The Slender Waist-Chapter 625 - 450 Hard to Let Go_3

The hills echoed with cries of long life, as the Imperial Guards cleared the way.

With Pei Jue accompanying them, the procession’s return to the capital was much more imposing than when they had left; there was no need to be as cautious, afraid of being seen.

The villagers, knowing that the Young Emperor was leaving, all rushed to bid farewell.

To this emperor, who had stayed in their village to recover from illness, they felt both curiosity and reverence, and Yuan Shangyi, seeing them, also harbored a reluctant affection.

Amid the respectful send-off, he occasionally extended his small hand out of the carriage to wave goodbye to the villagers.

Feng Yun couldn’t help but smile softly, "What a clever and sensible child."

Pei Jue rode over on his horse, following her gaze and glancing in the direction of the departing child, "Lady Yun, I am leaving."

Feng Yun turned to look at him.

Since yesterday, she had felt a bit uneasy.

In today’s farewell, she had repeatedly instructed everyone, but with Pei Jue, she dared not look too much, nor said much...

Everything that needed to be conveyed had already been said.

Standing face to face as they were about to depart, it seemed there was nothing left to say.

Feng Yun slowly smiled at him, "Your Highness, may you have a safe journey, and write to me when you reach the capital."

"Hmm," Pei Jue stood astride his horse.

Dawn had just broken, murky and unclear.

Pei Jue’s eyes held a faint glimmer, which, as it fell, made her feel as though her chest was filled with an indescribable searing heat.

She smiled. Then smiled again.

Pei Jue silently watched her.

Unable to help herself, she teased, "Is Your Highness reluctant to leave?"

Just as Pei Jue was about to lead his horse away, he paused at her words, "I remembered there’s something I haven’t yet explained to Lady Yun."

Feng Yun was slightly startled, "What is it?"

Pei Jue was silent, gave his horse’s reins a shake, and rode out. He issued a few orders to his subordinates and then returned to Zuo Zhong, saying:

"You go ahead and protect the Young Emperor. I will catch up shortly."

No one dared question the Prince of Yonghuai’s decision and set off at his command.

Feng Yun watched as everyone’s carriages had left the courtyard; just as she was about to ask Pei Jue, she saw him leap down from his horse, take her hand, and without a word drag her back into the house.

Feng Yun was somewhat puzzled, and seeing his stern face, she asked curiously, "Is it something urgent?"

Pei Jue grunted, "Urgent."

Feng Yun couldn’t think of what it might be and remained anxious until Pei Jue, seemingly unable to bear her slow pace, bent down to pick her up and stride quickly toward the inner chamber. Only then did she faintly realize that something was amiss.

Today, Pei Jue was in full armor, carrying a person in his arms, yet moved swiftly, his arms as hard as rock. He carried Feng Yun rapidly through the courtyard, into the house, kicked the door closed with his foot, then drew the curtains and ordered:

"Everyone leave!"

The maids, seeing the look in the prince’s eyes, became so tense that they averted their gaze immediately, not daring to look any longer, and obediently departed.

Feng Yun was tossed onto the couch, her body lightly bouncing once, as if she were suspended in the air; she was at a loss whether to cry or laugh.

"What is Your Highness trying to do?"

Pei Jue said nothing.

The touch beneath was so incredibly soft, treasured even more at the moment of imminent departure, he lowered his head, gently taking her in through the fabric, bit by bit as if savoring a delicacy. Feng Yun’s new clothes, donned specially for the farewell, quickly dampened...

"Pei Gou..."

Her voice was hoarse, powerless to resist, as he rubbed her into a state of softness and itchiness.

Other than cursing him "dog," she could hardly say anything else.

"Lady Yun..."

He called out in a hoarse voice, as if having something to say, yet Feng Yun, with wide eyes, heard only the muffled words, "Give me."

Her ears burned, the man pressed heavily upon her, and her hands supported his shoulders as if sinking into clouds.

The bedding was newly made, very soft, supporting her under his pressure as if to bury her entirely. The gauze curtain trembled, she drew a deep breath, her nostrils filled with his scorching breath...

"General, General..."

She usually addressed him as King, but in the bedchamber, she loved to foolishly call him General.

Pei Jue’s gaze, dark and intense, swept over her delicate face, leaning down...

"Don’t..." Breathing hard, Feng Yun lifted her head, struggling futilely, "Cold."

The iron armor on his body was uncomfortable, icy, and rigid, covering her soft body, causing her to shiver uncontrollably.

Pei Jue let go of her and began to remove his armor.

Feng Yun was astonished, somewhat incredulous.

She had thought he simply wanted a moment of affection, never expecting him to be so earnest...

In the recent days, their encounters had become quite frequent, and knowing Pei Jue was to leave, she had indulged him. Never did she imagine, even on the verge of parting, he would return to her side once more...

This man...

She hardly knew what to say.

"Won’t you stay for a couple more days? After all, with your swift pace, you can catch up easily."

Pei Jue glanced at her, without much to say, hastily disrobing his armor, his hands propped beside her, gazing at her with reddened eyes.

All his reluctance was evident in his gaze.

Feng Yun’s heart stirred, her hand caressing his face.

Pei Jue was very handsome and rugged, and his facial contours in the flickering candlelight possessed an unprecedented softness.

At that moment, he had the same face, so different from the composed Prince of Yonghuai leading the troops just moments ago.

In one moment, he was the powerful Prince of Yonghuai, about to escort the Young Emperor to the capital, second only to one, above ten thousand men.

Now, he was but a common husband in the chamber, reluctant to part from his beloved wife, his eyes filled with fervent desire, staring eagerly, as if waiting for a farewell kiss and a passionate parting...

His hands were warm and dry.

Clasped around her waist, growing tighter and hotter.

Feng Yun’s fingertips lifted, slowly tracing his nose bridge, the corners of his eyes, and lastly, following her gaze downward, landing on his bobbing throat...

A beam of light crossed his forehead, the air filled with an ambiguous atmosphere.

In his gaze, Feng Yun felt like in a trance, her voice clear yet distant.

"If you can’t bear to leave, why not stay for the New Year?"