Chapter 612 – Shangyang County? My (3)
Jiang Pengji had seen Feng Ren before. Years had passed, and now that he had retired and stayed at home, Feng Ren appeared even younger, vibrant and full of energy.
Since Feng Jin had already communicated in advance and matters had been discussed almost to completion, it was just a matter of Jiang Pengji giving her nod, and the ownership of Shangyang County would be transferred. You could say that from the moment she stepped into the Feng residence, Shangyang County was effectively hers.
Feng Ren still retained his elegant charm as before. He and Jiang Pengji did not engage in any official banter, but instead inquired about Liu Zhi’s recent situation.
From their conversation, it sounded less like a discussion about the ownership of Shangyang County and more like a casual chat between an elder and a younger person.
The atmosphere was exceptionally harmonious, lacking any hint of tension.
Feng Ren sighed repeatedly, “Liu Zhi isn’t particularly impressive, but he does have a fine son.”
He and Liu Zhi had a gentlemanly friendship often compared by others, and while he had slightly the upper hand, he never expected that the next generation would outshine his own.
Liu Zhi had only one son, but that one son seemed more accomplished than all three of Feng Ren’s.
Jiang Pengji had personally come from Feng Yi County to Shangyang County, which already demonstrated her sincerity. Feng Ren was not someone who would take advantage of that.
She had already agreed to the most crucial condition, and the other terms were merely icing on the cake, of little consequence to the Feng family.
Thus, Feng Ren did not impose any difficulties on Jiang Pengji but instead extended his goodwill, creating a very pleasant atmosphere.
After their heartfelt conversation, Feng Ren had Feng Gui personally escort her.
On the way, Feng Gui secretly observed Jiang Pengji and extended an invitation.
“Today the residence plans to host a banquet for the Shangyang County governor. Would Lan Ting be willing to grace us with your presence?”
Jiang Pengji perked up, knowing that the main event was approaching.
She replied, “To be invited by your residence is an honor that Xi cannot refuse.”
Although the Feng family could decide the ownership of Shangyang County, they still needed to inform the governor of the outcome.
Feng Gui was Feng Jin’s elder brother, and of course, Jiang Pengji had to show him respect, so she handled his covert probing with ease.
Seeing this, Feng Gui felt secretly satisfied.
Later, when Feng Ren asked him about his impression of Jiang Pengji, Feng Gui replied, “This one has quite the talent; picking Huaiyu was certainly not a mistake.”
No matter what was asked, Jiang Pengji always had her own insights. Although some were unconventional, they weren’t without foundation.
Even someone as traditional and stern as Feng Gui had to agree with Jiang Pengji’s views.
What pleased him even more was that Jiang Pengji already had a comprehensive plan for the future revival of Shangyang County. If her plans were carried out, Shangyang County would likely emerge from the shadows of war within a year or so. Indeed, she was a capable person.
Before their conversation, Feng Gui had thought Jiang Pengji to be impulsive and lacking a plan.
After deep discussion, he dismissed that notion.
“…Liu Xi, though young, is incredibly shrewd. His words and actions display considerable poise.” Feng Gui remarked, “After several tests, no matter what was asked or how tricky the question, he could handle it effortlessly, clearly having done his homework. If Shangyang County were placed in his hands, it wouldn’t be a bad thing. Huaiyu’s choice was also well thought out, so father can rest easy.”
Feng Ren responded, “As a father, I’m not worried about Liu Xi; I’m concerned about Liu Zhi.”
Feng Gui was baffled.
Liu Zhi had an excellent reputation in Dongqing; if not for the royal family’s covert suppression, he would have already been a famous scholar.
Feng Ren sighed, “You don’t know, Liu Zhi… has a very dark heart. He is willing to stay behind the scenes while allowing his son Liu Xi to thrive on the outside, which is unexpected for this father. What worries me is that this father-son duo might not withstand the trials of power and one day turn against each other.”
Feng Gui was astonished, “Surely it can’t be that dire? If Liu Zhi truly had ambitions, he could simply put himself forward; there are plenty of people willing to align with him.”
Liu Zhi wasn’t Liu Xi; the former could have whatever he wanted, while the latter hadn’t yet fully developed.
Placing the two side by side, it was clear to any fool which was more enticing.
If Liu Zhi had ambitions, he would be stepping into the limelight, and half of the North might already be under his command.
Father had always rated Liu Zhi highly; why was he suddenly so worried today?
“Let’s hope this father is overthinking… but this Liu Zhi… is simply hard to gauge…”
As Feng Ren trailed off, he sighed, stopping without continuing.
Meanwhile, Feng Jin recalled the issue of Jiang Pengji’s bastard younger brother and brought it up, lest she be caught unawares in the future.
“Lan Ting, this isn’t me sowing discord between you and Uncle, but from the perspective of the world, after all, you are a woman and cannot inherit the family estate. Uncle Liu is compliant with you now, but that doesn’t mean he won’t feel the emptiness of offspring later and consider taking another wife or favor a bastard son. Though just a bastard, he’s still a son who can carry on the family line for the Liu Clan!”
Feng Jin was having this private conversation with Jiang Pengji without referring to her as “Lord” but using her courtesy name instead.
Jiang Pengji fell silent for a moment before stating, “I have indeed considered what you just said.”
Eh?
Feng Jin was surprised; their Lord had already thought of this?
Jiang Pengji’s expression took on a depth of meaning, and for some reason, her face seemed to cast a shadow.
“Huaiyu, I plan to find an opportunity to reveal my identity publicly,” she declared.
Feng Jin was so taken aback by this news he felt his mind go blank.
“You want to reveal your identity? Why?”
Jiang Pengji explained, “To avoid giving anyone an opportunity to exploit me; I can’t conceal myself forever. As you said, a bastard is still a son, which can’t be ignored. If I sit securely in my position as a woman, he wouldn’t have any chance to contest it.”
For some reason, Feng Jin felt those words from Jiang Pengji carried a deeper meaning that he couldn’t quite unravel.
“Alright, but you must find an appropriate moment. Don’t act rashly,” Feng Jin frowned, concerned that Jiang Pengji’s public reveal could lead to unforeseen consequences; he just wasn’t sure how others would react.
“I understand.”
Jiang Pengji lowered her gaze, hiding the brilliance that lay beneath.
Liu Zhi had a bastar daughter in the backyard—Liu Huan, the illegitimate daughter of Wang Huijun and Changshou Wang. That bastard son certainly wasn’t Liu Zhi’s child since Liu Zhi had explicitly stated that he had only Gu Min as his wife, with no other women.
Having that bastard son around was merely a ploy to divert the enemy’s attention.
Who that enemy was, Jiang Pengji had already figured out in her heart.
The presence of the bastard son in the courtyard was even less noticeable than Liu Huan; were it not for a deliberate reminder, she might have overlooked him entirely.
But ignoring him didn’t mean he didn’t exist; the outside world still viewed him as Liu Zhi’s bastard son, and he himself thought the same.
Though he was a bastard, without other brothers, a bastard could still inherit the family business.
Jiang Pengji smiled coldly.
According to Liu Zhi’s petty mindset, he could foster the enemy Wang Huijun’s daughter as a bastard daughter.
Haha, who knows what backstory this bastard son has?
She already had a rough guess in mind; it just needed Qi Guanrang to verify with his father-in-law, Wei Yuan.
Let’s just hope the outcome doesn’t disappoint her.
