The Slender Waist-Chapter 90 - 71: Winning People’s Hearts

Feng Yun let out a yawn, looking as if she hadn’t yet woken up.

"Now the Empress Dowager is going to have a headache."

Fang Fucai’s performance in Andu County had been very poor.

Lin E was dead, but Feng Yun was alive and well. Li Sangruo had already been dissatisfied with Steward Fang, having suffered twenty strokes of the cane, and was still recovering from his injuries. Now, with Wei Zheng’s accusations, who knew whom Li Sangruo would believe.

Feng Yun said, "Speaking of which, I should thank Lin E and Huan Jiao."

That purse was indeed the one Huan Jiao took to the teahouse at the city gate to find someone on the day of her death. Feng Yun guessed that it was a token Fang Fucai had left for Lin E, and Huan Jiao, knowing this affair, had the audacity to carry the purse and seek someone out...

After Huan Jiao’s death, the purse had somehow fallen into Feng Yun’s hands.

Unexpectedly, last night she had Luo Yue give the purse to Wei Zheng, who recognized at a glance that it belonged to Fang Fucai.

Wei Zheng was naturally suspicious.

Consequently, there was no need for Feng Yun to further stir the pot. He linked the whole event together, concluding that Steward Fang was using underhanded tactics in a power grab.

He no longer suspected Feng Yun, directing all his resentment towards Steward Fang.

Feng Yun glanced at Xing Bing.

"This is what I mentioned the other day, if the enemy is strong and we are weak, it’s best to bait them with prospects of gain, lure them deep, then expose their flaws, and divide and conquer..."

Upon careful contemplation, Xing Bing nodded.

"So, what should the lady do next?"

Feng Yun answered, "Divide and conquer."

Xing Bing made a sound of realization, not quite understanding.

Feng Yun smiled and took out a book from beside her, handing it to him, "When you’re idle, you should also read more. Books can resolve all doubts."

Xing Bing was startled, suddenly feeling overwhelmed.

He didn’t know many characters, didn’t like reading, and had never expected that, in addition to drilling his troops, he would also have to engage in scholarly pursuits.

"Lady, I... Maybe I won’t read?"

Seeing his face turning red with struggle, Feng Yun let out a chuckle.

"Read, how could you not read? Our troops are not going to be limited to those twenty or thirty men. When the ranks grow large, how are you, the leader, going to manage?"

"How will I manage?" Xing Bing asked hesitantly.

"It’s all written in the book."

Feng Yun smiled, raising an eyebrow, then consoled him, "You just take it and read. If there’s anything you don’t understand, come and ask me anytime."

Xing Bing scratched his head, realizing that there was no escaping this "debt of reading." At his age, he was going to have to be spurred to read just like his two kids at home.

—

Feng Yun had set up the stage, and the cast was indispensable.

After breakfast, she sent someone to the west wing to deliver a bolt of fine cloth to both Shao Xueqing and Luo Yue, telling them to make some new clothes so they could dress more presentably and stopped their rough labor in the homestead.

Shao Xueqing cared about her face, and since that day, she was so ashamed that she refused to see people, unable to let go of her "noble lady" pride, and harbored resentment towards Feng Yun...

For it was Feng Yun who led the capture of the adulterers.

It was Feng Yun who exposed her scandal in public.

But Luo Yue was different.

She had grown up in the brothel, having endured much hardship and was accustomed to reading people and assessing the situation.

From the moment Feng Yun called her over last night to serve Wei Zheng and handed her that purse, instructing her on what to say, she knew that Feng Yun intended to elevate her.

Opportunities in her life had been rare.

She would seize even the slightest possibility.

This was also why, after finding out about Shao Xueqing’s affair with Wei Zheng behind her back, she took the brazen step of shamelessly exposing them.

Now that Feng Yun was treating her like one of her own, she naturally didn’t dare be negligent.

After accepting the cloth, she quickly went to the main house to give thanks.

Feng Yun was fanning herself with a palm-leaf fan, thinking about how to "divide and conquer," when she saw Luo Yue acting so sensibly, her smile deepened a bit.

Feng Yun liked intelligent women.

"Luo Ji, there’s no need for formalities. We were sisters before, and in the future, once Luo Ji joins General Wei and travels to Central Capital, there might come a time when I will need Luo Ji’s help..."

As she spoke, she sighed softly and continued in a confiding manner:

"If there has been any wrongdoing in the past, I hope Luo Ji can forgive me."

Luo Yue shook her head, "My lady, there’s nothing for you to feel sorry about. Back then, we sisters were abandoned by our family, sent to the enemy camp, with an uncertain future and life hanging in the balance..."

As she spoke, her eyes reddened, and she dabbed the corners with a handkerchief.

"Had it not been for you maintaining dignity, we sisters might still be in dire straits..."

Feng Yun asked, "You don’t resent me? Hoarding the general’s affections and making you all do the work?"

Luo Yue gave a bitter smile.

"I’m too busy being grateful to you to hold any resentment, my lady. I’m not a fool like Lin E. I’ve always seen clearly that even without you, the General would never have wanted us. They simply don’t understand and deceive themselves. As for doing work..."

Her beautiful eyes lifted slightly, "It’s only just to work for one’s food. I’ve never eaten a meal that came easy. Having food is better than starving. You’re not harming us. On the contrary, you’re saving us, showing us that resorting to charm for favors is unsustainable, while working for food is the solid path..."

Once she started talking, Luo Yue went on and on.

"The lady must look down on me for stooping to such base actions. But I was raised in a brothel and all I learned was how to serve men..."

As she spoke, tears streamed down Luo Yue’s face.

"My lady, in this world, there’s not much of a way out for women. I’m lazy and gluttonous, wanting to live better, wear pretty clothes, don jewelry, and enjoy an easy life waited on by others... Did I do wrong?"

"You did nothing wrong," Feng Yun said. "Who is without self-interest? I have it too."

Luo Yue felt a sense of kinship upon hearing her words.

"In fact, I knew the Great General was out of reach, which is why I wanted to find a new husband to rely on. I never harmed anyone, and I even shared my thoughts with Shao Xueqing early on. Little did I expect, she’d beat me to it..."

The thought of that night’s incident filled her with anger and hate.

"I wanted that man, but she insisted on snatching him away, so I decided not to let her have an easy time. She cares about her reputation, I can do without. Let’s see whose luck is stronger."

Feng Yun smiled briefly.

"I don’t look down on you. On the contrary, I think Luo Ji is very brave."

Hearing Feng Yun speak so, Luo Yue, who had been receiving all sorts of odd looks these past few days, teared up even more, her tears falling thick and fast.

"The lady is quite different from others, so broad-minded..."

Feng Yun smiled and asked her, "You said earlier since childhood you’ve only learned one thing, how to attend to men, right?"

Luo Yue blushed slightly and bit her lip.

"I was unpromised when I was with General Wei, otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to surrender with the lady. I’ve just seen more, heard more, and know some tricks that others don’t..."

Feng Yun said, "Do you have the confidence that with these skills you can secure General Wei’s undivided affection?"

Luo Yue was momentarily stunned.

She didn’t quite understand Feng Yun’s meaning.

Feng Yun said, "It won’t be long before the Imperial Court’s decree arrives at Huaxi Village. You and Shao Xueqing are both granted to Wei Zheng by the Great General, and he will definitely take you with him. Once you’re in the Central Capital, a place unfamiliar and without connections, you’ll have no one to rely on..."

Luo Yue cried even harder, sobbing.

She realized the lady was looking out for her, worried for her.

"Rest assured, my lady," Luo Yue said through clenched teeth. "Unless Wei Zheng isn’t a man, I’ll have my ways. I may not be the sole favorite, but I’m very confident about earning his affections."

That night, she had managed to pull Wei Zheng away from Shao Xueqing; and if nothing else, her audacity was unmatched by others.

Feng Yun suggested, "These next few days, while General Wei is still here, you should spend more time with him. It’s during times of distress that true feelings are revealed, and Luo Ji should understand what I’m saying."

Luo Yue was smart and fully grasped her meaning.

"Thank you for facilitating this," she said.

Feng Yun added, "When you leave, I’ll give you some personal money, as a dowry of sorts. I’ll also have Xing Bing pick out a couple of servants for you to take to the Central Capital, which will provide some support."

Luo Yue was so grateful she didn’t know what to say.

Tears streaming, she held Feng Yun’s hand and thanked her profusely.

"If the lady doesn’t mind, Changmen will be my family home from now on, and the lady will be my younger sister."

Feng Yun gently patted her hand, "Alright. We sisters share our fates. But remember one thing..."

She whispered her instructions, "You know how envious people can be, and that many harbor ill intentions. Our sisterly talk should remain private, never to be broadcast, lest it invites unnecessary trouble, especially in the Central Capital where it’s a medley of creatures; you must be extra careful..."

Luo Yue nodded, promising earnestly.

"My sister need not worry. You are my support, I would never talk recklessly and make things difficult for you."

Feng Yun grew to admire this woman’s resourcefulness and sharp wit even more.

"It’s a deal. Wait in Andu for good news from me; I hope that you win General Wei’s favor and become his wife, fulfilling your wishes."

Luo Yue laughed through tears, "Make sure you keep him so tied up in bed that he has no energy for other temptresses."

Feng Yun’s eyes curved in a smile; such forthright women were rare. She continued to talk with Luo Yue for a good while before letting her leave.