Unlimited estates for rural beauty-Chapter 523 Coming in the Night (4)

"Hehehe, of course, there is." Uncle Ma’s face stiffened, and at this moment, he wanted to find a place to hide.

Feng Xuxu observed Uncle Ma’s unease and glanced back, noticing her husband’s sharp glares flying towards Uncle Ma from time to time. She felt a sudden surge of embarrassment crowding her mind. Seeing Uncle Ma’s pitiful expression, she decided not to tease him anymore. Standing up, she patted his shoulder and pointed outside, then twisted around and returned to Dugu Chen’s side.

Being as astute as he was, Uncle Ma immediately understood Feng Xuxu’s meaning. He couldn’t wait to stand up, addressing Dugu Chen, who sat at the head of the table: "Master, the person has been delivered; your servant should take his leave now."

Dugu Chen’s lips were pressed tight, casting a glance at Uncle Ma on the floor, scoffing inwardly. This man clearly came for the medicinal wine his wife had brewed, yet he presided with such pomp and circumstance, claiming it was just to deliver a person. His shamelessness was truly growing by the day.

"Yes, go on." These light words floated from his thin lips.

Uncle Ma didn’t notice the master saying anything else, so he twisted around and darted out of the hall in strides, breathing a sigh of relief only after a few steps outside. Recalling the mistress’s gesturing, he stood in place, craning his neck back and forth, until he finally saw Tian Yi under a tree, holding a jug of wine with one hand and frantically waving at him with the other.

"Lad, quick, quick, quick, hand it to me. That jug is heavy, don’t tire yourself out." Uncle Ma’s face brimmed with a smile, his hands eagerly reaching out to take the jug from Tian Yi’s grasp.

Tian Yi watched Uncle Ma with a grin, teasingly said, "It’s not heavy, what’s this to me? Hey, hey, hey, don’t touch!" Tian Yi quickly twisted his body, dodging Uncle Ma’s hands.

"Hey, I’m telling you, boy, hand it over quickly, or else be careful, I’ll wallop you." Uncle Ma puffed up his moustache in irritation.

Seeing Uncle Ma’s eyes practically glued to the jug, Tian Yi laughed out loud: "Heh heh, go ahead and hit, if it hurts and my hand, because of the pain, lets go, tsk tsk tsk, there goes a whole jug of fine wine, what a pity that’d be."

"Heh heh, Tian Yi, Uncle Ma was just joking earlier; you’d better not take it seriously, ah. Come on, come on, give it to Uncle Ma."

"Here, look at your greedy face." The wine jug was thrust into Uncle Ma’s embrace as the giver scornfully curled his lip.

"You wretched kid." Uncle Ma glared fiercely at Tian Yi and, cuddling the jug, strode past him with an air of self-importance.

Feng Xuxu handed the drawings to the visitors and made sure to confirm everything three times. Only after they all acknowledged understanding did she feel at ease leaving. Then she summoned Huang Yi: "These are my elder brother’s measurements. Go to the Yunyi Workshop in town and tell Madam Yun to make some more clothes and the like for my brother. Don’t leave out anything, including the sachets he wears. Afterwards, find some carpenters in town and bring them back." Since the bed in her brother’s room had been thrown out, it was only natural to get a carpenter to make some good new ones, especially since there were plenty of trees in the spatial dimension.

Huang Yi diligently took the items from the mistress’s hand and carefully stowed them away before nodding and departing.

No sooner had dinner finished than several uninvited guests arrived at the estate. The butler, upon seeing the situation, arranged for them to be seated in the front hall and then sent a servant to ’Lotus Garden’ with a message.

"Mm, I’ve got it, you can go now." Watching the servant leave, Feng Xuxu languidly rose from the imperial concubine’s chair and stood by the window, pondering for a while.

"Yingsu, go tell them that I am tired today and will invite them to the residence another day for a gathering."

"Yes, Miss."

"Miss, why is this?" Baihe asked, puzzled, frowning.

Feng Xuxu lifted a faint smile, "All the affairs of Feng Family village are managed by my eldest brother. I will never stay here long. Whether I see them or listen to those praises of wisdom, it no longer matters. The most important thing is to let them know that this place is ruled by Feng Xi."

Baihe instantly understood, nodded her head, and as the son-in-law entered, bowed respectfully and withdrew, closing the door carefully behind her, and standing quietly outside.

The next day, Feng matriarch invited the most famous matchmaker in town and led her to Feng Xuxu’s presence: "Sister Fan, this is our villa’s Miss Feng."

Upon seeing the woman seated in the chair, Fan Guihua observed her attire, clearly that of a married woman. On closer inspection, she found the clothing extraordinary, and the jewelry on her head exceedingly valuable. Noticing the phoenix-adorned traditional hairpin, she couldn’t believe what she was seeing. After scrutinizing it once more, she broke into a cold sweat, her legs trembling as she knelt. Others might not know, but she was crystal clear—she herself was a matchmaker, and the phoenix hairpin with nine tail feathers could only be worn by the Empress. If she wasn’t mistaken, the hairpin on the woman’s head was indeed the Empress’s accessory.

Feng Xuxu lifted her eyelids to look at the person on the ground, set down her teacup, and leisurely spoke, "Rise, my brother is getting married and we need a go-between. Money is not an issue; if you do well, I will double the payment. But if you mess it up, I will not let you off easily."

"Yes, yes, yes, this servant will surely handle it well. Rest assured, Your Majesty." Fan Guihua was kneeling on the ground, trembling even more inside as she listened to the Empress’s words, her body starting to shake slightly.

Feng Xuxu gestured with her eyes to the Feng matriarch, and seeing her nod, she felt assured. Then she gracefully stood up and left with her two maids following behind.

Only after Feng Xuxu had left did the Feng matriarch approach to help Fan Guihua, still kneeling on the ground: "Sister Fan, stand up, the Empress has left."

Fan Guihua then dared to lift her head and glanced around. Her body went limp, but fortunately, the Feng matriarch was supporting her, or she would have collapsed onto the floor.

"The Empress is actually..."

"Shush, shush, shush, the Empress’s visit is to be kept absolutely secret. You must not speak of it, or we won’t be able to keep our heads," the Feng matriarch warned her softly.

Immediately, the matchmaker clamped her mouth shut, stood up straight, and after a moment to gather her strength, she felt some energy return.

"Sister Fan, the Empress has entrusted this task to you. Whatever you need, tell me directly. In short, the three letters and six etiquettes must be handled properly."

"Oh, don’t call me ’big sister’ anymore, just call me ’sister.’ The three letters and six etiquettes, rest assured, I will surely arrange them properly," Fan Guihua declared confidently, thankful she didn’t have to speak of it; arranging the three letters and six etiquettes (proposal and betrothal gifts) was far easier than matchmaking.

"That’s good. With your word, I feel relieved," said the Feng matriarch with a tiny smile to Fan Guihua.