Chapter 333 - 234: Inviting Catastrophe

Being summoned by Li Sangruo was naturally not going to be a pleasant affair.

Yet when Feng Yun learned of her impending visit to Xinzhou, she had already prepared for their meeting. If not today, it was bound to happen sooner or later.

She wasn’t taken aback, but curious.

"How did the County Lord manage to refuse on my behalf?"

Li Sangruo was not someone who could be easily "gently declined."

With a languid air, Puyang Yi replied, "I mentioned that as someone of the Empress Dowager’s stature, arriving in Xinzhou and summoning court officials the following day, it would inevitably lead to gossip if she rushingly called upon the General’s wife. The Empress Dowager is quite concerned with her image, after all."

Concerned with her image? More like shameless.

Feng Yun replied with a smile that was not quite a smile, "So, is the County Lord here to probe my intentions on behalf of the Empress Dowager?"

Puyang Yi pondered for a moment and then nodded.

"You could say that. I am here on official duty. I wonder if the lady would be willing to entertain my visit?"

Feng Yun formally bowed to her.

"The County Lord is most welcome."

Puyang Yi’s eyes narrowed with a smile, "This doesn’t seem very sincere."

Feng Yun knew these noblewomen were idle and loved to be difficult. Feng Yun laughed, "Then what would the County Lord have me do?"

"Let me think..." Puyang Yi held her chin, eyeing Feng Yun, when suddenly her eyes lit up. "Why don’t you take me to the council hall? I’ve heard that Minglongquan has become quite lively these past few days..."

Feng Yun couldn’t help but laugh.

Indeed, noblewomen from the capital had no worries in life.

To them, even significant events boiled down to the word "lively."

During the negotiations, Xinzhou had become a unique place. Whether they were people from Jin Country or Qi Country, anyone entering Xinzhou would need a pass issued by the government before they could proceed.

If one wanted to go to Mingquan Town, they would also need to pass through the checkpoints set up by the Northern Yong Army and be subjected to inspection.

For Puyang Yi, all of this was novel.

She was spirited during the journey, asking questions about everything and was quite forthright. Feng Yun smiled in response, preparing tea, water, and fruits for her.

On their way, Feng Yun subtly brought up the previous night’s events on Cuiyu.

"Even you have heard about it?" Puyang Yi raised her eyebrows.

She had little interest in Li Sangruo’s private affairs. Being from the royal family, she had seen all kinds of sordid behavior far worse than anything Li Sangruo might be involved in, so nothing surprised her.

"Be it Song Shou’an or Wei Zheng, they’re merely looking for something novel."

As she spoke, it seemed like she thought of something, and with a knowing smile, she said pointedly, "Tonight, the Empress Dowager is hosting a banquet at the Cuiyu traveling palace to entertain the officials. Madam, you had better keep a close eye on the Great General."

So everyone knew about Li Sangruo’s interest in Pei Jue?

Tonight.

Cuiyu traveling palace.

Feng Yun laughed, "Let him be."

Puyang Yi arched her eyebrows, "So magnanimous?"

Feng Yun: "Among the men in the world, he’s not the only one."

"Haha." Puyang Yi loved this kind of like-minded feeling she shared with Feng Yun.

"Madam’s words are very true. If one doesn’t work out, just switch to another. Only fools would hang from a single tree. If my aunt, the Empress Dowager, was half as clear-headed as you, she probably wouldn’t have become so crazed."

The two chatted and laughed their way to Mingquan Town.

Upon entering the town, they encountered a group of soldiers in armor, blocking the road at their checkpoint. Passersby stopped one after another, and vehicles lined up on one side for inspection.

As Feng Yun’s carriage approached, she simply lifted the curtain for a glance, and the soldiers at the checkpoint let her pass.

Some porters, dissatisfied, began shouting.

"Wasn’t it said all would have to stop for inspection? Why is that carriage not being checked?"

The soldier said, "That’s our General’s wife."

Puyang Yi snorted and glanced at Feng Yun’s calm face, imitating the soldier’s tone.

"The General’s wife is indeed imposing. How could we dare to inspect her? Even if the General himself came by, he’d just have to carry his bedding back to his bed for inspection."

"That’s improper," Feng Yun laughed, amused by her. "Once we’re past this checkpoint, we’ll reach Mingquan Town. Would the County Lord care to walk around?"

Puyang Yi was enthusiastic, "Certainly."

Beginning with Feng Yun’s various shopfront ventures, merchants flocked to Mingquan Town, and even out-of-town traders went to great lengths to obtain passes to Xinzhou for business.

Feng Yun’s vacant shopfronts had long been rented out, and Cong Wentian, accompanied by a group of craftsmen, worked tirelessly day and night to quickly construct some simple wooden structure shops nearby.

With materials on hand and designs to follow, the construction progressed rapidly. In just a few days, the space was significantly expanded, and it truly became the small street as Feng Yun had envisioned.

Merchants who couldn’t secure shop space either waited or moved to the old street of Mingquan Town. Those buying houses and securing land caused property prices to soar. With many following the trend, there was a different price every day, and the costs went up wildly.

Even the locals of Mingquan Town hadn’t anticipated that their once inconspicuous little place would suddenly become so valuable. Some even said that in the future, Mingquan Town would be as precious as the capital—worth its weight in gold...

Those who had sold their land and houses to leave and seek a living elsewhere were green with regret.

The Feng family entered Mingquan Town from the Zhu River crossing.

As Feng Jingteng went to the council hall, Lady Chen took Feng Ying, Feng Liang, and Feng Zhen off the carriage outside the entrance and led a group of family servants boldly towards the street.

"Madam, I can smell the pancakes from our Yutangchun, it’s truly fragrant."

""

The maid spoke with great excitement.

Feng Zhen also became happy and pointed towards the other end of the street.

"Mother, look quickly over there, there’s someone selling red fruits."

The "red fruits" Feng Zhen mentioned were candied hawthorns skewered on straw stalks in front of Feng Yun’s eatery. She had had them made according to a recipe in her mother’s book and not only were they a first in Mingquan Town, but probably the first of their kind in the whole world.

Candied hawthorns were especially attractive to children, and without further ado, Feng Zhen and Feng Liang dragged their mother and sister toward them.

Lady Chen’s and Feng Ying’s gazes, however, were fixed on the signboard.

"Changmen Restaurant."

Watching the excited children, Lady Chen scolded lightly.

"Such shallow creatures."

After berating the children, she straightened her back, "Who would have thought your eldest sister had this talent?"

"Isn’t it all because the Great General is backing her?" Seeing Lady Chen displeased, the maid fawned with a smile, "Even if Shi’er Niang extends her shop to the ends of heaven, it’s still the Feng Family’s property. In the end, it’s you who has the final say."

Lady Chen hummed but said nothing.

Yet Feng Ying frowned, giving her a glance.

"Hu Ao. We are in Mingquan Town; mind your words and don’t bring disaster upon the Feng Family."

Hu Ao pouted.

"Shi’san Niang is just too kind-hearted." Hu Ao, brought over as a part of Lady Chen’s dowry, had much influence in the household and harbored disdain for Feng Yun. She was also adept at currying favor, always eager to please her mistress.

Seeing Lady Chen’s silence, she continued:

"There can’t be two ’Feng’ characters in one stroke. As long as Shi’er Niang remains a daughter of the Feng Family, whether she changes her name to ’Changmen’ or ’Duanmen,’ she will still bear the Feng surname. You are her birth mother and the matriarch of the Feng Family. Could it be that you no longer have control over the family’s assets?"

Feng Ying’s eyes reddened, "I didn’t say mother has no control, I mean... we need to consider the reputation of our eldest sister and not bring her trouble."

The old maid’s face twitched, "Shi’san Niang, not everyone is as pure and kind as you. If you give an inch, they’ll take a mile..."

"Enough." Lady Chen, seeing Feng Ying lower her head, glared at Hu Ao.

"Is it your place to lecture the young mistress?"

Hu Ao had spent her life following Lady Chen and knew well what her lady liked to hear and when she should hold her tongue.

"Blame this servant for speaking out of turn!"

With a slight fan of her mouth and a touch of acidity in her hushed tone, she said, "This servant just cannot stand by and watch, Shi’san Niang is too gentle, kindness leads to bullying..."

Lady Chen’s eyes were half-closed.

"She’s still young, as she grows older, she’ll understand."

Carrying the air of the matriarch, she glanced at Feng Ying, hiding the anger in her heart and proceeded with her children to the candied hawthorns.

In this era, sugar was a precious commodity, and candied hawthorns even more so. A clerk stood vigilant by the wooden stakes, welcoming customers and carefully guarding them.

Feng Liang pointed at the candied hawthorns.

"This one, this one, I want, all of it for me."

Feng Zhen, anxious, began to jump around.

"I want some too, I also want."

The clerk, seeing their luxurious clothes, bowed politely.

"To the young master, young miss, these are not for sale... they are displayed here for good fortune and to attract customers."

After speaking, he pointed with a smiling gesture toward the restaurant.

"Distinguished guests, if you wish to dine, please come inside."

Upon hearing this, Lady Chen was displeased and spoke coldly:

"Who said anything about buying?"

The clerk laughed awkwardly, thinking he had misunderstood, and quickly apologized with a bow. However, Lady Chen maintained a stern face and said:

"Hu Ao, go take down two skewers for Shi’lang."

Hu Ao complied with a laugh, reaching for them.

The clerk, sensing something amiss, changed his expression and stepped forward to stop her.

"What are you doing? This is broad daylight; are you attempting to rob us?"

"Rob?" Hu Ao, carrying a harsh face with high cheekbones and a sharp voice, relied on Lady Chen’s influence to speak louder.

"It’s the Feng Family’s property; we take what we take. With the matron here, who are you, a lowly servant, to object?"

The clerk, new and not recognizing Lady Chen’s group, erupted in anger.

"Where’d this madwoman come from? Shopkeeper Nan, Shopkeeper Nan, there’s a robbery!"

"You ungrateful wretch, you’ve grown presumptuous," Hu Ao said, and with both hands, she pushed the slender clerk and reached for the candied hawthorn.

Since they were not for sale, the stakes were set high, and she had to stand on tiptoe to reach them. Struggling to get hold of one, she almost had it when the wooden stake was suddenly removed.

"Who in blazes..."

Her words cut off halfway when she saw Wen Xingsu’s sharp and stern face, and her tongue tied in knots.

"Turns out it’s... it’s the eldest young master."