My sister became the empress, but I'm still growing vegetables and raising chickens

Chapter 201 Are all your sons dead?

Although they were all members of the Feng family, the attitude of Feng Ziheng, the eldest brother, was completely different from that of Feng Zizhou. This surprised everyone in the Si family except Si Xingzhi and Si Muyan, and they became restrained involuntarily. Even when asked to stand up, they just stood aside, not knowing what to say.

Feng Ziheng looked at Feng Zizhou, his expression slightly brighter. "My brother has been bothering you for months. I'm sorry to have caused you so much trouble. I'm offering this small gift to thank you for your care for him."

Si Xingzhi bowed respectfully and said, "Young Master, your visit to stay here has brought honor to my humble abode. I truly do not deserve your thanks."

Feng Ziheng ignored his polite words and had the gifts brought in, along with a thick gift list. Although it was a small gift, it wasn't small at all.

However, Feng Zizhou was not satisfied. He snatched the gift list and read it over. He even opened two of the boxes and examined them. He sneered and said, "Brother, even though the Si family is in dire straits now, you've turned your back on me. Am I really worth just this much? The gifts you gave me in Kyoto were worth much more than this!"

Feng Ziheng flipped the jade ring in his hand and looked at Si Xingzhi calmly: "It's just a small token of my appreciation. Please don't take it personally."

It was clearly an apology, but when he said it, there was an undeniable coldness.

Si Xingzhi quickly said, "I dare not, I dare not. Originally, the young master lived in my humble abode, and it didn't cost much, nor was it worth anything. But it was a reward from the Crown Prince, and I dared not refuse it. Thank you for your concern!"

Feng Ziheng smiled softly: "It seems that you have been away from Beijing for many years, and your temperament has become much more mellow."

In the past, Si Xingzhi was a marquis after all, and he had his own pride, but now, not only is his face haggard, but even his straight back has slumped. It seems that he has not had a good life in recent years.

Feng Ziheng looked around and said calmly, "This prince came here not only to pick up Zizhou, but also to visit an old friend. Where are the others? Have they not returned yet, or what?"

Si Xingzhi whispered, "In reply to the prince, my eldest and second sons are both deceased. My wife is mentally damaged and doesn't know people well. I dare not ask her to meet guests, so as not to offend you, the nobles..."

When he heard him say that his eldest and second sons had passed away, Feng Ziheng's eyes showed a hint of solemnity. When he heard him say that Shao Qin was not in a clear mind, Feng Ziheng lowered his eyes and said nothing.

The other man sitting next to him chuckled, "I never thought that Marquis Anle would end up like this. It's really pitiful."

"Sir, I am just a commoner and no longer the Marquis of Anle." Si Xingzhi bowed again, his face full of fear.

The man waved his hand and said to Feng Ziheng, "After all, Madam Si is the Crown Prince's cousin, so we should meet her."

Feng Ziheng looked up at him with a calm expression, "My mother told me that the Empress Dowager was ill a while ago, and she kept muttering Shao's name when she was confused. As her nephew, I should fulfill my filial duty, so I will take the opportunity to visit her on behalf of the Empress Dowager."

"Little sister, go and help your mother out quickly." Si Xingzhi apologized again, "If there is any offense later, please forgive me, my Lord and the Master."

The man laughed and said, "Country people don't know the rules, so why should we care? Besides, that's the person the Empress Dowager cares about the most, so how dare we care?"

The last sentence was said with great emphasis. Si Xingzhi was uneasy, but he didn't dare to say anything. Feng Ziheng, on the other hand, remained indifferent. When he saw his younger sister helping Shao Qin out, his face showed no sign of expression.

Si Xingzhi also stepped forward to support Shao Qin, and gently coaxed her: "Aqin, this is a high-ranking official from Kyoto, come and meet him."

Shao Qin just smiled foolishly, not looking at anyone else, and called to her second sister who was holding Xiao Xia'er: "Hurry and bring Wan'er here, I have some malt candy for her."

The second sister hurriedly said, "Mother, this is Xiaoxiaer. Mother, I don't want to eat malt sugar now."

Shao Qin refused to listen and strode forward, saying, "What's wrong with you, girl? I told you to serve the young lady well, why are you so talkative?"

Si Xingzhi couldn't persuade her, so he could only smile apologetically to Feng Ziheng: "My Lord, I'm really sorry, she can't remember a lot of things and always recognizes the wrong people."

Feng Ziheng looked at Shao Qin coldly, his mouth tight and he said nothing.

Feng Zizhou, however, held Shao Qin in a huff and asked her to look at Feng Ziheng: "Aunt, look over here. Do you still remember this man? He is the eldest son of the Duke's Mansion. When I see him, I have to kneel down and kowtow!"

Shao Qin's eyes were confused, but when she looked at Feng Ziheng, she raised her brows and smiled. She walked forward and bowed gracefully, saying with a smile, "Why are you here, cousin? Are you here to see me?"

Cousin?

Feng Ziheng was stunned for a moment, but quickly realized that Shao Qin treated him as his father.

Shao Qin asked again, "Cousin, when you had time to come over, didn't you bring Heng'er and the others with you?"

Feng Ziheng's expression softened, and he said softly, "I came here today to discuss something with... the Marquis. How are you now?"

Shao Qin smiled and said, "I'm fine. Yan'er and the other three are over one year old and can call me mom."

After saying that, she turned around and picked up Xiaoxia'er, ready to hand her to Feng Ziheng. "At the last banquet, my cousin's wife was envious of me for having three daughters... daughters... eh... Yan'er and Tong'er? Why don't you bring her over?"

She looked around in confusion.

Feng Ziheng stood up, took Xiaoxia and rocked her around, then laughed, "The child is a bit sleepy, maybe she's fallen asleep. Don't hold her in your arms, or she might catch a cold."

Shao Qin nodded: "Alright. Wan'er is more energetic than her sisters. She doesn't like to sleep and only likes to laugh. Wan'er, Wan'er, this is your cousin. Call him uncle, uncle."

Xiaoxia was held and coaxed by Feng Zizhou every day, and she could already call him uncle. However, she supported Feng Ziheng's body in resistance and was not willing to call him uncle at all. When Shao Qin urged her to do so, she pouted and spit on Feng Ziheng's face.

This frightened Si Xingzhi, and he hurried forward to hold Xiao Xia'er in his arms: "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, Master. The child is young and ignorant. Please don't blame me."

Feng Ziheng took a handkerchief and wiped his face. He didn't blame her, but said, "It's okay. It seems your wife really doesn't remember a lot of things. Let someone help her go in and rest."

The younger sister then stepped forward again, coaxing and persuading her, saying that the prince wanted to talk to Si Xingzhi and she should go in. The second sister also held Xiaoxia'er to accompany her, and only then did they coax her in.

Seeing that Feng Ziheng was not angry, Si Xingzhi was greatly relieved and said, "We have already agreed to send the young master to Lingnan City tomorrow and let him take a boat back to the capital. Now that the prince is here to pick him up, the journey will be safer. I wonder if the prince wants to stay here for dinner today or..."

This is to get rid of them as soon as possible.

The man next to Feng Ziheng stood up and said, "Sir, it's getting late. If we leave early, we can return to the capital sooner. There's no need to stay here any longer."

However, Feng Ziheng said, "I just heard you say that Si Jingyu and Si Jingyuan are both gone? Where are they buried? This prince wants to open the coffins and check."