Chapter Twenty-Two: Returning to the Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion

Feng Yumian was clearly not so easily deceived. She did not believe Xu Feng’s perfunctory excuses and continued to press him for details about what had actually transpired inside the prison all the way back.

"Tell me, quickly! Why were those fiends so respectful toward you? Could it really be out of fear for the Tianxiang Pavilion? But those people don't even fear death."

"When did you become so clever?" Xu Feng widened his eyes, desperate to change the subject. He truly had no way to answer her.

"I’ve always been clever, thank you very much. Don't think of me as a child." She huffed, "Don't try to change the topic. Give me a straight answer. Did you drug them? If you have any more of that good stuff, can you give me some?"

Xu Feng could hardly tell her the truth, especially with Feng Yuzhi following right behind them. He could not simply reveal his secret identity in front of the two sisters. If he were foolish enough to do that, Feng Yuzhi would likely join forces with Zuo Jincheng to arrest him on the spot. His true identity had to remain hidden for now.

"Perhaps those fellows are just afraid of me. Either way, between me and the Tianxiang Pavilion, there is always something that makes them tremble."

Feng Yumian looked thoughtful, eyeing Xu Feng with suspicion. Xu Feng remained calm, letting her scrutinize him without a hint of panic. After all, he had hidden his "Ghost-Masked Man" persona perfectly; he wore a mask whenever he went out, and no one had ever seen his true face.

"Afraid of you? That lot is only concerned about the Tianxiang Pavilion. You really think you have that much influence? If you had such ability, you wouldn't be staying at home as a good-for-nothing, idling your days away." Feng Yuzhi never missed a chance to mock him.

As soon as she spoke, the desire to chat vanished for both Xu Feng and Feng Yumian.

"You should get some rest. I’ll arrange for food to be sent to you. You didn't eat in the prison, did you?"

"No need. I’ll have Dong'er make something simple. I haven't suffered any grievances, so don't worry." Seeing this, Feng Yumian said no more.

As soon as Xu Feng entered the courtyard, Dong'er rushed toward him. The young girl had clearly been crying for a long time; her eyes were red and swollen. "Master, are you alright? I thought you weren't coming back."

"It’s not as dramatic as all that. It was just a cell in the Six Gates Department. See? I’m perfectly fine. I haven't lost a single piece of flesh."

With someone at home who truly cared for him, a rare touch of tenderness softened the corners of Xu Feng’s eyes. He often felt out of place in this era, but Dong'er was one of the few who could reach the softness in his heart—and now, Feng Yumian was another.

After eating, Xu Feng began his meditation.

The following day, the typically quiet courtyard saw an unexpected visitor from the Tianxiang Pavilion. It was Lady Rong’s maid, inviting Xu Feng to the pavilion for a poetry appreciation session.

"Young Master Xu, if it is convenient, please depart with me now. My mistress is waiting for you outside."

Xu Feng did not refuse. Counting it up, he owed a favor to the world—or, more accurately, to Lady Rong. Since she had come personally to invite him, there was no need to decline. "Wait a moment, I will change my clothes and be right with you."

Before he could leave, Feng Yuzhi, who had somehow received word, barged in. "Where do you think you’re going? Stay home and behave yourself. A live-in son-in-law running around outside all day—what does that look like? Without my permission, you aren't stepping one foot out of this courtyard today."

Feng Yuzhi possessed a domineering desire for control; she could not tolerate anyone defying her wishes. The Xu Feng of the past had been submissive, but lately, she felt she could no longer control him. She was using this moment to assert her authority.

"The eldest Miss Feng certainly has airs. Does everyone need your permission to step outside? I have never heard of such a rule for a live-in son-in-law."

A familiar voice rang out. It was Lady Rong, who had actually come to the Feng residence in person. Before Feng Yuzhi could respond, Lady Rong gestured for her maid to drop a package on the ground.

"Inside is a hundred taels of gold. Consider it the fee for inviting Xu Feng to appreciate poetry. What do you think? If it is not enough, just say so; adding more is no trouble. Young Master Xu is a man of great talent; it is truly a grievance for him to be a live-in son-in-law in your Feng household."

Feng Yuzhi was fuming, her face turning ashen, but she dared not talk back to Lady Rong. After all, the woman represented the Tianxiang Pavilion, and the Feng family’s influence had not yet reached such heights. Even the Jianfeng Mountain sect would have to think twice before offending the Tianxiang Pavilion.

Only after Xu Feng was taken away did Feng Yuzhi recover her senses. She had always belittled him as worthless, never imagining that the person she disregarded was worth a hundred taels of gold—and perhaps even more—in the eyes of others.

"Is he really worth so much to the Tianxiang Pavilion just because he can write a few poems?"

No one answered her.

On the other side, Lady Rong invited Xu Feng to sit with her in the carriage.

"I wonder, Lady Rong, is there something you wish to discuss with me?"

"Can’t it be that I truly just want you to appreciate poetry?"

"If it were just for poetry, you could have sent a maid. There would be no need for you to make the trip yourself." Xu Feng was a man of keen perception; he guessed the matter was not so simple.

Indeed, the poems Xu Feng had composed at the Tianxiang Pavilion had spread far and wide. Some had even compared him to the great sages of Confucianism, which had stirred dissatisfaction among the younger generation. Since ancient times, literature and martial arts have always been competitive. These people naturally wanted to step on Xu Feng’s head to build their own reputations. Many had already come to challenge him, but they had all been turned away by Lady Rong. This time, however, the visitor was someone of significant status: the top scholar of the Beilu Academy. Even the Tianxiang Pavilion had to give the academy some face.

"I see. In that case, this is not just a grudge between the younger generation, but a wager between the Tianxiang Pavilion and the Beilu Academy?"

"Exactly. It even involves grievances from the older generation. If the Tianxiang Pavilion loses, it will be quite a loss: ten thousand taels of gold and twelve 'Reward Tokens'."

Those tokens were enough for the opponent to claim a top-tier weapon from the Armory Pavilion; they could not simply let them have it for free.

As they spoke, the carriage stopped outside the Tianxiang Pavilion. Lady Rong personally led Xu Feng inside. As for a poetry duel, Xu Feng had never feared anyone. However, the visitor today was clearly hostile and well-prepared. Upon seeing Xu Feng, the man began to mock him immediately, showing no respect whatsoever.

"So, you are the treacherous scoundrel who only knows how to steal others' poems and engage in deceit?"

A classic opening blow. He had slapped a heavy label on Xu Feng before he had even spoken. Xu Feng looked at him expressionlessly, not rushing to respond. Since the man had initiated the attack, he was undoubtedly prepared for any rebuttal. If Xu Feng answered, he would surely fall into a trap.