Lady Hou is reborn and, by pampering her illegitimate son, reclaims her life of wealth and privilege

The men lying on the ground groaned in pain, wondering, "He always seemed so simple-minded, how come he's so powerful when he fights?"

Mai Yuxi clutched his abdomen, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. He thought to himself that only strategy could prevail against Wei Fengyun; a direct confrontation would only lead to his demise. He then began to feign pain and groan.

After getting off work, Wei Fengyun returned home and told Jiang Huaiyu everything about how he had defeated Mai Yuxi and the others during the day.

Jiang Huaiyu already knew his son was highly skilled in martial arts, but today's battle showed Wei Fengyun's bravery, exceeding his expectations. He was a hero who fought ten men single-handedly. The astute Jiang Huaiyu immediately realized that Mai Yuxi and the others had attempted to gang up on Wei Fengyun, but his son had turned the tables and won. "Son," he said, "although you won a great victory today, they clearly had ulterior motives. It's best to stay away from them in the future."

Wei Fengyun looked helpless. "I've tried my best to distance myself from them, but they always provoke me first."

Jiang Huaiyu knew that as long as Wei Fengyun remained in the Fujian Division, those with ulterior motives would target his son. Today it was Mai Yuxi, tomorrow it might be someone else, unless Wei Fengyun could become more astute, or the Jiaxing Marquis's mansion could become so powerful that no one dared to provoke it.

However, Jiang Huaiyu was currently unable to fulfill either of these wishes. Looking at Wei Fengyun's handsome face, his heart was filled with endless pity. Such an outstanding son, yet he had to endure so much injustice; Jiang Huaiyu's heart ached. "Son, perhaps you could consider not going to the Sword Subduing Division anymore."

Wei Fengyun looked at Jiang Huaiyu with a puzzled expression, his eyes filled with incomprehension. "Why is that? I thrived in the Fujian Division. Commander Xie treated me like his own son, and Uncle Yao was very caring towards me. I was able to practice martial arts and learn a lot of knowledge there. I loved it there."

Witnessing Wei Fengyun's deep affection for the Fujian Division, Jiang Huaiyu felt a pang of pity and couldn't bear to let him leave. After all, Wei Fengyun had finally found a place where he could settle down, even though there were often annoying flies bothering him. But as long as she carefully protected her son, everything would be fine.

“Alright, then let Instructor Feng assign two loyal guards to accompany you.” Wei Fengyun’s eyes were slightly vacant as he murmured, “They can’t enter the Sword Subduing Division; they can only wait outside.”

Jiang Huaiyu comforted her tenderly, "Then let them wait outside the door. You can call them anytime you need them."

Wei Fengyun nodded slightly and replied, "Alright."

Recently, Jiang Huaiyu has been exceptionally busy, preparing for Wei Fenghui's top scholar banquet and also busy with the grand opening of Dafulou Restaurant.

Fortunately, Yin Taibai had previously promoted itself extensively based on Wei Fenghui's glory as the top scholar in the imperial examinations, and coupled with its excellent cuisine, its business was booming.

With Manager Wu managing the business, Jiang Huaiyu only needed to check the accounts periodically. During the days when Wei Fenghui passed the imperial examination with flying colors, the turnover exceeded 10,000 taels in just three days, and the net profit reached 6,000 taels.

The manager of Dafulou is now Lvxiu, appointed by Jiang Huaiyu. Lvxiu has always followed him and helped manage the accounts of various shops. Now she is in charge of the manager's duties with ease.

As Xiaoxiang Pavilion and Yin Taibai's businesses flourished, the number of customers on Xiaoxiang Street surged, and other businesses also moved in.

Jiang Huaiyu ordered Granny Wu to rent out all the remaining ten shops. Four of the shops on the second floor would be rented for 300 taels of silver per month, and six shops on the first floor would be rented for 100 taels of silver per month. The rent alone would bring in 21,600 taels of silver per year, which was pure net income with no cost whatsoever.

Jiang Huaiyu's purse quickly bulged, compared to the mere ten thousand taels of silver spent by the Marquis's household in a year. With ample funds, Jiang Huaiyu stood even straighter, thinking that even if Wei Fengyun were to retire in the future, he would be able to support him for life.

That morning, before Wei Fengyun went to his duty, Jiang Huaiyu gave him some more detailed instructions and sent two guards with him before she felt at ease.

On a rocky slope on the outskirts of Beijing, Mai Yuxi and several confidants dug a bottomless trap and covered it with a thick layer of dry grass.

“Your Highness, this trap is so deep that once Wei Fengyun falls in, he will surely find it difficult to escape on his own,” a subordinate flattered.

A sinister glint flashed in Mai Yuxi's eyes as he sneered, "Let him suffer a bit, but don't let him die. Once he falls into the trap, we'll leave immediately. Who will know it was us? Even if they do, there's no evidence to prove it."

"What should we do if Wei Fengyun doesn't show up?"

Mai Yuxi turned to face a junior officer from the Fujian Division and said in a serious tone, "Wei Lin, go back immediately and tell Wei Fengyun that Commander Xie has been ambushed by the enemy at Luanshi Slope. He will definitely rush here."

"As ordered."

Inside the barracks of the Fujian Division, Wei Fengyun had just finished a vigorous martial arts training session and sat down to concentrate on studying the books recommended by Xie Yukun. Suddenly, a colonel rushed in, panting, and reported to Wei Fengyun: "The situation is critical. Rumor has it that Commander Xie has been ambushed by bandits at Luanshipo on the outskirts of the city."

Wei Fengyun immediately stood up and rushed out of the room with a tense expression. Just as he stepped out the threshold, two loyal guards arranged by Jiang Huaiyu followed closely behind. "Young Master, what exactly happened?"

Wei Fengyun replied anxiously, "Commander Xie has been ambushed by the enemy. I must go to his rescue immediately, otherwise I'm afraid we'll miss the opportunity."

A guard asked, "What about the other colleagues in the Sword-Binding Division?"

"There is no time to delay. Commander Xie has been incredibly kind to me, and I must go to rescue him myself."

One of the guards said to the other, "I will go with the young master. You should go and inform the lady immediately."

"clear."

Wei Fengyun, accompanied by his guard Lao Mo, mounted a fast horse and galloped rapidly toward Luanshipo on the outskirts of the capital.

At the same time, another guard rushed back to the Marquis's residence to report the situation to Jiang Huaiyu.

Inside the Marquis's residence, Jiang Huaiyu and Wei Ruoyi were carefully discussing the menu for Wei Fenghui's top scholar banquet. Suddenly, a guard rushed in, his face pale, and said, "Madam, something terrible has happened! The young master has learned that Commander Xie was ambushed at Luanshi Slope and has already taken Old Mo to go to his rescue."

Jiang Huaiyu frowned, asking worriedly, "Where are the others from the Sword Subduing Division? Why was the Crown Prince sent alone?"

The guard replied, "The young master acted swiftly, setting off without waiting for the rest of the Sword-Binding Division. I rushed back to report, but I don't know if the Sword-Binding Division has already sent anyone to follow him."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Huaiyu felt a sense of foreboding. "Quickly inform Instructor Feng and Steward Zheng to go to the Sword-Binding Division together."

"Yes, ma'am." He turned to Wei Ruoyi and said, "While I am away, if there are any matters in the manor that require your attention, you may consult with Qi Ziming. If necessary, you may go directly to the Hanlin Academy to find Feng Hui, or go to the Princess's residence to find Feng Yao."

Wei Ruoyi nodded gently and comforted her, "You can go without worry."