The Slender Waist

That day, the entire Huaxi Village was in high spirits, and the farmers, weary from a day’s toil, made a point of detouring to Changmen to offer a few congratulatory words to the Village Chief’s wife.

Besides, they politely asked,

"When will the king return to the court in triumph?"

The villagers, mostly ignorant of state affairs, knew the distant victories of the Prince of Yonghuai in the northwest had limited actual bearing on their lives. This casual inquiry was like asking about the weather—either as idle chatter or out of concern.

Feng Yun smiled as she replied, "Soon, soon."

Along with the quick dispatch, there was a family letter from Pei Jue.

"Spring has come to Andu, yet the border remains cold. Lady Yun, you have a delicate constitution and fear the chill, do not toil, ensure your well-being, and prioritize peace and safety."

The message was brief and to the point, just like the man himself—taciturn and not one to speak of longing. On those firm and silver strokes, there was hardly a trace of the hardships of war-torn frontiers, yet the sloppy handwriting betrayed the writer’s thoughts.

In those places, food supplies failed to reach, and enduring cold and hunger was common.

He did not speak of it.

The General had spent half his life in battle, his campaigns long and arduous, his horse’s hooves having traversed over thousands of hills and rivers; he was well accustomed to days of dining in the winds and sleeping in the dew.

But even the most stoic heart has its fleeting moments of tenderness.

Thus, at the end of the letter, he wrote a few words with utmost care.

"The more I express, the happier you are in my heart."

There wasn’t much news in the village; this matter remained the talk of the town for two days. Ge Yi returned from Mingquan Town, bringing along Jin Zhitong and his entourage.

The ox cart was filled to the brim with boxes and barrels. Many people came to watch, and Jin Zhitong said nothing, merely wore a stony expression under Feng Yun’s gaze as he instructed two servants to carry things inside.

Feng Yun called Ge Yi into the inner room, "What’s going on?"

Ge Yi, beaming, fished out a small packet from his bosom, handed it to Feng Yun, and whispered as he gave it a shake:

"Silver Coin and jewelry. Lady, take a look."

The earnings of Mingquan Town had already been tallied earlier in the year, and this recent reopening couldn’t possibly have generated so much.

Ge Yi said, "Lady Chen arrived in Mingquan. She slipped it to me on the sly, asking me to take good care of the young master and the young lady."

Feng Yun opened the packet to see a hefty silver ingot and two or three pieces of jewelry that looked quite valuable.

Bribes to win hearts over?

Feng Yun asked, "What do you think about this?"

Ge Yi hurriedly shook his head: "I have food and shelter here in Changmen and have no need for these things, but since Lady Chen gave them with kindness, I think there is no harm in accepting them. After all, there are many expenses in Changmen."

This approach was absolutely learned from Feng Yun.

"Moreover, the lady wouldn’t really neglect the young master and the young lady anyway, so taking the money isn’t on my conscience."

Feng Yun glanced at him, "You’re quite shrewd."

She stuffed the cloth packet back into Ge Yi’s hands, "Keep it."

Ge Guang’s expression changed immediately, feeling as if the items were burning hot, "If the lady finds it inappropriate, I will return them to Steward Jin right away, letting him take them back to Lady Chen."

"Silly, if you gave it to him, wouldn’t it just disappear? You and your brother are of age now," said Feng Yun, watching Ge Guang. "Who knows when you might find suitable matches and need to start families; you’ll need money. This is earned through your own ability; keep it for yourself."

How was this earning it through ability?

Ge Yi’s face turned red to the ears, and he adamantly tried to give it back to Feng Yun, looking quite flustered.

"Both our parents passed away long ago, we have no home, no trade. Changmen is our foundation for living; future marriage prospects will have to rely on the lady’s help. I can’t accept this money; if the lady won’t accept it, I’ll return it..."

The back-and-forth wasn’t a good look, so seeing Ge Yi’s insistence, Feng Yun received it with a smile.

She then went outside to verify the Shuxiu that Jin Zhitong had brought, which included cloth, grain, and Silver Coin. She had Xing Dala count it and record it in the village school’s ledger, her meticulousness clearly irritating Jin Zhitong to the point of clenching his teeth.

"Lady Twelve, this sum was painstakingly cobbled together by the lord and lady over a long time. In the future, please care for the young master and the young lady in your household..."

Feng Yun said, "Rest assured. I am a person of principle. Xiaoman, from today on, Feng Xiaolang need not eat with the servants anymore."

What? Eat with the servants?

Jin Zhitong’s vision darkened as he nearly fainted.

How was he to report this to the lord and lady?

Wouldn’t it be infuriating to death?

Cunning Feng Twelve.

Without changing her expression, Feng Yun counted the money and goods, then had Xiaoman see the guest out.

Xiaoman bowed and replied, but Jin Zhitong did not move, his eyes round with anger, glaring at Feng Yun non-stop.

Feng Yun smiled and said, "What’s the matter, Steward Jin? Would you like to stay for dinner? Just in time, my lord has won a great victory in the northwest, and the village will host a banquet tomorrow. If Steward Jin doesn’t mind, why not stay and join in the fun?"