FID – Chapter 668

Chapter 668: The Cold Wind Has Risen

“You’re quite something.” The man steadied his step, giving a sideways glance and saying this, but he didn’t deny it.

Liu Muqiu’s eyes curved into a crescent moon.

Her footsteps behind the man became lighter and happier.

The closer she got to him, the more she noticed his true nature.

He often liked to play the fool and use jokes to cover things up, but when it was time to admit something, he would do so openly and generously.

It was reassuring.

“Brother Zhiqiu.”

“What now?”

“Brother Zhiqiu.”

“Just say what you need to say!”

“Brother Zhiqiu~”

“Tsk, still calling out, have you gotten addicted?”

She covered her mouth and chuckled quietly. Addicted indeed.

When they returned to the manor, Ding Wenxuan and the others had already left.

Liu Yusheng and the elders were chatting and laughing in the main courtyard’s sitting room.

As soon as Liu Zhiqiu entered, he set down the full bundle of items, distributing them one by one. “I know you’ve all been busy with the little golden grandson, so you haven’t had time to pay attention to anything else. Here, I got you all little gifts. This is Grandpa’s red clay stove, this is Grandma’s thimble, this is Mom’s ox horn comb… and this is Nannani’s pestle. The one you had before didn’t suit her well, but this one is just the right size.”

Liu Zhixia stepped into the room and asked, “What about mine?”

“Could I forget yours?” Liu Zhiqiu rolled his eyes, tossing him a white jade cicada-shaped waist pendant. “This is the most expensive one. You’re a governor now, at least you’re an official, so you should at least take care of yourself. Don’t make people laugh at you. It’s not like you’re actually broke.”

Liu Zhixia hung the jade cicada at his waist and stepped forward, patting the foolish boy on the head. “I’m giving you a chance to flatter me and be obedient.”

With the little pocket money he had, he could only return a jade cicada and even had to add more.

The elders held their respective gifts, their faces beaming with smiles. The items weren’t worth much, but every year, Zhiqiu remembered to buy them gifts, never missing a single time. And what he bought was always the most thoughtful for each of them.

What’s the point of asking for anything when you’re old?

Family harmony, filial descendants, and plenty of grandchildren.

Nothing else.

After making the elders happy, when the remaining four were together, Liu Yusheng shared the news she had heard about Li Junhua.

“Madam Meng is the eldest granddaughter of the Li family. Her behavior of flaunting her connection with Muqiu for personal gain will definitely affect the reputation of eldest brother. While the matter hasn’t escalated yet, we need to handle it quickly.” She glanced at Liu Muqiu and continued, “Muqiu, I don’t mean anything by this. I’m not avoiding you in saying these things, but in my eyes, you are a member of the Liu family…”

“Nannan, I know. Don’t worry about me overthinking it. I’ve always been a member of the Liu family. Li Junhua may have been my elder sister before, but there was never any real sisterly bond between us. What she’s done this time is indeed wrong, and she deserves to be punished.” Liu Muqiu pressed her lips together.

Though she had severed ties with the Li family and escaped that cage, it had still brought trouble to the Liu family.

Those leeches, if their desires weren’t completely cut off, would stop at nothing to continue sucking her blood.

Seeing the serious expressions on the two of them, Liu Zhiqiu couldn’t help but say, “We just ran into Li Junhua on the street and completely ruined her reputation. In less than half a day, the entire Yunzhou city will know about her swindling, and she’ll face the consequences. After this, it won’t be so easy for anyone else to try and use the Liu family’s name. Why are you both worried?”

“…” Liu Yusheng’s mouth twitched. “Why didn’t you say that earlier, that it was resolved?”

“You two were busy being considerate of each other. Where was I supposed to interrupt?”

Liu Zhixia gave the silly kid another hard knock on the head. “Since it’s resolved, don’t think about it anymore. I’ll also speak to the people outside. This kind of thing won’t happen again.”

It was just a small matter.

The Meng family had fallen, and many were eager to kick them when they were down. Their lives were becoming increasingly difficult, and now they could only survive off the few shops left by their ancestors. 

Resources were tight. That was why Li Junhua set her sights on them.

With no more retreat, there wouldn’t be any more problems coming from that direction.

There was nothing to worry about now. Before they all dispersed, Liu Yusheng asked Liu Zhixia, “Any new news from the capital?”

“Not for now, but the imperial travel edict has been issued, set for February next year. It’s confirmed that Feng Qingbai will be going.”

Liu Yusheng nodded and returned to her room deep in thought.

He wondered if Feng Qingbai would return to the city before his departure.

Once he went to Beicang, it would be months before he could return, and now, with the animosity between the two nations, who knew what would happen once he arrived there.

The uncertainty gnawed at her heart.

In the afternoon, a servant came to report that Meng Yushan and his wife from the Meng family had come to apologize.

The Liu family refused to meet them.

This attitude made it clear to all those who had been secretly observing the situation what the Liu family’s stance was. As for what would happen to Li Junhua afterward, the Liu family didn’t know.

After staying in Yunzhou for a few days, the elders stayed behind to accompany Fu Yuzheng and the little boy for his full month, while Liu Zhixiu and Liu Muqiu returned to Xinghua Village first.

December arrived, and with it came the cold winds.

As the year drew to a close, the common people were increasingly worried. A major disaster had left them with no harvest this year, and the price of rice in the rice shops had skyrocketed, several times higher than usual.

If prices didn’t go down, countless people might not be able to afford the New Year’s Eve dinner.

At the end of December, the imperial court issued a new decree, requiring all local government offices to conduct a survey. 

Any rice or grain prices exceeding the normal price by 10% would result in grain merchants being heavily taxed. The tax rate was to be calculated based on 80% of the highest price! Anyone caught underreporting, falsifying, or refusing to pay the tax would be executed!

Overnight, grain prices in various regions were adjusted downward. The common people cheered with joy, praising the imperial court, the regent, and even the current emperor.

After the little boy’s full-month celebration, the elders returned, and Fu Yuzheng brought the little boy along, heading back first to prepare to spend the New Year with the family.

Liu Yusheng sat by the stove, the burning charcoal casting a red glow on her face, her eyes and brows full of lighthearted smiles.

“His Highness’s strategy is quite unconventional, but the common people have benefited. Now, more and more people are praising him in the streets. Are you happy?” Fu Yuzheng teased.

“Big brother is overseeing all of Yunzhou, and his actions are followed by everyone. He executes the imperial orders meticulously, and his prestige in Yunzhou is rising. Aren’t you happy, sister-in-law?”

“Little girl, you’re sharp-tongued.”

“Likewise.”

The two exchanged smiles.

The elders listened, smiling as well.

“A good official is one who seeks tangible benefits for the people and puts their suffering first. Xiao Feng has had Axiu’s guidance, and he will surely be a wise ruler in the future.”

“Our Nanning will get better and better, now we just need to get past the Beicang hurdle.”

When Beicang was mentioned, everyone fell silent. The situation there was far from optimistic, and the people of Nanling all understood this.

Getting through that obstacle wouldn’t be easy.