The Slender Waist-Chapter 617 - 446: Can’t Bear to Let Go

Feng Yun’s smile stiffened on her lips.

"You’ve just arrived, and you’re leaving for camp already?"

"Not back to camp," Wen Xingsu spoke, pausing for a moment before fixing his eyes on her again, "Winter is deepening, and the New Year is approaching; I want to go back and take a look."

Feng Yun was slightly taken aback.

She hoped in her heart that Wen Xingsu would stay for the New Year.

In her mind, if she had to speak of family affection — it was Wen Xingsu, and only Wen Xingsu.

It was an irreplaceable emotion borne of two lifetimes of nurturing care.

A New Year without her elder brother was incomplete.

Moreover, she was somewhat worried about Wen Xingsu’s return.

Would going back to Nanqi cause trouble?

She had many concerns but could not stop Wen Xingsu from performing his filial duties.

Especially after that incident, Lady Chen must certainly harbor many complaints against him. Their mother-son relationship had never been close, and after this event, it was likely to add frost to the snow.

"Elder brother. I’ve wronged you..." Feng Yun did not regret beating Lady Chen, but she felt an inescapable guilt toward Wen Xingsu.

"I always put my brother in a difficult position."

Wen Xingsu gazed at her, smiling faintly.

"Having this sentence from Yunyun is enough."

Feng Yun felt as if her heart had been brushed by a gentle feather and couldn’t help but smile again.

"Going back is good; seeing your brothers all married and starting their own families and having children, it’s time you had someone by your side who understands warmth and cold. This time you return, they will surely arrange a sister-in-law for you..."

Wen Xingsu was silent for a long while before lifting his eyelids slightly, "I wish there were such a person."

Feng Yun started laughing.

Wen Xingsu was always aloof and reticent.

In the past, whenever they talked about a sister-in-law, Wen Xingsu was always non-committal, making her worry that her brother would end up a bachelor forever.

At least now he relaxed his stance.

It seemed the day he would take a wife was not far off.

She said, "Since you’re going back for a visit, you should stay there for a while, I can talk to the King..."

Wen Xingsu looked at her enthusiastic demeanor and smiled.

"I have already told the King, and I will stay a bit longer; he graciously agreed."

Now a General of Jin, returning to Nanqi, though the two nations were currently allies, still inevitably incurred various speculations and criticisms. Wen Xingsu not only needed Pei Jue’s approval but also had to deal with and fend off countless spurns and rumors.

Feng Yun’s heart ached for him.

"Then, elder brother, may your journey be safe; I will wait for you back in Huaxi."

Wen Xingsu looked at her bright and alluring face, his brows furrowing slightly.

"Yunyun, aren’t you coming back for the New Year?"

Feng Yun asked, "Back where?"

Wen Xingsu’s lips pressed together, and after a moment’s hesitation, he said, "I heard the King mention previously that he will take General Pei and His Majesty back to Xijing for the New Year in a few days. How could it be that Yunyun does not know?"

Feng Yun did not speak.

She genuinely did not know.

Even though they spent the previous night in warm intimacy, Pei Jue hadn’t mentioned a single word about it. Her lips pressed together slightly, she smiled and said:

"He probably hasn’t had the chance to tell me. His Majesty has been to Huaxi for quite some time now, it’s only right to return to Xijing for the New Year, besides, the Empress Dowager is in Xijing, and filial piety must be observed. The King cannot be away from court for long, staying in Andu to manage affairs; returning to the capital is the right thing to do, it should be so."

She spoke in a light and breezy manner.

But Wen Xingsu still saw a trace of darkness in her eyes.

-

There are some farewells that bring sorrow.

Feng Yun escorted Wen Xingsu to the village entrance, watching him ride away with reluctance, and felt desolate walking back.

When her elder brother was present, she felt she had family.

With the elder brother gone, she seemed to be a lonely girl again.

Feng Yun did not often indulge in wild thoughts or self-pity, but after all, being neither a god nor a Buddha, she sometimes couldn’t help feeling emotional...

-

Pei Jue sat in the study; the book in front of him remained unturned for a long time, and the red clay stove beside him sizzled as the tea inside bubbled, emitting a stream of hot vapors.

Qian Sanniu brewed tea for him and retreated to the doorway.

Zuo Zhong entered, glanced at the quietly sitting man, and bowed, "King, the Princess has returned."

Pei Jue looked up, and Zuo Zhong continued, "She went directly into her room upon returning, closed the door, and dismissed all the servants. According to the people within the house, it seems she is displeased."

Upon hearing this, Qian Sanniu chuckled, "It must be because the elder brother left. Our mistress is always unable to part with the elder brother; every time he visits, the mistress gets happy, and when he leaves, she invariably feels downcast."

Having followed Pei Jue for a long time, when speaking of Feng Yun, he still called her "our mistress," as if he always belonged to Feng Yun.

Pei Jue never corrected him.

"Understood. You may leave now."

Zuo Zhong looked up briefly and acknowledged.

Pei Jue added, "Make the preparations at Yangxin Restaurant earlier, and after the fifteenth of the twelfth lunar month, we will set off."

Zuo Zhong seemed surprised at the prompt departure, looking up at him in a daze before accepting the command and leaving.