The Slender Waist-Chapter 414 - 299 Harmonious Joy
That afternoon, several members of the Pei Family stayed for lunch.
Wen Xingsu came to keep them company, and the family drank wine and chatted merrily together.
At the table, members of the Pei Family took turns toasting Wen Xingsu, the respected older brother-in-law, discussing the time to meet with their in-laws with full sincerity.
Wen Xingsu, a gentleman of proper bearing and impeccable manners, made Feng Yun proud.
Under the flattery of Azuo and Ayou, Feng Yun happily showed off all her culinary skills, preparing an array of dishes from fragrant braised meat, sweet rice wine pork ribs, stir-fried winter bamboo shoots, to donkey rolling in syrup, satisfying the tastes of the adults while also making some snacks and pastries for the children, like sesame balls, milk cakes, and bean paste buns, making the little ones so happy they couldn’t stop smiling and calling her ’auntie’ this and ’auntie’ that, as if they wanted to cling to her.
After the meal, Pei Jue and Ao Zheng went to the study to speak with Pei Chong, while Ao Qi came to Feng Yun with Aozai in his arms.
"The roast meat we had last time in Huaxi Village was extremely delicious. I had never eaten anything like it before. I even boasted to Grandpa about it, saying Auntie’s roast meat is peerless—would die of happiness if I could eat it again..."
Feng Yun was pondering what to cook for dinner when Ao Qi’s words sparked an idea, and she turned back with a smile.
"Okay, we can have roast meat tonight."
A radiant smile struck Ao Qi right in his heart.
His heart skipped a beat, and, with flushed ears, he swallowed his saliva and hurried a few steps closer to her.
"Auntie..."
Feng Yun hummed, looking at him squarely, "What’s wrong?"
Ao Qi stared into her eyes, "Is Aozai cold?"
Feng Yun’s lips twitched slightly as she looked at the huge Aozai being held by him and shook her head with a laugh.
"I don’t think so. It’s hardy and not afraid of the cold," she said, then turned her attention back and called for the kitchen maid to prepare the dishes.
Slender and delicate in appearance, Feng Yun was decisive and efficient in her actions. Ao Qi watched her move busily, almost forgetting himself, his gaze somewhat vacant. He knew he was not Azuo or Ayou and could not cling to her like a child without attracting gossip. He also knew he should leave and not gaze at her so intensely.
But love for someone is hard to hide.
When he could not see her, he was tormented by longing. But seeing her in front of him and being unable to do anything left him feeling listless and increasingly panicked. Despite knowing it was impossible, and even though time had passed and their statuses had changed, his feelings had not faded but deepened instead, wishing desperately for a mutual understanding of hearts.
His lips were tightly pressed, his hands tense, and Aozai, feeling uncomfortable, jumped down from his arms.
Only then did Feng Yun notice him watching, and she turned around, slightly startled.
"Do you... want to eat anything else?"
Ao Qi’s throat bobbed, and it felt as if caterpillars were crawling up his back, itching all over.
He wanted to run off like Aozai, but his legs just wouldn’t move.
"No... yes, it’s just... "
Ao Qi’s face flushed, bewildered by his own words.
"That roast meat, could you... add a little more salt?"
Feng Yun squinted skeptically, "Didn’t it have salt last time?"
"Yes, it did." Ao Qi reflexively felt nervous, as if guilty of something and caught red-handed, his face and ears crimson, "I like it salty, a stronger flavor is better."
Normally upbeat, his inappropriate feelings toward his aunt made him uneasy and distressed, involuntarily bringing tears to his eyes.
"Actually, I like anything made by Auntie."
That statement landed like a pebble in a pond, not too light, not too heavy, just enough to create ripples.
It was hard for Feng Yun to pretend not to understand...
"Ayou, is your older brother childish?" She touched Ayou’s head to change the subject and then handed the two little ones over to Ao Qi.
"You take them to play, I need to be busy for a while."
Azuo and Ayou were unwilling, pouting in complaint.
"Big brother is annoying, he’s hogging Auntie..."
They felt they were playing just fine, but with big brother around, Auntie no longer paid attention to them, hence their pouting.
Unintentional as their words were, Ao Qi felt a chill down his spine and subconsciously looked at Feng Yun.
Fortunately, Feng Yun did not seem to notice and only laughed it off lightly.
"Don’t you want to eat the eight treasures ice-pudding cake? How can I make it if you are here? Off you go."
Ao Qi was finally able to take the two little ones away.
Feng Yun glanced at the three siblings’ departing figures and shook her head.
Once she had arranged the evening meal and returned to change her dress, the maidservant pursed her lips to inform her.
"Lady Ao has arrived and is waiting for you."
Feng Yun felt somewhat helpless, "Bring up some tea and fruit pastries."
"Yes."
In the drawing room, Lady Ao was still looking around.
Feng Yun was not one to shortchange herself, and Wen Xingsu was particularly generous toward her, bringing her anything of quality. The residence in Chunmeng Hall was elaborately decorated with exquisitely carved ornaments; it was fully equipped, comparable to the most luxurious households in Central Capital.
