The Slender Waist-Chapter 432 - 313: Return to Huaxi

After so long, Feng Yun returned to Huaxi Village, and at first glance, the village cloaked in snow felt somewhat unfamiliar.

Red lanterns hung from every family’s doorway, with replaced peachwood charms signifying the New Year’s spirit.

Those places where she had left with only rammed earth walls now had houses built up, snow covering the ridges of the fields, hiding any crops, while the sounds of chickens and dogs echoed from the sheds, smoke curled up from the kitchens, and a layer of solid ice covered the ponds.

A few children ran out from the thatched huts, their cheeks reddish from the cold wind. Seeing Feng Yun, they looked on curiously before exclaiming in surprise after a long pause.

"The Village Chief’s Lady is back!"

Someone shouted out, and the news quickly spread.

Suddenly, the village burst into life.

This family opened their door, that family peered out, and soon everyone hurriedly came out, warmly greeting and following the carriage into the estate.

Xing Bing, Grandma Han, Alou, Kong Yun’e, Ying Rong, Wen Hui, Aunt Xu, Lun Dashan—a number of familiar faces brimming with the joy of reunion.

Wang’s sister-in-law from the Yao family squeezed to the front; before the carriage even stopped, she came running over, followed by Yao Ru’s wavering parents who teared up at the sight of him alighting.

"You’ve finally come back, we thought you wouldn’t make it for the New Year’s Eve dinner."

Yao Ru looked slightly embarrassed at his wife’s emotionality, courteously bowed to Feng Yun and the others, and went up to support his parents, escorting them home.

As she walked, Mrs. Wang turned her head back and shouted loudly to Feng Yun.

"Village Chief’s Lady, I’ll send over some glutinous rice cake later."

Yao Ru corrected her in a soft voice.

"You can’t call her Village Chief’s Lady anymore. You should call her Princess."

"Princess? What’s that about?"

News traveled slow in the village, and nobody from Changmen had made mention of this, so Mrs. Wang was hearing it for the first time, and she immediately cried out in astonishment upon learning.

"The Village Chief’s Lady has become a Princess!"

Her words were like a stone cast into the heart of a lake.

People murmured among themselves, some inquiring and others asking for details.

To avoid unnecessary speculation, Xiaoman then came out with a smile, not only informing everyone about Pei Jue’s ennoblement but also speaking grandly of Feng Yun being conferred the title of a first-rank national lady.

The crowd immediately erupted into excitement.

Everyone in the village knew about Feng Yun’s grand marriage to General Pei in Bingzhou.

They were also aware that Feng Yun had taken out General Pei’s bridal gifts and set up an embroidery workshop in the village, sewing winter clothes for the Beiyong Army generals, which allowed the women of Huaxi and neighboring villages to earn a bit of money for the New Year.

However, they had no idea about these noble rewards.

Suddenly, people’s gazes turned towards the long line of carriages behind Feng Yun.

"Are those all filled with rewards?"

Between envy and joy, the villagers changed their way of addressing her, and under the lead of the squad leaders and team leaders, mimicking the etiquette of city nobles, they changed their greeting.

"Princess above, please accept the villagers’ bow."

Villagers were usually informal, and Feng Yun didn’t want to cause any changes because of herself.

With a smile, she said, "My fellow villagers, there’s no need for formalities. However you used to address me is how you should continue. Here in Huaxi Village, I am just the Village Chief’s Lady..."

Upon hearing this, someone asked.

"Does this mean you will go to the Central Capital later?"

"If you leave, does that mean you won’t be our Village Chief’s Lady anymore?"

They understood that one follows their spouse, and marrying a king meant naturally leaving with him.

This was what everyone thought, and Feng Yun didn’t say much else, simply smiling casually.

"The Great General is busy with many matters. He won’t have time for me just yet."

Soon, villagers began bringing gifts, claiming they were for Feng Yun’s grand wedding. Chickens, eggs, flour, vegetables—offered with both politeness and familiarity. Feng Yun asked Alou to bring out a box filled with coppers to return the gifts to each household.

After another bustling time, the crowd dispersed, and quietness settled in.

There was celebration throughout the estate.

However, Feng Yun was so tired, she felt she could collapse.

The room was warmed by a stove, making it quite cozy.

The little auk lay beside her, licking its paws.

It had grown a lot, and compared to when it left Huaxi Village, it almost didn’t look like the same "cat." Many people in the estate were a little frightened upon seeing it, even Alou didn’t dare get too close.

But Grandma Han, as always, carefully stroked the auk’s head, face to face with it like she would with her own child, filled with both complaints and happiness.

"You’ve grown so much after just one trip out. Look at these big paws—just one slap from you and grandma could end up meeting the King of Hell ahead of time."

Feng Yun chuckled at her dramatic words, tilting her head and resting it on her shoulder.

"Grandma, did you miss me?"

Grandma Han’s face was full of kindness as she patted her forehead.

"Grandma almost went to the grave from missing you, you tell me if I missed you or not..."

"Don’t say such nonsense," Feng Yun scolded playfully, her nose wrinkling as she looked at her. "Grandma has lost weight."

Grandma Han’s laugh was full of wrinkles.

"Isn’t it all because I was thinking about my lady?"

After winter set in, her old cold legs acted up, and Feng Yun had her stay in the estate to recover, forbidding her from running about outside, to which Grandma Han felt a bit resentful.

"I heard your father and stepmother have arrived in Xinzhou; they haven’t agitated you too much, have they?"

Thinking about the Feng Family riled her up.

"It takes some nerve for them to show their face after everything. How could they have the audacity to come knocking and acknowledge kin?"

She spoke with such lively distaste that Feng Yun couldn’t help but laugh as well.

"Isn’t it just shamelessly acknowledging the relationship? Right..."

She looked up at Alou, "Prepare a gift and send someone to deliver it to Feng Residence in Bingzhou, saying it’s a token of my filial piety."

Alou responded with an affirmative, but Granny Han’s face fell.

"Profligate! Why send them a gift? You should rightfully disown these relatives..."

Disown relatives? How then could one watch the joke up close?

She still wanted to watch them dig their own graves with her own eyes.

These thoughts, Feng Yun couldn’t share with Granny Han, only smilingly said, "The logic Granny understands, the world does not. They would only say I’m unfilial, not caring how much I’ve suffered..."

Granny Han thought about it and huffed.

"Then just go through the motions; there’s no need for an extravagant gift."

Feng Yun hugged her arm and coaxed her, "I understand, I really do."

Only then did Granny Han’s face brighten, "What would you like to eat tonight, my dear? Granny will have the kitchen prepare it."

Thinking of what Ao Qi had said and fearing he might come over later, Feng Yun proposed with a smile:

"Let’s have chive dumplings, with extra meat, all meat."

Granny Han hugged her, looking her over with concern.

"My poor Shi’er Niang, couldn’t you even get meat outside?"

Feng Yun said, "I couldn’t, not at all. Especially the kind Granny makes, there’s nowhere to be found."

Granny Han went to pat her with a smile.

Everyone else laughed along.

It was a convivial scene.

To make dumplings, fine flour is needed, and chives are also a rarity this season. Fortunately, the estate had stored some for winter. Having received the instructions, the cooks hurried to prepare them.

After resting for a while, Feng Yun summoned Ge Guang.

"Go and visit Mr. Ren’s home, bring some festive pastries, and say they’re a New Year’s courtesy from the students on the estate."

Ge Guang assented and departed.

When night fell, Ao Qi indeed arrived on horseback.

The journey from Andu Great Camp to Huaxi Village was not short, and to have this meal of dumplings, Lord Ao had been battered by the wind and snow. Feng Yun, seeing his face and head covered in snow, quickly let him into the house, her face bright with a smile:

"Fresher dumplings could not be had, just waiting for you to drop them into the pot."

Ao Qi shook off the snowflakes from his body and turned his rosy cheeks towards her, his eyes shining brightly.

"Thank you, Auntie."

He hadn’t promised to come today, but because of his suggestion, Feng Yun indeed went to the great trouble of making chive dumplings.

Ao Qi’s heart felt warm and toasty, and he felt that the difficult journey through dozens of miles of wind and snow had not been in vain.

Feng Yun, seemingly seeing through him, smiled and turned to instruct Alou.

"Make sure to feed General Ao’s horse the best fodder, don’t neglect our hero."

Ao Qi scratched his head in embarrassment and laughed.

Alou glanced at him and smiled in response, "My lady needn’t worry; the stable is stocked with the finest fodder. It won’t be neglected."

Ao Qi followed Feng Yun inside, and Au Nian ambled over slowly, rubbing its big head forcefully against his leg.

Au Nian wasn’t one to cling to people, but it was most affectionate towards Ao Qi, aside from Feng Yun. Even those who took care of it by Feng Yun’s side couldn’t be as casual with it as Ao Qi could be, stroking its head or pinching its face whenever he wanted.

Ao Qi’s heart warmed even more; he bent down to nuzzle faces with Au Nian, and, as if by magic, pulled a wrapped piece of lamb from his bosom.

A large chunk, raw, still oozing blood.

"For Au Nian."

Au Nian took it in its mouth and lay down to the side to enjoy its treat.

Feng Yun sat down and asked with a smile, "How are things in the camp, are the soldiers still in good spirits?"

The news of the Young Emperor’s demise must have already spread throughout the camp, and with the New Year approaching, the troops might unavoidably feel unsettled.

Ao Qi nodded his head, "It’s fine. After eating the dumplings, I must head back."

Feng Yun looked at him with surprise.

"With such heavy snow, why not leave when it’s light out tomorrow?"

Ao Qi looked sidelong at her, his dark eyes tenderly sweeping across her, filled with an indescribable warmth and affection, "No problem. I came to tell Auntie that I won’t make it for the New Year’s Day; don’t worry about me."

Feng Yun met his gaze.

After a moment, she nodded slightly, "It’s right to be more cautious since your uncle has added to your responsibilities."

Ao Qi’s lips curved into a warm, soft smile, and he seemed about to say something more but fell silent instead.

In the middle of the night, the storm raged even stronger, howling continuously like a wild dance of demons.

The cold wind lifted the curtains; the room felt emptily vast.

Feng Yun, embracing Au Nian, sat by the fire on the raised platform, with Kong Yun’e sitting beside her. They spoke sporadically, and though Feng Yun showed no inclination to sleep, relaxed with a smiling face, Kong Yun’e’s hands hidden in her sleeves twisted lightly, her eyes involuntarily glancing towards the window.

After an indefinite time, the window was tapped gently.

Thump thump.

Feng Yun unlatched the bolt.

A nimble figure leapt in.

Tall and imposing with stern features.

After a glance at Kong Yun’e, he stepped towards Feng Yun and bowed with hands clasped together.

"Jin Ge meets the Princess of Yonghuai."