A moment later, Feng Jin Yao spoke.
"We're short-handed now, so it's unlikely we can transport He Huan's body back to the Eastern Capital. I was thinking we could cremate her and send the ashes back to the capital for burial."
"Miss is right. Her greatest concern in life was her brother. Now that she's gone, who knows what will become of her brother?"
Feng Jin Yao fell silent. This was also her concern.
Fu Yi had served by her brother's side for many years, always loyal. He Huan had also had a difficult life since entering the manor.
First, she was severely beaten by Concubine Lin Lang, and now she died saving Feng Jin Yao.
In her previous life, Feng Jin Yao felt it was a pity that she was burned to death in the woodshed by the wicked Concubine Lin Lang.
In this life, after spending time together day and night, Feng Jin Yao had also come to care for He Huan, but she hadn't expected that the ending couldn't be changed.
Sensing Feng Jin Yao's sadness, Yun Xu realized she had spoken out of turn.
She then tried to comfort her, "Miss, please don't be sad. If He Huan knew, she would be sad too."
"Mm, when we return to the capital, you'll accompany me to Fahua Temple to light a long-burning lamp for her. I hope she can be born into a good family in her next life and live a happy life."
"Okay!"
As they spoke, the carriage arrived at the entrance of the Wen family's residence.
Having experienced an earthquake, the place was a bit disheveled, but it had been tidied up as quickly as possible.
It was a four-courtyard house with adjoining side courtyards.
It had to be said that the Wen family was a prominent clan in Shuzhou.
When Feng Jin Yao first met Wen Zhong He, she offered a junior's greeting.
"You are... the third young lady of the Feng family?"
"It is I, Feng family's Jin Yao, who greets Uncle Wen. May Uncle be well."
Wen Zhong He was somewhat surprised. In his memory, Feng Jin Yao was just a half-grown child. He had met her briefly when Yun Niang married into the Feng family.
If she hadn't spoken up today, he might not have recognized her!
"You've grown so much, and you've become so beautiful. Your parents-in-law are truly blessed."
"You flatter me, Uncle."
Wen Zhong He's attitude displeased Prince Ding, Xiao Ting Yi. Although these were normal words of greeting from an elder to a junior, they didn't sound that way to him.
So, he stepped forward and blocked Wen Zhong He's view, saying coldly.
"Minister Wen should go inside quickly. A Yao has just recovered and cannot be exposed to the wind."
The weather in late June, and she couldn't be exposed to the wind?
That was an amusing excuse. If the speaker hadn't been Xiao Ting Yi, Wen Zhong He might have retorted.
A Yao?
How could he be so intimate? Then he thought, wasn't she here with Prince Ding?
Could it be that the two of them eloped?
For a moment, countless thoughts raced through his mind like galloping horses. Xiao Ting Yi naturally saw his thoughts and explained.
"A Yao is accompanying this prince on this trip. When we return to the Eastern Capital, this prince will prepare to marry A Yao."
Feng Jin Yao was accustomed to this explanation. She didn't know where he got the confidence that the Feng and Bai families would accept him as their son-in-law.
However, she thought that with his capabilities and schemes, even if the elders didn't agree at first, they wouldn't be able to hold out for long.
The only obstacle would probably be Emperor Qi.
One was a prince with significant military power, and the other was a noble lady from the Feng and Bai families. Their union would indeed pose a considerable threat to imperial power.
However, these were all matters for the future.
She didn't plan to think so much now. Seize the day was the most important thing.
Seeing that she didn't object, Wen Zhong He took it as tacit agreement and said with a hearty laugh.
"Good, good! A talented man and a beautiful woman, a match made in heaven! When the Prince and the third young lady marry, this subordinate will definitely choose a good gift and come to your manor for a cup of wedding wine!"
Hearing him say this, Xiao Ting Yi's stern demeanor gradually dissipated, returning to its previous state.
After a few pleasantries, they returned to the main topic.
"Young Master Qiao's flood control strategy is indeed extraordinary. I hear it has already shown some results. Truly, talent emerges in every generation!"
Wen Zhong He had been the prefect of Shuzhou for many years and had some understanding of flood control. He never expected a fourteen-year-old boy to devise such a good and thorough plan. He was truly impressed.
Feng Jin Yao sat beside him, listening to Uncle Wen praise Qiao Shan Wei. Her heart remained unmoved.
After all, in her previous life, he had established himself in the court with this flood control strategy. Now, it was just a few years earlier.
Fourteen years old, it was indeed too early to enter officialdom.
However, if he could achieve something significant in this flood, it would be a legitimate reason for him to return to the Bai family!
Prince Ding had no doubts about Qiao Shan Wei.
At first, the soldiers under him were somewhat unconvinced that they were being led by a mere boy.
However, seeing Xu Lin respectfully obey him and follow his every command, they dared not act presumptuously.
They also worked with extra diligence.
For the past few days, they had been continuously widening and deepening a tributary of the Luo River.
The dikes on both sides were built neatly, and three rows of trees, specially transplanted from the mountains, were planted outside. Putting aside other matters, the water flow alone had become much gentler.
Following the same pattern, the six thousand men quickly tidied up all the tributary ditches along the Luo River.
When the floodgates were opened again, the surging river water flowed through the ditches in all directions, from large to small.
As it flowed, some of it was diverted and stored in newly built reservoirs as reserve water.
By the time the rapid river water reached the downstream, it had already become as gentle as a whisper.
Such a brilliant plan naturally needed to be implemented in areas prone to floods.
Shuzhou was the first.
With such achievements, Xiao Ting Yi was satisfied, Wen Zhong He was satisfied, and the common people and soldiers who had worked tirelessly with Qiao Shan Wei were also satisfied.
Only then did their reluctant submission turn into genuine allegiance!
Many years later, when Bai Shan Wei became the Prime Minister of the Great Jin, he was known as Prime Minister Yu, referring to his experience of being comparable to the reincarnation of Yu the Great.
"Shan Wei is a descendant of the Bai family. Due to various reasons, he was unable to be by his maternal grandfather's side. Now that he is to acknowledge his ancestors, he naturally needs a plausible reason."
Feng Jin Yao said this, and Wen Zhong He was surprised.
Prime Minister Bai of the Bai family had served in the court for decades, and everyone knew him.
He had three sons, who, although not as brilliant as him, were all well-known figures in the court.
However, in the third generation, there were only two daughters, and he had never heard of any grandsons. If there were any, why would they have allowed him to wander outside for fourteen years?
However, these were the secrets of the Bai family. If she didn't mention it, he couldn't ask directly.
After thinking for a moment, he had an idea and replied.