Xie Quan indeed felt Mr. Feng’s enthusiasm, only true brothers would stab straight to the heart! In a somewhat sarcastic tone, he said, "If Qiu Yuan were to participate in this imperial examination, he’d definitely be the Top Scorer. After all, you are his elder, it’s implausible that your ranking would fall behind the younger generation."
Feng Xun’an’s face turned red, then he coughed and said, "You always talk with barbs and arrows. Come on, let’s go to the pavilion in the backyard and have some drinks."
Xie Quan smiled, "You should first accept the grand gift your son-in-law sent you."
"What gift?" He had heard some rumors, but found it strange and didn’t feel comfortable asking directly, so he planned to first clear things up with Xie Quan.
Xie Quan leaned in and whispered a few words.
Feng Xun’an couldn’t help but be greatly surprised, then he calmly asked, "Was this your idea?"
"Is there a better idea than what your son-in-law has?" Xie Quan chuckled.
Feng Xun’an couldn’t help but nod, then he shook his head, "Gongming, bring the item to my study and wait for me there."
Xu Qing naturally complied and, following the direction of the servants, went to the study.
Meanwhile, Feng Xun’an was busy pulling Xie Quan to the pavilion to inquire about the matter.
Xie Quan naturally told the truth.
Feng Xun’an wasn’t angry upon hearing it and said, "This youngster is quite adept at stirring up danger, it’s characteristic of his style."
"What’s there to be angry about? Since I chose him, I naturally anticipated this. Life is fleeting. Sometimes a fiery endeavor, regardless of success or failure, isn’t necessarily a bad thing. You old thing, you might be secretly envious of me."
"Who said that? I certainly am not."
Xu Qing set down the trunk in the study, and the servant left.
"Brother Gongming." Feng Wu appeared in the study, sitting in Mr. Feng’s chair.
Xu Qing’s mouth twitched, "Awu, can we have a serious conversation?"
"This isn’t serious enough? I told you to call me by my nickname, why won’t you?"
"My name is Xu Qing, and calling you ’Qing’er’ feels strange," Xu Qing said with a hand to his forehead.
Feng Wu giggled and said, "I heard you’ve made quite a stir again since returning to Jiangning Prefecture."
Xu Qing replied, "The trees wish to be still, but the wind keeps blowing. Do you think I want it this way? Anyway, you don’t have room for regret now."
Feng Wu responded, "I wouldn’t regret it. Life is but a hundred years, like a rapidly flowing river. As long as one has no regrets, any way of living is the right way."
Xu Qing said, "Then you have to work harder to help me. Otherwise, it’s too tiring for me alone."
He was telling the truth. His responsibilities were growing, and he desperately needed trustworthy people to share his burdens. Some matters even required close and capable family to help shoulder them.
Feng Wu was a Dao Skill expert with a powerful Divine Soul, not to mention her intelligence and strong background.
With such an opportunity presenting itself on a platter, Xu Qing had no choice but to seize it.
Feng Wu’s smile was radiant as she said, "Then you work hard too, and let’s add a few more members to our family."
In the eyes of women of this era, once married, bearing children was a natural and righteous duty. The more, the better, as it would lead to the prosperity of the family.
Xu Qing didn’t shy away from the topic and said, "Then you’ll have to practice the Tiger Demon Bone Refining Fist diligently. If there are any difficulties, just ask me."
Feng Wu smiled and replied, "I’m working hard on it. But let’s not talk about this for now, look at this treasure I have for you."
Xu Qing asked curiously, "What treasure?"
Feng Wu took out a scroll and slowly unfurled it.
Upon a fixed gaze, Xu Qing exclaimed in surprise, "Chongyang True Man Image."
He was entranced at the sight and the bronze mirror emitted a faint light, seemingly reacting in a mysterious way to the portrait.
The inscription read:
Nothing can leave the empty shell, yet some may comprehend what predates birth.