SFL Chapter 62

“Looks like I really can’t,” Feng Jun told Feng Yuning.

“If you don’t want to end up without a husband, you better clean up those men in your courtyard. Some people don’t seem to know their place,” Feng Jun advised Feng Yuning.

Hearing this, Feng Yuning felt uncomfortable. “No, Father. I don’t want to marry anymore.”

It was obvious that if there was a male master in Yuning’s mansion, the men in her courtyard would be oppressed. Faced with the choice between a man she had never met and the ones she spent her days with, Feng Yuning chose the latter.

“Ridiculous! How can a woman reach your age and not get married?” Feng Jun was furious again. He couldn’t believe Feng Yuning didn’t understand the gravity of the situation.

But Feng Yuning didn’t feel she lacked men in her life. Her views on relationships were rather confused, and marriage wasn’t something she saw as necessary.

Mo Ziqing, standing nearby, recalled how, in the original story, Feng Yuning hadn’t married even after killing Feng Yuan and ascending the throne. In the end, she found someone who genuinely accepted her men. It was clear this sentimental woman fiercely protected her own.

Feng Yuan frowned and looked at Feng Yuning with dark, unreadable eyes. No one knew what was going through her mind.

“Father, if Yuning doesn’t want to marry, then let her be. But the influx of men into her courtyard must stop,” Feng Yuan finally spoke.

Feng Yuning was displeased, pouting at Feng Yuan. “Sister, we are all mutually in love. What right do you have to stop me?” After all, when could a woman ever have too many beautiful men?

“Because you and your men are all being supported by me,” Feng Yuan shot back at Feng Yuning.

Feng Yuning was stunned. She couldn’t believe it. How could she, a dignified princess, still be living off her family?

But Feng Yuan broke it down for her. Since she treated all the men in her courtyard equally, sparing no expense on their food, clothing, and lifestyle, they lived like the empress’ concubines, each one of them at the level of royal consorts. Naturally, such lavish spending was more than what Feng Yuning’s Ning Palace could afford.

The only reason she hadn’t run out of funds yet was due to the royal treasury’s allowance for the imperial family.

However, Feng Yuning’s expenses had long exceeded the prescribed limits.

Feng Yuning didn’t want to believe it, but with the facts laid bare, she had no choice but to face reality.

Not only was she being supported by the royal family, but even her men were being provided for by the imperial treasury. This realization left Feng Yuning feeling a bit uneasy.

Thinking it over, though, she realized she had spent most of her time either flirting with handsome men or on her way to do so. Although she had some income from her lands and businesses, it was merely a drop in the bucket compared to the ever-increasing expenses of her palace.

Of course, if Feng Yuning were the only one spending the money in Ning Palace, it would be impossible for her to use it all up. But since she had no sense of moderation and wanted to provide her men with the finest things, it was unsustainable.

Feng Yuan calculated the costs in her mind and realized that if this continued—if Feng Yuning kept taking in more men—even the entire empire wouldn’t be able to support it for many years.

As an empress, Feng Yuan had to stop the bleeding in time.

Feng Jun looked at Feng Yuning with disappointment. “Do you even know that those allowances are meant for a princess’s legitimate husband? Rank and status are determined by the quality of their food, clothing, and living arrangements. You’ve spoiled even the lowest courtesan to such an extent that those who consider themselves higher will only spend more lavishly to outdo him.”

“If you were using your own money, that would be one thing. But you’re using your sister’s money and the royal treasury’s funds. Feng Yuning, aren’t you ashamed?” Feng Jun questioned her sternly.

Aren’t you ashamed?

Feng Yuning blushed.

She wasn’t thick-skinned. As a member of the royal family, she was entitled to the privileges, but having all her men being supported by others? She hadn’t yet developed the shamelessness for that.

Seeing the tension rise, Mo Ziqing decided it was time to step in and smooth things over. “Father, Yuning didn’t know better before. Now that she understands, she won’t act recklessly like before. Besides, she’s a princess. If she wants to make money, it wouldn’t take her long to turn things around.”

“I was just discussing skincare tips with Yuning not long ago,” Mo Ziqing added with a smile, looking at Feng Yuning. “It feels like we hit it off right away. I’m sure as long as she puts in a little effort, making money will be no problem for her.”

Feng Yuning nodded repeatedly, her eyes practically glowing as she looked at Mo Ziqing, who now seemed to radiate with an aura of brilliance.

His confidence in her filled Feng Yuning with an overwhelming sense of courage and self-assurance.

“Father, sister, brother-in-law… you’re absolutely right! As long as I want to make money, it’s just a matter of time. I’ve been lazy before, but from now on, I’m going to start earning,” Feng Yuning declared with newfound confidence.

She had never focused on making money before, but now she realized—dominating this outdated era would be a piece of cake.

Mo Ziqing’s words also gave her an idea: she could venture into skincare and cosmetics.

Even if she wasn’t an expert, her knowledge would surely surpass that of the ancient people.

Once this thought occurred, countless money-making ideas flooded her mind.

Seeing that Feng Yuning had begun following the path he had laid out, Mo Ziqing hid his smile behind his fan.

However, aside from him, neither Feng Jun nor Feng Yuan had much faith in Feng Yuning’s abilities. But as long as she stopped being reckless, they were more than willing to be patient with her as family.

As for making money, no one had ever expected much from Feng Yuning.

Once she set her mind to it, she got straight to work. After all, she had the advantage of being in a matriarchal world, where women were the main source of productivity and household leaders.

Recognizing her own role, the heroine began to slowly shed her dependence on men, something ingrained by the previous generation.

But the problems soon began. Just as Feng Yuning was ready to roll up her sleeves and take action, she realized she was out of money.

All the funds in Ning Palace’s accounts had been drained by the men in her courtyard. Now, Feng Yuning’s pockets were even cleaner than her face.

Without enough startup capital, her grand ambitions were just dreams on paper.

And the idea of asking for the money back from those men? Even though she wasn’t born in this matriarchal empire, she couldn’t bring herself to do it.

Feng Yuning hadn’t expected her journey to end before it had even begun.

Just when she was feeling lost and helpless, a large sum of silver arrived from the palace. It was the combined share of Feng Yuan and Mo Ziqing, and they said she could borrow it for now, with no rush to repay it until she had made some money.

Feng Yuning was deeply moved. After thinking it over, she said, “Sister, brother-in-law, you can invest this money. When I start earning, I’ll give you a share of the profits.”

Involving Feng Yuan, the empress, and Mo Ziqing, the imperial consort, was something Feng Yuning had thought of from the very beginning. After all, there was no better backer in this world than Feng Yuan. Her plan also required access to the talent within the palace. As for Mo Ziqing, his expertise in skincare and his love of beauty were essential, not to mention the unexplainable feelings she had for him.

But before she could even ask, the two had already come to her aid. This softened some of her resistance toward Feng Yuan and Mo Ziqing as a couple.

Compared to herself, she realized Mo Ziqing truly suited her sister, Feng Yuan, much better.

“From the first time I met Princess Ning, and heard how she spoke so knowledgeably about the things we men use, I knew then that she was talented,” Mo Ziqing said with a smile. His gentle yet firm tone made Feng Yuning blush slightly.

She wasn’t even as confident in herself as Mo Ziqing seemed to be in her.

Feng Yuan, however, raised an eyebrow at Mo Ziqing’s words, feeling a bit jealous. She pressed her hand into Mo Ziqing’s palm. After all, they had met Mo Ziqing on the same day. Could it be that in Mo Ziqing’s mind, the impression of Princess Ning surpassed that of her, his fiancée and empress?

Unseen by others, Mo Ziqing squeezed Feng Yuan’s hand back within the wide sleeves of their robes. Their palms pressed together, and their heartbeats seemed to pass between them through their touch. Feng Yuan’s pulse quickened.

She hadn’t expected her consort to be so bold, daring to pull something like this in broad daylight. She glanced at Feng Yuning, who was still talking, completely unaware of the silent exchange. Feng Yuan breathed a quiet sigh of relief and then gripped Mo Ziqing’s hand even tighter.

“Sister, brother-in-law, did you understand what I was saying?” Feng Yuning paused for a sip of tea, her mouth dry from speaking, before turning to ask the pair.

Feng Yuan didn’t want to admit she hadn’t understood, but in truth, she hadn’t. She got the gist of the basics, but when it came to sales and aftercare, she was completely lost.

“We understood most of it, but there are still a few unclear points,” Mo Ziqing replied.

Feng Yuning’s plan had taken shape—a rough outline, really. But if she went forward with it as it was, she was bound to suffer a huge loss in the early stages.

Mo Ziqing wasn’t about to let her go astray, so he pointed out several loopholes Feng Yuning hadn’t considered, helping her refine the plan.

After that, they hammered out the details.

What Feng Yuning wanted to create was cosmetics. Unlike skincare, which deals with the health of the skin itself, cosmetics offered a simpler, more direct route to beauty. After all, how many people were born naturally beautiful? For most, makeup was the easiest way to achieve it.

When Feng Yuan saw that Feng Yuning was talking about the things men use without the slightest awkwardness, she finally believed that Feng Yuning was truly interested in this field.

“Ah, and mirrors! Without a clear mirror, no matter how beautiful a face is, it can’t properly show off its beauty.” At Mo Ziqing’s “reminder,” Feng Yuning suddenly remembered and added mirrors to her plan.

A mirror is essentially made from glass, and glass is made from sand—something even Feng Yuning, who hadn’t achieved much in her previous life, could recall. All that remained was to conduct experiments, and creating mirrors was only a matter of time.

“Your Majesty, shouldn’t you attend to your duties? Princess Ning and I can handle this. I don’t have much to do in the palace anyway, so I can help her out.” Seeing that Feng Yuan was bored and unable to engage in their conversation, Mo Ziqing suggested.

As soon as he said this, both Feng Yuan and Feng Yuning’s hearts skipped a beat.

Feng Yuning was excited at the prospect of spending time alone with Mo Ziqing, while Feng Yuan felt uneasy.

But then she reminded herself that they were in the palace, surrounded by her eyes and ears. What could possibly happen?

“Very well, I’ll head back. Yuning, make sure to discuss everything thoroughly with your brother-in-law,” Feng Yuan said.

“Take care, Sister,” Feng Yuning said, a hint of glee in her voice.

Mo Ziqing also smiled as he watched Feng Yuan leave.

Once Feng Yuan was gone, Mo Ziqing no longer held back, guiding Feng Yuning step by step down the path he wanted her to take.

With beauty clouding her judgment and her confidence inflated, Feng Yuning didn’t realize how much her original plan had changed.

Fortunately, Mo Ziqing had no intention of harming her. Otherwise, Feng Yuning wouldn’t even have bones left—she’d happily help him count the money after being sold off.

Outside of their business dealings, Mo Ziqing rarely saw Feng Yuning.

But Feng Yuning was never short of handsome men by her side. Coupled with the occasional glimpse of Mo Ziqing’s unparalleled beauty, her life felt like it was soaked in honey.

With a serious project in hand, Feng Yuning no longer had as much free time as before, which made the men in her courtyard both happy and worried.

It was good that Feng Yuning had something important to focus on, but at the same time, her time with them was greatly reduced.

Just as their worries were deepening, Feng Yuning returned with a pile of new items.

“These are skincare products—toner, lotion, serum, cream, eye cream, and so on—to improve your skin’s base condition.”

“And these are makeup products—foundation, primer, sunscreen, blush, eyeshadow, lipstick, setting powder, and makeup remover—all for applying makeup to the face.” Feng Yuning introduced each item to her men.

For those who loved beauty and were willing to invest time in it, what Feng Yuning had brought back was nothing short of a treasure trove.