The Slender Waist-Chapter 431 - 312: Returning to the Capital in Plain White
After Pei Jue left, Feng Yun followed the crowd back to Chunmeng Hall.
Learning that Uncle had given the Sun and Moon Talisman to Feng Yun, Ao Qi seemed somewhat unsettled, riding ahead, braving the wind and snow, holding the reins as he went, his gaze deeply fixed on the path ahead, his face exuding the untold sharpness of youth.
Ye Chuang and Lin Zhuo, accompanied by the guards, rode by the sides of the carriage. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶
The entire procession was silent to the extreme.
Inside the carriage, Xiaoman was also listless, her eyes surveying Feng Yun’s calm and composed visage with a sense of loss.
"Why are you unhappy?" Feng Yun raised her eyes to look at her.
Xiaoman cast her gaze downward, pursing her lips.
"Why didn’t the Princess go with the King to the Central Capital?"
Feng Yun smiled softly, "It seems you can’t bear to be parted from your Big Brother Zuo. No wonder you’ve been showing me a long face since this morning..."
Xiaoman, hearing this, became anxious, her face flushing with embarrassment, "Where would I? With the audacity of a mere servant, I dare not sulk at the Princess. Just, just feels like a pity is all. We haven’t been to the Central Capital, and with the New Year approaching, how can the Princess bear to be separated from the King?"
Feng Yun began to laugh.
"What’s there to be reluctant about? It’s better when he isn’t around."
The road to the dock was used by cargo vehicles all year round and was bumpy and uneven. After several days of wind and snow, the road had become wet and slippery, and the wheels creaked and groaned as they turned.
Feng Yun lifted the curtain to take a look.
"Big Brother, is the snow getting heavier?"
Wen Xingsu spurred his horse forward a few steps, coming up beside the carriage.
"It has been falling for so many days without a pause, it is a bit too long."
Auspicious snow promises a bountiful year, but when the snowfall is too lengthy and too heavy, it is no longer a good omen, and it could turn into a disaster. Moreover, with this kind of weather, some might not survive the winter, passing away before the year ends.
Wen Xingsu said, "This is the heaviest snow Xinzhou City has ever seen."
Feng Yun replied, "Andu is also experiencing snow."
She glanced at Wen Xingsu then added, "I’ll return to Andu tomorrow. Will Big Brother stay in Andu for the New Year or will you go to Bingzhou?"
When the Feng Family left yesterday, they suggested that they spend New Year in Bingzhou. Feng Yun had declined, but she wasn’t sure what Lady Chen had told Wen Xingsu.
Wen Xingsu hesitated, "Is today the twenty-seventh of the twelfth lunar month?"
"Yes," Feng Yun nodded, "in two or three days, it will be the New Year’s Festival. Grandma has sent several messages asking when I’ll be coming home."
Wen Xingsu fell silent for a moment, "I’ll come over on the twenty-ninth."
Feng Yun responded, "Alright."
And so the matter was settled.
In the afternoon, Feng Yun had the staff at Chunmeng Hall prepare her luggage, and she herself, accompanied by Ge Guang, Ge Yi, Ye Chuang, and a few guards, made a trip to Mingquan Town.
The sugar workshop had stopped production the day before the heavy snowfall had started.
Cong Wentian had taken several apprentices back to the Tu Family Fort, leaving only a few servants hired locally.
The shops on Yitara Street had also closed down.
Chai Ying, Nan Kui, and Jiang Yin had packed their luggage, ready to accompany Feng Yun to Xinzhou and then depart for Andu together the next day.
Since the guards at Yi Hui were all subordinates of Wen Xingsu, Feng Yun didn’t arrange for additional men to guard the shop; instead, she handed out several large red envelopes filled with five-bath coins, asking them to help keep an eye on the place.
The distance was only a few dozen steps, quite convenient.
The overseeing captain, receiving the red envelope, smiled from ear to ear.
After checking the shop, Feng Yun returned to the city with several maids.
Just as she reached the entrance of her residence, Ao Qi rode up on horseback, his handsome face completely cold and solemn.
"Aunt."
A call came forth, and Ao Qi dismounted from his horse.
Wearing a thick wrap, Feng Yun stood under the eaves and turned to look at him, her heart involuntarily tightening.
"Why have you come at this time? Is there an emergency?"
Ao Qi bowed to her, glanced around, and spoke softly:
"The Emperor has passed away."
The words, though soft, struck Feng Yun’s heart like a hammer.
Feng Yun had never met the young Emperor of Xinghe, and of course, her shock was not out of affection or sympathy for Li Sangruo, but because the news was too unexpected...
This young emperor was not short-lived in her previous life.
When Feng Yun had died in the Qi Palace, he had still been living well in the Central Capital...
How could he have suddenly passed away now?
The change in major events unnerved Feng Yun.
"Is the news accurate?"
Ao Qi replied, "There’s no mistake. As soon as Uncle’s caravan arrived in Andu County, we received the news. It is said that the Empress Dowager passed out on the spot, envoys all prostrated themselves, crying in sorrow, all returning to the capital in white mourning clothes..."
The two stood speechless, facing each other.
The series of recent upheavals, one after another, strikes at the heart.
Feng Yun was silent for a long while, "Come on, let’s go inside for some hot tea and talk slowly."
Standing at the door was inconvenient with the ground covered in snow.
Unexpectedly, Ao Qi declined with a bow of thanks,
"There’s still business in the camp. I came to notify you, Aunt. I’ll start the journey tomorrow and accompany you back to Andu."
Feng Yun was not fully aware of the Northern Yong Army’s military arrangements. Ao Qi’s statement must have been part of Pei Jue’s earlier plan.
She nodded, "All right. See you at the dock."
"See you at the dock."
Ao Qi turned his horse around and quickly disappeared into the wind and snow.
Feng Yun stood squinting for a moment, then lifted her skirt and walked inside.
"Everyone has their own fate; let’s get through the New Year first."
-
The next morning, Feng Yun bid farewell to Wen Xingsu and set off with her entourage in a grand departure.
On the way to the dock, she saw Ao Qi waiting at the crossroads, behind him, warships carrying troops, one after another, seemingly blending with the river.
Feng Yun glanced over and joked, "Are you all returning to Andu for the New Year?"
Ao Qi’s face was stern, a rare seriousness about him.
"The Red Armor Army is being dispatched to the Andu Great Camp."
It was Pei Jue’s strategic arrangement. Feng Yun didn’t ask for more details and smiled politely, inviting Ao Qi to join her at Changmen for the New Year celebrations once he was done.
With both elder members of the Ao Family and Pei Jue gone, Ao Qi was left alone on this side; it was her duty as his aunt to extend an invitation.
Ao Qi readily accepted, "I want dumplings with a chive filling, with more meat, all meat."
Feng Yun was momentarily stunned, reminded of the day Ao Qi had first joined the camp, craving for an egg, and couldn’t help but find it amusing.
"You won’t be missing out on your share."
The two exchanged laughs and words as Ao Qi escorted Feng Yun onto the boat, then swiftly departed.
When she saw him again, it was at Shiguan Dock.
Feng Yun couldn’t help but feel surprised; how was this kid always faster than her?
Ao Qi waited for her at the dock, "Aunt, I won’t be accompanying you back to Huaxi. Let’s part ways here."
Feng Yun said, "You go on with your duties; don’t worry about me."
Ao Qi smiled, looking into her eyes with a fleeting twinkle, before looking down.
"What kind of talk is that? Not coming to greet my aunt would be neglecting my duty as a nephew."
Feng Yun: ...
This kid’s words did not match his tone, sarcastic and peculiar.
But indeed, it was out of concern for her safety that he took the time to come over amidst his busy schedule.
Ao Qi smiled at her, mounted his horse, and hurriedly left.
Also waiting on Shiguan Dock were He Qia and a host of officials from Andu County.
They were all dressed in unbleached linen, wearing mourning caps, and bound by hemp belts, a contrast to the indifference of Xinzhou City to the Young Emperor’s death; the mourning rituals in Andu were much more pronounced.
Of course, this had to do with the ongoing contention over Xinzhou’s allegiance.
The agreement of Xinzhou belonging to Jin Country had only been settled for a short period...
He Qia approached and bowed in greeting, revealing a warm smile.
"The Princess has finally arrived."
Feng Yun returned the gesture, "It’s kind of you to welcome me, He Qia, but between us, there’s no need for such formalities."
He Qia responded, "The Great General has ordered it, so I dare not neglect my duty."
During the Emperor’s mourning period, He Qia was very cautious with his words, clearly wanting to crack a joke yet didn’t dare to laugh, making his expression seem stiff and contorted.
Feng Yun picked up on it and curved her lips slightly, "Please, He Qia."
He Qia gestured, "After you, Princess."
As the carriage headed towards Andu, they saw countless people dragging their families through the falling snow, as well as servants from noble families driving laden beasts and pulling sleds across the snowy roads, their steps uneven.
Feng Yun was puzzled.
"Where are they going?"
Xiaoman suggested, "Heading home for the New Year?"
Both master and servant peered out of the carriage window, and after a moment, Feng Yun shook her head.
"That’s not it."
Upon arriving at Andu City, this phenomenon didn’t diminish but intensified, with tracks and footprints pressing into the snow everywhere.
He Qia escorted her to the city gate and then provided an explanation.
"These people are migrating south."
Feng Yun inwardly paused, "Haven’t Jin and Qi just forged an alliance? Why migrate south?"
People usually migrate to where they believe to be a secure place to settle.
What could be the reason for them to think Andu County wasn’t a good place and rather head south?
He Qia started to say something, then swiftly closed his mouth and changed the subject:
"Andu was predominantly inhabited by Qi people, so it’s natural for them to yearn for Qi. The wars at the year’s end prevented travel. Now that the countries have made an alliance, it’s the perfect opportunity to relocate."
Feng Yun nodded, not pressing further.
Yet she felt this reason was incomplete, at the very least, not solely because of this.
There was another reason He Qia couldn’t conveniently disclose.
The death of Jin’s Young Emperor introduced many uncertainties.
Qi Country, on the other hand, was different. Xiao Cheng had a reputation for wisdom and, after declaring himself Emperor, abolished harsh laws and reduced taxes and corvée labor, clearly aiming to stabilize the populace and secure allegiance.
With these factors combined, many prominent families, after consideration, would choose to migrate south. When a great family moves, the common people often follow their lead southward...
At the city gate, Feng Yun bid farewell to He Qia.
As it was the Emperor’s mourning period, everyone spoke in hushed tones and showed little expression, but Feng Yun noticed that He Qia didn’t seem affected by the event.
Feng Yun felt uneasy.
For the war-torn Andu County, the departure of noble families and commoners alike meant a significant loss.
"Farewell, He Qia."
As she let down the carriage curtain, Feng Yun’s hand paused slightly, her peripheral vision catching a glimpse of a bystander who seemed to be a peddler in a felt cap quickly turning and blending into the crowd of onlookers, going unnoticed by anyone.
Feng Yun lowered her gaze and let the curtain fall.
"Let’s go."
