Feng Gezhi rushed to the Mo mansion after hearing about the attempted assassination. He didn't even care about imposing on the imperial in-laws anymore and requested to enter the rear yard where his wife and son were.

Mo Quan didn't hinder him. He was a father too after all. He understood the gravity of the situation.

When he entered the door to the residence, he found Feng Yanyan sleeping roughly on the side of the bed clutching his mother's hand tight. His cheeks were flushed and there were still tear marks on his face.

Most fathers, if they saw their son like this, would be furious and might even kick them out of the house. But Feng Gezhi sighed in relief. Thank the heavens he wasn't hurt.

"You suffered." He turned to his wife who was also studying their youngest.

Su Jian gestured to the side hall and gently lifted her hand from Feng Yanyan's grasp.

"Those weren't from the normal jianghu sects." She opened when they were finally alone.

The girl, JuZi, was outside so they could talk freely.

Feng Gezhi nodded. "Cult."

Viciousness flashed on Madam Feng's face. "The cults are provoking the Master?"

Who this master was... the Feng family swore allegiance to only one person. Wan Li Wang.

"It seems the arrangement concerning the fifth wasn't hidden well."

What he couldn't voice out was that it seemed to be deliberate. Eldest Master Feng knew the dangers of serving a Lord, however, Feng Yanyan had always been the reverse scale of the Feng family.

It was still awkward that the little fifth was schemed on by the master they chose. But this was inevitable since only the fifth young master was here in Suliang. Only he was perfect to be used as pawn.

Silence filled the room. Of course, Su Jian understood the underlying meaning.

Feng Gezhi took his wife's hand and examined the wounds on her face and body. There were crude injuries and some would probably leave some scars. "Why are you so cruel to yourself?"

With Madam Feng's abilities, it was impossible to suffer this much loss with just a few jianghu people. So he knew these were self-inflicted.

"I was agitated. It's been a while." She smiled but then her brows furrowed. "Three were caught alive and are being interrogated. I won't let San He Hui touch them in the meantime. You go talk to Head Mo and Junwang about this."

Eldest Master Feng was distressed. Since Feng Yanyan was born, his madam was focused on taking care of the sickly child. But he was still relieved. It seemed she hadn't lost her touch.

Both husband and wife had a tacit understanding. Feng Yanyan was not aware of the things his parents could do.

"How are they?" Feng Gezhi gestured to the windows, referring to the Feng guards disguised as Wangye's.

"These kids are fine. Appropriate to accompany the little fifth."

She was satisfied with the guards' strength. They were unfazed during the enemy attack and systematically followed her as the leader even if it was a last-minute arrangement.

For that, Madam Feng was reassured that her son would be safe even without her.

Eldest Master Feng nodded in satisfaction. They were surprised by this turn of events but it didn't mean they weren't ready.

The Feng family might soon bare their fangs.

---

Summer rain.

It was said that when the lands were scorching hot, the sky dragon would soon weep for the children he loved dearly.

His tears would turn into summer rain, bringing relief to people and the crops.

Dalong's capital, Tanglin, was enveloped with a thin sheet of rain.

In the district reserved for the most prestigious families, the Yao clan gate stood proudly.

When one entered the grand gates after being welcomed by mighty stone lions and went to the most northeastern part... there lay a quiet abode. As though it was far away from the political reach of its family.

Plop, plop, plop.

The sound of raindrops fell rhythmically.

"Young master, be careful of the cold."

An elderly voice.

It was answered by a low yet pleasant laugh. "Matron Pu, I am nowhere near young."

The man was tall but frail, looking as though he would be blown away by the summer breeze. His long hair fell over his shoulders. His brows pronounced loneliness.

Graceful yet pitiful.

Like a lotus that failed to bloom.

He turned around to the old lady. The momo who took care of him since birth.

When he was standing, nothing was amiss but because of the movement, one could no longer deny the existence of the cane on his right. And the fact that he limped.

"Master..." The matron's lips trembled.

The man was supposed to be in his prime but because of an accident in the past, his leg and his future were ruined.

This was Yao Liheng. The forgotten eldest master of the Prime Minister Yao Estate.

"Now, now. Tears again? Every change of seasons, momo is the same." Yao Liheng's voice was gentle like the drizzle.

Soon, autumn would come and with it, the leaves of hope kept falling. Matron Pu also knew this. The reason for her tears.

The Prime Minister Yao got older every day but the real heir of the house had fallen this low, rotting away in a yard out of reach from the main.

"It hurts this old servant's heart. When the master was younger, how promising you were. All the noble sons and daughters of Tanglin looked up to you but now..."

Not even a single one of those who admired him visited him. As though the name Yao Liheng had never existed.

"That is the way of life, momo. Nobody wants to see a nobody."

Even his father rarely showed up in front of him. However, in Yao Liheng's heart, there was still a small seed of what could be called hope.

"The winds of change. Everyone wants to see it at one point in their life. Maybe soon, momo. Maybe we'll witness it soon." His voice was like a melody of its own.

And his willow leaf eyes reflected a strong passion. The old woman looked up at him.

"Th-then, will the young master come home?" A look of disbelief strewn across her face.

Yao Liheng didn't answer. He just watched the threads of rain.

---

The fact that the Mo family was attacked was hidden from the public eye. But Feng Yanyan expected someone to visit him.

And that someone was definitely not the person in front of him right now.

Long Sangyu first checked if Zhang Yunlei and Liu Weiwei were alright. After all, Miss Mo was under the protection of the Triad and Feng Yanyan had his sister's guards.

But Beauty Feng still felt like he lost his IQ seeing the prince like this.

What kind of fool checked the concubines first before the primary wife?

Mo Zhilan saw his eyebrow twitching and that he was about to scold Junwang again so she shook her head at him. In the end, Feng Yanyan just exhaled his anger away.

It wasn't his family anyway.

"Your Highness need not worry about the concubines, all the assailants went straight to Gentleman Feng's courtyard. It definitely looks like it was premeditated. Asking the Prince to investigate this matter." Miss Mo opened.

Long Sangyu was a little embarrassed. "No doubt. This prince will cooperate with the Yamen house and give an explanation to the Mo and Feng family soon."

The Prince looked at Feng Gezhi.

Eldest Master Feng saluted. "Junwang is just."

And the two talked about the plans on how to investigate this. Feng Yanyan couldn't help but notice something. These two were too at ease while talking to each other.

"Father..." he interrupted them. "You know the Prince?"

Feng Gezhi looked at his son and thought of something. His son was obsessed with Junwang before. If he knew they were acquainted now, would he go manic and ask his father to help him marry the prince?

Eldest Master Feng felt goosebumps all of a sudden so he awkwardly coughed.

"Father is recently acquainted with his Highness."

Long Sangyu didn't notice the older man's uneasiness and snorted. "If Master Feng didn't specifically tell me that he's your father, I wouldn't have guessed it in a thousand years. Master Feng's insights are deep, not at all like-"

His Highness couldn't bring himself to finish the sentence. It would still disrespect his newfound friend. Madam Feng was also here after all. A Prince should never insult someone so blatantly.

"Anyway, Master Feng came from Tanglin's Yamen house. Even though he is retired, the practices in Tanglin could be used here. This prince thanks Master Feng for the pointers."

Feng Gezhi was humbled by this and the two continued to talk. Beauty Feng gawked from the side, unbelieving.

How could his father betray him like this? He looked at his mother who only shook her head at him. Why were they all shaking their heads at him?

Feng Yanyan really didn't get it. What was so good about the Prince? If his father had the ability, just get close to Wangye!

He also wanted to shake his head. His incompetent father wasn't reliable. This line of thought reminded him of King Wan Li.

She still hadn't visited him. He had checked the incense burner for so many days, it remained untouched. That meant, Wan Li Wang really never visited him after he discovered she was the ghost.

If she couldn't secretly visit, then why not openly go to the Mo mansion? With her ability, he was sure she already knew what happened here.

What was holding her back? Feng Yanyan excused himself and went back to his temporary residence.

The seasons would change once again. It was evident by the leaves above turning ruddy. It was only a few weeks before the Prince's wedding.

Would she really be heartless and not check on him who was almost assassinated?

Feng Yanyan curled his fists. No matter how Wangye coaxed him on their next meeting, he wouldn't give in.

Until now, the last of the summer rain kept falling but he wandered along the corridor alone. 

---

Early apologies for what will happen in the next chapters~

See you on Wednesday!