This was a true house of power and privilege.

The next morning.

Wei Mingde had slept poorly the night before, tossing and turning as he thought about the Feng Family.

So, after an early breakfast, he sat in the seat of honor in the Central Hall without saying a word.

Cui Shi sat beside him, holding the two-year-old Wei Shoucheng in her arms, not daring to say much either.

Just then, someone from the gatehouse came to announce a visitor.

"Master! Master! Someone from the Feng Residence is here!"

"It must be Lord Feng's reply!" At those words, Wei Mingde sprang to his feet. "Quick, quick! Show him in at once!"

Before long, the Feng Residence's steward arrived in person, a presentably dressed man in his forties.

Once shown into the Wei Family's Central Hall, he offered a written reply with both hands, smiling, his manner courteous but not servile.

"Lord Wei, my master read your household's visiting card yesterday and was deeply moved by his old friendship with Duke Wenduan.

He specially sent me with his reply today, inviting you to bring your sons to his residence for a visit."

Wei Mingde accepted the reply, his hands trembling slightly.

He had barely heard what the steward said. The word "reply" alone had already sent flowers blooming in his heart.

After the Feng Family's steward left, Wei Mingde held the reply, his delight written all over his face.

"Ha ha! What did I tell you? How could Lord Feng refuse to see me? The card must simply have sat in a pile for too long. See? His reply came today!"

Cui Shi leaned over to look at the reply, her face likewise full of joy. "Husband, Lord Feng's willingness to see you proves that the friendship between the Wei Family and the Feng Family is still there!"

"Of course it is!" Wei Mingde declared smugly, straightening his back a little more.

"My father and Lord Feng passed the imperial examination in the same year and entered the Hanlin Academy together. Their friendship was forged through life and death! What does a mere half month without a reply matter?"

As he spoke, he bent down, picked up Wei Shoucheng, and kissed his youngest son's cheek.

"Cheng'er, today your father will take you to meet a great man! You'll get to see something of the world!"

Meanwhile, Cui Shi smilingly took the reply, wanting to see what Lord Feng had written so she could boast to her own family later.

But the moment she read it, her smile froze. She even read it twice over.

Wei Mingde did not notice Cui Shi's changing expression and continued teasing Wei Shoucheng. "Cheng'er, when you meet Lord Feng, be good and greet him properly, understand?"

Cui Shi drew a deep breath, her voice changing pitch. "Husband..."

Wei Mingde looked up. "What is it?"

Cui Shi handed him the reply, her eyes already reddening.

"Read it yourself..."

Wei Mingde took it and looked down.

The reply stated quite clearly: "Please bring your two sons, Shouzheng and Ni Sheng, to my residence for a visit."

Indeed, from beginning to end, the reply made no mention of his youngest son, Wei Shoucheng.

While Wei Mingde was still puzzling over this, Cui Shi had already begun wiping away tears.

"Master! What does Lord Feng mean by this?

Shoucheng is your son too! Why will he only see those two and not Shoucheng?"

"Does Lord Feng recognize only Lu Shi's sons and not the son I bore you?!"

The more Cui Shi spoke, the more wronged she felt, and the louder she cried.

Frightened, Wei Shoucheng puckered his little mouth and burst into loud wails as well.

The Central Hall descended into chaos, one set of cries rising after another.

The noise gave Wei Mingde a headache, and he hurried to soothe her. "There, there! Stop crying! Let me think..."

He studied the reply carefully, his own heart beating an uneasy drum.

Lord Feng had indeed mentioned only Shouzheng and that wretched son. Shoucheng's name did not even appear.

But he could not suggest there was anything wrong with Lord Feng, much less pour oil on the fire at a time like this.

He could only comfort Cui Shi. "Lord Feng probably didn't realize how young Shoucheng is, so he didn't mention him.

You and I will take Shoucheng along later. Once we meet Lord Feng, I'll naturally introduce him."

Cui Shi sniffled, her eyes swimming with tears. "Really?"

"Really! I promise!"

Only then did Cui Shi stop crying. She wiped her tears, lifted her head, and looked at Wei Mingde as she revealed her true purpose.

"Then... then remember to mention my elder brother's matter while you're there, husband..."

Wei Mingde nodded like a pestle pounding garlic. "I remember, I remember! I remember everything!"

Only then did Cui Shi smile through her tears. With an understanding air, she reached out to straighten his robes and smooth their creases.

"You're so good to me, husband. I knew you had me in your heart."

Her coaxing softened Wei Mingde's heart, and he thumped his chest in assurance. "Don't worry! When I see Lord Feng today, I'll definitely bring up your elder brother's matter!"

Cui Shi nodded in satisfaction and carried Wei Shoucheng away to change his clothes.

Wei Mingde was not idle either. He sent someone to the Imperial College to fetch Wei Shouzheng, then to the Side Courtyard to summon Wei Nisheng.

The Wei Family possessed "Pure Nobility," but Pure Nobility did not mean wealth.

Wei Mingde's salary from the Ministry of Works, together with the income from the farmland and shops Wei Zheng had accumulated,

barely covered the considerable expense of maintaining their "respectability." They could not afford to keep a carriage.

Thus, whenever they needed a carriage to go out, the Wei Family sent someone to hire one.

Today was no exception.

A somewhat worn carriage covered in blue cloth waited outside the gate. Its driver was an honest-looking middle-aged man in coarse, short work clothes, brushing the horse's mane.

Wei Mingde boarded first and took the seat of honor.

Cui Shi sat to one side, holding Wei Shoucheng, who had changed into a new outfit.

Wei Shouzheng hurried back from the Imperial College in his student's robes, climbed aboard, and sat beside his father with his back ramrod straight.

Wei Nisheng was the last to board.

He still wore that moon-white robe, neither new nor old, but perfectly clean.

Once everyone was aboard, the carriage set off toward the Feng Residence.

The arrangement inside was clearly defined: Wei Mingde in the center, Cui Shi and the youngest son to his left, and the eldest son to his right.

A family of four, neatly together.

Only Wei Nisheng sat alone in a corner.

Wei Mingde cleared his throat and looked at Wei Shouzheng with an affectionate gaze.

"Shouzheng, do you understand what today's visit to Lord Feng means?"

"I do." Wei Shouzheng immediately sat straighter, his expression respectful. "Lord Feng is Grandfather's old friend. If I can win his favor, my future official career will be free of worries."

"Exactly." Wei Mingde nodded in satisfaction. "Becoming Qin Gong's disciple was only the first step.

Qin Gong is a great master of Neo-Confucianism and a Renowned Upright Scholar, but when it comes to connections at court, heh..."

"Lord Feng entered the Grand Secretariat three times and served twice as chief grand secretary. His disciples and former subordinates are scattered across the realm."

"If you can make Lord Feng take a liking to you today, the road ahead will open wide, both at the Imperial College and at court."

Wei Shouzheng nodded repeatedly, his eyes shining. "I understand! I'll be sure to put on a good performance!"

Hearing Wei Shouzheng talk about performing again, Wei Mingde was so alarmed that he immediately snapped at him.

"Perform what? Whatever you do, don't perform!

Whatever Lord Feng asks, simply answer truthfully.

Don't show off, and don't panic. Remember, you're the Wei Family's eldest son. You must be composed and dignified."

Wei Shouzheng did not understand, but he could only nod obediently. "Yes, Father."

Wei Mingde instructed his eldest son from beginning to end.

Yet he never so much as glanced at Wei Nisheng, naturally offering him neither advice nor instructions.

It was as though this son were merely a piece of luggage in the carriage, brought along because Lord Feng had mentioned him "in passing."

Wei Nisheng did not mind either. He simply sat quietly, his gaze resting beyond the carriage window.

He knew that on this visit, Lord Feng would be meeting Wei Zheng's grandsons, not Wei Mingde's sons.

So he could not rush, reveal his hand, or steal the spotlight.

What he needed to do was let Lord Feng notice him and choose him of his own accord.

The carriage rattled onward through the streets and alleys of the Capital.

Outside the window, people bustled through the marketplace, the cries of vendors, chatter, laughter, and the noise of carriages and horses mingling together.

Soon they passed Gathered Worthies Hall, where Wei Nisheng had bought books on his previous outing.

Looking at the bookshop, Wei Nisheng could not help remembering the little meat bun of a girl he had met on his first day out.

What is that little girl doing now?

Before long, the carriage entered the streets lined with the residences of princes and nobles.

Vermilion gates and towering walls loomed before them.

The road was broad and clean, with fewer pedestrians. Even the occasional passing carriage was lavish and exquisitely crafted.

Wei Mingde grew visibly nervous, constantly straightening his robes and clearing his throat.

Wei Shouzheng sat even straighter, his chin slightly raised.

The carriage stopped.

The driver reined in the horse and turned back. "Master Wei, we've reached the Feng Residence."

Wei Mingde drew a deep breath, adjusted his robes and headwear, and was the first to step down.

Wei Shouzheng followed close behind, head high and chest out.

Cui Shi descended next, carrying Wei Shoucheng.

Wei Nisheng was the last to get down.

He stood before the Feng Residence and looked up.

The vermilion gates towered above him, the plaque bearing the words "Feng Residence" in imposing grandeur.

The stone lions before the entrance stood majestic, and the steps were broad and high, every slab of bluestone polished smooth as a mirror.

Three terms in the Grand Secretariat, two as chief grand secretary, with disciples and former subordinates throughout the realm.

This was a true house of power and privilege.