Chapter 688: Making an enemy out of others while displaying impressive migh (2/2)

The group finally broke up at noon. Long Feiye was in no mind to leave them for lunch, so they were tactful enough to withdraw. During mealtime, Baili Yuanong found a pretext to invite Long Feiye into a side room.

“Your Highness’s insight is indeed indisputable. Esteemed wangfei–”

“Is there any other business?” Long Feiye asked coldly. Hadn’t he heard enough flattery this morning? He was already sick of it all.

Helpless, Baili Yuanlong could only get straight to the point. “Your Highness, it may be still be too early to offend the power of the old established families.”

Although esteemed wangfei had convinced them thoroughly this morning, it was only with today’s talking topics. Her performance today would only dissatisfy and put them more on guard in the future.

“What, they’re still discontent after we’ve given them the Ministry of Civil Personnel, Revenue, Rites, Justice, and Works?” Long Feiye asked back. Right now, he neither had the time nor clout to change these families, but suppressing their arrogance with a warning was well within his means.

While Baili Yuanlong stoof speechless, Long Feiye said coldly, “Baili Yuanlong, those men aren’t idiots! Before your lordship proclaims myself emperor and establishes a nation, they won’t dare to act rashly. Your lordship is simply reminding them to stop entertaining notions of striking back against Han Yunxi!” In the end, Long Feiye’s true motives in suppressing the clan heads was to have Han Yunxi show off her impressive might. She didn’t disappoint him today!

Back in the dining hall, Han Yunxi was chewing thoughtfully on her food when she saw the two men return. She hastily said, “General Baili, come join us for lunch.”

Baili Yuanlong didn’t have the nerve to share the same table as Long Feiye and made an excuse to leave. Han Yunxi was left bereft. Originally, she was hoping she could talk about some of the things that had happened in the commander-in-chief’s estate here. After all, it was hard to get into the details with outsiders around just then.

“Long Feiye, are you happy that I’ve offended all those clans back there?” Han Yunxi asked with a grin. Although she’d been praised all morning, she could see those men’s true faces behind their words.

“I am. How else can you show off your power without antagonizing them?” Long Feiye asked back.

She smiled helplessly in response. “Alright, fine. You win.” It wasn’t the first time her natural personality had offended someone else. Even if it wasn’t today, her status as Qin Wangfei would’ve displeased them sooner or later. What was the most glorious thing for a daughter of an old, established family? To marry into an imperial clan!

She too, knew exactly what those old men were plotting.

“Long Feiye, it’s really not easy being…Qin Wangfei!” Han Yunxi sighed.

“Afraid?” Long Feiye asked.

“Comfort soldiers with generals and stem water with earth–I’ll do what’s necessary!” Han Yunxi didn’t hesitate.

Very pleased, Long Feiye spooned up some hot soup and fed it to her mouth. She drank it in one gulp out of habit, long used to the motion. But the servant girls around them, who were serving His Highness Duke of Qin and esteemed wangfei for the first time, only felt their heartrate speed up even further from the sight. Heavens, this legendary ice-face duke really knows how to dote on a woman. They didn’t have the courage to feel jealous of Han Yunxi, only the spoon in his hand.

Long Feiye and Han Yunxi chatted as they ate. It had been too long since they had a chance to sit down a enjoy a leisurely meal.

“Find some time to clarify the situation with Pill Fiend Pharmacy and let go of Cloud Realm Trade Consortium,” Long Feiye said lightly.

“Ning Jing doesn’t have time to take care of the snow mountain deal with Northern Li. Even if they’ve settled on a deal, no one in the medical community will dare to use Cloud Realm Trade Consortium’s medicine for sale if someone reports the matter to Medical City,” Han Yunxi had a good grasp on the situation.

Long Feiye nodded. “There are three major agricultural districts in the south central regions, split up between its three prefectures. Jiangnan has four big grain regions as well that I wanted you to see, but Tang Li’s matters took up all our time. We can save it for an inspection tour of the south in the future instead.”

“I’ll be looking forward to it.” Han Yunxi had no objections.

After all these years in Cloud Realm Continent, she had grown a preference for the Jiangnan, or south. All of the continent’s beautiful scenery and tasty eats were concentrated here, so it was a wonderful place. Even Jiangnan’s Plum Blossom Sea didn’t count as the true “jiangnan,” as it laid on its north, by the borders of Tianning proper.

“I estimate that custody of the seven agricultural regions can be handed over the Ministry of Revenue. These are for you.” As Long Feiye spoke, he took out three thick account books, much to Han Yunxi’s bewilderment. Where did he get those from?

But when she flipped through the pages, she understood. These were none other than accounts of Long Feiye’s enterprises all across Cloud Realm Continent. All of them were big businesses, with over 60 percent of them concentrated in the south. Moreover, the majority of them centered around food and drink, inns, and private banks. They were supplemented in second place by fertile farmland.

Han Yunxi finally understood where Long Feiye got his money. Although this couldn’t compare to Cloud Realm Trade Consortium, good management would make it a rival for the consortium in the future. She looked over the books before suddenly raising her head. “Hold it, Long Feiye. Are you saying you’re handing over all your accounts to me?”

This man…! First he makes me show my strength against the clan heads, then he gives me all his estates and properties. It feels like he’s preparing for something…