Fengye had just left his room when his mother called out "Ye'er, come here, eat!"
She sounded a lot kinder than when she had just pulled him out of bed.
Approaching the kitchen, he saw why.
His younger brother was already eating, half the food on the table already empty.
"Your brother was hungry and you didn't wake up, so he ate a bit more. That's not a problem, right, Ye'er?" she said in a sweet-ish voice.
Hearing this, Fengye forced himself not to frown.
Although from the memories, he already knew that his younger brother was more liked by his mother, he couldn't understand this level of favouritism.
In the past, his father had loved him the most and taught him everything, which was why he was so close to him, causing him so much grief.
Now looking at his mother, he suddenly realised that the kind mother in his memories always used some excuse to favour his brother.
Maybe the previous Fengye only thought she was doing this because she was compensating for his father's focus on him…
But looking at the situation, Fengye felt it wasn't like this at all.
No matter what, his father made sure they lived well and even tried to teach his younger brother, but he was just too unwilling and spoiled by his mother, which is why they never connected.
"Mother," Fengye was about to say something, when he was suddenly interrupted by a knock on the door.
He looked over to his mother, waiting for her to open the door.
Usually he would do it, but having just seen this scene, he was upset not only internally but even vocally, had there not been a knock on the door.
After all, memories are one thing, but he had no emotional connection with these people.
Seeing that he didn't open the door, his mother had a deep frown before turning to her younger son "Fengge, could you open the door for mother?"
"Mother, don't you see I'm eating?" Fengge complained, not even raising his head from the bowl.
"Right, right, mother was inconsiderate." She instantly agreed with him and stood up, not looking back but only casting her frown at Fengye.
Opening the door, she saw a young boy in servant clothes standing in front of the door, next to him was an older man, well dressed.
The boy turned to the steward and said "Steward Ji, this is the house of the son-in-law to be…"
"Good, you go and wait at the carriage, I will walk back in a moment."
The steward then looked at the woman in front of him. He could see that she had some resemblance of beauty, but unfortunately, she didn't keep it well.
Inner ugliness can't hide forever, he thought to himself, not commenting on it.
Instead, he addressed the problem directly "I am Steward Ji of the Guan marquisate. I'm here to talk about the marriage matter."
"What about it? If you want the b-" Fengye's mother had just started talking when he interrupted her, "I'm the son-in-law to be, what's with the matter?"
Hearing this, the steward looked further into the small house and saw Fengye standing there.
He saw a tall young man with bright black eyes and hair, with a straight back and sharp, focused eyes.
There was no hesitation nor nervousness, rather, he saw a bit of excitement and worry hidden deeply.
"This matter…" the steward started talking, before changing his mind.
The command for the marriage was made by the clan head while the newest command came directly from the young lady. Although he didn't have to follow it, especially since she hadn't gotten the approval of the clan head, he was still willing to do it and clear this matter for his future master.
But now looking at the young man, he had a different thought.
Maybe the clan head saw something in this young man?
If he rashly ended this matter, he might suffer the consequences.
"It has been decided that the marriage won't be held right away. The young lord hasn't yet met the lady. The previous marriage… it was just to find candidates and not yet supposed to finalise the matter of marriage.
If the young lord is willing, I would like to invite him back to the marquisate.
All the matters can be discussed in detail there.
As for the betrothal gift, there is no need to keep it. If the marriage is arranged, it will remain a gift. If it's not arranged, just accept it as a good karma by his lordship the marquis."
"Is that so?" Fengye looked at the steward, feeling like many things were left out.
But there was a deep hope in his heart.
Although he didn't know the details, he thought that marriage was exactly what he wanted.
At least this time, he got to meet her.
If he didn't like her, he could also reject the marriage.
And if she didn't like him, he could see whether they could develop feelings over time.
Worst case he would just leave and not consider this matter anymore.
As a long time single man, he was very willing to try this out.
Just then, he suddenly asked "How old is the young lady?"
"This year the young lady will become nineteen years old."
"Just like me…" Fengye murmured, while continuing in his heart 'I was twenty when that happened, and now I'm back to eighteen.
Marrying someone a year younger isn't unusual and fine…'
As a modern man, he naturally had different standards, morals and values than these ancient people. He could even hear his mother secretly sneer behind him, calling her old for not having married at this age.
But for him this was perfect.
If she was any younger, then even if the marriage was possible… he would have to wait a few years…
Breathing a sigh of relief, Fengye asked "When will we go to the marquisate?"
"Now." The steward replied.
"Oh, alright…" Fengye was about to step out when he turned back.
He looked at his mother, then at his brother who had finally raised his head.
There were no words he wanted to say.
Even if he didn't marry, he probably wouldn't return here.
He walked to his own room and took the clean box containing the red robe.
"Let's go," he said, for a second time, not turning back.
The first time it was his past, now it was 'Fengye's' past.
Everything that would come now would be truly his new life.