The Slender Waist-Chapter 382 - 272 Feng Yun is Ennobled_2

"The outcome has been decided. However, the Empress Dowager of Jin is benevolent and has agreed to allow the Qi envoy to make one request, as long as it is unrelated to state affairs and within reason, Jin will not refuse."

His gaze moved languidly from Feng Yun, settling on Xiao Cheng, straightforward and sharp.

"Qi Jun, please go ahead?"

All eyes were on Xiao Cheng.

With the personal promise of the Empress Dowager, at this time, whatever request the Qi side made, as long as it wasn’t excessive, would be deemed reasonable.

People from Jin, Qi, the Feng Family, Li Sangruo... nearly everyone’s heart hung in suspense at this moment.

What if Xiao Cheng asked for Feng Yun? How should they respond?

The Feng Family members wanted to stop it, but Li Sangruo wished she could push Feng Yun out herself.

She was thinking, if Xiao Cheng made that request, how should she respond? Agreeing too readily would offend Pei Jue, perhaps even provoke him to turn his back on the spot...

But if she didn’t agree on the spot, how could she force him to comply?

"Your Highness the Empress Dowager!"

Before Xiao Cheng could speak, suddenly Feng Yun’s voice rose from the crowd.

Clear and melodious, showing no pleasure or anger, and without any complacency from having defeated Yan Buxi. Her figure was light yet steadfast and dignified, far from what one would expect of a seventeen-year-old girl...

Without waiting for Li Sangruo to respond, she stepped forward and bowed to the Jin delegation.

"Did Your Highness not promise this servant, that if by chance Jin emerged victorious, I would be bestowed the title of a first-rank Noble Lady of the State?"

Her statement caused a stir among all present.

The crowd erupted once again.

"A first-rank Noble Lady of the State? The Feng Family maiden sure dares to speak up."

"Given her talents, is she not worthy of the title of a first-rank Noble Lady of the State?"

Murmurs rippled through the crowd, spoken softly, yet loud enough to be heard as if to mock Li Sangruo.

Her smile froze on her face as she watched Feng Yun calmly await a response, and she let out a faint, cold laugh.

"Our dynasty has not yet established the honor of a first-rank Noble Lady of the State. We will have to discuss this matter with the officials before making a decision..."

"Your Highness the Empress Dowager." Feng Yun gave a slight smile and curtsied deeply, saying, "Keeping one’s word is the mark of a gentleman. Duke Wen of Jin obtained a city for retreating his troops, Zengzi killed a pig over an actor’s words, Han Xin honored his benefactor as a mother for a single promise... As You preside over the court and handle state affairs, You are the role model for all under heaven. How could You be fickle and inconsistent in Your words and deeds?"

The onlookers nodded one after another.

Li Sangruo’s cheeks burned hot with embarrassment, and her blood surged, but she was left speechless and without the ability to refute.

Just then, Puyang Yi stepped forward, effectively twisting the knife.

"Your Highness the Empress Dowager, the lady speaks truly. Your words represent the face of Jin Country, how can You say one thing and do another, slapping Your own face?"

Then she paused and with a smile that was brimming with confidence, she looked up and said loudly:

"Moreover, our great Dajin has strong soldiers and sturdy horses, a prosperous country and a strong people. Could we not afford to bestow a title of a first-rank Noble Lady of the State?"

A first-rank Noble Lady of the State, such a distinguished title, usually comes with vast tracts of good land, endless gold and silver, piles of silk and cloth...

It wasn’t just a title, it came with substantial tangible rewards.

Li Sangruo felt a sweet, choking sensation in her throat as she silently looked back at Puyang Yi.

"Pingyuan, you really do honor me."

Puyang Yi, as though she didn’t catch the anger in her voice, happily curtsied deeply in response.

"Thank you for Your Highness’s praise, Pingyuan is overwhelmed!"

Li Sangruo shook with rage, her blood running in reverse, her heart aching as if the flesh in her belly was reacting, swelling up...

Darkness spread before her eyes, her fingers clawing at the edge of the table, she barely managed to steady her mind, forcing a smile uglier than a cry.

"for Feng Shi Er Niang to secure victory for Jin Country, she deserves such honor."

She was in a bind.

Acknowledging the title "first-rank Noble Lady of the State" at this time would at least save some face—

At a minimum, she could prove to the world that as the Empress Dowager, she was capable, that it was her who arranged for Feng Yun to be the ace against Yan Buxi, that it was her who strategized everything with perfect control.

Not that Feng Yun had luckily won the game, with no connection to her plans...

So be it.

A purely nominal first-rank Noble Lady of the State amounted to nothing.

Thousands of acres of fertile land and tens of thousands of bolts of silk weren’t worth gambling with one’s reputation.

"Feng Shi Er Niang, heed the announcement." Li Sangruo forced down her bitterness, slowly lifted her chin, and coldly looked towards Feng Yun, almost grinding her teeth to bits.

"The wife of the Great General from the Feng Family possesses the talent of the cassia tree and the virtues of a good woman," she has the grace of gentle dignity and decorum, torere and wise, virtuous and fragrant in character, hereby she is specially granted the title of a First-Class National Lady. When the mourning family returns to the capital, we will respectfully request the imperial edict, to honor her with a noble title and reward her accordingly."

The voice was not loud, but each word was clear.

Feng Yun listened with a smile on her face from beginning to end, then performed a curtsey.

"This humble wife thanks the Empress Dowager for your gracious reward. Long live the Empress Dowager, for thousands and thousands of years."

No one can truly live for a thousand years.

Feng Yun could imagine just how much Li Sangruo must hate her at this moment, wanting to tear her apart, yet helpless to do anything about it...

And furthermore...

Now that she had been granted the title of a First-Class National Lady, she could not simply be offered up for "peace negotiations" right after being rewarded. Jin Country was still the victor, and unless Xiao Cheng had no shame, he wouldn’t dare ask for a newly titled First-Class National Lady from Dajin. And unless Li Sangruo had any shame, she would not dare to agree to it any longer.

Congratulations were heard all around.

As happy as the people of Changmen were, so tormented were others.

The Feng Family members were astonished at the scene, and had no idea whether they should offer their polite congratulations or should they chastise her to their faces for "acknowledging a thief as their lord, ignorant of shame."

Everything happened too fast.

Neither Pei Jue, Chunyu Yan, nor Xiao Cheng had anticipated such a turn of events...

Chunyu Yan smiled faintly as he watched, and as soon as the dust settled, he turned to look at Xiao Cheng. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

"Qi Jun, it’s your turn now."

The words that had not been spoken in time now couldn’t be uttered.

After a moment of silence, Xiao Cheng spoke calmly.

"This matter is of great importance. I need to consult with my ministers before making a decision. Could the Princely Heir wait for me one more day?"

Chunyu Yan turned his head, whispered a few words to the envoy from Jin, then turned back and agreed.

"The competition ends today, the formal state document will be signed tomorrow, sealing the covenant beneath the city walls forever."

Neither side from Jin nor Qi had any objections.

The guards and servants protected their respective masters as they all left their seats and departed.

Feng Yun also prepared to leave.

Before leaving, she didn’t forget to instruct Master Xing to take away the prize for the third round — the golden abacus.

Of course, the abacus wasn’t made entirely of gold, but it still felt right in Master Xing the butler’s hands.

The group was laughing and talking as they just reached the gallery, when they saw Pei Jue.

Only Zuo Zhong and Jiu You were with him, and no one else; his gaze was exceptionally calm, dark as pitch, as if sparks were jumping within it.

Feng Yun stepped aside, performed a salute, and with a light smile, softly asked, "Did I make you proud?"

Looking at her, Pei Jue grunted in acknowledgment, "I’ll be back later."

Was he specifically waiting here just to say this?

A tad displeased, Feng Yun remarked, "You haven’t congratulated me."

Pei Jue: "Congratulations to you, First-Class National Lady."

Feng Yun slightly shook her head with a smile, "I can’t hear any joy in that, so you must be unhappy. Does the General not like me stealing the show?"

Pei Jue lowered his head to look at her, his tall stature made his handsome face appear especially serious.

He looked as if he wanted to say something, but with people coming and going all around, in the end, he fell silent.

Without saying a word, he reached out to embrace her waist, pulling her closer under the guise of adjusting her hair as he leaned down to plant a kiss on her forehead.

"Are you satisfied now?"

Feng Yun was astonished.

Was it a failure in morality or a brazen disregard?

To kiss her in broad daylight and in front of everyone?

After all, she was supposed to maintain a dignified and demure presence in public, wasn’t she?

Feng Yun’s face grew slightly hot, her ears turned red, yet Pei Jue showed no particular expression. He glanced at Jiu You, who couldn’t help but laugh quietly beside him, and with a stern face, ordered:

"Back to camp."

As Feng Yun watched him stride away, she curled her lips into a smile. With a soft touch to her hair and a chuckle, she led a lively group out.

Outside the crowd, Xiao Cheng stood at one end of the gallery, watching her quietly.