The Slender Waist-Chapter 366 - 259: At All Costs

Pei Jue hesitated for a moment, "Let’s go."

Feng Yun promptly pulled down the carriage curtain, shielding the probing gazes from outside.

Get going! The carriage slowly moved away, laughter echoing from within.

The envoy from Qi Country and his entourage were ready to depart.

Hearing the sound and turning back, Feng Jingteng sighed faintly.

"Pei Jue truly values Shi’er Niang. Had we known this, we shouldn’t have sent her away..."

Feng Jingyao withdrew his gaze and snorted coldly, "Utterly foolish. If you hadn’t sent her to Pei Jue, how would he have come to value her?"

In fact, Feng Jingteng meant to say something else.

He pondered, choosing his words carefully.

"Shi’er Niang’s beauty is exceptional, and even staying in Tai City would have benefitted the Feng Family."

Feng Jingyao’s face darkened as he looked at him, "If not her, would you rather send Aying away?"

Feng Jingteng was rendered speechless by his elder brother, murmuring, "Brother misunderstands my intention."

He added, "Aying is virtuous, intelligent, and especially filial. How could I, as a father, bear to? I was just thinking... Shi’er Niang is talented and beautiful, and if she were to marry into the Xiao Family, maybe she could secure the Emperor’s favor..."

His eyes sparkled, leaving his thoughts unspoken.

With the new Emperor’s ascent to the throne, various factions were vying for power. Despite the apparent calm of the royal court, undercurrents were stirring. Having a daughter favored by the emperor was certainly a powerful addition to any family...

However, Feng Jingyao had no patience to listen to all that, and waved his hand dismissively.

"Shi’er Niang grew up under your watch; what talents does she have that you, as her father, don’t know? It’s merely the sweet talk and flattery of the Jin Court nobles, trying to win Pei Jue’s favor with a cooked-up reputation. If that’s all the ambition you have, you’d better not show your face here and bring disgrace upon us. Go back to Tai City and enjoy your retirement."

Feng Jingteng was left blushing with shame.

"I am ashamed. Truly ashamed."

Feng Jingyao glanced at the departing carriage, his gaze dark and unfathomable.

"Shi’er Niang, despite her beauty, has a tainted reputation, unfit to be the Queen. Even with her looks, it’s not a long-term solution. If we speak of grace and dignity, intelligence and acumen, it still has to be Aying. What’s more important is that Aying is obedient."

Feng Jingteng felt a chilling coldness in his heart.

Obedience, he realized, must be the reason his brother chose Aying.

Only an obedient child can be easily controlled.

"I have learned my lesson, brother."

-

The carriage rattled onward.

Feng Yun’s gentleness in the presence of others faded, and she sprawled lazily against the cushions, chatting idly with Pei Jue.

"Did the Empress Dowager make it difficult for the General just now?"

"Not at all," Pei Jue hesitated before looking at her, "Lady Yun, have you misunderstood something?"

Feng Yun shook her head.

"I still have the ability to discern that much. The General’s expression was clearly reluctant..."

Pei Jue took her hand.

Her fingertips were ice cold.

He frowned, warmed them in his palm for a moment, and then slowly extended his arms to envelop her tender body in his embrace.

The man’s warmth was comforting, and Feng Yun snuggled closer.

"This time, Xiao San has posed a big problem for Jin Country. Lose, and we give up Xinzhou. Win, and Xiao Cheng will definitely have unreasonable demands. How will the General handle it?"

Pei Jue looked at her calmly, his dark eyes deep.

"Do you want to return to Qi Country?"

He asked directly, without beating around the bush.

Feng Yun slid her icy hand under his garment to warm it, exhaling comfortably, and her answer came easily, half reproachful, half amused, "What kind of question is that? If I go back, I’ll go back with the General."

Pei Jue gazed at that fair face like jade, the chill in his eyes melting away. He covered her hand and kneaded it, suddenly pulling her onto his lap and holding her securely.

His blood ran hot.

A surge of impatience at the thought of the intoxicating pleasure, his Adam’s apple rolling...

Feng Yun noticed the awakening dragon and chuckled softly.

"You should prepare early for tomorrow’s challenge. If Xiao Cheng dares to make demands, he must have something up his sleeve..."

Pei Jue, his expression impassive, tightened his grip on her slender waist and lifted her slightly, "Undaunted."

So arrogant.

Feng Yun’s lips curled wildly as she wrapped her arms around his neck, "And if we lose?"

"We’ll take it back by force."

"And if we win?"

His eyes darkened as he stared at her, silent.

Feng Yun asked, "If Xiao San demands to have me, what will the General do?"

"Tell him to get lost."

"What if he won’t go? If both Jin and Qi countries pressure the General to divorce his wife in the name of the greater good?"

She spoke the word "divorce" as if it were nothing.

In this era, women were of low status, and a simple "for the greater good" could compel a man to cast aside his wife and children without fear of blame and might even earn him praise...

Feng Yun’s lips held a mocking smile as she looked up.

Pei Jue was also looking at her.

Eyes met.

Pei Jue said, "I will not hesitate to fight."

Feng Yun laughed softly, "That’s right. Our General isn’t going to play their cunning games. Who dares to challenge us, we’ll fight them, and keep fighting until they yield."