Feng Luochen returned to Chu City and practiced martial arts daily, aspiring to astonish everyone when he joined the army or sought to achieve academic honors and fame.
The summer heat was scorching, and one day, he tried a type of alcohol called beer from a guard, which was extremely refreshing when chilled.
Having heard that Zuixian Inn had this beer, Feng Luochen went there only to find that it had sold out.
After inquiring further, he learned that Chuyue Tower also had beer, so he went and ordered twenty jin of beer.
"Server, give me twenty jin of beer."
"Server, give me twenty jin of beer."
A woman looking like a servant walked in and said.
The server at Chuyue Tower replied.
"Miss, the beer in the tower has sold out. The new batch won’t be available until tonight. Why don’t you come back later?"
As he spoke, the server handed two wooden barrels of beer to Feng Luochen.
"This is outrageous, what is he buying then?"
"The last twenty jin of beer were all sold to this gentleman," the server said, looking troubled.
Chuyue Tower’s beer was purchased at a high price, but despite the summer heat, it sold well.
Feng Luochen picked up one of the barrels and walked to the entrance, where the servant girl ran after him, blocking his way.
"Our lady has asked for these two barrels of beer. Take this silver and leave the beer behind."
Saying this, the servant threw a purse of silver at Feng Luochen.
The purse landed at Feng Luochen’s feet.
Feng Luochen’s eyes turned cold; he was accustomed to a life of luxury and was not used to being treated this way.
"Who is this blind dog of a servant daring to be insolent in my presence?"
"Whom are you calling a dog of a servant? I belong to the Seventh Prince Mansion," the servant girl retorted unabashedly.
"Cuicui, what’s all this noise about?"
A horse carriage parked outside Zuixian Inn, the curtain lifted, revealing a beautiful face.
"Isn’t that Luochen?"
From inside the carriage, Feng Ruoyan poked her face out with a light gasp.
Sitting in the carriage was Feng Ruoyan.
Unlike Feng Xiangxue’s tragic fate, Feng Ruoyan was now enjoying her moment of glory. Since his marriage, Dongfang Li had changed his previously overbearing demeanor, became more dedicated to martial arts practice, and also frequented the Imperial Palace to attend to court affairs diligently.
There were no other concubines or servants in his residence, and Feng Ruoyan was wholeheartedly trying to please the Seventh Prince, hoping to bear his child soon and become the Seventh Prince’s First Princess Consort.
She had come to buy alcohol today to take to Feng Mansion.
"Luochen, you haven’t heard yet, Zhao’an has returned."
Since Feng Zhao’an’s return to Chu City, the court had not yet assigned him a new post. Today, Feng Mansion was hosting a banquet to welcome some distinguished guests, and Feng Ruoyan had managed to persuade Dongfang Li to attend as well.
Upon hearing her casually mention that Zuixian Inn’s beer was good, she eagerly came to buy some.
Upon hearing Feng Zhao’an’s name, Feng Luochen felt enraged.
He and Feng Zhao’an were archenemies, much like Feng Xiangxue and Feng Bailing.
Just as they were free from Feng Xiangxue, Feng Zhao’an had returned.
Seeing Feng Ruoyan, Feng Luochen frowned.
He and Feng Ruoyan were cousins and grew up together, but he didn’t like her.
This cousin had always been as vain and materialistic as his second uncle. He was sent to Fengtian Academy, and afterward, he lost money in gambling houses—those gambling house owners were even friends with Feng Zhan Tian.
"Luochen, why did you simply walk away? We, brother and sister, haven’t seen each other for a long time. You happened to be away from Chu City during my wedding. There’s a banquet at Feng Mansion tonight, and my husband, the Seventh Prince, will also be there. Why don’t you come with me? I heard you’re currently idle at home; perhaps in his good mood, he will arrange an official position for you."
Seeing this, Feng Ruoyan hurriedly had her servant help her down from the carriage.
"I have no relations with Feng Mansion. Feng Ruoyan, don’t call me your cousin anymore."
When Feng Luochen thought of Feng Zhanlian and Aunt Xue’s actions over the years, he was filled with anger, almost throwing the wooden barrel into Feng Ruoyan’s face.
"Luochen, won’t you visit your uncle? He is seriously ill, and his condition is deteriorating. No matter what, you are his biological son."
As she spoke, Feng Ruoyan grabbed Feng Luochen’s hand.
Feng Luochen paused, and before he could respond, someone bumped into Feng Ruoyan, causing her to release his hand.
Feng Luochen’s barrel of beer also fell to the ground as a child ran into his arms.
"Where did this little brat come from, daring to bump into our lady?"
Upon seeing Feng Ruoyan jostled, several servants and nannies from the Prince Li Residence were seething, ready to seize the child.
Regaining his senses, Feng Luochen looked at the little one in his arms, who appeared frightened, trembling slightly, her head buried in his chest, unwilling to let go.