The Slender Waist-Chapter 156 - 116 The Indispensable Scoundrel

The installation of the waterwheel was a complicated process.

The craftsmen compared the components against the blueprints that Feng Yun provided, fitting one piece into another, all bustling with activity.

Atop the hill, with smoke curling up from the kitchens, a beautiful lady in a flowing robe suddenly appeared amidst this idyllic pastoral scene, accompanied by two servants carrying cool tea drinks.

"You have all worked so hard."

As Lady Tu approached and caught sight of Feng Yun, her eyes lit up.

"This is... Feng Shi Er Niang, isn’t it?"

Feng Yun smiled and gave a small bow, "I’ve seen Lady Tu."

"My, how handsome!" Lady Tu’s eyes almost started sparkling, and once her gaze fell upon Feng Yun’s face, it lingered there.

"How long has it been since I’ve seen such a refreshing and lovely young lady? I’ve heard of your beauty, but only now that I see you do I realize those praises didn’t do you justice. What is this ’beauty that puts flowers to shame, a countenance delicious enough to eat’? Pah! What flower is as beautiful as you, and who could bear to eat such loveliness? You should be cherished!"

Feng Yun had been praised for her beauty since she was young and was accustomed to it.

Nevertheless, she felt a bit embarrassed by Lady Tu’s exaggerated expressions.

"Lady Tu flatters me too much, I do not deserve such praise."

At this moment, she actually wished that others would recognize her intelligence.

For instance, the Wooden Ox Waterwheel that was being assembled...

However, the beautiful Lady Tu only saw her face.

She had no daughters and had always favored beautiful girls. In her previous life, Feng Yun had gained Lady Tu’s complete favor with her naturally radiant face, which also earned her the goodwill of everyone in the Tu Family Fort.

In this new life, she was still the same person, and Lady Tu took to her the moment she saw her face, just as before.

"Later, come sit in my room, I have something for you."

To those she liked, Lady Tu wanted to give gifts, and Feng Yun felt the same.

Upon hearing this, she pursed her lips and suddenly said:

"I have also brought a small gift for Lady Tu, but I was worried it might be presumptuous, so I haven’t had the courage to present it."

Lady Tu smiled, her eyes curving, "That’s wonderful. Really wonderful."

She kept repeating how good it was, looking at Feng Yun’s elegant beauty, her mind continuously thinking of ways to praise her, unable to take her eyes off.

Chunyu Yan turned his face away.

The Tu Fort Master also found his wife’s behavior quite embarrassing...

But he did not dare to criticize her.

His wife had always wanted a daughter, but despite his efforts over a long time, he had only fathered three useless sons. His wife blamed his ’poor seed,’ which is why they hadn’t produced a girl. He didn’t dare talk back and could only offer an apologetic smile.

Now that his wife had taken a liking to the Feng family’s girl, he feared that she would grill him about it again after they returned to their room that night...

Installing the waterwheel was time-consuming and laborious, and the day turned to dusk before they had completed even the bulk of it.

Lady Tu sent someone to invite them back for dinner.

Feng Yun had already planned to stay overnight at the Tu Family Fort.

It wasn’t safe to travel at night, and even if the waterwheel was finished now, it would be too late to return to Huaxi Village. She didn’t plan to leave and wanted to take the opportunity to speak with Lady Tu, so she gladly accepted the invitation.

To her surprise, Chunyu Yan also did not leave.

The two of them were invited to join the meal by Tu Boshan and his wife.

The table was a circular one, quite different from what ordinary families would use.

This was a custom in Tu Boshan’s household. In her previous life, Feng Yun had also joined them at this table...

But she and Chunyu Yan had not.

And now, they were arranged to sit together.

At the time, social customs were relaxed, and there weren’t so many formalities between men and women; it wasn’t a faux pas for the Tu family. However, sitting beside Chunyu Yan, Feng Yun felt extremely awkward.

Especially when he intentionally nudged his leg under the tablecloth towards her, bothersomely rubbing against her, she almost wished she could jump up and hit him...

But being a guest in someone else’s house, she had to maintain some decorum.

She glared at Chunyu Yan with measured intensity.

Chunyu Yan just smiled, his eyes clear as a spring, radiantly bright, with no hint of malice.

As if it were she who was petty and intolerant of others...

What a sinister heart!

Feng Yun lowered her hand and fiercely pinched his leg.

Chunyu Yan frowned, and upon seeing this, Tu Boshan laughed and spoke.

"I heard from Crown Prince Chunyu that you have a method to open the trade route from Yunchuan to Jin Country and transport graphite out, is that correct?"

The interest of intelligent people is always in benefits.

Feng Yun nodded and smiled, "Yes, that’s right."

With keen curiosity, Tu Boshan asked, "Could you please elaborate?"

Feng Yun said, "This... ouch..."

That scoundrel Chunyu Yan was secretly pinching her.

Feng Yun kept her composure, smiling, "I’m afraid it won’t be clear in a sentence or two. If the Fort Master is interested, we can discuss it later. I can include you in this business opportunity."

Lady Tu, who was admiring her beauty, saw how her brows suddenly knitted together, her expression clearly displeased, yet still forced to smile. This made her heart ache.