Chapter 249: Chapter 251: The Traitor’s Fate

The Feng Mansion had not been this lively for a long time.

Feng Ruoyan and her father were beaming with joy, especially Feng Zhan Tian, who was now the Seventh Prince’s father-in-law. Through his connection with Dongfang Li, he had recently become an Imperial merchant, supplying some wares to the Royal Family and making a fortune.

In contrast, Feng Zhanlian was not so lucky. He had severed the father-daughter relationship with Feng Bailing, and being forced into a divorce, his once proud second daughter, Feng Xiangxue, had also brought shame upon him.

Fortunately, Feng Zhao’an had returned, giving Feng Zhanlian and Aunt Xue some backbone.

Tonight’s banquet was arranged by Feng Zhao’an.

The struggle for the position of Crown Prince had just ended.

Dongfang Cheng would not let things rest.

As for Dongfang Li, he was no pushover either.

It was said that the young man had become diligent and ambitious since his marriage, as if he were a completely different person.

Part of the reason he was willing to go to the Feng Mansion tonight was also to see what Dongfang Li was up to.

Inside the Feng Mansion, guests filled the seats.

Feng Zhanlian lingered in his sickbed, and his temper grew worse by the day, even scolding Aunt Xue several times.

In the mansion, only Feng Zhao’an and Lady Nan Feng could have a decent conversation with him.

Clang—

The medicine bowl was smashed against Aunt Xue, splashing soup all over the floor.

Aunt Xue cried out in alarm, her eyes already reddening.

“This is the Feng Mansion, my home. Why am I not allowed to attend the banquet in my own mansion?”

Feng Zhanlian propped himself up on one side, his forehead veins bulging.

His complexion was waxen yellow, his once suave and debonair face now aged with premature gray in his hair.

“Big brother, there’s no need for anger. Your current condition, the doctor has said, requires you to rest.”

Feng Zhan Tian stood in front of the sickbed, feigning concern.

Seeing Feng Zhanlian’s condition, he felt no sympathy, rather gloating inwardly.

In the past, his elder brother always held himself high, believing that his own family depended on him for their livelihood, but the wheel of fortune turns, and although he only has a daughter, she was married well.

“Zhanlian, uncle is right. The doctor also said, you cannot drink alcohol.”

Aunt Xue spoke in a gentle voice.

“Call Zhao’an over for me.”

Feng Zhanlian glared at Aunt Xue and Feng Zhan Tian.

These people, none of them treated him as the head of the household.

He still had a son, as long as Zhao’an was competent, he would have his day of revival.

Aunt Xue hesitated to speak, considering that Zhao’an was currently entertaining guests and would not have the time to cater to him.

Feng Zhan Tian gave a glance and walked out with Aunt Xue.

“Uncle, thank you very much. It’s all thanks to Ruoyan inviting the Seventh Prince over, otherwise those court ministers might not have given Zhao’an this face.”

Aunt Xue wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes.

Since Ruoyan’s incident, Feng Zhanlian had not shown her a good face, accusing her of raising an indecent daughter and losing all of her face.

After Zhao’an came back, things improved somewhat, but now Feng Zhanlian only listened to Lady Nan Feng, treating her with indifference, and their marital relationship plummeted drastically.

“Sister-in-law, don’t be sad, I am here for you.”

Having said that, Feng Zhan Tian held Aunt Xue’s hand, her hand soft and boneless, the woman before him looking pitiable and all the more charming for it.

Aunt Xue was startled and wanted to push Feng Zhan Tian away, but thinking of Feng Zhanlian’s earlier treatment towards her, she hesitated and did not pull her hand away.

“Second Uncle, what are you and Aunt Xue doing standing there?”

A gentle and charming voice sounded as Lady Nan Feng approached. Seeing her, Aunt Xue panicked and wrenched her hand free from Feng Zhan Tian’s grip.

“The guests have arrived, and Ruoyan is looking for you.”

Lady Nan Feng said with a smile, pretending not to have seen anything.

“I’ll go right away.”

Feng Zhan Tian, beaming with joy, strode towards the main hall.

“Aunt Xue, you really have raised a fine son.”

Lady Nan Feng said with a mocking smile, casting a glance at Aunt Xue.

Aunt Xue huffed coldly and walked away.

Inside the hall, Dongfang Li and Feng Ruoyan took their seats at the head, with Dugu Wu and his spouse, along with Feng Zhan Tian and Feng Zhao’an, seated on both sides.

Feng Zhao’an was eloquent and talked freely, eliciting nods of agreement from many guests.

Upon seeing Feng Bailing, Dongfang Li couldn’t help but take a few extra looks.

Having not seen her for days, Feng Bailing seemed even more beautiful.

Thinking about how he used to sit beside Feng Bailing, and how now Dugu Wu had taken his place, Dongfang Li felt as if his heart was being scratched by a cat—an unbearable irritation, neglecting Feng Ruoyan by his side.

Dugu Wu also noticed Dongfang Li’s gaze and leaned his broad figure forward to block Dongfang Li’s line of sight.

Feng Zhan Tian rose to his feet, his face flush with excitement.

“Ladies and gentlemen, to welcome the Seventh Prince and Prince Wu, I have specially invited Chef Liu from Chuyue Tower to present us with the signature dish of Chuyue Tower.”

Chef Liu, along with two helpers from Chuyue Tower, brought up a charcoal stove and some oysters.

Feng Zhan Tian frequented Chuyue Tower for food and drink and had employed Chef Liu at a handsome price.

The charcoal fire was laid, and the flames were ignited; there were also minced ginger and garlic.

Dugu Wu’s eyes narrowed.

The scene before him seemed familiar—it was the charcoal-grilled oysters from Zuixian Inn.

Dugu Wu was quite dissatisfied; this Chef Liu was somewhat distasteful to him.

Feng Bailing looked at Chef Liu’s hands, her beautiful eyes slightly narrowed.

Oysters weren’t so easy to enjoy.

Chef Liu was notorious for seeking fame, previously only skilled in making pastries, while his other dishes were mediocre.

But since returning to Chuyue Tower after stealing oyster sauce and beer, he became Nalan Yan’er’s confidante, gained her trust, and became the head chef of Chuyue Tower.

He was determined to use this opportunity to become a renowned chef in Great Chu, and this charcoal-grilled oyster recipe had also been secretly learned from Feng Bailing.

People who had tasted it said it was delicious and melted in the mouth.

These distinguished guests were sure to love it.

Since he had never dealt with oysters before, it was only in the past few days that Chef Liu had learned how to handle them; these oysters were secretly purchased through the innkeeper of Zuixian Inn.

He personally got to work, practiced for several days, and his hand was still injured from being pricked by the oyster shells, still throbbing with pain.

He forcefully pried open the oyster shells and got nicked again, but in pursuit of fame, he ignored such things.

Once he had laid out dozens of oysters on the charcoal, Chef Liu said ingratiatingly,

“Ladies and gentlemen, this is a signature dish of Chuyue Tower.”

Seeing the oysters sizzling and giving off a delicious fragrance, Chef Liu knew the heat was nearly perfect and hastily added minced garlic.

He then eagerly served the Seventh Prince and Dugu Wu.

But just as he brought the dish in front of Dongfang Li, Chef Liu suddenly felt a sharp pain in his right arm.