You Have Three Sons-Why Are They All Still Registered Under Your Name?

Feng Yan stepped out of the side hall first, his expression unchanged, betraying neither pleasure nor anger.

Wei Nisheng followed behind him, his eyes lowered and head bowed, his expression calm.

The two walked one behind the other through the covered corridor toward the main hall.

Meanwhile, in the main hall, Wei Mingde was on tenterhooks.

His tea had gone cold without him taking a single sip. He merely held the cup, his gaze flicking toward the doorway from time to time.

Wei Shouzheng was even more restless, shifting constantly as though needles were pricking him beneath his seat.

Cui Shi, meanwhile, was silently working out how to bring up her elder brother's affairs.

Just then, footsteps approached.

Wei Mingde sprang to his feet, plastered a smile across his face, and hurried forward to greet them.

Feng Yan waved for Wei Mingde to remain seated, then took the seat of honor himself and smiled faintly.

"Mingde, this Second Young Master of yours truly lives up to his reputation as the Fiery Child."

"To draw a sword and slay a wicked servant at ten-he has courage and judgment. A fine child."

Wei Mingde hastily smiled along. "You flatter him, Lord Feng. That child... merely acted out of hot-blooded recklessness. He hardly deserves your praise."

Feng Yan nodded without saying anything further or casting another glance at Wei Nisheng.

It was as though their private conversation really had been nothing more than a few casual words prompted by curiosity about the Fiery Child's exploits.

At this sight, Wei Shouzheng's tense expression relaxed a little.

He also stole a glance at Wei Nisheng, thinking, I'm the Wei Family's Eldest Legitimate Son! Why didn't he ask to speak with me? If that's what it takes, should I go home and kill a servant too?

For a while afterward, Feng Yan chatted intermittently with Wei Mingde.

He asked about Wei Mingde's duties in the Ministry of Works, Wei Shouzheng's studies at the Imperial College, and the recent weather in the Capital.

It was all inconsequential small talk, as though today were merely an ordinary reunion between old acquaintances.

Wei Mingde answered each question with a smile, but inwardly he grew increasingly anxious.

He had not come to the Feng Residence today to discuss these things.

So he looked at Cui Shi and gave her a meaningful glance.

Taking the hint, Cui Shi gently tugged Wei Shouzheng's sleeve and whispered, "Shouzheng, accompany your mother for a walk in the courtyard. Your younger brother is curious."

Wei Shouzheng paused, then looked at his father.

Wei Mingde nodded. "You two brothers should keep your mother and younger brother company. Don't go far."

"Yes, Father."

Once the three had left, only Feng Yan and Wei Mingde remained in the main hall.

Wei Mingde drew a deep breath, knowing that the real business was about to begin.

But rather than state his request outright, he first appealed to their personal ties.

"Lord Feng, I came today first to pay my respects on behalf of my late father, and second..."

He paused and sighed, putting on a helpless expression. "All these years in the Ministry of Works' Construction and Repairs Office, I've spent every day dealing with construction paperwork.

"It may be an undemanding post, but ultimately... I feel I'm frittering away my years."

Feng Yan did not so much as lift his eyelids. He merely gave a quiet "Mm."

Seeing that Feng Yan had not interrupted him, Wei Mingde felt somewhat reassured and continued, "My late father also began as a section chief in the Ministry of Revenue, working his way up step by step to minister.

"Though I cannot compare to even a fraction of what he was, I would not dare disgrace the Wei Family's traditions."

"So I was wondering... if an opportunity arose, might I ask you to put in a word for me with Lord Feng at the Ministry of Personnel?"

"A lateral transfer at the sixth rank to the Imperial Parks Bureau, still as a section chief, would not overstep the bounds."

Wei Mingde phrased it very tactfully. He did not directly ask for an office, merely for "a word" and "a lateral transfer."

But everyone present understood that he was asking for an appointment.

Only after Wei Mingde finished did Feng Yan raise his eyes to look at him.

His gaze was calm, betraying neither pleasure nor anger. After several moments of silence, he slowly said,

"The Imperial Parks Bureau? It oversees mountains and waterways, parks and gardens, vegetation and timber. There are richer pickings there than in the Construction and Repairs Office, but the affairs are also more complicated."

"Mingde, after all these years in the Construction and Repairs Office, could you adapt to a sudden move to the Imperial Parks Bureau?"

Wei Mingde hurriedly replied, "I'm willing to learn. So long as I can get away from that tedious paperwork and handle more practical affairs, I could ask for nothing better."

Feng Yan nodded, giving neither his approval nor his refusal.

Seeing this, Wei Mingde gritted his teeth and added, "Lord Feng, there is one other matter..."

"Speak."

"My wife has an elder brother who currently holds office in Taiyuan Prefecture.

"My father-in-law is growing old and would like him transferred closer to home, so he can fulfill his filial duties.

"If he could be transferred to Kaifeng Prefecture or Nanchang Prefecture, it would be an immense kindness."

At this second request, Feng Yan's brows visibly furrowed.

This was no mere lateral transfer, but a major reassignment, even for a minor official.

Thus, Feng Yan did not respond immediately. Instead, he lifted his teacup and slowly took a sip.

Wei Mingde waited, his palms growing sweaty.

After a long while, Feng Yan set down his cup and said mildly, "Mingde, did you come today to seek an appointment for yourself, or for your wife's brother?"

Wei Mingde faltered, then hastily replied, "Both..."

Feng Yan smiled. "You certainly know how to pick your moment."

Wei Mingde gave an awkward smile, not daring to answer.

Looking at him, Feng Yan suddenly asked, "Mingde, do you know why your father was able to rise to minister in the Ministry of Revenue?"

Wei Mingde was taken aback. "Because... because my late father was skilled in practical affairs and upright in his conduct..."

Feng Yan shook his head. "Not only that. It was because he never stayed in one position too long, and never asked for two things at once."

This was already a pointed reprimand.

Wei Mingde's expression shifted slightly, and he said quietly, "You are right to admonish me, Lord Feng... I was greedy."

Feng Yan waved a hand, his tone softening somewhat. "Never mind. For your father's sake, I must show you some consideration.

"As for your affairs, I'll have someone make inquiries at the Ministry of Personnel.

"As for that brother-in-law of yours..." He paused. "Transferring him back from Taiyuan Prefecture is no small matter. I must first examine his performance evaluations before deciding."

Overjoyed, Wei Mingde thanked him repeatedly. "Thank you, Lord Feng! Thank you, Lord Feng!"

Seeing Wei Mingde behave this way, Feng Yan could not help shaking his head.

But then he thought of his own son, who had been so frightened by his retirement that he had left his daughter behind and fled the Capital of his own accord...

Comparing the two made Feng Yan feel even worse. *Brother Wenyue, to think neither of our sons can be entrusted with anything important.

Still, you fared better than I did. At least you have a fine grandson.

At that thought, Feng Yan looked at Wei Mingde again, his gaze deep and searching.

"Mingde, since you mentioned your father, something has come to mind."

Wei Mingde hastily said, "Please speak, Lord Feng."

"Before Wenyue passed away, was he not overcome with joy at the birth of this second grandson?"

Wei Mingde's expression changed.

He had not expected Feng Yan to bring this up so suddenly.

Without waiting for his answer, Feng Yan continued, "I remember that day, when Wenyue received word that your elder brother, who had died young, finally had an heir.

"He wept with joy, saying over and over, 'Good, good, Mingyuan has an heir.'"

"But later, I heard that your second son had been named 'Ni Sheng' and placed in the Side Courtyard, where no one paid him any attention for ten years."

Wei Mingde's face went pale. "You misunderstand, Lord Feng! He was merely left in the Side Courtyard to temper his disposition..."

Feng Yan ignored his excuse and merely said coolly, "To temper his disposition? For ten years?"

Wei Mingde was at a loss for words.

"What brought Brother Wenyue joy before his death? And what brought him sorrow? You know better than I do.

Feng Yan stared at him, enunciating every word.

"It was simply that he learned you, of the second branch, had twin legitimate sons, and that the younger could succeed to the eldest branch and carry on the ancestral incense for your elder brother who died young!

"In the blink of an eye, Wenyue has been gone for over ten years, and your elder brother longer still. Yet now..."

"You have three sons-why are they all still registered under your name?"