Chapter 46: A Centurion of the Brocade Guard

Common folk always love a spectacle, and since this matter involved the Feng family—an opportunity to witness such a grand event being rare on ordinary days—they swarmed around eagerly.

The Feng family's recent blunder with transporting military provisions had already caused a massive uproar in Gusu City. Unfortunately, the Feng family had still managed to weather the storm, and while the exact details remained unknown to the public, the spies of various major aristocratic families understood one thing clearly: should the Feng family ever fall from grace, they would not hesitate to beat a drowning dog.

"Do you think the imperial court is finally going to move against the Feng family?"

"Surely not. Didn't they say the provisions were already delivered back? Even if they really wanted to punish the Feng family, they would need a proper reason, wouldn't they?"

"I heard the Feng family drove away that good-for-nothing son-in-law of theirs a few days ago. When do you think they'll hold another bride-selection to take in a new son-in-law?"

The chatter and discussions in the surroundings were endless, but Xu Feng stood right at the front, completely unfazed.

The original owner's reputation in Gusu City was indeed quite poor, making him an object of public ridicule. Even with the changes he had brought about later, there was no way to reverse that impression in such a short time.

He had no intention of getting worked up over ordinary people, nor could he possibly manage so many wagging tongues.

"Do you think I have a chance to enter the Feng family as a son-in-law?"

"Oh, forget it, you butcher. They wouldn't even want you if you threw yourself at them for free; someone could smell the stench of blood on you from two miles away."

...

Ignoring the surrounding discussions, Xu Feng kept his attention focused entirely on the troop of cavalry. Their attire and equipment looked somewhat unfamiliar.

There were about a hundred riders, only a portion of whom wore armor, while the rest wore dark brocaded robes. Because they were still some distance away, the embroidered patterns on the garments were unclear.

The leader was even more flamboyant, dressed in a bright crimson brocaded robe with a long saber slung at the waist, looking utterly imposing.

Moreover, Xu Feng found this person's build and appearance somewhat familiar. As the individual drew closer, he finally recognized her with startling clarity—it was none other than Red Lotus, with whom he had interacted several times not long ago.

He had guessed many identities for her, but he had never expected that Red Lotus was actually a person of the imperial court. What puzzled him, however, was how someone from the court could have ended up on the mountain acting as a bandit.

His mind raced through countless thoughts in an instant, yet he could find no logical explanation.

The cavalry quickly closed the distance, and as it turned out, they were heading straight for him. Red Lotus spotted Xu Feng in the crowd from afar and, paying no heed to the astonishment of the onlookers, rode directly up to him.

The spectators who had gathered around Xu Feng to watch the spectacle were so frightened they rapidly backed away, terrified of being implicated. Some among them finally recognized Xu Feng.

"The imperial decree has arrived!"

"Xu Feng, why aren't you hurrying to receive the decree?!"

Outside the Feng family residence, Red Lotus dismounted in one fluid motion, smoothly drew a roll of yellow silk from her sleeve, raised her right hand high, and proclaimed the imperial edict aloud.

Hearing this, Xu Feng felt a jolt in his heart.

It seemed Red Lotus's status was far more formidable than he had imagined. This realization made him all the more glad he had handled things the way he had; it was fortunate he had stood firm and not allowed the credit he rightfully earned to be taken away.

In truth, even if he had yielded it, Zuo Jinucheng wouldn't have benefited—it would have simply meant missing out on a rare stroke of destiny.

After all, what Red Lotus valued was Xu Feng himself, not Zuo Jinucheng.

No one knew better than she where the credit had truly come from.

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Whereas Xu Feng, a native of Gusu, has slain Northern barbarian spies and rendered illustrious service, he is hereby specially appointed as a Junior Assistant Commander of the Brocaded Guards, awarded one thousand liang of silver, and granted an annual stipend of ninety-six shi of grain."

"Xu Feng, receive the decree! What are you standing there daydreaming for?!"

Red Lotus's words snapped Xu Feng back to reality.

Looking at the imperial decree in his hands and then at Red Lotus, a complex expression crossed his face.

This was an edict issued personally by the Emperor. Regardless of anything else, even without counting the generous rewards and elevation in official rank, simply being able to show his face before the Emperor was an immense stroke of good fortune.

"This subject thanks His Majesty for his grace."

More complex still were the expressions of the Feng family members. They had long since sensed the commotion outside, and even the matriarch had hurried out to the entrance.

The expressions on the faces of the Feng family members varied widely. Feng Yumian was mostly filled with curiosity; having lived this long, it was her first time laying eyes on an imperial decree, and if not for the crowd, she would have undoubtedly rushed forward to take a closer look.

The matriarch, however, wore a look of profound grief. Among those present, she was the only one who truly understood how immense this favor was and what kind of transformation a single imperial decree could bring to a great aristocratic family.

With the Emperor's grace, Xu Feng's future was boundless, yet all of this no longer had the slightest connection to the Feng family. Had the imperial decree arrived just a day earlier, she would have risked her life rather than let Xu Feng leave the Feng family.

Now, saying such things was entirely too late. Perhaps this was simply the fate of the Feng family—they lacked the fortune to enjoy such blessings.

Master Feng and Feng Yuzhi wore expressions of sheer resentment, especially Feng Yuzhi. In her eyes, all of this rightfully belonged to Zuo Jinucheng, and Xu Feng had stolen it all from him.

This father and daughter had been blinded by their own prejudices, trapped in a fog where they could not see the true situation, refusing to consider what Zuo Jinucheng was even worth.

As for Zuo Jinucheng himself, he dared not harbor any such thoughts; he wished he could bury his head right between his legs. Red Lotus's identity and power were enough to terrify him out of plotting anything else.

He could only pray that she hadn't noticed him, lest a terrible disaster befall him.

"Congratulations! Quick, let me see the decree. I've never seen one in my entire life."

Once things quieted down, Feng Yumian hurried over to Xu Feng's side. While others harbored all sorts of misgivings, she certainly didn't.

"Yumian, do not be unseemly."

The matriarch's expression was exceptionally stern. Seeing this, Feng Yumian didn't dare say another word; she stuck out her tongue playfully and retreated to the side.

"Matriarch."

"With His Majesty's favor, your path ahead will be much smoother. What a pity..."

The matriarch let out a long sigh, ultimately deciding not to say much more. She simply couldn't swallow her pride to win Xu Feng back.

Xu Feng naturally understood the matriarch's meaning. He merely urged her to take good care of her health and not overthink things, remaining entirely silent on all other matters as if none of it had ever happened, acting as though he didn't even recognize Feng Yuzhi.

From this moment on, both sides belonged to two entirely different worlds. Barring some accident, any further contact was impossible. Out of respect for the matriarch, he let bygones be bygones regarding the past, but that was strictly the limit.

Feng Yuzhi curled her lips in defiance, still wanting to say something, but a single glance from the matriarch forced her to back down.

As for Zuo Jinucheng, he had long since slipped away to parts unknown, not daring to linger for a single second.

"Do rest early, Matriarch. I must be heading back as well."

Aside from the formal receipt of the decree, Xu Feng and Red Lotus exchanged no further words, save for a parting look he gave her—one that clearly meant she had better give him a proper explanation soon.

This matter had to be cleared up. While the position within the Brocaded Guards was fine in itself, it also carried certain responsibilities. Xu Feng had entered the imperial fold to acquire resources for his cultivation, not because he felt any sense of belonging to the Great Shun dynasty.

His own strength remained paramount.

Red Lotus smiled without a word. Having spent so much time interacting with him, she already understood Xu Feng's temperament and naturally knew what he was thinking, but in the presence of such a crowd, it was inconvenient to discuss it at length.

Watching Xu Feng depart, the matriarch closed her eyes in pain. Ignoring the rest of the Feng family members, she turned and walked away with a desolate air.

Having lived for the better part of a lifetime, the only thing she truly cared about was the fate of the Feng family. She had already realized that Xu Feng's departure might well mark the beginning of the Feng family's decline; if the family couldn't even hold onto a stroke of destiny bestowed by the heavens, how could they ever speak of prosperity?