The Slender Waist-Chapter 522 - 374: A Dagger Hidden in a Smile

Yang Lingxiang was startled.

Almost instinctively, she took a step back.

Coming back to her senses, she felt a cold sweat breaking out on her back.

Just now, the words "Prince of Yonghuai" had nearly slipped from her lips, and had Feng Yun not interrupted, she might have said even more...

Yang Lingxiang tensed inwardly and deeply bowed to Feng Yun.

"Your servant does not know the Princess of Yonghuai and has spoken nonsense, I hope the Princess will forgive me."

"Mistress Yang jests," Feng Yun glanced at the old woman, her tone neither light nor heavy, "Being wronged and uttering complaints is only right for Mistress Yang."

Yang Lingxiang did not expect her to defend her.

Startled, she glanced at the old woman and then awkwardly smiled.

"Your servant has no complaints against my cousin, it was my aunt who felt indignant on my behalf. She pitied me with a few words. I hope the Princess will not take it to heart..."

Upon hearing this, the old woman’s heart trembled with fear.

She was just being meddlesome, she couldn’t stand to see the good fortune of He Qia and his son and had idly chatted about Yang Lingxiang.

How could she bear the guilt of "feeling indignant"?

In the presence of the Princess of Yonghuai, and with Yang Lingxiang, this cheap woman, directly splashing dirty water on her, her legs had already turned to jelly from fear.

"Look at my mouth, always blabbering. My apologies to the Princess, I have been rude," she said, glancing around with her eyes darting, eager to escape.

"The daughter-in-law of the old woman’s son is looking for her. I should leave first. Princess, please allow me to take my leave."

Feng Yun had no energy to play mind games with such women of the inner court. Perceiving the old woman’s panic and anxiety with a single glance, she faintly smiled, clearly stated her stance, and directly gave a warning.

"Trouble always comes from sticking your neck out. Given the old lady’s age, if she still doesn’t understand the problems that come from speaking too much, I’m afraid it could bring misfortune upon her family."

The old woman turned pale at her warning.

"The old woman has learned her lesson. Your mercy is immense, I beg you for your mercy, Princess."

Feng Yun gestured with her chin, "Go on."

She was cold and unapproachable, not giving the old woman the slightest bit of face, and directly slapped her down.

The old woman left with a downcast face. No matter how much she hated it, it mattered not.

Feng Yun simply had the power to lean on.

With Pei Jue backing her, who couldn’t she scold?

Yang Lingxiang bit her lower lip quietly, bracing herself to be humiliated by Feng Yun.

Unexpectedly, as soon as the old woman left, Feng Yun warmed up to her, gently pulling her arm.

"Mistress Yang, it’s hot in the corridor. The feast is about to start. How about we talk inside?"

Yang Lingxiang was shocked and flattered.

The arm that Feng Yun was pulling felt as if it was burning. Her entire body stiffened up.

"The Princess doesn’t blame me?"

Feng Yun snorted with laughter.

"Why should I blame you? You are pitiable too. Isn’t our situation quite similar? Although my father is alive, there’s no difference from him being dead. A family I cannot rely on, and as a frail woman, how can one survive without depending on a man? To live, there’s nothing shameful about doing anything."

She smiled faintly once more.

"We are not shameful."

Yang Lingxiang’s eyes reddened, and she nearly burst into tears on the spot.

"Thank you for your compassion, Princess." She bit her lip hard, "As for what was said just now, I hope the Princess will not take it to heart. I was ignorant, applying the logic of a small-minded person to the broad-minded."

"Let’s not say such things that put distance between us," Feng Yun said with a beaming smile, "Today, I felt an instant connection with Mistress Yang. Later at the feast, we will inevitably have to drink a few cups. Mistress Yang has no kin beside her and is bound to be talked about. How about sitting with me?"

Yang Lingxiang’s mind went blank.

What right did she have to sit with Feng Yun?

Was this the Princess of Yonghuai elevating her, or... did she have other motives?

Feng Yun laughed and talked, leading Yang Lingxiang to the banquet hall.

Caught up in the excitement, she even enthusiastically linked arms with Yang Lingxiang as if they were sisters.

Their close gestures and actions attracted numerous envious glances from the other women.

Some of the girls looked at Yang Lingxiang with burgeoning animosity.

Being appreciated by the Princess of Yonghuai was highly prestigious, and indeed, Mistress Yang, who was primed to make a splash at He Chuandong’s grand wedding, did make a splash, but in the eyes of the noblewomen, she became an unwelcome person.

No one could see the knife hidden in Feng Yun’s smile except for her own people from Changmen.

Xiaoman, Huanhuan, Peipei, and a few others, followed behind their mistress, their hearts pounding faster with every laugh she shared, their entire bodies tensed up...

But to avoid exposing their mistress, no matter how nervous they were, they had to pretend. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

They kept their faces cheerful, as if a spring breeze was caressing them.

As though they knew nothing of what Feng Yun was really thinking.

Feng Yun was undoubtedly the focus of everyone’s attention.

From the waterside pavilion to the banquet hall, countless eyes followed her.

The Marchioness of Xuanping was among them.

Her son Qu Gong had died at the jaws of a cheetah raised by the Princess of Yonghuai. With the pain of losing her child, it was natural for her to look at Feng Yun with all the hate and animosity in her heart.

Yet when Feng Yun’s gaze swept toward her, she found that the countenance of the Marchioness of Xuanping, as it fell upon her, contained hatred intertwined with fear and as it shifted to Yang Lingxiang, it was somehow amiss.

Even harsher, even more hateful than toward her.

As if the lynx that bit Qu Feng to death was Yang Sansao herself.

Feng Yun offered a faint smile, pretending not to see, and personally helped Yang Lingxiang lift the door curtain.

"Sansao, this way," she said.

-

Women have their own ways of socializing, and men their own topics of discussion.

In the front hall, the Marquis of Xuanping and a few idle relatives went to pay respects to the host family, joining He Qia for tea and conversation in the floral hall.

The marriage banquet was filled with the gentle pluck of strings and bamboo flutes.

Unlike the marchioness, who could not conceal her emotions, the Marquis of Xuanping’s face was brimming with smiles, betraying no hint of sorrow for the loss of his son.

In the course of conversation, Pei Jue inevitably came up.

"I wonder if the great king’s health has seen any improvement?"

As He Qia was the host of the banquet, he of course treated everyone with great care, but upon hearing this, his smile faded slightly, and he remarked with a tinge of melancholy, "The great king’s absence from the wedding banquet means he has not yet fully recovered."

The Marquis of Xuanping also sighed in response.

"The great king has tirelessly toiled for the country’s longevity, yet to be wounded by some petty bandit—it’s uncertain how the eradication of the bandits on Xiufeng Mountain is progressing?"

This was a matter He Qia could discuss.

"As far as I know, those bandits are remnants of Wanning’s guard commander Gua Ping, with formidable combat strength. Now they have fortified their position on the mountain, where they have ample grain stores and water sources, making them extremely difficult to eradicate easily."

The Marquis of Xuanping chuckled lightly, took a sip of tea, and shook his head in a measured manner:

"Actually, it’s not that difficult."

He Qia’s eyes lit up, staring at him, and he earnestly asked:

"My lord has a brilliant idea, I’m all ears for the details."

The Marquis of Xuanping’s gaze dropped slightly as he glanced left and right, his smile unfurling at the corners of his mouth, "Set fire to Xiufeng Mountain."

The others were taken aback.

The Marquis of Xuanping continued, "With no rain for a long stretch, the trees are dry. With one spark, the mountain wind will rapidly spread the flames. How could anyone still hide on the mountain then?"

He Qia’s face immediately darkened.

Such a ruthless strategy was undoubtedly effective.

But it wasn’t that Pei Jue didn’t think of it, nor that Shentu Jiong lacked brains—it was simply too vicious a move.

He Qia said, "Such a plan might harm others, but it will also bring no benefit to oneself."

If the fire couldn’t be controlled, it could lead to a disaster.

Besides, the men and horses of Xiufeng Mountain were not a must-kill target.

He Qia glanced at the Marquis of Xuanping, then added, "Today’s guests all belong to prestigious families that value their reputations, my lord should be careful with his words and actions. Being overheard could tarnish one’s reputation."

"This lord was merely jesting, the Governor need not take it to heart," said the Marquis of Xuanping, quickly smiling and apologizing, then he bowed to He Qia, "The Governor, this lord has spoken out of turn."

Only then did He Qia relax his stern expression, replying with a smile all over his face.

"On this joyous marriage day of your junior, my lord, it’s best not to frighten me," he said.

The two men looked at each other, laughing and downplaying the previous conversation as though it had never happened.

The few around them also awkwardly interjected a few nonsensical words, shifting the topic.

Before long, someone outside chanted the ceremonial announcement.

"The Crown Prince of Yunchuan has arrived!"

The Crown Prince of Yunchuan resided in Andu County. He Qia had invited everyone, and regardless, an invitation had to be delivered to Yun Village.

Yet Chunyu Yan was a man of peculiar temperament, socializing with whomever he pleased, solely at his own discretion; he had not replied to the He Family beforehand, leaving it uncertain whether he would come or not.

Actually, He Qia was also somewhat surprised.

Taken aback for a moment, he promptly went forth with He Chuandong to greet the guest.

The wealth of Chunyu Yan was known throughout the land, and naturally, the gifts he brought were of considerable value. The long gift list unmistakably showcased the opulence of the richest man under heaven.

Let alone other gifts, just a set of pure gold utensils named "Soaring Dragon and Horse" was enough to astonish everyone present.

He Chuandong was excited internally, while He Qia repeatedly expressed his gratitude.

"It’s far too precious, truly far too valuable."

He added, "We have prepared a modest banquet, and we ask the Princely Heir to honor us with his presence."

He Chuandong also bowed and insisted, "Princely Heir, please come inside."

Chunyu Yan nonchalantly returned a perfunctory salute, and before everyone, said in a clear voice with a flick of his wide sleeve:

"It’s only right for this Princely Heir to grant such face to a Changmen lady on her wedding day."

The room erupted in surprise.

Was he so close to Feng Shi Er Niang?

All eyes swiftly turned to him.

The Crown Prince of Yunchuan, resplendent in his headdress, half of his face obscured by a mask, left his expression indiscernible, but the slightly upturned corners of his lips were clearly visible, betraying a carefree smile.

"After all, she’s a business partner, and I still rely on Feng Twelve for her coal balls," he said.

The crowd: ...