Princess Consort Shun was rendered speechless by Dugu Wu's question; unable to discipline someone else's daughter, she figured she could at least discipline her own son. So Princess Consort Shun grabbed Dongfang Cheng by the ear and walked away, scolding him all the while.
Even as they moved farther away, Feng Bailing could still hear the conversation between mother and son.
"You damn boy, didn't you say you disliked that little girl? Look at you now, getting along with her as if you're the best of friends."
Dongfang Cheng grimaced, begging for mercy verbally.
"Boss Feng is really amazing, she's practically a living Bodhisattva, her predictions are always spot-on."
Admiration was evident in Dongfang Cheng's tone.
He did indeed dislike Feng Xiaoli before, as everyone outside said she was a wild child, merely freeloading at Prince Shun's Mansion.
But later, he discovered that not only was Feng Xiaoli pretty, but she often had snacks that he had never eaten before and was generous in sharing them with him.
Thus, Dongfang Cheng was more than willing to follow Feng Xiaoli around.
Not only that, but he also found that Feng Xiaoli was incredibly reliable in her predictions—whether it was forecasting rain, when the sun would come out, where to find beautiful dragonflies and butterflies, or what questions Teacher Su would ask in class. She could guess them all.
As a poor student, he desperately needed the protection of such a prodigy.
Upon hearing this, Princess Consort Shun asked,
"Is she really that extraordinary?"
"It's true, she's that extraordinary. She even said today that you would twist my ear until it swelled, and here it is, all swollen."
Princess Consort Shun let go of his ear in fright, pondering in her heart. Thɪs chapter is updatᴇd by novel⸺fire.net
"If it's really that effective, could she truly be a living Bodhisattva? Maybe I should take her to the palace someday. My sister has been unable to conceive—if Feng Xiaoli could help my sister conceive a dragon child, Prince Shun's Mansion would then have a backing in the future."
Seeing that Princess Consort Shun and her son had walked far away, Feng Bailing frowned and put her hands on her hips, adopting a fierce tone.
"Feng Xiaoli, what did you promise me?"
This little rascal was supposed to watch her mouth. She just never listened properly, and what if something happened again?
One look at Her Majesty's expression, and Feng Xiaoli knew she was about to blow her top.
Whoosh! She hid behind Dugu Wu.
"Move aside, Dugu Wu, and don't stop me from disciplining my daughter."
This little cunning imp, Feng Xiaoli, knew all along that Daddy would never hit her. Mommy might get angry, but Daddy was her best shield.
"When a child is naughty, you should just talk to her. There's no need to be physical."
Dugu Wu protected his daughter, while Feng Bailing chased after her like an eagle chasing a chick, and Dugu Wu played keep-away. Feng Xiaoli was uncatchable.
With a thud, Feng Bailing's nose bumped into Dugu Wu's chest.
"Your Majesty, are you and Daddy flirting with each other?"
Feng Xiaoli peeked her little head out, observing Her Majesty rubbing her nose, looking furious, while Daddy stood to the side, seemingly amused.
Feng Bailing was both angry and annoyed, and she chased after Feng Xiaoli.
"Feng Xiaoli, don't you run."
Feng Xiaoli moved her little legs and ran off like a shot, shouting as she went.
"Her Majesty and Daddy are flirting, Xiaoli won't disturb you anymore."
Her shout was loud, and everyone in Wu Courtyard heard it, including Chun Liu, who covered her mouth and laughed, while Feng Zao and Feng Wan, used to such antics, didn't find it odd at all.
Feng Bailing had only chased a few steps before she came face to face with someone who had just come in.
Feng Luochen greeted Feng Bailing with a salute.
"What brings you here?"
Feng Bailing was somewhat surprised.
Feng Zhao'an stood there, a picture of respect.
"I'm here to see Prince Wu and deliver some documents from the Ministry of Revenue."
After returning to Chu City and resuming his office, Feng Zhao'an took the initiative to join the Ministry of Revenue and was appointed as a lower Sixth-Ranking doctor.
Not only that, he could have been assigned to even higher official positions, but he chose to join the Ministry of Revenue, voluntarily accepting a demotion to a lower Sixth-Ranking doctor. This nearly gave Aunt Xue a fit.
His direct supervisor would be Dugu Wu, so he would often have to visit Dugu Wu from now on.
"Zhao'an, you're here, come with me."
Dugu Wu leaned on his crutch and walked towards the study, with Feng Zhao'an hurriedly following behind.
Feng Bailing furrowed her brow; although Feng Zhao'an appeared very amiable on the surface, she just didn't like him.
By the time Feng Bailing came back to her senses, Feng Xiaoli had already slipped away.
Seeing Dugu Wu with his crutch, Feng Zhao'an wanted to step forward to help, but with a cold glance from Dugu Wu, Feng Zhao'an's hand paused mid-air.
"Sir, does not like to be touched by strangers."
Feng Wan offered a reminder.
Feng Zhao'an withdrew his hand; he had seen Feng Bailing assist Prince Wu on regular days, implying that Prince Wu had already accepted Feng Bailing as one of his own.
A flash passed through Feng Zhao'an's eyes, with a hint of darkness at the bottom; he had returned far too late.
Inside the study, Dugu Wu pointed to a few sheets of paper on the desk.
"Organize these papers and distribute them to the other officials in the Ministry of Revenue. From now on, the Ministry will use this new method of accounting to keep the books."
Ever since the last time when Feng Bailing helped to tally up the deficits in the Ministry of Revenue, Dugu Wu had been very interested in Feng Bailing's novel method of accounting and the foreign numerals she spoke of.
As soon as Feng Zhao'an saw those numbers, his eyes lit up.
This was a completely new method of calculation that would cause a huge sensation once it was made public.
Prince Wu was indeed a genius, actually able to create a new method of calculation and numbers.
"This was discovered by your sister; from now on, it will be called Feng's Calculus. If you have any questions, ask her."
Who knew that Dugu Wu would add another sentence.
Discovered by Feng Bailing?
A touch of jealousy surged in Feng Zhao'an's eyes.
That afternoon, Feng Zhao'an stayed at Prince Shun's Mansion.
At night, when Dugu Wu returned to his room, he found the door bolted shut.
Dugu Wu turned to leave but found his feet wouldn't move.
Looking down, he saw Baishan biting his robe, not letting him go.
He frowned, trying to get Baishan off, but the little fellow was clever and immediately started whining.
Dugu Wu was speechless.
"Open the door and don't wake the children."
Dugu Wu lowered his voice, his words carrying a hint of pleading.
Inside the room, Feng Bailing sneered lightly.
"Unless you promise to transfer Feng Zhao'an away from the Ministry of Revenue."
"Don't be unreasonable; Feng Zhao'an is a very talented person. I know you have a strained relationship with your brother, but that's all due to the older generation. You should be fair to him."
Dugu Wu was quite satisfied with Feng Zhao'an; the young man was quiet, intelligent, and had excellent handwriting.
"Dugu Wu, you don't know the sufferings of others, don't persuade others to do good."
Feng Bailing's voice was ice-cold.
She could be tolerant towards anyone but not to the Feng Residence's people.
Feng Zhao'an was the son of concubine Aunt Xue and Feng Zhanlian; she could not bear to have her own family mingle with him.
"Do you make sense or not?"
Dugu Wu was also getting annoyed.
"Women have never been rational creatures; I'm not going to be rational."
Feng Bailing finished speaking and prepared to blow out the light to sleep.
"Then why didn't you keep your distance from Dongfang Mosheng, as I asked?"
Dugu Wu snorted coldly.
"Is that the same thing? Dongfang Mosheng is just a teacher at Yuxiu Academy, how often do I even see him? But you and Feng Zhao'an? You are superior and subordinate, seeing each other every day, and spending all day together. You spend more time with him than you do with me. Didn't you just stay together all afternoon?"
Feng Bailing was livid, her blood boiling with anger; this man had actually allowed Feng Zhao'an to stay in his study all afternoon.