The Slender Waist-Chapter 774 - 551 Shallow Layout_2

Luo Yue looked at her and said, "The king said, the downside of Changmen is caused by some people who are greedy and pervert the law. Madam has already dealt with those people, sending some to officials and others to legal justice. There’s no need to make a big fuss over a trivial matter."

A weight lifted off Feng Yun’s heart.

She pressed down the corners of her mouth, holding back her pleasure, and said indifferently, "At least he has a conscience."

Luo Yue rarely saw such a girlish demeanor on her face, and chuckled with a laugh, but then discontentedly said, "How can those old fogies not accommodate a minor Changmen? Is it just because my sister is a woman?"

Feng Yun smiled, "Perhaps that’s why."

She is not only a woman but also the Princess of Yonghuai.

Disbanding Changmen and suppressing her is also a way to test Pei Jue.

After discussing serious matters, Luo Yue picked up Da Bao and played with Feng Yun for a while, then went back before Wei Zheng finished his court duties.

As Feng Yun bathed, a major plan gradually took shape in her mind, just waiting for Pei Jue to return to the mansion.

Unexpectedly, right after she bathed, an old acquaintance came to visit.

"Madam, it’s been a long time."

Feng Yun smiled and responded, "Prince of Danyang, what a fortunate meeting."

Puyang Zong came alone.

Three years ago, after returning to the Capital from Huaxi, he entered official service through connections and was promoted multiple times, from Yi Lang to Shizhong, and then to Third-Rank Guang Lu Dai Fu with a gold badge and purple ribbon, all within a mere three years.

Such speed of promotion is beyond the dreams of ordinary people.

Nowadays, Puyang Zong has become a core figure of the Old Party. In some ways, he directly represents the Princess Chang who cannot attend court to participate in politics.

Feng Yun invited him into the hall, served good tea, and they shared a lively conversation.

It was as if there was no chasm of three years, no distinct stance, Puyang Zong still the school teacher from Huaxi Village, and she just the amiable Female District Head.

The tea was long-bitter, brought by Feng Yun from Huaxi.

Lately, she’s grown very fond of this tea...

It calms her impatience, soothes the mood, allowing her to scheme slowly and deliberately.

Puyang Zong also liked it; with one sip, he sighed deeply.

"Only at Madam’s place can one taste such fine tea."

Feng Yun smiled slightly, "Prince didn’t come just to reminisce, did he? "

Puyang Zong looked at her, revealing a faint smile.

In front of Feng Yun, he actually had no need for pretense.

He just couldn’t say it out loud.

Back when he went to Huaxi, he was still young and rash, doing whatever he wanted, but now he was no longer that same Puyang Zong. The years had smoothed his edges, and the political games at the Imperial Court had changed his temperament...

This made him feel slightly uncomfortable in front of Feng Yun.

Because Feng Yun was still that Feng Yun.

The Feng Yun of Huaxi.

She hadn’t changed.

Still that genuine-natured madam talked about by Awan.

Even though he had long hardened his heart like stone, it was still difficult to discuss the cunning and intrigue of the Imperial Court with Feng Yun.

Feng Yun knew what he was hesitating about.

People, both true and false, both evil and good.

"Prince might as well speak plainly. What should be done about Changmen?"

Puyang Zong’s pupils slightly trembled.

Feng Shi Er Niang, truly a woman of exquisite clarity.

He lowered his eyes, showing a trace of shame.

"Privately, I cherish Changmen deeply. Publicly, I must speak frankly, lady—Changmen can no longer be retained."

Feng Yun replied softly with a laugh, "Commandery Prince, could you please elaborate?"

Puyang Zong’s brow slightly furrowed, "This might sound selfish, but I truly do not wish to stir up any more disturbances in the Jin Court."

Feng Yun lowered her head to drink tea.

Puyang Zong continued: "The Imperial Court has already issued a decree to confiscate the garrison of the Tujiawu Fort. Lady, how long do you think Changmen can last?"

The Imperial Court will not permit the fort to maintain its private troops.

How is that different from warlords?

Feng Yun responded, "Then let’s discuss it when the decree arrives."

Puyang Zong added, "Lady, do you truly not know that the Prince of Yonghuai has been shielding you?"

Having said that, he felt his words were too harsh and softened his tone, "I speak these unpleasant words, lady, please do not take them to heart."

"Commandery Prince, please speak."

"Lady, your business spans across the world, and you’ve earned enough money. Why not let go and take a good rest?"

His words were tactful, yet Feng Yun understood their underlying meaning clearly.

She smiled and said, "Commandery Prince, I appreciate your kindness. My lifelong hobby is money. Making money is a lifetime commitment for me. As for the Changmen forces..."

She smiled, glancing at Puyang Zong.

"Commandery Prince, having stayed in Huaxi, you should clearly know how small Changmen’s force is. It’s merely enough for guarding the household and preventing petty thieves. Those craftsmen who eat from their work, they are not my people, nor will they kill or commit arson for me... If the court cannot accommodate even these few, then what more can I say?"

Puyang Zong frowned.

Silently, he took a sip of tea.

"Without concealing from the lady, the court has received reports that Little Jieqiu has as many as eight thousand elite troops..."

Feng Yun chuckled softly, "If we count everyone related to Changmen, from Andu, Mingquan to merchants everywhere, wouldn’t it exceed eight thousand? Under my command, there are easily fifty or sixty thousand people."

Of course, craftsmen and soldiers are different.

Puyang Zong knew what she was obfuscating, and he sighed deeply.

"Today I came not as an official of the Great Jin Dynasty but as Mr. Puyang from Huaxi Village School. Considering all this, I hope you will think thrice. After all, we are the same, wishing for the prosperity and peace of Dajin Country."

As he spoke, he bowed deeply to Feng Yun.

Feng Yun smiled softly, "Commandery Prince, your words are very true."

Seeing him rise to leave, Feng Yun suddenly spoke out.

"Every time I return to the capital in haste, I miss the chance to gather with old friends, which breeds misunderstandings. On the eighteenth of this month is the King’s grand celebration, and I plan to host a banquet at my residence, inviting friends from all over. I hope the Commandery Prince can spare the time to grace us with your presence and share a cup of fine wine."

Pei Jue never celebrated his birthday.

Nor did anyone know when his birthday was.

The eighteenth of March was just something Pei Chong made up to satisfy the public.

Honestly, even Feng Yun didn’t know his real birthday.

Upon hearing this, Puyang Zong smiled, "Definitely, I must come and ask for a drink."

In his view, this was Feng Yun bending and compromising, the key to amicably resolving the issue with Changmen.

Puyang Zong left smiling.

He did not see the frost that appeared on Feng Yun’s face after he left.