The Slender Waist-Chapter 430 - 311: United as the Sun_3
Except for the sound of the wind, there was only the sound of the wind.
Pei Jue held her as he wiped her clean and returned, bowed his head to look into her blurred eyes, and lightly pecked her forehead.
"Lady Yun, you sleep first, I’ll go talk to General Wen for a bit,"
-
The day the Dajin envoy left the Central Capital, Xinzhou City was hit by another heavy snowfall.
The biting cold winds carried snowflakes through the city. The doors of Chunmeng Hall were wide open, several carriages were parked outside, and guards were bustling about, moving luggage, busy and lively.
Wen Xingsu stood silently by Feng Yun’s side, his eyes deep.
Returning from Guanlan Pavilion the day before, he was slightly tipsy. In the middle of the night, he had a small drink with Pei Jue by the stove, where the two men talked for a long time. Feng Yun, who had been unable to persuade her elder brother, had been convinced by Pei Jue.
Wen Xingsu agreed to have Deng Guang lead the remaining troops of the Orange Crane Army to garrison Xinzhou.
At the same time, he also held the position of deputy general of the Northern Yong Army.
Those remaining with Wen Xingsu included Ao Qi, Shi Yin, and Yu Zhong, among others.
In other words, the elite Red Armor Army, Blue Stability Army, Purple Lightning Army under the Northern Yong Army, and the newly forming Orange Crane Army, were all left behind by Pei Jue, effectively scattering most of the Northern Yong Army’s main force across Xinzhou, Andu, and Wanning.
It was to guard the borders.
It was also for ease of mobilization.
Pei Jue’s intentions were almost explicitly displayed before Li Zongxun.
What surprised everyone was that, overnight, Wen Xingsu had become the second most important figure in the Northern Yong Army.
General Ningyuan had always had a reputation as a scholarly and wise general, but still, there were those who said he relied on "influence through marriage."
However, the Prince of Yonghuai’s word was decisive. He wielded the power of appointment to the utmost, and even the old General Pei had no objections, so others, even if they had thoughts, had no right to comment excessively.
Especially now, with the situation so tense, the envoys from Jin Country’s most pressing desire was to escape Xinzhou and return to the Central Capital, safe and sound.
As the Jin envoys set off, the streets of Xinzhou City came alive with the hustle and bustle of carriages and Imperial Guards passing through, crowds of people standing on both sides, on tiptoes, trying to catch a glimpse, pushing and shoving, people upon people.
Pei Jue took the lead on horseback, his dark black cloak fluttering in the snowy wind. Zuo Zhong and Jiu You led the Imperial Guard Camp right behind him, the gold-embroidered "Pei" flag on the black banner was like an eagle spreading its wings high in the sky, a spectacular sight even from a street away...
Feng Yun, Wen Xingsu, and Ao Qi, along with attendants, saw Pei Jue off to the Xinzhou docks.
All that needed to be said had been said the night before.
As they were parting, the two exchanged a look, as if there was nothing left to say.
Pei Jue, "Wait for me."
Feng Yun paused silently, looking at him, with a hint of a smile.
"Have you decided?"
Pei Jue, "I have decided."
The two spoke as if in riddles, looking at each other, their voices calm, not deliberately avoiding anyone, but even though every word was clearly heard by anyone standing beside them, they had no idea what they were talking about.
It was as if it was just a private family chat between them, unrelated to others.
The wind was strong by the river, Pei Jue’s cloak billowed up, and he looked at Feng Yun, his black eyes as if veiled by a misty halo.
"I’m leaving."
Feng Yun nodded gently.
"I’ll pack up too, and head back to Huaxi."
She had already sensed the scent of war; going to the Central Capital, she knew without thinking what the Prince of Yonghuai, who had overshadowed his superiors, would face.
Whatever the outcome, she had to be prepared.
"Take care."
Pei Jue squeezed her hand and pointed to the pendant at her chest.
Feng Yun nodded with a smile, "Understood."
The sound of a horn signaled departure, and Pei Jue turned and left.
The crowd waved their arms silently, bidding farewell.
Not until the ship left the docks did Ao Qi turn his head and see Feng Yun gripping the Yuejian in her palm, his face changed, showing an expression of extreme surprise.
"Uncle gave this to you?"
Feng Yun glanced sideways, "What is this?"
Ao Qi was even more surprised.
"You don’t know?"
Feng Yun narrowed her eyes, looking at him in silence, shaking her head.
Ao Qi pulled her aside and gestured for her to tuck it into her blouse before whispering, "This is the military talisman of the Northern Yong Army, also known as the Sun and Moon Talisman. Divided, it represents the moon; together, it forms the sun. The commanding general holds it and can command the entire army. Whoever holds the moon talisman, when seen by the generals, must be protected with their lives."
In short, it was half of the Northern Yong Army’s military talisman, which, although could not command the entire army for a life-and-death battle, could make the Northern Yong Army generals protect her with their lives.
Feng Yun held the Yuejian pendant close to her chest, her eyes welling up with moisture, silent for a long time, unable to speak.
On the river surface, the cold wind was biting, and the tower ship drifted away, she could no longer see Pei Jue’s figure.
She couldn’t see his tall and stern silhouette standing on the deck, with the Biyong around his waist, his cloak billowing, gazing toward Xinzhou from afar.
