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Published at 2nd of December 2021 10:57:10 AM


Chapter 45

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Chapter 45 – The Feud

Fengning looked at the closed door and knew that Long San must have something to discuss with Long Er that she was not allowed to know.  So she stood near the door to eavesdrop and heard Long Er’s first sentence.

“Look at the both of you.  Are you afraid that others wouldn’t know what you did last night?”

Fengning blushed when she heard and felt guilty, wondering how he knew about it.  Just as she wanted to continue listening, the door opened and Long San called out with a stern expression.

“Feng’er……”

She lowered her head and pretended to kick the stones under her feet.  She did not want to leave and just wanted to listen to what they had to say.

Long San leaned next to her ear and said.  “Your neck is full of hickeys and Second Brother saw them.  If you’re not afraid of being gossiped by others, you can stand around here and allow others to see them.”

The moment Fengning heard, she quickly covered her neck guiltily and glared at Long San.  Then she turned around and ran quickly to the house where she was temporarily staying as if her butt was on fire.

Long San made sure that she had gone far away before he closed the door and walked back to Long Er.

“Second Brother, I have something to tell you about Feng’er.”

“Is it about your decision to be with her and you plan to live together?  I know about that and I’ve decided not to say anything more.  It’s your decision, therefore, it’s useless even if I don’t like it.”

“No, Second Brother……..”  Long San hesitated and then said.  “I just want to tell you that Feng’er is not Fengning.”

Long Er was startled.  “What do you mean she’s not Fengning?”

“They are two different people……two completely different people.”

Long Er narrowed his eyes.  “Then who is she?”

“She’s an orphan who grew up in Xia Country.”

Long San told Long Er about the investigation results and what happened during this period.

After listening, Long Er was so shocked that he could not close his mouth for a long time.

“Really?……”

“It’s true.”

“You only heard the one-sided story from that person named Nian Yi and the rest was just your imagination……..”

“I’m sure that I am Feng’er’s first man.”

Long Er frowned and then realized the meaning of it.  He felt even more shocked and said.  “Long San, since you know…….you actually……..”

Long San’s face had turned a little hot and he felt a bit awkward.

“Feng’er has feelings for me as well.”

Long Er did not want to say anymore.

Regarding this relationship between men and women, he as the elder brother really does not have a say in the matter.  However, if she recovers her memory or her family members come forward to demand justice, what should he say?

Long Er pondered for a long time and then ask.  “When did they switch?”

“I don’t know.  The spies I sent to Xia Country haven’t sent back any news yet.  In addition, someone is helping me to monitor Nian Yi and will inform me if anything happens.”

From the beginning, Long San had always felt guilty towards Nian Yi and felt ill at ease whenever his name was mentioned.

Long San continued.  “If the time of Xiao Wu’s arrival can be confirmed then the time of their switch can be estimated.”

“Even if there was a time frame but how did they manage to do it without anyone knowing?  Where is the genuine Fengning?  Why do they look exactly the same?  Why do they need to switch places?  From what I can see, the couple from the Feng Family also acknowledged the present Fengning as their daughter.  Can it be they are also unaware?  If they are aware then what trick are they playing?”

Long San did not speak because he could not answer any of them but he knew that the person he loves had presented him with a big problem.

Long Er thought for a while and said.  “I did an investigation on the feud that the Feng Family mentioned.”

“What was it?”

“That time when Grandfather Feng and our Grandfather were officials in the imperial court, there were rumors that Grandfather Feng had stored away treasures in private, collaborated with enemies, betrayed the country, and had the intention to rebel.  It was because of that that that he resigned.  I inquired about it and it seemed the Emperor originally wanted to give him the death penalty but Grandfather used his life to guarantee and Grandfather Feng was allowed to resign.  Because it was not something glorious, so the specific reason for his resignation was suppressed and it was only said that he had returned home due to illness.  For so many years, no one dared to spread any rumors.”

Long San found the situation a bit odd.

“Since it was Grandfather who used his life to protect Grandfather Feng, then the Feng Family should be grateful to Grandfather, so where did the feud arise from?”

Long Er took a sip of tea and continued.

“I looked for some elders and uncles to inquire about the details of this matter and strangely, they were quite fearful to talk about it.  Later, I used another way to inquire and finally found out that in private, everyone thought Grandfather was the person who framed Grandfather Feng.”

“What?  How is that possible?”  Long San could not believe it.  “Who doesn’t know about the friendship between Grandfather and Grandfather Feng?  When we were young, he would always tell us how both of them left the village to make a living in the outside world, how they begged together, how they learned martial arts, how they fought against the bandits, how they joined the army…….the meritorious deeds of the Long and Feng were sung throughout the world.  That was their life and death relationship and they even agreed on a child marriage contract for the younger generation.  Grandfather had even protected Grandfather Feng so that he was allowed to resign, didn’t he?  So how could Grandfather be the one who framed him?”

Long San was a bit agitated.

To him, Grandfather has always been a great hero therefore, he can’t accept anyone imposing such a crime of treachery on his Grandfather.

Long Er said.  “The source of all these disasters is due to that so-called treasure.”

Long San calmed down and looked at Long Er.  They were silent for a while and then Long San said.  “Treasure?  Is it the Long Family’s treasure that Grandfather left for us…….the treasure that we never planned to dig out?”

Long Er nodded.  “I made some connections and then found an old eunuch in the palace and asked.  It was said that the treasure was found by both Grandfather Feng and Grandfather.  The two of them agreed that their two families would protect and share the treasure.  From the eunuch’s words, I could gather the meaning and guessed that Grandfather’s greed was aroused but it was not good for him to have a fall out with Grandfather Feng and keep the treasure for himself.  Just at this time, the Emperor heard bits and pieces of the news about the treasure and asked about it, so Grandfather seized the opportunity to ruin the reputation of Grandfather Feng.  In the end, Grandfather Feng was forced to leave the imperial city and from then on, Grandfather had the treasure to himself.”

“After Grandfather Feng died, the descendants of the Feng Family thought that our Long Family had caused their downfall, and felt the treasure should belong to them, therefore they used a lot of time and energy to deal with us.”

Long San felt that the matter made sense after being analyzed in this way.  Long Er added.

“Um…..I had studied the map in detail and there’s a blank space that looked like it was deliberately left that way.  I had tried using the seal left by Grandfather and the mark left by the seal fitted in nicely, covering half the blank space.  I think the seal for the other half should be in the hands of the Feng Family.”

Long Er continued.  “Request to fulfill the marriage contract, snatching business, stealing the treasure…….it seemed these moves executed step by step were all done because of Grandfather Feng.”

Long San could not sit still any longer and stood up to pace around.

“Then how is this matter related to Feng’er?”

Long Er said.  “I sent someone to investigate the matter regarding Fengning giving birth to Bao’er and found that it’s true.  The Feng Family didn’t lie but it’s not known where your Feng’er came from.  In Huzhou, no one knows anything about the Feng Family having two daughters and no one has ever seen the two people appearing at the same time.’

Long San frowned and Long Er said again.  “Initially, this matter shouldn’t be so troublesome but because you like her, you brought this trouble onto yourself.”

Long San’s voice turned steely and replied.  “I just like her.”

Long Er’s lips twitched.  Although he was not happy, he still said.  “Then bring her back.  What did you tell her?  What do you plan to do with the child?”

Long San lowered his head and his voice was a little soft because of his guilt.

“I didn’t tell her anything.  She still thinks she is Fengning and Bao’er is her child.”

He sat down and continued.  “I had thought over it and decided on the child a long time ago.  Initially, when I thought she was still Fengning, I had decided to accept the child for her sake but after spending some time interacting with Bao’er, I found she is really a well-behaved child, so I don’t mind being her father.”

“But what if her biological parents come to look for her?”

Long San did not speak.

Long Er humphed and said again.  “What if this fake Fengning recovers her memory?”

Long San gritted his teeth and still did not say a word.

Long Er glared at him and cursed.  “Unpromising!”

Long San lifted his head and said.  “Second Brother, I want to marry Feng’er and go through the wedding rituals once more and naturalize* her.”

(Naturalize – Since Feng’er is from Xia Country and is not a citizen, therefore Long San wants to naturalize her through marriage.)

“Do you think by doing so she won’t run away?”  Long Er poured cold water on him.

“You are not even clear about her origin, how do you expect to naturalize her?  If you insist on using Fengning’s identity, won’t the Feng Family continue to make a fuss?  Besides, where is the genuine Fengning?  Is she dead or alive?  You’re not clear about all these, so what’s the use even if you had gone through the wedding rituals?”

Long San had made up his mind.

“No matter what is Feng’er’s identity, the Feng Family will continue to cause trouble.  The news of the genuine Fengning is just like Feng’er’s illness, nothing is definite.  What if Fengning can’t be found or Feng’er can’t recover in this lifetime, will I and Feng’er have to live this life forever without any title or status?   In any case, my wife will only be Feng’er.  What is so difficult about naturalizing a citizen?  After the wedding, it’s much easier to handle the Registration Officer.  If Second Brother feels it’s a difficult task then I’ll deal with it myself.”

“Are you throwing your temper now?”  Long Er showed an ugly expression.  “As an elder brother, when have I ever refused to help you?  It’s just that you’re now bewitched by her.  Have you thought carefully about it and understood the situation?  This is not just a matter of having an additional person entering the family, an additional pair of chopsticks, an additional person at the dinner table, or an additional person to warm the bed.  Trouble will come from all sides and there is also a child involved.  After your enthusiasm had passed, regretting will be useless.”

“I’ve already thought over it and understood everything.”

Long Er stared at Long San for a long time and then frowned and waved his hand.

“Alright, alright, hurry up and take your noisy wife to pick up the child.  Take them home first.  Whatever happens, it’s better to stay at home.  What’s so good about staying outside?  The New Year is fast approaching and Eldest Brother is coming home.  It’s rare for our family to get together and you’re not allowed to stay outside on your own for the New Year.  If you want to hold a wedding, you have to persist and it’s better to discuss it after you’ve returned home.  I’ll rush home after settling the matter here.”

When Long San heard, he knew that Long Er had agreed and could not help but feel very happy.  The two brothers talked for a little while longer before they were done.

 

On the other side, as soon as Fengning entered the house, the first thing she did was to look for a mirror.  The moment she looked into the mirror, her anger immediately rose.  Her neck was full of red and purple hickeys and there were even teeth marks.  After checking herself, Fengning almost smashed the mirror.

Oh God, she had walked casually and nonchalantly through the streets and returned with such a shameful neck!  After walking through the door, she had even greeted everyone.  No wonder everyone gave her weird looks.  She just thought it was because she did not return last night and when she returned she was holding Long San’s hand as they walked in and out which caused them to become suspicious.

Unexpectedly, the evidence was as strong as a mountain, and there was no need to guess at all!

Fengning became more and more ashamed and grew angrier and angrier as she thought about it and wanted to dig a hole in the ground to bury herself.   Then she decided that before burying herself, she should first bury that rascal, Long San!  Everything was his fault!  She paced around and wished Long San was right here now as she wanted to give him a beating.  However, after waiting for a long time, he still had not made an appearance yet but she had fallen asleep on the bed.

She did not know how long she had slept and blurrily felt someone kissing her face.  Many Jianghu people were staying in this place and she was still a little alert.  Therefore, before she was fully awake, she swung out a slap.  The person’s reaction was extremely fast and grabbed hold of her hand.  Fengning, who was half awake, sat up instantly and had already thrown out a fist with her other hand.  That person chuckled lightly and then grabbing her fisted hand, he pulled her into his arms.

By this time, she was fully awake and knew the identity of the person who came in.  She said softly.  “Long San……”  The soft tone just after waking up sounded similar to the tone of a spoiled child.

Long San bowed his head and kissed her forehead.  “Wife, while you’re sleeping you still didn’t even forget to beat up others.”

“I didn’t know it was you…….”  She rubbed her eyes and yawned then suddenly she reacted fiercely.

“Wrong!  It’s you that should be given a good beating!”  She punched his chest fiercely.  “How can you make my neck look like this?  It’s too shameful!”

Long San pretended to cry out in pain and put on a pitiful expression.

“Initially, I thought you were missing and thinking of Bao’er, so I arranged for a carriage to take you back.  Now that you dislike me, let’s forget it, we won’t leave.”

Instantly, Fengning became energetic.  “Can we leave now?  We don’t have to wait for one more day?”

“Mm…….”  Long San stroked her hair.  “I have thanked my brothers and good friends and settled everything.  I have also met with Yun Ranxiang and following this, Second Brother is going to deal with everything on my behalf.  We can go home now.”

Fengning was so happy that she jumped out of bed and said.  “Quick, quick……after I’ve combed my hair and washed my face, we can set off.  I miss Bao’er so much.”

Long San smiled slightly and helped her to pack.  While she was combing her hair, she said.  “It’s good to have an elder brother.  There’s always someone to help.  I also want to have an elder brother.”

Long San’s hand froze then he smiled and replied.  “Isn’t my Second Brother your Second Brother as well?   The way you said that will make me, your husband, feel jealous.”





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