The Slender Waist-Chapter 434 - 314: Undercurrents Surge_2
The greatest master, Feng Yun, was kind to others and set an example from the top down; there was no backstabbing or deceit. The time Kong Yun’e spent here was the most comfortable she had ever had.
It was also here that she discovered women could live in a different way.
Like Wen Hui, Ying Rong, like Nan Kui and Chai Ying...
Like her now.
Feng Yun was not one to take advantage of others. After receiving a gold bracelet, she immediately opened her own jewelry box and gestured to Kong Yun’e.
"Pick whatever you like."
How could Kong Yun’e dare to accept?
Without further discussion, Feng Yun chose a delicately crafted hairpin and inserted it into her hair.
"It looks nice. It’s perfect to wear for the New Year, very festive."
Kong Yun’e’s eyes welled up with emotion, and she smiled, touching her hair by her temples.
"Thank you, Lady Yun."
-
The next day, as the heavy snow let up slightly, Huaxi Village was full of people heading to Andu to shop for New Year’s goods.
Several ox carts were packed full, and there were many men carrying loads on poles, leading their wives and children out together.
In the manor, preparations had begun half a month earlier.
Alou came to the door, beaming, with a list of New Year’s goods for Feng Yun to check.
Feng Yun had not slept well the night before and had a bit of a headache. She glanced at the list and shook her head.
"The stewardship is yours to manage; don’t ask me. I’m only in charge of eating."
Calling him a steward made the young Alou blush and become bashful.
"You are teasing me again, miss."
He still used the old title, unable to change it.
Feng Yun asked with a smile, "Are you going into the city to shop for New Year’s goods today? I’ll go with you."
Alou instantly became happy and went down to arrange manpower.
Xiaoman was also delighted. She rummaged through a trunk and took out the Wind-Gown with a fox fur collar, wrapping it around Feng Yun. The mistress and servant left the house, chatting and laughing. As soon as they reached the entrance of the manor, they saw two ox carts passing by...
At a glance, the person sitting on the shaft of the cart looked familiar.
Feng Yun narrowed her eyes and turned to ask Xiaoman.
"That person, isn’t that Yin You, who is with Crown Prince Chunyu?"
Xiaoman hadn’t seen clearly and shook her head. But in a blink, she saw Xiang Zhong.
"Miss... it’s possible..."
She pointed with her hand, "Look, there’s Steward Xiang."
Another ox cart slowly approached, with Xiang Zhong sitting on it. He only grinned and greeted with a bow after seeing Feng Yun adjust her hat.
"The servant pays his respect to the Princess."
Feng Yun’s gaze shifted to the ox cart loaded with goods.
"How did Steward Xiang come here?"
Xiang Zhong wiped his forehead with his sleeve and said with a friendly smile, "The Princely Heir instructed me to bring the New Year’s goods that he ordered."
He spoke as if it were a matter of course, and Feng Yun was silent for a good while.
Alou, however, seemed to have a sudden realization and exclaimed with wide eyes,
"The manor by the river, it was bought by the Princely Heir?"
Xiang Zhong bowed, "Exactly."
The original owner of that manor had moved his family south before the war and had left a while ago. Someone bought it later, started employing craftsmen to renovate, expand the house, and build more. The villagers were curious and asked around, only knowing the new owner came from Yunchuan...
But no one expected the Crown Prince of Yunchuan to actually be the one.
Feng Yun didn’t know what to say for a moment, smiling without speaking.
Xiang Zhong probably felt embarrassed for his own master and forced a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes, finding an excuse for him, "The snowfall this year has been exceptionally heavy, and the roads are all blocked. The Princely Heir couldn’t return to Yunchuan and could only stay for now. Huaxi Village is bustling—ah, truly bustling."
He then lowered his head and bowed.
"This humble one will take his leave first, Princess, farewell." 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖
Xiang Zhong jumped onto the ox cart and left in a dejected fashion.
Xiaoman watched the back of the cart, pouting and huffing.
"Why does the Princely Heir linger like a persistent ghost, always following the lady?"
Feng Yun glanced at the cottage that was separated from Changmen by only a stream and some woods, and it was hard not to think of what Chunyu Yan had said before...
Since that man was often frivolous, Feng Yun never took his teasing to heart. But from Chunmeng Hall to Huaxi Village, Chunyu Yan’s intentions, were all but written on his face, proclaiming to the world.
She frowned, "Let’s go."
When they entered the gates of Andu City by carriage, they encountered several families moving their households. This was less noticeable amidst the festive bustle of the New Year, but a heavy stone seemed to weigh on Feng Yun’s heart, making her feel less at ease.
Yutangchun was still open for business. Feng Yun took a stroll in the market, bought some New Year goods, and took her people to the restaurant for a meal.
There were not many guests in the restaurant, and Wen Hui was talking to two workers.
Inside the stove, charcoal burned, giving off warmth, making the temperature outside seem even colder.
Wen Hui greeted her with a warm smile, "Please come inside. On such a cold day, I thought you might not come."
Feng Yun replied with a smile, "When do you plan to close up shop?"
Wen Hui replied, "There’s hardly any business in the restaurant today. After we finish the midday meal, I’ll pack up and prepare to close. We will reopen on the fifth day of the New Year."
Feng Yun nodded her head.
During the meal, snowflakes outside gradually became denser, drifting like goose feathers in the air, not pausing for a moment because of the New Year.
The children were exuberant, scooping up snow and having mock battles, thoroughly enjoying themselves.
But as Feng Yun watched the snow growing heavier and the temperature dropping lower, that uneasy feeling in her heart intensified.
She inquired about the grain storage in Yutangchun and whispered instructions to Alou.
"All the spare money in the accounts, exchange it for grain and cloth without delay. The more, the better," she instructed.
Those who have gone hungry have an obsession with grain.
In Changmen, they built a huge underground stone cellar, digging down to a second sub-level, specially designed for storage.
In recent days, Alou had not been lax about storing grain. Upon hearing Feng Yun’s instructions, his anxiety tightened anew.
"Is there going to be a war again?"
War alone would be manageable, but Feng Yun feared the worst, a calamity compounded by natural disasters on top of a war.
With the festival’s cheerfulness inside the house, she said no more.
"It’s better to be prepared for anything."
The midday meal was sumptuous, and after dining, Wen Hui began to settle the wages for the restaurant workers, telling them to go home for the New Year.
Since Feng Yun took over Yutangchun, she had not purchased any slaves. All the people who came to work there were free, unbound by contracts or indentures, earning wages to support their families. Due to Yutangchun’s good meals and high wages, they were afraid of being replaced after the New Year and each expressed their willingness to stay and guard the shop.
Wen Hui refused them with a smile.
"You all should go home for the New Year. Remember to come back on the fifth day of the New Year for roll call."
The workers left, thanking her profusely.
Wen Hui stayed behind to take inventory, but Feng Yun did not wait for her and headed for Huaxi Village by carriage.
Just reaching the entrance of the village, she heard a chaotic crying, filled with curses toward the heavens, and some so heartbroken that anyone who heard would feel uncomfortable.
Feng Yun gave Alou a look, "Go and see what’s the matter."
