. And Your Highness could use this opportunity to gain some time.”Qian Mo's idea was good, but Dugu City had never thought about negotiating."My lord, there's no shame in this. In our current situati...Grandmother Liu hurriedly agreed. Feng Lingxi glanced at her father and followed Dugu Cheng out of the General's Mansion.

After Feng Lingxi left, Zhang Shi got up and said, "General, this concubine will take her leave first."

"Madam, please wait."

Feng Aotien called out to her, "In three days' time it will be Linglong's wedding. Has the mistress of the household prepared the dowry"

Zhang smiled slightly, “Everything is ready.”

Although Lingling is a daughter of lesser status, she's marrying into the Prince's mansion. This dowry must not be meager! Prepare her dowry according to the standards for a legitimate daughter.

"The dowry of the legitimate daughter"

Zhang looked at Feng Aotian, her smile unwavering. "General, there's a distinction between legitimate and illegitimate daughters. Although Linglong married into the Prince's Manor, she is still a concubine's daughter. If her dowry list were the same as that of a legitimate daughter, then the next two girls would have to prepare their dowries according to the legitimate daughter's list. The current situation at General's Manor probably won't allow for that."

Feng Aotiān's face darkened, "How so, could it be that even this dowry is beyond the reach of my General's Mansion"

Zhang's face was calm as she instructed the maidservant beside her, "Go fetch the ledger."

Feng Aotien looked at the Zhang family, his eyes full of confusion.

Here's the ledger, Zhang shi gave it to Feng Aotiān, "General, please take a look. These days, Liu mamā has been helping me manage the backyard affairs. Now all the property of our house is here. After Xi'er got married, what's left is just this much. If we give it to Linglong, we won't be able to give it to Lingyu. They are both the daughters of the second sister. General, you decide."

Feng Aotian looked at the empty space in the ledger, his face growing increasingly grim. "How could there be so little Where is my General's Mansion's wealth"

Zhang looked at him with an unchanged expression and said, "General, you shouldn't ask me this. I haven't had the chance to tell you yet. It was like this when the steward came in just now. It's really hard on Second Sister for managing things like this for so many years. This large General's Mansion must have caused her a lot of worry."

Feng Aotian didn't listen to Zhang's words at all. All he cared about was where his land had gone. The imperial grant he received, less than one-tenth remained here. He didn't even know that his General's Mansion was empty.

Feng Aotien looked at the Zhang family, his expression complex.

"General, this servant still has matters to attend to. Please take your time considering."

Zhang shi led Liu Mama away. When they reached the doorway, she spoke, "Let's go to the side courtyard."

Feng Ling Xi got into the carriage. Dugu Cheng watched her unhappy face, reaching out to grab her hand. "Xi'er, don't be so impulsive next time, lest you bring trouble upon yourself."

Looking at Dugu City holding her hand, Feng Lingxi drew it back. This action made Dugu City sigh. She was still so resistant to his touch. It seemed that wanting to win her heart was truly not an easy task.

"The lord didn't see the injuries on Third Sister's face. What my father said was truly infuriating. Favoring concubines and destroying wives, a general of such stature actually did this. If it weren't for my father, I would really want to teach him a lesson."

"Could it be that you still want to prioritize righteousness over family"

獨孤城的言語讓風淩兮握緊拳頭，她想，因為她並不是真正的風淩兮。

“This move of the father-in-law is truly baffling, even this king doesn't understand what Liu Shi has that could make him so infatuated.”

Feng Lingxi glanced at him, "Don't all men like this kind of woman"

Dugu Cheng reached out and pinched her chin, a smirk curling his lips. "This king likes women like you."

Feng Lingxi struck his hand, "A gentleman speaks but does not act."

Dugu Cheng heard her words and quickly planted a kiss on her face. Xiao Li, who was standing nearby, hurriedly averted her eyes. Feng Lingxi's face flushed red as she glared at him, "Dugu Cheng, if you dare to be frivolous with me again, I won't be polite."

"Xier didn't say that a gentleman speaks but does not act"

"You..."

Feng Lingxi was so angry at his shameless persistence that she was speechless. She took a deep breath and refused to speak to him.

"Angry"

Dugu Cheng saw that she was silent and tugged at her sleeve. His manner of fawning over his wife made even Xiao Li, who was sitting nearby, want to get out of the carriage. This prince really was too clingy.

"Xi'er."

Dugu City tugged at her sleeve, "This King just saw that you were in a bad mood and wanted to cheer you up. If you don't like this, next time this King won't kiss you."

"Father, are we really going to the palace just for tea"

Feng Lingxi changed the subject, Xiao Li was present, she didn't want to continue discussing this topic, if it weren't for being on the carriage, she really wanted to kick him out.

"That's what my father said."

Feng Lingxi fell silent again. Dugucheng, seeing her like this, knew she was in a bad mood and began to find a topic to talk about.

"Xi'er, what are you going to do about your third sister's situation"

"I made her a salve, hoping her face wouldn't be scarred."

Thinking of the scars on Sanjie's face, Feng Lingxi was very angry. These three Liu family women were truly vicious.

"This king intends to send your fifth younger brother to quell the banditry. This time, quelling the bandits is a good opportunity."

Feng Lingxi heard his words, her brows furrowed, "What do you mean by that"

Could it be that Dugu Cheng wants to keep Feng Yixuan in the bandit suppression operation That's Liu Shi's beloved. If he really died, it would be a heavy blow to Liu Shi and anger her and her mother and sister. Then they will become even more ruthless towards her and her mother.

"That's what XiEr meant."

Feng Lingxi looked at Dugu City, her eyes becoming increasingly complex.

"I don't understand what the Lord is saying."

Dugu Cheng curled his lips, seeing her unwillingness to speak, he chuckled, "Your fifth brother is her fatal weakness. Hitting a snake at its seven inches, Xi'er would know this."

Of course she understood, it was just a matter of whether she truly wanted to strike against Feng Yixuan.

Although Feng Yixuan has a bad character, he is still her brother. After all, they are related by blood. Careful consideration is needed.

“No need to rush, there's still plenty of time. Take your time and think it over.”

Life and death are all in his hands. She just needs to say a word, and he will take care of it for her.

Feng Lingxi glanced at him, "Why would you help me like this"

Dugu City patted his chest, "Didn't I say I would prove my heart to you Your business is my business."

Feng Lingxi withdrew her gaze and closed her eyes to cultivate.

Though Dugu Cheng felt a tinge of disappointment at such a cold attitude, he nonetheless accepted it with equanimity.

At least she didn't reject him outright. He was sincere, and even a stone would warm up in his care.

Upon arriving at the palace, Dugu Cheng took her to the Imperial Garden. The Emperor and Noble Consort Shu were enjoying tea in the garden when they saw them arrive, and were very pleased.

After bowing, Feng Lingxi and Dugu City took their seats.

"Xier, I heard you were stabbed and your wounds have healed"

Feng Lingxi hurriedly got up and thanked him, "Thank you, Father, for your concern. My injuries are almost healed."

"Xier, can you see the assassin's face clearly"

Feng Lingxi shook her head. "It was too dark that night, and he was wearing a veil, so I couldn't see his face at all."

"In the future, be extremely careful. Remember this well and never be careless."e Yao Clan to retrieve the treasure, Your Majesty would surely be displeased. Are you not afraid that when the time comes, Your Majesty might take his anger out on you because of this”Feng Lingxi hear...