The Slender Waist-Chapter 415 - 299 Harmonious Joy_2

"Madam is looking for me for something?"

Feng Yun respectfully served tea with complete propriety.

Mrs. Ao spoke politely for a while, then mused, "Ajue has grown up under my watch. Her mother passed away early, and as the saying goes ’an elder sister is like a mother,’ would my younger siblings not think I’m overstepping if I say that?"

Feng Yun smiled and said, "To my knowledge, you’ve taken very good care of your husband."

Mrs. Ao shook her head with a bitter smile, her gaze filled with a hint more of kindness.

"Alas, now they have all grown up, and although I want to continue to take care of them, I sometimes feel I have the heart but not the strength."

After spending half a day together, her opinion of Feng Yun had changed a lot, but the panic at the bottom of her heart had not diminished.

If Feng Yun was truly a woman of no substance who knew only how to seduce men, she believed that her son, even if confused for a time, would eventually come to his senses.

However, Feng Yun was not without merit beyond her beauty.

She was far too outstanding.

It would be hard to find many who could rival her in this world.

In front of her, Cui Zhi would probably flee in two or three rounds of confrontation...

With such a paragon before him, how could Xiaoqi’s heart possibly be retrieved?

Ah! Mrs. Ao rubbed her aching forehead.

"You and Ajue are married now, truly husband and wife, so there are some things I will not hide from you but discuss openly..."

Feng Yun nodded, "You can speak frankly, sister.

"I’ve just seen that Xiaoqi is very fond of you, his aunt by marriage."

Feng Yun hesitated briefly before pressing her lips together in silence.

"The heart of a mother in this world is all the same. We all simply hope for our children’s happiness and well-being..." Mrs. Ao said this and then laughed helplessly, "You may not understand what I’m saying now. Once you become a mother, you will understand a mother’s heart..."

Feng Yun said gently, "Sister, are you referring to Xiaoqi and Cui Zhi’s marriage prospects?"

Mrs. Ao did not expect her to be so forthright and showed hesitation on her face.

"I can’t control my own son, and I’d like you to make a decision on my behalf."

Feng Yun’s eyelids drooped slightly, "What decision can I possibly make?"

Mrs. Ao glanced at Feng Yun, "It might make you laugh, but I’m a mother who spoils her children. As long as the person in his heart is not someone he should not yearn for, whether they’re blind, lame, ugly, or whatever, I won’t stand in the way, as long as he’s happy..."

Feng Yun smiled, not knowing what to say.

Mrs. Ao stared intently at her, her face filled with disappointment, "I’ve come to you about this, and truthfully, it’s shameless and inept of me. But I’m really at a loss, and I hope you won’t blame me..."

Feng Yun smiled slightly, "I’m afraid I might not be of much help."

Mrs. Ao’s gaze was complex, as she spoke to herself, "No matter what, I don’t want any discord between them, nephew and uncle. Ajue might not say it, but he knows the truth very well. He has given me face, and as his sister, I can’t pretend to be ignorant of everything..."

Feng Yun’s expression did not change, "What would you like me to do, sister?"

Mrs. Ao fixed her gaze on her, "Convince Xiaoqi. Make him give up, and marry Cui Zhi."

"I’m sorry." After hesitating for a moment, Feng Yun said, "That’s something I can’t do, nor can I say such words."

With her lips pursed, she was silent for a long time before speaking again.

"He should decide for himself which woman to spend his life with," 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Mrs. Ao was momentarily stunned, just as she was about to speak, Ao Qi came over, quickly walked up to Mrs. Ao, and solemnly bowed to the two of them with a stern look on his face.

"Mother, I have something to discuss with you."

Mrs. Ao felt a bit embarrassed.

Her visit to Feng Yun was actually not meant with ill will, but the young cub’s eyes were full of resentment, as if she had spoken out of turn.

Feng Yun swiftly got up and said with a smile, "I’ll go check on the stove; you two talk."

Mrs. Ao politely returned the gesture and waited until Feng Yun had left before her face fell, turning to look at Ao Qi.

"What are you trying to do? Do you want everyone to know? You’re so ungrateful, be careful or your uncle will deal with you."

"What should I be afraid of?" Ao Qi glared at her, "Uncle is not like you, who’s always trying to push a woman onto me to ease your mind, never caring whether I’m willing."

"You..." Mrs. Ao’s headache worsened, she said in a lowered voice, "Who am I doing this for? Isn’t it for your own good? Do you want your uncle to lose his temper and skin you alive?"

Ao Qi looked at her.

As he looked, he suddenly burst into a mirthless laugh.

"If that’s really the case, so be it. Then your son won’t have to struggle anymore."

The young man was stunningly handsome, with eyes black as lacquer. He bowed to his mother and strode away.

Mrs. Ao watched his tall figure and defiant posture with a mix of anger and urgency. She went to Ao Zheng and lashed out without holding back.

"Look at the fine son you’ve raised, crooked beams and twisted columns. Now nothing can bring him back, not even nine oxen."

Ao Zheng had shared a couple of drinks with Wen Xingsu at noon, and was already filled with anxiety over the matter of Pei Jue, so they immediately got into an argument upon hearing each other.

"I knew it, everything is my fault in the end."

The couple had a fierce argument behind closed doors, wishing they could kill each other.

But when they appeared before others, they acted like a loving husband and wife, accompanied by Azuo and Ayou, eating the delicacies skillfully cooked by Feng Yun—like nothing had ever happened.

It was only in the middle of the night that the Pei Family guests finally left, satisfied.

As soon as the carriage left Chunmeng Hall, messages from numerous spies flew in all directions.

Nobody knew what they had said or done in Chunmeng Hall or whether they had persuaded Pei Jue,

but the next day, Pei Chong’s written confession was delivered to Cuiyu, in front of Empress Dowager Li Sangruo of Jin.

It was a long spiel, essentially stating how he was injured and disabled on the battlefield, hadn’t interfered in family matters for many years, had failed to strictly discipline his son, couldn’t control him, and was unworthy of imperial grace.

"All nonsense!" Li Sangruo was somewhat annoyed and extremely disappointed.

She had hoped that Pei Chong would persuade Pei Jue, but to any discerning eye, his words were just a brush-off.

"I think he clearly has great ambitions and is not content to be a subject. Just as well he’s disabled—if he could still move freely, I fear he would’ve already raised troops in a revolt, seeking to take over!"

Tang Shaogong glanced at her expression, "Just issue an edict to award him the nine bestowments, and we will understand his intentions."

Li Sangruo clenched her teeth and made up her mind.

"Let Father decide everything."