Chapter 601 – Selling Hardships and Playing Pitiful (Part 2)
“Consider him a friend that can be confided in, but there was a bit of misunderstanding recently. Don’t you call yourself a playboy amidst flowers? No experience?”
Feng Zhen clicked his tongue in disappointment, “Lord, you really are just a naive chick. I am a playboy, frolicking amidst flowers, wooing only delicate beauties. The bond of friendship is different from romantic feelings. Have you stirred up trouble with a close friend or simply had a ruckus with your fair lady?”
Jiang Pengji was left speechless.
After a moment of silence, she urged Xiao Bai to hurry along, saying, “I don’t want to answer.”
Feng Zhen burst into laughter, “Is our Lord shy?”
Clearly, seeking advice from Feng Zhen was futile; he was utterly unserious.
The audience in the live stream volunteered, “Three cobblers surpass Zhuge Liang; with 150,000 melon-eating spectators, how could they not accomplish this task?”
The two were deep in conversation, getting increasingly animated, with Feng Zhen laughing so hard he doubled over, showing no restraint whatsoever.
Meanwhile, in the carriage, Wei Ci occasionally lifted the curtain and opened the window, the cold air hitting him so hard that he choked a couple of times.
He caught a glimpse of two figures on horseback ahead of the line, sighed deeply, and, pondering something, slammed the window shut.
Out of sight, out of mind.
After half a year’s restructuring, the other three counties of Fengyi had slowly regained their liveliness. The city streets were newly renovated, yet outside of Fengyi, the sight was harrowing. Along the roadside, bones lay bare; within a hundred miles, no young men were in sight, only the destitute old, weak, and women, draped in rags. Along the way, beneath thick snow, frozen corpses could often be found, each one as thin as a stick, a sight too grim to behold.
Jiang Pengji adjusted her windproof cloak’s hood; the weak Feng Zhen had already been sent into the carriage.
Joking aside, in this weather, it was unwise for Feng Zhen to be outside for long.
Xiao Bai trotted steadily, the jingling of the bell on his neck rhythmically chiming with each step, his tail swaying back and forth.
For days, the wind and snow had been fierce, forcing them to travel by day and rest at night to avoid the blizzard.
If they found it inconvenient, it was surely worse for the common people.
“By next year, I hope the people of Wanzhou will have a place to shelter.”
“As our Lord wishes, the people of Wanzhou will surely be blessed.”
Wei Ci’s nose turned slightly red from the cold.
The group sought refuge from the storm in an abandoned village; Feng Zhen, having drunk a jug of wine, had cozied up in a blanket to sleep in the carriage.
“Let’s hope…”
Jiang Pengji sat by the bonfire, resting her chin on one hand, while the other poked at the flames with a stick.
She was confident about conquering Wanzhou next year, but when it came to providing a comfortable life for over a million common people, she wouldn’t dare to brag.
The responsibility was too great; all she could do was her utmost, unable to make guarantees.
“With the wind and snow so fierce and the weather so cold, why aren’t you in the carriage? Why suffer out here?”
Jiang Pengji casually squeezed his hands; her warm palm felt like pressing against a block of ice.
Wei Ci’s expression changed slightly, instinctively wanting to pull his hand back, but the slight force he could muster didn’t allow for that.
“Lord—” he lowered his voice, “I’ve been cooped up in the carriage all day, I got a bit bored and came down for some fresh air.”
Jiang Pengji didn’t push it; she let go and casually pointed at the bonfire, “Warm up a bit; your hands are too cold… staying in the carriage is so nice. Look at that guy, after dinner and wine, he won’t let go of that blanket, refusing to get out no matter what…”
The carriage was specially modified, with extra insulation and blankets made from wool, ensuring it was cozy and warm inside. Even without a warming pot or charcoal basin, just wearing light clothing wouldn’t make one feel cold.
It’s easy to tell that Wei Ci and Feng Zhen’s carriages were specially designed, stable and well-heated.
Wei Ci lowered his eyelids, pursing his lips, staring blankly at the bonfire.
“Have you been giving me the cold shoulder recently?” Jiang Pengji suddenly asked him.
Wei Ci: “…”
If it weren’t for his restraint, he would have had the urge to bolt.
With a grim expression, he asked, “Why does my Lord say that?”
“Just a feeling.” She replied, “Is it because of the last matter with Wenzheng? I only had him do a task since he was more suited for it.”
Wei Ci didn’t respond; he felt every answer seemed wrong.
“I’m just… in a rather awkward position right now.” Jiang Pengji rubbed her face in her palms, her tone carrying a hint of melancholy, acting pitifully, “Surrounded by wolves, I can’t tell who’s the enemy and who’s the friend. One wrong step, and it could be a bottomless pit.”
Wei Ci’s expression changed, “What do you mean? Is someone plotting against you?”
She smiled bitterly.
“What else could it be? People wanting my life come in waves. There are known enemies and hidden foes. I know who the traitor is, yet I can’t touch her. It’s not that I lack the ability, but I can’t; one move could alert the enemy, leading to a chain reaction, it’s truly frustrating.”
Wei Ci was struck, staring at her. Had her situation been this hard in the early stages?
How could that be?
In his past life, she was already one of the major powers in the world, having swallowed her previous master’s influence and territory, with few left to block her path to the throne. In the years that followed, she swept across the land.
Now, while the start might be different, shouldn’t her noble status grant her easier times?
“So… for you, Wenzheng is someone you can trust with your life?”
Jiang Pengji said, “Wenzheng can be entrusted with my assets, but you… you can be trusted with my life.”
Wei Ci’s expression changed, and he quickly turned away, feeling uncomfortable all over.
Just moments ago, he thought the bonfire was not warm enough, now he felt inexplicably hot, like sitting on pins and needles, he sought a flimsy excuse to slip away.
Watching him awkwardly escape, Jiang Pengji rested her chin in thought, murmuring, “Is it really feasible for those melon-eating spectators to suggest playing the pity card?”
It seemed the effect was rather good.
The audience in the live stream were clueless about who Jiang Pengji was having troubles with, pooling their ideas and summing up dozens of plans.
The most feasible idea was to subtly hint at some “hardship material,” making others feel sympathetic, called playing the pity card.
As long as the atmosphere was right, it would surely make people’s hearts soften.
Not to mention Jiang Pengji’s usual tough persona; suddenly playing the pity card would have a huge impact.
The next day, Feng Zhen noticed Jiang Pengji sporting a faint smile, looking rather pleased.
Feng Zhen furrowed his brow and asked, “Is my Lord in a good mood?”
“Yes.”
Feng Zhen sensed the approach of spring.
Snow had fallen for three consecutive days, piling high enough to nearly submerge a calf; the wheels of the carriage crunching over it made a screeching sound.
Feng Zhen worried, “With so much snow, could it collapse buildings?”
“No worries, my Lord has already made preparations.”
Wei Ci was unconcerned, last year they had handled the snow well in Xiangyang, and this year the methods were spreading throughout Fengyi.
While some areas might face roofs collapsing due to heavy snow, it certainly wouldn’t be as dire within Fengyi County.
