Chapter 422: Chapter 406: Prosperity
The old matron and Su Yuejiao both knew that Feng Shu’s situation in the palace was far from good. Yuwen Jing would not easily let go of Feng Shu, and Feng Shu’s overly headstrong nature would inevitably lead them to a deadly confrontation.
Yuwen Jing understood Feng Shu’s temperament well, so he invited Su Yuejiao and the old matron to the palace. His original intent was to persuade Feng Shu. Regardless of Yuwen Jing’s motives, both the old matron and Su Yuejiao only wished for Feng Shu to live safely and, in the future, reunite with Ruyi. Fengyu’s letter added further comfort to Feng Shu.
"How’s the family doing?"
"Don’t worry. Life is getting by. Several shopkeepers are looking after things. You don’t need to worry about the family; just take care of yourself in the palace. Shu’er, be sure to remember what your grandmother told you."
"...Alright!" Feng Shu agreed tearfully, her lowered gaze tinged with a hint of bitterness. The old matron and Su Yuejiao stayed in Yingchun Palace for half a day. Feng Shu instructed the servants to prepare a banquet for her grandmother. Though the food tasted bland to her, she cherished this rare moment of reunion.
After hearing from the palace attendants that Feng Shu hosted the old matron and Su Yuejiao for a meal in the palace, Yuwen Jing felt more relaxed. Family truly was Shu’er’s remedy. As long as he held sway over the Feng Family, Shu’er had nowhere to escape. If she enjoyed family moments, he would frequently invite members of the Feng Family to the palace.
As long as Shu’er was happy, that was all that mattered!
Yuwen Jing still treated the Feng Family with a semblance of courtesy. He ordered his Chief Eunuch to escort the old matron and Su Yuejiao out of the palace and even gifted the old matron a token for unrestricted palace access. As long as the Feng Family wished to see Feng Shu, he wouldn’t stop them.
In the Queen’s Palace, Lin Yushu’s senior palace maid Qiushui remarked, "The Emperor spares no effort to please the Second Miss, going so far as to disregard palace rules. Even the Eldest Young Master doesn’t have a palace access token, yet the Feng Family now does."
"Qiushui, silence your tongue. Do not speak out of turn."
"Your Majesty, this servant is only concerned about you and the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince is still young, and the Emperor is infatuated with the Second Miss. Though the Second Miss despises the Emperor now, time changes all things. With the Emperor’s attractive looks and his status as monarch, how long can her hatred last? Sooner or later, she’ll yield. If she bears the Emperor a son, will he still care for the Crown Prince?"
"You’re growing increasingly impudent, daring to speak such reckless words." Lin Yushu frowned, "Kneel here. Without my permission, you’re not to get up!"
Lin Yushu entered the inner chambers, rubbing her temples in frustration. But her annoyance wasn’t due to Qiushui’s words. The chaos in the harem would inevitably affect court affairs. Between Yuwen Jing’s behavior and the turmoil in the palace, she worried more about her brother and her family.
In Yingchun Palace, Yuwen Jing came to visit Feng Shu after the old matron and Su Yuejiao had left. This time, Feng Shu opened the palace doors to see him.
Yuwen Jing was filled with joy. Although Feng Shu received him, she wasn’t particularly warm, nor did she speak. Nevertheless, Yuwen Jing was already satisfied and did not pressure her. He believed that persistent effort would eventually win her over.
No matter how much she had loved Xie Zhang, Xie Zhang was already dead. Over time, with their daily interactions, given that they were childhood sweethearts, Yuwen Jing refused to believe he couldn’t capture Feng Shu’s heart.
Yuwen Jing showered Yingchun Palace with gifts like a steady stream of water, choosing items according to Feng Shu’s preferences. Having loved Feng Shu for so many years, he knew her tastes well and ensured that every gift suited her. All of court society recognized Chen Fei’s unrivaled favoritism in the harem. In his attempt to win Feng Shu’s favor, Yuwen Jing even considered restoring Feng Changqing’s position as National General. Yet Feng Changqing declined, citing his advanced age and expressing his desire to retire with his wife in peaceful seclusion.
But Feng Changqing was only thirty-nine this year, still in his prime.
He understood well: no matter how deeply Feng Shu hated Yuwen Jing, to outsiders, she appeared as the favored concubine. Meanwhile, his younger daughter remained Xie Xun’s fiancée, tirelessly exerting herself in West State for Xie Xun. With one daughter in the palace and another in West State, the Feng Family’s stance was exceptionally pivotal.
If he accepted the position of National General, he would be bound to serve the monarch. Sooner or later, he would have to face Xie Xun on the battlefield. There was no way he could continue to pledge allegiance to Yuwen Jing!
Yuwen Jing noted Feng Changqing’s lack of tact but didn’t force him.
Lin Helin oversaw the imperial examinations, opening the doors wide and expanding the enrollment of impoverished scholars. He aimed to break the aristocratic clans’ monopoly on examinations, hoping for more scholars from humble origins to serve the court. Both civil and military candidates were identified in the selection process. Yanyang’s valiant generals were either trained by the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry or cultivated in Jiangnan.
The court was well-stocked with civil officials but desperately lacked military generals. Lin Helin also anticipated a future confrontation with the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry within a few years and sought to increase the recruitment of military personnel.
Besides the special imperial exams, Lin Helin also implemented policies originally left behind by the Marquis Zhenbei Mansion, including new measures in land reform and tax reductions closely aligned with the strategies of the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry. This meant that Ningzhou would have a much harder time competing with the court for talent. Under similar conditions, the court could provide more resources than Ningzhou could offer. Additionally, many individuals were reluctant to betray the legitimate authority.
Since Feng Shu entered the palace, Yuwen Jing’s mood had stabilized, and he cooperated fully with the cabinet’s implementation of new policies. As a result, the court displayed an atmosphere of prosperity.
In West State, autumn had already arrived. The Liangma Road had been completed, and during the spring planting, Xie Xun mobilized the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry to promote agricultural development across twelve prefectures, aided by favorable weather.
Both West State, Huangzhou, and Jinzhou yielded bountiful harvests.
The twelve prefectures were also thriving with prosperity.