The Slender Waist

Unable to satiate their hunger, the common people had no choice but to leave their homes in search of a livelihood. Before the end of the year, Andu County was already not short of refugees, but the post-war new policies had long been halted; now those who come receive no resettlement fees, are allotted no land, nor can they obtain household registration.

Refugees could only remain refugees.

Feng Yun pondered for a moment and asked, "What did the Governor say?"

Nan Kui’s brows were tightly furrowed as she looked at her mistress’s indifferent demeanor, seeming somewhat helpless.

"This servant has not seen the Governor. I only received the news that starting tomorrow, no more porridge will be distributed. Thinking I should go to Mingquan tomorrow, I came back first with Ying Niang."

Chai Ying nodded upon hearing this, "That’s what the government officer said."

Nan Kui and Chai Ying had previous experience with distributing porridge, so they went into the city to help these past days.

The ’Governor’ they spoke of was none other than He Qia.

After Emperor Tian Shou’s accession to the throne, he lavished rewards on meritorious officials and made some changes to the administrative divisions.

Andu, Yupu, Wanning, Shiguan, and Lianjiang, five counties, were merged into Xinzhou; however, the state capital was established in Andu, the former Xinzhou was renamed Xinyi County, with its capital in Xinyi City.

He Qia was promoted to Governor of Xinzhou, in charge of Xinzhou affairs.

The rest who had followed Pei Jue also rose in ranks or received rewards, with some in the military even being promoted three levels at once, vaulting from foot soldier to general.

As the saying goes, times of chaos give birth to heroes; many had built their careers and fortunes in this coup.

There were also countless whose prospects and fates were altered as a result.

What did not change was Feng Yun.

Apart from the title of Princess of Yonghuai, she remained a village head, neither an official nor a clerk, requiring no imperial appointment.

She had no interest in holding office.

Positions granted by the Emperor could be stripped away whenever he pleased; anything not secured by one’s own influence was unstable.

Her concerns were the village school and spring farming at Changmen, the business of Yutangchun, the farm tool workshop, the Cheng Yi Workshop, and when the stores in Mingquan Town and the sugarcane should be planted, as well as when the sugar-making workshop should commence operation.

Furthermore, what she cared about even more was the graphite mine on the mountain; when could it be exploited, and what preparations needed to be made?

Also, leading so many people, how to store up grain to survive the disaster year...

Grain was of the utmost importance during the disaster years.

He Qia would not stop distributing porridge without good reason.

To halt such charitable acts could be due to an ever-increasing number of refugees, but it is very likely that the Governor’s own granaries were also running low.

"In any case, we must hurry and plant this season’s crops,"

Yao Ru was correct; neglecting spring farming would starve one’s parents. For the ordinary people, spring farming was far too crucial.

-

The next day, Nan Kui and Chai Ying went to Mingquan Town. The more than two hundred acres of land they had bought there, along with the shops in Mingquan Town, required supervision. Feng Yun thus placed this heavy responsibility on the young Nan Kui’s shoulders.

When Nan Kui first learned she was entrusted with such an important task, she could hardly believe it.

Initially, she had merely volunteered to distribute porridge on behalf of the General Residence, which had caught Shi’er Niang’s attention. Now, just a few months into the role, she felt she still lacked the ability, yet Feng Yun was preparing for her to take charge on her own.

"Mistress, perhaps you should consider someone else? In this servant’s view, Sister Xu would be a good choice..."

The Sister Xu that Nan Kui mentioned was Xing Bing’s wife.

Upon hearing this, Feng Yun just laughed.

"I agree, but Xing Bing still doesn’t. Do you want people to part ways at such a young age? If Azhou ends up without a younger brother and sister, won’t he come to you to settle the account?"

Nan Kui blushed, her face turning completely red.

"But... I still feel that, compared to sisters Wen Hui and Ying Rong, I am younger and haven’t seen much of the world. I’m afraid... I’ll mess things up."

Feng Yun laughed, "What’s there to be afraid of? If anything happens, I’ll cover for you. Besides, look at the estate, Azhou is only fourteen and he’s already a deputy manager. How come you can’t do it?"

Nan Kui was also formerly from Yutangchun, having come out of a flower house, literate and, during the idle times at the estate, she also learned arithmetic. Her mind was nimble, more capable than most women.

But, even in this chaotic world with fewer constraints on women leaving home, the notion of male superiority still prevailed, and most people naturally assumed that men should be the ones deciding on important matters...

Feng Yun was once again challenging the social norms.

From Wen Hui, Ying Rong, to Nan Kui, every woman she trusted, she supported unreservedly, training them, making them stronger.

When Nan Kui and Chai Ying were leaving, Feng Yun called Chai Ying over and entrusted her.

"Ah Ying, you are now Ah Kui’s assistant, you too must stand on your own. Sisters back to back can achieve twice the result with half the effort."

Chai Ying felt indescribably excited to be valued by the mistress.

"Thank you, Mistress, I will certainly learn diligently from Ah Kui."

Nan Kui chided her, "What are you learning from me for? I’m not as good as you, I just speak more fluently than you do."

"You’re also quick with your hands and feet," Chai Ying said with a smile.

The two of them hopped onto the ox cart giggling, and when they looked back at Feng Yun, suddenly their eyes welled with tears.

The mistress stood at the wind’s path, draped in a plain Wind-Gown, her face adorned with a gentle smile, warm and amiable as if she had everything under control, as if no difficulty could ever vex her. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

It was her calm demeanor that repeatedly pulled them out of dire straits, letting them become better and better; she was truly their benefactor.

Both Nan Kui and Chai Ying, as if by an unspoken agreement, bent forward in a bow toward Feng Yun.

"The concubine bids farewell to the Mistress."

Feng Yun pursed her lips, smiling, and waved her hand.

"Go on, complete your tasks well."

The two beautiful ladies promptly responded, and Ge Yi cracked his whip, smiling and bowing to Feng Yun, "Mistress, rest assured, I will make sure they arrive at Mingquan Town safe and sound."

Feng Yun nodded. Only after the ox cart had traveled far did she return to the estate.

As the sun came out, it grew warm by midday. This winter had been too long; whenever there was sunlight, Feng Yun couldn’t bring herself to walk. She had someone carry a table and chairs into the courtyard, set out tea, sat down with Grandma Han to chat, and basked in the sun.

Grandma Han was a worrier, and as she talked, she began to sigh.

"The northwest must be bitterly cold this time of year. With no word from the Prince of Yonghuai for so long, who knows how the battle fares..."

Feng Yun comforted her with a smile, "The northwest is so far away that sending a letter could break a horse’s legs. Why send one if there’s no big deal? Important military information would be sent to Xijing. Mr. Pei is pragmatic; no news is good news."

As she spoke, her eyes shifted and her expression suddenly darkened.

A carriage stopped outside the gate.

It bore the family emblem.

An emblem she was very familiar with.

The Feng Family’s emblem.