The Rise of Phoenixes Novel Translation #275

Hua Qing picked up her son, and sighed as she wiped his face as if nothing had happened, “Son, you have such a masculine powerful name for nothing. How are you not tough at all? Are there men who cry after being bullied by women? Remember what your mother taught you— if any woman wants to bully you in the future, just grab her, drag her away, pull her down….” 

Listening to Hua Qing’s “Hua Family’s Three-step Response”, Feng Zhi Wei almost sprayed a mouthful of food on Gu Nan Yi. While rushing to apologize and placate Gu Nan Yi, Feng Zhi Wei gave Hua Qing a teasing side glance as she laughingly asked, “Could it be this is how you two…” 

“You guessed wrong.” Hua Qing said in all seriousness, “The truth is exactly the opposite.” 

The whole room burst into laughter, sweeping away the forlorn mood of farewell. Yan Huaishi looked at his wife with a blushing red face accompanied by an expression that made it obvious he was happily agreeing with whatever his wife was saying. Holding a cup in her hand, Feng Zhi Wei’s heart was filled with gratitude– she knew this couple just didn’t want people to feel depressed and was purposefully lightening up the mood. 

Next to her, Master Gu seemed to be very satisfied with the dish she recommended. After giving her a spoonful, he pulled the dish to himself and started to eat, not caring that no one else had a chance to eat it yet. Hua Qing said with a grin, “Master Gu, would you share one spoonful of that?” 

Feng Zhi Wei thought Master Gu would ignore the question since besides herself, he usually paid attention to no one else but who knew that Master Gu actually stopped, thought about it, then carefully pulled the spoon that had just been put into his mouth and handed it over. 

Hua Qing was dumbfounded. 

Feng Zhi Wei was stunned. 

Yan Huaishi was shocked. 

He wasn’t shocked that his wife had just accidentally been teased by Master Gu (the Chinese word teased here is usually used more like the word flirt. Master Gu obviously wasn’t trying to flirt with Hua Qing but his action would’ve been taken as such if it was done by anyone else.) but he was shocked that Master Gu was actually willing to give his things to someone other than Feng Zhi Wei. 

With a somber expression, Master Gu handed over the half-eaten spoon full of steamed eggs and said flatly, “You are very good to her, here.” 

Feng Zhi Wei’s stunned expression slowly softened, pursing her lips, a hint of warmth appeared on her face. 

Her Xiao Dai (Little Silly, her term of endearment for Gu Nan Yi)…always giving people the most delicate warmth in the most unexpected places. 

“You eat it, I’ll ask the kitchen to make another one.” She pushed the spoon back and said gently, “I was afraid you might find a favorite dish so the kitchen prepared a double portion of every dish.” 

Hua Qing clicked her tongue twice and said with a smile, “Xiao Wei is only this considerate to Master Gu.” With a hand on the table and the other hand picking up some food with chopsticks, Hua Qing said matter of factly without looking at anyone, “Master Gu, don’t worry, this spoonful gifted by you, will not be given in vain.” 

Master Gu looked at her carefully, nodded, and went back to eating. 

Feng Zhi Wei sat there, looking at the two of them. It was just everyday conversations accompanied by everyday actions, but her always calm and composed heart suddenly surged, as if something was hitting it violently, sending her blood boiling, rushing against the tide until it caused her eyes to burn. 

This is mutual admiration, this is a gentleman’s promise, this is a promise between two heroic people that needs no contract of alliance, but a promise they will nonetheless defend with their very lives. 

There was a momentary silence but it was very quickly filled by Hua Qing’s chatter and laughter. Gu Zhixiao was however pouting unhappily. She felt that the spoonful just now should’ve been delivered to her mouth instead. Unable to hold back anymore, she banged on a bowl and said loudly, “Inscet….” 

Feng Zhi Wei immediately reached over and covered her mouth. 

“What insect?” The kitchen delivered another plate of “steamed egg custard ”. Agreeing that the dish was indeed delicious, Hua Qing filled half a bowl and asked while eating with her mouth full, “What dish is this? It’s pretty unique. This pink color inside, is it minced meat?”

“Yes.” Feng Zhi Wei gave her the most innocent smile, “Scrambled pigeon eggs, steamed with fresh flying dragon minced meat.” 

Hua Qing gave her a side glance, looking a bit doubtful of Feng Zhi Wei who was flashing a super bright smile at her but she didn’t say anything more. As long as it tastes good, who cares what the ingredients are? 

Over by Feng Zhi Wei, not willing to be silenced, Gu Zhixiao spat into Feng Zhi Wei’s palm with a “ptui” sound. Feng Zhi Wei had no choice but to let go. Gu Zhixiao immediately announced loudly, “These are bugs!” 

“Pfft——”

Yan Huaishi sprayed “custard” all over little Miss Gu Zhixiao. 

A gleeful Feng Zhi Wei asked the sobbing Miss Gu Zhixiao to go out and wash her face. She glanced over at Master Gu worriedly. This dish was indeed made with bugs. However, the bugs are not just any ordinary bugs but they are a rare and precious bug from the south. Not only are they delicious but they are especially good for nourishing the body. Even in the South, a plate of this dish is hard to come by among the wealthy. She had ordered her people to obtain it regardless of the cost and rushed it to the capital on fast horses. With the utmost careful packaging, the bugs were still fresh when they arrived at the Wei Manor and probably were seen by Gu Zhixiao who was playing in the kitchen. 

Unmoved, Master Gu kept on eating. 

Eh? Master Gu is so agreeable? 

Did he not hear? 

Gu Nan Yi had of course heard what Gu Zhixiao said and was thinking to himself that this bug tasted much better than what he had eaten as a homeless three-year-old. To be able to make such unpalatable bugs this delicious, the Wei Manor cooks are indeed quite skilled. 

While he was thinking, he told Feng Zhi Wei, “Next time, try caterpillars, grasshoppers, crickets, and bell worms. Their meat is crispy, like this one, but they are on the sour side.” 

Hua Qing suddenly stopped smiling. 

Zong Chen had already put down his chopsticks a while ago, there was a faraway look in his eyes, mixed with a bit of sadness. 

Yan Huaishi looked left and right, as the young master of a wealthy family, he had not figured out what this sentence meant. 

But Feng Zhi Wei had already froze. 

What is he saying?

She knows very well Gu Nan Yi, due to his own reasons, has to live a very picky and pristine lifestyle. From food to dwelling to clothing, he must be more picky than most people or else it would be very painful for him. Thus, he could never be an insect-eating enthusiast. However, what he just said, with the matter-of-fact attitude, it is obvious, that he not only really did rely on these things as food but did it for an extended amount of time. 

What has this young man, as delicate and precious as jade carving, experienced behind that closed and silent world? 

Feng Zhi Wei vaguely remembered that Zong Chen once said that he didn’t truly come to Gu Nan Yi’s side until after Gu Nan Yi was six years old. Before that, Gu Nan Yi lost his father at three years old and the organization they were in previously was scattered. There were three years when that three-year-old child had no one taking care of him and had to wander the world alone until Zong Chen found him in a run-down Buddhist temple deep in the mountains. One meeting was all it took for Zong Chen to agree to fulfill Xuanyuan clan’s vow made long long ago and come out to protect him. 

What kind of life did such a special child live during those three years of wandering? 

And what kind of meeting was it that caused Zong Chen who was born in the Xuanyuan clan, who wanted no part of the worldly power struggle, to be willing to give up his freedom and devote his heart to protecting. 

Feng Zhi Wei suddenly hated herself for being too uncaring and callous in the past. Why did she never consider carefully how someone like Gu Nan Yi survived during those three years?

But, did she not think of it or did she not dare to think of it?

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