Everyone present was not foolish. After hearing his words, they fell into a long silence. It was Feng Jinxu who broke the stalemate first.
"Last year the snow came late. Some experienced farmers felt that this year would have heavy rainfall. Liangzhe is already a waterlogged region. If the harvest is affected by the rain, how many shi of official grain do you think Father can pay this year?"
"Under normal circumstances, a bumper harvest year would yield about eight million shi. If it's a lean year, it might only be half."
Calculating this way, after deducting the "disappeared" official grain, at least two million shi could be transported to the capital.
Without natural disasters or man-made calamities, these two million shi could indeed fill several granaries. But if anything unexpected happened, this meager amount of grain would be like a stone sinking into the sea, not even creating a ripple.
Prime Minister Bai glanced at his eldest grandson. His thoughts were indeed sharp.
Sensing his maternal grandfather's gaze, Feng Jinxu deliberated for a moment before slowly speaking.
"This matter was A Yao's idea. She has already taken some of the harvest from the family's shops to store grain in the manor. She also had the farmers divide half of their land to plant lotus roots. That plant is not afraid of heavy rain and might yield a good harvest."
This statement surprised everyone present, especially Prime Minister Bai. He had always thought his granddaughter was quiet and well-behaved, but he never expected her to be so insightful, having already made arrangements for future events.
For a moment, he became quite curious about her.
"Since that's the case, you will feign illness at home tomorrow. Eldest son, remember to find a doctor from Guiyuan Hall to examine him. It must be a serious illness that confines him to bed, understand?"
"Yes!"
The words were directed at Feng Hai, but everyone present understood.
Prime Minister Bai remained composed, as if discussing trivial family matters, yet his words were an unquestionable command.
While the Grand Canal Superintendent was a good position, one had to be able to digest it themselves. Otherwise, if the Feng family choked on it, and the Bai family was implicated, it would be a loss outweighing the gain.
"As for Jinxu..."
"Grandfather, please rest assured. My son has just recovered from a near-death experience, and my wife is about to give birth. My grandson will not leave Dongdu City at this time."
Prime Minister Bai nodded. Although this matter was currently targeting Feng Hai alone, it was a chain reaction. If the person behind it saw that attacking Feng Hai was futile, they might turn their attention to Feng Jinxu, who was stationed elsewhere. In that case, they would be too far away to help. It was safer for him to remain in Dongdu City.
In the study, the tense atmosphere that had just prevailed had dissipated considerably. With a conclusion reached, they were no longer afraid of the schemes and temptations of outsiders.
In the front hall, Bai Siruo was whispering to Feng Jinyao.
"Do you know? Third Uncle is returning to Qiongzhou. He'll leave after the Lantern Festival."
"So soon?" Could it be that the matter of Shen Shi extorting the Qiao family's son had been exposed, forcing them to leave in such a hurry?
Bai Siruo looked disgusted. "Third Uncle is leaving quickly, but Third Aunt and Bai Sihan are staying. They claim her injury hasn't healed and she can't move. Hmph, I saw her sitting perfectly straight at my engagement ceremony. After so long, she's still injured!"
Everyone understood the intentions of Shen Shi and her daughter. It was just that they used this excuse, so there was nothing to say.
Bai Siruo could only be secretly angry. Moreover, Bai Sihan had been clinging to her like a piece of sticky candy these past few days, always approaching her. If their grandmother hadn't refused today, their mother and daughter would have likely come along.
Now, even seeing them more often felt vexing, yet there was nothing they could do.
Feng Jinyao
She was not worried about Shen Shi and her daughter now. Those with ulterior motives had plans that were easily discovered step by step. Instead, she turned her attention to Bai Siruo's engagement. The last time she went to the Bai family to deliver gifts, she hadn't seen her, so she asked in a low voice.
"How have you been lately? Have you thought about your engagement?"
Hearing Feng Jinyao suddenly mention this, Bai Siruo, who had been indignant, seemed to deflate like a balloon and lost her spirit.
"What's the use of whether I've thought about it or not? The outcome will be the same. Besides, marrying into the Prince of Kang's mansion won't wrong me. It's at least a hundred times better than being sent off for a political marriage."
Behind the bitter smile was helplessness. Feng Jinyao, with her keen mind, quickly connected this to the foreign envoys who would come to pay tribute during the Lantern Festival. For a moment, she didn't know how to comfort her.
"Cousin, I hope you can be happy."
Her words were not fully spoken, but the meaning was clear. Since she could disrupt the engagement between the Liang and Xu families, she could also find a way to help her escape this unsatisfactory marriage, but it would require her consent.
Bai Siruo understood her meaning. For a moment, the face of Lu Yuanfeng appeared in her mind. A smile touched her lips, but it was only a fleeting thought, and she rejected it in her mind.
The Liang and Xu families could break off their engagement and sever ties, even become enemies.
But the Bai family and the Prince of Kang's mansion were connected by more than just a bone. How could they break off the engagement and renegotiate?
Although she was naive, she was not stupid. She would not do such a foolish thing for a mere liking. So, she patted Feng Jinyao's hand and comforted her.
"Don't worry. Although I've only met my second cousin a few times, he grew up with my second uncle. You know my second uncle. He's highly praised throughout Dongdu City. If he hadn't been stationed in Liangzhou for years, the Prince of Kang's mansion's doorstep would have been worn down by matchmakers from noble families. The person he raised, I trust."
Although she still had some reluctance in her heart, given the circumstances, she could only convince herself.
Feng Jinyao looked at her and recalled the outcome of her previous life. Perhaps this time, things could change.
In the study of the front hall, each had their own plans and strategies.
When the whole family gathered for a reunion dinner, Yun He and Yun Li also arrived.
They had come by sedan chair and had not suffered much on the journey. Their recovery was swift, though their complexions were still a little pale.
"Great-grandson Yun He pays his respects to Great-Grandfather and Great-Grandmother."
Yun Li followed his elder brother and respectfully bowed to the two elders. This was the first time he had met Prime Minister Bai and Old Madam Bai.
"Hurry, hurry, get up. It's still so cold. Why aren't you resting in bed? Come over, be careful not to catch a cold." Old Madam Bai, concerned, quickly helped him up and cupped his slightly cool hand in hers.
She also said kindly to Yun Li beside him, "Great-Grandmother is seeing you for the first time. I'll give you a big red envelope later, alright?"
Yun Li didn't understand much, but when he heard the words "big red envelope," he grinned happily and blurted out in a childish voice.
"Thank you, Great-Grandmother. Yun Li will kowtow to you later."
The child's words made everyone laugh heartily. Many unpleasant things were left in the past. Feng Jinxu walked to Wen Shi's side and gently supported her waist. Although she was less than four months pregnant, her belly was already slightly protruding. Wen Shi easily suffered from back pain when standing for a long time, so he lent her support to alleviate her discomfort.
Wen Shi lowered her head and understood his thoughts. Yes, looking forward was the only way to live a comfortable and carefree life.