No Need to Meddle

After having dinner, Shi Zhenghe and his family returned to the Yi Gui Courtyard.

Upon entering their room and dismissing the servants, Shi Feixin began, "When Master Ye left the border, he mentioned that if we were to meet again, we should pretend not to recognize him."

Shi Dingxuan frowned, "But it wouldn't be difficult to find out that Master Ye and us were living in the same military camp."

Shi Feixin thought for a moment, "As long as we don't have any contact with him, it's unlikely anyone would link us together. If anyone asks, we just firmly deny knowing him."

Seeing the hesitation on the faces of Shi Dingxuan, Shi Feiyin, and even Shi Dinghao, Shi Feixin sighed inwardly.

When she first became Ye Mo's disciple, she viewed their relationship as a fair exchange – she saved his life, and he taught them martial arts. There was no debt or advantage taken on either side, so there was no need to involve themselves in each other's lives.

However, her siblings seemed to hold the belief that once a teacher, always a father. They truly saw Ye Mo as their master.

It was a bit hard for them to accept the idea of pretending not to know their own master.

"We're just ordinary people now. We can't get involved in Master Ye's affairs. Recognizing him might create trouble and burdens for both him and us."

"Whether for him or us, it's best for both parties if we don't recognize each other."

Shi Feiyin suddenly spoke up, "Do you think Master Ye is really as ruthless as people say?"

Shi Feixin hesitated, "Sister, he's just following orders. But people can change over time. The Ye Bureau Chief today might be very different from the Ye Lame at the border. We can't judge someone solely based on the past."

Sensing the tension, Shi Feixin continued, "Alright, enough with the gloomy faces. We're just ordinary people now, unable to even meddle in the affairs of the noble household. We should focus on what's in our control. Father wants to find some tasks to do. Have you thought about what tasks to take on and how to find them? Should we ask for help from the noble household, or should we seek them on our own in this vast city?"

"Brother, you're planning to take the military exam, right? Apart from the martial test, there's also the strategy and theory test. You're not well-versed in strategy, so what should we do? Do we need to come up with some ideas?"

"Sister, me, and the youngest brother will be attending the family academy soon. Mother is also learning how to be a proper lady. These are the most urgent matters that need to be addressed. As for other things, let's let them unfold naturally."

Seeing Shi Feixin so concerned, Jin Yue'e gave her a sidelong glance, "Look at how capable you are, planning everything for our family."

Shi Feixin raised her chin slightly, "I wouldn't care this much for others."

Finally, Shi Zhenghe made a decision, "Sister Feixin's right. Let's follow her advice and act as if we don't recognize Master Ye."

On Bai Shun Street, the Shi Residence.

As dusk neared, Shi Dingyang and Shi Feurang returned home. Shi Feuzhi intercepted them at the entrance.

"Sister, what are you doing here?"

Upon seeing Shi Dingyang and Shi Feurang, Shi Feuzhi quickly suppressed the playful expression on her face.

Observing them, she asked, "Why are you coming back so late?"

Shi Dingyang and Shi Feurang exchanged a glance, then Shi Feurang spoke, "It's not something secretive. After class today, we went to Lin Jiemei's place for a while."

"Sister, Lin Jiemei told us that those four 'country bumpkins' from the border will be joining our classes in a couple of days."

"Remember, we'll make sure they're beneath our notice academically. They need to realize that a chicken can't transform into a phoenix."

Shi Feuzhi's brow furrowed, "Enough! What 'chicken' and 'phoenix'? Who's the chicken, and who's the phoenix? Look at the nonsense you're spouting now. If Grandfather and Grandmother hear this, how will Father handle it?"

Shi Feurang retorted, "I'm not foolish enough to let Grandfather and Grandmother hear it."

Knowing her sister well, Shi Feuzhi continued, "Have you said anything similar to Lin Jiemei and the others?"

Shi Feurang hesitated for a moment, "Lin Jiemei and the others won't blabber about it."

Shi Feuzhi felt a headache coming on. She looked at Shi Feurang and Shi Dingyang, "Remember this well. The noble household's people are our true family now. We've already distanced ourselves from them. Father is now just a foster son of the noble household."

Shi Feurang made a dismissive sound, "What 'true family'? Lin Jiemei and the others don't really recognize them."

With that, she smiled and approached Shi Feuzhi, "Sister, guess what? Can you believe that Shi Feixin dared to contradict Second Aunt in front of everyone? Lin Jiemei said that Second Aunt was in a bad mood that day, and she probably won't treat that family well in the future."

Observing her sister's gloating expression, Shi Feuzhi patiently said, "You only noticed how angry Second Aunt got, but did you miss how formidable Shi Feixin can be?"

Shi Feurang rolled her eyes, "She's just a stupid, rude, ignorant girl from the countryside."

Shi Feuzhi didn't want to continue the conversation with her. She turned to Shi Dingyang, "Do you think the same way?"

After a moment of hesitation, Shi Dingyang replied, "I feel like those 'country bumpkins' don't seem to fear Second Aunt's anger."

Shi Feuzhi's expression eased a bit. As she led her siblings to the backyard, she analyzed with them, "Indeed, they rely on the noble household for everything since returning from the border. Second Aunt has the best marriage in our family, and she's known for her temper. It's a consensus within the Shi family, and everyone is willing to placate her."

"Even Great Aunt avoids her. Logically, that family should also tread carefully. Even if they experience some grievances, they should bear it silently. Yet, they're not doing so."

"Unusual behavior implies a reason. Second Aunt openly humiliating that family – why do you think she did that?"

Shi Feurang chuckled, "Because Second Aunt is close to Father, so she's always on our side."

Shi Feuzhi sighed inwardly and looked at Shi Dingyang, "Do you think the same?"

After a pause, Shi Dingyang said, "I feel like those four people from the border don't seem to be afraid of Second Aunt."

Shi Feuzhi's expression improved further. She continued to guide her siblings while discussing, "That's right. They returned from the border, and everything they do relies on the noble household. Second Aunt wields influence because she has the best marriage. This is common knowledge in our family, and everyone is willing to appease her."

"Even Great Aunt concedes to her. Normally, that family should be even more cautious. Even if they're treated unfairly, they should endure quietly. Yet, they're not doing that."

"Things that are out of the ordinary usually have underlying reasons. While Second Aunt may be in the wrong, there's more to it. The main reason is that she doesn't consider that family from the border significant. She feels that even if she publicly humiliates them, it's not a big deal."

"Applying the same logic, when Shi Feixin openly defied Second Aunt, could it be that she also doesn't consider Second Aunt significant?"

Shi Feurang was taken aback, "How could that be?!"

Shi Feuzhi continued, "The scene that day was thoroughly described to Mother by the noble household's people. I overheard it. It seems that Shi Feixin genuinely doesn't hold Second Aunt in high regard."

"She disregarded Second Aunt, and even the noble household itself, when she mentioned that Second Aunt's good manners were cultivated by the noble household."

Shi Feurang retorted angrily, "Who does she think she is? How could she disrespect Second Aunt and the noble household like that?"

Shi Feuzhi looked at Shi Feurang and Shi Dingyang, "Yes, who does she think she is? Yet, that's exactly what she did. Where does she find the confidence? If this person isn't foolish, then she must have her own backing."

"Feurang, Dingyang, that family isn't simple. Don't assume they're insignificant just because they returned from the border. And don't antagonize them."

"The incident with the child's mistaken identity wasn't Father's fault, and it wasn't their fault either. Now that Grandfather and Grandmother want to make amends for that family, if you pick a fight with them, it'll only make things more difficult for Father."

"Father is already troubled by this matter and has faced criticism. We shouldn't burden him further. Do you both understand?"

Shi Dingyang nodded, "Understood."

Shi Feurang seemed reluctant, "Are we just going to let them get away with driving us out of the noble household?"

Shi Feuzhi fell silent for a moment, then said, "Our departure from the noble household was Father's decision to spare Grandfather and Grandmother any trouble. It has nothing to do with that family."

"Feurang, you're quite strong-willed. When Shi Feixin and the others start attending the academy, don't team up with Lin Jiemei's group to exclude them. Do you hear me?"

Shi Feurang huffed, "What if Lin Jiemei's group doesn't want to befriend them?"

Shi Feuzhi responded, "That's their family's matter. You don't need to get involved."

Shi Feurang disagreed, "Sister, you keep saying they're a family, but in these days, I haven't felt that the rest of the noble household truly treats that family as their own. Many people in the academy are even saying bad things about them behind their backs."

Shi Feuzhi replied, "They are them, and you are you. There's no need to get involved."

Shi Feurang pouted, "But we're close to Lin Jiemei's group. Our bond is much stronger than that family's shallow blood connection."

Shi Feuzhi gave her sister a sidelong glance, "Let me ask you this, if Lin Jiemei and a cousin from the Zeng family were both in danger, whom would you save first?"

Shi Feurang was puzzled, looking at Shi Feuzhi.

Shi Feuzhi continued, "Before, I might have saved Lin Jiemei, but now. I would save the Zeng family cousin. Does blood relationship matter?"

Shi Dingyang suddenly interjected, "Blood relationship is the most important thing. Other feelings can be severed easily. Just look at Grandfather and Grandmother. They knew Father wasn't their biological child, so they had us move out of the noble household."

Shi Feuzhi smiled at Shi Dingyang, "I'm glad you understand. If one day our family and that family face danger, the noble household would likely prioritize them."

"So, you both need to adjust your attitudes. Don't dwell on the past, and don't try to compare yourselves to them. Focusing on our own matters is the most crucial."

"Whether it's a mule or a horse, time will tell."