Chapter 30: A Pearl?

"Do you all have nothing better to do?"

Xiong Sheng’s headache worsened as he watched his three adjutants huddled together, chattering away.

"Legion Commander, we’re just looking at Chief Feng Yanting of the First Legion. He’s engaged to a girl from a fringe star system..."

They wouldn’t normally gossip about other people's business, but this was different.

"Oh? That kid actually got engaged?"

Xiong Sheng checked his optical computer. It was already the third trending topic! The top spot was held by First Legion Commander Ye Tianjiao, who had announced the adoption of two children from a fringe star system.

"This guy... Ye Tianjiao, that old fox, really knows how to play the game! You don't think Feng Yanting took a fancy to this girl, and that's why he had him adopt her to raise her status, do you?"

Tang Chao gave him a thumbs-up. That was exactly it!

"I heard this girl comes from a very remote fringe star system..."

A fringe star system? "Still no news on that Yuan Xi?"

Tang Chao paused. "None! I’ve increased the bounty. I did get some leads from people in the fringe systems—Yuan Xi, or rather the girl using that identity, was quite active in the safe zone’s exchange market. She sold a mix of things, but they were all high-quality goods..."

Tang Chao handed over his work terminal, which displayed images of mid-tier medicinal plants and various other items.

"What about Dilly?"

"She confessed that the people working with her targeted Yuan Xi because she had once sold a pearl."

"A pearl?"

Tang Chao scrolled down further. "I don't think she’s lying. This is a necklace she had a jeweler design. Apparently, the jeweler did it for free on the condition that Dilly would feature the necklace on her homepage for promotion..."

Xiong Sheng glanced at it. Only women who loved to show off cared for such jewelry. However, Tang Chao's suggestion wasn't wrong. Since the bounty hadn't yielded results, perhaps starting with the pearl would lead to unexpected gains.

***

With two days remaining, Feng Yanting took Ye Moxi to visit his grandfather. Ye Moxi presented a gift to the elder in the name of the siblings.

Beyond Feng Xun, the Feng family also had an eldest uncle. The line of Feng Yanting’s grandfather was technically the legitimate branch of the Feng family. However, a key move in forcing Lady Feng Xi to marry the Emperor had involved the grandfather’s closest brother betraying him and signing the marriage contract in his stead. Consequently, the grandfather had resigned as head of the family and separated his lineage from the rest.

The Feng family had enjoyed a few years of glory, but after Lady Feng Xi divorced the Emperor, their fortunes began to decline. The family lacked any promising descendants to uphold its reputation, while the grandfather’s branch had long since become self-sufficient. The eldest uncle of the Feng family had adopted many children, all of whom were now successful.

The Feng family had set their sights on Feng Yanting, but unfortunately, none of their schemes had succeeded. Hearing that Feng Yanting had engaged a "wild girl" from a fringe star system, the current head of the Feng family—the grandfather’s own younger brother—had shamelessly come to pay a visit.

"This child doesn't seem like someone from a fringe star system; his manners are quite polished! Though, one wonders if this gift is just moving from the left hand to the right—just family watching the show! Oh, forgive me, I’ve always been blunt," the man said.

The grandfather’s wife had long since passed away, but the current family head had a young trophy wife, some two or three hundred years his junior—his fifth wife!

Lady Feng Xi looked indignant but refrained from acting out due to their status. On the table lay an opened, exquisitely packaged box containing several prepared spirit ginseng roots. Judging by their quality, they were at least Level 6. The head of the Feng family’s eyes flashed with greed. High-level medicinal herbs were excellent for longevity, especially for people of their age.

Feng Yanting didn't indulge them; he simply swept the boxes into his storage ring.

"Oh, this..." The head’s wife stared longingly at the ring on Feng Yanting’s finger.

They were already acting like this over a few ginseng roots. If they knew about the nine-leaf Bodhi lotus in the other boxes Ye Moxi had shown him last night, they would be even worse. He didn't want to invite unnecessary trouble.

The grandfather sat there with a cheerful expression, saying nothing. The family head looked arrogant, while his wife said calculatingly, "We know you youngsters are thin-skinned, so we came ourselves instead of making you make another trip..."

The implication was clear: it was time for them to pay their respects. Lady Feng Xi was almost amused to the point of anger. A few days ago, a girl from their second branch had supposedly gotten engaged to the Deputy Legion Commander of the Seventh Legion! Their own family had only heard the news from others!

That Deputy Legion Commander hadn't even come to visit. Why was it that when it came to their own interests, they expected gifts and visits to the family head? Wasn't this just blatant extortion, dressed up in high-sounding language?

"Madam, you misunderstand! Feng Yanting is merely an adopted son of the Feng family, and I am but an adopted daughter of the Ye family. For you two to personally deliver gifts for a mere engagement is truly more than we deserve!"

Before Lady Feng Xi or Feng Yanting could respond, Ye Moxi spoke up with a smile, leaving the woman speechless. Who wanted to give them gifts? They were clearly there to collect tribute!

"Or did I misunderstand? You aren't here to give gifts, but to receive them? Goodness! The head of the noble Feng family acting like a poor relative looking for a handout! My apologies, I’m from a fringe star system and don't know how to speak properly..."

Lady Feng Xi covered her mouth, turning away to hide her laughter. My god, Moxi really dared to say anything!

"Big brother, are you going to control her!" the family head snapped.

The grandfather glanced at him lazily. "To be honest, brother, I also thought you had finally found a conscience and came to add some cheer to Yanting’s engagement!"

Add cheer? Add nothing! The Feng family had suffered so many losses because of Feng Yanting; they had already cycled through three potential marriage matches for him! But Feng Yanting was impossible to influence. Girls’ prime years were short, and they had finally given up, only for their great-granddaughter to hook the Seventh Legion's Deputy Commander. Before they could even brag about that, Feng Yanting had high-profilely announced his engagement to a wild girl from a fringe star system! He hadn't even settled scores with him yet, and he wanted him to add cheer? In his dreams!

"Since he is an adopted son of the Feng family, the marriage should be decided by the family. This engagement is void! Ugh..."

The family head suddenly turned deathly pale, clearly struck by a mental attack.

"I call you 'Second Grandfather' only out of respect for my grandfather. I dare to claim the title of an adopted son of the Feng family, but do you really dare to accept it?"

The grandfather had held back out of familial affection, allowing these parasites to run rampant for so many years. Since Feng Yanting had already discarded his identity as Zhuge Fengluo, he intended to take over the Feng family himself. He had been wondering when to clean house, and since they were jumping right in front of him, did they really think he was just a powerless adopted son?