The Slender Waist-Chapter 392 - 281 Various Ulterior Motives

The weather was clear, as if everyone was in high spirits.

On Cuiyu, Li Sangruo was still applying her makeup.

A light breeze brushed over her slightly pale face. After gazing in the bronze mirror for a moment, she pointed to her cheekbones, "Add some more rouge here to show some color."

After falling pregnant, her appetite waned, her sleep was disturbed, and she felt anxious. She had lost weight, and her whole appearance seemed sickly.

Wherever Li Sangruo went, she was expected to wear exquisite makeup, and even the danpaku on her fingernails couldn’t afford a single mistake; hence the makeup artist was very careful.

"Where is the parrot that the Princely Heir sent?"

The Empress Dowager suddenly asked, causing the maid to pause before responding.

"It’s being raised in the garden."

Li Sangruo slightly lowered her eyes, "Bring it before me."

The night of the banquet at Cuiyu, the Empress Dowager had lost face, and by extension, she took a dislike to the bird that Chunyu Yan had sent. She hadn’t looked at it once in many days, so why think of it now?

The maid dare not ask more, quickly fetching the red-beaked parrot.

Li Sangruo didn’t touch it, merely glanced at it and said with a smile:

"It’s lively and agile; take it to Mingquan later."

The maid couldn’t fathom the Empress Dowager’s thoughts and lifted the birdcage to place it by the door, covering it with a layer of black cloth.

Chen Xi came over and spoke of the activities in Mingquan Town, mentioning the "hundred plays" that the Qi Emperor had prepared and all the interesting things there. Li Sangruo scoffed at everything from the Southern Dynasty, yet held some interest in the high monks from Tianzhu.

"I shall have to watch carefully to see how he performs his transformations."

Chen Xi smiled and agreed, prompting Li Sangruo to take another look at him, her thoughts drifting to Fang Fucai.

After being detained at the Imperial Cavalry Division for so long, Fang Fucai had not breathed a word against her.

The desire to save him grew stronger in Li Sangruo’s heart.

So her thoughts turned to Tang Shaogong, and with a frown, she asked Chen Xi about him.

Chen Xi replied, "Mr. Tang went to Mingquan very early, saying that with so many people today, it’s better to understand the situation first."

Li Sangruo’s eyes darkened slightly, and subconsciously, her hand caressed her belly as she considered Tang Shaogong’s plan from the night before, unable to help smiling.

"Then why aren’t you hurrying to prepare the carriage? I too would like to go early to enjoy the excitement," she said.

Chen Xi went to follow the order, but before he could leave, Li Sangruo called out to him again.

"Wait! Is there any news from the General?"

Chen Xi turned back, his expression awkward, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.

"You dog slave." Li Sangruo was disgusted with his silly cowardice, nowhere near as clever as Fang Fucai, "Just speak. If you hesitate, beware that I cut out your tongue."

Chen Xi felt a chill down his spine and hurriedly bowed his head in fear.

Others may mention cutting out tongues in jest, but the Empress Dowager was deadly serious.

"The lowly one heard that last night at Chunmeng Hall, they summoned a doctor. It appears that the General’s wife is pregnant. The General was overjoyed and entered the camp early this morning, ordered an extra meal for the soldiers..."

He was hesitant, uncertain whether to speak or not, his heart pounding with fear.

However, Li Sangruo seemed to be in a genuinely good mood and neither became angry nor blamed him; her dark eyes full of inscrutable mirth.

"Pregnant, is she? Well, that truly calls for congratulations."

-

The theater stage was set up on the south side of the central dam in the council chamber.

When Feng Yun had built it, she imagined that after the alliance, the council chamber could continue to be used, and now, it proved useful.

With the treaty set, it was rare to relax.

People from eight to ten villages around were flocking here.

Even if they couldn’t enter and see for themselves, it was good to join in the amusement from outside.

The Imperial Guards encircled it, three layers inside and three layers out.

Both Nan Kui and Chai Ying were very curious, so Feng Yun specially took them along with Jiang Yin, along with a retinue of about a dozen people.

When Pei Jue arrived, she was ready, sitting listlessly in a soft chair, startling him.

Her little face was so pale, without a trace of color, she looked like someone suffering from a chronic illness.

"Why don’t you rest at home?" he asked, his tone lacking reproach.

Feng Yun pretended to be dissatisfied and gave him a look that suggested he figure it out for himself; her eyelashes trembling, she furrowed her brow slightly.

"The General does not wish for me to go?"

Pei Jue looked towards the attendants by her side.

With a cold glance, everyone bowed their heads in unison.

Pei Jue stood quietly, not speaking, and Feng Yun felt suffocated, lifting her eyes to look at him, and trying to push herself up, "I forgot to offer the General a courtesy..."

Pei Jue bent down, his hands on her shoulders, his eyes intense.

"Do you really want to go?"

They locked gazes.

The sky was clear, and his eyes were bright, standing amidst the light and shadow, as if he could see into her heart.

After a quiet stare, Feng Yun maintained her smile.

His grip relaxed, "Let’s go, then."

-

The central dam was left empty for the hundreds of plays. The surrounding corridors were designated as viewing areas, the council hall was arranged as an area for feasting and music, and the chambers bustled with singing and dancing girls. Everyone wore smiles on their faces, creating a harmonious atmosphere.

The great hall was still being prepared for seating, and the variety show was about to start.

The Feng Family came early, bringing Feng Zhen, Feng Liang, along with Feng Jingyao’s two concubines, sitting under the gallery, their group of ladies looking joyous and harmonious.

The family members of the other envoys who could come were also present.

In such an occasion, Lady Chen was the epitome of grace and charm, smiling at everyone she looked upon; nobody failed to praise her mannerisms and social conduct.

As soon as Feng Yun and Pei Jue entered the council hall, attendants came to guide them, with male and female guests seated separately. Pei Jue gave Feng Yun a glance, hesitating in his steps, but Feng Yun gave him a slight smile.

"I’ll go say hello."

She was referring to the Feng Family members.

Pei Jue nodded, glanced at Ye Chuang, and walked away with the others.

Ye Chuang followed Feng Yun with several guards, Nan Kui, Chai Ying, Jiang Yin, and a few others.

The beautiful maidens, each and every one attractive, drew countless gazes upon their appearance.

Mrs. Feng didn’t wait for Feng Yun to get close before standing up and coming forward with a smile to greet her.

"Oh my dear, my own flesh and heart, mother has finally seen you. What is this, your complexion looks so poor..."

Before she could finish, she glanced at the beautiful maidens behind Feng Yun, frowning with a hint of discontent.

"These must be the General’s concubines, right? You really are something, bringing these questionable characters with you when you go out. You’ll only sully your own eyes..."

"Madam." Nan Kui saw that Feng Yun was silent and suddenly smiled, bowing in greeting to her, "We are not the General’s concubines, we are the Madam’s maidservants..."

Lady Chen’s face fell slightly, her expression turning sour.

She had deliberately spoken so loudly just to embarrass Feng Yun but didn’t expect to be retorted to by Nan Kui.

"How presumptuous! Do you think it’s your place to speak here?"

Feng Yun said, "My people are not subject to Lady Chen’s criticism."

She smiled, then looked toward the Feng Family members, "Madam throws her weight around at home, forbidding father to take concubines, but she is all too eager to attend to uncle’s concubines, isn’t she?"

Those two concubines were quite favored by Feng Jingyao.

As far as Feng Yun knew, it was Lady Chen who had given them to her uncle.

"It would be better for Madam to manage her own household. There’s no need to trouble yourself over the General Residence’s affairs."

Her voice was low when she looked at Lady Chen, slow and indifferent in tone, yet with an edge of seriousness, but incredibly cold. When everyone’s eyes turned toward her, she smiled again, weakly and delicately, hooking her arm around Mrs. Feng and personally escorting her back to her seat while walking and coughing.

"I caught a cold last night, and I fear passing the illness to Madam, so I shall not accompany Madam in conversation any longer..."

After finishing her polite courtesies, she turned toward the Jin family seating area.

Who would not say that her temperament was good, dignified, and generous, both talented and virtuous?

She had made significant contributions to Jin Country, and although the imperial edict conferring the title of a first-rank lady was not yet issued, it was a foregone conclusion. Several women immediately stood up and paid their respects to her, calling her "Lady of the State" with great reverence.

Feng Yun acknowledged with a smile, "Everyone please sit down, let’s talk seating. No need to stand on ceremony."

The ladies all followed her lead with a smile, "The lady is kind-hearted."

Feng Yun answered with a faint smile, guided to the central position directly facing the stage.

Lady Chen watched, her eyes reddening with envy, secretly clenching her teeth in resentment.

Today’s Feng Yun was no longer the captured woman presented by Qi Country.

Setting aside her status as the wife of the Great General, she was also a first-rank noblewoman of Jin, with no one able to supplant her.

And her daughter...

Thinking of Feng Ying, Lady Chen felt a headache coming on, her gaze drifting unconsciously towards Daman.

Daman, who had been hanging her head, seemed to sense the gaze and looked in that direction.

They made brief eye contact, Lady Chen nodded slightly, and quickly looked away.

Lady Chen felt assured in her heart.

The brat’s real mother was in her grasp; how dare she disobey?

Glancing again at Feng Yun’s pale face, she curled her lips into a smile, her fingers unconsciously tapping to the beat of the music that drifted over...

"The Qi Emperor has arrived."

"The Empress Dowager of Jin has arrived!"

Two shouts rang out, one after the other.

Immediately after, Xiao Cheng and Li Sangruo appeared together.

The two exchanged courtesies and exchanged a few polite words, then walked in side by side, followed by a bevy of attendants.

Feng Ying followed right behind Xiao Cheng, not as conspicuous as Li Sangruo but rather demure and gentle, with her head lowered, not wearing a veil, and from afar, her makeup seemed especially heavy, with red cheeks...

This was not the attire of a Feng family girl.

It seems that the customs of the Golden Boudoir Guest were being put to use?

Feng Yun coughed lightly, and Daman quickly realized what was expected, bowing her head to pour tea in front of her.

"Do you want to save your mother?" Feng Yun asked.

Daman’s hand trembled, and the tea spilled out, "I do, this maid wishes to."

Feng Yun asked again, "And do you wish to become a recognized and legitimate girl of the Feng Family?"

Daman hummed in affirmation, her heart racing, "Yes."

Feng Yun said, "Then today, you must do whatever I tell you to do. Are you willing?"

Daman kept her head lowered, not looking at others, her eyes fixed on the tea, which was gradually warming up.

"I am willing."