Rebirth: The flatterer prince I raised couldn't be so clingy

A middle-aged man walked slowly towards the other side of the maple forest, followed by three or five maids and servants, as well as a team of palace soldiers.

The man had dignified features, a full forehead and an extraordinary bearing. Although he was in his forties, he was still handsome. Only his slightly graying beard and eyes that had seen much of the world showed some signs of vicissitudes of life.

Seeing Zuo Fuhong coming, everyone stood up and bowed respectfully. Even Zuo Chengran lowered his head obediently and did not dare to act rashly.

"Well, that's good. Now that you're all here, take a seat."

Zuo Fuhong looked around, his eyes passed by Feng Zhanye but did not stop for a moment, he just said something indifferent.

Gu Qingzhi's eyes became colder and colder. She couldn't help but think of the night she drowned. Zuo Fuhong sat motionless in the corridor with the same cold face. She felt disgusted.

The palace soldiers surrounded the banquet area, and the maids and servants stood behind the people they were supposed to serve, each doing their own job.

Everyone found their own seats and sat down, leaving only an empty seat at the last table, which seemed to be prepared for Feng Zhanye.

Feng Zhanye said nothing, walked quietly to his seat and sat down, while Gu Qingzhi stood behind him.

"It just rained yesterday. Today I see the autumn colors are just right, so I asked everyone to get together and enjoy the autumn scenery."

The maidservant poured more tea for Zuo Fuhong. He picked up the teacup and looked at Feng Zhanye, "Of course, this is also to show some hospitality to welcome His Royal Highness Prince Duan."

Being suddenly mentioned, Feng Zhanye raised his eyes and looked at the person sitting there. He saw that he narrowed his eyes gently, as if he was genuinely happy.

The children all turned their eyes to him, with ambiguous lights flashing in their eyes.

"Since the emperor has entrusted me with this mission, I will do my best and take care of Prince Duan as if he were my own child. So I won't be polite. How about calling you 'Zhan Ye' as I would call my own children?"

Zuo Fuhong had a smile on his face and seemed very amiable. If others didn't pay enough attention, they would have mistaken him for a kind elder in the family.

But Gu Qingzhi knew that this old man was the one who could truly deceive people without being seen.

Feng Zhan Ye is a royal heir and has the title of Prince Duan. No matter what, he is a person of the most noble status.

Even though Zuo Fuhong was appointed prime minister, he was still a subject and it was inappropriate to address him by his name.

Feng Zhanye seemed to feel a little awkward, but everyone was looking at him, so he didn't want to think about it too much and simply picked up the teacup in front of him.

"The name is just a title. You can call me whatever you want, Lord Zuo Xiang. Thank you for taking me in. I will offer you a glass of tea instead of wine."

After some polite exchanges, Feng Zhanye raised his head and drank the tea in the cup. Zuo Fuhong seemed very satisfied with his reaction. He raised the teacup and gestured slightly, then brought it to his mouth and drank it.

The banquet has just begun.

During the dinner, Zuo Fuhong eagerly introduced his children to Feng Zhanye one by one, as if he sincerely hoped that he could integrate into this family as soon as possible.

Zuo Fuhong has a wife and four concubines in his mansion, so he has many children. In addition to Zuo Chengyu, the legitimate son, there are three illegitimate sons and two illegitimate daughters.

Two of the concubines were holding the youngest illegitimate son and daughter in the mansion.

Gu Qingzhi was already tired of his hypocritical behavior. If Feng Zhanye did not need protection, she really would not want to stay at such an uncomfortable banquet.

Zuo Fuhong looked up and looked around, then waved to the older girl, "Lan Xin, come here."

The little girl walked to his table obediently, put her hands together and bowed, and called "Daddy" sweetly.

Zuo Fuhong smiled and held her on his lap, and asked lovingly: "My dear daughter, how far have you learned the Four Books and Five Classics? Is there anything you don't understand?"

Although he was asking the little girl, his eyes always glanced at Feng Zhan Ye intentionally or unintentionally.

Zuo Chengyu replied at the right time: "Third sister is very talented and has worked very hard these past few days. I can see that she has basically memorized it."

Then, as if she suddenly remembered something, she turned to look at Feng Zhanye and said, "Zhanye is not much older than my third sister, so if Lan Xin has any questions, she can ask you for advice."

Before Feng Zhanye could say anything, the little girl started crying: "Wuwuwu... Daddy, I don't want him to teach me! He has driven his mother crazy. I'm afraid of him!"

Feng Zhanye's face froze, and the teacup in his hand accidentally fell to the ground, breaking into pieces.

Although this could only be regarded as a child's slip of the tongue, it still touched Feng Zhanye's most painful point.

"Okay, okay, don't cry, don't cry. If Lan Xin is afraid, brother won't let him teach her."

Zuo Chengyu completely ignored Feng Zhanye's increasingly ugly expression, pretending not to see it, and coaxed Zuo Lanxin with a smile.

"This child... Zhan Ye, Lan Xin is still young, and children can speak without restraint. I'm sure you won't blame her, right?"

While Zuo Fuhong ordered the maid to take the crying Zuo Lanxin away, he spoke to Feng Zhanye.

Feng Zhanye knew the situation well, so he forced out an ugly smile and replied in a disgusted tone, "No."

Gu Qingzhi frowned. She didn't believe that a child could say such words on her own. Of course, someone must have taught her that.

She vaguely felt that everything might not be over yet.

As she expected, just as Feng Zhanye took a sip of tea from her newly replaced teacup, Zuo Chengran, who had been silent until now, suddenly jumped out.

"Father, I feel that it would be boring to just sit here and drink tea in such a beautiful scenery. I have been practicing swordsmanship and have made some progress recently. Why don't you let me perform a show for everyone?"

Zuo Fuhong's eyes lit up, "Oh? My Zuo family has been engaged in literature for generations, but I never thought my son could have such a talent. Come and show it to your father."

Zuo Chengran proudly stood up and walked to the open space in the middle of the banquet hall. He winked at his servant, and the servant took out a black iron sword from the sword box behind him and gave it to him.

The boy, who was about fifteen or sixteen years old, had an impressive figure, and looked even more majestic with the sword in his hand. He was about to take a move when he was suddenly interrupted.

"Wait! I suddenly have a good idea!" Zuo Chengyu stood up and spoke.

"Cheng Ran usually practices swordplay on his own, so I don't know how good his swordplay is. I heard that there are several martial arts masters in the palace who are very good. I think Zhan Ye's martial arts must be great. Why don't you have a fight with Cheng Ran?"

This was really ridiculous. Even someone like Gu Qingzhi who didn't know much about the situation in the palace knew that Feng Zhan Ye never left the house and no one dared to teach him to read, let alone learn martial arts.

As expected, watching the joke was the main purpose of this family, and everyone looked like they were waiting to see a good show.

Feng Zhanye shook his head and said, "I have been weak for many years and have not learned much swordsmanship. I'd better not embarrass myself in front of everyone."

"Hey, what are you talking about? Cheng Ran is also a beginner. You two are about the same age, so the difference should be about the same."

Zuo Chengyu stood up and walked to a palace soldier, drew out his sword and placed it on Feng Zhanye's desk.

At this moment he was pretending to be deaf and dumb. Zuo Chengran looked to be about fifteen or sixteen years old. When he stood up straight, he was a head taller than Feng Zhanye.

Just saying that we are of similar age doesn't count as bullying, right?

Feng Zhanye pulled at his sleeves and said with embarrassment: "Forget it. I have evil spirits and I don't want to be contaminated by you anymore."

"Hahaha, you are so timid. The Fifth Prince is even younger than you. He was able to train a falcon with his bare hands during last year's autumn hunt."

On this side, Zuo Chengyu used the fifth prince as a face-saving measure to lower Feng Zhanye, and on the other side, Zuo Chengran added fuel to the fire.

"It's just a competition. Can I eat you? You don't dare, do you?"

Feng Zhanye has restrained his temper a lot today. Gu Qingzhi had seen him being humiliated all the time but was still willing to keep a low profile. Now he is being attacked from both sides and it is really embarrassing.

He hesitated and reached out to grasp the hilt of the sword, but a hand behind him was one step faster and picked up the sword.

The man in black cloth walked past him, picked up the sword, and stood in front of him with his head held high. He could easily make a beautiful sword flower.

"Your Highness has caught a cold recently and is feeling unwell. I am willing to serve as a sparring partner for the Second Young Master on your behalf."