The Rise of Phoenixes

Chapter 70

The Qiu Mansion Third Young Master had just been conferred a military rank in the Hu Wei Camp, so Madam Qiu’s face instantly turned serious, and with a wave of her hand, dismissed the servants around them.

“The Madam truly manages her servants well.” Feng Zhiwei praised lightly as she stood. “The Qiu Mansion’s manners has become more rigorous than before.”

Madam Qiu was just about to reply with some modest words when she finally heard the words that Feng Zhiwei had used.

“Than before...” She peered up confusedly at Feng Zhiwei, wondering why this Master Wei was speaking as if familiar with the Qiu Mansion.

Feng Zhiwei smiled.

“Hao-er is still immature, and Wei-er still lacks understanding.” She smiled as Madam Qiu’s expression changed. “They have bothered you over these years.”

“You— you...” Madam Qiu stood and retreated a step, clutching the back of her chair, tottering in place.

“I am Wei Zhi[1].” Feng Zhiwei proclaimed, hands clasped behind her back, her eyes calm and merciful. “It is who I am now, and it is who I will be in the future. It is Wei Zhi who stands in the Imperial Court, and Wei Zhi who claims the Qiu Mansion.

She procured an envelope and handed it over. “This is Uncle Qiu’s letter to his madam.”

Madam Qiu’s face went pale as she read, and as soon as she was finished she instinctively crumpled the pages into a ball, but as she regained her sense of propriety, unfolded it once again.

Feng Zhiwei smiled as she watched.

With her current status, it was very simple to procure a sample of Qiu Shangqi’s handwriting, and once brought to the talented guests gathered in the Yan Family household, a letter written in Qiu Shangqi’s own hand was quickly forged. The letter’s tone was very ambiguous, repeating again and again that Wei Zhi was extremely capable, and that the Qiu Family had no master anymore. The Madam must listen to Wei Zhi’s arrangements and proceed according to her dictates, pursuing a sincere cooperation.

In Madam Qiu’s understanding, the letter said that Qiu Shangqi knew of Feng Zhiwei’s identity and still asked her to accept her rule, and she did remember her husband repeatedly reminding her to forge a good relationship with this “Master Wei.” A muddied river of emotion seemed to be running through her heart as she sat in stunned silence.

“Madam.” Feng Zhiwei continued placidly. “Since I am being frank with you and Master Qiu, you do not need to worry that I still hold a grudge against the manor. Now that Master Qiu is no longer present, with all the matters that will surround this manor in the future, it will be best if you and I can work together in unity.”

Madam Qiu stared at Feng Zhiwei, knowing that she spoke the truth. With their different statures, and with Qiu Shangqi absent, if she wanted to pursue vengeance, then the madam could only watch helplessly as her Qiu Family be torn apart. Coming in person today and revealing her true identity was a show of sincerity, and the madam understood that if she did not learn to differentiate right from wrong, she would be setting herself against this young minister. When the time came, who would support her? Even if her parents wanted to help, they would probably be incapable of saving the Qiu Mansion.

Yet she still hesitated, unable to accept this new situation without fear, though there were no good alternatives. The Master was no longer present, and with him gone went the pillar of both the family and of her heart, and now the banished Feng Zhiwei returned with such a heaven-shattering status. Even now as her mind raced, she was still sunk in shock and astonishment.

“You... what do you want?” She finally managed after a long moment.

“You still regard me as an outsider.” Feng Zhiwei smiled. “I have always been your niece, and what is mine is yours, and all that is yours, I share a part. Is there any need to draw a clear line?”

Madam Qiu opened and closed her mouth, her face pale beyond belief. Feng Zhiwei turned kindly eyes on her and continued: “My identity is naturally a secret. Feng Zhiwei will return to the Qiu Mansion, brought back by your will from your parents’ home in Huai Jiang Province. Master Wei will remain the son of a Qiu Mansion family friend... Do you understand?”

Madam Qiu stood numb, cold sweat forming on her palms in the hot summer heat. As she looked up at Feng Zhiwei’s unsmiling eyes over the kindly expression on her face, Madam Qiu felt a wave of coldness rise up from within her.

She had never underestimated this niece, but she had still underestimated her far too much!

“You are happy, I am happy, and the entire family is happy. From today onwards, I am sure I do not need to tell you how to treat the Feng Family’s returned young mistress.” Feng Zhiwei gestured casually with her sleeve. “Naturally, a gifted plum will receive a return gift of a peach. The Qiu Mansion and my three cousins will be in my care.”

Madam Qiu sat down mechanically, and after another long silence said: “Zhiwei, about before...”

“Please call me Master Wei.” Feng Zhiwei smiled.

Madam Feng struggled to calm her breath, and just as she was about to speak again, a clamor broke in from afar.

“Catch the assassin! An assassin is here for the Madam!”

The outcry was quickly followed by Auntie An’s terrible, throat ripping scream: “Madam! Madam! This old lady was almost murdered by that Feng Family bitch! You must demand justice for me!”

Madam Qiu’s face fell again and again. Feng Zhiwei turned and grabbed Gu Nanyi as he was about to float forward and deal out some more punches, and Gu Nanyi immediately froze and stared down at the slender fingers on his wrist.

“I will not bother the Madam any longer, and will take my leave.” Feng Zhiwei stood. “Tomorrow, Zhiwei will be waiting outside the city gate for your carriage to bring her back to the Qiu Mansion, do not forget.”

As Madam Qiu bitterly nodded, Feng Zhiwei noticed that she had been unhinged by everything that had unfolded, faintly smiling as she reminded: “Should you not urge the important guest to stay?”

Madam Qiu climbed shakily upright, following Feng Zhiwei for a few steps as they walked to the door, calling out numbly and loudly: “This humble house has prepared a feast, perhaps Master Wei could stay for dinner before leaving?”

“This nephew greatly appreciates this Madam’s wonderful hospitality.” Feng Zzhiwei bowed deeply. “Unfortunately I still have matters to attend to. Next time I will definitely come to learn from Aunt’s wisdom.

After affecting some politeness, Feng Zhiwei strolled past the guards rushing around, spotting Chunyu Meng and Yan Huaishi in the distance watching the uproar. Chunyu Meng hugged himself, almost bent over in delight as he laughed aloud: “General Qiu’s guards are imposing! Chasing an assassin from east to west across the mansion, and not even spotting a shadow!”

The Qiu Family and the Chunyu Family were both famous military clans, each part of different political parties. The two families did not have good relations, so Chunyu Meng was delighted at the opportunity to drop a few insults.

Madam Qiu did not recognize these two men, and was even more astonished when the butler introduced them — how did Feng Zhiwei have so much power? She had even become friends with the Chunyu and Yan Families!

Finally, the Madam reached the top of the stairs and cried out in annoyed rebuke towards the guard leader. “I’m right here, how could there be an assassin? Yelling and making a mess, are you not worried of becoming a joke to our guests!”

“Madam!” Auntie An stumbled and crawled forward up the stairs. “This old servant was just beaten by that woman from the Feng Family... look ...”

Madam Qiu did not even spare a glance for Auntie An’s bloody nose and swollen face. “You truly have become confused in your old age! What is this place? You dare to come here and holler and shout? Do you want others to say that My Qiu Mansion has no rules! Take her away and slap her...”

Before the guards had even dragged away the stunned Aunite An, Madam Qiu was already coldly addressing the servant girls and old maids: “Wei-er is on her way back from my Sheng Family’s household at Jiang Huai province, and she is still outside the city. How could she be here to beat anyone? Have Old Liu prepare a carriage tomorrow, and send some servant women to bring the young Feng miss back to the Qiu Mansion.”

[1] Feng Zhiwei (凤 知微) Wei Zhi (魏 知)