CHAPTER 242: CHAPTER 242: HAPPINESS

Xie Zhang was already lecturing Xie Xun, telling him to maintain decorum before marriage and not cross any boundaries. Xie Xun grew indignant, "Elder Brother, I have self-control! The wedding is still a few years away—I won’t do anything inappropriate. You have to trust me."

Xie Zhang had been through it himself, having struggled several times to stay within bounds, his self-restraint crumbling easily when faced with matters of love. His younger brother was already grown; there wasn’t much more he could say. With a smirk, he replied, "Alright, as long as you know your limits."

"Why are you here at the manor when you were supposed to handle matters in Gaoping?" Xie Zhang asked.

Xie Xun’s expression darkened slightly. "Elder Brother, everything is fine in Gaoping—there’s been no unusual activity. This past month, operations have been running as usual. After the cavalry returned to the Capital City, you and General Gao conducted troop training outside the city. That time, General Gao lost face during the drills. Since then, he has indeed been rigorously training his troops, showing a fierce determination. He said he wants to challenge you again before you return to Ningzhou. I blended in with the soldiers and investigated over two days. What he says is true. Other than that, Gaoping is operating normally."

"What about provisions and supplies?"

Xie Xun spoke honestly, "Nothing seems out of the ordinary."

Xie Zhang stood with his hands behind his back, his stance relaxed. "As long as the waters are calm, that’s good."

"When Elder Brother gets married, will Second Brother return?"

"If his condition improves, he’ll return. If not... then he’ll keep seeking treatment," Xie Zhang said coolly. "My wedding isn’t as important as his eyesight."

Xie Xun felt uneasy but chose not to probe further. His elder brothers would handle their own issues; he didn’t need to worry too much. Xie Zhang asked, "Are you staying at the manor tonight?"

"I’ve handed Kyoto Capital Guard matters to Zhang Boxi and Lin Xiao, so there’s nothing urgent. I want to stay at the manor and help Fengyu with handling Yiling Village’s affairs," Xie Xun said. "The implementation of the new policies has been challenging, so I’ll take this opportunity to see how Fengyu manages the situation."

"Alright!"

Xie Zhang wasn’t much concerned with the new policies; his focus was entirely on military affairs. Regarding the clauses affecting military personnel in the reforms, he had already thoroughly studied them and worked to secure benefits for soldiers from humble backgrounds.

The siblings had originally planned to head down the mountain together, but the atmosphere grew somewhat awkward—one pair of betrothed and one pair of yet-to-be-wedded, walking side by side as brothers and sisters. It felt oddly stifling. Especially for Fengyu and Xie Xun, it was as if they were being scrutinized by elders, making things unbearably uncomfortable. Xie Xun looked at Xie Zhang with pleading eyes: "Elder Brother, I beg you—let’s walk separately!"

Fengyu, blushing deeply in embarrassment, also couldn’t bear it anymore. Feng Shu, being no stickler for propriety, quickly noticed the tension in the group. She and Xie Zhang went ahead down the mountain, leaving Xie Xun and Fengyu to let out heavy sighs of relief.

Fengyu said, "I never want to climb a mountain again."

Too awkward!

"This has nothing to do with the mountain," Xie Xun laughed. "Scaling heights, enjoying the distant views, surrounded by wildflowers—this mountain has done no wrong."

Smiling, he reached for Fengyu’s hand, lifting her onto his back to carry her down the mountain.

Xie Zhang and Feng Shu were at the horse farm not far from the manor. The interconnected forest and manor were jointly owned by Marquis Zhenbei Mansion and the Feng Mansion, forming a continuous acreage, part of Feng Shu’s dowry. Feng Shu had originally planned to show Xie Zhang around, but she hadn’t anticipated running into Fengyu and Xie Xun. Regarding Yiling Village, Xia Zhu and Dongxue had already informed her about it, so Feng Shu wasn’t in a rush—she handed it over to Fengyu and decided to watch how Fengyu would handle it.

Knowing Xie Xun planned to stay at the manor with Fengyu, Feng Shu herself wanted to stay as well instead of heading to the horse farm. Xie Zhang chuckled lightly, "Zhixu may be unpredictable, but he wouldn’t cause harm to Fengyu. If we stay at the manor, everyone will end up feeling awkward."

Feng Shu couldn’t help but worry about the Little Marquis’ behavior, but ultimately, she trusted Xie Zhang. By staying at the manor, Fengyu and Xie Xun surely would feel uneasy.

Having come all this way for leisure, Xie Zhang had no desire to shadow his younger siblings. After descending the mountain, he took Feng Shu back to the horse farm. Once Fengyu and Xie Xun realized their elder siblings had left, they too breathed a sigh of relief. Xie Xun took Fengyu to explore the forest. He had a knack for rural entertainment, and Fengyu, utterly captivated, even joined the Little Marquis in sneaking fruit from the farmers’ fields.

It had been unheard of for her to engage in such mischievous deeds since she turned nine. Feeling somewhat uneasy, she hesitated, but the Little Marquis had a daring streak—he let her stand guard outside the fence. Fengyu was mortified, knowing it would be utterly humiliating if caught; she couldn’t afford to tarnish the reputation of either the Marquis Mansion or the Feng Family.

As luck would have it, misfortune followed—the two ran into patrolling wolf dogs. Fengyu was terrified of wild dogs and cried out in fright, which startled them into chasing after her and the Little Marquis for over a mile. Furious, Fengyu nearly pushed Xie Xun into a ravine.

Undeterred by the fiasco, Xie Xun picked more berries from a nearby garden, casually wiped them on his sleeve, and offered them to Fengyu. Fengyu frowned at the sight of his dusty sleeve but still obediently took a bite, only to grimace as the sour fruit brought tears streaming down her face.

"Xie Xun!"

Xie Xun burst into uncontrollable laughter. Teasing Fengyu was his greatest delight, whether to make her laugh or to annoy her. Lately, for unknown reasons, he had taken an odd pleasure in driving her to utter exasperation.

Unfortunately for them, Xie Zhang and Feng Shu happened to be riding horses through the forest when they stumbled upon the scene: the younger pair being chased after sneaking fruit, with Xie Xun still relentless in teasing Fengyu to her breaking point. The whole episode fell directly into their view.

Xie Zhang pinched his brow, saying, "Shu’er, Zhixu... he’s still young, with a child’s heart. Let’s head back to the horse farm."

Out of sight, out of mind!

Feng Shu looked on with mixed emotions, the scene stirring thoughts of both comfort and sadness. Her younger sister, who had been abducted and returned years ago, had transformed from a vivacious and innocent girl into a cold-hearted youth. No matter how gracious her smile appeared, it couldn’t mask the desolation within her. Her carefree youthful exuberance was long gone.

Fengyu had matured—her mind sharp and cold, hardened by life’s ordeals, shut off from others, even those closest to her. Always guarded, she wore a mask for everyone, including her own sister. Feng Shu hadn’t seen Fengyu demonstrate such genuine youthfulness in years. In this moment, it was as if all those hardships hadn’t existed. Swathed in care and affection, Fengyu laughed and played, winsome enough to inspire pity and protectiveness.

Feng Shu had felt anger and despair in equal measure—anger at those who had abducted Fengyu and frustration with her own helplessness in bringing Fengyu justice, in soothing her deeply rooted pain, in releasing her from years of hatred and torment.

Fengyu had refused to speak of those two harrowing years, silently enduring nightmares night after night, licking her wounds in solitude, unwilling to confide even in Feng Shu, who couldn’t pry her heart open.

What Feng Shu hadn’t expected was that the one to unlock Fengyu’s heart turned out to be Xie Xun!

It was Xie Xun who made her see the version of Fengyu she should have been—untouched by calamity, growing up freely and happily.

When the pair returned to the manor, the sun had already set. The Land Office head had been waiting at Yiling Village, and Fengyu’s good mood shattered instantly. The official, visibly hesitant and distressed, mentioned he had already been waiting for Fengyu for over an hour. Third Miss hadn’t intentionally kept the village waiting—she’d simply been distracted by the Little Marquis’ antics.

What a delight it was to live life as a reckless idle heir, indulging in pleasures without a care, lying atop mountains of gold and silver, putting all worldly troubles aside for fleeting moments of unbridled leisure.

Yet, wistful thoughts were all they could remain—Fengyu wouldn’t part with her mountains of gold and silver.

"Miss, would you consider selling half of Yiling Village’s fields?" the official pleaded. "Or perhaps we could increase the rent by just ten percent on the existing terms."

Fengyu’s voice turned cold. "No."