Chapter 329

The Cheng sisters were helped up then took half a step back. They then bowed once more: “This concubine pays respects to madam.”

Kang Yi smiled calmly and kindly, “Good, younger sisters are young and beautiful, and you are also well-educated and sensible. With you two at husband’s side taking care of him, elder madam and I will be able to feel at ease.”

Seeing that Kang Yi had expressed her opinion, the matriarch quickly said: “That’s right! Being able to have the two…” She was a little confused over what to call the two. She could call them princesses, but they were not princesses. But if they were not considered princesses, they were still the Empress’ nieces that had been raised in the imperial palace for ten years, so what should they be called?

The more elegant one was the elder sister, Cheng Jun Man. Seeing that the matriarch was hesitating, she put on an elegant smile and said: “Jun Man and younger sister Jun Mei are concubines. We do not have the standing to call elder madam mother, but in our hearts, we will be very close with elder madam. If elder madam does not dislike it, please call us by our names.”

Cheng Jun Man spoke very slowly, and her voice was very beautiful. Because she had been raised in the imperial palace, she also had the same noble temperament as Kang Yi, but she was younger than Kang Yi, and it seemed that she had a calm and harmonic aura. This gave people a positive feeling, even the matriarch was no exception- “Good, good! Jun Man, Jun Mei.”

“Hahaha!” Xuan Tian Ming began laughing, “The Feng family is enjoying successive fortunes. If elder madam is this happy, this prince will have an easy time reporting to father Emperor.”

Feng Yu Heng leaned against the wheelchair and also began smiling, “Her Highness the Empress is a great person. Since you are her nieces, you definitely will not be lacking.” She suddenly became very happy and even began bouncing. Grabbing Xuan Tian Ming’s hand, she said: “Xuan Tian Ming, this is too great! They are her Highness’ relatives, so they definitely will not bully me!”

Xuan Tian Ming dotingly pinched her cheeks, “Right, they definitely will not bully you.” He then pinched her a little more, “How have you become even thinner? Is the Feng family so poor that they cannot afford to allow you to eat meat? Didn’t I give you a bunch of money? Do you not know how to spend it?”

“I was already in charge of my own food.” Feng Yu Heng reminded him, “I live in Tong Sheng pavilion. The food I eat and the things I use are all bought using the money you gave me. Oh right, there is also the salary from being a county princess.”

“Hm?” Xuan Tian Ming felt that something was off, “You don’t eat with them, but they don’t give you money?”

Feng Yu Heng shook her head, “They haven’t.”

“This is a wrongdoing on your party!” Xuan Tian Ming suddenly looked to the people of the Feng family, “You can’t choose to not give it to her because she doesn’t ask for it. They are all daughters of the Feng family, and Heng Heng is also the daughter of the first wife. We don’t ask that you give her more than the daughters of concubines, but at least give her the same. But why…”

“Your Highness.” Kang Yi quickly said: “Your Highness is mistaken. Although this humble woman just entered the manor, I also heard mother speak about it yesterday. Mother said that although county princess does not eat with us, her portion has been saved as money that can be given to county princess to use at any time.”

“Oh.” Xuan Tuan Ming nodded, “If that’s the case, then that’s good.” He then no longer looked at her and turned to Feng Yu Heng: “You also need to be more attentive. Don’t just smile stupidly at whoever you meet. Don’t get cheated without knowing about it. Alright, I should be returning. If you have any problems, come to the Yu Palace to find me.”

“Fine.” Feng Yu Heng nodded then personally pushed Xuan Tian Ming out of the manor.

Only after everyone saw Xuan Tian Ming get in the carriage did they all let out a sigh of relief. The matriarch was leaning on granny Zhao, completely unable to exert any strength. But she still remembered to order Fen Dai and everyone else present: “Quickly! Quickly help Han shi back and invite a doctor to examine the fetus. Quickly!”

Fen Dai also knew that this matter could not be delayed. Han shi was fragile, and the ground was cold. Her complexion was already not too good. Although she really wanted to continue watching the play unfold, she also knew how to evaluate what was important. No matter how important other things may be, Han shi’s belly was most important. They had to return.

She stomped her feet and reluctantly left while supporting Han shi. Feng Yu Heng also returned from outside the manor. The matriarch and Kang Yi watched her small frame walk step by step. For a while, they did not know how they should talk to her, but it was the Cheng family’s sisters that reacted first, quickly walking over to receive Feng Yu Heng- “This concubine greets county princess.”

Feng Yu Heng smiled and said: “You are father’s concubines, and you are also her Highness’ nieces. There is no need to salute me when you see me. From this day forward, since you have entered the Feng family, take good care of father and do your best to help grandmother and mother. In a few days, I will need to focus on producing steel, so you will need to handle some more work at the manor.”

The two said in unison: “This concubine will abide by county princess’ teachings.”

Once this was said, Kang Yi and Chen Yu subconsciously looked at each other and saw the alarm in each other’s eyes.

The Feng family suddenly had two more concubines entering the manor. For a while, things really were busy. However, Feng Jin Yuan still did not return from having gone into court. The matriarch thought long and hard before simply decided that Jin Fu courtyard that was originally meant for Ru Jia would be emptied out for Jun Man. She then had servants clean up Ri Yue pavilion that was the closest courtyard to Jin Fu courtyard, so that Jun Mei would be able to move in that night.

The courtyards were assigned by the matriarch, while Kang Yi personally took care of directing the servants to take good care of cleaning up the two courtyards. As for the two sisters that just entered the manor, they simply accompanied the matriarch for a chat in Shu Ya courtyard. This chat continued for the entire day, as they even ate lunch together. When the two courtyards were cleaned up and Kang Yi headed to Shu Ya courtyard covered in dust to report to the matriarch, she found that the matriarch and the two concubines were getting along very well. She was especially interested in the idle gossip that came from the palace.

The matriarch even began to view the imperial palace as a place of faith. In her eyes, the imperial palace was the most divine place under the heavens. Although it was not as though she had not gone, as she had previously attended many banquets, but the more she went, the more she felt that the people of the highest standings lived in the imperial palace. The Emperor’s might and the Empress’ beauty were, in her eyes, absolutely supreme. But the Feng family was, after all, a family without roots in the capital. If they wanted to hear some things pertaining to the imperial palace, it was extremely difficult; however, she never thought that there would actually come a day when people from the palace would end up becoming her daughters-in-law!

That’s right, the matriarch viewed the two concubines as being on a similar level as Kang Yi. She was not stupid. These two were sent to the manor by the Emperor. They would be like observers left to observe the Feng family. They could not be beaten or cursed, and they could not be slighted. Otherwise, if they were not careful, once these two spread the word, it would be Feng Jin Yuan that suffered.

Kang Yi understood people’s thoughts too well. Upon seeing this scene, she knew that the matriarch had already decided to accept it and compromise. So what else could she say? After all, this place was Da Shun, and these two had been sent by the Emperor. They were also the Empress’ own nieces. She could argue with anyone but the imperial family. She knew that she did not have this ability. At least she did not right now.

“Mother.” She walked forward with a smile, “Daughter-in-law has already tidied up the two courtyards with the help of the servants. Thinking about it, I was about to bring the two younger sisters to take a look. If there is anything that you are dissatisfied with, we can try to change them. Currently, the sky is darkening, and younger sisters must be tired.”

The matriarch nodded, “You are thorough in your work, and it puts me at ease.” She then said to the two sisters: “Quickly go and take a look.”

Jun Man and Jun Mei both stood up and saluted the matriarch before leaving. Following Kang Yi, they left Shu Ya courtyard. Only after the three had walked off did the matriarch let out a sigh of relief. While having a young servant massage her shoulders, she asked granny Zhao: “Have you sent anyone into the palace to inquire?”

Granny Zhao said: “Two groups of people have already been sent. They said that there were numerous matters for the courts to take care of. It’s not just our master, all of the officials are still at court. Elder madam, do not worry.”

Upon hearing that all of the officials were still in court, the matriarch finally calmed down, “It’s good if nothing happened to him. These days, I keep feeling that my mind is in a panic. I suspected that something bad would happen, but I didn’t think that the ninth prince would come so quickly.”

Granny Zhao consoled her: “His Highness the ninth prince seems to be annoyed with the new madam. He still seems to be quite polite with elder madam.”

The matriarch also understood, but when she thought of Kang Yi being extorted of five million taels of gold, her heart began to hurt unbearably, “That’s gold! Five million taels, tell me, if that was transported from Qian Zhou to Da Shun, how many carriages would that require? How long would the caravan be? Hah! It’s going to be given just like that to the country princess’ manor. It truly… truly…”

She said truly for a while but did not finish her sentence. Granny Zhao was unable to hold back a smirk, as she thought to herself, could it be that elder madam is hoping to receive it? Is that something that you can hope to receive? For the ninth prince to not cause you trouble is already a great fortune. Know to be satisfied!

But the matriarch was exactly this type of person. When it came to wealth, there was never a feeling of satisfaction. The gold was still in Qian Zhou, yet she already planned to treat Feng Yu Heng a little better, hoping to perhaps receive some benefits.

“Right.” The matriarch suddenly recalled something, “Quickly, go to the temple and move the Bodhisattva to Yu Lan courtyard. Do not allow Han shi to cause trouble. For her to have stolen him away from Kang Yi last night is forgettable. Although Kang Yi is a noble eldest princess, she is still from a foreign country after all. But Jun Man and Jun Mei are people sent by the Emperor. If those two are offended, the Feng family would not be able to bear it.”

Granny Zhao quickly complied: “Elder madam, don’t worry. This old servant will go over to Yu Lan courtyard. Not only do I need to send the Bodhisattva, I almost must give concubine mother Han a reminder.”

“Good.” The matriarch urged her and said: “Go quickly.”

Just as granny Zhao headed towards the temple, Feng Jin Yuan also hurriedly returned. The first thing he did upon returning to the manor was visit the matriarch. After entering the room, he did not even have time to greet her before anxiously asking: “Did mother see those two?”

The matriarch sighed and nodded, saying: “I saw them. They have been placed in Jin Fu courtyard and Ri Yue pavilion. Tonight, you will…”

“Tonight, son must spend the night in Tian Xiang courtyard.” Feng Jin Yuan was extremely resolute, “Last night, son drank too much and was not able to think thoroughly on many things, causing me to foolishly spend the night in Yu Lan courtyard. This is truly too improper. Tonight, no matter what, I must go to Tian Xiang courtyard. First, I must give an explanation to Kang Yi. Second…” He paused, thinking for a while before continuing: “Mother also saw it. His Majesty and her Highness both sent these two concubines to the manor. This is clearly causing trouble for our Feng family. Speaking truthfully, son’s mind is a bit of a mess. This mess can only be sorted out by someone as clear-minded at Kang Yi.”

The matriarch nodded. It was inevitable that she was also a little disoriented, “Tell me, is the Emperor on guard against our Feng family because Kang Yi entered the manor? That’s not right. Previously, didn’t you say that the Emperor was thankful when you said that you would marry Kang Yi?”

Feng Jin Yuan stomped his feet, “Being close to the Emperor is like being close to a tiger. Son has relieved Da Shun of a problem, preventing Qian Zhou and Gu Shu from becoming united through a political marriage, but who knew that his Majesty is now also on guard against the Feng family. Mother, do not worry. This matter still must be observed for a few more days. Recently, there have been many changes in the manor. They have truly caused mother to feel tired.”

“It can’t be helped.” The matriarch waved her hand, “It’s fine if you understand. In any case, those two concubines you need to see them today. Don’t treat them coldly.”

“Son understands. Son will be going then.” After saying this, he did not remain and turned to leave. Who knew that before he could step out the door, a person suddenly rushed in from the outside, crashing straight into his body…