The Slender Waist-Chapter 427 - 310: Might Makes Right

Pei Jue arrived at the Guanlan Pavilion half an hour later.

The servants, smiling, announced, "The Prince of Yonghuai has arrived."

The room was instantly filled with joy.

After being busy for half the day, Pei Jue showed no signs of fatigue upon entering with his attendants. His gaze was piercing, and his tall stature suddenly made the spacious room feel cramped.

Everyone quickly inquired after him, and Pei Jue didn’t say much, simply presenting Feng Jingteng with the fine wine his attendant had brought. "Your son-in-law is late; I ask for my father-in-law’s forgiveness," he said.

Then he poured himself three cups as a self-punishment and downed them in one go.

Without an extra word, he afforded the old man the respect he deserved.

Feng Jingteng, already slightly tipsy, was buoyed by Pei Jue’s actions and, with trembling hands, raised his cup to continue the revelry with the guests, uttering many polite phrases.

As host and guests took their seats, the sound of flattery was unending.

Listening to their discussions about the current situation, Pei Jue remained silent, not interjecting, his face stern and reserved. Not only did Feng Jingteng become much more cautious in his speech, but even Ao Zheng was not as relaxed as he had been earlier.

There was an awkward lull now and then, and the feast was almost over.

Ao Zheng stood up from his seat, speaking up for the silent Pei family father and son.

"Since we are now relatives, I hope you will visit us often," he said.

Feng Jingteng returned the gesture, "The kindness of my relatives is indeed appreciated, indeed appreciated," he replied.

At this point, he seemed to remember something and, glancing at Pei Jue, said with a smile, "I have just taken up my post in Bingzhou and am not yet familiar with its affairs. I’m afraid I’ll often need to trouble my daughter and son-in-law to visit our house more and offer me their insights."

"Feng sir is being modest," Ao Zheng responded with a smile. "Though Wangzhi is brave on the battlefield, he is still young and straightforward—schemes and tricks wouldn’t suit him, would not at all..."

Ao Zheng, roughly the same age as Feng Jingteng and also a government official, was far more cunning than Feng Jingteng. Even if a trick was blatantly obvious, Ao Zheng could turn it back on the perpetrator. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

With just a few words, he tactfully blocked any attempt by Feng Jingteng to use Pei Jue’s influence to boost his own prestige.

Nevertheless, thanks to today’s banquet, the marriage had received the approval of the elders from both sides. Henceforth, no one could say that the marriage was a sham.

Separated by a curtain, Feng Yun listened to the courteous exchange outside and straightened up slightly, intending to call out a greeting. Just then, Pei Jue lifted the curtain and walked in.

"Where are you going?" he asked.

He stood against the light, in iron armor as hard as cold steel, clearly having come straight from the camp, without even changing his clothes. To outsiders, this might seem as if Pei Jue didn’t give much importance to the banquet.

Feng Yun smiled slightly, "I was coming to find you."

Pei Jue’s stern face visibly relaxed, his eyes crinkling with laughter.

Daman dared to approach and bowed respectfully.

"Greetings, brother-in-law."

Feng Yun’s eyelids twitched ever so slightly.

A moment ago, she had smoothly called Xiao Cheng brother-in-law, and now she addressed Pei Jue with the same title with no hint of embarrassment.

Having recognized two brother-in-laws, Daman’s confidence surged.

Luckily, Pei Jue was unaware.

He glanced at Daman and nodded, which served as a response.

Without a word, Daman felt an unexpected sense of honor.

Having been in Feng Yun’s company for so long and receiving less attention than she had in that single look, she had never been beheld so gently by Pei Jue.

Indeed, the title "brother-in-law" was effective.

She sighed silently, as if in a dream.

In the past, she thought she would never escape Pei Jue’s backyard. If she couldn’t serve in his bed, she was doomed to end her days nameless like many other disregarded concubines. So she always sought to fight for something, to gain his attention...

Now, having stepped out of that life and looking at Pei Jue again, her heart still fluttered, but that was just her lowly-born desire for strength, her instinctual attachment to a powerful man, born out of a need to survive.

Having Feng Yun as her support, she no longer held on to her stubbornness and myopia of the past. She greeted him and then looked away, quietly leaving with Xiaoman...

Lady Chen and Feng Ying had barely eaten and were drinking tea in the pavilion when Pei Jue walked over. Lady Chen gave Feng Ying a look, and rising gracefully, she too called out.

"Aying greets her brother-in-law..."

Feng Yun felt a shiver down her spine as she heard that tender, delicate voice. She inwardly admired Feng Ying’s tolerance. Despite how they had mocked, irritated, and provoked her, Feng Ying could still approach with an unchanged expression, willingly being friendly. Her eyes were pure and clear—if Feng Yun hadn’t seen through her true colors in a past life, she might even have been deceived...

She grabbed Pei Jue’s arm as if she didn’t hear Feng Ying’s voice, "Why did you come so late? What were you discussing with father just now? He didn’t make things difficult for you, did he?"

Pei Jue said, "My father-in-law is magnanimous. He only asked about some trifles."

Looking at her somewhat teasing expression, he added, "There are still matters to attend to in the camp; I just came to greet everyone and must leave shortly."

His tone was even, saying no more, but Feng Yun discerned something unusual from his somber demeanor.

"Is it that urgent? The banquet is ending here as well. Let’s go together," she suggested.

They left side by side, leaving Lady Chen and her daughter behind.

The drinking was winding down, and there was nothing left to talk about. Pei Chong said that once he returned to Central Capital, he would send an official matchmaker to the Feng Family to discuss the grand wedding, and Feng Jingteng readily agreed.

Lady Chen came over and tried to stir up a few topics, repeatedly attempting to discuss the matter of the Andu estate, but Feng Jingteng interrupted her every time.

She was seething with anger and, after leaving the Guanlan Pavilion, she exploded the moment she got on her carriage.

"What is the meaning of this, my husband? Have you given the entire Andu estate to Shi’er Niang as her dowry? We still have Zhenzhen and Liangliang. Are the younger siblings not to marry in the future?"

Feng Jingteng looked at her and sighed deeply.

"Don’t you know what kind of person Shi’er Niang is? She would rather die than part with her wealth. If you dare to bring up the Andu estate with her, she would flip the table on the spot and refuse to acknowledge me as her father..."

"Let her flip the table then! Are you afraid of her?"

"I’m not afraid of her! I feel guilty. It was us who left Shi’er Niang in Andu, presented her to Pei Jue, and abandoned her..." Feng Jingteng retorted fiercely, but as he saw Lady Chen’s face change, he swallowed his saliva, and his voice softened a bit.

"Besides, am I not considering Pei Jue’s position?"

Lady Chen answered with a sarcastic laugh, "Isn’t he the virtuous son-in-law to you? What’s there for you to worry about?"

Feng Jingteng’s brows knitted tightly, his expression colder than his usual calm demeanor.

"Has the lady noticed? A change is coming over Dajin. Pei Jue’s ambition is not limited to receiving the nine bestowments and having land enfeoffed to become a king."

Lady Chen was taken aback.

She, who was submerged in the company of the women from the inner courtyards, did not pay much attention to the affairs of the world but being born into a noble family, she was not entirely unaware.

"Are you saying that Pei Jue will rebel?"

Feng Jingteng’s lips curled, and a glint of light burst forth from his somber eyes.

"In times of chaos, the kings rise, and the strong are revered. Did not Emperor Yuanchong of Dajin seize the throne from the previous dynasty as well? In this world, who does not rebel against whom? After the Zhou Dynasty, there have been no rightful monarchs, only usurpers."

Lady Chen stared at him.

"He becomes a king, and you are pleased?"

Feng Jingteng chuckled, stroking his fine beard.

"If the Feng Family of Xuzhou produces two empresses, why worry that our family’s fortunes won’t prosper for generations to come? If Feng the Fourth becomes the father-in-law to the monarchs of both Jin and Qi, who would dare not hold me in high regard?"

He glanced at Lady Chen with a smug expression on his face.

Lady Chen, for a rare occurrence, did not retort.

"If this comes true, it would indeed be a joyous event."

If Feng Jingteng became the father-in-law to two nations, how could she not benefit from it?

-

Feng Yun did not accept the tortoiseshell that Daman had sent. First, she had many other matters to attend to and not enough energy to care for it. Second, she wanted Aozai’s undivided affection and did not wish to share its tenderness. Third, of course, she felt that having the tortoiseshell kept in the Qi Palace, right under Feng Ying’s nose, was more annoying to her.

She was in a good mood today, having drunk a little, and by the time she returned to her room and had bathed, the slight drunkenness wore off. However, she saw Pei Jue sitting alone by the brazier, his brows furrowed as if pondering something.

Feng Yun was slightly taken aback. "Didn’t the General say there was something urgent at the camp and that you had to leave immediately?"

Pei Jue glanced at her.

"I did that to get you out of an awkward situation."

At the Guanlan Pavilion, facing the Feng Family, she had to force a smile and act congenially, pretending to play the role of a filial daughter to a loving father, which was somewhat displeasing to her heart.

But she did not expect Pei Jue to act this way.

Startled for a moment, she walked over with a smile.

"When are we departing tomorrow?"

Pei Jue stood up, and seeing her hair wet and dripping, he had her sit down and naturally began to wring her hair dry with a towel.

"The Astronomical Bureau has chosen a time, set for 5-7 AM."

From the decision to leave Xinzhou to return to the capital until now, Pei Jue had not let Feng Yun pack her luggage, so she had somewhat guessed his intentions.

"Oh," Feng Yun, with her head tilted back, leaning against the warm brazier, squinting as she enjoyed his attentiveness, murmured softly,

"What about me? Am I to stay in Andu?"

Without hesitation, Pei Jue said, "Yes."

It was indeed premeditated.

Feng Yun chuckled, "Does the King have no intention of taking me with him?"

Pei Jue found the term "King" somewhat awkward when said by her.

To others calling him "Prince of Yonghuai" or "Great General" was natural, and although being addressed as "King" was not unusual for one who had been ennobled, Feng Yun’s usage seemed to carry a mocking undertone when she said it with a smile.

After a moment’s contemplation, he was firm in his reply, "This journey to Central Capital is uncertain. Your staying behind will ensure your safety."