Chapter 382 – Dongqing Earthquake (14)
Wei Jingxian was extremely drowsy, her eyelids heavy as if filled with lead, “Husband…”
In her daze, she noticed a presence beside her, and alarms went off in her mind as she struggled to open her eyes and see who it was.
The figure transformed from a blur to clarity; it was her husband, Feng Jin.
“Sleep first, I’ll watch over Changsheng for a while.”
Feng Jin raised his hand to stop her from trying to get up and adjusted the blanket corners, ensuring she wouldn’t catch a chill from the wind.
“Is my husband facing a dilemma? Why is your brow furrowed so deeply?”
Wei Jingxian turned to look at her daughter sleeping beside her. The newborn’s red, wrinkly face wasn’t conventionally pretty, but the midwife had declared her a remarkable beauty, saying that after a few days, her face would become fair and tender, making her truly lovely.
“Earlier, I promised to assist Lan Ting…”
Unable to resist, Feng Jin gently poked the baby’s face, the softness sending a jolt to his heart, making his resolve even firmer.
Wei Jingxian didn’t quite understand; helping friends was normal, right?
However, her husband’s expression clearly indicated that this “assistance” might hold a deeper meaning.
“The earth dragon stirs, the state is unstable… The Official Master has intentions of relocating the capital, disregarding the common people…”
Wei Jingxian furrowed her brow; upon hearing the latter half, her hand under the blanket tightened involuntarily.
Though she was a woman of the inner court, her noble background meant that Feng Jin often discussed matters with her, so her insights weren’t average.
“Relocating the capital?” She widened her eyes, her sleepiness dissipating. “If that’s the case, does my husband have plans?”
“You’ve just given birth, and Changsheng is still small; both of you can’t endure upheaval. It’s best to stay safe. Don’t worry, I’ll arrange everything; you just need to focus on recovering. Your health and that of our daughter are paramount; only then will my plans hold value.”
Wei Jingxian extended her right hand out from under the covers and took his hand resting on her knee.
Feng Jin clasped her hand back, saying softly, “Rest assured, everything will be fine.”
At this moment, the still-sleeping Changsheng moved her tiny fist by her head; seeing it made Feng Jin’s smile brightened.
“Ah, father nearly forgot; we must count you in as well.”
He poked the little one’s semi-closed fist, and she scrunched her barely visible brow in disdain.
“Don’t tease her. If she wakes up and cries, you take care of her.”
Wei Jingxian shot him a mock-annoyed glance, her eyes reflecting a mature charm.
Feng Jin felt somewhat relieved, even the official document tucked within his sleeve didn’t feel so hot to hold.
He knew that once this document reached the throne, his life would be bound to Liu Xi’s ship.
“The young lady of the Feng family has always been strong-willed.”
Saying that, he couldn’t help but poke at their daughter’s fist again.
Young lady… sigh…
Wei Jingxian looked at her daughter’s peaceful face and suddenly comprehended her mother’s lament before her own marriage—
Raising a child for a hundred years, worries for ninety-nine.
In today’s world, women faced ever-increasing hardship; survival was difficult. What the future would hold in ten years was uncertain.
“What is Jingxian thinking about?”
Wei Jingxian reminisced, “I was thinking about things before I married…”
“Why not share it with me?”
“Not much of interest,” Wei Jingxian replied, “As a child, I could ride out on a horse, but as I grew, I was confined to the inner courtyard, practicing my calligraphy day after day, with less and less time to play outside. Recently I received a letter from a friend in the inner court, hearing her complaints… I can’t help but worry that in a decade or so, Changsheng won’t even be able to step outside the door without people pointing and gossiping…”
Relating to their daughter’s future captured Feng Jin’s attention, and he momentarily set aside the document’s matter.
“What do you mean by that?”
Wei Jingxian said, “The Zhong Zhao Empress is articulate and has grand aspirations to enlighten the women of the realm. Over the years, she has written four notable works: The Teachings for Women, Internal Instructions, The Women’s Analects, and The Guide for Women, collectively known as the Four Books for Women, which are highly regarded by scholars and noble ladies alike… Even the noble girls from the Hejian scholars have a copy in hand now…”
These books sounded like typical female literature, so naturally, Feng Jin wouldn’t come in contact with them.
With a hint of skepticism, he asked, “The works written by the virtuous Empress, praised by the scholars must be good reads. Why does Jingxian seem somewhat displeased?”
He couldn’t comment much on the others, but that “Women’s Analects” daring to bear the name “Analects” should be quite substantial. Buying a few for Changsheng as enlightenments… While Feng Jin pondered, he realized that Wei Jingxian’s gaze toward him had turned strange.
“Has my husband ever read these four books?”
Wei Jingxian glanced between her daughter and husband, realizing this was no laughing matter.
“Never heard of them.”
Why would he read womanly books? That’s not normal!
“Well then, my husband should find time to take a look.” Wei Jingxian thought of Shangguan Wan’s sorrowful cries and felt pained. After all, she was the celebrated daughter of the Shangguan clan, pampered by all, yet treated in such a manner left her deeply sighing.
Feng Jin’s heart tightened with an ominous premonition, but he took note of her words.
The couple talked softly in the tent for a while, until Wei Jingxian grew weary and drifted off to sleep, then he opened the tent flap to leave.
Carefully closing the flap to block the cold wind from entering, Feng Jue called out, “Second Brother… have you come up with a plan regarding the previous matter?”
Feng Jin’s eyes flickered, “The plan is set, what about you?”
Though Feng Jue was a sixteen-year-old boy, at this time, he was stepping into the responsibilities of family and home. Feng Jin, as the elder brother, had no right to interfere with his choices and aspirations.
The two brothers might not be on the same path.
“I am currently unencumbered by family ties, so I want to venture out and take a look at the world’s wonders.”
After speaking, Feng Jue awkwardly diverted his gaze, unable to meet his brother’s eyes.
Feng Jin said, “You’re looking to find Huang Song, aren’t you?”
This was a statement, not a question.
“Yes,” Feng Jue nodded.
“A gentleman hides his talents and waits for the right moment… That’s all I can advise you.”
Feng Jin wasn’t comfortable with Huang Song, but his younger brother was stubborn and resolute, and he couldn’t interfere with that.
“Then what about you, brother?” Feng Jue quietly relaxed, turning his concern onto Feng Jin.
“My wife and daughter shouldn’t be subjected to the hardships of travel; they will stay in the capital for now, observing the changes.” Feng Jin said softly, “… Lan Ting harbors ambitions to serve the people and cannot bear to see them suffer in the aftermath of the earthquake, planning to petition for the common folk who were harmed.”
After hearing this, Feng Jue was momentarily stunned.
Did his brother mean… he was planning to stay and assist Liu Xi?
Didn’t his brother say before that Liu Xi lacked such ambitions?
He wanted to ask further, but seeing his brother’s pale, weary face, Feng Jue swallowed back his words.
Just then, the main character, Jiang Pengji, arrived.
“Have you finished the document?”
“Yes, take a look and see if there’s anything wrong.” Feng Jin pulled the document out from his sleeve and handed it to her.
Jiang Pengji took it, reading through swiftly while saying, “I naturally trust your talent, Huai Yu.”
After finishing a quick glance, she raised her head to look at Feng Jin, who silently stared back at her.
The silence felt almost deafening…
