zChapter 832 - The Fake Imperial Daughter in the South

Feng Jin Yuan had been the left prime minister for over a decade. That sort of feeling of superiority had already taken root in his heart, and it could not be so easily cleared out. The reason that he had been so muddled in the capital was a result of suddenly losing all of his glory, and he was unable to accept it so quickly. Also having his crown jewels cut off by Yao shi, it led to him feeling resigned and hopeless, and he had lost his former confidence.

He had thought that he would live out the remainder of his life in this way, without another chance to hold his head high. It was not as though he had never thought of making a comeback, and he had even thought of supporting the fifth prince and using Feng Fen Dai’s relation to plan for the Feng family’s future. But at that time, he had no money and no power. Even if he wanted to provide support, it would be looked down upon. Gradually, he gave up on these ideas.

But he always felt unreconciled. That was why he immediately accepted when Noble Lady Yuan’s people approached him and brought up having him bring Yao shi to the South. They would provide Fu Ya assistance in playing the part of a fake Imperial Daughter Ji An and provide the eighth prince with some more influence. He was promised that he would be returned to the position of left prime minister after the eighth prince ascended the throne. Having his position restored had always been his dream.

Ever since coming to the South, everything had been as Noble Lady Yuan had initially promised. The people there had helped arrange a courtyard for him. Although it was not as magnificent as the former Feng manor in the capital, Lan Zhou was quite a wealthy place. The residence had servants, and although there were not as many as in the old Feng manor, there were enough. Someone had also placed a sufficient amount of money in the storage, and they had prepared accessories for Yao shi and Fu Ya. There was also no shortage of clothing and socks for him. Even the tea that had been prepared for the study was the plain tea that he had gotten accustomed to drinking in the old Feng manor. Who knew where information on his tastes had come from.

For an instant, Feng Jin Yuan was given a wrong impression. He thought that everything had returned to the beginning, and he thought that he had returned to a time from many years ago. That feeling of confidence that had been lost for a long time had been rediscovered. His stature as the left prime minister had also been found.

Ji Ling Tian was a very crafty person and understood very well how to cater to a person’s tastes. He would say whatever Feng Jin Yuan liked to hear, and he would send whatever he liked to eat. He even thought about picking some things that had been sent from the small countries in the South to be sent into the residence. This allowed the slightly tranquil residence to instantly appear more lively. It was just that his wife, Jiang shi, reminded him that Yao shi might not like it. This matter had been temporarily avoided. It was just that after Feng Jin Yuan heard it, he had always been yearning for it and would occasionally secretly ask Ji Ling Tian about it.

In regards to Fu Ya’s identity, the outsiders did not know, but both Ji Ling Tian and his wife, Jiang shi, knew clearly, as they were people trusted by the eighth prince. Jiang shi was very clear, as she had once interacted with Feng Yu Heng, and she was able to gain a bit of an understanding of Feng Yu Heng’s personality. At this time, she was quietly whispering, and the main point was about where Fu Ya’s acting was currently different and where improvements could be made.

Yao shi’s mental state was actually a bit muddled. Although it could not be seen in other areas, when it came to the matter of her daughter, she still firmly believed that Fu Ya was her daughter. That was why she immediately corrected Jiang shi: “This is what our A-Heng was originally like. The one in the capital is the fake. I gave birth to my daughter. I know very well. Our A-Heng does not need to change. She is just like she is now.”

There was nothing that Jiang shi could do. She could only resentfully smile and leave the topic alone; however, she began to think to herself. Yao shi’s mental state was no good, but the fake imperial daughter was extremely sharp. She might not be able to get through to Yao shi on this matter, but she would need to go and bring it up with the fake imperial daughter. Since the eighth prince had handed this job to the couple, she and her husband helped Feng Jin Yuan’s family of three do all that they could to carry out this act perfectly.

When Ji Ling Tian led his madam out of the Feng residence, Feng Jin Yuan personally sent them to the entrance until Ji Ling Tian loudly said: “Prime Minister Feng, please, there’s no need to see us out. This lowly official cannot bear that burden!” Only then did he leave with a feeling of satisfaction.

Once the gates were closed, the two from the Ji family got into their carriage, and Jiang shi began to giggle while covering her mouth with a handkerchief. Ji Ling Tian took a look at her, “Is it that funny?”

Jiang shi nodded, “But of course, it’s that funny! Husband, you’re really putting your all into this act. The final words about ‘Prime Minister Feng, there’s no need to see us out,’ nearly caused this wife to burst out laughing. It’s really no loss that husband was able to say it.”

Ji Ling Tian spread his hands: “Even if I could not say it, I would need to force those words out of my mouth. This was a mission handed down by His Highness the eighth prince and Noble Lady Yuan. After all, Feng Jin Yuan is not a true prime minister. Even if this family was brought over, if there is nobody to go along with this act, it’s possible that those three will end up exposing themselves. Didn’t the letter that His Highness the eighth prince sent us say to have us do everything possible to help Feng Jin Yuan regain that feeling of when he was the left prime minister? He needed to once again become accustomed to this status. Only with him believing himself to be the left prime minister would it be more believable to the outsiders. The three of them coming over, was it not just for the sake of confusing the people?! To confuse others, one has to first confuse themselves. These are His Highness the eighth prince’s words.”

“But after His Highness the eighth prince ascends the throne, will Feng Jin Yuan truly be allowed to become the left prime minister again?”

“It’s not too likely.” Ji Ling Tian said, “What ability does Feng Jin Yuan have to be the left prime minister? Back when he had climbed up, was it not done by relying on the Yao family? Now, the Yao family can’t possibly help him. His Highness the eighth prince saying such a thing is just for the sake of easing his feelings. It can’t be taken seriously.”

“Yet you still went to the small countries in the desert to find him a concubine!” Jiang shi rolled her eyes at Ji Ling Tian, “I heard about that Feng Jin Yuan. He’s a eunuch. What ability does he have to take a concubine?”

“Whether or not he has the ability is his problem. Right now, we just need to coordinate with them! Madam! This coordination requires a good amount of knowledge. You should learn from this official.” Ji Ling Tian rubbed his chin, and he did not have much of a beard, but he had a look of pride on his face. He felt that he had done quite well with this job. Following this, he would fully coordinate with Feng Jin Yuan and the fake imperial daughter to begin building up their prestige in Lan Zhou. They would then slowly expand to Luo Province to have the people believe that Imperial Daughter Ji An, Feng Yu Heng, who had provided Da Shun with many impressive things, had come to the South for the sake of supporting His Highness the eighth prince. When he saw His Highness the eighth prince once more, that would be considered a great contribution.

At this time, Fu Ya had brought her maidservant to wander around idly in the west side of Lan Zhou. The maidservant’s name was Xiao Tao’er, and she was newly purchased after they had arrived in Lan Zhou. She was a servant whose deed was in Fu Ya’s hands. To have a personal servant like this was extremely rare for Fu Ya. Previously, she had lived in the North, and although they could be considered wealthy, they could only hire help and could not afford this sort of servant. Later on, she arrived in the capital. Although Yao shi doted on her and viewed her as her true daughter, they lived in separate courtyards. All of the servants in that courtyard were sent by the Yao family. They were indeed bought, but the contracts were held by the Yao family. They could not be sent over.

Now, she finally owned her own servant. She finally understood why people from families with money and power wanted to have this sort of servant. It was because the feeling was very good. There was no need to worry about the servant being at odds with the master, nor was there a need to worry about them leaving when they got tired of serving. Hired help could neither be hit nor cursed at. At most, they could have some of their wages deducted, but owned servants were different. If she ever felt a bit unhappy, whether she beat or cursed the servant, or even had them killed, that was her own problem. The government could do nothing about it.

At present, Fu Ya brought Xiao Tao’er around for a stroll through the streets. She just felt in a good mood, and even her back was straighter than usual. Of course, ever since she had come to the South, she had indeed felt proud and elated. Over here, her identity was that of Imperial Daughter Ji An. She referred to Feng Jin Yuan as father and referred to Yao shi as mother. Even the prefect of Lan Zhou would frequently visit to chat with them. He would even salute when greeting her. There was a time when she ran into the madam of the prefect in the streets, and the madam, along with her servants, kneeled to greet her. That sort of feeling was something that she had never experienced before. It was something that caused her to feel a chill.

Fu Ya was fully enjoying her current identity. When she went out, she specifically advised Xiao Tao’er that she was not to call her young miss. She could only call her imperial daughter. Xiao Tao’er was a smart one. At this time, the two had arrived in front of an accessory shop. Fu Ya took a couple glances and immediately said: “This shop is very famous in Lan Zhou. Imperial Daughter, how about this servant accompanies you inside for a look?”

The words imperial daughter caused Fu Ya to feel very smooth. Forcefully holding back a smile, she nodded and brought her maidservant into the shop.

The shop had a total of two floors. The first floor provided the madams and young misses of normal families with things to choose from. Of course, normal did not mean that normal commoners could afford them. At the very least, only people from families with money would dare to set foot inside. As for the second floor, naturally, it was for people that had even more money. They were prepared for people of a certain noble standing. The clerk at the entrance would lead the way. Upon seeing a truly noble person, they would immediately be guided to the second floor.

Fu Ya had not been in the South for long and had unexpectedly entered. The clerk of the accessory shop truly did not know who she was. They just thought that she was just a young miss from a normal family and did not pay too much attention to her. They just thought that they would leave her to take a look around the first floor. But Xiao Tao’er was someone with keen eyes and immediately raised her voice to shout: “Clerk, why do you not know what’s good for you? Our imperial daughter has come. Could it be that you want us to make a choice from the first floor?” After saying this, she turned and explained to Fu Ya: “Imperial Daughter, you only just arrived in the South not long ago and do not understand the rules of this shop. The first floor only has some normal trinkets. To buy high-quality items, they’re all on the second floor. Of course, normal people can’t go to the second floor. Those that can go to the second floor are people of noble standing. But to speak of nobility, throughout all of the southern provinces, which person could have a nobler status? You are our Da Shun’s Imperial Daughter Ji An, who was personally conferred the title by His Majesty!”

She specifically emphasized “Imperial Daughter Ji An” and left the clerk at the door in a daze. Even the madams and young misses that were looking around the first floor were frozen in place.

Imperial Daughter Ji An! That was a very famous person in the capital, and she was someone that had made huge contributions to Da Shun. Everyone knew that Imperial Daughter Ji An was viewed as a treasure by the current ruler. Not only were her medical abilities astounding, but she also knew how to make steel. Just based on Imperial Daughter Ji An’s steel, Da Shun had easily defeated Qian Zhou.

They had heard that Imperial Daughter Ji An had arrived in the South, but they had not seen her yet. Today, she suddenly appeared before their eyes. These madams and young misses stared wide-eyed, and one of the bold ones even took a step forward, wanting to get a bit closer to the imperial daughter, as they feared that they would miss out on this chance to get closer to Imperial Daughter Ji An.

All of this was seen by Fu Ya, and it caused her vain heart to immediately swell…