Chapter 382: Earthquake in Dongqing (14)
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Wei Jingxian was so sleepy that it seemed that lead had been poured onto her eyelids. “Husband…”
In a daze, she realized that there was a presence beside her. The alarm in her brain rang, and she tried to open her eyes to see who the person was. The figure turned from blurry to clear. It turned out to be her husband, Feng Jin.
“Go to sleep. I’ll go see Changsheng for a while.” Feng Jin raised his hand a few times to stop her from trying to get out of bed. He covered her tightly with a blanket so that she would not catch a cold.
“Is something wrong? Why do you keep frowning?” Wei Jingxian turned her head to look at her daughter, who was sleeping by her side. The newborn child was ruddy, and her crumpled face was not pretty; however, the midwife said that her features were very decent. She would be fair and beautiful when her face became more developed after a few days.
“I promised to help Lanting just now…” Feng Jin could not help but touch the child’s face with his finger. The soft touch made his heart palpitate, and made him even more sure of his thoughts.
Wei Jingxian did not understand. Was it not normal for friends to help each other out? However, her husband’s facial expression told her clearly that the word “help” might have another meaning.
“An earthquake has occurred, and society isn’t in a stable state… The government intends to move the capital somewhere else and abandon the people…”
Wei Jingxian frowned. When she heard the latter part of the sentence, she could not help but clench her fists under the blanket. Although she was a married woman, she was born into an aristocratic family. Feng Jin often discussed political matters with her regularly. Her knowledge was beyond that of an ordinary woman.
“Move the capital?” She widened her eyes and her sleepiness vanished. “If that happens, do you have a plan?”
“You’ve just given birth to a child… Changsheng is so young. You both can’t afford to suffer, so of course, both of you must be safe. Don’t worry, I’ll arrange everything. You just need to recuperate your health slowly. My plans are only valuable if both mother and daughter are healthy.”
Wei Jingxian extended her right hand from under the blanket and held his, which rested on his lap. Feng Jin put his hand on top of hers and said gently, “Don’t worry. Everything will be fine.”
At that time, Changsheng, who was sleeping soundly, moved her tiny fist beside her head. Feng Jin smiled brightly when he saw it. “Oh yes, I forgot that I have to count you in, too.” He poked his daughter’s fist with his finger. She knitted her almost invisible brows.
“Don’t disturb her. If she wakes up and cries, you’ll have to take care of her.” Wei Jingxian squinted her eyes at him somewhat angrily. Even the corners of her eyes had a mature charm to them.
Feng Jin felt a lot more relaxed. Even the booklet that was hidden in his sleeve did not feel hot. He knew that once the booklet was presented to the Emperor directly, he, Feng Huaiyu, would be tied to Liu Xi for the rest of his life.
“The little girl of the Feng family is so strong.” As he was speaking, he could not help poke his daughter’s fist again. Little girl… Sigh…
Looking at the face of her daughter who was deep in sleep, Wei Jingxian suddenly understood her mother’s emotional words before she was married… A mother would worry about her child for the rest of her life.
Nowadays, the world was becoming harsher and harsher towards women, making it difficult for women to survive. It was not known as to what would happen in another ten years.
“What are you thinking about, Jingxian?”
Wei Jingxian replied, “I’m thinking about the things that happened before I got married…”
“Why don’t you share your thoughts with me?”
“It’s not very interesting,” Wei Jingxian explained, “I could still ride a horse and wander around the streets when I was young. When I grew slightly older, I had to stay in my chamber and practice writing every day. I had less and less time to go out and play. A while ago, I received a letter from my friend, and she complained about it… I can’t help but worry that Changsheng may not even be able to leave the house in another ten years. She might have to be watched by others when she’s out of the house…”
The matter was related to his daughter, so Feng Jin was attracted by her words, and temporarily left the booklet matter aside.
“Why do you say that?”
Wei Jingxian replied, “The empress of Zhongzhao has brilliant literary talent. She has a noble ambition to educate women throughout the world. She has studied intensively over the past few years and has written four books, namely Women’s Commandments, Admonishment for Imperial Harem, Analects for Women, and Records of Model and Virtuous Women. These four books are highly regarded by the revered Confucius scholars in Zhongzhao, and by many students. They’re also collectively called the Four Self-Accomplishment Classics for Women. They’re all the rage in Zhongzhao, and they’re popular amongst the aristocratic ladies. Every aristocratic lady in Hejian has a copy…”
The books were obviously read by women, so of course, Feng Jin could not read them.
He asked suspiciously, “They’re written by a virtuous empress and are highly regarded by the revered Confucius scholars, so they must be good. Why do you look somewhat displeased?”
Not to mention anything else, the fact that the word “analects” was included in the title of Analects for Women meant that it had to have quality content. He would buy a few for Changsheng to read in the future as beginner’s reads… Feng Jin was thinking about it, then he realized that the way Jingxian looked at him was strange.
“Have you seen these four books before?” Wei Jingxian looked at her daughter and then at her husband again. She was not joking.
“I’ve never heard of them before.” Why would he read women’s books? He was not a pervert.
“You should spare some time and read them.” Wei Jingxian felt distressed when she remembered how Shangguan Wan wept out her grief to her. She was a blessed girl who was loved dearly by the Shangguan family, but she was being treated in such a horrible way. She could not help but sob.
Feng Jin felt anxious and vaguely had a bad premonition, but he still kept what she said in mind.
The husband and wife talked for a while in the tent. He only lifted the screen of the tent and left when Wei Jingxian was mentally tired and had fallen asleep soundly.
He carefully shut the screen so that the cold wind would not enter.
Feng Jue shouted, “Second brother… Do you have an idea about the matter just now?”
A light flashed across Feng Jin’s eyes. He answered, “I’ve made up my mind. What about you?”
Feng Jue was a 16-year-old boy, so he was still a high school student in the era of the streaming room. However, in the current era, he was already a man who could bear the rise and fall of a family. As a brother, Feng Jin had no right to interfere with his choices and aspirations.
The two brothers were not on the same path anymore.
“I’m on my own and I’m not married, so I want to go out and explore to enrich my experience.” As he finished speaking, Feng Jue shifted his gaze somewhat unnaturally and did not dare to look at his brother.
Feng Jin responded, “You want to look for Huang Song.” It was not a question, but a statement.
“Yes.” Feng Jue nodded.
“A superior man keeps his weapon concealed and waits for the right moment to act… That’s all that I can say.” Feng Jin was not reassured about Huang Song, but his younger brother was stubborn. He could not control him.
“Then… what about you?” Feng Jue secretly heaved a sigh of relief and asked about Feng Jin instead.
“It’s not suitable for your sister-in-law and niece to be exhausted from a long journey. I’ll stay in Shangjing for the time being. I’ll wait and see,” Feng Jin muttered, “…Lanting wants to do good to society and serve the people. He can’t bear to see the people become destitute and homeless. He plans to present a petition and seek welfare for the people who are injured or have died from the earthquake.”
Feng Jue had yet to come back to his senses. Did his brother mean that… he planned to stay behind and help Liu Xi? Was it not his brother that said that Liu Xi did not have ambition?
Feng Jue wanted to inquire further, but he swallowed his words when he saw his brother’s pale and fatigued face.
As they were talking, the main character, Jiang Pengji, came up to them. “Have you finished writing the booklet?”
“Yes. Read it and see if there are any mistakes.” Feng Jin took out the booklet from his sleeve and handed it to her.
Jiang Pengji took it. She said while reading it carefully, “I definitely trust your literary talent.” She lifted her head and looked at Feng Jin when she had finished reading ten lines. He was staring at her silently.
People were most afraid when the atmosphere suddenly became quiet…