The Slender Waist-Chapter 664 - 479 The Harmony of Zither and Flute

The matter between Wen Xingsu and Puyang Yi went more smoothly than imagined.

She did not hide her feelings for Wen Xingsu at all, candidly confessing to the Grand Princess on the same day she returned.

"No one else but him."

Those four words struck at the Grand Princess’s vital point.

After Puyang Zong’s incident, the Grand Princess treasured her children like the apple of her eye, unwilling to let them suffer the slightest grievance.

Moreover, after Puyang Yi became a widow, the Grand Princess watched her daughter’s years slip by, also hoping she could marry into a good family.

The Grand Princess had already had someone investigate Wen Xingsu long ago.

Coming from Jiangdong’s Wen family, with a clean background, a warm surname, and a warm nature, talented and handsome, he was indeed a one-in-a-hundred ideal husband.

The only thing she was not at ease about...

Was why Wen Xingsu was willing to marry Puyang Yi.

The Grand Princess certainly did not undervalue her own daughter, but Puyang Yi’s experience as a widow and her past were no secret, and with a little inquiry, everything would be clear...

Why would a fine gentleman want to marry a widow? If not for love, then it must be for some gain.

What could Puyang Yi offer Wen Xingsu?

The Grand Princess fell into contemplation, indecisive.

But Puyang Yi, having made up her mind like iron, had directly expressed her desire to marry Wen Xingsu after Feng Yun brought gifts to propose on her behalf, and she hastened her mother three times a day to agree quickly...

She feared if she hesitated for a moment, her gentleman would fly away.

The Grand Princess felt an underlying unease.

But for one thing, she could not stand up to her daughter’s firm will, and for another, the Princess of Yonghuai, intending to seek a marriage for her elder brother, whose position as deputy general of the Beiyong Army and family background left him lacking nothing in comparison to Puyang Yi...

She could not refuse.

This was not simply a matter of marrying off a daughter.

It felt more like an alliance with another power.

-

In today’s world, with frequent wars and unrest, the six rites of marriage are often not completed in full.

Once the two parties agreed on the marriage, without even the formal inquiries or auspicious rites, the marriage was set, and Wen Xingsu immediately offered the grand wedding gifts, followed by the request for a wedding date...

There was naturally no time to arrange the wedding properly, and after divination, the date was set for midsummer, late in the fifth month.

After the marriage was agreed upon, Feng Yun felt a weight lifted from her shoulders. She then arranged for food to be prepared in the kitchen, intending to celebrate for Wen Xingsu at home and also to send him off.

Xiaoman went to Wen Xingsu’s residence but didn’t find anyone there.

Pinshu said that the eldest Young Master was in the waterside pavilion in the backyard.

In this weather, warm yet chill, the pavilions by the water are breezy, places hardly frequented by people normally.

Feng Yun heard the news and frowned in thought.

"Xiaoman, bring me my cape."

The plum blossoms in the garden had not yet faded, and the winter jasmine hurriedly burst forth with new buds. Feng Yun walked through the hanging flower gate. Before reaching the waterside pavilion, she lifted her eyes and saw Wen Xingsu sitting on a wooden chair by the water-facing pavilion...

He was doing nothing at all.

Sitting quietly against the railing, looking out over the water, his eyes lightly closed, exhibiting a leisurely and scholarly charm.

Feng Yun paused for a moment, then slowly walked over.

When Pinshu saw her, he called out "eldest Young Master" and was about to bow, stopped by Feng Yun’s gaze.

"Pinshu," Wen Xingsu suddenly said, "go fetch some wine—"

Pinshu was slightly flustered, "Eldest Young Master, the mistress is here."

Wen Xingsu’s posture stiffened slightly, and turning his head he saw Feng Yun, a gentle smile swiftly spreading across his handsome face.

"Yaoyao, why are you here?"

Feng Yun said, "I’ve prepared wine and food in the kitchen for elder brother, but instead of coming for a good drink, you’re hiding here, wanting to drink alone."

Wen Xingsu laughed, "You caught me."

Feng Yun’s brows furrowed slightly, "Why the thought of drowning your sorrows in drink? Could it be... you still have doubts?"

She was referring to the marriage with Puyang Yi.

No matter what, she was unwilling to let Wen Xingsu be forced in the slightest.

Wen Xingsu shook his head with a smile, speaking calmly, "It’s not about the marriage. It’s simply the mood and scenery here that inspire intoxication, hence the craving for some wine."

Having said that, he crossed over the railing to her, his eyes smiling at Feng Yun.

"The wind is strong outside, let’s go back to the house and drink our fill."

Feng Yun looked up directly into his eyes, "Elder brother, we siblings have become the closest of kin over the years. If you have any worries, do not hide them from me."

Wen Xingsu appeared taken aback.

Gazing down at her, after a moment, he lightly smiled and said:

"Life is full of variations, how can everything be perfect? There are times when one’s spirits are low, Yaoyao, don’t take it to heart, it will pass soon."

As Feng Yun watched, his eyes shifted with soft smiles, she then loosened her tense feelings, jokingly said:

"If you dare hide anything from me, see if I still bother with you."

Her voice was somewhat coquettish.

Just like the innocent young girl from Tai City...

Wen Xingsu’s eyes momentarily clouded, his expression softening.

"You, you are always so headstrong. In front of your husband, you dare not be so bold."

Feng Yun glanced at him, "Then elder brother is mistaken. I’m most kind to elder brother. I am not as good-natured with him."

Wen Xingsu laughed gently, "Once you are married, you can’t be as willful as you were in your boudoir. Your husband... he..."

He hesitated, his tone now a bit hesitant.

"Times have changed; he is no longer just the Prince of Yonghuai but also holds the power of Dajin in his hands. So many eyes are upon you; you must be cautious around him."

Feng Yun said, "I can’t control him. He’s not someone I can restrain."

Wen Xingsu fell silent.

Feng Yun added, "His Majesty said to me today that elder brother will leave the capital tomorrow, and he cannot see you off."

Wen Xingsu nodded, "I’m not a three-year-old child; I don’t need a grand send-off. I’m leaving early; you like to sleep in, no need to get up... "

Feng Yun said, "I will see you off."

She hesitated for a moment, her steps slowing, her voice softening as well.

"I don’t know why, but ever since Ayuan’s incident, I’ve been unable to shake off a lingering sense of unease... now I think of it, I need to cherish the connections between people more than ever."

Wen Xingsu furrowed his brows, a sigh escaping his lips.

"Yaoyao spoke the truth. No one knows, the next time we meet, if it will be a farewell forever."

Feng Yun frowned in dissatisfaction, "Eldest brother!"

Wen Xingsu chuckled, "Let’s not talk about that. Later, you must let me drink a few more cups."

-

Drinking at the farewell banquet always faintly dispels one’s sorrows.

Feng Yun and Wen Xingsu said a lot to each other.

Talking about the current situation, they reminisced about their childhood mischief.

Perhaps after experiencing so much, one always longs for their childhood.

After a few cups, Feng Yun’s eyes also began to redden.

"If only my mother were still here, how wonderful that would be."

Wen Xingsu looked at her with deep eyes.

"In the future, your brother will protect you."

Feng Yun pursed her lips and turned to look back at Wen Xingsu with a slight smile.

"All I wish is for my eldest brother to be happy and for you and my sister-in-law to be safe and well, and live peacefully into old age."

Wen Xingsu’s brow furrowed in silence.

He did not know the meaning behind Feng Yun’s words.

Even less did he know how fervently Feng Yun hoped that he would live to a ripe old age, rather than meet the same end as in his past life, dying senselessly in a foreign land...

After three rounds of drinks.

The sorrow of parting gradually faded.

The gloom brought by Yuan Shangyi in recent days was also scattered by the fine wine.

Wen Xingsu watched her relax, his eyes brimming with a smile.

"It’s been a long time since I’ve heard Yaoyao’s exquisite music. Am I fortunate enough to listen to it today?"

Feng Yun hummed, "Who doesn’t know that it’s the eldest brother’s skill with the zither that’s truly unparalleled? Stop joking with me. My mere trifles can’t compare to you."

Wen Xingsu’s smile reached his eyes.

"What skills do I have with the zither? Compared to Xiao San..."

He abruptly cut off his sentence, paused, and looked at Feng Yun, "Bring the zither."

The master from Nanqi, the incomparable Xiao San.

Truly, there were few in this world who could match Xiao San in talent.

Feng Yun curved her lips, as if she did not hear him mention "Xiao San," as if she had long forgotten that there was such a person in the world, her expression still light and soft.

"Bring the zither. My eldest brother wants to play a tune to celebrate this joyous occasion."

The servants all complied with smiles on their faces.

When the strings vibrated and the melodious tune leaped from Wen Xingsu’s fingertips, Feng Yun struggled to restrain herself and, with the help of the alcohol, picked up a bamboo flute.

"What a beautiful ’Guanshan’s Autumn Moon,’ let me accompany you."

Despite having not touched the instrument for a long time, she showed no signs of rustiness, her brows smiling as she played the flute, harmonizing with the soft zither music. Sometimes as low as mountain streams, other times as high as the fervor of the battlefield, each note and tune resonating, accompanying one another, fully displaying the elegance of a noble family...

The servants were entranced by the performance.

No one noticed that Pei Jue walked along the winding path, standing outside the window, listening to that gentle and pleasant zither and flute duet, standing with his hands behind his back.

-

Early the next morning, Wen Xingsu bid farewell to the Pei Family and set out from Xijing with his servants, preparing to return to Andu Great Camp.

Feng Yun forced her eyelids open and got up to send him to the city gates.

Unexpectedly, Puyang Yi was already waiting in the cold wind.

"General Wen, take care."

She uttered a few words in a low voice, her eyes already reddening as if she were about to cry at any moment, a picture of reluctance to part.

Feng Yun embraced her shoulders, patted them gently, and laughed, "What’s there to be sad about? The County Lord isn’t going to Andu anyway. By May, you’ll be a newlywed..."

Puyang Yi shyly scolded her, lowering her head.

It wasn’t a parting of life and death, she was overdoing it. But having just affirmed her relationship with Wen Xingsu, she was at the point where she wished she could see her beloved every day. How could she bear such a separation...

Wen Xingsu saluted her gently and said in a warm voice:

"When the County Lord goes back to Andu, I will come to receive you."

He used the word "back," which warmed Puyang Yi’s heart. She thought of the Tianzhuang at Huaxi and Puyang Zong, who was looking after it.

"If it weren’t for the many affairs in the capital, we would be preparing to set off as well, but now..."

In such circumstances, the Grand Princess could not leave.

Feng Yun and Pei Jue were in the same position.

Wen Xingsu could not say more; he glanced sideways at Feng Yun.

"Ayun, I’m leaving."

Feng Yun said, "The journey to Andu is long, eldest brother, please take care of yourself. Otherwise, someone will be heartbroken."

Puyang Yi glanced at her admonishingly.

Wen Xingsu’s lips curved slightly, and he swallowed. Without saying a word, he slowly bowed to them.

"We shall meet again in Andu."

Feng Yun returned the gesture, "We shall meet again."

Wen Xingsu nodded his head, mounted his horse, and rode away.

"General Wen—" Puyang Yi couldn’t hold back and called out to him.

Wen Xingsu paused for a moment and looked back. Mounted on his horse and standing against the wind, his clothes billowed around him.

Puyang Yi looked at him and then at the vast world around her, suddenly feeling a wave of sadness.

"Take good care of yourself."

She pursed her lips, wanting to cry.

"Take care!"

Wen Xingsu smiled faintly, holding the reins and saluting.

"Take care."

As the morning glow was faint and the rosy light seemed to break a gap in the horizon, illuminating the towering city walls, Wen Xingsu and about a dozen attendants, along with several carts of luggage, did not hurry. Slowly, they disappeared from sight...