The Slender Waist-Chapter 641 - 462: Personally Promised Marriage

Zuo Zhong and Jiu You entered.

One on the left and one on the right, they stood before her, both with somewhat stiff expressions.

Feng Yun wondered if these two had been fighting over a woman. Why else would their complexions look so poor?

"Go ahead and ask," Pei Jue glanced at Feng Yun with a deep look in his eyes, slowly eating his food.

Feng Yun looked at him and smiled, "I had intended to speak with the Left Guard alone, but since it’s like this..."

She turned to Xiaoman.

"You go out and avoid this for a while."

Xiaoman’s heart was thumping.

She knew what Feng Yun was about to say...

But...

Her emotions were complex now, no longer as they were before.

Having seen Zuo Zhong carrying Jin Shuang out, and his cloak wrapped around her, her heart broke almost convulsively, and she had yet to be able to piece herself back together...

She didn’t make a sound, silently retreating. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Feng Yun had Xiaoman leave to spare her the embarrassment of staying.

As soon as Xiaoman left, no further concern remained, and a smile came to Feng Yun’s eyes.

"Left Guard, could it be that you have someone in mind?"

Her gaze was gentle, unblinkingly watching Zuo Zhong.

Zuo Zhong’s heart skipped a beat, and he subconsciously lowered his head.

He dared not look more at Feng Yun, nor did he dare glance at Pei Jue. Feeling at a loss, his limbs were stiff, his back cold, as if a great sword hung over his head. Should he utter a single wrong word, it could come slashing down...

"Your Highness the Princess," he slowly bowed, "I am alone without anyone in my heart."

Feng Yun noticed that Zuo Zhong glanced at Pei Jue before he answered.

Therefore, she too instinctively glanced at Pei Jue, the corners of her mouth turning up into a slight smile.

"Originally, I planned to wait until we returned to Xijing to arrange a marriage for you. But considering that you fine gentlemen and beautiful ladies are traveling together, attracting too much attention, I fear it could lead to trouble... better to have plans in place sooner rather than later."

Upon hearing this, Zuo Zhong realized what was happening...

He suddenly raised his head to look at Feng Yun.

Jiu You also felt a vague sense of nervousness.

Feng Yun said with a smile, "Don’t be afraid. I won’t recklessly match you with anyone, it all depends on your own feelings."

Zuo Zhong remained silent, his breathing slightly erratic.

Jiu You asked, "Is Your Highness the Princess planning to play matchmaker for Zuo Zhong?"

Feng Yun looked at him with a smile and nodded.

"You all have seen that I have recently taken in two beautiful maidens. As there are bachelors and bachelorettes, I was thinking..."

"No..." Jiu You’s face suddenly changed, and without waiting for Feng Yun to finish speaking, he stepped forward and gave a deep bow.

"Your Highness the Princess, this matter mustn’t be..."

Feng Yun smiled faintly.

She hadn’t even finished her sentence.

This fellow couldn’t keep himself calm.

He must’ve taken an interest in the Jin Shuang sisters.

Feng Yun looked at Jiu You with a peaceful smile.

"The Left Guard is at the right age for marriage, and it is rare to find a suitable match. Why not?"

Redness crept over Jiu You’s face, spreading to his ears.

His hands clenched slightly as he struggled to conceal the turmoil within him.

"In my opinion, Jin Shuang and Pin Shuang have just lost their parents; it’s not a good time for betrothal..."

Feng Yun’s smile remained unchanged as she slowly turned her head to ask Zuo Zhong.

"What are your thoughts, Left Guard?"

Zuo Zhong bowed his head slightly, leaning forward.

"I wouldn’t dare to covet anyone close to Your Highness the Princess..."

He was avoiding suspicion.

He might have misunderstood something.

Feng Yun curled up the corners of her lips, "Left Guard, there’s no need to be nervous. The king has asked me to keep an eye out for a good match for you..."

Zuo Zhong looked down, "The king and Your Highness the Princess are thoughtful."

Feng Yun said, "Look around me; the maids are one better than the other, beautiful and diligent. Even I’m spoilt for choice. It’d be better to follow your heart..."

Her voice paused, and then she smiled and said:

"Just name someone. The king and I will decide for you."

Jiu You grew anxious again.

"And what about me? Your Highness, I’m only a year younger than Zuo Zhong."

Feng Yun laughed as if she had realized something for the first time, "Oh, so Jiu You is also eager to be married?"

Jiu You blushed, "Not really, I’m not that eager..."

"If you’re not in a hurry, then let your Big Brother Zuo go first," Feng Yun said nonchalantly, interrupting him, and then asked Zuo Zhong again.

"So, Left Guard, is it that you have no one you like, or do you look down on everyone around me?"

Zuo Zhong was slightly taken aback.

"I wouldn’t dare."

He looked again at Pei Jue.

Then, slowly straightening his back, he clenched his fists and said:

"I wish to serve the king for all my life and would not dare to be disloyal."

Feng Yun stared at him, feigning surprise, her eyes full of doubt.

"Could it be that the person in Left Guard’s heart is..."

The king?

She didn’t say that out loud.

In the current times, homosexuality was not unusual, and those who favored the love of men were countless...

In an instant, they grasped the unspoken implication in Feng Yun’s words...

Pei Jue’s face darkened.

Zuo Zhong was embarrassed and astonished.

Jiu You, as if he had discerned some divine secret, suddenly spoke out:

"Your Highness the Princess, if Zuo Zhong isn’t choosing, then perhaps I should choose first? I fancy Xiaoman from Your Highness’s side..."

"Your Highness!" Zuo Zhong suddenly spoke up, interrupting him, with a stern face, "Jiu You is inconstant, it is absolutely not appropriate to betroth Xiaoman to him."

Feng Yun pursed her lips as she looked at him.

"Then, in your opinion, who is a match for Xiaoman?"

Zuo Zhong was at a loss for words.

Jiu You let out a soft chuckle.

"I haven’t finished speaking yet. I meant to say that Xiaoman, who serves by the Princess, would be very suitable for Zuo Zhong. Why doesn’t the Princess decide and betroth Xiaoman to him?"

In matters of love and relationships, Jiu You was more perceptive than Zuo Zhong.

He had long noticed the affection Xiaoman held for Zuo Zhong. But what Zuo Zhong felt in his heart, he wouldn’t say, and others couldn’t understand.

Jiu You thus intended to give him a little scare.

This scare, to his surprise, elicited a response?

Feng Yun also noticed that subtle emotion in Zuo Zhong and smiled faintly.

"Xiaoman is the most capable person by my side, having accompanied me for so long, I certainly intend to find a satisfactory husband for her. Left Guard..."

Zuo Zhong pursed his lips, looking at her.

Feng Yun slowly asked:

"Do you fancy Xiaoman?"

"I..." Zuo Zhong stared at her, and for a long while, no sound came out.

Xiaoman, hiding outside the tent, breathed hurriedly, extremely anxious.

Yet, inside the tent, there was a long silence.

The silence was so deep that Xiaoman’s heart was about to leap out of her throat when she finally heard Zuo Zhong speak:

"To me, Xiaoman is like a sister."

A sister? Zuo Zhong’s answer was like a sharp knife to Xiaoman’s heart.

If she was a sister, then what was Jin Shuang to him?

A girl who could make his heart flutter?

Xiaoman stiffened completely, her mind going blank in an instant...

A girl’s feelings are always foolish.

How could she allow a man she liked so much to feel a flicker of dislike for her, and yet still settle for her?

Big Brother Zuo did not like her as much as she liked him.

If he had to marry her because of the Princess’s wishes, it would be a grievance to him.

She was unwilling.

Xiaoman felt numb all over, slightly unsteady on her feet.

After what felt like an eternity, Zuo Zhong’s voice came again.

"With the king and Princess deciding, I... am willing to take Xiaoman as my wife."

He said he was willing, in a very calm tone.

But he did not fancy her.

Torn between willingness and fancying, Xiaoman finally turned her head and slowly walked away.

She feared being discovered eavesdropping.

Then she’d rather die of shame—

Jin Shuang saw Xiaoman emerge, dispirited, and hurriedly went up to her.

"What’s wrong with Xiaoman? Are you feeling unwell somewhere?"

Xiaoman didn’t want to face Jin Shuang.

Seeing her reminded Xiaoman of how Jin Shuang had leaned softly against Zuo Zhong’s chest...

"It’s nothing, I’m fine." Xiaoman flusteredly shrugged off her hand, shook her head and walked straight on.

Jin Shuang grabbed her, "Xiaoman?"

Xiaoman looked into her eyes filled with concern, torturing herself inwardly.

Jin Shuang had no idea that she liked Zuo Zhong, so how could she blame her?

Moreover, Zuo Zhong was never hers to claim.

He was unmarried, and even if Jin Shuang liked him, that was her right...

Xiaoman felt very wrong avoiding Jin Shuang and even more wrong to blame her for it.

That would be too petty...

The Princess said, to be generous in life, the more generous you are, the more good fortune you’ll have...

With two conflicting selves tearing at her inside, Xiaoman hesitated for a long time before managing an awkward smile under Jin Shuang’s worried gaze.

"I’m really fine. It’s just you... you and Big Brother Zuo, what was... what happened just now?"

Jin Shuang was momentarily startled.

After meeting Xiaoman’s gaze for a moment, she gave a low, bitter smile.

"You misunderstand. There’s nothing between me and Big Brother Zuo. I was falsely polite, then encountered a wild beast... The beast attacked me, I passed out from fright, and Big Brother Zuo heard the noise and saved me..."

Xiaoman was taken aback.

The huge boulder in her heart suddenly loosened.

"Is that true?"

"Why would I lie to you?" Jin Shuang’s eyes brimmed with laughter as she affectionately linked arms with Xiaoman, teasing in a whisper.

"So our little Xiaoman likes the Left Guard, huh..."

"I, I..."

Xiaoman blushed, wanting to deny it but feeling it was unnecessary.

She bit her lip and remained silent.

Jin Shuang shook her arm, her laughter clear and pleasant, "Rest assured, my relationship with the Left Guard is nothing but innocent. If there’s anything at all... he’s my benefactor."

Xiaoman, looking into her innocent and clear eyes, felt as if her heart had settled back into her stomach.

She pursed her lips.

"Jin Shuang, you truly are as kind-hearted as you are beautiful; in the future, you will surely meet your ideal man..."

Jin Shuang smiled, "You’re the pretty one. Like a flower bud waiting to bloom, give it two more years, and no one will know how beautiful you’ll become..."

Xiaoman started to feel shy.

Jin Shuang asked with a smile, "Pin Shuang is going to help in the kitchen with the dishes. I’m going to help too, do you want to come?"

Xiaoman shook her head, "I have to attend to the Princess."

Envy shone in Jin Shuang’s eyes.

"Pin Shuang and I don’t have the fortune to serve the Princess, we can only find work for ourselves; if only we could serve the Princess like you..."

Xiaoman said, "You don’t need to work so hard. The Princess is very kind, as long as you are devoted to her, in the future, you will surely have good days..."

Jin Shuang smiled faintly, "As it is now, Pin Shuang and I are satisfied, we dare not even imagine what better days would look like..."

Xiaoman patted her reassuringly.

"There will be better days. If I get a chance, I will also put in a good word for you and Pin Shuang in front of the Princess..."

Jin Shuang was overjoyed and looked at her with gratitude, giving a deep bow.

"If we could serve directly before the Princess, it would be the fortune of eight lifetimes for me and Pin Shuang, for that, I have to thank you, Xiaoman."

She bowed deeply.

Xiaoman blushed with embarrassment.

She had only said it politely offhand...