The Slender Waist-Chapter 679 - 491: Talking Ugly but Making Sense

As soon as Feng Yun returned to Andu, she had no time to rest at all.

Exhausted from the journey, she fell asleep on her comfortable couch and didn’t wake up until dawn.

As she opened her eyes and got up, several beautiful maids hurried to attend to her, their voices chirping like orioles and swallows, each more beautiful than the last.

Surrounded by such beauty, it’s not just men who can’t resist; even a woman like her found it hard to withstand.

No wonder every man dreams of being an Emperor...

Having experienced it firsthand, Feng Yun finally understood a little bit.

During breakfast, a group of beautiful women gathered around Feng Yun, each sharing her recent experiences over the past few months.

Guan Wei managed the Coal Ball Workshop and was involved in deliveries, traveling as far as Yongzhou. Her horizons had broadened, her knowledge increased, and she spoke more eloquently and confidently than before.

Awan’s snack stall had also changed location, setting up near the newly built wharf with a rented shop and two hired hands, making herself a proprietress. Thanks to several snack recipes Feng Yun had given her before, her business was thriving, and she contributed monthly to Changmen...

As for Ying Rong and Wen Hui, there was no need to say more; they had long been capable managers, handling their responsibilities perfectly.

Though Nan Kui and Chai Ying hadn’t returned from Mingquan, the ledgers seen at Alou’s indicated that the affairs they managed were also flourishing, each as competent as the other.

The remaining concubines, whether they went to Ying Rong’s Cheng Yi Workshop or Wen Hui’s Yutangchun, all aspired to make their own way and refused to sit idle in the estate...

Only Jiang Yin was quiet, apparently without any ambitions to stand out.

During the months Feng Yun was away from the estate, Jiang Yin had been assisting Alou, managing odds and ends around the estate, and gradually, she had taken on the role resembling an internal butler for Changmen...

Everyone had changed.

Even Huaxi Village was completely different from when Feng Yun had left.

In just a few months, the Changhe Ferry had begun to take shape, shops were materializing, and all kinds of businesses were blooming, a far cry from the rural look of Huaxi when Feng Yun first arrived...

Of course, it was no longer just a village.

It had been transformed into Huaxi Township.

In the township government, aside from Feng Yun, the appointed Township Chief, there were several low-ranking officials. They were stewards and drifters, responsible for agriculture, public affairs, and patrol operations within the township.

Feng Yun had the official position, but could not tend to every detail personally. Therefore, before she departed, she recommended Xing Bing to be the deputy in charge of local affairs.

Xing Bing had previously been a Military Officer in the Prefecture Governor’s Office and managed soldiers for Feng Yun at Changmen. He had been well trained and quickly got the hang of it, enlisting a few subordinates from the estate to help shoulder the responsibilities.

Changmen had a private school, so even the servants in the estate could read and do arithmetic. Any one of them could be pulled out to get things done.

Thus, upon her return, Feng Yun was pleasantly surprised to find that in her absence, Changmen was well-managed from top to bottom. Even if there were any mistakes, they were resolved after discussion and consensus between Alou, Xing Bing, Ying Rong, and Wen Hui, as she had instructed.

She was very gratified.

It was as if all the flowers she had tended were now in full bloom, and the worries she had before returning to Huaxi were swept away.

"It seems I can breathe a sigh of relief from now on."

Alou and the others were delighted to have their master’s approval, smiling from ear to ear.

When Ren Rude arrived at the estate, what he heard was a harmonious atmosphere filled with joyous laughter.

He sighed inwardly.

He had another report to write for Tai City.

He knew he had to write, "Feng Twelve returned to Huaxi, having escaped from the clutches of the Prince of Yonghuai, her mood as relaxed as clearing clouds, as joyful as summer flowers, content beyond words. She gathered the estate’s servants, laid out a banquet, and celebrated her new life."

Ahem!

Ren Rude stood under the eaves, bowing with clasped hands.

"Ren Rude of Huaxi Village School, greets the Princess of Yonghuai—"

He was more respectful than he had ever been.

At the sound, Feng Yun smiled and signaled for the servants around her to step back, then invited Ren Rude inside.

"Please take a seat, Mr. Ren."

"Thank you, Princess," Ren Rude bowed again, lightly lifting the edge of his robe as he politely took a seat at the lower guest spot.

"May I know why the Princess has summoned me?"

Feng Yun’s gaze was warm, her lips curled into a smile, "The Jin Court is in civil strife, with Yecheng and Xijing clashing on the Tonghui River. I wonder, Mr. Ren, do you have any insight on this matter?"

Being asked about the war on the day after her return to Huaxi surprised Ren Rude slightly.

"Does the Princess wish to hear the truth or pleasantries?"

Feng Yun smiled, "There are no outsiders here; feel free to speak candidly, Mr. Ren."

The way she used the word "outsiders" was quite clever.

Ren Rude instantly felt a sense of comfort at being considered one of her own, even though he knew very well that the young lady wasn’t truly sincere. Nevertheless, his face involuntarily showed a hint of pleasure.

"A victory is easy, but annihilation is much harder. It could take as little as three years or as many as five. For a protracted war, the Western Capital Dynasty must prepare..."

Feng Yun’s eyes narrowed slightly, "I would like to hear more details."

At that moment, Ren Rude’s feelings were quite complicated.

He, a strategist from Nanqi, was analyzing the conflict between the two dynasties of Dajin, and that too in front of a woman. No matter how he thought about it, it seemed bizarre.

He pursed his lips and smiled casually, "From my perspective, given that Xijing has the Prince of Yonghuai, where politics are clear and unified, Yecheng is bound to fall; it’s just a matter of time. Li Zongxun must have also grasped this point. That’s why he’s acting with desperate resolve, striking first amidst Xijing’s crisis, pressing forward with a formidable army, determined to take a piece of Xijing at any cost, even if it means gnawing away at it, but..."

He paused slightly.

"In just over a year, Li Zongxun amassed an army of five hundred thousand. It shows that this old man, shameless as he is, has also built up some reserves. If he fails to breach Xijing’s defenses, he will definitely fall back to Chuzhou and use the great river and mountainous terrain to stall, gathering his forces for another battle. But let’s say, even if the Yecheng Army is no match, holding the natural stronghold of Chuzhou would not be difficult... to drag it out three or five years."

Feng Yun smiled faintly.

"So Mister Ren does not think highly of Xijing..."

Ren Rude hastily bowed with hands clasped together.

"It’s Ren’s impropriety. But... ugly as the words may be, this is the underlying truth. The will of heaven, public sentiment, the lay of the land, the hearts of the people—none can be measured accurately, certainly not an overnight effort, let alone as easy as slicing through melons and vegetables..."

Feng Yun chuckled softly.

"With Mister Ren’s assistance, the situation would be vastly different..." 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Ren Rude was slightly startled.

Not to mention why Feng Yun thought he was capable of that, but on what basis... did she assume he would lend his support?

"Mister Ren?" Feng Yun smiled, "Are you troubled?"

Ren Rude smiled lightly, stroking his beard.

"I really do not understand the Princess’s words, having no talent or virtue to speak of..."

"Mister Ren is being modest. Now it only depends on whether you are willing or not..."

Ren Rude’s cheeks twitched slightly, and his eyelids drooped a bit.

"Please be clear, Princess."

Feng Yun’s lips curled up, frank and direct.

"Turn Zheng Shoushan to our side, to be used by me."

Ren Rude jumped in shock.

Not because of Feng Yun’s boldness, but because... Feng Yun’s thoughts precisely matched Xiao Cheng’s schemes.

In fact, whether he saved Zheng Shoushan’s brother-in-law, or bestowed favors upon him, it was all deliberately done.

Although Xiao Cheng had made peace with Dajin, sooner or later, Jin and Nanqi would tear each other apart...

Therefore, Xiao Cheng had always been playing both sides between Xijing and Yecheng, offending neither...

But secretly, he had not been idle either, laying out the scheme involving Zheng Shoushan well in advance...

Before this, Ren Rude always thought the Emperor had made his move too early. To his surprise, not only had Xiao Cheng planned this, but Feng Yun had the same idea...

No wonder she was willing to support Zheng Shoushan with two hundred thousand coal balls, having the same intentions as His Majesty...

Ren Rude did not promise on the spot.

He simply mentioned that the matter might be difficult and that he needed to write a letter to Zheng Shoushan’s brother-in-law to probe for opportunities.

In reality, he would return and write a letter, to be sent by carrier pigeon to Tai City—

On such a major issue, he did not dare to conceal anything.

Then his mind was filled with thoughts on how to deal with Feng Yun...

To his surprise, Tai City actually gave its approval.

Xiao Cheng commanded, "Shi’er Niang is like a pearl in the casket, capable of significant contributions. If you hold any doubts, follow her words, assist her to achieve great things, and do not fail my expectations."

Ren Rude stared in disbelief.

He turned his head and looked at Jin Ge.

"Who exactly are we under the command of? I’m becoming more and more confused..."

Jin Ge pressed her lips together, not answering.

That very night, he went to the dwelling of Kong Yun’e.

Feng Yun arrived gracefully.

Jin Ge bowed and reported the exchanges between Xiao Cheng and Ren Rude truthfully.

"His Majesty wholeheartedly wishes well for Lady Yun, asking nothing in return."

Feng Yun snorted a cold laugh through her nostrils.

"Can’t you see how ruthless he is?"

Jin Ge was stunned.

If it were any other claim, he might believe it, but he had seen with his own eyes how the Emperor trusted Feng Shi Er Niang completely, willing to hand over all the bait he’d scattered and all the fish he’d caught, keeping no secrets for himself.

How was that ruthless?

Feng Yun glanced at him, not stating anything outright, only saying:

"By using my hand for his deeds, he simply awaits an opportunity... Hmph, when the snipe and the clam grapple, it is the fisherman who profits."

Jin Ge was puzzling over this.

But one thing he did see clearly.

Before Feng Shi Er Niang, even breathing... seemed like a mistake, where His Majesty was concerned.