Feng Jinyao's words were a considerable shock to the Bai family father and three sons, who had grown up under a system of monarchical autocracy.
For many years, the principle they believed in was the continuous concentration of power in the imperial city, in the royal family. Any force that threatened imperial power was either confiscated or stifled. The idea of decentralizing power, as she spoke of, had never occurred to them.
Bai Dalang's eyes widened, his astonishment at her words no less than it had been at that letter. He looked at Feng Jinyao with a gaze that was somewhat unfathomable.
"Ayao, have you considered what would happen if merchants, having profited, refused to return their authority? Wouldn't the laws of the Great Jin be challenged? How would they be corrected then?"
Feng Jinyao smiled faintly. "Eldest Uncle, if I may be so presumptuous, dynasties cannot last forever, or the previous one would not have been overthrown, would it? Rather than thinking about how to exploit the people with royal power, why not return power to the people? Isn't governing by non-action better?"
After she said this, Bai Silang couldn't help but walk to the door and gently open it. He looked around, making sure no one was nearby, then lowered his voice and said, "Little girl, how can you speak such wild words? You must never say such things again, or the whole family will suffer."
Logically, he didn't think Feng Jinyao was wrong, but given the current situation, these words were undoubtedly treasonous. If someone were to accuse them of being rebels, their entire family would be doomed.
Seeing the nervousness of her two uncles, she understood how inappropriate her words had been.
However, having lived two lives, Feng Jinyao no longer cared about worldly opinions.
In her previous life, she had witnessed firsthand corrupt officials in power, a tyrannical and cruel emperor, wise ministers banished, and loyal subjects brutally slaughtered.
To put it bluntly, the entire Feng family were victims of imperial power. If they hadn't stood in the way of the Ninth Prince's ambition to conquer the world, why would their whole family have been exterminated? The Bai family was the same...
Since that was the case, imperial power was insignificant in her eyes, and she would not hesitate to use it when necessary.
She looked at Prime Minister Bai with unwavering eyes, showing no sign of retreat. Prime Minister Bai, however, felt a prickling sensation on his scalp under the gaze of this child who was not yet ten years old.
"I am old, truly old. The combined ages of you, my sons, and myself are likely ten times that of Ayyao, yet the plans we devise are not as thorough as hers. Truly, the longer one lives, the more worries one has, and the less one retains of youthful sincerity and purity!"
Prime Minister Bai did not praise her, nor did he deny her.
He simply told her one sentence: "If one day my ambition reaches the clouds, I shall laugh at Huang Chao for not being a true man."
His affection for her was unconcealable. The children of the Bai and Feng families combined likely did not possess her spirit.
In the future, she would surely achieve great things.
Bai Dalang and Bai Silang exchanged glances, finding it somewhat absurd.
Did their father mean to tacitly approve of Ayyao's idea?
In the study, the four were still in secret discussion, but Feng Jinyao's words had already reached the ears of Prince Ding, Xiao Tingyi, without a single omission.
Normally, reports were made once a day, but today's words were too shocking, forcing the secret guard to report immediately.
Ever since the matter of the Grand Canal Directorate became entangled with the Bai and Feng families, the secret guards of Prince Ding's mansion had been secretly monitoring both locations. It wasn't a lack of trust, but rather a matter of great importance that required utmost vigilance.
Plan before acting.
This was the principle Xiao Tingyi believed in.
After so many experiences, he was no longer the spirited Seventeenth Prince of those years. Now, he was the ruthless and calculating Prince Ding who survived in this world.
As his subordinate recounted Feng Jinyao's words one by one, Yang Zhao, standing nearby, was so astonished that his eyebrows nearly flew off. Yet, Xiao Tingyi appeared indifferent, even with a faint smile on his face.
In this vast Eastern Capital, so many high-ranking officials could not compare to this young girl who had not yet reached adulthood.
Shifting the conflict between officials and the populace to merchants and the populace, though a somewhat extreme method, was not without merit.
Following her line of thought, Xiao Tingyi pondered it over and over in his mind.
Seeing him like this, Yang Zhao couldn't help but feel that love was a terrible affliction!
If it were the Prince of old, anyone who dared to challenge imperial authority to such an extent would likely not live to see the next second. Now, the one speaking these treasonous words was the third Miss Feng, and he was actually considering how to implement them?
It was truly terrifying!
"Go back, and make sure no one hears these words."
"Yes!"
These words were safe with him, but if they were heard by others, the Bai and Feng families would likely become souls under the blade.
Feng Jinyao stayed in the Bai family's study for nearly an hour. Before leaving, she specifically went to see Bai Siruo.
Seeing that her injuries were healing well and her spirits had returned to their former state, she was genuinely happy for her.
"When my injuries are healed, I'll ask you to go play at Mingchi. Mingchi is most beautiful in March."
"You, you should put away your playful thoughts. Otherwise, when you marry into Prince Kang's mansion, will you still be thinking of coming out to play every day?"
She pretended to be mature and prudent as she "lectured" Bai Siruo, all because she knew Bai Siruo couldn't get out of bed at the moment.
Bai Siruo knew she was teasing her, so she deliberately gritted her teeth and said, "Don't worry. When I marry into Prince Kang's mansion, the first thing I'll do is find you a suitor. We are like sisters, I'll find someone even more formidable than you to manage you every day! Let's see if you'll still laugh at me!"
"Good sister, spare me. I have no intention of getting married. When everything in the Eastern Capital is settled, I'll travel to various places. If my scholarship can't compare to Sister Xu's, then I'll measure the vast rivers and mountains with my steps. I'll taste the rose pastries of Shuzhou, see the plains of Zhongzhou, wouldn't that be delightful? Why be confined to the inner chambers, dealing with gossiping ladies all day? Don't you agree?"
Bai Siruo looked at her, seeing that she wasn't joking. For a moment, she didn't know what to say.
Her good sisters, one wanted to be a teacher, the other wanted to travel the land, yet she was to get married. A stubborn streak came over her, and her eyes darted around as she said, "Then I don't want to get married either! I'll go with you to see the magnificent rivers and mountains!"
"No! Then my cousin-in-law would come to my courtyard and kill me! He'd be furious if his beloved wife was eloped with. Watch, before the carriage even leaves the Eastern Capital, we'll be blocked and forced back."
Bai Siruo deflated upon hearing this, muttering words that only she could hear.
Feng Jinyao smiled, stayed to chat with her for a while longer, and then went home.
The carriage swayed, lulling Feng Jinyao to sleep. She dozed off for a moment in the carriage and then arrived at the entrance of the Feng mansion.
"Miss, we're here."
"Mm."
Her voice was soft and sweet. Just as she was thinking of resting for half an hour upon returning, she unexpectedly found that a major event had occurred at home!