The Slender Waist-Chapter 357 - 251: A Welcome Sight

"Huh..."

Ao Qi squatted in the distance.

Eager to try, he growled softly. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Every time Pei Jue came, he always did this.

Feng Yun’s eyes curved, showing no emotion for this, she pursed her dry lips and smiled at Ao Qi, then spoke to Pei Jue.

"General, what are you doing? You’ve frightened Ao Qi."

"Would Lady Yun be afraid of me?" Pei Jue held her tightly in his embrace, unconsciously rubbing his chin against her hair, his voice calm.

A chill flashed briefly in Feng Yun’s eyes before she broke into a smile, hooked one hand around his neck, and bit his chin.

Fearless in action.

Feng Yun often felt that when communicating with Pei Jue, the body spoke louder than words, so where possible, she’d communicate physically and speak less.

Her slender attire outlined her graceful, slender waist against her dark hair like the blood-sucking demoness men spoke of in those strange records, winding tightly around Pei Jue, undulating in a way that trembled both body and mind.

Pei Jue’s breathing grew heavier. He slapped her bottom forcefully, eliciting a moan from her, before asking in a low voice:

"Did you drink last night because you were angry with me?"

"No," Feng Yun fiddled with his clothes, hearing his husky voice filled with unstoppable desire and chuckled lightly, "The General has avenged me, how could I be angry with you?"

Such sour words.

Saying one thing but meaning another, yet not aggressively so.

"The General does not wish to be an enemy of the Empress Dowager, nor would he be disloyal to the Imperial Court. Yesterday’s words, I know you were forced by me, and had to say... How could a woman of the Feng Family deserve such high regard from the General? Last night’s drinking was for self-reflection..."

Her voice, shallow and teasing, was full of self-mockery.

After speaking, she cast a flirtatious glance at Pei Jue.

"It won’t happen again. From now on, I’ll avoid her. Even if Empress Dowager Li plots against me, I’ll swallow my anger and not provoke her..."

She preempted what Pei Jue might say to her, intentionally leaving him no room to argue.

Pei Jue’s lips tightened coldly, and indeed, he said nothing.

Lost in thought, he just stared at her.

"Aren’t you happy with how obedient I am, General?" asked Feng Yun, biting his ear.

Pei Jue’s palm supported her back, tightened slightly, and he lowered his head to capture her playful lips, kissing her fiercely.

A strong sense of male conquest enveloped them.

Feng Yun closed her eyes.

This wooden bed was rather flimsy; it was fine when only Feng Yun used it, but with Pei Jue’s rough handling, it creaked and groaned incessantly, looking less durable than Feng Yun appeared.

Pei Jue suddenly stopped, his breath still slightly turbid as he kissed her nose tip, seemingly without the intention to continue.

Feng Yun, with moist eyes, kissed him back.

"There’s no time now, why not come over tonight?"

Pei Jue hummed softly in agreement.

Feng Yun chuckled lightly, snuggling closer to him, "Coming over so early in the morning, I thought the General was in desperate need..."

"You’re right."

"Is the General satisfied now?"

"What do you think?" Pei Jue grabbed her hand, his eyes darkly staring at her.

They looked into each other’s eyes.

Smiling slightly, Feng Yun tried to discover something in the man’s eyes.

Regrettably, they were apathetic, like an ancient well, inscrutable to her.

"I really want to strangle you to death." He suddenly said.

"..."

Sometimes Feng Yun felt that Pei Jue truly hated her.

This feeling was intense before, fading a bit after their grand wedding in Bingzhou, but whenever his emotions fluctuated, Feng Yun sensed that the hatred was always there, hidden in his heart, igniting again with the smallest provocations.

It seemed she pushed him too far last night.

Feng Yun chuckled lightly, raising her hand, "The General still doesn’t trust me. Then I shall swear..."

Pei Jue forcefully pulled her hand down, using his fingers to comb through her hair.

"Take Xiao Rong with you and accompany me to the council hall."

Feng Yun paused, looking at him in surprise, then seeing the seriousness on his face, she nodded with a smile.

"I obey your command!"

-

Mingquan Town was bustling today.

The checkpoints were even more meticulous. Pei Jue led the way on horseback, while Xiao Rong sat in Feng Yun’s carriage, her eyes wide with visible excitement.

As the carriage came to a stop and her feet hit the ground, her tears began to fall.

"It feels like another lifetime."

During her capture, she didn’t suffer much, especially since the peace negotiations began, her circumstances improved a lot. Several maids attended to her, and she got whatever she asked for.

But even in luxury, there was no joy.

Standing outside the council hall that moment, she felt even the breeze was free.

Laughing one moment, crying the next.

Pei Jue didn’t say much, handing the horse’s reins to a guard, nodding towards Feng Yun, then walked straight inside.

"Congratulations, Your Highness," Feng Yun said, smiling at Xiao Rong, just as Ao Qi approached them.

"Auntie," a normal address, but spoken by Ao Qi in a low, gentle voice, it unexpectedly took on a forbidden, secretive undertone, "Just hand her over to me."

Xiao Rong turned at the sound to see Ao Qi.

Tall, the young general in armor exuded a valiant spirit, his sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes made his good features stand out. However, his slightly upturned philtrum gave him a stubborn air. He seemed to have a temper, and his gaze was a bit fierce.

"Alright," Feng Yun smiled at Ao Qi and gave Xiao Rong a bow.

"Farewell for now, Princess."

Perhaps it was Ao Qi’s presence, but as Xiao Rong looked at Feng Yun, she suddenly felt that her earlier tears were somewhat childish.

They were all around the same age, yet how could she, a royal princess, be so fragile?

She wiped away her tears, smiled, and lifted the corners of her mouth.

"Farewell, Feng Family’s Ayun."

She then bowed to Feng Yun, "Thank you for your care during these days."

Feng Yun pursed her lips, saying no more, and turned to walk back to her own shop.

Xiao Rong stared at her retreating figure for a long time, then turned to find Ao Qi also watching her.

The young man’s brows were slightly furrowed, his eyes full of restlessness, but when he looked at Feng Family’s Ayun, they were intense and eager.

Xiao Rong’s lips curled slightly as she raised an eyebrow.

"You like her too? Just like my imperial brother?"

Ao Qi glanced at her, pressed his lips together, and couldn’t be bothered to say more.

Xiao Rong let out a low tch, "Afraid to admit it."

Feng Ying was just ten paces away, her carriage having just stopped.

She wore a white gauze veil hat on her head, barely covering her face, and was helped down from the carriage by two maidservants.

She first saw Xiao Rong, and called out in surprise.

"Arong..."

Xiao Rong, hearing the voice, turned her head and recognized her, stunned yet full of joy.

"Aying..."

She was about to rush over to Feng Ying but was blocked by Ao Qi stepping in front of her.

"Princess."

The harsh cold light of his ring-head knife flickered, and Ao Qi’s voice was very impatient.

"Please come with me."

The youthful immaturity was evident from his disdainful eyes, quite annoying.

He called her "Princess" but didn’t really take her seriously.

Xiao Rong, spoiled with countless affection growing up in Tai City, would have thrown a tantrum at just one such look if it weren’t for her experience of being captured.

Fortunately, she had grown a lot, only glancing at Ao Qi hatefully before turning back to look at Feng Ying.

"Aying, wait for me."

She looked back with every step she took.

"Arong," Feng Ying walked forward a few steps, stopped, and then comforted her with a throat choked with emotion.

"Don’t be afraid, Arong, I will wait for you, always by your side."

Xiao Rong wasn’t actually scared.

She made a funny face at Feng Ying, smiled slightly, and inexplicably turned her head, wanting to glance at Feng Yun one more time.

One bid her farewell with a smile, the other cried and told her not to worry.

Ever since she started to think Feng Yun wasn’t that hateful, she often found herself reviewing all their past conflicts and contradictions...

If Feng Yun shouldn’t have been treated that way, then who was to blame?

The young ladies who stood up for Feng Ying?

Nobody was wrong, yet why had there been hatred for so many years.

Xiao Rong couldn’t figure it out.

-

The main hall of the negotiation pavilion.

Jin and Qi sat at tables on either side, each occupying a side.

The tables were not ornately carved, but they were made of fine wood and looked very dignified, sufficiently displaying authority.

The woman at the top position on the Jin side was dressed luxuriously with graceful bearing, her features striking—Empress Dowager Li Sangruo.

The envoys of Jin sat in order of succession.

Pei Jue was seated to the right of Empress Dowager Li.

On the Qi side was Minister of the Imperial Secretariat Feng Jingyao leading more than ten envoys, with General Feng Jingteng also prominently among them.

However, the Emperor of Qi, Xiao Cheng, was not seen at the top seat.

In the center was a purple sandalwood round table, with only clerks from the two countries and the mediator from Yunchuan present.

This arrangement of the tables had been repeatedly discussed and slightly modified from the usual practice before the negotiations, as a way to fully respect both parties participating in the peace talks.

The Crown Prince of Yunchuan, Chunyu Yan, was not late this time. As he sat down in the middle, he asked with a smile:

"Has Qi Jun not arrived yet?"

Empress Dowager Li chuckled, "The appointed time is upon us, Qi Jun is yet to appear; could it be that he feels my Dajin lacks sincerity?"

Of course, Dajin had sufficient sincerity, since the Empress Dowager herself had come in person.

It was clearly a mockery of Qi Country for not following proper etiquette.

Feng Jingyao’s old face creased slightly as he glanced at his younger brother Feng Jingteng before bowing to Empress Dowager Li.

"Empress Dowager, my apologies. His Majesty caught a cold some days ago, has been bedridden for a long while, and feels unwell, which has caused some delay..."

"Is that so?" Empress Dowager Li was aware of the matter at Zhu River and said with a smile in her eyes, "Then waiting a bit longer is not a problem. However, my own health isn’t the best, I can wait no longer than a quarter of an hour. If Qi Jun does not arrive, I will not wait long."

Her every frown and smile carried the demeanor of a superior, sharp and haughty, something Qi Country had to endure.

Because Jin was the victor.

And it was the man sitting by her side that gave her the confidence to speak such words here today.

The more Empress Dowager Li understood this, the more distressed she felt inside.

She really wanted to glance at Pei Jue.

Yet, remembering Tang Shaogong’s words, she restrained herself, lowered her gaze, sipped her water, and kept herself from losing composure on such an important occasion.

"General," Zuo Zhong approached and whispered to Pei Jue, "Madam said she has prepared a drink for the General at the eatery, and asks the General to stop by during the break in the meeting."

Pei Jue hummed in response.

That one sound, terse as a knife, plunged into Empress Dowager Li’s heart.

Clutching her fists in secret, a surge of anger rose within her, accompanied by a cold smile.

"Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, the time has come. Is your country toying with me?"