The Slender Waist-Chapter 385 - 275: Beautiful and Romantic Night

Daman took a shortcut through the back door and blocked Feng Jingteng in the alley outside Chunpei Academy.

"My lord, please wait."

When Feng Jingteng lifted the curtain and saw it was Daman, he was taken aback.

He pulled his bewildered children closer and poked his head out to glance around before he asked Daman.

"What do you want from me?"

Seeing the frightened and timid expression on his face, mixed with a clear guilty conscience, Daman suddenly wondered if she had guessed wrong.

Feng Jingteng was not entirely unaware.

Perhaps he had guessed long ago that she was not the daughter of Jin Zhitong, the Feng Family’s manager, but the flesh and blood of the pitiful singer Aling, whom he had abandoned.

Shi’er Niang was right; he was a man who appeared polished and honourable but was actually weak and incompetent. He couldn’t surpass his own elder brother, had no status in the Feng Family of Xuzhou, and couldn’t provoke Lady Chen’s family. Fearing the Chen Family of Yingchuan, he, tail tucked between his legs, still wanted to be someone superior.

"My lord." Daman bowed deeply to him.

"Last time, Uncle Jiang came to ask for the beauty-preserving recipes from Golden Boudoir Guest on behalf of the maidservant. Did my lord know about it?"

Feng Jingteng’s gaze flickered, "Why do you ask?"

Daman didn’t speak but slowly approached the carriage. Her figure was graceful, and a thin layer of gloom on her face seemed to be in deep thought. After hesitating for a long time, she took out a letter from her sleeve and presented it with both hands.

"Please trouble my lord to deliver this to the lady."

Feng Jingteng looked at her.

The woman’s sleeves fluttered in the wind as she smiled serenely and gracefully. At first glance, her brows and eyes did bear a resemblance to Feng Yun.

His tone softened a bit.

"Come closer, I have something to ask you."

Upon hearing this, Daman lowered her head with an expressionless face and approached, "Please instruct me, my lord!"

Feng Jingteng hesitated before finally scrutinizing her with a furrowed brow.

"Has your mistress been acting unusually lately?"

Daman unexpectedly looked up, met his gaze for a moment, and quickly looked down again.

"No, I have not noticed anything. The mistress has been as usual."

Feng Jingteng hesitated for a moment, then slowly took out a piece of paper from his sleeve.

"Take a look at this, what spells are these?"

Seeing the numbers written on the paper, which were the ones the mistress used to teach math to Chang Da, Daman’s heart skipped a beat. However, she feigned nonchalance and smiled slightly:

"To answer my lord, these aren’t spells, but shorthand for numbers in mathematics. The mistress says it’s easier to calculate this way, many people in the estate have learned it, and Chang Da is simply the best at it."

Feng Jingteng’s eyebrows rose slightly, pondering her words, "Really?"

Daman bowed deeply: "I dare not deceive my lord."

"I imagine you wouldn’t." Feng Jingteng finished speaking, lowered the curtain, and his voice came through the fabric, "Go now, be smarter and don’t let your mistress catch on. She is very sensitive right now, quite different from usual, keep a close eye on her."

For a moment, thousands of thoughts tangled in Daman’s mind. She stood rigidly in place, watching the carriage gradually move away, the sound of the wheels creaked as they were pressed by the carriage body, and the sounds of Feng Liang and Feng Zhen playing and laughing came from inside...

They were so carefree and unrestrained in their father’s company.

Suddenly, her nose became sour and she nearly let the tears fall.

That feeling had returned.

Injustice, unfairness, despair, helplessness, and the fear of the unknown...

After a moment, she wiped her eyes and turned to leave.

~

Chunmeng Hall’s gatekeeper was very busy today.

After seeing off Feng Jingteng and his two sons, a notable from Xinzhou handed in a visiting card.

These esteemed families usually had high opinions of themselves, and Feng Yun relying solely on the title of "General’s wife" would not win their genuine respect. But ever since her victory at the assembly, even the most distinguished scholars had to regard her more highly.

Of course, some came to probe the truth.

They did not believe the Feng Family’s young lady possessed astonishingly brilliant mathematical skills.

Most of those who came to deliver invitation cards also included a list of gifts.

The gatekeeper passed them to Feng Yun, who rejected them all.

Latterly, the gatekeeper ceased to handle them directly, merely responding politely.

"The lady has said she isn’t feeling well lately, fearing she might pass the illness to esteemed guests. Once she recovers, she will pay a visit."

After dealing with these cultured visitors who came upon hearing her name, Feng Yun held her baby in the house to enjoy some quiet time. A book was on her lap, a pen in her hand, and her plans were outlined on the paper.

Neatly arranged, easily visible...

Every time like this, she missed her mother dearly.

Lu Sanniang had indeed taught her a lot. Even though she died early, her influence during her childhood was immense. Many things she had neglected due to romantic distractions in her previous life were actually engraved in her bones, and as she picked them up one by one, she found them to be infinitely useful.

"What are you writing?"

Pei Jue walked straight in, taking off his Wind-Gown and handing it to Qian Sanniu.

Then he waved his hand to signal him to leave.

Qian Sanniu complied, bowed, and took a few steps away. For some reason, he suddenly turned back to look at Feng Yun and Pei Jue, speaking earnestly.

"General, I’ve looked at those problems, and there are several that I can solve..."

Pei Jue was taken aback.

Feng Yun burst into laughter.

"Had I known you were so capable, I wouldn’t have sent Azhou and would have sent you instead to make the General proud."

Qian Sanniu chuckled and rubbed his forehead.

"Then I’m definitely not as clever as Azhou, that kid. He’s so smart; despite his young age, he is already an assistant steward."

Feng Yun glanced at Pei Jue, "So you think that serving by the General’s side isn’t a good job? Or are you saying that the General hasn’t treated you well..."

Pei Jue stiffened his back and swept a cold glance over, which made Qian Sanniu break out in a cold sweat, hurrying to bow and beg for mercy.

"This humble one dares not, it was just an offhand remark, the General has treated this humble one very well... This humble one is willing to serve the General for a lifetime, without any resentment."

Seeing how nervous he had become, Feng Yun didn’t tease him any further.

"Go on, you’ll have your chance to perform following the General..."

Only then did Qian Sanniu breath a sigh of relief.

That glance from the General a moment ago, he almost thought he would die on the spot.

-

Pei Jue had always been laissez-faire about the affairs of Feng Yun’s manor. Although he would receive reports from scouts, he never interfered or inquired further as long as it was not a matter of safety or security.

Thus, even when he heard that Feng Yun had all the servants and men in the manor learning how to read and calculate, he didn’t think much of it.

It was just for fun, after all. How much could they really learn?

However, the performance of Brother Xing today had surprised him.

The words of Qian Sanniu just now were even more unexpected.

In this era, people who were capable and knowledgeable were highly esteemed. Being literate and numerate was a privilege of the noble sons, and nobility often hoarded knowledge for the sake of legacy...

Yet Feng Yun taught without reservation, truly imparting knowledge and instruction.

Pei Jue observed her, leaning in to adjust the charcoal in the brazier. Her slender wrist was showcased against its glow, looking as pure and flawless as jade. Suddenly, he strode forward, wrapping his arms around her from behind, taking the heavy tongs from her and tenderly squeezing her hand, "I’ll do it."

Feng Yun watched him as he bowed his head, one arm embracing her, the other stoking the coals. The firelight reflected on his handsome face, his breath fell on her cheek. He didn’t speak, but she clearly felt his robust strength, his arms and body exuding a dependable and stable force that was especially comforting.

She smiled and asked, "If the General wants to learn, I can teach you as well."

Pei Jue glanced at her sidewards, his dark eyes profound, "Me?"

"Yes," Feng Yun personally poured him a cup of hand-warming tea, smiling brightly, "If Sanniu can grasp skills in a short time, it will be even easier for the General."

Pei Jue’s brows furrowed.

"Nevermind, it’s enough that you know how to calculate."

After all, he wasn’t the one to manage domestic affairs.

Feng Yun’s smile deepened, "Don’t worry, it’s quite simple. Once the General learns the tricks and methods, you’ll pick it up very quickly."

Pei Jue wasn’t that keen on learning, but as he was about to refuse, the words got stuck in his throat under the gaze of the lady’s bright and spirited eyes.

"Alright, we’ll talk about it when there’s free time."

The two exchanged glances.

They suddenly felt the night was intimately affectionate, enchanting.

"General..."

"Lady Yun..."

They spoke simultaneously, then stopped at the same time.

"You go ahead."

"No, you go ahead."

Once again they echoed each other, then looked at each other as Feng Yun began to laugh.

"You speak then."

Pei Jue wrapped his arm around her, his expression full of hesitation, looking very serious.

"My sister plans to bring our father to Xinzhou, to meet the in-laws."

The news came unexpectedly.

Feng Yun’s eyelids twitched, unable to tell if she was nervous or something else, her voice slightly dry as she asked him, "Why so suddenly?"

Pei Jue said, "It happens to coincide with the peacetime of Xinzhou, the war is over, and the timing is right, I guess."

Feng Yun didn’t speak. Seeing her smiling yet seemingly distracted, wondering what she was thinking about, Pei Jue added another line.

"You don’t have to be afraid, I am here."

It wasn’t that Feng Yun was afraid.

Her reputation was as it was, she had long been prepared to be rejected by the Pei Family.

But it was all happening too fast, she wasn’t prepared, and it wasn’t part of her plans.

After all, their marriage was initially just for the war of Bingzhou.

Now the path they were on was drifting further and further from her past life...

"Then what should I do, so as not to embarrass the General?"

She hesitated, asking earnestly.

Pei Jue gripped her hand tightly, her small hand cold and soft within his palm.

"You don’t need to do anything. My family doesn’t have such rules, and a new bride shouldn’t be bound by them."

Feng Yun noted his serious demeanor, and with a laugh, she said,

"Then I leave it to the General’s arrangements."

Xiaoman had already prepared the water and was waiting. Seeing the young lady and the General chatting and laughing, and seeing how pleased they were, she came in to ask when the General would like to bathe.

Feng Yun took a look at Pei Jue, her cheeks suddenly growing warm.

"The General has been tired for several days, you should wash and rest early."