The Slender Waist-Chapter 395 - 284: Suspecting What?

Jiu You had left, and the men from the Imperial Guard Camp still stood guard outside the side room, tall and valiant, dutiful and diligent, preventing even the Imperial Guards or Imperial Cavalry Division from entering a single step.

The standoff between the two forces sparked countless speculations.

In the brief time awaiting Jiu You’s message, Feng Yun’s mind had raced, flitting through countless thoughts. She had braced for every conceivable outcome, whether good or bad, but surprisingly, the people who returned with Jiu You included not only Doctor Yao but also Puyang Li, with the conspicuous absence of Pei Jue.

"Madam," Daman called her in a low voice, "the Imperial Physician has arrived."

Feng Yun was momentarily dazed, "And the General?"

Daman looked at Puyang Li, whose expression as an Imperial Physician seemed hesitant, but he spoke with clear enunciation, "The Empress Dowager has lost a lot of blood and is still unconscious, with all the ministers waiting outside her chamber. Just then, the elder General Pei arrived, and with the Great General being unable to leave at the moment, he sent me to see Madam."

The elder General Pei had arrived?

Feng Yun pondered for a moment, then, smiling, rolled up her sleeve.

"Then I’ll have to trouble the Imperial Physician."

Puyang Li sat down and placed three fingers on Feng Yun’s pulse.

Yao Ru stood by the side, silent.

Shortly, Puyang Li withdrew his hand and while stroking his beard, glanced at Feng Yun and spoke noncommittally, "Madam is weak, with repressed liver and weak spleen, and you have also exhausted your mind. Recovery will take time and cannot be rushed..."

Feng Yun wasn’t sure if the phrase "cannot be rushed" had any other implications, but she saw no malice on Puyang Li’s face; instead, she unintentionally discovered a hint of hidden worry.

His son was close to Pei Jue.

The one who feared Pei Jue turning against the court the most was this very Imperial Physician.

Feng Yun thanked him with a smile, then inquired coolly.

"May I know where the Empress Dowager is injured?"

As a suspect under house arrest, Feng Yun was entitled to ask the question.

Puyang Li obviously hesitated.

He wasn’t good at lying, and for a moment his old face heated up, his gaze flitted away as he beat around the bush.

"The vital areas have not been damaged. With sufficient rest, she should not be in grave danger."

Feng Yun wasn’t content to let the matter rest.

She furrowed her brows, feigning concern.

"Earlier when descending the stairs, I observed that the pool of blood was dark red and the volume was significant. The Empress Dowager must have been severely injured, right? But after reflection, there were no spikes on the wooden stairs that could cause such a wound, and even if there were small injuries, it wouldn’t result in such heavy bleeding... especially from under the skirt..."

She fixed her gaze on Puyang Li, her elegance undiminished, her eyes possessing a clarity that saw through to the essence.

"That seemed more like bleeding from a miscarriage, but the Empress Dowager has been widowed for many years..."

She shook her head, chuckling, "I must be talking nonsense."

Puyang Li awkwardly looked down, shook his sleeve, and bowed to Feng Yun.

"Since Madam is well, I shall take my leave first."

Feng Yun didn’t detain him, "The Imperial Physician may go at your own pace."

Though Puyang Li said nothing conclusive, Feng Yun understood it all completely.

As soon as Puyang Li left, Yao Ru stepped forward to apologize, "I, Yao, am incompetent and could not assist Madam."

"Doctor Yao is too polite," Feng Yun looked at him.

"In your opinion, did the Empress Dowager suffer a miscarriage?"

Yao Ru nodded, "I’m almost certain of it."

Feng Yun suddenly felt a chill throughout her body.

An unborn child, just like that before her eyes, inside Li Sangruo’s belly, became the sacrificial piece in her mother’s scheme against others.

He was unfortunate, yet fortunate.

He was spared from seeing a world where righteousness and norms are turned upside down.

"With such a ruthless move, the Empress Dowager truly intended to kill two birds with one stone—aiming for my life," Feng Yun said.

Everyone in the room was one of her own.

As these words were uttered, the atmosphere grew oppressive and everyone’s expressions turned frosty.

Ge Guang looked at Feng Yun and said, "The elder General Pei came in haste, likely having heard something. He looked very upset and went straight to summon the Great General."

Yao Ru confirmed, "I just happened to be over there and saw it myself."

Pei Chong was fiercely loyal to the Jin Dynasty and would never allow Pei Jue to act rashly, especially since in their eyes, Pei Jue’s drastic actions were all because of her prompting, the ’vixen’...

Ha! The Pei Family’s timing couldn’t be worse.

As they conversed, footsteps were heard outside the side room.

Ge Guang glanced and said, "Madam, the Imperial Guards have withdrawn."

Feng Yun’s gaze flickered slightly; as she was pondering the situation, Ye Chuang entered.

His face beamed as he informed Feng Yun.

"The Empress Dowager has regained consciousness and said that the incident on the watchtower was a misunderstanding. It was her own feeling of heart palpitations and nervousness that caused her to fall accidentally, and she misunderstood Madam."

Misunderstanding?

With just a light and casual statement, the plotting and framing were brushed aside.

Feng Yun smiled.

No wonder everyone was so eager to climb the ladder. Once you reached a certain position, calling a deer a horse and reversing right and wrong were no longer difficult tasks.

Behind Ye Chuang, followed a young Huangmen, Chen Xi, who was holding a rosewood tray that contained a brocaded velvet box.

He presented it with both hands and said respectfully,

"Her Highness heard that madam has been frightened and specifically had this servant bring two pieces of Hundred-Year Ginseng to replenish madam’s health. She also said that there was a misunderstanding due to her impatience earlier and implores madam not to take offense, considering it as an apology from Her Highness."

Feng Yun smiled slowly, "How could I possibly blame the Empress Dowager?"

Chen Xi didn’t say much else, smiled awkwardly, set down the items, and then took his leave.

"Madam," Daman said softly, "what should we do now?"

Feng Yun smiled lightly.

Clearly, Empress Dowager Li was not the kind of person who would willingly make concessions.

Unless she had no choice but to smooth things over, forced by circumstances.

In places she could not see, they must have already reached a certain tacit agreement—

If she was sensible, she should let this matter slide.

But she was not that kind of sensible person...

Feng Yun slowly rose to her feet and walked to the window, lifting the curtain slightly. Outside, people were coming and going, and a cool breeze brushed against her face, chilly to the bone.

"Don’t rush."

She slightly raised her hand, her fingertips gently pressing on the coiled hair at her temples.

"I will do what I promised you."

-

The Empress Dowager awoke, and envoys from Jin made a special trip to Qi Country to apologize for the delay in the banquet, as though the "assassination incident" had never happened.

Qi Country, of course, expressed its congratulations.

The main dishes for the banquet were already prepared, and the musical performers were all ready to go. Once the news spread, the performance went on as planned, and the small interruption passed silently and without a trace.

Feng Yun, bathed in the light of the corridor lamps, stepped out to find the sky gloomy, the sun no longer visible, and the entire council hall lit by lamps, their light shimmering hazily in the distance.

Her mind felt a bit hazy, and the surrounding sounds became vague. Even Xiaoman’s voice seemed to come from a distant place, drifting to her ears...

Far away, Xiao Cheng stood at the end of the corridor, watching her.

His handsome and lofty face was indifferent.

He seemed not to care about their current situation, casually straightened his robe, and slowly walked towards Feng Yun.

Feng Yun did not move, meeting his gaze.

She realized that the man before her had changed greatly.

In her previous life, the Xiao San of the past was like a cloud in the sky, beautiful yet distant, as if he were an exiled immortal untouched by worldly dust. But the man before her now seemed more grounded, tinted with human warmth. Yet as an emperor, he appeared more aloof than others, distant... with a barely discernible smile lingering at the corners of his mouth...

At that moment, Feng Yun thought about many things.

It was not until the scent of dragon’s spittle fragrance from Xiao Cheng’s body reached her that she realized that the breathtakingly beautiful Xiao San was standing before her.

"Qi Jun," she bowed in salute.

Xiao Cheng looked at her, ripples of what seemed to be tender longing appearing in his dark pupils.

"Return to Qi Country. A foreign land is not home, and foreigners are not kin."

Feng Yun’s eyes slightly lowered, full of mockery, but she could neither laugh nor muster the strength to respond.

"Are you pleased to see me in this plight?"

Xiao Cheng, clad in a wide robe and brocade, had his clothes fluttering in the chilly wind. He smiled faintly, as if unable to detect her sarcasm, and said softly, "If you refuse to be with me, there’s no need to enter the palace. Whether you go back to the Feng Family or stand on your own, I will abide by your wishes."

Feng Yun was inwardly shocked and abruptly raised her head.

This man always seemed gentle and refined, yet he was very domineering and self-willed, usually expecting others to conform to him. Where was there any talk of him yielding?

"You need not doubt anything." Xiao Cheng sighed wearily, "In a few days, I shall return to Tai City. Once I am gone, if you choose to stay in Jin Country, we shall never see each other again..."

He choked up as he spoke, his eyes filled with a forlorn look.

"Let’s not dwell on our old grievances for now. Consider carefully, do you truly wish to part with your homeland and live at the mercy of others in Jin Country?"

Feng Yun looked at him, standing silently.

This face full of concern, strikingly handsome.

In her previous life, moved by care from an old friend and his words, she had been deeply touched and brought to tears...

Now, however, she found it hard to believe again.

"Qi Jun’s words are amiss," Feng Yun merely smiled, her face gentle, but her words sharp as a knife, "In Mingquan Town, even if I wished it, how could Qi Jun spirit me away unnoticed, without incurring Pei Jue’s wrath or causing a dispute between the two countries?"

Xiao Cheng stood upright, his gaze looking down from above.

"As long as Ayun is willing, I have my ways."

"Really?" Feng Yun detected the certainty in his tone. In an atmosphere so still it almost suffocated, Xiao Cheng held his breath tightly, his gaze intensely fixed on her face, waiting for her answer.

It took a long while before Feng Yun slowly parted her lips, "If Qi Jun is willing, perhaps you could lend a small hand?"