The Slender Waist-Chapter 440 - 320: Wine Doesn’t Intoxicate People
The heavy snow sealed the road leading into the village, making travel by ox cart and foot inconvenient, but Changmen Village still put a lot of effort into their Lunar New Year’s Eve dinner.
Chunyu Yan thickened his skin and "was invited" to the manor to celebrate the New Year. To show his sincerity, he lent his eight chefs, who truly outdid themselves, creating a variety of flavors from simple chickens, ducks, fishes, and meats, plus all sorts of attractive and delicious pastries.
The air above the entire manor seemed to be filled with delectable aromas.
When the banquet was ready to be served, Feng Yun was still flipping through books in the study.
After discovering a graphite mine on the mountains of Andu, she started to get excited.
Originally, she had planned to wait until spring, when the roads from Andu to Yunchuan were repaired and the graphite could be transported, but now the plans had been advanced by at least half a year; she was somewhat excited and had been devouring the books left by Lu San Niang over the past few days.
Just before the New Year’s Eve dinner began, Xiaoman came to call her happily.
"Miss, we’re just waiting for you."
Feng Yun, deeply engrossed in her book, did not even lift her head.
"You go ahead and start."
Xiaoman snorted and stepped forward to adjust the oil lamp.
"You’re the head of Changmen, who would dare to pick up their chopsticks without you present?"
Feng Yun thought it made sense, put down the book, stood up, and let Xiaoman tie a cloak around her as she proceeded to the guest hall.
There were many people in the manor, and the tables were arranged accordingly.
There was a hierarchy to the seating, with only Feng Yun, Chunyu Yan, and Wen Xingsu among those sitting inside. Outside, men and women sat separately, yet without partition screens. Circumstances around the large round tables with long benches had become the norm; adults and children took their places, jubilantly gathering for the New Year’s meal.
This was the most festive New Year Chunyu Yan could remember. After two cups of wine, his eyes started to redden.
"Feng Twelve, Brother Xingsu," he raised his cup, his voice a bit deep and hoarse, "I toast to you both."
Feng Yun slightly smiled, raised her cup in return without saying a word.
Wen Xingsu, sensing his emotions, did not ask further, but simply made small talk:
"Is Yunchuan festive during New Year’s?"
Chunyu Yan’s cool lips curled upward, but seemingly recalling something, they slowly sagged again.
"Festive."
He added another line.
"Very festive."
Yunchuan was a small nation where people from all walks of life intermingled—where everyone celebrated the New Year. As soon as the last month began, the festivities would kick off: purchasing new clothes, preparing New Year goods, with big red lanterns floating along the streets and alleys, from the Yunchuan Palace to the common folk, the festive atmosphere was truly rich...
Unfortunately, not everyone experienced the joy of the New Year.
It seemed that Chunyu Yan did not wish to dwell on this subject, seeing Wen Xingsu empty his cup, he personally refilled it for him.
"How’s General Wen’s tolerance for wine?"
Wen Xingsu’s lips curled up slightly, "My tolerance is poor. But if in the company of a good friend, I do not mind drinking to my heart’s content."
Of course, he wasn’t referring to Chunyu Yan when he spoke of a good friend, but Crown Prince Chunyu was quite adept at seizing opportunities.
After all, Wen Xingsu is Feng Twelve’s elder brother, a key element in the roundabout strategy.
By considering himself a close friend, wouldn’t Pei Wangzhi have to step aside?
Chunyu Yan’s lips secretly curved upward; even behind the thick mask, it was as if one could sense his amusement.
"Come. Let me toast to Brother Xingsu."
Wen Xingsu courteously raised his hand, "Please, Princely Heir."
The two men went back and forth, while Feng Yun found herself being somewhat ignored.
As the servants continued to serve dishes, Feng Yun urged Wen Xingsu to drink less and eat more with each new dish.
He knew his elder brother didn’t want to let Chunyu Yan lose face by refusing the drinks.
Oddly, although Chunyu Yan was the one with emotions initially, after three cups, Wen Xingsu’s cheeks turned slightly red, as if he was a bit drunk as well, and he stopped refuting Chunyu Yan’s toasts.
"Ahem!" Feng Yun thought for a bit then abruptly spoke up, interrupting them.
"Lately, there’s been constant fear. If turmoil in Central Capital brings calamity upon Andu, what should Changmen do to respond?"
With that, she sighed.
"Changmen’s foundation is weak, far from the wealth and power of the Princely Heir. When the world is at peace, we have enough porridge and rice to help others. When the world is in peril, we are in danger of toppling like dominoes..."
Chunyu Yan held his cup, squinted at her.
"Feng Twelve, frankness is a virtue."
Feng Yun pondered for a moment, then said earnestly, "I want to use graphite to provide common folks with a way to cook and warm themselves, to replace firewood and charcoal. Once the graphite from Huaxi Mountain is mined, we can give it a try..."
"Graphite for cooking?" Wen Xingsu was startled, "How can that work?"
Chunyu Yan leisurely filled his cup, pulled at his lips with a faint smile, and said:
"The fumes from burning graphite are extremely toxic, mostly used in smelting. To use it for cooking—are you tired of living?"
Feng Yun’s eyes sparkled with a smile, focusing on Chunyu Yan:
"If I have a way of improving it, turning graphite into coal briquettes that can be used for burning, would the Princely Heir be willing to collaborate with me?"
Chunyu Yan: "How would you improve it?"
Of course, Feng Yun wouldn’t directly reveal such a confidential technique.
The process of making coal briquettes wasn’t complicated, but to scale up the business and cooperate with the Crown Prince of Yunchuan, who had connections everywhere, couldn’t be more ideal.
She smiled faintly and said, "The technique is complex; it can’t be explained in just a sentence or two. But I assure you that once the coal balls are made, they won’t only reduce the toxicity of graphite, but also allow it to burn completely, increasing the efficiency of its use and making it more practical than charcoal. By then, even ordinary people will be able to afford it, and no one will have to freeze to death in winter."
Chunyu Yan raised an eyebrow and looked at her, "Anything affordable to the common people can hardly be of any good value, can it?"
"Princely Heir, you are mistaken," Feng Yun said with a smile, "A single person wielding a bow has limited strength. But when ten thousand people wield bows, no one can withstand them. Of all the things that stretch across this vast world, the most numerous are not the princes or nobles, but the ordinary people."
Her gaze sharpened a bit as she added, "If it benefits the commoners, no one can block its path. Why should Crown Prince Chunyu worry about not making a fortune?"
Chunyu Yan did not ponder for long, his eyes fixed on Feng Yun as if hooks had grown from them, attempting to see right through her.
"There’s no harm in trying. I want to see just how many tricks you have up your sleeve, Feng Twelve."
At midnight, a group of people set off fireworks at the entrance of the villa.
The sound of the fireworks was deafening amidst the barking of dogs, accompanied by the faint sound of horse hooves.
Feng Yun stood in the courtyard with a few beauties, watching a group of people joyously setting off fireworks.
The brilliant fireworks soared into the sky, like lightning piercing the dark night, blossoming like flowers in full bloom.
Tonight’s fireworks, brought over from the Tu Family Fort and provided by Crown Prince Chunyu, were set off amid much joy and excitement.
"How beautiful!"
"I have never seen such splendid fireworks!"
The exclamations of admiration continued until the sound of the horse hooves reached the courtyard gate, and everyone realized that the visitor was He Qia.
"He Qia?" Feng Yun looked at the familiar face beneath the hood in slight shock, then approached, "Why are you here at this hour?"
Wrapped up tightly against the chilling cold, He Qia hopped off his horse and exhaled, pulling a parcel down from the saddle and offering it into Feng Yun’s hands.
"It’s from the Central Capital postal relay. The heavy snow blocked the roads, and only now has the courier reached Andu, saying there was a parcel from the Central Capital for the Princess. I was worried the Princess might be anxious, so I hurried over immediately."
Feng Yun offered her thanks and smiled, "No matter the urgency, it wasn’t necessary for you, He Qia, to make this trip yourself on New Year’s Eve. Come in and have some warm wine before you go."
"No, no," He Qia said with a warm smile as he waved his hand, "My wife and children are waiting at home; I dare not delay. The Princess has my gratitude; I shall return another day for a proper visit."
Indeed, New Year’s Eve was not a time to detain someone.
Feng Yun glanced at Xing Bing and said with a smile, "Then I won’t detain you, He Qia. Xing Big Brother, take two men and escort He Qia safely back to Andu."
Xing Bing bowed and agreed.
He Qia promptly declined, but overwhelmed by Feng Yun’s insistence and genuine concern for his safety on a snowy night, he was finally escorted away.
With the Crown Prince of Yunchuan’s fireworks, everyone was in high spirits, with dazzling lights streaking across the sky and laughter filling the air.
Feng Yun asked Xiaoman to bring the parcel to the back courtyard, "Close the door."
Xiaoman saw her seriousness and quickly toned down her smile in acknowledgment.
Feng Yun sat down casually, her face calm, yet the speed at which she unwrapped the parcel betrayed her excitement.
However...
As the parcel was opened, her expression froze.
Everyone thought it was from Pei Jue.
Unexpectedly, it was from Luo Yue.
Inside were New Year’s gifts from Luo Yue to Feng Yun, which included embroidered items, jewelry, a five-spiced dish, and two books.
The letter said, "Sister loves books, and I have come across two unique volumes. I’m not sure if they’ll be of use to you, but I’ve sent them along regardless."
Feng Yun flipped through the letter several times, finding nothing unusual, then stood and carefully heated it over the stove.
Only then did the charcoal-colored writing slowly appear, still employing Luo Yue’s signature invisible ink method. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖
The letter was brief, containing a single line.
"Uproar in the Central Capital. The Prince of Qin and the Prince of Runan are at odds like fire and water. The Prime Minister plans deceit, an assassination attempt on the Great General."
Xiaoman, oblivious to the situation, leaned in with a beaming smile and asked, "What does the General say?"
Without answering, Feng Yun burned the letter in the fire, watching the flames consume it, and said softly, "Go watch the fireworks."
-
Despite the bitter cold, the enthusiasm for setting off fireworks in Changmen had not diminished.
Having not seen Feng Yun for a while, Chunyu Yan felt listless and glanced at Xiang Zhong before lazily rising to his feet.
"There’s nothing exciting to see anymore. Let’s go back."
Xiang Zhong agreed, inwardly sighing.
The Princely Heir’s mood seemed entirely dependent on Feng Shi’er Niang’s emotions.
Just before, Feng Shi’er Niang had been happily watching the fireworks, and his eyes danced with mirth.
But after Feng Shi’er Niang received a parcel from the Central Capital and silently retired to her room, the Princely Heir’s spirits plummeted.
This ongoing situation, what was to be done about it?
Feng Yun had not stayed in the house but, upon stepping out, saw Pinshu with servants carrying water to the side room.
On inquiring, she learned that General Wen had drunk a few extra cups and was feeling unwell.
On hearing this, how could Feng Yun care to watch festivities outside?
She followed Pinshu to Wen Xingsu’s quarters, and saw him with a furrowed brow, lazily sprawled on a cot. His handsome and elegant face, with blade-like brows and slender eyes, was beaded with sweat—seemingly the result of drinking to excess. The heated stove radiated warmth, and before Pinshu arrived, he had already untied his clothes, revealing a rugged chest, his eyes half-open, murmuring under his breath.
"Xiaoyao..."
