The Slender Waist-Chapter 37 - 31 Startled Awake in the Middle of the Night

Chapter 37: Chapter 31 Startled Awake in the Middle of the Night

Feng Yun had no interest in pleasantries, and directly asked He Qia.

"May I ask if these words are your own thoughts, or are they the General’s?"

He Qia chuckled awkwardly, circled around the desk to face her, and bowed deeply, "My lady, please forgive me! Indeed, it was the General’s command that I’ve only just come to understand—"

Only just come to understand?

What exactly had he come to understand?

Seeing her displeased expression, He Qia didn’t quite understand why. The Great General had no wife, and this was the first time he acknowledged someone as his spouse. Wouldn’t other ladies be overjoyed to tears? Perhaps Feng Shi Er Niang had some misunderstanding?

So he thought for a moment, then continued:

"Not to conceal from my lady, according to the old rules, the former dynasty’s assets should have been confiscated and reallocated. The General, pitying my lady’s family for being ineffective and fearing that you might be wronged, amended the old rules..."

Feng Yun sneered coldly, "Then I must thank the General for his kindness."

Her mocking smile left He Qia with no choice but to force a laugh and drop the subject.

With war on the horizon, Feng Yun had no way to reason with Pei Jue.

She couldn’t assume the role of the female head of the household, so she was forced to endure for the moment.

At the very least, the deeds to the Tianzhuang estates were hers.

Pei Jue, that man, still had the tiniest ounce of conscience left in him.

Reconciling this in her mind, Feng Yun bolstered her spirits.

"Alou, call everyone to Qingshan Hall, I have arrangements to make."

Over the past few days, Feng Yun had come to understand everyone in the household.

Ying Rong, originally a seamstress, was straightforward and an excellent embroiderer, capable of managing household affairs, but appeared somewhat lacking in public poise.

Wen Hui originated from a brothel as a singing courtesan; she seemed gentle but was able to keep a cool head, understood propriety, and knew when to advance or retreat.

"Wen Hui, I’m entrusting Yutangchun to you."

Yutangchun was the largest tavern in Andu County, and the only business operated by the Feng Family’s youngest branch in the county. It was the premier place of elegance in Andu, a gathering place for the wealthy and influential.

Feng Jingteng had previously arranged banquets at Yutangchun.

Yutangchun didn’t just offer food and drink; it also featured activities like playing chess, cuju, archery, pitch-pot, and hide the hook, pulling in profits. With Feng Jingteng—a Prefectural Governor—and the mighty Feng Family from Xuzhou backing it, everyone gave it respect, and it made pots of gold. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

Wen Hui, along with Lin E, Huan Jiao, Chai Ying, Nan Kui, and other beautiful courtesans, had all come from Yutangchun.

The women of the establishment were known for both their beauty and artistry. Wen Hui wasn’t the prettiest or the most talented among them, but during the occupation of the Jin Army, she was the first to side with Feng Yun and knew a few characters, making her easier to instruct.

This was a carefully considered decision by Feng Yun.

Yet to everyone else, it sounded like a far-fetched fantasy.

Even Wen Hui herself couldn’t believe it.

"My lady, entrust this to me, am I up to the task?"

Feng Yun smiled, "Of course you are. Why wouldn’t you be? Now that Officer He has arrived, Andu County will gradually resume its businesses. We don’t have to prepare fancy feasts like before; we can just start with simple home-cooked meals."

Only then did everyone realize that Shi’er Niang wasn’t joking.

This was real—she planned to hand over the business of Yutangchun to Wen Hui, a delicate woman, a singing courtesan from Yutangchun...

They had all assumed that Feng Yun, a lady from a noble family, was very prideful and looked down on the sisters who came from the establishment, often complaining privately.

They never expected Shi’er Niang to have such a broad mind, thinking so differently from them...

Wen Hui was quite moved, her eyes reddened.

Since being presented to Feng Yun as a servant girl by the General, she thought her life would be spent serving tea and water, living as a lowly handmaiden.

After entering the Feng household, Shi’er Niang never made her do dirty or tiring work; instead, she let her study with the chief steward. She thought that Shi’er Niang had many people around her and didn’t need her services...

How could she have imagined that a courtesan, once pleasing clients, could one day manage Yutangchun?

Wen Hui was tearfully overjoyed, alternating between crying and laughing, continuously wiping her tears with a handkerchief.

"Crying for what?" Feng Yun’s lips curled upward, "Just for a Yutangchun, you’re this happy? What will you do when we have even bigger business deals in the future?"

Wen Hui sniffled through her tears, "I’m afraid I won’t do well and bring shame upon you, my lady."

Feng Yun grinned, "Losing face doesn’t matter; I’m thick-skinned. Just don’t lose money."

Feng Yun, unconcerned about what others thought, continued to instruct, "Wen Hui, don’t be nervous. Before we open, I’ll sort everything out and find someone to guide and teach you. You can also choose a few suitable people from the household to assist you."

Wen Hui was still crying.

In the past, she thought if a man redeemed her, it meant he liked her, but only when she was offered did she realize that men just saw her as an insignificant object. Nobody had ever respected her, nobody saw her worth...

Wen Hui was grateful for her decision back in the camp and wiped her tears, bowing deeply and formally to Feng Yun.

"I will do my utmost."

Excitement surged among everyone in Qingshan Hall.

Lin E, who had been in a daze for a long time, suddenly stepped forward, "Wen Hui, I’ll go with you to Yutangchun. I know a few characters and am best at welcoming guests..."

"No!" Feng Yun cut in before Wen Hui could speak, her voice indifferent, "You all, I have other important tasks for you."

Lin E felt a chill in her heart, filled with both hatred and anger.

She didn’t believe that Feng Twelve would suddenly be so kind-hearted, nor that she would also be assigned a task like Wen Hui, so she said tactfully:

"This concubine, like Sister Hui, comes from Yutangchun, and understands this profession very well..."

"There’s no need to trouble Lin Ji, from now on Yutangchun will no longer sell beauty or entertainment, only culinary and other talents."

Feng Yun’s words, neither light nor heavy, made Lin E’s cheeks flush with embarrassment, leaving her at a loss for words.

"Then, what shall we do?"

Feng Yun looked up at her, smiling amiably.

"You’ll find out tomorrow."

—

That night, Feng Yun went to bed without having her supper.

In the middle of the night, a bright fire blazed in Changmen Academy.

Granny Han hurriedly lifted the curtain to enter, seeing Feng Yun sitting up in bed, drenched in sweat and trembling uncontrollably as if she had been terribly frightened, and Granny Han’s heart ached for her...

"What’s happened? Are you having a nightmare?"

Feng Yun looked up blankly at her, as if she hadn’t snapped back to reality, "Granny?"

"Alas," Granny Han sat down and gently stroked Feng Yun’s back, "seeing that Shi’er Niang doesn’t want to be with the General, this old servant knew that you still hold that person in your heart..."

Feng Yun frowned, "Which person?"

Granny Han looked at her, hesitating to speak, "Just now, this old servant heard... Shi’er Niang was calling out for... Xiao Lang... over and over... Her crying, it was so heartbreaking, so piercing, it really tugged at one’s heart.

Xiao Lang, huh? Feng Yun’s face turned deathly pale.

Seeing her silent, Granny Han sighed heavily, "Shi’er Niang’s feelings, this old servant understands all too well, but we must look forward... even though you came out of the Jin Army camp cleanly..."

At this point, she couldn’t bear to continue and stopped speaking.

"Lady Chen is determined to betroth Feng Ying to Young Master Xiao, and your uncle is not a fair patriarch; by now, for all we know, the deed might already be done... Shi’er Niang, ah, we can’t return to the Feng Family, please forget about Xiao Lang and find peace with General Pei..."

Feng Yun cast her gaze down and lay back on the bed, "Please rest, Granny."

Granny Han sighed softly.

She couldn’t imagine the suffering Shi’er Niang had endured to develop such resolve.

Even though she had worries, she no longer wished to speak of them.

After Granny Han left, Feng Yun embraced the pup again, holding it close and stroking its head to console it.

"Were you scared just now, little one? Don’t be afraid, it was just a dream, only a dream... Sister won’t let anyone hurt me again, nor will I let anyone hurt my little pup."

The pup stuck out its tongue to lick her face, and Feng Yun tenderly rubbed its belly.

"Do you think... they really made it happen?"

"Autumn is approach soon, it should be soon."

—

At dawn, in Xinzhou City.

Feng Jingteng was woken from his sleep by Feng Ying’s cries.

After abandoning the city, he dared not return to Tai City in Qizhou and temporarily stayed in his stepson Wen Xingsu’s residence in Xinzhou, where Wen Xingsu administered the military.

This residence wasn’t as spacious as the Imperial Governor’s Office, its compounds were adjacent, separated by a mere wall, making Feng Ying’s cries during the night all too clear.

Lady Chen got up before him, feeling for her clothes and asking the maid to light the lamp.

"What’s been with Ayun lately, her nights are so restless..."

While speaking, she cast a resentful glance at Feng Jingteng, "That Xiao San also can’t give a clear answer! You as her father are not even concerned..."

She continued, "Now that Ayun is clearly not an option, we can’t just let Ayun wait in vain. Our branch of the family is already looked down upon by the main branch, now even the second and third branches are riding roughshod over us? Even though you are of legitimate birth, if this marriage falls through, you may be able to afford that loss, but my Chen Family cannot..."

"Ah, don’t I know how urgent it is?" Feng Jingteng hesitated as he sat up, "But I have just lost a city, and the Prince of Jingling is also on the verge of battle, who has time for personal matters? We must wait a bit longer..."

"Wait, wait, always waiting, you’re nothing but timid. Scared of the wolf before you, frightened of the tiger behind!"

"You..." Feng Jingteng wanted to retort angrily, but seeing Lady Chen become angry, he quieted down.

"Indeed, a woman’s perspective. This marriage is not as simple as the wedding of ordinary youngsters. Don’t worry yourself about it; his uncle will make arrangements..."

Lady Chen gave him a disdainful look, "You don’t give me any peace of mind at all."

Feng Jingteng, with a throbbing headache, said, "Stop harping on about me, go see Ayun. It’s natural the girl feels scared after the shock she encountered coming from Andu. She needs some comforting."

Lady Chen’s eyes reddened as she nodded, "Ayun is so pitiable, about to suffer to death..."

Feng Jingteng patted her on the back, his eyes briefly wandering.

When talking about pity, he dared not think about the daughter he had sent into the enemy’s camp...