The Slender Waist-Chapter 360 - 253: The Emperor’s Gamble_2

Xiao Cheng stood with his hands behind his back, looking in the direction of her gaze.

"At this time of year, the flowers have all withered."

Li Sangruo chuckled, "This actually doesn’t pose a problem for you and me. Winter flowers, summer snow—if one wishes it, can’t an emperor command it so?"

Xiao Cheng’s brow furrowed slightly.

Though at the pinnacle of power, his desires differed from those of Li Sangruo.

"Is Qi Jun aware that this conference hall is the work of Feng Twelve?"

Xiao Cheng’s expression remained calm, "I’ve heard something of the sort."

Li Sangruo gave a gentle smile.

"What a pity. Qi Jun ought to have had a virtuous wife, but alas... how the world turns."

Xiao Cheng didn’t turn around, "Empress Dowager wouldn’t have sought me out just to speak of these sorrowful matters, would she?"

The Jixiang behind him lowered his head.

Clearly, the Emperor had matters to discuss with Li Sangruo, yet he didn’t utter a word about them; he simply "bumped into her" and began to flatter the Jin Empress Dowager...

Compared to his master, the Empress Dowager still seemed inferior. Jixiang thought this and bowed his head even lower, afraid to let the Jin Empress Dowager perceive his thoughts.

Li Sangruo apparently had no interest in noticing a servant.

She looked at Xiao Cheng and said, "I had originally thought that Qi Jun would overcome all opposition to include the return of Qi’s captives in the agreement..."

Xiao Cheng, as if he didn’t quite understand her, said indifferently:

"Exchanging captives is customary, and an agreement was already reached with your country beforehand. Does the Empress Dowager intend to renege?"

Li Sangruo smiled, "Qi Jun knows full well what I’m talking about. Feng Twelve was once Qi Jun’s wife and became a captive in Jin during the war, just like your sister Xiao Rong, who should be returned after the peace negotiation. But the list of captives I’ve seen does not bear Feng Twelve’s name—why is this?"

Xiao Cheng laughed, "As the Empress Dowager herself said, ’how the world turns.’ Since Feng Twelve is now remarried, how could I possibly demand her return?"

Li Sangruo sneered inwardly.

Men, always so hypocritical.

Li Sangruo said, "Why not supplement the list of captives? If I’m satisfied with it, perhaps I’ll agree, right?"

Xiao Cheng narrowed his eyes to look at her, this time without speaking.

The implication was that if Qi Country gave up claiming Xinzhou, she would include Feng Twelve in the list of Qi’s captives. Once the treaty was set and signed by both sides, it would be difficult to go back on their word...

Xiao Cheng: "Aren’t you afraid that the Great General won’t agree?"

Li Sangruo laughed, "Adding just one name, how would the Great General ever find out?"

Xiao Cheng’s eyes suddenly revealed a hint of a smile.

He looked gentle and distinguished, yet his contempt was boundless.

"Empress Dowager’s plan won’t work. And I have no interest in stooping to such actions."

Li Sangruo detected the emotion in his eyes.

This Xiao Cheng looked down on her, as if the word "foolish" was plastered on her forehead.

She felt a surge of anger.

But it wasn’t appropriate to show it then and there.

Suppressing her irritation, she scoffed softly, "Such a beautiful lady, Qi Jun has no regard for her anymore?"

Xiao Cheng replied, "What of it if I do long for her?"

Li Sangruo giggled, "The city of Xinzhou and a beautiful wife—you must choose one, Qi Jun."

Xiao Cheng laughed too, "I want the beauty. And the city as well."

Li Sangruo was taken aback by his audacity, raising her eyebrows slightly.

"Your audacity, Qi Jun, far surpasses mine."

Xiao Cheng said, "As long as the Empress Dowager agrees, we both shall get what we wish for. Why not be content with that?"

-

Feng Yun was in her own shop next door.

Nan Kui and Chai Ying were in front of her, excited like little quails, their eyes never leaving her as they circled around.

Having left the confines of a grand house to stay outside for a while, Nan Kui had lost her softness and gained a rugged air, and Chai Ying too, became more efficient, a drastic change from her demeanor some time back.

On the other hand, Jiang Yin hadn’t changed much, still reserved and gentle, always smiling, but rarely heard around the shop, silent to the point of almost being invisible.

Feng Yun saw her selecting vegetables and strolled over, smiling.

"How are you getting on? Are you managing okay?"

Jiang Yin replied in a soft voice, "I am well, being with Nan Ji and Chai Ji is very easygoing."

"That’s good to hear." Feng Yun smiled, about to leave when Jiang Yin added, "The Crown Prince of Yunchuan has sent someone looking for me again."

Feng Yun asked, "To follow him?"

Jiang Yin thought for a moment, then nodded, "I refused. I said I want to follow the lady."

Feng Yun couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

Chunyu Yan had repeatedly been snubbed in front of his dearly fixated Lian Ji; she was sure his pride was severely burned, wasn’t it?

She suddenly felt in an excellent mood.

Considering their partnership, she decided to stick her nose in a bit more to help him.

"Seeing someone through a mask is, after all, a barrier. Why don’t you take a look at the Princely Heir’s face before you make your decision?"

In Feng Yun’s opinion, a man with the looks of Chunyu Yan, who was also the wealthy Crown Prince of Yunchuan, had everything: looks, money, status, and he was so fond of her, Jiang Yin had no reason to stand firm against him...

Unexpectedly, Jiang Yin shook her head.

"The Princely Heir’s appearance, he is not willing to show it easily."

Feng Yun raised an eyebrow, "He won’t let you see it?"

Jiang Yin: "That’s what the eunuch said."

Feng Yun uttered an "oh" and was about to say more when she saw a tall figure with wide clothing and a sable cloak stride in, his extravagant appearance quite eye-catching...

If it wasn’t the Crown Prince of Yunchuan, then who could it be?

"The Princely Heir has come at just the right time..."

Just as Feng Yun’s light chuckle sounded, she saw two more figures appearing behind Chunyu Yan.

One with stern features and an expression of meticulous severity.

The other a handsome youth, wearing a slight smile.

It turned out to be Pei Jue and Ao Qi arriving.

The guards were all outside; Ao Qi entered, glanced at Pei Jue’s expression, and smiled, "I heard my aunt has prepared some delicious beverages, so I just tagged along for a free meal."

Feng Yun responded with a smile, instructed Nan Kui to attend to the two of them, and then gestured for Chunyu Yan to come with her.

Chunyu Yan seemed amused, unable to hide the smiling curve of his lips, bowed politely to Pei Jue, and followed her.

"You look quite healthy."

Feng Yun looked past him, glancing at Jiang Yin in the distance.

"Jiang Ji wishes to see the Princely Heir’s face, would you be willing or not?"

Chunyu Yan’s smile suddenly retreated.

He had no chance to talk to Jiang Yin during last night’s banquet, and thinking of the injury she had suffered, he specifically came to visit her. Unexpectedly, the girl’s complexion was rosy, her skin fair, not affected in the slightest, and she was even arranging things for him?

Chunyu Yan sized her up.

"Feng Twelve, are you ill?"

Feng Yun thought his question rather strange.

"Don’t be ungrateful. I’ve just sounded her out on your behalf, and Jiang Ji is still a bit curious about the Princely Heir..."

She chuckled softly, "Use your good looks to conquer her."

"Lady Yun," a cold voice interrupted, and Pei Jue’s imposing figure cast a shadow as he steped forward. By the time Feng Yun turned around, he was already by her side, giving Chunyu Yan a threatening glare as if they were enemies on the battlefield.

"The beverages have gone cold."

"Have they?" Feng Yun gave Chunyu Yan a look, feeling like a major matchmaker, "Princely Heir, please wait in the tearoom."

Chunyu Yan glanced at Pei Jue and smiled, "Alright."

He was feeling quite pleased when he heard Feng Yun’s voice tinged with a hint of helplessness.

"Have a good talk with Jiang Ji. You don’t have many advantages, Princely Heir; use what you have wisely."

Chunyu Yan narrowed his eyes, "What did you say?"

Feng Yun pointed to the mask on his face, "Don’t be stubborn; you’re not that hideous. I can only help you this much..."

Pei Jue’s cheeks lifted slightly.

Chunyu Yan clenched his jaw in anger.

For a moment, he really wanted to kill this woman.

After he had thrown away so many descendants for her sake, she actually wanted to feast on his matchmaker’s joy?

"Feng Twelve, you really dare to say anything, don’t you?"

Feng Yun felt his anger was inexplicable, lost interest in bothering further, turned her head, and took hold of Pei Jue’s arm.

"So be it if you don’t want to go! General, let’s go."

Pei Jue, almost instinctively, opened his arms, wrapped his arm around her waist, and protected her in his embrace like a calf being guarded.

Watching the two of them walk off together, Chunyu Yan stayed silent with a grim face.

With a cold snort, he actually headed towards the tearoom.