Chapter 17: Fu Ling Takes Action, The Formal Dress is Ruined

“I wasn’t trying to steal the bird eggs, I just wanted to climb up and see what’s in the nest,” Tang Feng relaxed a bit and couldn’t help but defend himself.

“Next time you want to see it, just ask Fang Yan to bring the nest down for you,” Tang Mi said with a smile, rubbing his little head before pulling him into the house.

Fang Yan looked at Tang Mi’s back, then dumbly turned to Ban Xia. “Don’t you think Miss is acting strange today?”

Ban Xia also stared at Tang Mi’s retreating figure, then shook her head. “No, Miss is perfectly normal.”

…Fang Yan was speechless as he looked at Ban Xia.

Alright, he forgot how much this girl idolized the eldest miss. As long as it’s her, there’s nothing that can be considered strange.

Inside the house, Tang Mi closed the door and looked at Tang Feng. “Take off your clothes.”

“Huh?” Tang Feng looked at her in a daze, as if he hadn’t heard her clearly.

“Take off your clothes so I can see if you’re hurt,” Tang Mi explained softly, noticing his shocked expression.

Tang Feng’s face flushed red. “I’m really fine. No need to take them off.”

The usually mischievous boy even knew how to blush, which made Tang Mi laugh. “I’m your sister. Are you afraid I’ll eat you?”

Tang Feng’s handsome face turned even redder. “Men and women shouldn’t have physical contact…”

Boys and girls over seven shouldn’t sit together, he was almost twelve now. How could she still look at his body?

“You’re growing up, huh? Already quoting etiquette. I’m your elder sister. Let me see,” Tang Mi said amusedly and reached to take off his clothes.

Tang Feng jumped up quickly. “I’ll do it myself.”

Knowing he couldn’t get out of it, Tang Feng resigned himself and removed his shirt.

His fair, tender little body was half-hidden, half-exposed, making Tang Mi chuckle.

After confirming it was just a minor scrape on his arm, she finally relaxed. “Luckily it’s just a scratch. What if it had been something more serious?”

She chattered on, distressed, while gently applying medicine to his wound.

Tang Feng stared at Tang Mi in a daze, feeling like she was completely different today.

She had always been strict with him, forcing him to read and write every day, pressuring him to improve, as if placing a golden hoop on his head that tormented him endlessly.

Just now he thought he was doomed. He never expected her not to scold him instead, she was concerned and even treated his wound. Was this a dream?

After she finished applying the medicine, Tang Mi helped him with his clothes.

“I can do it myself!” Tang Feng blushed hard and hurriedly buttoned up.

Tang Mi looked at him with amusement and casually asked, “Anything fun happen at the academy lately?”

Tang Feng paused mid-movement, staring at Tang Mi as if he couldn’t believe she asked that.

Seeing his reaction, Tang Mi pinched his chubby little face playfully. “Why the blank stare?”

Tang Feng finally snapped out of it, dumbfounded. “You’re not asking about my studies?”

She had always only cared about his academic performance, whether his teachers praised him, or how his essay writing was coming along, never questions like this.

Tang Mi raised an eyebrow teasingly. “Why? Do you want me to ask about your studies?”

“N-no.” Tang Feng shook his head like a rattle drum. “A few days ago, the academy received a batch of fine horses. One of them is even a Ferghana horse, super valuable.”

“Really? Are you allowed to ride it?” Tang Mi asked cooperatively.

“Others can’t, but I can.” Tang Feng puffed up his chest proudly.

“Why?”

“Only those with excellent riding and archery skills can ride it. I’m the best in the academy. I’ll get the top score this time, and then I’ll be allowed to ride it,” Tang Feng said with determination, visibly excited.

Tang Mi suddenly felt a pang of guilt. She had always focused only on his studies, completely unaware of his talents in horseback riding and archery.

She had truly failed as a sister in the past.

Her eyes welled up slightly as she gently rubbed his head. “Our Feng’er is amazing!”

Hearing her praise, Tang Feng instantly beamed with a bright smile.

It was the first time she had ever praised him. His grades had always been poor, so she never once commended him.

Seeing how happy he was, Tang Mi took out a crystal cake from the food box. “I made this myself. Consider it a reward.”

Tang Feng stared at the cake, stunned. “You made it for me?”

She had never cooked for him before.

Tang Mi smiled. “I made two servings. I gave the other one to Grandmother.”

As she spoke, she handed him a piece. “Try it.”

Tang Feng took the crystal cake and carefully took a bite. The sweet taste instantly filled his heart.

“Is it good?” Tang Mi looked at him with anticipation.

“Very sweet.” Tang Feng nodded like a bobble head, then offered her a piece in return.

Tang Mi ate the cake and couldn’t help pinching his chubby, handsome face again. “After the Mid-Autumn banquet tomorrow night, want to go see the lanterns with me?”

“You want to see the lanterns? Then I should be the one taking you. You’ve never even left the estate,” Tang Feng said, brushing her hand away with mock disgust.

Tang Mi laughed and played along. “Alright, Feng’er will take me.”

The next day, Mid-Autumn Festival.

Early in the morning, Fu Ling and Ban Xia hung lanterns all over the courtyard.

Tang Mi leaned on the railing, watching them bustle around happily.

What had she been doing last Mid-Autumn?

She was probably still lost in the devastation of a crushing blow.

Thinking back, her thoughts drifted to that man. She went inside and pulled out the cloak from the storage trunk.

Why had he given it to her?

Who was he?

“Miss…” Fu Ling entered and saw Tang Mi staring at the cloak in a daze.

Tang Mi snapped back to reality and quickly stuffed the cloak back into the trunk.

Fu Ling’s eyes flickered but said nothing. “Miss, it’s getting late. Let us help you get ready.”

Ban Xia came in with warm water.

After helping Tang Mi wash up, they began to do her makeup.

Fu Ling reached for the heavy cosmetics, but Tang Mi frowned. “Let me do it.”

“Yes.” Fu Ling paused and stepped back.

Tang Mi lightly applied makeup herself. No one knew her face better than she did, unlike Tang Ying’s glamorous looks, she had a more elegant beauty. Heavy makeup would only ruin it.

A light touch of powder, delicately shaped brows, a dab of rouge on the lips already she was stunning beyond description.

“Miss…” Ban Xia stared, starry-eyed and speechless with excitement.

Even Fu Ling was stunned. The miss was truly beautiful, the kind of beauty that could capture hearts without any embellishment.

“Miss, let’s get you into the formal dress,” Ban Xia said, taking the gown from the rack.

Fu Ling immediately went to help.

Just as they finished dressing Tang Mi, there was a sudden rip, something tore.

Fu Ling nervously swallowed and quickly hid the blade in her sleeve.