Fengyu looked at the accounts. What the Young Marquis demanded in accounts was virtually the sa as her annual tribute to the Kyoto Capital Guard Office. However, Xie Xun hadn’t asked for her secret businesses; whether this was intentional or simply unknown to him, Fengyu couldn’t tell. Though he spared Linlang Pavilion, he did not let Linglong Costics escape his reach, leaving Manager Wen feeling highly unbalanced. "Why is this happening?!"
Fengyu didn’t mind the small sum and said, "The Kyoto Capital Guard is so poor they can’t even make ends et. Let him be. It’s not unusual for us to pay homage to them yearly."
Even so, she couldn’t hide her discomfort—other rchants didn’t have to pay.
Rembering the batch of new styles, Fengyu instructed Manager Wen, "The new styles have arrived; send a batch to the Marquis Mansion for the ladies to choose from. Simply say it’s your sister’s thoughtful gesture."
Fengyu had visited the Marquis Mansion several tis. The maids at the mansion were always dressed simply and modestly. Lady Mudan and Lady Lan loved elegance and beauty, but their adornnts mostly consisted of floral hairpins. Only during the New Year did they wear new jewelry. Despite the rich inheritance of the Marquis Mansion, they had to sustain the Northern Iron Cavalry, leaving Marquis Zhenbei and his family, including Xie Xun, with little to spare on luxury and indulgence. Whenever Fengyu went to the Marquis Mansion, she always felt like a walking mound of gold, as her love of jewelry outshined what several ladies combined would wear.
"Understood!" Manager Wen thought to himself, realizing that even the Second Miss often sent all sorts of makeup accessories and fabrics to the Marquis Mansion.
When Fengyu left Linlang Pavilion, she carried a small box. Qiuxiang had purchased a great deal of at and fruit and was loading them onto the carriage. Just as Fengyu was about to board, she saw Xie Xun approaching on horseback, with Nuanyang and Feiying following closely behind. Today, Xie Xun wasn’t wearing his uniform from the Kyoto Capital Guard. Instead, he was draped in a tailored black robe with a cinched waist. His cloak fluttered majestically in the wind, as elegant as a startled swan, radiating an unparalleled brilliance.
Since Xie Xun took charge of the Kyoto Capital Guard, Fengyu felt as if he had transford into an entirely different person. Over the past two years, the Young Marquis had frequented the capital’s entertainnts—lingering amidst flowers and willows—as though eroding his own ambition in the process. There was an enduring lancholy between his brows. Yet, during the snow disaster, he decisively dealt out punishnt and turned the tide, seemingly indifferent to the court’s opinions of him. His entire deanor now projected the aura of the man two years prior, a natural grace that radiated from within. Whether engaging in fierce debates with court officials or commanding loyalty within the guardhouses, he demonstrated remarkable tactics and resolve.
This was the fad young general described with unrivaled sharpness in legends.
After the Lantern Festival, he even started to smile again. At least, in the few tis Fengyu had seen him recently, he was in good spirits. Fengyu wondered, had the Young Marquis magnanimously decided not to hold a grudge over the incident years ago when she caused his leg injury?
But she dared not ask. Their relationship had only just begun to nd. Asking about the past would be terribly inept.
Upon seeing Fengyu, Xie Xun pulled his reins tightly and stopped his horse in place. Noticing Zhang Da leading a team of protectors accompanying her, he casually asked, "Where are you headed, Third Miss?"
"To Xiangguo Temple." Fengyu handed the box to Chunlu, then cradled her hand warr and cheerfully teased, "A few days ago the shopkeepers were complaining to , saying Young Marquis ca knocking for money. Young Marquis, are you short on funds to indulge in flower wine?"
Nuanyang and Feiying exchanged awkward glances, both looking skyward, pretending not to hear anything.
Xie Xun’s slender fingers tugged lightly at the reins, causing Zhuifeng to saunter in a circle beside her. With a smile, he replied, "The Kyoto Capital Guard has undergone restructuring. Businesses are running smoothly, and public disturbances are few and far between. In past years, troublemakers and malicious competition arose frequently, and handling such matters demanded a significant expenditure. Now, this funding funnels to ; the Kyoto Guard ensures your operations go untroubled, Third Miss remains worry-free—two birds with one stone. Isn’t that wonderful?"
Nuanyang internally mused, Master, you really have an impressively thick skin—never could’ve foreseen it.
Fengyu paused for a mont, unable to refute him, "Fair point. Then let’s consider it the businesses’ tribute to the Young Marquis. Should any trouble arise, we ask the Young Marquis to lend a helping hand."
"Officials and rchants united—it goes without saying!"
Her expression turned icy as she flatly added, "Young Marquis, while the fifty thousand is not urgently due, rember that the interest is calculated monthly. Don’t forget."
Xie Xun froze in disbelief, looking to Feiying. "The moneylenders calculate interest monthly? When did that rule arise?"
Feiying glanced between the expressionless Third Miss and the refined Young Marquis before hesitantly replying, "I’ve never heard of such a regulation."
Fengyu let out a sarcastic smirk, playfully warming her hands on her hand warr as she spoke with unrivaled composure, "Young Marquis, as an experienced warrior, you must be unaware. My maternal grandfather was chairman of the Yanyang General Chamber of Comrce and authorized to oversee the Kyoto Chamber of Comrce. What I say is the rule."
Xie Xun, "..."
Fengyu, in high spirits, perford a farewell bow and smiled mischievously at Nuanyang. "Nuanyang, make sure to carefully calculate the interest for your master. Skipping a few bouts of flower wine should suffice."
Nuanyang pulled a long face and lanted, Miss, truth be told, I envy Zhang Da for earning ten taels a month. Could you consider drafting for temporary service? I truly don’t relish managing Master’s finances!
Xie Xun chuckled as he watched her board the carriage, heading off grandly toward the city gate.
Truly vindictive!
How did she know he indulged in flower wine?
Fengyu visited Xiangguo Temple monthly for incense offerings, making her the temple’s most generous patron. The main hall’s plaque bore her na. At the start of every month, Xiangguo Temple was a bustling hub, overflowing with visitors. Fengyu didn’t rush to make her prayers. A young monk led her to the courtyard to rest. At Xiangguo Temple, she had her private chamber with its own secluded courtyard that featured a bodhi tree.
Master Miao Yun had specially built this residence for her. Antique and tranquil, it was far from the main temple, ensuring utmost serenity. Outside the courtyard lay farmland planted with lons, fruits, and flowers. Within the courtyard, the fragrant sandalwood created an atmospherically calming effect.
At the base of the bodhi tree was an ancient well with sweet spring water. Qiuxiang and Chunlu particularly loved using the well water to brew tea or make soup. Even a simple vegetable broth beca aromatic when cooked with the spring water.
Zhang Da stationed protectors around the courtyard. anwhile, Qiuxiang and Chunlu prepared the chamber and then set about making food. Fengyu opened the window to gaze at the courtyard’s bodhi tree.
Master Miao Yun had claid that she had a connection to Buddhism.
Those with Buddhist connections were generally compassionate, virtuous, and noble. But Fengyu felt she was wielding a butcher’s knife—ruthless and cold-hearted, entirely devoid of Buddhist affinity. She had once suspected Master Miao Yun of being a charlatan, spewing nonsense. Still, the Soul Suppressing Pearl she wore ca from Master Miao Yun.
Fengyu touched the bracelet on her wrist—eighteen red beads. Seventeen were coral beads, and only one was a bodhi bead. This was the Soul Suppressing Pearl. Master Miao Yun had told her it was the mythical kirin bodhi, the only such bead from Xiangguo Temple’s millennia-old bodhi tree. He promised it would enhance wisdom, ward off evil spirits, and safeguard her well-being.
Her grandmother had once told her that as a baby, she would cry inconsolably every night until Master Miao Yun passed through Feng Mansion and gifted her a single kirin bodhi bead, naming it the Soul Suppressing Pearl. With the pearl, her cries ceased, and she beca a docile and obedient child. Master Miao Yun had warned her grandmother never to remove the Soul Suppressing Pearl. As a curious child, Fengyu had removed the pearl once, only to suffer horrifying nightmares that made her scream through the night, frightening everyone in the household. From that point onward, Fengyu diligently wore the pearl.
It wasn’t until her twelfth year that the Soul Suppressing Pearl fell off by itself. That was when she inadvertently exchanged souls with Xie Xun—a phenonon she still could not understand to this day.
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