The Slender Waist-Chapter 582 - 418 Unbearable Humiliation

Everyone in Huaxi Village noticed that the wife of the Village Chief was in an exceptionally good mood today.

Perhaps it was because she had secured a lucrative deal. On her way home, she greeted everyone she knew, even going out of her way to visit Yi Garden, where the Grand Princess and her daughter resided, to chat with them.

When Puyang Yi saw her, she was thrilled and began asking all sorts of questions.

Although her house had been renovated, many decorations were still missing. Originally planning to furnish it gradually without intending to stay long, Puyang Yi felt encouraged by the Grand Princess’s compliments and became even more proud, wishing she could perfect everything overnight to please her mother.

"If there’s anything I’ve managed to do on my own in this life, it’s repairing Yi Garden..."

Puyang Yi, clutching Feng Yun, stole a glance at the Grand Princess and whispered:

"My mother rarely praised me before, but these last few days she’s been doing it so much I’m getting embarrassed. I really should make the residence even more fitting... Lady Yun, you must help me."

Feng Yun thought about her high-priced land purchase, made with the Grand Princess’s money, and the corner of her mouth curved slightly.

"Whatever you need me to do, my lady, just say the word."

Puyang Yi’s eyes brightened as she pulled Feng Yun around, in front of the rooms and behind the house, discussing plans for the estate. Luckily, Feng Yun had brought several beautiful ladies with her, and as women naturally have a keen eye for beauty, they all chimed in with comments and suggestions, leaving Puyang Yi extremely satisfied.

Before they knew it, noon arrived, and Puyang Yi invited them to stay for a meal.

The beautiful ladies were quite reserved, looking frequently at Feng Yun.

Living so close, they thought Feng Yun would find an excuse to refuse.

Unexpectedly, without a moment’s hesitation, she accepted with a smile.

"Then I must graciously accept your offer."

Immediately, Puyang Yi instructed the maids to prepare the meal, bustling about attentively.

She was straightforward by nature, and during her time in the Central Capital, she had few close female friends suitable for confiding in, except for Cui Siniang, and that was partly because they were somewhat related.

In Huaxi, she never expected to meet so many young women she would get along with.

To avoid making the young women feel awkward, the Grand Princess didn’t join them at the table, and they were happy to be at ease, speaking without any reservations. After a few drinks, Puyang Yi’s cheeks turned a deep red.

"From now on, I will be living in Huaxi Village for a long time. I ask my sisters... to take good care of me, take good care... Here, a toast to all of you..."

From her voice, one could tell she was tipsy.

Feng Yun held her hand and smiled gently.

"My lady, you should eat something first."

Puyang Yi stubbornly held onto the wine jug and shook her head, her drunken eyes blurrily gazing at her.

"Let me drink, Lady Yun... It’s been a long time since anyone has joined me in a heavy drink since Azhi became a slave."

Feng Yun looked at her expression and slowly let go of her hand.

Puyang Yi’s eyes suddenly reddened, "Lady Yun, compared to you all, am I not very fortunate...?"

This off-topic question left Feng Yun unsure how to reply.

Puyang Yi said, "Look at your father, the Great General. Without a second thought, he offered you up as soon as his city was besieged. If you were a son, he’d never willingly part with you... The same goes for Azhi’s father, who took his sons and left her sisters and mother behind in the Central Capital... Her mother is even the legitimate daughter of Prime Minister Li, and there was not a moment’s hesitation..."

Li Zongxun was indeed a harsh and ruthless man.

In their flight for life, abandoning his daughter and granddaughter was hardly surprising.

The beautiful ladies, listening to Puyang Yi’s faltering voice, likely remembered their own pitiable backgrounds and felt somewhat distressed.

With wine deepening their sorrows, everyone’s emotions rose.

Only Feng Yun remained calm, her smile unchanged.

"In these times, women’s destinies are often difficult. My lady is indeed fortunate."

At least the Grand Princess cherished her, and her kindness to Puyang Yi was no less than that of Puyang Zong.

In this respect, she surpassed ninety percent of women.

Puyang Yi looked up, staring directly at her, "Why is that? Why are only women to be pitied?"

Feng Yun smiled faintly, "My lady, have you visited Cui Siniang?"

Puyang Yi shook her head, a mist of tears forming in her eyes.

"I pity her, I cherish her, but I can’t help her. It’s better not to meet than to see each other..."

Feng Yun said, "There are laws above us, and it is helpless. Her father and brothers conspired in great treason; her survival alone is already fortunate..."

Puyang Yi nodded firmly.

She knew that what Feng Yun was saying was true.

When Cui Zhi’s trouble first emerged, she had thought about rescuing him...

And the Grand Princess told her the same thing.

"I understand all of this. But I still feel sad, very sad in my heart..."

She clutched at her chest, her face showing signs of pain.

Previously, the Grand Princess repeatedly instructed her not to show too much emotion about this matter to avoid gossip, so she acted as if nothing was wrong in her day-to-day life.

But as the wine flowed, the sorrow came crashing down like a massive wave.

"Why should the sins of fathers and brothers be borne by a woman who knows nothing of the matter? Cui Zhi has been pampered since childhood, how can she endure being a government slave, let alone tolerate the endless suffering? I fear she might not be able to bear it and take some rash action."

Feng Yun fell silent for a moment, pouring a drink for her, and said no more.

Some things were beyond her control.

Especially Cui Zhi’s problem, which was tied to Li Zongxun—in the grand context of the rivalry between dynasties, it could be considered the biggest political issue...

She did not have such a close relationship with Cui Zhi, making it improper for her to respond to this call for help.

Returning from Yi Garden, Wen Hui, Guan Wei, and Awan all had red-rimmed eyes, seeming to have been affected by the emotions.

Because their own destinies were actually even worse than Cui Zhi’s.

Cui Zhi, turned into a government slave, would at least go to a wealthy household. With good looks, she might even catch the eye of the male master. Giving birth to a child, there could come a day for her to turn her fate around.

Their situation when they fell into enemy hands was even more wretched.

If not for Feng Yun...

They dared not even think about what their lives would be like today.

Awan walked with her head down, deep in thought, and upon entering the door, she suddenly made a request to Feng Yun.

"Madam, I want to set up a pancake stand at the dock, to do a little business."

Feng Yun glanced at her, "Why the sudden interest in business?"

Awan said, "I’m not like Guan Ji, skilled with swords and spears. Not like Wen Hui, articulate and persuasive. Not like Nan Ji and Chai Ji, diligent and eager to learn. I’m not even like Jiang Ji and the others... Under Madam’s protection in Changmen, I live well without striving for improvement, unable to relieve Madam’s worries, and I feel guilty..."

Speaking, she bowed her head.

"I come from a humble background with no remarkable skills, but I also want to do something on my own. I checked yesterday, the dock is crowded, and setting up a small stall seems feasible..."

Feng Yun scrutinized her, "Are you sure? Running a stall is not as easy as one might think, especially at the dock where the men working on digging the canals come and go..."

Awan shook her head, "I am not afraid."

After a pause, she looked at Feng Yun and said, "I can provide the capital myself. All these days, I have been saving the work rations from the manor, enough to set up a small stall... If I make money, it will all go to Madam..."

Feng Yun started to smile, "How could that be fair? The money you earn with your own skills should naturally belong to you."

Awan’s eyes widened slightly, a surge of anxiety coming over her.

"If Madam doesn’t accept, then my running this business will be disheartened..."

Feng Yun pondered for a moment, "Alright, if you want to try, then go ahead with confidence. If you do well, once the shops at the dock are built, I’ll lease one for you to manage. However, one thing you must ensure—your safety."

With Feng Yun’s approval, Awan bowed joyfully as if she had accomplished something great. Then she made a motion of covering her face with a scarf and winked at Feng Yun.

"I will take good care of myself. I’ll go with Little Tao and Little Ju."

When Empress Dowager Li, in malice, had gifted Feng Yun twenty beautiful maids to disgust her, Feng Yun did not interfere and let them follow her, taking care of their daily needs.

This was why Awan felt so uncomfortable.

In the manor, everyone had to work to eat.

They did work at the Cheng Yi Workshop, embroidering and sewing garments, but they performed the lightest tasks and were tended to by maids, yet they were not the concubines of Pei Jue, making their status awkward...

Only by stepping out could they find a different way of life.

Wen Hui and the others had already shown them the right path, and they just needed to keep moving forward.

The changes in Huaxi Village were visible to the naked eye.

The influx of people coming to Huaxi Village was increasing.

The land that Puyang Yi had bought at a high price and the houses she had built not only did not lose money but also earned a substantial profit.

The market had inflated the price of land to sky-high values, and should she wish, she could easily sell that large mansion near Changmen at double the price.

In this world, money has no value; assets that protect its value are the real currency...

The situation of the entire Western Capital Dynasty was clear at a glance.

From the Emperor to all officials, everyone looked to the Prince of Yonghuai.

And the Prince of Yonghuai, ever since he had used the Grand General Residence to transform into the Emperor’s secondary palace, lived in Huaxi Village, now mockingly referred to as the "live-in son-in-law" in private.

Was there any location more valuable and secure than the one next to Changmen?

In the entire month of October, the most frequent transactions were not the small stalls on the docks but the land and houses of Huaxi Village...

There were always some shortsighted people who sold their lands. And there were always some resourceful people who made huge profits from intervening...

Feng Yun saw all this and, despite owning the most land, did not partake in it.

She had more important matters to attend to.

That very night, as Feng Yun was sitting in the study waiting for Pei Jue to come home for dinner, Puyang Yi rushed to Changmen, frantic and red-eyed as if they might bleed.

Upon seeing Feng Yun, tears started falling.

"Lady Yun, I’ve just received news that Azhi’s mother couldn’t bear the humiliation and, on the way to Xijing, took her own life in despair... Azhi is left with a young half-sister and now has no one to turn to..."

Puyang Yi stared directly at Feng Yun, begging for her intervention.

"Please save her, could you? Lady Yun, only you can..."