Shentu Jiong and Yang Qi were originally generals of Qi Country, leading their forces to defect to Jin under Wen Xingsu’s command. They were Wen Xingsu’s most capable subordinates and closest brothers.
Madam Liu is Yang Qi’s younger sister-in-law.
Therefore, the mother-in-law Feng Yun was scoffed at by Madam Liu is none other than Yang Qi’s mother.
Feng Yun chuckled lightly.
"So what?"
Jiang Yin was slightly taken aback and hesitantly asked:
"My lady, I wonder if Madam Liu’s na should also be recorded in the blacklist?"
"Record it. Why wouldn’t we? Not only should it be recorded," Feng Yun said coldly, "you should write her na in large characters at the very front, so that everyone sees it clearly."
Jiang Yin felt a chill in her heart, "Understood."
She silently withdrew.
Aside from keeping a copy in Ge City, the blacklist is also displayed at the entrance of Long Huan Pavilion for all to view.
Jiang Yin picked up the brush and recorded Madam Liu’s na at the top,
In no ti at all, everyone in Emperor Street knew what had happened...
Thus, the issue of Feng Yun not being able to bear a child was once again the talk of the town.
Jiang Yin felt that this was very improper.
Is the Princess of Yonghuai soone the common people can gossip about freely?
Feng Yun didn’t care and returned to Huaxi after midday.
-
The canal from Changhe to Huaishui was fully connected last sumr. Now, the Huaxi Wharf is bustling with people, a thousand ships sailing on the waterways. The streets of Huaxi are crowded with all kinds of trades—textile weaving, blacksmithing, butchery, carpentry, tilework, masonry, lacquering... you na it, a visible prosperity.
Huaxi also had an advantage that other towns did not—waterways connected in all directions, directly bordering Qi Country and Yunchuan, together with the Imperial Court’s issued decree reducing taxes on border trade, which attracted rchants from various countries.
Therefore, even though Huaxi was just a town, it was far more active than many counties...
Several years of change, Feng Yun was a decision-maker, a participant, and also a witness.
The carriage passed through Huaxi’s main street. The road back to Changn grew ever longer, Feng Yun’s eyes growing increasingly distant...
"Thinking back to when we first ca to Huaxi with lady, we maids can hardly recognize it anymore."
Seeing Feng Yun looking so intently, Xiaoman also couldn’t help but sigh.
Feng Yun curled her lips slightly, "Yes."
Who would believe that just six or seven years ago, this area was still farmland?
"Mother..."
Before the carriage had even stopped, a lively little boy ca running out from the manor, chasing after the carriage...
"Ah Hao!" Xiaoman saw her son and imdiately got a headache. Without a second word, she leapt down from the carriage, scooped up the child, and embraced him tightly.
"Haven’t I warned you not to chase after moving carriages?"
"Uh uh uh uh..."
Little two-year-old Zuo Hao was not afraid of his own mother, sticking out his tongue and blowing bubbles. But upon seeing Feng Yun step out of the carriage and cast a stern glance his way, he quietly retracted it and lowered his head.
"Mother... not scary."
Xiaoman couldn’t help but laugh and cry at the sa ti.
Ge Guang ca over to pat the boy’s head.
"Little Mouse is clever, always watching the lady’s mood. Where are the others, Ah Yuan and the rest?"
Little Mouse turned his head to glance.
Soon after, a slew of children of various heights ran out from the house, imdiately surrounding the adults, chattering all at once, each louder than the next.
Feng Yun had Xiaoman distribute the sweets she brought back and quickly retreated into the house.
She liked children, but being surrounded by so many of them, if she showed even a hint of friendliness, they would dare to start up a dye workshop with her, and nothing else would get done...
After Xiaoman had handed out the candy, she entered to find Feng Yun sitting in the study, lost in thought.
Although there were books on the wooden desk, none had been turned for a long ti.
Xiaoman said, "My lady, Granny has asked you to return to your room and change into festive attire, as everyone wants to celebrate your birthday..."
Feng Yun does not enjoy celebrating her birthday.
But every year, Granny Han would prepare food and drinks, invite everyone to have a lively al, and then say with a smile.
"Shi’er Niang is another year older."
Another year older ans another year gone by.
A slight furrow ford on Feng Yun’s brow.
"I understand."
Sensing her mood, Xiaoman quietly asked, "Has Ah Hao and the others disturbed you, my lady?"
Feng Yun shook her head with a wry smile.
Xiaoman said, "Who knows who this child takes after? His father is so steady, yet he is so frivolous..."
Can one see frivolousness in a two or three-year-old child?
Feng Yun looked at her amusedly, "Don’t you know who he takes after in your heart?"
Xiaoman laughed heartily, a picture of carefree innocence.
Over the years, she had also grown older.
However, with Feng Yun’s doting from above and Zuo Zhong’s indulgence at ho, she indeed had nothing to worry about and lived an easy and comfortable life...
While the two were talking, Ge Guang ca to report.
"My lady, General Wen and Lord of Pingyuan County have brought many gifts to celebrate your birthday."
He paused, hesitated, and then said, "Also General Yang, along with his brother and sister-in-law, say they have co... to apologize."
Feng Yun remained silent for a mont, "Tell General Yang to take his family mbers back ho."
Ge Guang acknowledged the command and departed.
Telling them to go back ans refusing to et them.
Refusing to et ans not forgiving.
If the estrangent cannot be resolved, the Yang Family will undoubtedly be uneasy.
It wasn’t long after Ge Guang left that Wen Xingsu entered.
"Ayun..."
Yang Qi is his sworn brother.
They have bonds deeper than life itself.
The Yang Family mbers moved from Qi Country to Jin because of Yang Qi, with his brother conducting business just a street away from Emperor Street.
Doing business in Andu, it’s impossible not to have dealings with Changn. Since Madam Liu was placed on the forbidden list and Changn has always valued "protocol above all", life hereafter will beco difficult.
Wen Xingsu understood Feng Yun’s character well and found it very hard to begin speaking.
"Give Old Yang so face."
"Elder Brother." Feng Yun looked at him with a gentle smile, "I do hold great respect for Elder Brother Yang."
Wen Xingsu said, "His sister-in-law’s matter..."
"Each issue should be dealt with on its own rits." Feng Yun said, "Being placed on the forbidden list, there absolutely is no reason for it to be rescinded."
Wen Xingsu pondered for a mont and then asked, "What about the Yang Family’s business?"
Feng Yun fixed her gaze upon him, "Elder Brother, you should understand . Everything should be done according to the rules."
"Ayun..." Wen Xingsu seed troubled, hesitating before saying, "Yang Qi has followed for many years, if I can’t even grant him this favor, it would be difficult for to face him in the future."
The study fell silent for a long ti.
Feng Yun said, "Elder Brother, Changn has reached a point where it needs to be put in order. If I show leniency today, it will only lead to trouble in the future. Do you understand?"
Over the years, the number of people in Changn has increased, along with in-law and friend relationships, all kinds of indirect and complex interactions, causing increasingly tangled conflicts.
There are always so people who rely on their connections, flout the rules, and behave recklessly.
When there were few people, it could be managed like one big family.
Now with more people, rules are more important than sentints...
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