The Slender Waist-Chapter 578 - 414 Believe with Effort

Feng Yun felt as if someone had doused her with a bucket of cold water, freezing her in an instant.

"Has the king forgotten?"

Confronted with Pei Jue’s sharp gaze, Feng Yun’s thoughts sawed back and forth in her mind. Thinking of Queque, the pain of a lifetime transmitted, and her heart felt as if it were being sliced by a rusted dull knife, an indescribable sorrow.

"I suffered a fundamental injury from the poisoning last time... I won’t be able to have children in this life..."

Pei Jue squatted down in front of her, looking straight into her eyes, the pads of his fingers resting on the back of her hand, as if carrying a layer of chill.

"Does Lady Yun wish it or not?"

Feng Yun’s brow furrowed slightly, shivering in the cool breeze.

"Your Majesty, I don’t like to suffer, not even the slightest bit."

To not give birth, nor wanting to.

She felt her answer was clear enough, but Pei Jue’s eyes did not move away, as if fixed on her.

Feng Yun felt desolate.

She sighed faintly, as though all her strength had been drained away.

"If Your Majesty desires heirs, you will have to find someone else."

She tried her best to sound as nonchalant as possible, but Pei Jue, instead of releasing her hand, took hold of her waist and slowly drew her into his embrace.

"What nonsense is this?"

His voice was slightly hoarse, as if he had exerted all his strength.

"Whether or not there are children, in this life, I, Pei Jue, will not have another woman."

Feng Yun looked up, trying to discern his face.

The light and shadows from the wind-blurred lantern also blurred Pei Jue’s features.

Against the light, he hugged Feng Yun tightly, carefully adjusted her clothes, and stepped out.

The paddle outside had already been wetted by the light rain.

Pei Jue bent down to pick it up, standing amidst the increasingly thick mist of rain and rowed with force, slowly heading towards the dock...

When they had set out, the moon was clear and the stars sparse, but in an instant, the sky had changed, and the drizzle began to fall, causing the moon to hide behind the clouds, and the stars to vanish.

Feng Yun sat in the shelter, watching the river under the light of the lanterns.

Raindrops created ripples.

After a moment, she picked up the boatman’s oilcloth cape and bamboo hat.

"Your Majesty, please wear this..."

"No need," Pei Jue didn’t look back, "What’s this light rain to me?"

Indeed, it was nothing compared to the life-and-death struggles he had faced.

Feng Yun’s initial intention to offer the hat was to alleviate the tension from the conversation they’d just had...

She didn’t want to be at odds with Pei Jue.

For her, getting along harmoniously was the most comfortable state of being.

So she felt slightly worried.

Pei Jue, sensing her silence and standing still, turned around.

"What’s wrong?"

Feng Yun offered a faint smile, "I was afraid that the king would be angry."

Pei Jue snorted helplessly, "The one person’s anger I dare not provoke under these heavens, is Lady Yun’s."

Heart full of tenderness, his soft tone allowed Feng Yun’s anxious heart to settle back into place.

She walked up slowly, hugged Pei Jue from behind, and leaned against his back, together they bathed in the misty river rain of the night...

But Pei Jue silently turned around, "Sit back down."

Feng Yun said, "I want to accompany Your Majesty."

Pei Jue hesitated a bit, "Go back."

"What is Your Majesty afraid of? There’s no one here to see it," Feng Yun said softly, trying to lighten the mood, gently stroking down his waist with a low chuckle.

Which man could withstand this?

Pei Jue’s hands grasped the oars, unable to stop her, he only suppressed the heavy breathing in his throat and silently rowed the boat, the pace slowing down a bit...

The light drizzle was like smoke, drifting over the river of Shiguan.

The two hugged tightly.

Both trusting deeply, with all their might.

-

The night was quiet at the post station, Feng Yun changed beds and didn’t sleep well, waking up immediately at the slightest noise.

She heard the night post workers changing horses, the guards changing shifts, Pei Jue’s calm and even breathing, and she heard the sound of Ao Qi leaving the house...

Barely making it to dawn, she received the message.

Puyang Zong’s fingers had been reattached.

She was curious for a moment, "I want to take a look."

She said to Pei Jue, "If Your Majesty is busy, I can go by myself and then return to Huaxi with Doctor Yao."

Pei Jue got up to dress, his tone nonchalant, "I should also go have a look. We’ll go together."

"That’s even better," Feng Yun said with a smile and got up to wash.

The Post Director waited outside with a beaming smile and made a deep bow upon seeing them.

"The breakfast for the two distinguished guests is ready; General Ao personally arranged it."

Pei Jue glanced at him, "Where is General Ao?"

The Post Director said, "General Ao rose before dawn and left. He especially asked this minor official to convey to Your Highness that he has returned to the main camp and will visit another day."

Pei Jue made a soft sound of acknowledgment but didn’t say much, assisting Feng Yun to her seat, looking quite amiable, which encouraged the Post Director to take a few more glances at them before he carefully retreated.

-

The retinue of the Grand Princess was in a medical hall in Shiguan County.

Her Highness had cared for her son all night without any rest. The attendants also dared not to rest, looking tired with bloodshot eyes, yet they were unusually excited.

Upon arrival, Feng Yun immediately sensed this contradictory mood.

"Her Highness is inside speaking with Doctor Yao. Please, Your Highness and Princess."

Pei Jue didn’t speak.

On the contrary, Feng Yun nodded slightly, very politely, "Thank you."

The two entered the inner chamber, one after the other.

Doctor Yao quickly paid his respects, and the Grand Princess also stood up.

After exchanging greetings, Feng Yun approached to examine Puyang Zong’s injury.

Doctor Yao had joined the severed fingers, applied ointment, and secured them with a thin wooden board for bandaging.

To the naked eye, except for the bruising and swelling of the fingers, nothing was amiss.

Today, the Grand Princess clearly showed extra warmth and gratitude toward Feng Yun from the start.

"This time, we owe a great debt to the Princess. Otherwise, Zong’s hand would have been ruined..."

Feng Yun said, "It all depends on Your Highness’s and Commandery Prince’s blessings. My suggestion was nothing much."

The Grand Princess shook her head, "Princess is too modest."

She looked again at Doctor Yao, "Doctor Yao has told me all about it. Princess, you are a great benefactor to my son."

Feng Yun was taken aback.

Immediately, Doctor Yao folded his hands and explained:

"This humble one told Her Highness that the technique for reattaching severed digits was found in a medical book given by the Princess."

As he spoke, he glanced at Feng Yun, "However, though the book does have records, this humble one has never treated such a case before. Whether the reattached finger can recover as normal, I, alas, am not certain..."

Feng Yun offered a slight smile.

One must say, Yao Ru is a clever man.

He had cited the source and absolved himself of any potential blame.

She said, "The Commandery Prince is blessed by heaven, he will surely recover."

"What the Princess said is very true. Doctor Yao need not worry... Even if there really is some mishap, I will not blame you."

Yesterday night, the Grand Princess watched Yao Ru carefully treat the wound, a technique she had never witnessed from any Imperial Physician.

She firmly believed that Doctor Yao was a miraculous healer; it seemed only such conviction could strengthen her belief that Puyang Zong’s finger would heal.

After a conversation, when Yao Ru had explained the subsequent care for the finger, he prepared to return to Andu with Feng Yun.

To his surprise, the Grand Princess decided to accompany them.

"Yi’er’s residence in Huaxi has also been repaired. I can just move in for a while. With Doctor Yao taking care of my son, it gives me peace of mind."

Yao Ru’s eyelids twitched, but he could do nothing except agree.

Feng Yun also couldn’t help feeling moved inwardly.

Following the Emperor, Huaxi Village was about to accommodate a Grand Princess...

Given the Grand Princess’s temperament, at least until Puyang Zong’s finger recovered, she would not leave Huaxi...

On the carriage ride back, Feng Yun pondered for a long time before speaking to Pei Jue:

"The construction of Huaxi Village is urgent. As the Village Chief of Huaxi, I feel a great responsibility at this moment."

Pei Jue glanced at her, "If we are short on manpower, have Ye Chuang ask Zuo Zhong to dispatch more from the Imperial Guard Camp."

"That’s enough," said Feng Yun. "The villagers need to be involved in this matter. I plan to recruit some sturdy youths from the village to form the Village Guard."

Village Guard?

Pei Jue raised his eyebrows.

"Lady Yun is truly thoughtful."

A dragon cannot suppress the local snakes; indeed, for trivial matters, the outside guards really aren’t as convenient as the locals.

Feng Yun, praised by him, smiled and half-jokingly, half-seriously revisited an old issue.

"So when will Your Highness consider giving me a promotion?"

She thought Pei Jue would, like last time, either remain silent or decline. Unexpectedly, his dark pupils shifted and he actually nodded.

"Alright. I’ll give it some thought."

Feng Yun was surprised.

Above the position of Village Chief were the posts of Director and Commandant in the counties. Higher up were the Chief and Vice Chief of the commanderies, but these positions, even if vacant, would be difficult for her to take on...

It wasn’t just hard for Pei Jue.

It was hard for her.

Because with such positions come responsibilities. There would be a multitude of administrative duties in the counties that she did not have the time to manage, to undertake such official roles...

She was curious how Pei Jue planned to promote her.