The Slender Waist-Chapter 259 - 181: This Wine is Very Intoxicating

Feng Yun was playing chess and conversing with Wen Xingsu when Pei Jue had already returned to the camp.

He sat upright in the chief seat, looking at Zuo Zhong and spoke.

"Today at the riverbank, you did very well."

Zuo Zhong bowed with his hands clasped: "It all depends on the Great General’s cultivation."

He was not a man fond of flattery; Pei Jue uncomfortably furrowed his brows and didn’t say much, only flipping open the imperial edict on the desk to take a look.

"Is the eunuch who delivered the decree properly settled?"

Zuo Zhong replied, "In the post station."

Pei Jue leaned back slightly, his eyes half-closed as if in contemplation for a moment.

"Treat him well with fine wine and dishes."

Zuo Zhong’s eyelids twitched slightly, observing the stern expression on Pei Jue’s face.

"Your subordinate understands."

-

When Feng Yun woke up the next day, she heard discussions in the residence about the eunuch who had come from Central Capital City to deliver the decree. The previous night, he had gone to Huatang Qiuyue Building for drinks, frolicked with a young woman all night long, and then drunkenly stumbled out at dawn. He had accidentally fallen into the Huaishui River and drowned.

Huatang Qiuyue was right beside the Huaishui River.

This fall could be described as seamless.

The news of the temple attendant going to the flower building and losing his life quickly spread everywhere.

Xiaoman and Daman discussed it, their eyes full of disdain.

Feng Yun’s eyes were deep, and she laughed: "Temple attendants are men too; it’s normal for them to be lecherous."

After saying that, she shook her head and chuckled again.

Xiaoman asked, "Lady, why are you so happy?"

"Am I?" Feng Yun touched her own face.

"Yes," Xiaoman nodded emphatically.

Feng Yun looked at her with a warm face, "The tree I planted has grown a bit taller."

The two servant girls didn’t understand what she meant and gave her a perplexed look. Xiaoman even stepped forward to feel her forehead, then touched her own.

"You don’t have a fever."

Feng Yun gave her a white look, waving away her hand.

"Go, pack up, we’re preparing to return to Andu."

Her illness was almost healed, she missed her young turtle, missed Changmen, and staying in Xinzhou all the time didn’t feel right. Moreover, her current relationship with Pei Jue was rather awkward.

To say they were husband and wife was not quite true.

To say they were not, outsiders yet called her the lady of the house.

In the past few days while she was recuperating from her illness, Pei Jue couldn’t say much, but now that she could eat, sleep, and run around, Pei Jue had already sent word for her to return to Andu. She should take the hint and leave without making it difficult for anyone.

Pei Jue’s conduct this time wasn’t bad, so she would consider it as his sincerity...

Upon hearing they were returning to Andu, Xiaoman immediately cheered and scurried off to pack.

Daman hesitated, looking at her, wanting to speak but stopping short.

Feng Yun: "If you have something to say, just say it."

Daman wanted to say that at this time, the lady shouldn’t leave the general, but as the words reached the tip of her tongue, she remembered the lady’s character, knowing it was useless to speak so she lowered her gaze and shook her head.

"Your servant has nothing to say."

Feng Yun guessed her thoughts and raised her eyebrows.

"Then go and pack."

Daman complied, "Yes."

-

Feng Yun was immersed in joy for the entire day, pleased that those seeds of doubt were growing robustly.

Of course, she didn’t believe that the eunuch who came to convey the decree could accidentally fall into the river and drown.

It must have been done by Pei Jue.

And before his death, Pei Jue must have gotten the answers he wanted from him. As to whether he was satisfied or not, she couldn’t speculate, but Pei Jue’s actions were meant to intimidate Central Capital.

Pei Jue wanted Central Capital to know—

When a general is abroad, military commands can be disregarded.

When to return to the capital to report his position, whether to negotiate peace with Qi Country, he would be the one to decide, not the three-year-old child on the Dragon Throne.

Pei Jue’s ambition had finally surfaced.

If he desired greater power, he would inevitably shake the foundation of the Li Family.

How could there be no conflict?

If there were no conflicts, she’d create them.

Pei Jue and Li Sangruo would never get along well in this life.

If Li Sangruo had to blame someone, she should blame her insatiable father. Having become the father of the nation, the Prime Minister, with his grandson on the Dragon Throne, his daughter exercising imperial power, and still grasping for more power without contentment, forming cliques for personal benefit, and excluding the dissenters...

Then he should pay the price.

Feng Yun looked forward to the day her elder brother no longer had to begrudgingly say "the Imperial Court of the Great Jin Dynasty," and she also looked forward to seeing Li Sangruo’s tearful despair after completely losing Pei Jue.

Feng Yun was in a nuanced mood, took two jars of wine from her elder brother’s cellar, and had Xiaoman deliver one to Puyang Jiu to thank them for their kindness. She put the other one aside, planning to reward Pei Jue when he came.

She also sought an excuse to stay and wait for the negotiation.

Unexpectedly, Pei Jue arrived very quickly.

By dusk that day, they had arrived at Chunmeng Hall before night fell.

He walked in as if returning to his own home, shedding his outer robe and sitting down to see Feng Yun toasting small dried fish by the charcoal furnace, naturally pouring himself some tea to drink.

Feng Yun greeted him with a bow.

"I am planning to return to Andu tomorrow."

Pei Jue hummed in acknowledgment, glancing over at her briefly without saying much, then picked up one of the roasted dried fish she had prepared and started to eat it with evident enjoyment.

Feng Yun gave him a look, her eyes going cold.

Was he that eager for her to leave?

The two of them remained silent.

After swallowing the second small dried fish, Pei Jue’s mood visibly improved a lot.

He rolled up his sleeves, expressionless, and said, "About the startled horse incident at Qijing Slope, we have found out who was responsible."

Feng Yun’s interest was piqued. "Who was behind it?"

Pei Jue said grimly, "People from the Orange Crane Army."

The answer was not surprising, yet it did not fully satisfy Feng Yun.

"It’s curious, Deng Guang is dead, yet there are those still loyal to him. While the General is still alive, some dare to betray him. Shouldn’t the General reflect on himself?"

What she actually wanted to say was that those responsible for the startled horse were not truly loyal to Deng Guang but to someone else.

After speaking, she saw Pei Jue’s face darken and then realized her words. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Being betrayed is a painful matter, and speaking to Pei Jue in such a manner was not very friendly. Thus, she brought over the jug of fine wine she had prepared earlier, warming it over the furnace with a beaming smile, "It was a jest, General, please do not take it to heart."

Pei Jue nodded calmly.

It seemed as though he didn’t take it personally, but he also did not pick up on her implication.

Feng Yun was right, quietly pouring a cup of wine only to have Pei Jue take it from her.

"The Imperial Court intends to negotiate peace with Qi Country. What do you think?"

Feng Yun had not expected him to ask her for an opinion.

Wasn’t he the one who disliked her interference in such significant matters?

Feng Yun considered it. "To fight a battle, to make a truce, it’s nothing out of the ordinary. This north-south conflict has lasted over a year, with the Jin Army having the upper hand. At the negotiation table, they will surely be the advantageous party—"

Pei Jue’s eyelids lifted slightly. "Does Lady Yun agree with the peace talks?"

Feng Yun smiled. "It depends on their sincerity."

She then cleaned her hands and leisurely resumed toasting the small dried fish, saying, "If the Qi Army is willing to cede the five towns of Andu, Wanning, and Xinzhou to Jin Country and pay tribute year after year, naturally it would be good. If they refuse, then there is nothing to discuss. If the stalemate continues, Xiao Cheng will not benefit either."

Pei Jue asked, "What if Xiao Cheng refuses to agree?"

Last time Yan Buxi came to Bingzhou to discuss peace, it was made very clear that Xiao Cheng’s conditions included Feng Yun’s return.

That was the biggest obstacle to the peace talks.

Feng Yun smiled, "General must not forget, we still have Xiao Rong in our hands."

Pei Jue watched her quietly, saying nothing.

Feng Yun continued, "To rest and recuperate is what the people desire. Constant fighting is draining and costly, and it’s not a solution. A ceasefire at this time, as long as Qi Country can pay the price, would also be beneficial. Of course, what matters most is that the Imperial Court is certainly inclined towards peace, wanting to secure the gains and rightfully annex the five towns of Andu and Xinzhou."

Pei Jue hummed in response.

Feng Yun smiled as she watched his expression.

"If the Imperial Court wants peace, the General would have to agree even if he’s reluctant."

Pei Jue lowered his gaze and silently drank his wine without speaking.

Feng Yun curled her lip, refraining from speaking further, simply quietly pouring wine for him and toasting the small dried fish.

The crispy dried fish melted deliciously in the mouth with every bite.

Feng Yun fixed her gaze on him and asked, "Is it tasty?"

Pei Jue looked back at her, raised his sleeve, tilted his head back, and downed the drink in one gulp, the movement of his Adam’s apple showing the swallowing motion, which made Feng Yun narrow her eyes, suddenly feeling somewhat restless.

It was getting late.

Why hadn’t Pei Jue left yet?

It seemed he had no intention of leaving.

Was he planning to stay the night?

Feng Yun tentatively said, "Why does the General stay silent?"

Pei Jue set down his cup, "Your words make sense."

Feng Yun: ...

She didn’t respond, just kept her eyes fixed on him.

"Then I shall take my leave." Finally, Pei Jue slowly stood up, but after just a couple of steps, he suddenly held his forehead, his eyes narrowing slightly as he sat back down.

"This wine, terribly potent."

Feng Yun: ...

She did not know about Pei Jue’s capacity for alcohol.

For she had no memory of Pei Jue ever being drunk. In her imagination, General Pei should be the type unable to get drunk, no matter how much he drank—was it the combination of small dried fish with osmanthus wine that had floored him?

"If you can’t hold your liquor, just say so."

Feng Yun helped him to lie down on a couch, shaking the wine jug with her hand.

He had consumed more than half the jug.

No wonder he was drunk...