The Slender Waist-Chapter 401 - 289: The Eagle Under the Arrow

Xiao Cheng took the letter, and slowly sat down.

The dazzling light shone on his handsome and ethereal face, which gradually turned to ice.

Feng Yun’s handwriting was delicate and graceful, identical to what he had seen before, soft and charming, yet extremely fluid, like a black butterfly dancing across the paper; just looking at the writing felt as if she was standing before him, her beautiful eyes glancing sideways, her cheeks slightly flushed—a natural beauty that not even the most skilled painter could capture...

However...

At this moment, such writing was like a sharp arrow.

Each word seemed to be pressing against Xiao Cheng’s throat.

"In this life, my lord, I am fated not to be with you. I leave my sister Xiu Si to be by your side, as an expression of my heart."

It went on to say, "My sister deserves pity, for though she is a daughter of the Feng Family, she has become a servant. I hope you will show her compassion and fulfill the desire of my heart."

The words seemed full of deep feeling, but in reality, they were all cold.

Xiao Cheng started to laugh, and as he laughed, his eyes turned red.

Ayun knew him so well, and yet she knew nothing of him.

She knew that in such a situation, whether he liked it or not, he had to accept it.

She didn’t realize that he would rather be manipulated by her, not because of his ignorance or lechery, but because he longed so much to get her back that he would willingly let her exploit his weaknesses...

Xiao Cheng’s knuckles gripping the letter gradually turned white, trembling slightly.

He crumpled the paper into a ball, then couldn’t bear to do that and spread it out again to read one more time.

This was Ayun’s letter to him.

For the first time in this life.

So precious.

Even if it were a knife, salt in his wounds, he still had to bear it.

Who told him that he owed her, failed to reciprocate her deep affections, married her, yet caused her to have a short-lived beauty. As her husband, he wasn’t able to protect her completely. That was her hatred, and the punishment he deserved...

"Your Majesty..." Daman was frightened by his appearance. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

The girls who grew up in Tai City all knew of the Third Son Xiao San; although Daman was not as daring as Feng Ying to fantasize about Xiao Cheng, what young girl wouldn’t like such a man?

Daman had seen countless times the Third Son Xiao passing through Yueya Alley, sometimes seated straight on horseback, other times leisurely riding in a carriage, noble and distinguished, high above everyone else, like a rock in the stormy sea, unshakable no matter how the wind blew and the rain fell.

But just now...

She vaguely saw tears in Xiao San’s eyes.

Hovering in his eyes, dampening them, they refused to fall.

Noble as an Emperor, because of a letter, he was on the verge of breaking down and crying.

Like a child abandoned, or a dog that had lost its home.

"Is there anything else Ayun has ordered?" Xiao Cheng asked with a choke in his voice, lifting his head, his eyes red.

Daman shook her head, looking at him with mixed emotions.

"Madam said that Your Majesty understands her, knows her well, that everything is left unsaid between you."

What an ’unsaid’ that was.

With a few casual strokes, all his hopes were destroyed, leaving him a mess that he had no choice but to clean up.

This woman...

Was both cruel and insane.

Cruel enough to be heartless and ruthless to everyone, with nothing but schemes.

Insane enough to know that what he yearned for was her, but she insisted on sending another woman to his bed.

Xiao Cheng laughed with a fierce gleam in his eyes, his fist clenched tightly.

He had lost his parents, and his whole life’s obsession was nothing but power and status; but upon attaining them, he realized that the Dragon Throne was cold, and everywhere he looked, he felt lost and aimless. Without Ayun, there would never be another Yuchu.

His wife, his child, he had none...

So how was he now different from one who has lost his entire family?

Was he reborn only to suffer in this life?

"Your Majesty." Daman was usually tough, rarely feeling pity for others. But at this moment, she couldn’t help but shed tears.

She felt sympathy for the Emperor before her.

And for herself, also like a dog that had lost its home.

"My sister said, ’Fate is full of disappointments, rarely as one wishes. But as long as one lives, one must look forward. These words, I also say to Your Majesty, hoping you will be well."

Xiao Cheng’s face turned even paler.

In his eyes, there was a hint of coldness, staring at her.

After she had intentionally made herself up, her face looked so similar...

Ayun knew how to hurt him, and also how to leave him speechless.

Xiao Cheng asked, "Are you Feng Jingteng’s daughter?"

Daman lowered her eyes, "I’ve never been entered into the family register, there’s no such person. It seems unlikely that the master of the house would acknowledge me, either."

Xiao Cheng didn’t care what she said but asked about his own doubts.

"Your mother is not Lu San’niang, not Lady Chen, then who is she?"

In everyone’s eyes, Feng Jingteng was a rare paragon of romance. When his first wife Lu San’niang was alive, the couple was loving, never taking a concubine. After marrying from the Chen Family, he was even more afraid to take concubines. His life revolved around only these two women, which was rare among the Aristocratic Families.

If not for Daman’s face and the personal letter from Feng Yun, Xiao Cheng would have found it hard to believe.

"My mother’s name was Aling, originally one of the Feng Residence’s entertainers..."

Aristocratic Families raised musicians and dancers for entertainment, which was not unusual, but to have a child and not recognize them was rare. Daman thought of her poor mother, tears streaming down like rain as her knees gave way, and she knelt down before Xiao Cheng.

"I ask my brother-in-law... to take a stand for me."

She kowtowed, the term ’brother-in-law’ struck Xiao Cheng deep in the heart.

Daman was two months older than Feng Ying.

What that ’brother-in-law’ referred to was self-evident.

She was very smart and knew that what Xiao Cheng desired was not a woman of great beauty, as he had no shortage of them.

Even if she resembled Feng Yun, she was still not Feng Yun.

What Xiao Cheng longed for was emotional comfort. After losing Feng Yun, even the slightest bit of consolation would bring him some solace.

Whoever wins the Emperor’s heart holds the initiative.

Daman knew the reason Feng Yun sent her to Xiao Cheng’s side.

To fulfill her was just one aspect.

What truly needed to be done was to disgust Madam Feng Ying and daughter, while positioning one of her own by Xiao Cheng’s side.

From the moment Daman took this step, she was destined to stand opposite Madam Feng Ying and daughter; she could only tie her fate closely with Feng Yun, and rely solely on the Emperor before her...

Xiao Cheng would not fall in love with her.

If there was a bit of favor, it would only be for Feng Yun.

Daman hadn’t spent those days by Feng Yun’s side for nothing.

She understood much about the ways between men and women, and she was very clear about what she wanted...

At this moment, she gazed steadfastly at Xiao Cheng.

Without a yearning for romantic love, nor did she follow the example of other foolish women, trying to seduce with her looks.

This was a warning from Feng Yun, as well as her own enlightenment.

Fortunately, this just catered to Xiao Cheng’s desires.

"You may rise," Xiao Cheng said glancing sideways. His handsome profile silhouetted against the murky firelight, his expression appeared cold and desolate.

"Whatever she says, I shall agree," he declared.

"Thank Your Majesty for your great kindness." Daman prostrated herself deeply, her tense heart finally relaxing at this moment.

Feng Yun hadn’t lied to her; she wasn’t sent to her death but was truly given splendor and wealth, and her and her mother’s wishes had been fulfilled.

The life-long desires of mother and daughter materialized in this instance. Unable to control her emotions, Daman’s repressed cry emerged intermittently from her throat, her entire body shuddering violently.

Xiao Cheng didn’t offer support, only glancing at the kneeling sobbing woman before he slowly pulled the curtain shut.

He gave a faint order to the guards outside.

"Do not disturb."

Ping’an and Jixiang exchanged looks and acknowledged, moving a bit further away.

Xiao Cheng returned, looking down at Daman from above.

"Call me ’brother-in-law’ and remember your place," he said.

Daman touched her forehead to the ground, "This servant obeys."

-

On the official boat, Feng Ying sat on the ground as she looked towards the lights behind the curtains of the Imperial Boat.

The two boats weren’t too far apart, out of clear sight, yet close enough to spark imagination...

A woman’s sobs, one or two of which happened to drift over, shattered her into pieces.

He had never deigned to visit her, yet for Feng Yun, he was so impatient. Was this the cold, chaste gentleman who disdained women’s charms?

She swayed, looking as if she was about to fall, laughing and crying at the same time, her shoulders trembling.

After a while, Feng Jingteng came over, dragging his feet, shaking his head at Lady Chen who was full of expectation.

"His Majesty has retired for the night; the report can wait till tomorrow."

Retiring at this hour, sending away the entourage; they didn’t need Feng Jingteng to spell it out—Lady Chen and Feng Ying could imagine many reasons themselves.

"That vixen..." Lady Chen grated her teeth in anger, not caring about the presence of the youngsters, and cursed in a low voice.

"Seducing the lord without regard for the occasion, can’t she wait until they return to the palace?"

Feng Jingteng sighed deeply, sitting down.

"No matter what, since His Majesty has accepted her, we need to make some preparations..."

Lady Chen sneered, "What preparations do you have in mind? Broadcast to the world that your precious daughter will not marry the Great General of Jin Country, as she eloped with Qi Jun and so we must make grand arrangements for her to enter the palace as the Empress?"

With a spit, Lady Chen scoffed:

"You might be shameless, but I still have my dignity."

Feng Jingteng’s face turned uneven shades of green and white, anger rising at Lady Chen’s scolding, but the biting retort that reached his throat could not find its way out, ending with a sigh instead.

"Such a mess... Alas! It’s up to His Majesty to see how this ends. We owe Jin Country an explanation as well."

Lady Chen snorted coldly: "No wonder the fortune-teller called her a calamitous enchantress. Just wait and see – Pei Jue will come looking sooner or later, and if war breaks out between the two nations, you, Feng Jingteng, who sired this demoness, will also be guilty..."

Feng Jingteng stared down, silent.

On the Imperial Boat, the bed curtains hung low, and Xiao Cheng sat by the wooden desk, quietly watching lantern reflections ripple in the water, spreading in circles...

The Imperial Guards on the shore were leading horses aboard the ship in preparation for departure...

Daman kneeled at the side, warming wine, describing to him details of Feng Yun’s daily trivia. He enjoyed listening, occasionally showing a faint smile that dazzled all who saw it.

"Your Majesty!"

The voice of the chief guard, Xuchi, rose from the outside, sounding anxious.

Xiao Cheng had given a strict order not to be disturbed, so Xuchi wouldn’t dare report unless it was a matter of urgency.

Xiao Cheng peered through the curtain.

Torches bustled on the shore, and the sound of horse hooves was incessant.

His lips slightly curved, "Is it Pei Jue who has arrived?"

Xuchi, standing outside, tensed at the Emperor’s calm voice.

Xuchi saluted, "Reporting to Your Majesty, Pei Jue has brought at least three thousand soldiers. And... General Wen has arrived too."

Xiao Cheng’s smile broadened, "Well-timed."

Finally, he would have the chance to let Pei Jue feel the pain of betrayal.

In this mutual pecking of birds felled by an arrow, this might well be what Ayun desired, wouldn’t it?