The Slender Waist

"How did madam find out?"

Feng Yun looked at her.

"You’ve been serving by my side; there’s no need to feel embarrassed about anything you want to say, except for your brother..."

Xiaoman touched her nose awkwardly and smiled, "Madam is wise. It’s just that I wish to keep Yansheng here."

Seeing Feng Yun’s silence, she added more earnestly, "Yansheng is young, still ignorant, and as they say, one learns to be good by following good people, and to dance with ghosts and deities by following a sorcerer... I’m afraid that staying with my father in the Feng Family, he’ll pick up bad habits."

Xiaoman’s mother had passed away, and this brother held a place in her heart. Moreover, Jin Yansheng, the child, looked smart; he seldom spoke, but he was nimble and industrious in his work. Feng Yun observed that his character was quite similar to Xiaoman’s.

She said, "If you want to keep him here, then let him stay, but one thing..."

Xiaoman’s heart skipped a beat.

"Please speak, madam."

Feng Yun said, "You must take responsibility for your brother. From now on, whatever he does that is not suitable for Changmen, you bear full responsibility."

Before Xiaoman could speak, Yansheng, who had been standing outside, walked in and bowed deeply to Feng Yun.

"Madam, I will definitely study hard, be a good person, and not be a burden to you, and certainly not implicate my older sister..."

Feng Yun was expressionless, responding with a grunt.

"You two go and send off the Feng Family.

After all, having received so much money, it’s only right to see them off as a gesture of goodwill."

Xiaoman and Yansheng went to do as they were told.

Yansheng, holding his breath, walked outside before slowly exhaling.

"Older sister, madam is so fierce, so scary."

Xiaoman burst out laughing, "Don’t be afraid. Madam is the kindest person in the world. As long as you are loyal to her and do nothing to wrong her, she will treat you very well."

Yansheng said, "I understand. It’s just father..."

Xiaoman snorted, "Don’t worry about him. When he sold me before, it was the same as selling you now."

As she spoke, she took out a blue cloth purse from her bosom and handed it to Yansheng.

"Have Si Duan take this back to father, and say it’s your filial piety money. From now on, consider your ties with the Feng Family severed..."

Yansheng thought for a moment, hanging his head, "But I was born a servant of the family; my registration is with the Feng Family..."

Xiaoman smiled, "You don’t need to worry about that. Over there is the Feng Family, and so is this side, whose servant wouldn’t you be? And besides, they can’t interfere in madam’s affairs. Once you’re in Changmen, you can rest completely assured."

Seeing his sister so confident, Yansheng went away in high spirits.

He liked Changmen.

Here, the servants’ status was higher, there were far fewer scheming masters to contend with, and it was possible to learn reading, arithmetic, and many principles of conducting oneself in society...

Besides Feng Liang, who wouldn’t like Changmen?

-

In the afternoon, under the guise of making purchases, Feng Yun took a trip to Andu.

Since her last visit, some time had elapsed, and she could distinctly perceive the changes in Andu City.

The flow of people and carriages entering and leaving the city gates had increased; the refugees that had recently overwhelmed He Qia seemed fewer. The city’s defenses had become significantly stricter; the streets were thronged with more nobly dressed scions, many speaking with Central Capital accents...

Feng Yun had only sat in Yutangchun for a short while before she saw He Qia’s son, He Chuandong.

Yutangchun was like his own dining hall; he usually had his lunch here every day.

But he arrived later than usual today, and by now the mealtime was over, resulting in fewer people in the hall. Wen Hui glanced back and a gleam appeared in her eyes, she turned to Feng Yun and said she’d go greet the guests.

Unexpectedly, Feng Yun smiled faintly.

"Have some drinks and dishes prepared in Xiangyue Pavilion, and do not let anyone disturb us; I want to talk with Master He for a moment," said Feng Yun.

Wen Hui was surprised, "Madam seeks out Master He for...?"

Feng Yun detected the unusual look on her face and frowned.

"What, is it inconvenient?" she asked.

Wen Hui’s cheeks immediately flushed and she said with her head lowered, "Not at all, not at all. It’s just that this servant doesn’t know what Madam seeks Master He for. In case he asks, it is best to have an answer prepared..."

Feng Yun thought about the relationship between the two in their past lives, and a slight smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

"Have you become so acquainted with him now?" she asked.

Wen Hui looked even more bashful, a rare expression for the manager of Yutangchun.

"Master He often patronizes Yutangchun and has taken care of our business. Whenever there’s a banquet at the Governor’s Office, it’s also arranged at Yutangchun. After multiple encounters, it’s fair to say we have become acquainted," explained Wen Hui.

After He Qia’s promotion to Governor, his son also became an official at the Governor’s Office, assisting his father in managing all kinds of documentation, a reliable and diligent person.

Feng Yun could tell what Wen Hui was thinking by looking at her expression.

"Don’t worry, I won’t make things difficult for him," Feng Yun reassured.

He Chuandong, upon receiving Feng Yun’s invitation, came very cautiously. After bowing several times, he smiled and asked, "I wonder what instructions the Princess has for me?"

Compared to the last time they met, Feng Yun found this young man much more mature.

She glanced at Wen Hui with the corners of her eyes and smiled:

"Would you prefer discussing official or private matters, Master He?" she asked.

The look she gave Wen Hui, was quite ingenious.

Instantly, He Chuandong blushed a deep red and bowed with a fist in his hand.

"Madam may speak frankly," he said.

Wen Hui also lowered her head, quietly pouring tea on the side.

Feng Yun laughed and said, "I was only joking, Master He, don’t take it to heart. I was just wondering because when I entered the city, I noticed quite a few unfamiliar faces on the streets and an increase in the city guard. It struck me as odd, so having run into Master He, I thought I might as well inquire. If it’s not convenient, you can pretend I never asked..."

He Chuandong smiled warmly in response.

"Princess exaggerates, it’s no important secret. Recently, the Eldest Princess has been staying in Andu, and many noble relatives have come from Central Capital City. My father is being very cautious, expelling vagabonds and deploying more of the city guard," explained He Chuandong.

"Has the Governor not received any news from Xijing?" asked Feng Yun, her tone suddenly shifting, taking He Chuandong aback.

"What news?" he inquired.

Feng Yun watched his expression and chuckled softly.

"Whether these nobles are here for a short visit or to settle down for a longer stay?" she inquired.

"That’s hard to say," He Chuandong laughed. "But during a visit to the Eldest Princess with my father the other day, the Highness seemed to quite like Andu, expressing an intention to stay for an extended period of nurturing and rest..."

Feng Yun then asked, "What about the Marquis of Xuanping’s son’s case, any leads? Have they found the murderer?"