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Chapter 43 Swearing an Oath of Brotherhood

Becoming sworn brothers is no small matter, especially since the Feng family cherishes Feng Tianzhu like the apple of their eye.

I only dared to bring it up after specifically informing the Duke.

Seeing that Wen Mingqian agreed, a maid brought over a pen and red paper.

Wen Mingqian wrote down his son's birth date and time on a red paper.

The maid took it out and returned it after the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

"The master said that the birth charts of the Fourth Young Master Gong and our young master are very compatible. If they become sworn brothers, they can help each other, avert disasters and accumulate blessings. It would be the best thing."

Madam Feng was overjoyed upon hearing this and quickly said, "Excellent, excellent! Quickly prepare the sacrificial offerings and incense. Today is an auspicious day, let them become sworn brothers!"

At this point, she realized she might have been a bit too busy, and smiled somewhat embarrassedly. She turned to Wen Mingqian and asked, "Second Madam, shouldn't you go back and consult your master?"

“No need,” Wen Mingqian said. “I can make the decision myself. My master will not refuse your kind offer.”

Establishing a sworn brotherhood with the Feng family would not harm the Gong family in any way, but would instead solidify Wen Mingqian's position.

"Alright, alright! Then it's settled." Although Feng Tianzhu wasn't Madam Feng's biological son, this child was extremely important to the Feng family. If her biological daughters lost their brothers, where would they rely on in the future?

This kind of shared prosperity and shared loss is much stronger than some blood ties.

In the blink of an eye, the servants of the Feng family had already prepared the incense table, and the two children were also called over.

After a series of elaborate ceremonies, the two finally became sworn brothers.

Feng Tianzhu was one year older than Gong Chang'an and was his sworn brother.

He took this matter very seriously and insisted on swearing a blood oath with Gong Chang'an, which frightened Madam Feng and Madam Wu into desperately trying to stop him, but he simply wouldn't listen.

Gong Chang'an said, "Brother, we are kindred spirits and have always been sworn brothers."

However, with our elders before us, and considering that our bodies and hair are gifts from our parents, we cannot abandon filial piety for the sake of brotherly loyalty.”

That brat Feng Tianzhu never listens to a word his family says, but he always listens to Gong Chang'an.

It's just that when the two of them hang out in private, Gong Chang'an is a complete hooligan, wild and unruly, and he's not like those scions of noble families at all.

He concealed a small knife in his sleeve; with a gentle flick of his wrist, he could pin down silkworm moths on tree branches.

He can hang upside down, stick to the wall, and his Cuju (ancient Chinese football) skills are superb.

Feng Tianzhu immediately said, "Good brother, you're right! We're not blood brothers, but we're closer than blood brothers. If anyone makes things difficult for you in Bodu, just mention my name, and see who dares to object!"

Gong Chang'an, the clever little devil, immediately flattered him, saying, "Brother, you are so loyal! I am willing to go through water and fire for you."

This amused Madam Feng and Madam Wu so much that they bent over laughing. They said, "You two little devils, did you hear this from a play? You're just kids, yet you're spouting nonsense. It's hilarious!"

Madam Feng beckoned a maidservant to come over. The maidservant carried a box containing a gemstone necklace. Judging from its craftsmanship and the quality of the gemstones, it was likely a gift from the palace.

"This is my gift to Chang'an, please don't think it's too simple." Madam Feng straightened the necklace and put it around Gong Chang'an's neck.

“Madam, you are too kind. Such a generous gift, yet you remain so modest.” Wen Mingqian said, taking off the white jade longevity lock from Gong Chang’an’s neck as a return gift. “This longevity lock has been worn by my son since birth. Although it is not very valuable, it is still a personal item. Jade has a spirit, and it will surely bring the young prince healthier and more prosperous life, and good fortune to him.”

"Thank you for your kind words, Madam Wu." She said gratefully, feeling more and more that Wen Mingqian was kind to the core.

Unlike the Song family, who at first glance seem like bodhisattvas but are actually as venomous as snakes and scorpions, capable of taking lives.

Thinking of this, she suddenly paused for a moment.

There were rumors that Wen Mingqian had killed Song's eldest son, and she had thought it was possible before.

After all, when wives and concubines fight, in a moment of impulse, it's not uncommon for them to harm their children.

However, after witnessing the character of Wen Mingqian and Madam Song, she couldn't help but have doubts.

He sacrificed the reputation of an unmarried girl for personal revenge, even at the cost of other people's innocent children.

One should be forgiving and consider the overall situation in all situations.

Could there be more to that rumor than meets the eye?
Wen Mingqian and his mother were asked to stay for lunch. Feng Tianzhu refused to let Gong Chang'an go home, and the Feng family, fearing that he would relapse, asked Wen Mingqian to let Gong Chang'an stay at their house for a while.

Wen Mingqian then instructed his son, "You must not cause any trouble here. Listen to Madam and Madam in everything."

"Oh dear, Second Madam, you're overthinking it. Look at this child, so polite and steady. Even though he's a year younger than ours, he's much more mature in his speech and actions!" Madam Feng said with a smile.

"Madam, please don't praise him too much. He's still a child, and it's inevitable that he'll be mischievous," Wen Mingqian said.

“We’ve already said he’s just a child, so it’s okay if he’s a little mischievous,” said Mrs. Wu. “The fact that you’re willing to leave him here shows that you trust us.”

Afterwards, Wen Mingqian rode alone in the Feng family's carriage back to his residence. As soon as he entered, he felt something was off.

Back in her own courtyard, Zhang Ma caught up with her and said, "The one in the west courtyard rushed out in a hurry. I heard that something happened to Gong Er."

"What happened to him?" Wen Mingqian was very surprised. Gong Xu was a very cautious person and would not easily get into trouble.

"I don't know the exact details either," Zhang Ma said. "The main problem shouldn't be with Gong Er, but rather that his former boss messed things up, and he got implicated."

It was his men who came back with the news, saying that he had been suddenly summoned to the Ministry of Justice and probably wouldn't be released anytime soon.

“Right now, they’re probably just being detained for interrogation, and it’s not necessarily true that anything has happened,” Wen Mingqian said. “But it’s hard to say. Often when dealing with the main culprit, others will also get caught up in the mess. It all depends on the person in charge of the trial. If they’re deliberately looking for trouble, it can be quite difficult to handle.”

"Song Xiulian is really panicked this time. She's probably rushing to beg her brother." Zhang Ma sneered. "Her brother, who's always sucking up to Prince Zhao, has managed to gain some influence by being a hanger-on. He'll definitely want to pull some strings as soon as possible to get Gong Er out."

"Then let her go first. You can find out more details so we can prepare more thoroughly," Wen Mingqian said. "You can also ask Sang Er and ask her to help you find out as well."

Zhang Ma agreed and went out.

Wen Mingqian had spent most of the day at the Feng family's house and was inevitably feeling a bit tired. He called Liu'er in to serve him, and after changing his clothes and washing his hands and face, he told her to leave.

Afterwards, she carefully applied the prepared face cream to her hands, face, and neck at her vanity, and then went to bed to rest.

Unlike Song Shi, she was not worried about Gong Xu's accident and quickly fell into a deep sleep.

(End of this chapter)