and the acne had flattened, leaving only faint marks behind. Seeing Sun Lan’s pitiful appearance, Feng Yi exaggerated the effects to a ten out of ten, just to ease his mind.
Sun Lan let out a sigh of relief, then realized his own silly behavior, couldn’t help but reveal a long-lost bashful smile.
“As long as I’m fair, that’s good.”
Right now, he definitely wouldn’t be looked down upon by Jinghui.
Feng Yi invited his buddy, “A Lan, why don’t you come stay at my place for a few days?”
He knew Sun Lan’s situation: the Sun family was down to just Sun Lan and the old man Sun Wen. The old man was currently at the front lines in Zhanjiang, leaving only a few servants and the steward back at the residence to manage things. So, Sun Lan would be returning to an empty house, it made more sense to stay at his place for a while.
Sun Lan politely declined Feng Yi’s invitation.
After several years away, there were still many trivial matters to handle at home, like assessing how the steward and servants had been performing these years, the management of the residence, and whether there were any shady dealings… If there were any dishonest ones, it was best to send them packing early to avoid turning the residence into a chaotic mess.
Even without any family nearby, Sun Lan still needed to return and sort things out.
Feng Yi understood and didn’t push.
“That’s fine too, once you’re done, we can report back to the academy together.”
Both families had received early news of their return; Feng Yi’s steward had been waiting outside the city for several days, but there hadn’t been any news from Sun Lan’s side. The steward welcoming Feng Yi was filled with enthusiasm and looked at the young master with proud, gleaming eyes. This steward had not only served alongside Feng Zhen but had also watched Feng Yi grow up. Seeing him now, all dashing and polished, nearly brought the steward to tears, with praises spilling out about how much taller and handsomer he had become, but also thinner and darker. If he weren’t holding back, he might even do something inappropriate.
Seeing the familiar elder, Feng Yi’s lips formed a gentle smile, and before the old steward could bow, he helped him up.
“Since we got the news, Madam sent me to wait outside for you, Young Master, and finally, you’ve arrived!”
The old steward’s eyes brimmed with tears, genuinely moved at Feng Yi’s return.
Feng Yi sighed lightly and inquired about home.
“All is well, all is well! Everything in the residence is perfectly fine,” the old steward replied.
Feng Yi asked, “I received a family letter saying my mother caught a cold; is she feeling better now?”
When he mentioned “mother,” he was naturally referring to his stepmother, Wan Xiuer.
Feng Yi had always held great respect for his stepmother. Before marrying Feng Zhen, she had stayed with the pair of them, and even though the young Feng Yi was tenderly taken care of by the steward and servants, many things couldn’t match the attentiveness of a female elder. After getting acquainted, Wan Xiuer often looked after Feng Yi’s daily life, which laid a good foundation for their relationship as a stepmother and stepson.
Setting aside their age difference, their bond was likely closer than most families of scholars.
“Mother is feeling much better already, but she’s been busy with matters around the house and couldn’t spare time to come out; she sent me to fetch you, Young Master,” the old steward exclaimed. It’s rare for a stepmother and stepson to get along so well, so the steward felt quite relieved; after all, a harmonious home is a prosperous home.
Feng Yi said seriously, “Mother is the elder; how could it be right for her to wait outside for the younger generation?”
The steward chuckled, “What you say is quite true, Young Master.”
After some casual exchanges, Feng Yi noticed the situation with Sun Lan and frowned slightly.
They had rushed back, but had notified their residences in advance; why was no one here to welcome Sun Lan?
However, it wasn’t suitable to question this in front of everyone, so he kept his concerns to himself.
Because of the initial city planning, most of Jiang Pengji’s subordinates lived in the core circle, which in idle folks’ terms would be the first and second rings. Feng Zhen was among the first batch to receive housing deeds; Sun Wen had joined later, which naturally meant his residence was further away.
Even so, the two of them still traveled a distance together.
“Madam, the Young Master has returned!”
As Feng Yi’s carriage arrived at the front gate, a servant rushed to deliver the news to Wan Xiuer.
“Rongli has returned?”
Over these past years, Wan Xiuer had lived comfortably and with ease; time had left no marks on her face, rather adding a few drawn-out charms. Looking at her face, she was truly like the perfect oval egg, skin as smooth as cream, and those captivating phoenix eyes shimmered with ripples, unlike the deep calm of years prior. Her eyes were slender with a subtle curve, eyebrows resembling willow leaves in February, and her figure exuded grace and maturity. With such a look, who would believe she was in her thirties? Some might even think she was in her twenties.
“Kneel and greet your mother.”
Wan Xiuer said eagerly, “Get up, get up! My son is back; let me have a good look at you.”
Gazing upon Feng Yi, who had grown into a strikingly handsome young man, Wan Xiuer felt a surge of emotion and a hint of regret.
If only her first child had made it into this world, perhaps…
Thinking of this made her feel too regretful to continue.
She had once had a child with her scummy ex-husband, but that scoundrel, spurred on by his mother and favored concubines, had doubted Wan Xiuer’s purity, accusing her of being sullied at a bandit stronghold. He even twisted things to claim that the firstborn son of a woman belonged to the first man she had lain with; if she wanted to have her husband’s children, she must first eliminate the firstborn to cleanse herself of the first man’s stain—hence, the scummy husband had poisoned her to induce a miscarriage, causing her to lose the child.
Wan Xiuer was already somewhat frail, finding pregnancy difficult, and after such a blow, even after marrying Feng Zhen for so long, there was still no movement on that front.
Of course, Feng Zhen’s constant absences for work were a major reason.
Now, having passed thirty, she had given up on the idea of becoming pregnant and directed all her affection onto Feng Yi.
“Mother, I’m doing very well!” Feng Yi twirled around to show her.
“I know you’re doing well, but without seeing it with my own eyes, my heart isn’t at ease,” Wan Xiuer said, noticing his attire was a bit thin, even fraying at the edges. She spoke gently, “A few days ago, I had the servants tidy up your room; go check if there’s anything you need. I’ll send the seamstress over shortly to take your measurements and make you a few new outfits; the clothes you left in the residence can’t be worn anymore.”
“Alright,” Feng Yi agreed.
“When the spring semester starts at Golden Scales Academy, Changsheng might come by to visit,” Wan Xiuer added with a smile, “That girl has grown more beautiful these past two years. She’s also very thoughtful, making sure I don’t feel lonely at home by often stopping by for visits—”
Feng Yi’s smile deepened.
Meanwhile—
Sun Lan was questioning his very existence.
