Chapter 418: Chapter 403 Full Moon
Fengyu’s act of kneeling and bowing nine times as she climbed the mountain quickly spread throughout Jiaozhou. The townsfolk did not know whom Fengyu was praying for or what she was asking for, only that her piety had driven her to climb to the mountaintop on her knees.
This temple was located within Jiaozhou City. While the act followed a known custom, few apart from the devoutly pious could manage the arduous journey of kneeling and bowing nine times up the mountain.
Among the clans and noblewomen of Jiaozhou, such a feat was even more unheard of.
No one knew who started the rumor, but word spread that Fengyu did this for the well-being of the people across the Twelve States. Though unintentional, it elevated Fengyu’s reputation among the populace. Fengyu found it both amusing and exasperating but could not openly refute it—how could she admit that her prayers were not for the people, but for her sister?
After Xie Jue departed for the Capital City, it fell upon Fengyu to manage Jiaozhou’s various affairs. Although Xue Yu was present, the true authority lay with her. She often personally visited those trapped in dire circumstances, delivering food, clothing, and medicine with meticulous care, thus earning the deep admiration of the people.
After Yangzhou, the revered pair of Xie Xun and Fengyu came to command admiration from nearly everyone in the Twelve States.
As this winter passed peacefully, the trust of the Twelve States’ people in the Xie brothers and Fengyu grew even stronger.
The epidemic in Jiaozhou had gradually come under control. Refugees outside the city had been brought within its walls. After registering them, Fengyu asked whether they would be willing to move to West State or Huangzhou.
West State and Huangzhou had ample farmland. With this new wave of refugees from the Twelve States, both Fengyu and Xie Jue saw merit in relocating them to these agricultural regions.
Jiaozhou, by contrast, had limited farmland, and the reforms in Ningzhou had not yet extended there. Refugees staying in Jiaozhou could only rely on the state government’s support. Moreover, Jiaozhou lacked a labor shortage. If relocated to West State or Huangzhou, not only would these refugees gain shelter from the elements, but they could also be allocated farmland, enabling them to build stable lives through their labor.
Many refugees initially did not understand the policies of West State and Huangzhou. Fengyu wrote the policies into booklets and patiently explained them to the refugees. Xue Yu, having worked with Xie Jue for some time, was also familiar with the policies.
Xue Yu carried his own ambitions. He took Fengyu’s policy booklets and had hundreds of copies printed, distributing them across the various states and prefectures of the Twelve States. He understood that the unification of national policy was an inevitable trend. It could not remain limited to West State, Huangzhou, Ningzhou, or Salt City. Sooner or later, all Twelve States would need unified governance, and local administrations needed to prepare accordingly.
Xue Yu carefully studied the land policies as well. Those designed by Xie Jue ensured farmland for every person, enabling stable livelihoods while addressing the issue of land monopolies comprehensively. Yet, such redistribution and centralized planning were difficult for noble clans to accept. Thus, local officials in each region needed to set expectations with the clans early—much like the conversations Xue Yu had initiated with noble clans in Jinzhou.
Going against such a trend would only harm oneself—this much Xue Yu understood clearly.
Fengyu recognized Xue Yu’s intentions and felt deeply appreciative. "Mr. Xue, your understanding of the greater good is admirable. On behalf of the Prince, I thank you."
Xue Yu replied, "Third Miss, you’re too kind. The Twelve States endured years of bitter conflict, essentially becoming a no-man’s-land—ignored by the imperial court, Zhongzhou, and even Ningzhou. Now that we have encountered enlightened rulers, I only hope the people of the Twelve States can live peacefully and prosperously. If the Second Young Master’s reforms succeed, the Twelve States will surely regain vitality in three years. We do it all for the people."
Fengyu said, "Both the Prince and the Second Young Master are fortunate to have a learned figure like Mr. Xue aiding them."
Xue Yu chuckled lightly. With that one sentence, Fengyu had already associated Xue Yu with the Xie brothers’ camp, even using the term "aiding." Should the Xie Family gain the empire one day, Xue Yu’s future would undoubtedly be bright. Though subtly expressed, her remark carried a veiled promise.
Among the trio of the Xie Family, Xie Xun was resolute and compassionate, quiet but action-oriented. The Second Young Master was aloof and reserved, showing little interest in social connections. In contrast, to Xue Yu’s eyes, if this Third Miss were a man, she might be better suited than either Xie Xun or Xie Jue to claim the throne.
She had Xie Xun’s decisiveness and Xie Jue’s strategic acumen.
She also had a merchant’s keen insight and mastery over people, no less adept than Xie Jue in command. Her words had a way of putting people at ease, like the warmth of a spring breeze. Combined with her knack for dealing with matters, she easily won others’ trust and loyalty.
This was why Xie Jue had no concerns about Jiaozhou descending into chaos during his absence—he knew Fengyu held the reins securely.
Under the combined efforts of Fengyu and Xue Yu, the Twelve States passed the winter smoothly.
By March, as the winter snow melted and spring approached, news arrived from Nangong Heng, the state governor of West State. West State had made the necessary preparations to receive refugees. With the timing coinciding with the start of the spring planting season, Fengyu partnered with Nangong Heng to relocate the refugees from Zhongzhou and Jiangnan who wished to settle in the Twelve States to West State and Huangzhou.
This entire matter was one the state offices could handle well. After providing her instructions, Fengyu also delegated authority and stepped back.
Xiaoqi was particularly attached to Fengyu. While Fengyu handled official matters, Xiaoqi would sit by the windowsill polishing his blade. Skilled in combat, he had recently been training often with Nuanyang, improving rapidly. Fengyu had even arranged for a specially forged blade for him, which he cherished deeply.
"Sister, what’s so good about being an emperor?" Xiaoqi asked, puzzled.
"Why do you say that?"
"The emperors and Crown Princes of Yanyang all met tragic ends—none died peacefully. Some fell while hunting, some perished in debauchery, some were burned alive, and others were stabbed through the heart. What’s the point of fighting for such a fate?" Xiaoqi’s tone was unclear as he polished his blade.
Fengyu said, "But if we don’t fight, what will happen to Zhixu and the Second Young Master? Should they surrender, or live in obscurity? Neither Zhixu nor the Second Young Master would endure such oppression. Besides, all the people of this land are yearning for a stable life."
"What do the people’s lives have to do with you? Sister, you only care about your own family," Xiaoqi said. "Why bother with strangers? Now, you’re exhausting yourself just for the Prince."
"Xiaoqi, are you... resentful?" Fengyu raised an eyebrow.
"I just don’t want you to be so tired."
"I’m not tired!" Fengyu smiled. "If you’re bored keeping me company, go out and have some fun."
"How could I be bored keeping you company?" Xiaoqi put away his blade, set it on the windowsill, then crouched down in front of her, grinning. "Sister, you’ve gotten thinner, yet you say you’re not tired. It’s all the Prince’s fault. If he weren’t part of the Xie Family, you wouldn’t have to endure all these hardships. You could be lounging in luxury back in the Capital City, dressed in silks and jewels, living a carefree life."
"But if not for the Prince, Xiaoqi, you’d still be suffering from the plague without food or medicine. You wouldn’t have even met me." Fengyu poked his puffed-up cheeks. "Why do you have such a grudge against him? Someday you’ll have to call him brother-in-law."
"I won’t!"
"Fine, as you wish!" Fengyu chuckled softly.
Xiaoqi suddenly became upset, grabbing his blade and running out, accidentally bumping into Qiuxiang, who was carrying a bowl of bird’s nest soup. Confused, Qiuxiang asked, "Miss, what’s wrong with him?"
"Just throwing a tantrum." Fengyu replied while lowering her head to review her documents. Nuanyang suddenly rushed in with delight. "Miss, the Second Young Master has returned!"
"Really?" Fengyu dropped the document onto the table and lifted her hem, rushing out in excitement. As she reached the outer courtyard, she overheard Xie Jue instructing someone to find a wet nurse. Fengyu saw Ying Qi holding a baby in his arms. She hurried toward him as if running toward a mountain of gold.
It was her sister’s child!
Xie Jue and the others had rushed through their journey without pausing and finally returned to Jiaozhou at the turn of spring. Coincidentally, their arrival in Jiaozhou marked the full-month celebration of little Ru Yi.
Fengyu couldn’t bear to part with the child once she had him in her arms. Knowing her sister had named him Ru Yi, her heart was filled with bittersweet emotion. Fengyu understood her sister’s temperament well—leaving Xiangguo Temple was unlikely. Knowing that Feng Shu was safe finally put her at ease.
"Ru Yi, little Ru Yi, I’m your auntie..." Fengyu cradled him with joy. Ru Yi’s large, round eyes and delicate features were utterly adorable. He had the signature looks of the Xie Family men. While there was a resemblance to Xie Zhang, he also bore a likeness to Xie Jue and Xie Xun. He was lively and cheerful, quick to smile and unbothered by strangers, making Fengyu’s heart brim with affection.
Among the group of adults who had no prior experience with childcare, Ying Qi only knew the basics. As evening fell, Xue Yu tentatively suggested, "Since it’s the young lord’s full-month celebration, shouldn’t we host a banquet?"
Xie Jue frowned slightly. A banquet would mean revealing Ru Yi’s identity, which could lead to complications!