The next day, Deng Yongshi arrived early at Tianyi Pavilion where Ling Feng resided. She thought she had woken up early enough, but when she arrived, she found Ling Feng already practicing swordsmanship in the courtyard. His breath was somewhat rapid, indicating that he had been training for a while.
Deng Yongshi realized that her little teacher was even more diligent than she had imagined!
Gritting her teeth, she walked into the courtyard and called out, "Hey, I'm here!"
"Mhmm." Ling Feng sheathed his sword and stood up. Glancing at Deng Yongshi, he nodded slightly. "You got up quite early today. Keep it up."
"Hmph! I just want to finish my training early so I can get rid of you, you little... brat!"
Deng Yongshi shot a glare at Ling Feng before heading to the spot where she had been stacking stone pillars the previous day, and without another word, she began working.
She still hadn't figured out how to tell Ling Feng about the family banquet.
As time passed, the sun climbed higher in the sky.
During this period, Deng Yongshi kept glancing back at Ling Feng, who remained motionless in meditation at the courtyard entrance, causing her considerable internal conflict.
As the time for the family banquet approached, Deng Yongshi finally bit her lip, stomped her foot, put down the stone she was holding, and walked up to Ling Feng. She hesitated, then awkwardly said, "Hey, my grandpa is hosting a family banquet at noon. Will you... come?"
"Family banquet?" Ling Feng slowly opened his eyes and looked at Deng Yongshi before saying flatly, "Who's 'hey'? 'Hey' won't go."
"Come on!" Deng Yongshi clenched her fist and, almost whispering, said, "Teacher Ling! Will you go?"
"Well, if it's Teacher Ling, I might consider it." Ling Feng smiled faintly, a slight curve appearing on his lips.
"Hmph!" Deng Yongshi bit her lip. "Don't get too smug. I'm only calling you that this once!"
"Once is enough." Ling Feng stood up, smiling. "So what are we waiting for? Don't you need to wash up and change clothes?"
"None of your business!"
Deng Yongshi stuck out her tongue and continued, "Let me tell you, at the banquet, eat all you want but don't talk. I'll answer any questions. And don't mention that you're my teacher. I don't want people to know I have such a young teacher. It's embarrassing! Got it?"
Ling Feng touched his nose and smiled before saying, "Alright, alright. I agree to your conditions. I won't say a word. Satisfied?"
Deng Yongshi finally breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. "Not talking is best! At the banquet, all the younger members of the Deng family will be there, along with their teachers. Their teachers are all prominent figures in the imperial capital. If you say something wrong and get laughed at, it'll be so embarrassing for me.
"Also, Li Rong's teacher will be there too. He's a fifth-grade advanced alchemist, and people say he's just a step away from becoming a sixth-grade alchemist. I'm just looking out for you so you don't get overwhelmed," Deng Yongshi said, her face cheeky.
"Oh, then I really must thank you for your kindness."
Ling Feng raised an eyebrow. He didn't care about some fifth-grade alchemist. His purpose in coming to the General's Mansion was not to show off but to retrieve the demonic shen crystal core. As long as he achieved that, everything would be fine.
"Hehe, as long as you don't embarrass me, I promise I won't try to get rid of you anymore!" Deng Yongshi squinted her eyes and made a "please" gesture towards Ling Feng.
Ling Feng pursed his lips, shook his head with a smile, and said no more.
Soon, Deng Yongshi bathed and changed into a beautiful emerald-green gauze dress to show off her graceful figure.
Under Deng Yongshi's guidance, she and Ling Feng quickly arrived at a luxurious hall where the general's mansion hosted its guests.
When they arrived, the square outside the hall was already filled with many younger members of the Deng family, accompanied by their respective teachers.
"Ah, our little princess has finally arrived!"
As soon as they arrived, a soft and charming voice greeted them. It was none other than Deng Yongshi's cousin, Li Rong.
Strictly speaking, Li Rong was not a direct descendant of the Deng family. However, after her parents passed away early, she was taken back into the Deng family and grew up there.
Since young, Li Rong was always a step behind Deng Yongshi in everything she did. General Deng especially favored Deng Yongshi, which made Li Rong outwardly polite but inwardly full of resentment and hatred as she saw Deng Yongshi as her greatest rival.
Although Li Rong was not a direct descendant, she was still General Deng's granddaughter. Taking her back into the General's mansion showed that General Deng cared for her. Unfortunately, as Li Rong grew older, she became more scheming and narrow-minded and had a gloomy disposition.
General Deng, being who he was, naturally saw through Li Rong's character and gradually distanced himself from her. However, she didn't reflect on her behavior and instead blamed everything on Deng Yongshi.
Deng Yongshi clearly didn't care much for this fake cousin and, with a slight hum, led Ling Feng towards the hall without a word.
"Ah, my dear cousin, where is your teacher? Could it really be this young gentleman?"
Li Rong glanced at Ling Feng and giggled. "Mr. Ling, we meet again. I'm Li Rong, but you can just call me Rongrong."
Deng Yongshi immediately stepped in front of Ling Feng while glaring at Li Rong. "This is our family banquet. Can't you restrain yourself a bit?"
Li Rong smiled and laughed softly. "I was just joking with this young gentleman. Did you think I was going to steal your man? Hehe..."
"Hmph!" Deng Yongshi grabbed Ling Feng's arm and gritted her teeth. "Ling Feng, let's go!"
"So he really is your teacher!" Li Rong said sarcastically. "I heard that Grandpa found you a teacher named Ling Feng!"
By now, many of the general's family's younger members were gathered around, whispering and laughing. They also occasionally glanced at Ling Feng with disdain.
Their teachers were either directors or vice-directors, retired generals, or presidents of various guilds. Even at the very least, they were nine-star mentors from the four major academies.
But Deng Yongshi's teacher...
He was clearly just a young boy!
"What does it have to do with you?" Deng Yongshi was furious. She had planned to keep a low profile and get through the family banquet without attracting attention, but Li Rong had exposed her immediately.
This woman clearly wanted to see me embarrassed!
"Mr. Ling..." Li Rong smiled, her eyes on Ling Feng. She then quickly corrected herself. "Oh, I mean, Teacher Ling. Teacher Ling, my cousin is so naughty that she's driven away several teachers over the years. Teaching Little Shi must be quite a challenge for you, haha..."
Li Rong laughed heartily, looking completely triumphant.