The Slender Waist-Chapter 528 - 377: One Step Ahead_2

If someone else had been accused like this, they would have been enraged.

Yet Feng Yun didn’t show any emotion and simply smiled lightly.

"It’s only natural for Lady Three, who is pregnant, to have wild thoughts."

She looked toward the silently lip-pursing Princess, bowed slightly, and paid her respects.

"It’s all up to the Princess to decide."

Her gesture was a subtle one.

It was a show of respect for the Princess’s face...

And... an opportunity.

After all, rumors had it that the Marquis of Xuanping had also been a guest under the Princess’s canopy.

With the Princess’s strong and overbearing nature, even if the Marquis was someone she had discarded, she would still feel discontent with his other affairs.

"The Princess has been wronged," the Princess’s face slowly darkened.

Ever since her last visit to Changmen where Pei Jue rebuffed her, the Princess had held a grudge against the couple, Feng Yun and Pei Jue.

But at her position, she was very aware that one must read the room.

Not to mention, it was clear to anyone that this vile woman was involved with Qu Gong, and that old bastard collapsed pretending to be dead. Even if she had nothing to do with Qu Gong, the Princess, not wanting to hold more grudges against Pei Jue, had to speak in favor of Feng Yun.

"Bring someone."

The Princess’s expression was indifferent.

She maintained the appearance of being fair and impartial, devoid of joy or anger, and certainly free from any personal grudges.

"Yang Lingxiang caused an uproar at the Governor’s Office and maliciously framed others without revealing the mastermind behind her actions. Her crime should be considered more severe. Out of consideration for the child she is carrying, take her down and lock her up in the dungeon. Once the truth is ascertained, we shall then decide her fate."

It sounded very fair and reasonable.

But the damp and gloom of the dungeon...

The ladies and noble daughters present shuddered at the thought, and they all felt anxious for Yang Lingxiang.

Yang Lingxiang, already with child and now faced with this shock, did not wait for the Princess’s voice to fade away before she fell lightly like a sheet of paper.

Xiaoman caught her in time.

Yang Lingxiang landed on her sturdy arm.

She would have preferred not to be caught...

Death by crashing into a doorpost would have been preferable to the excruciating judgment of everyone’s gaze...

"You, the cause of this calamity," Madame He cried out, her voice filled with a mix of anger, hate, and heartache.

"With both your parents gone, who else are you concerned about? What can’t you clear up? How did you get that jade pendant, and who wrote that note? Please, just confess everything," she implored.

Yang Lingxiang, listening to Madame He’s voice, felt as if her heart were being torn apart.

This lady had truly cared for her.

Unfortunately...

She was now in a precarious situation and, even in death, she could only insist it was He Chuandong. Only by doing so could she retain some semblance of face, and perhaps there was still a sliver of hope for survival.

"Aunt, save me," Yang Lingxiang looked at Madame He with pitiful, tearful eyes.

"The child in my belly is my cousin’s flesh and blood, every word I say is true... I beg you, aunt, save me..."

"Still refusing to repent! Won’t someone take her away?!" The Princess impatiently uttered a low bark and waved her hand disapprovingly, then looked towards He Qia.

"The Governor should not have to concern himself with matters of my house. The rest is in the Governor’s hands. If the truth comes to light, inform me at once," she commanded.

She was effectively passing the hot potato back to He Qia.

He Qia sighed and saluted the Princess.

"Your servant will not fail you."

He could not refuse.

Both publicly and privately, he had to step forward.

He Qia ordered Yang Lingxiang to be taken away, while Madame He stared fixedly at Yang Lingxiang’s belly, opening her mouth several times as if wanting to step forward and intervene, but He Chuandong firmly held her back.

In the end, she ran out of steam.

"Chuandong, are you truly not the father?"

If only that were the case.

That’s what she thought...

He Chuandong, however, felt rage boil within him, and abruptly released his hold, striding away with the crowd, not looking back.

He Qia swept a cold glance at her, "Haven’t you been home for a long time? I’ll send someone to take you back in a few days."

Having said that, he supported his puffing mother, apologized to Feng Yun and the Princess, exchanged a few more pleasantries, and then left.

-

The ladies left, each with their own thoughts, and seeing the feast was nearly over, Feng Yun did not go to the bridal chamber but sent someone to pass on a message to Wen Hui, then boarded the carriage to go home.

From here on, she didn’t need to do anything more; naturally, there would be gossips who would spread the news of what had happened at the He Family’s wedding feast.

Actually, she hadn’t wanted to disrupt Wen Hui’s wedding.

It was a once-in-a-lifetime event, and the two of them took it so seriously that if it could have gone smoothly, she would have let it be.

At least she wouldn’t have chosen today to act.

But they had been too disrespectful, underestimating her.

When she returned to the manor, Pei Jue was still reading in his study. Zuo Zhong and Jiu You both stood at the door, one on each side. Seeing Feng Yun approach, they automatically stepped aside to clear the way.

Feng Yun nodded slightly to them and entered, immediately meeting Pei Jue’s gaze.

He put down the book.

Looking at Feng Yun, he didn’t say a word.

Feng Yun gently straightened her hair, with a smile that wasn’t quite a smile.

"Why does the King look at me in such a way?"

Pei Jue showed no emotion and extended his hand to her.

Feng Yun pursed her lips, poured herself a cup of cold tea from the desk, drank it down to calm her emotions, and then slowly walked over, sitting down beside him.

"With today’s events, coal balls should have no worries about sales."

Pei Jue had never doubted that.

He furrowed his brow, staring into Feng Yun’s eyes.

"If the Marquis of Xuanping really has Li Zongxun behind him, what will you do next?"

Feng Yun glanced sideways, giving him a faint smile. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

"What’s next... sell coal balls?"

Pei Jue:...

Feng Yun let out a soft laugh.

"My main business is trade, and it’s my side job to help the King weed out miscreants. But speaking of which, Your Majesty is very well-informed. How did you come to know about the recent events so quickly?"

Pei Jue glanced at her, pulled a cushion to her waist, signaling her to lie down and rest, his voice indifferent.

"There are spies for Li Zongxun at the He Residence, and naturally, there are others for different parties as well."

"Yours too?"

Pei Jue’s face was expressionless.

"He is one of my men."

Feng Yun was taken aback for a moment, "Indeed."

Pei Jue: "Li Zongxun is employing the same strategy as you."

Neither wanted to wage war or resolve conflicts through force. Instead, both sought internal disintegration of the other side, achieving victory without spilling blood or exerting much effort.

Upon hearing this, Feng Yun felt that it was indeed the case and immediately started to laugh.

"Then let’s see whether the Li Family or I will come out on top, shall we?"

Pei Jue hummed in affirmation.

"Following Lady Yun’s plan, how should we proceed?"

Feng Yun narrowed her eyes slightly, thinking seriously for a moment.

"Starting tomorrow, I should sell coal balls even more diligently."

Pei Jue:...