The Slender Waist-Chapter 402 - 290 Graceful Silhouette

The official ship was just lifting its anchor to leave the shore when suddenly, high shouts rang out.

"The Jin Army is here."

"Pei Jue is leading the troops here."

In the dumbstruck crowd, one could see the Jin Army surging over, nearly all cavalry, like dark clouds bearing down, horses neighing, swords glinting, the intense killing intent like a turbulent flood of water, the shouts echoing across the cold night sky, and in an instant, the entire Zhu River crossing was encircled.

Pei Jue galloped at the forefront, his dark-colored robe covered by a black cloak, his all-black, white-hoofed Ta Xue charging forward, carrying him like a hunting hawk patrolling the skies, his robes flapping in the wind.

Ao Qi and Wen Xingsu followed closely behind, their towering backs, the ring-pommeled sabers in their hands, suddenly igniting the freezing atmosphere...

"What does General Pei mean by this?" Xie Congguang, who had not yet boarded the ship, rode up to meet him, huffing coldly with a chilled face.

"We made an alliance yesterday; do you intend to tear up the treaty today?"

Pei Jue, holding the reins, looked towards the silent Imperial Boat under the night moon and said coldly:

"I would ask Qi Jun to come out and speak."

This was a show of disdain for him.

Xie Congguang’s old face couldn’t bear the slight, and he immediately became annoyed.

"Qi Jun has just taken a girl from the Feng Family, he is probably unable to receive you now."

Xie Congguang, like the other ministers, was unwilling for Xiao Cheng to bring Feng Yun back to Qi Country, regardless of the manner. Having just learned that the deed was done and in the midst of his anger, he did not hold back when it came to striking at Pei Jue.

He even bluntly referred to her as "the girl from the Feng Family", a slap in the face for Pei Jue.

"Is General Xie trying to force me into taking action?"

"Humph! General Pei led his troops to meet us first, and I am defending against the enemy after, where’s the reason to accuse me?"

"The Great General need not waste words with him." Ao Qi, red-eyed with impatience and almost blue-faced with anger, spurred his horse and rushed forward.

"If Qi Jun does not hand over the person, Ao Qi asks to lead the charge."

Xie Congguang was slightly startled by his heedlessness, ready to take up arms on the spot.

As a general, he was always prepared to die on the battlefield. He was not afraid to die, but he knew how hard-won this peace was.

If it wasn’t necessary, one would choose not to fight.

"General Pei sees clearly." Swallowing his pride wouldn’t kill him, so Xie Congguang chose to step back, "I’m unaware of whom the general wishes to see, but if the general seeks an audience with the Emperor, please wait a little longer."

Pei Jue’s eyes lifted slightly as he looked at the Imperial Boat anchored by the riverside.

"Please convey the message."

He was calmer and more collected than Ao Qi, preferring courtesy before force.

Xie Congguang breathed a slight sigh of relief, bowed with folded hands, and turned his head to give a few instructions to an attendant.

The attendant nodded and boarded the ship.

"Uncle." Ao Qi raised his eyebrows and whispered, "They’re stalling for time, clearly unwilling to hand over the person. We can’t give them any more opportunities ..."

Pei Jue: "It’s not an opportunity for them, but for your aunt’s honor."

Ao Qi immediately fell silent.

After a while, he said in a low voice, "It’s Uncle who’s more considerate."

All the people of the Feng Family were here; if they were willing to properly return the person, one could say they had come to "visit", and Feng Yun’s honor would remain intact. But if they were to start a fight and seize the person, Feng Yun would still be the one gossiped about, with all kinds of disgraceful names attached to her.

The crossing of Zhu River at night was very quiet.

The soldiers of both armies looked at each other, standing off, neither side yielding.

Moments later, the figure of Jixiang appeared on the deck of the Imperial Boat.

"Is that General Pei on the shore?"

Wasn’t that asking the obvious?

Upon receiving a response, Jixiang’s voice carried across the water once again.

"The Emperor celebrates today, having gained a beautiful woman, so please wait a moment longer, General Pei and General Wen ..."

Wen Xingsu gave Pei Jue a look, rode a few steps closer, and with his hands clasped, said, "Please inform His Majesty that Wen Hui has an urgent matter to see him."

"Please understand, General."

Jixiang bowed from afar.

"The Emperor and his consort have already retired to rest, needing to dress before they can come out to meet guests."

To say they had retired was easy, but the words cut like knives.

After speaking, Jixiang smiled again and waved her hand, only to see a line of palace attendants arranged in a row, each carrying a tray, filing off the boat.

"The Emperor has prepared celebratory wine to entertain the honored guests, hoping that the guests will not despise it and will join in the revelry."

Wen Xingsu’s face showed no emotion; he silently watched the attendants approaching.

Then, his gaze turned toward Pei Jue.

A gust of cold wind swept by, lifting the corners of Pei Jue’s robe.

The scent of plum wine wafted over with the breeze.

He placed a hand on the Biyong Sword and said solemnly, "We don’t need the wine. If I can’t see the person, I’ll have to go aboard and invite her myself."

His tone was calm, yet bristled with a cutting edge. The Beiyong Army had moved swiftly into position, ready for battle, and the Qi Army was also in full alert, covertly on the defensive.

It seemed a clash between the two armies was but a moment away ...

A group of envoys from Qi Country, led by Feng Jingyao, rushed to the Imperial Boat, crying out loud in a distressed plea.

"Your Majesty, please reconsider!"

"Please hand over the General’s wife to quell the disturbance."

Xiao Cheng sat alone at the dining table, holding a cup and drinking, slightly drunken.

Behind him, about a yard away, there was a moon-white curtain that partitioned off the light, gently swaying in the wind.

One could not see the woman’s face, just her graceful silhouette, elusive and enchanting...

While the Jin Army was commanding troops outside, and chaos reigned, the Emperor still indulged in wine and pleasure. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

A chill went through the court officials.

They admired Xiao Cheng because he was calm and composed, had the demeanor of a sovereign, as well as bravery and strategy – not the type to be bewitched by beauty and thus lead his country and people astray.

Who could have imagined that once he became Emperor, he would act no differently than Xiao Jue?

There were constant disputes in the court of Qi Country, and Feng Jingyao and Sun Shicai were especially at odds with each other. However, at this moment, they were united in persuading the Emperor to release the woman, fearing he might endanger the nation for the sake of a beauty.

Xiao Cheng looked at them unflinchingly.

"In my presence, there’s only the lady from the Feng Family; where does this ’General’s wife’ come from?"

Wasn’t the lady from the Feng Family the General’s wife?

The court officials realized the Emperor was staunchly denying and unwilling to let her go; they couldn’t help but feel anxious and troubled.

These men, usually indulging in sumptuous foods and drinks, spoke sensibly, but when it came to actual battle that might affect their own interests, none was willing to budge. Moreover, the Qi Army had faced the Beiyong Army and had been tested on the battlefield...

Whispers filled the air as the court officials made a clamor.

"Your Majesty!" Feng Jingyao slowly stood up, fixing his gaze on Xiao Cheng: "Do a woman and your every whim weigh more than the nation and the people of Qi Country?"

Xiao Cheng laughed nonchalantly, not showing the slightest sign of panic.

"Let me meet General Pei and personally apologize."

The scene where Xiao Cheng met with Pei Jue was calmer than anyone had anticipated.

There was no quarreling, not even a stand-off where swords were drawn.

The two armies retreated several tens of steps, leaving only Xiao, Pei, Wen, Ao, and a group of officials to confront each other across the water.

Xiao Cheng spoke amiably, "Back at Zhu River, General, you said that if Ayun was willing to follow me, you would not stop her. I wonder if those words still hold true today?"

"They don’t," Pei Jue replied coldly and without sentiment, "I gave her a chance that day, and she made her choice."

"People can change," Xiao Cheng said lightly, lifting his sleeve, "A young girl’s mind is not yet set. On that day, she had some misunderstandings about me. Now that the misunderstandings have been cleared up, she has had second thoughts, and I am happy to accept her. I hope the General will be gracious enough to let her go."

Pei Jue sat straight on horseback.

"And if I refuse to be gracious?"

Xiao Cheng said, "Would the General start a war over a woman?"

Pei Jue: "No need for war, I’ll just kill."

Xiao Cheng smiled slightly, "It’s understandable that the General can’t bear to part with a beautiful woman. But the General should also respect the lady’s wishes. A weak woman, far from home in a foreign land, what kind of homesickness must she endure, living each day like a year? She has given up everything for the General, yet the General can’t keep her entirely safe..."

After a brief pause, he looked at Pei Jue.

"Rather than saying I took her away, it’s more apt to say she was reluctantly trying to save herself from a desperate situation... She just wanted to survive, to seek a new path. If the General has a shred of sincerity, why not fulfill her wish and let her be free?"

His voice, neither loud nor soft, rolled over like muffled thunder.

"That’s between her and me," Pei Jue stood his ground, staring straight at Xiao Cheng, "if you have anything to say, let her tell me herself."

Xiao Cheng gave a gentle smile.

"Does the General know how many years Ayun waited for me to marry her?"

"And do you know that she once said to me personally, she would always wait for me to take her home?"

"A gentleman brings joy, not grief. Why insist, General?"

Pei Jue fell silent for a moment and then said icily, "Bring me my bow."

Jiu You presented the bow and arrow.

Silently drawing the bow and notching the arrow, Pei Jue aimed at Xiao Cheng on the deck, his eyes narrowed and focused.

"The ruler of Qi has one more quarter of an hour to hesitate."

The surroundings buzzed.

In other words, if Xiao Cheng didn’t hand her over within the quarter hour, Pei Jue would resort to violence.

The envoys of Qi Country looked at each other. As they were about to step forward, they were halted by Xiao Cheng’s icy stare.

He faced the tip of Pei Jue’s arrow as he slowly advanced.

"Your Majesty!" the officials called out softly.

The air instantly became tense.

Xiao Cheng and Pei Jue gazed at each other from afar, their look seeming to pierce through the darkness, connecting the dots of their past and present lives.

Such a pose for murder, proud and cold, women must love it, don’t they?

Is this the image Ayun loves? Handsome indeed, but just a mere warrior.

"Jixiang," Xiao Cheng said casually, turning his head to summon an attendant, "go ask the lady if she is willing to come out and see the General..."

Jixiang went inside.

After a while, a graceful figure appeared on the deck of the Imperial Boat, walking like a shadow to Xiao Cheng’s side, naturally leaning against him, and Xiao Cheng lazily wrapped his arm around her.