The Slender Waist-Chapter 298 - 207: Boundless Love and Hatred

Feng Yun slept comfortably until dusk before she got up.

Xing Dalang brought Ge Yi with him, and they had waited outside for a long time.

Upon seeing Feng Yun, the two of them excitedly recounted the process of purchasing the land.

The Village Chief of Mingquan Town really took them for easy marks, selling all the wasteland around the conference hall to them at a discounted price.

"Two hundred acres of wasteland, fifty acres of mulberry fields, one hundred and twenty acres of forest, and a barren hill..."

Xing Dalang’s abacus clacked noisily as he calculated everything for Feng Yun, his face showing excitement and a touch of worry.

"Miss, are we really not going to lose money?"

Wasteland can’t grow crops, so buying it is bound to result in losses, right? People looked at him as if he were a fool, just like they would look at the dumb son of a wealthy family. Is it that everyone else is not smart, or did they really make a mistake?

Xing Dalang was full of concern.

But Feng Yun just lazily smiled, "When you go out to do business, there is gain and there is loss. Even if we don’t make money, it’s not a problem."

Xing Dalang uttered an "Oh," "Then what do we do next?"

Feng Yun said, "Tell Uncle Wentian to hire more craftsmen. On both sides of the road from the conference hall to Mingquan Town, we’ll build some simple shops and houses for people to live and work in. The rest, we’ll keep for now."

Xing Dalang and Ge Yi agreed, joyfully taking their leave.

They did not know what medicine the lady was selling in her gourd, but since the lady was cautious and had methods, they just needed to listen to her and do as told.

-

Bingzhou ferry crossing.

After the rain with no sun, the weather was gloomy as if covered by a curtain, making it oppressing to breathe.

Just as the Feng Family’s boat docked, Feng Zhen and Feng Liang saw Feng Ying waiting on the shore.

"It’s Second Sister, Father, Mother, look quickly, it’s Second Sister!"

The siblings cheered, shouting loudly.

Feng Jingteng stood on the deck, smiling as he watched his children.

This time, he was ordered to take up his post in Bingzhou, still as a prefect, which was considered making amends for his past merits. The old dynasty had perished, and a new emperor reigned, no one pursued the disaster at Andu anymore.

Moreover, being the Empress’s father, even if some people were displeased, they could do nothing to him.

The whole family was overjoyed to move here together.

With the children around, shouting loudly, the atmosphere was filled with joy.

Only Feng Jingteng had a corner of his heart that felt unease.

"Oh my little ancestor, what happened to you, who has bullied you?" Chen Family had not yet disembarked when she noticed something was off with Feng Ying.

Pale-faced, with red and swollen eyes, entirely haggard as if she hadn’t slept for several days, seeing her like this pained a mother’s heart.

Feng Ying smiled faintly, stepped forward, reaching out to help her mother onto the shore.

"No one has bullied me. I am the Emperor’s wife, they are rushing to flatter and compliment me; they wouldn’t dare to offend me..."

At the mention of the word "wife," Chen Family became irritated.

"Wife, wife, it’s been so long since the coronation, but not establishing an Empress, clearly shows disrespect for the Chen and Feng Families..."

"Cough!" Feng Jingteng coughed softly, reminding her to watch her words.

Only then did Chen Family cool her temper and stop talking, clutching her daughter’s hand tightly and asking softly.

"Did Xiao San upset you? You mustn’t endure it all by yourself. We from the Chen Family of Yingchuan and the Feng Family of Xuzhou aren’t so easily bullied, and the daughters of our families are not to be insulted..."

"Mother..." Feng Ying tugged at her sleeve, "No, truly not. It’s just that His Majesty has been worn out by state affairs, caught a cold these past few days, and I didn’t sleep well while taking care of him at his sickbed."

Chen Family scrutinized her expression, her brow slightly furrowed, "That’s good. Keep your back straight for me, don’t lose face for our distinguished families..."

"I understand, Aying." Feng Ying lowered her eyes, "The Emperor treats me very well."

"Hmph!" Chen Family didn’t buy into it.

What good treatment? He had been reluctant and delaying since the wedding, and only married her out of desperation. Would he really treat her well? But the daughter was married off and had set her heart on sticking to her husband, and there wasn’t much her mother could do about it.

The family rode in a carriage heading towards Bingzhou City.

On the way, Feng Zhen and Feng Liang surrounded Feng Ying, incessantly asking questions.

They had heard many stories of the war in Tai City and were extremely curious about the interesting details.

Feng Ying smiled as she answered their questions, her mind elsewhere.

Feng Jingteng sat upright for a moment, then suddenly asked her.

"I heard your sister is now in Xinzhou?"

Feng Ying’s heart tightened, and her palms clenched slightly.

Thinking of the Emperor who returned home the previous night, soaked and in despair, pain shot through Feng Ying’s heart, and she felt slightly better only when she bent over.

Chen Family asked, "Feeling unwell?"

Feng Ying shook her head.

Chen Family’s eyes brightened, "Could it be that you are with child?"

Feng Ying’s already pale face turned ashen.

She clutched her stomach without looking up, merely saying, "No, it might just be something I ate..."

Chen Family grew anxious, fetching water and patting her back, only Feng Jingteng noticed his daughter had overlooked his question.

Chen Family said, "Your elder sister has really learned some tricks, being a Qi person and marrying an enemy general as wife, throwing the face of all our ancestors away..."

Feng Jingteng wanted to say something but, seeing the stern look on his wife’s face, let out a heavy sigh.

Chen Family turned angrily and glared at him.

"What? Speaking about your precious eldest daughter makes you uncomfortable? Did I say something wrong? No matchmaker, no dowry, ignoring her parents and deciding on her own to get married—where is this the Feng Family’s custom? There is no such custom in the whole world."

Chen Family grew more agitated as she scolded, and couldn’t help but think back to the first time she saw Feng Jingteng.

Back then, he and Lady Lu had been a handsome couple, deeply in love. Feng Jingteng was graceful and dashing in his youth, and Lady Lu was also endowed with a beauty like jade. Their affection for each other was envied by everyone.

She felt a surge of jealousy and couldn’t stop herself from berating.

"I see her as nothing but a child born with a mother and raised without teaching. Her mother was a wanton women, seducing men everywhere, and so her daughter turned out to be just as promiscuous, already involved with Pei Jue and still yearning for Xiao San, wishing to return to Qi Country to become the Empress? What grand delusions she harbors..."

Feng Ying looked down.

Feng Zhen and Feng Liang stopped playing too, standing still, staring blankly at their mother.

Feng Jingteng’s brows furrowed deeply, "Say less, the children are listening..."

Chen Family replied, "So what if they listen? It’s by listening that they learn their lessons and don’t turn out bad like their promiscuous elder sister..."

Her voice hadn’t faded when Feng Liang suddenly cried out.

"Mother, what’s wrong with second sister? Second sister... Second sister is crying..."

Feng Ying clutched her chest, head bowed, her shoulders shook without a sound of crying, yet her trembling form appeared even more distressing than if she had been wailing.

Chen Family’s heart broke.

Their pampered daughter who at home would cry when she wanted, laugh when she pleased, was now learning to hide her sadness in front of her parents. Though she claimed to be fine, the grievances must have been great, right?

"My dear, tell mother what happened. Is it Xiao San..."

Feng Ying shook her head, dabbing at her tears with a handkerchief.

"It’s not His Majesty’s fault, nor my elder sister’s. It’s all my fault..."

Chen Family’s gaze turned sharp, "What does it have to do with that worthless thing? What has she done to you?"

Feng Ying’s crying grew more intense, tears streaming down ceaselessly, gradually becoming short of breath. After a long while of comforting her, Chen Family heard her sniffling and saying:

"Elder sister kidnapped the Crown Princess, constantly pressuring His Majesty... Last night’s downpour, His Majesty braved the risk and crossed Zhu River at night regardless of his life. And I know not what elder sister said to him, but His Majesty caught in the rain, fell ill upon returning..."

Chen Family glowered, "Such a filial daughter. Daring to kidnap the current Crown Princess. Is she trying to roast the entire Feng Family on a pyre? Feng Jingteng, this is the good daughter you raised."

Feng Jingteng was left speechless.

Only after a moment did he ask Feng Ying with a grave face.

"His Majesty has fallen ill? Is it serious?"

Feng Ying shook her head.

She would never admit that Xiao Cheng braved the night rain to cross the river solely to meet Feng Yun. She would rather believe it was because Feng Yun had kidnapped Xiao Rong, and Xiao Cheng was being threatened by her.

The humiliation and disparity were too much for her to bear.

Under Feng Jingteng’s insistent questioning, and according to her own understanding, she finished speaking and then said in a small, delicate voice:

"This matter, everyone close to His Majesty has been sworn to secrecy, not allowing it to spread."

Feng Jingteng pondered for a moment before saying, "We must write a letter to inform your Uncle Wentian."

Feng Ying was startled, "Father, you must not. His Majesty will blame me."

"His Majesty won’t know; it’s just so your uncle is aware," Feng Jingteng looked at her, his gaze deep, "You needn’t worry about these matters. You just need to serve His Majesty well and soon bear a son or a daughter. That is the proper thing."

Feng Ying bit her lip and looked down.

She appeared shy, but in reality, she was frightened.

If her family, if Uncle Wentian found out Xiao Cheng hasn’t touched her yet, would they find another cousin or younger sister to replace her? Just like how she replaced Feng Yun?

Feng Jingteng failed to pick up on any clues, but Chen Family was all too clear.

Her daughter appeared fragile but was actually very strong-willed.

If Xiao Cheng really did something wrong to her, she would never admit it. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

"It seems we underestimated that seductress. One trick after another in enchanting men; my Aying is naive, how can she compete with her?"

Feng Ying pursed her lips, her cheeks slightly pallid with grievance.

Chen Family took her hand and gently patted it, "Don’t be scared, with mother here, I’ll certainly find a way to get even for you."

Feng Jingteng turned his face away, opening his mouth as if to say something, but without anything to refute, he just sighed deeply.

"Our family is indeed unfortunate. To have raised such a disgraceful daughter."