Chapter 60: Sunny Day Chapter 39: The Incarnation of the Heavenly Machine

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Characters:

Shaowei

Liu Qi

Among all flowers, Feng Zhu loved peonies most; her residence was planted with many varieties of peonies, and the residence was named Shaoxian Ju.

The maidservant answered in a low voice: "I just sent someone to ask, but she still cannot leave the courtyard. The Old Lady persuaded and coaxed her again and again, but that young lady is still frightened like a quail... The Old Lady said that for the evening banquet she will stay in Shaoxian Ju and will not go to the front hall."

"With the Old Lady accompanying her, the Old Head of Household will not stay at the table for long either, and will still go over there." Lady Qiao sighed: "Poor children, for two consecutive years they have not been able to celebrate the birthday with Grandfather and Grandmother, only hoping they can spend it together this year."

"If Lady Feng Shu is willing to let the children go together to Shaoxian Ju, I wouldn't mind the trouble of arranging and decorating... but unfortunately Lady Feng Shu cannot stand us outsiders. Last time a few children went to pay respects to her, it only brought on a fit of fright from her, truly leaving me, as their elder sister-in-law, not knowing what to do. Even if I have the will to draw near and comfort them, I have no way."

Lady Qiao's expression grew more desolate and depressed as she spoke: "This year is even harder. The Young Master has gone out busily searching for someone and has not returned yet. I manage the household alone, only to end up celebrating the birthday separated like this. My heart feels empty, not to mention I inevitably have to listen to the children's complaints..."

The maidservant could only comfort her: "This is unavoidable. Madam, please ease your mind and get through these three festival days..."

As the mistress and servant spoke, a group of young men and women accompanied by servants came walking and laughing. The girl in the lead wore the brightest clothes, walked the fastest, and spoke with the most cheer: "Mother!"

Lady Qiao looked over, the gloom on her face vanished instantly, leaving only smiles in her eyes.

She was over forty, with three daughters and two sons. Her eldest daughter Feng Shu had married years ago, and her eldest son Feng An was already twenty, now discussing marriage. He was steady and composed, the most reassuring one.

Her second son Feng Xian was eighteen and not very reassuring, but in a mother's eyes her own children are always good. Even if he had a touch of foppishness, to this mother he was merely a bit willful, lively, and mischievous.

There were also these two daughters like flowers and jade, both sixteen. The one older by a few days was named Feng Mi. Though not born of her but of a concubine, that concubine died in difficult labor giving birth to Feng Mi, so Lady Qiao raised her together with her own youngest daughter Feng Yi in her arms.

Feng Yi had an exuberant and outgoing temperament, while Feng Mi spoke less and had great discretion in her heart, always yielding to Feng Yi in everything, so they got along harmoniously.

Besides these, there were two young boys in the household, twin brothers born of a concubine. In Lady Qiao's view, these two brothers seemed to have shared one brain in the womb, so it seemed insufficient, very much like their foolish mother—Lady Qiao did not regard this mother and her three sons at all.

Looking at this group of her own children, Lady Qiao could be said to be thoroughly satisfied.

The one walking in front at this moment was Feng Yi. She ran to her mother, turned a circle, and displayed her clothes, dress, and jewelry: "Mother, is this new birthday outfit pretty or not?"

Feng Mi, walking a few steps behind, saluted Lady Qiao, then fondly snapped at her sister: "You've asked over a hundred times along the way, and been praised a thousand times... Pretty, pretty, anything you wear is pretty."

Feng Xian curled his lip: "Then another day let her change into beggar's rags for us to see!"

Feng Yi was so angry she wanted to hit him, but Feng Mi held her back. Lady Qiao clicked her tongue and slapped his shoulder: "It's a festival, why say such unlucky words!"

Feng An also sternly rebuked his younger brother a few words. The four accompanied Lady Qiao to the hall to talk.

Lady Qiao said while walking that Feng Mi's dress and adornment were too plain: "... This outfit does suit you, but after all it is a festival, it should be livelier to look good."

"What is there to be lively about? Father is not at home, and Grandfather and Grandmother will probably go guard Aunt again. This festival has no flavor at all..." Feng Xian complained from the side, found a seat, sat cross-legged, and raised his hand to urge the maid to serve him hot tea.

Lady Qiao raised her eyebrows: "Your aunt has suffered outside for so many years. Your grandfather and grandmother accompanying her a while longer is only proper. Where does it get your turn to complain to heaven and earth?"

Some words she would mutter a couple of times in private and leave it at that, but she could not let these indiscreet children speak nonsense. If it reached the ears of the Old Marquis and Old Lady, where would they find any good?

Feng Xian still harbored resentment: "So according to that, we have all become outsiders who cannot even speak?"

Feng An, sitting upright at the side, always spoke and acted with gentle fairness, paying attention to the rites of a gentleman. At this moment he could not help but frown, and sternly rebuked his younger brother: "Aunt is originally Grandfather and Grandmother's own daughter, and they have been separated by flesh and blood for many years. Father being established as Young Master is Grandfather's great repayment of kindness and affection. If we cannot tolerate this true affection of licking the calf, and quibble over such trivial matters here, that would be truly heartless!"

Feng Xian was scolded until his face was red and ears hot, but for a moment did not know how to retort. He immediately flicked his sleeve and stood up, speaking with sarcasm: "Yes, yes, only the eldest brother is most reasonable!"

He pushed away the serving maid in anger, walked straight out, drawing a sigh from Feng An, while Lady Qiao's face was full of helplessness: "What a sin, why did they start quarreling again for no reason..."

"Mother, what Second Brother said is not entirely without reason." Feng Yi sat close to her mother, acting coquettish, and at this moment also pouted her lips in dissatisfaction: "Aunt has suffered many hardships, and now she is sick and muddled. It is natural and not wrong for us juniors to respect her. But doesn't she still have a daughter? Grandfather and Grandmother are determined to find that person back. Then, out of love for the house and the crow, won't we become outsiders?"

The more she said, the more angry and stifled she felt: "If we are to have Grandfather and Grandmother snatched away by such a bastard who doesn't even know who her birth father is, I am not willing."

"What bas... stop talking nonsense." Lady Qiao heavily slapped the hand her daughter had hooked around her arm: "After all, she is your aunt's own flesh and blood."

Feng Yi wanted to say more, but was interrupted by Feng Mi at her side. Feng Mi asked sternly: "Mother, was the person really found this time?"

The person had been searched for a year or two already. They had made mistakes, and clues had been cut off, but Grandfather and Grandmother had always been unwilling to give up. Until last July, reportedly reliable news was sent back. Father valued it highly and personally went to identify her.

Lady Qiao nodded: "This time I suppose it is nine out of ten..."

"Clearly a lowly life, but with a good mother..." Feng Yi muttered in a low voice: "I don't know what kind of coarse person she is. If she doesn't know the rules, I'm afraid she will press down on our heads. Then I won't let her."

"On this matter you absolutely cannot be willful!" Lady Qiao pointed heavily at her daughter's forehead: "You must get along harmoniously, otherwise you will incur your grandfather and grandmother's displeasure."

Feng Yi's eyes turned red with grievance: "The person hasn't even come back yet, and you're already using Grandfather and Grandmother to pressure me!"

Feng Mi comforted her and reached to put an arm around her shoulder, but she angrily hummed and shook her off.

Feng An was about to speak when he saw a maidservant hurry in: "Madam, the Young Master has returned to the residence!"

Lady Qiao stood up at once: "How so sudden, not even time to send word in advance... By the way, did he bring anyone back?"

The maidservant answered: "I didn't see anyone. The Young Master got off the carriage and hurriedly went to pay respects to the Marquis and the Old Lady!"

Lady Qiao quickly thought in her heart, lifted the hem of her deep clothes, and came out from behind the table: "I will go take a look."

The three siblings also rose and followed.

Feng Xu, who had returned dusty and weary, had already knelt in the hall to pay respects, but his words carried an intent to beg forgiveness: "Father, Mother, Xu was not capable enough in this task and made some errors."

The Marquis hurriedly asked: "The person was not found?"

Among those sent were also old servants trusted by the Marquis, but Feng Xu was the first to return at this time. The rest of the news was still behind.

"Father, please be at ease. The person has been found, but some mishap occurred." Feng Xu: "Because this child fell ill on the way and could not hurry on the urgent road, I returned first to explain the cause and effect to Father and Mother."

"As long as the person is found!" Lady Shen Tu asked sternly: "What exactly happened?"

The Marquis also raised his hand to gesture: "First rise and reply!"

Feng Xu replied with a shameful expression, stood up in the hall, and explained the situation: "This child has managed to return to Chang'an, but may not be able to return home..."

Lady Qiao, who had hurriedly come with her children, saw the hall gate tightly closed. For a moment she did not dare let servants rush in to announce, so she could only wait anxiously outside.

As for why Feng Xu in the hall had such words, it must start from the twelve-character prophecy of the Baili State National Preceptor that was secretly circulating—

Since the mountain collapse in Nan Commandery two years ago, earthquakes and thunder without clouds and other anomalies had appeared one after another. With the Court sending troops against the Xiongnu, people's hearts began to float.

Last spring, the upper and lower of Xian Tai Gong were ordered to translate and interpret the prophecy left by the Baili State National Preceptor. They deduced that "the Tianji Star appears" in the twelve-character prophecy referred to the reincarnated incarnation of the Tianji Star. Only by finding this person could the calamities of the dynasty be stopped, and the Zicheng Emperor Star no longer waver.

Combining the handwritten notes left by the Baili State National Preceptor, the upper and lower of Xian Tai Gong also repeatedly deduced based on hexagrams and star phenomena for one hundred days, finally arriving at a birthday guide for the Tianji Incarnation. The birthday should consist of the four pillars of year, month, day, and hour, two characters per pillar, totaling eight characters. But what Xian Tai Gong obtained was only six characters, unable to accurately divine the final two characters of the hour pillar, only precise to year, month, and day—

【1】 ·

【2】 ·

【3】 ·

【4】 Characters:

【5】 Shaowei

【6】 Liu Qi

【7】 Among all flowers, Feng Zhu loved peonies most; her residence was planted with many varieties of peonies, and the residence was named Shaoxian Ju.

【8】 The maidservant answered in a low voice: "I just sent someone to ask, but she still cannot leave the courtyard. The Old Lady persuaded and coaxed her again and again, but that young lady is still frightened like a quail... The Old Lady said that for the evening banquet she will stay in Shaoxian Ju and will not go to the front hall."

【9】 "With the Old Lady accompanying her, the Old Head of Household will not stay at the table for long either, and will still go over there." Lady Qiao sighed: "Poor children, for two consecutive years they have not been able to celebrate the birthday with Grandfather and Grandmother, only hoping they can spend it together this year."

【10】 "If Lady Feng Shu is willing to let the children go together to Shaoxian Ju, I wouldn't mind the trouble of arranging and decorating... but unfortunately Lady Feng Shu cannot stand us outsiders. Last time a few children went to pay respects to her, it only brought on a fit of fright from her, truly leaving me, as their elder sister-in-law, not knowing what to do. Even if I have the will to draw near and comfort them, I have no way."

【11】 Lady Qiao's expression grew more desolate and depressed as she spoke: "This year is even harder. The Young Master has gone out busily searching for someone and has not returned yet. I manage the household alone, only to end up celebrating the birthday separated like this. My heart feels empty, not to mention I inevitably have to listen to the children's complaints..."

【12】 The maidservant could only comfort her: "This is unavoidable. Madam, please ease your mind and get through these three festival days..."

【13】 As the mistress and servant spoke, a group of young men and women accompanied by servants came walking and laughing. The girl in the lead wore the brightest clothes, walked the fastest, and spoke with the most cheer: "Mother!"

【14】 Lady Qiao looked over, the gloom on her face vanished instantly, leaving only smiles in her eyes.

【15】 She was over forty, with three daughters and two sons. Her eldest daughter Feng Shu had married years ago, and her eldest son Feng An was already twenty, now discussing marriage. He was steady and composed, the most reassuring one.

【16】 Her second son Feng Xian was eighteen and not very reassuring, but in a mother's eyes her own children are always good. Even if he had a touch of foppishness, to this mother he was merely a bit willful, lively, and mischievous.

【17】 There were also these two daughters like flowers and jade, both sixteen. The one older by a few days was named Feng Mi. Though not born of her but of a concubine, that concubine died in difficult labor giving birth to Feng Mi, so Lady Qiao raised her together with her own youngest daughter Feng Yi in her arms.

【18】 Feng Yi had an exuberant and outgoing temperament, while Feng Mi spoke less and had great discretion in her heart, always yielding to Feng Yi in everything, so they got along harmoniously.

【19】 Besides these, there were two young boys in the household, twin brothers born of a concubine. In Lady Qiao's view, these two brothers seemed to have shared one brain in the womb, so it seemed insufficient, very much like their foolish mother—Lady Qiao did not regard this mother and her three sons at all.

【20】 Looking at this group of her own children, Lady Qiao could be said to be thoroughly satisfied.

【21】 The one walking in front at this moment was Feng Yi. She ran to her mother, turned a circle, and displayed her clothes, dress, and jewelry: "Mother, is this new birthday outfit pretty or not?"

【22】 Feng Mi, walking a few steps behind, saluted Lady Qiao, then fondly snapped at her sister: "You've asked over a hundred times along the way, and been praised a thousand times... Pretty, pretty, anything you wear is pretty."

【23】 Feng Xian curled his lip: "Then another day let her change into beggar's rags for us to see!"

【24】 Feng Yi was so angry she wanted to hit him, but Feng Mi held her back. Lady Qiao clicked her tongue and slapped his shoulder: "It's a festival, why say such unlucky words!"

【25】 Feng An also sternly rebuked his younger brother a few words. The four accompanied Lady Qiao to the hall to talk.

【26】 Lady Qiao said while walking that Feng Mi's dress and adornment were too plain: "... This outfit does suit you, but after all it is a festival, it should be livelier to look good."

【27】 "What is there to be lively about? Father is not at home, and Grandfather and Grandmother will probably go guard Aunt again. This festival has no flavor at all..." Feng Xian complained from the side, found a seat, sat cross-legged, and raised his hand to urge the maid to serve him hot tea.

【28】 Lady Qiao raised her eyebrows: "Your aunt has suffered outside for so many years. Your grandfather and grandmother accompanying her a while longer is only proper. Where does it get your turn to complain to heaven and earth?"

【29】 Some words she would mutter a couple of times in private and leave it at that, but she could not let these indiscreet children speak nonsense. If it reached the ears of the Old Marquis and Old Lady, where would they find any good?

【30】 Feng Xian still harbored resentment: "So according to that, we have all become outsiders who cannot even speak?"

【31】 Feng An, sitting upright at the side, always spoke and acted with gentle fairness, paying attention to the rites of a gentleman. At this moment he could not help but frown, and sternly rebuked his younger brother: "Aunt is originally Grandfather and Grandmother's own daughter, and they have been separated by flesh and blood for many years. Father being established as Young Master is Grandfather's great repayment of kindness and affection. If we cannot tolerate this true affection of licking the calf, and quibble over such trivial matters here, that would be truly heartless!"

【32】 Feng Xian was scolded until his face was red and ears hot, but for a moment did not know how to retort. He immediately flicked his sleeve and stood up, speaking with sarcasm: "Yes, yes, only the eldest brother is most reasonable!"

【33】 He pushed away the serving maid in anger, walked straight out, drawing a sigh from Feng An, while Lady Qiao's face was full of helplessness: "What a sin, why did they start quarreling again for no reason..."

【34】 "Mother, what Second Brother said is not entirely without reason." Feng Yi sat close to her mother, acting coquettish, and at this moment also pouted her lips in dissatisfaction: "Aunt has suffered many hardships, and now she is sick and muddled. It is natural and not wrong for us juniors to respect her. But doesn't she still have a daughter? Grandfather and Grandmother are determined to find that person back. Then, out of love for the house and the crow, won't we become outsiders?"

【35】 The more she said, the more angry and stifled she felt: "If we are to have Grandfather and Grandmother snatched away by such a bastard who doesn't even know who her birth father is, I am not willing."

【36】 "What bas... stop talking nonsense." Lady Qiao heavily slapped the hand her daughter had hooked around her arm: "After all, she is your aunt's own flesh and blood."

【37】 Feng Yi wanted to say more, but was interrupted by Feng Mi at her side. Feng Mi asked sternly: "Mother, was the person really found this time?"

【38】 The person had been searched for a year or two already. They had made mistakes, and clues had been cut off, but Grandfather and Grandmother had always been unwilling to give up. Until last July, reportedly reliable news was sent back. Father valued it highly and personally went to identify her.

【39】 Lady Qiao nodded: "This time I suppose it is nine out of ten..."

【40】 "Clearly a lowly life, but with a good mother..." Feng Yi muttered in a low voice: "I don't know what kind of coarse person she is. If she doesn't know the rules, I'm afraid she will press down on our heads. Then I won't let her."

【41】 "On this matter you absolutely cannot be willful!" Lady Qiao pointed heavily at her daughter's forehead: "You must get along harmoniously, otherwise you will incur your grandfather and grandmother's displeasure."

【42】 Feng Yi's eyes turned red with grievance: "The person hasn't even come back yet, and you're already using Grandfather and Grandmother to pressure me!"

【43】 Feng Mi comforted her and reached to put an arm around her shoulder, but she angrily hummed and shook her off.

【44】 Feng An was about to speak when he saw a maidservant hurry in: "Madam, the Young Master has returned to the residence!"

【45】 Lady Qiao stood up at once: "How so sudden, not even time to send word in advance... By the way, did he bring anyone back?"

【46】 The maidservant answered: "I didn't see anyone. The Young Master got off the carriage and hurriedly went to pay respects to the Marquis and the Old Lady!"

【47】 Lady Qiao quickly thought in her heart, lifted the hem of her deep clothes, and came out from behind the table: "I will go take a look."

【48】 The three siblings also rose and followed.

【49】 Feng Xu, who had returned dusty and weary, had already knelt in the hall to pay respects, but his words carried an intent to beg forgiveness: "Father, Mother, Xu was not capable enough in this task and made some errors."

【50】 The Marquis hurriedly asked: "The person was not found?"

【51】 Among those sent were also old servants trusted by the Marquis, but Feng Xu was the first to return at this time. The rest of the news was still behind.

【52】 "Father, please be at ease. The person has been found, but some mishap occurred." Feng Xu: "Because this child fell ill on the way and could not hurry on the urgent road, I returned first to explain the cause and effect to Father and Mother."

【53】 "As long as the person is found!" Lady Shen Tu asked sternly: "What exactly happened?"

【54】 The Marquis also raised his hand to gesture: "First rise and reply!"

【55】 Feng Xu replied with a shameful expression, stood up in the hall, and explained the situation: "This child has managed to return to Chang'an, but may not be able to return home..."

【56】 Lady Qiao, who had hurriedly come with her children, saw the hall gate tightly closed. For a moment she did not dare let servants rush in to announce, so she could only wait anxiously outside.

【57】 As for why Feng Xu in the hall had such words, it must start from the twelve-character prophecy of the Baili State National Preceptor that was secretly circulating—

【58】 Since the mountain collapse in Nan Commandery two years ago, earthquakes and thunder without clouds and other anomalies had appeared one after another. With the Court sending troops against the Xiongnu, people's hearts began to float.

【59】 Last spring, the upper and lower of Xian Tai Gong were ordered to translate and interpret the prophecy left by the Baili State National Preceptor. They deduced that "the Tianji Star appears" in the twelve-character prophecy referred to the reincarnated incarnation of the Tianji Star. Only by finding this person could the calamities of the dynasty be stopped, and the Zicheng Emperor Star no longer waver.

【60】 Combining the handwritten notes left by the Baili State National Preceptor, the upper and lower of Xian Tai Gong also repeatedly deduced based on hexagrams and star phenomena for one hundred days, finally arriving at a birthday guide for the Tianji Incarnation. The birthday should consist of the four pillars of year, month, day, and hour, two characters per pillar, totaling eight characters. But what Xian Tai Gong obtained was only six characters, unable to accurately divine the final two characters of the hour pillar, only precise to year, month, and day—

Anyone born on this day could possibly be a Tianji Star reincarnation or one who has a Tianji Star in their destiny.

Over half a year, dozens of eligible youths were found in Chang'an City alone, but matching the birth date is only a prerequisite; one must also examine facial features and bone structure. In the end, fewer than ten were deemed by Xian Tai Gong to have the requisite karmic connection.

These eight youths were successively taken to Xian Tai Gong, where they must study Daoist learning, clarify the mind and purify the orifices, master poetry, books, rites, and even the art of governing the state, until age eighteen — the Red Yang Immortal Master has said, if one is truly a Tianji Incarnation, their bone structure and Qi mechanism will surely manifest before eighteen.

This is a screening concerning a prophecy of national fortune, but even those who are ultimately screened out, if they achieve something in their studies, will likewise be heavily employed.

The screening scope naturally cannot be limited to Chang'an City, but such matters are destined not to be publicly announced for search. In the seventh month last year, the Emperor dispatched the Commander of the Brocade Guard, Zhu Zhi, and the Red Yang Immortal Master to leave the capital and search everywhere.

The Brocade Guard exists solely to execute secret matters for the Emperor; Brocade Guard envoys travel with tally in hand, and none dare disobey wherever they go.

The Red Yang Immortal Master is the fellow disciple of National Preceptor Baili Youyi; both studied under a high personage of the Former Dynasty. It is heard that Red Yang's ability is not inferior to his senior fellow disciple Baili Youyi, but due to his innate abnormal appearance, he has long not been heavily employed.

Until the National Preceptor Baili Youyi shed his mortal coil and departed, the Emperor had no one he could heavily employ, only then recalling this fellow disciple of the National Preceptor, and so invited him into Chang'an, making him head of Xian Tai Gong.

This time, the Red Yang Immortal Master left the capital together with Zhu Zhi, both to seek immortal medicine for the Emperor and to continue searching for the whereabouts of the Tianji Incarnation.

Feng Xu traveled all the way to Donglai Commandery, just found that child, and happened to encounter the Red Yang Immortal Master's party passing through this place.

Red Yang said he was guided by divination signs to this fishing village; as he spoke, his gaze fell upon the girl Feng Xu was protecting behind him.

"The matter arose suddenly, concerns the state's fate, and a Brocade Guard envoy is present; Xu dares not conceal anything, and can only hand over the birthday token the child carries for the Red Yang Immortal Master to examine."

Feng Xu explained the whole sequence of events: "After the Immortal Master finished examining, he actually said this child's birthday matches the Tianji Incarnation very closely, and she ought to be sent into Xian Tai Gong to cultivate Immortal Arts together..."

Such an opportunity falling on an ordinary family would naturally be a rare and sought-after good thing, but the Lu Marquis and his wife have no intention of using this to curry favor; this is also a child they bitterly searched for a long time to find, and now before she has even been brought into the family gate she must be sent to the Dao Palace...

The Lu Marquis and his wife are naturally unwilling, but as Feng Xu said, this matter concerns the state's fate, truly leaving one with no alternative.

With matters at this point, the Lu Marquis could only first comfort his wife: "I hear those children are very well cared for in Xian Tai Gong; after four years when they reach eighteen, their bones will be examined and their Qi discerned; if there is nothing extraordinary, they will be released home... Xian Tai Gong has many precious classics; they can not only learn rites but also governance; for this uneducated child, it is not without being a kind of karmic opportunity."

After a long while, Madam Shentu only let out a light breath and nodded.

This matter is not something they can control; more words are of no use. Madam Shentu is more concerned right now: "Xu'er, this child's identity — is it truly confirmed without error? I remember earlier there was a returning message saying there seemed to be another child in that stockade of similar age, with some resemblance in appearance..."

"Yes, it is precisely because I am clear on this matter that I went personally to identify her, to prevent any possibility of confusion." As Feng Xu spoke, he first handed an object forward: "This is the birthday wood token that child carried close to her body."

The Lu Marquis took it and examined closely: "This is indeed Zhu'er's handwriting carving marks..."

Madam Shentu took it, feeling carefully with her fingers, only to hear Feng Xu continue: "I have investigated and confirmed that the child with some resemblance is named Ming Dan, but she already fell ill and died at the end of the year before last; I have already gone to see her grave mound and wooden stele."

"Furthermore, from several stockade prisoners' mouths it was learned that the child Zhu'er gave birth to was abused and tortured by that Bandit Chief from a young age, even having her blood drawn every month to refine medicine..."

The Lu Marquis was shocked: "Drawing blood?"

"Precisely." Feng Xu's expression was also unbearable: "I looked at this child's arms, densely covered entirely with injury scars."

"Simply worse than beasts!" Madam Shentu was also pained and angry, involuntarily clutching the wood token tightly: "Letting him die so easily is already too cheap for him... otherwise I would personally flay his skin, sever his tendons, grind his bones and scatter his ashes!"

The Lu Marquis likewise had a pale, cold face.

Afterwards, Feng Xu also explained in detail the many other bases for identifying and proving this child's identity.

If Feng Zhu were conscious, having her come to distinguish would be most direct, but Feng Zhu is currently confused to the extreme, fundamentally unable to recognize anyone, and no one dares rashly stimulate her.

By this point, age, appearance, token, even scars — all conceivable bases have already matched up.

As for blood-drop kinship testing? Madam Shentu has never believed in that, only treating it as groundless talk to listen to.

Madam Shentu asked a few other things, and Feng Xu answered every single one in full detail.

In the end, Madam Shentu nodded: "The rest can wait until after we meet this child face to face... this trip you have toiled and rushed for months on end, quickly go wash off the dust and change clothes, so you can also join the evening meal later."

"Yes, I will first take my leave, and come later to pay respects and offer birthday wishes to Father and Mother." Feng Xu raised his hand in salute, took his leave and departed.

Seeing Feng Xu come out, Madam Qiao and the others waiting outside all hurried up to greet him, and left together with Feng Xu; Feng Yi followed impatiently behind asking: "Father, really found her? Where is she?"

In the hall restored to quiet, the Lu Marquis alone asked his wife: "What is Madam's plan in your heart?"