The Slender Waist-Chapter 753 - 539: A Grand Family and Great Business

Chapter 753: Chapter 539: A Grand Family and Great Business

The eldest brother is a general commanding troops, Feng Yun believes he understands her.

However, reason is reason, and human sentiment is human sentiment; it is hard for ordinary people to sever emotions, and he finds it difficult to turn the corner for the moment.

She poured a cup of water and thrust it into Wen Xingsu’s hands.

Wen Xingsu took it, furrowing his brow in thought for a long while before tilting back his neck and drinking it eagerly, as if parched.

"I understand you."

He set down the cup and sighed heavily.

"It was they who ran into the blade themselves, they have no one to blame."

The smile on Feng Yun’s face slowly faded, her eyes slightly squinting, "Does elder brother think, that I am making difficulties because of the issue of not having children?"

Wen Xingsu’s eyelids lifted slightly, "Ayun is not that kind of person."

He took two steps forward, standing face to face with Feng Yun.

"The Yang family’s mother and daughter-in-law maligned the Prince of Yonghuai and the Princess; it’s their own fault, Ayun’s handling of the situation is appropriate, and no one thinks it’s wrong..."

Feng Yun let out a sigh of relief.

"What others think, I don’t care. As long as you don’t blame me, that’s all that matters."

Wen Xingsu’s expression became serious and he moistened his dry lips with a muted voice, "I am just worried about Old Yang..."

He looked at Feng Yun, hesitated for a moment before saying: "He is a filial son, he cares about his family."

The study fell silent for a moment.

Feng Yun said, "Elder brother, today is my birthday."

Everyone has their own emotions, and their own selfishness.

Feng Yun did not wish to argue with Wen Xingsu because of this.

She softened her tone, "Granny prepared a lot of dishes, to celebrate my birthday, who knew such a vexing issue would arise, now I am completely dispirited..."

Wen Xingsu looked at her face, slightly wearied, and found the rest of his words stuck in his throat.

He sighed, "Rest now, I’ll talk to Old Yang."

Feng Yun gave a slight smile.

"I know elder brother will handle it well."

Wen Xingsu gave a bitter smile and turned his head to leave.

Puyang Yi had been waiting outside for quite a while. They, brother and sister, were discussing serious matters, so she didn’t come in. Seeing Wen Xingsu with an unclear emotion and his eyes downcast as he walked, she let out a sigh without noticing her presence, then pointed towards the parlor.

"They are over there..."

Wen Xingsu snapped back to reality and smiled at her.

"You go and keep Ayun company."

Puyang Yi could hardly wait, and without waiting for a reply, she darted into Feng Yun’s room.

"Let me see, how our birthday star is doing today – are you happy?"

Feng Yun forced a smile.

"Sister-in-law has arrived."

"Here I am," Puyang Yi approached with a beaming smile, hooking her arm around Feng Yun’s and whispered, "I think Ayun has done a good job."

Feng Yun: "What?"

Puyang Yi pouted, "Dealing with the gossipy women. Hmph, so what if you haven’t had children? Have you eaten their family’s food?"

Coincidentally.

Wen Xingsu and Puyang Yi had been married for three years without children.

At first, the Grand Princess was somewhat anxious, seeking Imperial Physicians, looking for folk remedies, and Puyang Yi herself was also somewhat uneasy...

But Wen Xingsu showed no concern, did not give her a hard time about it, let alone mention taking a concubine to continue the family line. As for his conduct with women, he was even more faultlessly chaste; he was never involved in romantic scandals.

It is said that the Lord of Pingyuan County has found the right person this time.

Even the Grand Princess began to view Wen Xingsu in a new light.

Originally, she had agreed to this marriage entirely because of Puyang Yi’s obstinacy and persistence.

By now, she had gradually come to believe that this son-in-law was reliable, even more stable and able to stand his ground at court than her own son, Puyang Zong.

A mother-in-law watching her son-in-law, the more she looks, the more she is pleased.

Gradually, the Grand Princess also began to confide some secrets to Wen Xingsu...

This shift in attitude, in Puyang Yi’s eyes, was a sign of family harmony leading to prosperity, while for the Grand Princess, it was a further consolidation of position...

"If you ask me, my husband is just too kind. What good brother? If he was a good brother, would he tolerate his family slandering you?"

Before finishing speaking, Puyang Yi spoke again, somewhat grudgingly, "Talking about you is the same as talking about me, right? It’s annoying. If he has a son, does that mean he can’t be brothers with my husband?"

Regarding the issue of children, Puyang Yi has always felt she and Feng Yun could empathize with each other.

Feng Yun smiled, "Elder Brother Yang is mostly at the military camps all year round, he wouldn’t know or be able to manage home affairs..."

Puyang Yi then pursed her lips.

"Regardless, they got what they deserved."

While the two were speaking, Wen Xingsu came in.

"Sent them back."

Feng Yun looked at him, "I’ve caused troubles for elder brother."

Wen Xingsu seemed hesitant to speak, "Changmen may seem glorious, but with such a large household and business, it’s hard to be in charge, especially during this tumultuous period. Ayun, bearing the weight of so many, walking on thin ice, the position is indeed difficult."

It seems elder brother also knows of Xijing’s wariness towards Changmen.

Feng Yun slightly curved her lips, "I thought elder brother, being in the camp, wouldn’t know the affairs of the Imperial Court."

Wen Xingsu was frank, after hesitating he said, "My mother-in-law has told me some things." He looked deeply into Puyang Yi’s eyes, "No matter when, elder brother will be on your side."

This was his reassurance for Feng Yun.

Upon hearing this, Puyang Yi nodded vigorously.

"Yes, yes, Ayun, we are family. Whatever happens, we will definitely stand by your side..."

Feng Yun looked at the couple, feeling her heart warming as if soaked in tepid water.

-

Granny Han, who stayed on the estate, minded her own business and took charge of the kitchen, paying especially close attention to Feng Yun’s meals.

On her birthday, the estate hosted over a dozen tables of guests, all familiar faces, filled to the brim with children and lively with frequent laughter.

It was to these sounds of joy and laughter that Yang Qi arrived.

Seeking an audience with Feng Yun in the courtyard of the estate.

Feng Yun had not anticipated his return; upon hearing that he arrived alone, she promptly asked someone to invite him in for a meal.

Yang Qi declined.

Feng Yun glanced at Wen Xingsu and rose to leave.

"There’s a strong wind outside, why not come in and we’ll talk?" she suggested.

"Princess, I beg your pardon." Yang Qi took out a piece of paper from his sleeve and, with a swoosh, unfolded it in the wind, gave it a shake, and presented it to Feng Yun with both hands.

"Please, Princess, take a look."

Feng Yun did not speak but silently signaled to Xiaoman.

Xiaoman took the paper and tension gripped her spine.

It was a letter of divorce.

Yang Si, the brother of Yang Qi, citing the grounds of "excessive complaints," had divorced Madam Liu.

"This woman has no more connection to the Yang Family, I implore the Princess to show mercy beyond the law."

Feng Yun stared at the black words on the white paper and then at Yang Qi’s lowered head, remaining silent for a long while before she finally responded coolly:

"Brother Yang, you know I’ve always held you in high esteem."

Yang Qi was taken aback and looked up at her.

"Does this mean the Princess no longer blames the Yang Family?"

Feng Yun smiled, "Of course. The faults of Madam Liu, what do they have to do with the Yang Family?"

Yang Qi let out a long sigh of relief.

Feng Yun asked Alou to see the guest out and returned to her room.

The others saw her come back, her expression less pleasant, and their smiles faded significantly.

Puyang Yi tugged at her gently, "What was said?"

Feng Yun glanced at her, then towards Wen Xingsu: "Madam Liu has been divorced." 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Wen Xingsu calmly set down his cup, "In that case, the matter is settled."

Feng Yun remained silent.

The matter was indeed settled.

The Yang Family’s approach was faultless, not even Changmen could find fault with their reasoning, and they would not sever their business ties with the Yang Family.

But upon Feng Yun’s face, there was no joy of victory.

-

The incident with the forbidden registry caused quite a stir and served as a warning bell for those in Changmen, silently weighing their own standing...

Yang Qi had to make a drastic decision; did they really have more face than Yang Qi to ask the lady of the house for undeserved mercy?

Many people grew restless.

Without a directive from Feng Yun, they began to examine themselves.

If anybody had secretly acted against the interest of Changmen, they would have to fill the gaps; if they couldn’t, they would present themselves to Feng Yun for punishment.

Even Feng Yun hadn’t anticipated...

This admonishment would uncover so many issues within Changmen.

There were embezzlers, those who took bribes, and bullies using their power for personal gain, even more sensational than Feng Yun had imagined.

And it was just the seventh year.

She had never expected the decay of human nature to accelerate so quickly.

"How many years has it been since you last went hungry?" she said.

Her eyes were bloodshot, her voice as cold as the wintry wind outside, each word bone-chilling.

"No wonder the Imperial Court mistrusts Changmen, with officials from the Golden Throne Hall petitioning daily to abolish Changmen. It turns out it’s you, all of you!"

"You have tarnished the name of Changmen, making me ashamed to face others!"

The crowd was deeply shaken.

The atmosphere in the hall shifted entirely.

Several knelt in the center, kowtowing to Feng Yun.

"My lady... please spare our lives, we realize our mistakes."

Feng Yun’s hand slapped down on the wooden table.

Once, twice.

Still not enough to vent her anger, she struck it forcefully again.

Aozai heard the noise drawing closer, the vehemence in the eyes as if to tear people apart and devour them.

Feng Yun waved her hand dismissively.

Aozai then silently receded behind the curtain.

Feng Yun quietly observed everyone.

"You’ve deeply disappointed me."

"Do you intend to push Changmen into an abyss of no return?"

"If this provokes an Imperial Court crackdown, will you be satisfied then?"

She surveyed the room of crestfallen figures, her expression gradually calming, yet her tone still carried a thread of anger.

"Investigate! Thoroughly investigate for me, how many other issues, how many people, have escaped my knowledge."