Chapter 33: He Looks Like a Good Boy
That old man Ning Song wanted to use expensive medicine? Fine.
It was all coming from the Emperor’s coffers anyway, so Xiao Li didn’t mind the expense one bit. But she had to get her payback.
A short while later, Doctor Ning emerged from the Princess Mansion, weeping and covering his face.
’The Princess is too vicious! My reputation is ruined, ruined in my old age!’
Xiao Li tossed the scissors aside. Seeing the floor littered with snippets of a salt-and-pepper beard, she let out a truly malicious laugh.
’That rotten old man, ruining my plans! You won’t get off easy, either!’
Hong Yue and Lan Yue were speechless. Doctor Ning’s fate was just too tragic.
Nanny Qian frowned. She had already said everything she could to dissuade her, but she’d been unable to stop the Princess’s brutal display.
Looking again at the Princess with her wild and malicious grin, Nanny Qian found herself staring at a familiar face that felt increasingly like a stranger’s. ’If this keeps up,’ she worried, ’what will become of her?’
Xiao Li handed the guards she brought back to Yang Jun, telling him to start their training. The rest could wait until Rong Qing had recovered.
Rong Qing, however, proved to be quite sensible. Though his injuries prevented him from taking action, he recommended his own disciple—Wu Lie, the top-ranked martial artist—to Xiao Li.
Wu Lie had studied under Rong Qing and had already grasped the basics of the Rong Family’s Saber Technique. For now, he was more than capable of teaching these men. They would focus on building a foundation, and then increase the intensity once Rong Qing recovered.
But Rong Qing didn’t stay idle just because he had recommended someone else. After the bone-scraping procedure, he had his men carry him outside. Even though he couldn’t move, he personally supervised the training, giving verbal commands.
It was clear he was genuinely determined to repay her.
Xiao Li didn’t stop him. Wasn’t this exactly the effect she was hoping for?
The only thing that irked her was that rotten old man, Ning Song. He would treat Rong Qing while simultaneously giving her the cold shoulder.
He looked much younger without his beard, but the stubborn old coot was brimming with resentment day in and day out. No matter how good a mood he was in, his face would fall the moment he stepped into the Princess Mansion.
He’d glare at her brazenly, yet he never failed to treat Rong Qing with the utmost diligence.
Xiao Li was rendered speechless by him. If she weren’t a woman of some principle, she would have killed him already.
"One Snow Ganoderma. Now stop showing me that sour face, or I’ll carve it right off you!"
Xiao Li slammed her hand on the table, her voice thick with aggression.
Ning Song broke into a smile instantly, the wrinkles on his face seemingly doubling. "Many thanks for the Princess’s reward."
Xiao Li had to hand it to him. ’This old fox shouldn’t be an Imperial Physician,’ she thought. ’He’d make a much better eunuch.’
----
"Princess, members of the Feng Family are here to see you."
’The Feng Family?’
It took Xiao Li a moment to recall which Feng Family they were. "I’m not seeing them."
The guard was about to turn and relay the message when Xiao Li suddenly remembered something. "Wait. Who is it?"
"Madam Feng, Miss Feng, and Mr. Feng."
Xiao Li thought of that unbelievably sweet face. After days of being visually assaulted by Ning Song’s old mug, she needed something to soothe her eyes.
"Let them in."
Soon, a beautiful and gentle-looking woman entered with the Feng siblings. They immediately performed a deep bow. "I, Mrs. Feng Yu, along with my children, have come to express our deepest gratitude to the Princess for saving my son’s life."
Xiao Li rose and took her arm to help her up. "Madam Feng, there is no need for such ceremony."
Madam Feng allowed herself to be raised, gently clasping Xiao Li’s hand. Her eyes were filled with gratitude. "The Feng Family is eternally grateful for Your Highness’s immense kindness. Please forgive us for taking so many days to come and offer our thanks."
As Madam Feng spoke, she felt a wave of apprehension. They had wanted to come much earlier, but with the Prince Consort having been assassinated and his life hanging by a thread, it didn’t seem appropriate to show up thanking the Princess for saving Feng Yin’s life.
Still, the matter couldn’t be ignored. They had waited for days until they heard that the Prince Consort’s condition had stabilized before rushing over, hoping they would not displease the Princess.
Xiao Li had already put Lu Yanzhi out of her mind. At this moment, she had only one thought.
’Feng Yin looks so much like his mother.’
Madam Feng was serene and gentle, with the dignified features of a well-born lady, not a baby face. But Feng Yin’s face was a seventy percent match to hers.
Feng Yu must take after her father; she lacked some of her mother’s gentleness, and her features were more defined, giving her a stronger appearance.
The thought flashed through her mind. Snapping back to the present, she said, "It was a small effort, hardly worth making such a fuss over. Madam Feng, please, sit and speak."
Murmuring polite words, Madam Feng sat down. Feng Yu stood behind her mother, leaving only Feng Yin standing in the middle of the room.
Only then did Xiao Li’s gaze fall openly upon him, and her eyes instantly felt soothed.
Feng Yin was dressed today in a light blue robe of jacquard Cloud Brocade with embroidered hems. Over his shoulders, he wore a dark blue cloud collar woven with golden thread.
A jade ring hung from his belt, along with other exquisite accessories.
His attire was magnificent and formal; even his hair ribbon was adorned with golden beads and tassels. Paired with his harmless-looking yet noble face, he looked every bit the pampered young master of an aristocratic family.
He had looked so wretched at the hunting grounds that day; today was the first time Xiao Li got a proper look at him.
He had a pair of beautiful eyes, clear and bright, and full of spirit. His brows were like strokes of ink, his skin was fair, and the curve of his features was perfect—a beauty that even the most skilled artist could not capture.
But his beauty wasn’t childish. It was the handsomeness of a young man, a refined appearance infused with a masculine, heroic air. What a fine and graceful youth.
Xiao Li’s admiration lasted less than two seconds, because Feng Yin, with a solemn expression on his baby face, performed a very formal and serious bow to her.
"Feng Yin pays his respects to the Princess."
"It is only thanks to the Princess’s rescue that I am alive. I have come today specifically to offer my gratitude."
He was so formal, so stuffy. Xiao Li couldn’t help but frown as she listened. He was from a scholarly family, but why did this kid seem like such a little bookworm?
’That face shouldn’t be used like this!!’
"Ahem... I have received your thanks, Mr. Feng. Please, take a seat."
The Feng Family had brought many gifts: antique calligraphy and paintings, jade ornaments, collectibles, and rare medicinal herbs.
Nothing was gaudy in the slightest; one look and you could tell they were gifts from a scholarly, aristocratic family.
Xiao Li, for her part, didn’t stand on ceremony and accepted them all. She had a banquet prepared to entertain them, and the Feng Family, unable to refuse, had no choice but to stay for the meal.
As she was leaving, Madam Feng presented Xiao Li with another box and gave a graceful bow. "Thank you for your hospitality, Princess. The doors of the Feng Family will forever be open to you. We welcome you to visit us at any time and will eagerly await your distinguished presence."
Xiao Li replied, "You are too kind, Madam Feng. Take care."
Feng Yin, walking last, pressed his lips together, looking rather embarrassed. Nevertheless, he performed a meticulous bow before departing.
Watching them leave, Xiao Li smiled faintly. ’That young mister is quite polite. He seems like a good, obedient boy.’
Having not dealt with such social niceties for a long time, Xiao Li felt uncomfortable all over. Finally seeing them off was like having a great weight lifted from her shoulders.
She picked up her teacup and took a sip. To think she had gone through all that trouble just to get a look at Feng Yin... It was truly...
Her gaze fell upon the box beside her. She opened it casually and found a single, vibrant turquoise feather inside, brilliant and eye-catching.
The feather was only a finger’s length long. The base of its quill was wrapped in a small piece of gold, about the size of a fingernail. The gold was worked into a filigree pattern, with the character for "Feng" in the center.
The feather and gold itself weren’t worth much money; it looked more like a unique token of the Feng Family.
’The life of the Feng Family’s only grandson... that’s a priceless treasure.’
’An unintentional act of kindness bearing unexpected fruit.’
’A pity...’
She closed the box. ’A pity that such an upright, scholarly family is of little use to me.’