The Slender Waist-Chapter 376 - 268: A Kindred Spirit at First Sight

Chapter 376: Chapter 268: A Kindred Spirit at First Sight

The next morning when I got out of bed, the whole world was a vast expanse of white.

As Feng Yun opened her eyes, she saw Pei Jue lying against the bed, stiff as a log, which startled her so much she paused mid-yawn.

It was freezing cold, and he didn’t even think to pull over the blanket for some warmth?

Feng Yun instinctively reached out to check his breathing.

He was still breathing!

Relieved, she tiptoed out of bed, draped the blanket over him, and went to ask Xiaoman.

"When did the General come?"

Xiaoman whispered, "The marquis had just left not long ago, and then the General arrived. Maybe they even met outside the door."

Wen Xingsu had left after Feng Yun had gone to sleep.

She was so sleepy at the time that she hadn’t noticed Pei Jue’s return at all.

"Have them heat up some ginger soup in the kitchen. When the General wakes up, make him drink it," she said.

Xiaoman giggled and went to do as told.

After being assisted by Daman in freshening up, Feng Yun returned to bump into a pair of dark eyes.

"Did I wake you?" Feng Yun asked.

"No," Pei Jue answered, his eyes clear and alert, not at all showing signs of sleep deprivation as he pulled away the blanket and sat up.

"What time is it?"

"It’s still early. You should sleep a bit more, General."

"I won’t sleep," he said.

Pei Jue watched her, his voice carrying a weary rasp.

"Why are you up early?"

Usually, when there was nothing pressing, she would sleep in a little and not let anyone disturb her...

Feng Yun smiled. "Aren’t we going to Chunmeng Hall to watch the third contest? Of course, I had to get up early."

Pei Jue gazed deeply at her.

"Stay at Chunmeng Hall today. Jin Country can’t win, so there is no need to go and watch."

Feng Yun looked at his somber face and felt a slight heaviness in her heart, as if a storm was approaching.

Pei Jue usually didn’t interfere with her much.

If he said this, it wasn’t without reason.

She replied, "But I want to go see."

After a moment’s stare-down, Pei Jue’s frosty face softened.

"Take the guards with you, and don’t run around recklessly."

Feng Yun was delighted, "Your subordinate obeys the command!"

Zuo Zhong, Jiu You, Ye Chuang, and other guards were all in the outer room. Hot soup was boiling on the stove, steamed white buns filled the table along with some small salty dishes, and everyone was eating with rosy cheeks.

Seeing Pei Jue and Feng Yun emerge together, all the men greeted them in unison, put down their bowls and chopsticks, and prepared to leave.

Pei Jue said, "Don’t rush off just yet, finish your meal first."

They exchanged glances, all with smiles in their eyes.

"Yes, sir."

They all preferred coming to the lady’s courtyard for meals, where the food was better than in the camp, tasty and hearty, and the General would be especially amiable...

After finishing breakfast, Xiaoman came in cheerily, holding a purple sandalwood tray, and presented it to Pei Jue.

"General, some soup for you."

Pei Jue frowned.

The guards were also taken aback.

The General prided himself on his health and strength and was never fond of such concoctions.

"No need," he said as expected.

"Drink it," Feng Yun came over with a smiling face, "I saw you this morning; you were almost frozen into an ice lump. It’s not good if the cold enters your body, it’s damaging to the kidneys."

Pei Jue glanced at her.

Feng Yun blinked, then blinked again.

Pei Jue’s expression became inexplicably stiff.

He was already aggravated by the dry heat, how could a little cold be an issue for him?

"Drink up. It was prepared especially for you."

Feng Yun approached, carrying a light smile at the corner of her mouth. Eventually, Pei Jue bowed his head and gulped the whole thing down.

The guards were very stunned.

Feng Yun, unaware, found a woolen scarf and put it around his neck.

"It’s cold out; wear this."

Pei Jue: ...

In that moment, he felt that in Feng Yun’s eyes, he and a baby turtle were no different.

-

The envoys from Qi Country also arrived at the hall early, and when the time came to verify the results, everyone was brimming with enthusiasm, except for Xiao Cheng, who wore a calm expression, showing neither joy nor anger.

Disembarking from the carriage at the hall and seeing the strict security all around, he leaned over to ask Xie Congguang,

"Is everything arranged?"

Xie Congguang replied, "Your Majesty can rest assured, everything’s in place, nothing will go wrong."

Xiao Cheng hummed in acknowledgement, without further comment.

Both sides were prepared for a surprise attack from the Jin Army, ready for the possibility that negotiations could fail and the other side might suddenly deploy troops. Today, both had made extensive preparations, with large contingents on alert, almost surrounding the hall...

Yet when envoys from both sides met, they exchanged pleasantries and congenial conversation as if visiting relatives during the New Year, with no apparent tension.

The contest today seemed to be a sure win for Qi.

Feng Ying also looked confident and proud, leading her maids into the hall, standing even straighter than on the first day.

Li Sangruo stood there, waiting for her.

"I have long heard of the beauty of Lady Feng from Qi Jun, renowned for her heavenly grace and national beauty. Seeing you today, indeed, the reputation is well-deserved."

Feng Ying’s face was covered by a veil, barely visible, so how could one discern her celebrated beauty?

Hearing these words, she knew that Li Sangruo’s words had another layer of meaning.

"The Empress Dowager flatters me too much."

Feng Ying gave Li Sangruo a curtsy, lifted her head slightly, and gave a shallow, sincere smile, with even a sparkle in her eyes.

"Having been in Mingquan for three days, it is only today I am fortunate to clearly see the true face of the Empress Dowager. This is what real national beauty is about. The lotus flower pales in comparison, it makes me feel ashamed upon seeing you, and feel tarnished..."

Li Sangruo’s eyebrows arched in a smile, "Lady Feng really knows how to compliment someone. Pretty and eloquent—no wonder you are so favored by Qi Jun."

Feng Ying accepted the remark, smiling shyly.

"This isn’t flattery at all. I am tongue-tied and can’t begin to describe a fraction of the Empress Dowager’s elegance. Besides, beauty is merely external; it’s the Empress Dowager’s talent and spirit that truly are unmatched... Who could compare..."

People always enjoy being praised.

Li Sangruo and Feng Ying were no exceptions.

The two exchanged courteous and complimentary words as if they were kindred spirits, hitting it off at first sight.

Li Sangruo almost instinctively turned the conversation towards Feng Yun.

"With such a beautiful lady, how could there be such a sister?"

Feng Ying smiled awkwardly, "Is my elder sister causing the Empress Dowager trouble?"

"Not at all," Li Sangruo lifted her eyelids slightly, "Who could bother me in this position?"

After a pause, she glanced at Feng Ying with a smile:

"I just heard that Qi Jun intends to take her back? I just feel sorry for Lady Feng."

Feng Ying’s heart was pounding, unable to guess Li Sangruo’s intentions, she responded with a smile:

"If my husband has this intention, it’s not my place to ask. Our family also misses my elder sister very much. To reunite the entire family would indeed be a great joy."

Li Sangruo chuckled, half sincere and half false.

"Then I hope you get your wish soon."

"I wish the same for the Empress Dowager."

The two exchanged a knowing smile and departed from each other.

Li Sangruo looked at that delicate retreating figure, "This Lady Feng indeed seems gentle and lovely. I wonder why Lord of Pingyuan County would say she is quite ruthless..."

Chen Xi didn’t understand any of this.

He just nodded along, whispering:

"Does Your Highness intend to tell Mr. Tang about the plan with the Lord of Pingyuan County?"

Li Sangruo gave him a sideways glance.

"I am the Empress Dowager presiding over the court."

She had to rely on her own abilities to stem the tide and win back Xinzhou.

She wanted to make Pei Jue, her father, and the whole world take notice, not wanting Tang Shaogong to intervene.

The hour of mao arrived.

Both parties took their seats.

The contestant from Qi Country was, unsurprisingly, Yan Buxi.

But the name Jin Country submitted was completely unfamiliar.

"Azhou, who is Azhou?"

Upon hearing the question, Li Sangruo lightly curved her lips.

"A mere servant from the residence of the Lord of Pingyuan County. He has just practiced some mathematics with the master, so we let him give it a try."

Chunyu Yan remained silent.

But the room erupted into uproar.

An envoy, enraged, even slammed the table on the spot.

"Is Jin Country insulting Master Yan? Even if they know they are no match, they should not send an obscure servant to compete."

"That’s right! This is disrespectful to Qi Country."

The envoys from Jin were originally very reluctant about Li Sangruo’s use of a servant but at this point, they could only give up. If they could upset Qi Country, seeing them in a rage was a small victory.

"Preposterous, how is that disrespectful?"

"You allow Qi Army an unknown person to compete against our Great General, yet we cannot randomly pick a servant to suppress your Master Yan?"

Suppress?

That word was particularly grating to the ears.

"Such arrogance!"

"Arrogance is better than your sneaky tactics and shamelessness, isn’t it?"

"A fair contest, how are we resorting to sneaky tactics?"

"If the mathematical problems are set by you, how can we ensure that your Master Yan hasn’t had prior knowledge of them? Testing oneself, isn’t that like guarding and stealing at the same time?"

"Nonsense! The problems were set by Mr. Quding, who is staying in Yunchuan. Are you saying you don’t trust the Crown Prince of Yunchuan either?"

Only then did the envoy from Jin fall silent.

Chunyu Yan swept his gaze over the impassioned argument, a slight smile on his lips.

"That is indeed the case."

He added, "Today’s problems are all set by Quding from Yunchuan, monitored by me throughout. There is no possibility of any leak, nor would anyone dare to."

His words were clear, calm, and resonant.

Qi Country had praised the Princely Heir for being honorable and trustworthy; he was someone who could be trusted.

After all the doubts raised by Jin a moment ago, with Chunyu Yan now speaking out, it was not convenient to say more.

Quiet settled over the scene.

Chunyu Yan glanced at the incense stick burning on the desk and smiled faintly.

"Since no one has any objections, let us begin."