Earthquakes, floods, and disasters tug at people’s hearts, casting Xinjing into an atmosphere of sorrow and despair.
Feng Yun accompanied Rui Bao in Qianyuan Hall, flipping through nurous records of the calamities. It wasn’t until dusk, as the sun subdued its piercing rays, that she found ti to let Xiaoman accompany her to visit Puyang Yi.
It had been a long ti since she last visited Taiping Garden, where Puyang Yi resided.
Ti buries old stories, but the old faces remain the sa.
The Princess Chang, clad in a deep robe of brocade with wide sleeves, knelt at the desk, addressing Feng Yun with a respectful deanor, vastly different from her previous airs during the Forr Jin era when she summoned Feng Yun in Taiping Garden.
Tis change, and so do people.
Feng Yun bowed slightly.
"I trust Your Highness Princess Chang is well."
Princess Chang rose and returned the gesture, "Thank you for your concern, Lady Xie. I am still in decent health."
She raised her sleeve again to invite her, "Please take the seat of honor, Lady."
Feng Yun smiled gently and knelt at the guest seat.
Princess Chang appeared much older. Despite her privileged lifestyle, the graying hairs at her temples betrayed how unsettled her life had been in recent years.
Without absolute power, even though the New Dynasty accorded her a title of respect, everything was ultimately different.
She could not overco the barrier in her heart.
As for her son, Puyang Zong, though his Commandery Prince title was retained, he had been assigned an idle position in Central Capital when the New Dynasty was established. He had no concerns about sustenance but no hope of advancent.
So truths need not be spoken; both parties understood.
Pei Jue harbored suspicion toward the royal family and nobles of the Forr Jin.
Princess Chang likely never imagined that the most accomplished one in her family would be her son-in-law, Wen Xingsu. Yet, power separated by one degree was no longer hers to wield.
The two exchanged pleasantries for a while.
Feng Yun observed all etiquettes.
Princess Chang was equally courteous and polite.
"These days, connections among the royal kin have faded. Outside of festivals, there’s little interaction. You are kind, Lady, for still coming to visit..."
Feng Yun thought of the bustling scenes at Taiping Garden during Princess Chang’s heyday, a faint ache stirring in her heart.
"Your Highness need not be so formal. Our families have always been deeply connected."
With that, she smiled and directly revealed her purpose.
"I ca to see Sister-in-law."
"You are most considerate, Lady."
Princess Chang sighed, her eyes turning red again.
"Please convince her for , Lady. She is married now; she should stay by her husband’s side. What good does it do for her to spend all her days with an old woman like ?"
"Old woman" sounded a bit awkward coming from Princess Chang, yet it wasn’t entirely mismatched.
Feng Yun replied, "Sister-in-law rely wishes to fulfill her filial duties, Your Highness. Why oppose her intentions?"
Exhaustion filled Princess Chang’s gaze. "She should focus on giving the Wen Family an heir—that is what truly matters."
Feng Yun fell silent.
When all eyes fixated on Puyang Yi’s womb, how imnse the pressure on her heart must have been.
As they conversed in the inner room, Puyang Yi arrived.
She greeted them with a smile, "Sister-in-law, what brings you here?"
Feng Yun spoke frankly, "Elder Brother asked to spend more ti with you."
Puyang Yi’s throat constricted.
Unable to speak, tears welled in her eyes.
After a mont, she collected herself and said with a smile:
"Have you had dinner yet? I’ll instruct the kitchen to prepare sothing..."
"Don’t trouble yourself, Sister-in-law; I’ve already eaten."
Feng Yun held her hand and glanced at Princess Chang.
"Your Highness, may I take Sister-in-law to share so private words?"
Princess Chang lightly nodded and waved her hand. "Go ahead, go ahead."
Puyang Yi cast a glance at her mother and followed Feng Yun out, sighing helplessly. "Did my mother ask you to persuade again?"
Feng Yun, trying to diate for both sides, felt a touch of helplessness herself.
"Her Highness only has Sister-in-law’s best interests at heart."
"I understand." Puyang Yi hesitated, looking ahead. "This ti, I’ve decided to follow her wishes."
Feng Yun was montarily stunned.
Then she heard Puyang Yi smile bitterly:
"Just now, I was already packing my luggage. My husband says that Dan Prefecture is harsh... but as his wife, if he can endure it, why shouldn’t I?"
The physical hardships are nothing compared to the tornt of the heart.
Feng Yun regarded the woman before her.
From a naive young girl to the current Governor’s Lady, a woman of rank...
The transformation was indeed remarkable.
"Go ahead," Feng Yun encouraged. "Children are sotis a matter of fate. I waited many years without news, and then, chasing the Emperor to Xijing, I ca back and found myself expecting..."
Puyang Yi’s tears brimd at the corners of her eyes, yet she maintained a defiant smile, clutching Feng Yun’s hands tightly.
"I will have one too, won’t I?"
"You will." Life’s changes are always uncertain.
Yet Feng Yun, facing those fervent eyes, refused to utter even a single word of disheartennt.
Driven by her longing to follow Wen Xingsu, Puyang Yi did not even wait until the next day. After bidding Feng Yun farewell, she set out with her belongings.
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