TFWYH – Chapter 748 Neighbors’ Complaints

The man slowly walked forward, his voice as gentle and refined as polished jade.

“I am Ling Shang, the State Preceptor of the Feng Dynasty. Greetings, esteemed lords.”

“Greetings, State Preceptor!” Yi Zhanhong and the others responded politely, though inwardly they were puzzled.

State Preceptor?

What kind of official position was that?

Was it something similar to the Imperial Astronomical Bureau of the Heavenly Dynasty?

After exchanging several rounds of courtesies, Yi Zhanhong invited them into the city. When the others weren’t looking, he shot Su Yuan a meaningful glance.

Su Yuan understood immediately and quietly moved to Murong Hong’s side to inquire about this State Preceptor named Ling Shang.

After all, Murong Hong’s group seemed to be subtly following his lead.

As for the Seventeenth Prince, Tang Fengji, although he looked to be sixteen or seventeen years old, he behaved like a timid young bride, speaking shyly and constantly hiding behind the State Preceptor.

The officials were utterly baffled.

With different customs and traditions, they feared offending these envoys through ignorance.

Murong Hong understood and explained:

“In our Feng Dynasty, women are honored and men are subordinate—but there is one exception, and that is the State Preceptor. Within the royal family, the State Preceptor’s authority is nearly equal to that of the Empress, although State Preceptors traditionally do not interfere in state affairs…”

He not only explained the State Preceptor’s status but also introduced many of Feng’s institutions, customs, and social traditions.

After listening, Su Yuan: …

He felt completely overwhelmed.

Th-this…

The entire world was upside down!

Thinking of Tang Wan, Su Yuan swallowed nervously and carefully asked again, “Then Wan-niang is…?”

“She is the daughter of the Crown Princess. Naturally, she is the rightful heir to the throne of Feng,” Murong Hong said matter-of-factly.

Su Yuan: …

He suffered another enormous shock.

Well then!

He had previously worked so hard, hoping to become a strong and reliable support for his younger sister.

Now…

He could simply lie flat and relax.

Who could have imagined that the daughter his sister had casually taken in was actually the heir to the Feng throne?

So what if the First Prince eventually ascended the throne of the Heavenly Dynasty? Their entire family could simply move to Feng with his sister!

Given the mother-daughter bond between Su Qing and Tang Wan, even if they didn’t live in extravagant luxury, they certainly wouldn’t have to worry about food or clothing.

Thinking this way, Su Yuan felt much more at ease.

The group chatted amiably all the way to the official inn.

That evening, Yi Zhanhong hosted a grand banquet to properly entertain the envoys who had traveled from afar.

Meanwhile, Tang Tiansheng and Qin Suyun returned to visit her parents, bringing generous gifts with them.

Chest after chest of gold and silver—four large boxes in total—astonished all the neighbors. Countless townsfolk crowded around the Qin residence to watch, their eyes full of envy.

Upon seeing their daughter suddenly return, Old Master and Madam Qin couldn’t help but tear up, embracing her as they cried.

Qin Suyun was about to give birth, yet she showed no signs of exhaustion. Her complexion was rosy and healthy, and her figure fuller and more radiant than before. It was obvious that she had been extremely well cared for.

The elderly couple felt deeply comforted.

When they learned that Tang Tiansheng was actually a royal grandson of Feng who had been living outside the kingdom, their praise for him became endless. The more they looked at him, the more they liked him.

Madam Qin even praised her daughter’s excellent judgment.

But, as is often the case, some people cannot bear to see others prosper.

One of the gossiping neighbors immediately spoke in a sour tone:

“Oh my, now you know Tiansheng is wonderful? Back when Tiansheng and Yun-niang disappeared, weren’t you two accusing him of abducting your daughter? You even drove Wan-niang out after cursing her, saying the Tang family had tricked you into a shameless marriage arrangement! Truly, the Qin family only knows how to share blessings, not hardships.”

The courtyard instantly fell silent.

The old couple’s faces turned utterly ugly.

Qin Suyun was stunned.

Tang Tiansheng frowned and asked the woman who had spoken:

“Auntie Sun, what do you mean by that?”