The Slender Waist-Chapter 413 - 298 Closed-door Discussion

After the snow had melted, the sharp wind cut like a knife. In Xinzhou City, the atmosphere was tense, as everyone waited for the storm to pass and see how matters would conclude. However, inside Chunmeng Hall, where all eyes were focused, there was a relaxed and joyous atmosphere.

In the courtyard, a large snowman stood, its hand grasping a steel knife, its waist adorned with a bright red silk ribbon, while paper-cut decorations clung to the windows. The warm air from the hearth formed droplets on the windows, creating a sense of tenderness and hope in the chilly world outside.

Madam Ao said, "It was only after we entered Chunmeng Hall that I remembered, the New Year is approaching."

The New Year was a time for family reunion.

This year, it was still uncertain where and how it would be celebrated.

Ao Zheng glanced at her, feeling a heavy weight in his heart.

As they spoke, Pei Jue led Feng Yun by the hand, emerging from the gate. Ayou and Azuo, two youngsters, were the first to cheer upon seeing them.

"Uncle, Aunt!"

The children’s clear voices naturally carried the joy of ice breaking.

Before Pei Jue and Feng Yun could speak, they were engulfed in a hug by the children.

"Aunt, I finally get to see you," said Azuo, beaming like a little sun. Calling for Uncle, he immediately turned to compete with his sister for his Aunt’s attention, chattering nonstop.

Ayou’s hair was tied in twin buns, topped with a snow hat, her small face hiding beneath it, sweet and well-behaved. Had the situation been different, Feng Yun would have wanted to pick her up and pinch her cheeks.

Madam Ao coughed lightly. "You two stop clinging and don’t make your aunt laugh at us."

Azuo stuck out his tongue at her, "Aunt won’t laugh at us."

Ayou added, "Aunt is so nice; at Aunt’s home, there are so many, many, many delicious things to eat."

Azuo exclaimed, "Mother, we want to stay at Aunt’s house today and not go back."

The childish speech of the children left Madam Ao unsure whether to laugh or be annoyed.

"You’ve hardly warmed your seats, and you’re already looking to claim territory. Go play over there." She then said to Feng Yun, "My son is unruly, and his father neglects teaching him manners. I apologize for the impoliteness. Please don’t take it to heart, sister-in-law."

Feng Yun heard her voice was still amicable, but the eyes that scrutinized her from head to toe forced a smile from her.

"Sister, you are too polite. I am quite familiar with them, and we don’t adhere to such formalities in speech," she said with a gentle demeanor and soft-spoken words, and then patted Azuo on the head with a smile, "Stay as long as you like, until you tire of us."

The two children cheered.

"We could never tire of this place; we’re off to find Xiaoqi," they said.

Upon hearing this, Ao Qi’s face turned stern, "Xiaoqi is hibernating, don’t bother him."

Azuo and Ayou didn’t believe him, knowing how their elder brother treasured Xiaoqi, and they cheekily stuck out their tongues.

Seeing Ao Qi frown, two maids approached with a smile and led the young master and young lady away.

The group was polite, but their gazes lingered on Feng Yun.

The new bride meeting her father-in-law, she greeted each one with ease and grace, her movements dignified and refined. She was obviously well-bred and above reproach, not at all like the "femme fatale" or "vixen" some described her to be.

Madam Ao scrutinized her for a moment, feeling a pang of melancholy.

She was beginning to understand why her son was so enchanted; that proud demeanor, exquisite beauty—who wouldn’t be bewildered upon seeing her?

Madam Ao glanced at Ao Zheng.

"It’s cold outside; let’s all go inside to talk," she said.

Ao Zheng quickly offered a smile and eagerly stepped forward to assist Pei Chong in his wheelchair. "Yes, yes, let’s talk inside where it’s warmer," he said.

Ao Qi took a deep look at Feng Yun, who happened to see and gave him a friendly smile.

His cheeks flushed red, even his ears growing hot; he followed his parents anxiously, his heart pounding.

Madam Ao noticed her son quickening his pace, saw the panic and disarray in his manner, and clenched her teeth in frustration, feeling a chill in her heart.

Without a word, Pei Jue naturally lifted Feng Yun’s skirt as they turned to head inside.

When Madam Ao saw this gesture, and then looked at Ao Zheng, her annoyance grew.

Even her stern brother knew how to cherish his wife, and yet this Censorate chief, soaked in ink, didn’t know how to treat a lady with tenderness? The person he should care for was not her, after all.

The whole family entered the room, where maids served tea and brought snacks. Feng Yun managed everything impeccably.

Pei Chong frowned for a moment and gestured for Pei Jue to dismiss the servants.

Madam Ao said to the children, "Ayou and Azuo, go play outside."

The adults were about to speak, and children were not to be involved. Ayou and Azuo wanted to protest but felt they were powerless, so they reluctantly reached for Feng Yun.

"Aunt, come play with us," they pleaded.

With a small smile, Feng Yun replied, "Alright."

She was someone attuned to reading people’s expressions; their family wanted to discuss matters in privacy, and it was clear that she, the "outsider," ought not to stay.

"Let’s go," she said, taking Ayou’s hand. She turned to bow respectfully to Pei Chong and was about to leave when Pei Jue took hold of her wrist.

"You go play by yourselves; Aunt has some work to do," he said, his thin lips barely parting, his eyes revealing a sharp gleam as he wrapped his arm around Feng Yun’s shoulders.

Feng Yun was slightly taken aback.

She had not expected Pei Jue to ask her to stay.

The others looked on.

In this silence was an implicit understanding.

They all knew what was to be discussed.

This was a conversation about the destiny of the Pei Family, best kept with as few knowledgeable parties as possible. If one was not family, it was best not to know.

Pei Jue’s subtle gesture bluntly informed the Pei family that this was his wife, who would stick with him through thick and thin, the woman who would share his hardships.

There was a brief moment of stillness in the room, children glanced around, not daring to make a sound, and were obediently taken away by the maids.

Pei Jue gave a signal with his eyes, and Zuo Zhong and Jiu You along with a group of guards isolated the hall.

Being from a military household, the Pei family was not bound by numerous conventions; once they were seated again, Pei Chong said outright,

"The ritual of the Nine Bestowments must not be accepted."

Pei Jue remained expressionless, while Ao Zheng nodded slightly.

Lady Ao, however, was not pleased, "Why not accept it? What honor is there that my brother cannot uphold? Were it not for our Pei family, who knows who would be sitting on the Dragon Throne... "

Ao Zheng, seeing his father-in-law’s displeased expression, shot her a look.

Lady Ao immediately shot back, "What are you glaring at me for?"

She was a tigerish woman of a military family, with an inherently fierce nature, whereas Ao Zheng, born of a noble house, was more flexible in his behavior. Hearing this, he turned his head away and with clasped hands said to Pei Jue,

"What the old man says is very true. The appointment of the Nine Bestowments is controversial; Ajue should indeed avoid suspicion."

Lady Ao said, "Aren’t they just betting that Ajue wouldn’t dare to accept it? It’s an outright bully. If the Imperial Court grants it, we should just take it. What is there to be afraid of?"

Ao Zheng, "That’s a woman’s perspective."

Lady Ao, discontented, "There’s more than one woman here, whom are you offending?"

Ao Zheng left her speechless again, resulting in a new round of flushed faces.

Ao Qi, looking at his parents, furrowed his brow.

"Father, mother, let’s hear what Uncle has to say."

All eyes turned to Pei Jue, and even Pei Chong looked over, watching him intently.

"Li Zongxun wants to put you to the test, my son, do not be fooled."

Pei Jue asked, "Father thinks, I cannot bear it?"

Pei Chong, "You can bear it, but you shouldn’t. If you act to suit the circumstances, that will be exactly what he wants."

Ao Zheng also spoke up, sighing while advising, "Li Zongxun, that old fox, is forcing your hand. Once you accept the Nine Bestowments, they will have something to say about you. And you? A single misstep can lead to criticism, the suspicion of seizing power illegitimately..."

Unless you truly want to be a rebel and usurper, for a powerful subject, "accepting the Nine Bestowments" is like the touchstone.

"The suspicions that should be avoided must be avoided indeed."

Pei Chong looked at Pei Jue, his gaze lingering momentarily on Feng Yun’s face, followed by a long sigh.

"All these years you’ve been in the military, and whatever decision you made, I never intervened. Do you know why?"

Pei Jue did not speak.

Ao Zheng tugged the corner of his mouth, subtly smiling, "Ajue acts with discretion and never causes concern for others."

After saying that he glared at Ao Qi.

"On the contrary, this good-for-nothing just pours oil on the fire. When it comes to serious matters, he always adds to the chaos."

Ao Qi’s eyelids twitched slightly, but he did not utter a sound.

Lady Ao said, "How has he added to the chaos? Xiaoqi may have been impulsive, but that was to save someone. What fault is there? The truly disgraceful behavior is obviously that of Li Sangruo, that madwoman! Unless everyone is blind, isn’t it clear who should be criticized? They are allowed to sling mud, but we can’t spit? What kind of reasoning is that?"

"Foolishness!" Ao Zheng was frightened by her words.

His wife’s reactionary tendencies were even stronger than Pei Jue’s.

If she were to constantly whisper in Pei Jue’s ear, that would be trouble indeed.

"Who doesn’t know the situation on the surface? The truth doesn’t matter. Unless the Pei family really wants to throw away a century of reputation, they must bear this slap ..."

"Petty tricks." Pei Jue’s voice was cold, "If he dares to give it, why shouldn’t I accept it?"

Surprise was evident on everyone’s faces.

Neither Pei Chong nor Ao Zheng, not even Lady Ao or Ao Qi, truly believed Pei Jue was resolute in opposing the Imperial Court.

They all understood him well, much like Puyang Jiu’s thoughts.

Pei Jue was aloof but passionate, exhausting himself for the sake of Dajin, never showing the slightest laxity, loyal without question. How could he really start a rebellion over such a trivial issue?

The concept of rebellion had never even existed in the minds of the Pei family.

Pei Jue’s calm words were quite unexpected.

This time, even Lady Ao dropped her facade.

"Brother, you must not be confused."

Once the arrow is shot, there’s no turning back.

That path is perilous, and few come out of it gloriously unscathed.

Seeing that Pei Jue kept a cold face, she anxiously reached out and pulled at him.

"A little intimidating should be enough; with this lesson, that madwoman would dare not act recklessly in the future. That so-called Nine Bestowments are useless to us, we might as well heed Father’s words..."

"Sister, I have no way out," Pei Jue said in a low voice, pressing down his tone, "Li Zongxun is narrow-minded and suspicious. Once he becomes wary, he will never let it go. The deep-seated grudge has formed, against my wishes."

Having said that, he flicked the hem of his robe, his eyes deep and dark.

"The command of the Nine Bestowments. If he gives it, I will accept it."

He spoke lightly, but it was clear that it was a decision he had made after much deliberation.

The pinnacle for a powerful subject is to receive the Nine Bestowments.

After that, aside from the Emperor’s abdication, what more could be granted?