In the midst of being escorted to the capital with the Marquis Mansion’s family members, at first, it wasn’t too bad. But during the latter half of the journey, Feng Yanting most often heard the words—
"Feng Yanting really is a loyal servant!"
"Feng Zhongliang is not too bad either, even though he has been released from servitude, he still remembers the kindness of the Marchioness!"
"... Haha, Feng Yanting this little ’servant sprout’ isn’t bad either, always knew to serve the Eldest Miss since he was little!"
Servant sprout! Google seaʀᴄh novelFirｅ.net
Besides these heart-piercing terms, there was also the ridicule and teasing from the second branch, third branch, and the guards escorting them, whether malicious or benign.
It wasn’t until this time that Feng Yanting clearly and profoundly realized: I, who thought of myself as noble, am actually a "servant sprout."
Even if his father was released from servitude, the brand of "servant" still lingered.
Feng Yanting, true to being the male lead, despite such a heavy blow, wasn’t crushed. Instead, he became increasingly mature and resilient.
He began to learn to think, to deduce reasons from past events and details.
For instance, Mrs. Zhang did indeed like him and treated him differently.
However, such affection might just be that of an owner towards a favored pet, definitely not as a nephew or junior.
Someone as noble as Mrs. Zhang, even now in decline, and even if the roles were reversed making her a slave of the Feng Family, she would never truly think of the Feng Family as her equals.
This enlightening event very accurately confirmed Feng Yanting’s speculation.
Having just let go of his feelings towards Mrs. Zhang, Feng Yanting nurtured a new resentment.
Still, he was young, and even if there was various dissatisfaction in his heart, his opinions couldn’t influence the adults.
Feng Zhongliang didn’t even notice Feng Yanting’s unease, he was busy every day looking for odd jobs or manual labor.
He Tiantian, of course, noticed Feng Yanting’s increasingly profound eyes, but she deliberately guided Feng Yanting so as to make him see certain "realities."
"Yanting, don’t worry, Mom may have only read a few books and my knowledge isn’t as good as those real scholars, but I can still provide you with some basic education."
"If you encounter any problems that even Mom can’t solve, don’t worry, you can try asking the Marchioness. She should be more capable than me!"
He Tiantian deliberately said this.
Feng Yanting clenched his little fists even tighter.
Having laid the groundwork, He Tiantian didn’t continue to provoke Feng Yanting further.
The next day, He Tiantian had Feng Zhongliang buy brushes, ink, paper, and an inkstone.
During the day, as He Tiantian copied the Thousand Character Classic, she explained it to Feng Yanting.
In the evening, He Tiantian would sit by the window and do Embroidery by the dim candlelight.
Feng Yanting woke up in the middle of the night to urinate and, in the pitch-black night, clearly saw his mother’s silhouette against the window.
"Mom!" Feng Yanting was deeply moved.
He knew his mother was working so hard to provide for the family.
The burden of supporting the family was indeed heavy, not just for feeding their own but also the group of people from Mrs. Zhang’s side.
Even though Mrs. Zhang was in a difficult situation, she still demanded refinement and elegance.
The daily expenses of the Feng Family were definitely no more than twenty copper coins, yet on Mrs. Zhang’s side, it was several times that of the Feng Family!
And yet, Mrs. Zhang still lamented how hard life was, and Nanny Zhao always had the phrase "Mrs. is suffering" on her lips.
The rich enjoy their wealth, and the poor have their way of life.
Marquis Pingnan’s Mansion had already been confiscated, and Mrs. Zhang’s parental family had fallen into trouble too.
She was no longer the honorable Marchioness.
Since she had already fallen to the mundane world, she should just live a simple and honest life.
Others like "Gu Xiuniang" did household chores and enlightened their children, all while not forgetting to earn money with their Embroidery.
What about Mrs. Zhang and her people?
Fine, assuming Mrs. Zhang came from a noble background and was unable to do the manual work that earned money.
But what about her head maid and two concubines? Doing some Embroidery, knitting some nets, or even simply washing clothes for others, they could still earn some money for food.
Yet what happened? That group of women from next door didn’t work at all, always shouting about serving the Marchioness and waiting to be supported by the Feng Family.
Feng Yanting came into contact with these realities and began to silently shout in his heart.
His young soul was filled with indignation and helplessness.
"Mom, you’re truly working too hard!"
Having witnessed the shamelessness of Mrs. Zhang and others, Feng Yanting felt even more heartache for his own mother.
"It’s not hard, as long as our Yanting can study, pass the civil examinations in the future, stand out from others, and bring honor to the Feng Family name, I don’t mind how much hardship I endure!"
With large dark circles under her eyes and yawning, He Tiantian continued to explain the lessons to Feng Yanting.