The Slender Waist-Chapter 67 - 54: Cutting Off His Retreat

In the blink of an eye, Start of Autumn arrived.

On that day, Granny Han rose early.

The old woman always followed the traditional solar terms closely.

"Eat the ’zha’ of Start of Autumn, adults won’t vomit, children won’t have diarrhea."

’Zha’ is a kind of dregs made from green vegetables and mashed beans. It’s crudely made in ordinary households and tasteless, but now that there was grain at home, Feng Yun had given special instructions. This year they were to have "sweet zha," so Granny Han added some sugar.

Sugar was a precious commodity. It was still the two jars they had scavenged from Wang Dian’s house. She had intended to let only the young ladies have something sweet, but Feng Yun insisted that everyone in the residence should have some, which made Granny Han grumble about the waste.

"This kind of prodigality won’t last, and before long we’ll be starving again."

Feng Yun just laughed it off.

Amid Granny Han’s nagging, she ordered white rice to be cooked on the stove.

Pure white rice without any mixed grains, mixed with pork fat refined earlier and fish soup made with the leftover residue, allowed everyone to have a bowl. Such delicacies, comparable to those enjoyed during the New Year, stirred up excitement in the residence once again.

Granny Han nearly slapped her thigh in frustration.

"Good heavens, Start of Autumn isn’t even a major festival, such waste of food..."

"The white rice smells so good, mixed with pork fat it’s truly delicious..."

"I almost wished I could swallow my tongue."

Alou, watching the faces brimming with satisfaction, was full of pride. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

"Following the young lady, one day we’ll have white rice for every meal."

"We believe! We believe not only in white rice but also in pork fat, pork fat mixed with rice every day!"

"Hahahaha."

No one knew what Feng Yun was celebrating.

She had been waiting for Start of Autumn for so long, just to see Xiao San from the other bank’s misfortune, to watch him in a state of angry desperation...

She remembered that matter very clearly.

The news that Xiao San had risen up and proclaimed himself Emperor on Start of Autumn had reached her ears on the third day after Start of Autumn. By that time, the Qi Army had already turned their spears to counter-attack Andu, while the Northern Yong Army was still gathering provisions. It was also then that Pei Jue opened Wang Dian and several other major household’s grain stores.

This time Pei Jue was prepared. Things would not develop as they had in the previous life...

As long as Xiao San made a move, he would surely seize the opportunity to attack Xinzhou.

She couldn’t wait for the good news from the battlefield of Xinzhou, ready to celebrate under the pretext of the Start of Autumn festival.

However,

until the third day after Start of Autumn, there was not a whisper of news from Huaishui Bay.

Clearly, the situation had changed significantly.

Xiao Cheng no longer wished to be Emperor in this lifetime?

Feng Yun was quite anxious and took the opportunity of delivering "sweet zha" to find He Qia.

After some small talk, she finally asked indirectly, "Any news from Huaishui?"

Feng Yun had no way of inquiring about the exact movements of the Northern Yong Army, but He Qia was one of Pei Jue’s men and had more information than she did.

Feng Yun had asked the right person.

He Qia listened and was quite pleased, "The young lady worries for the General’s safety, as you should..."

Worry for what? Feng Yun smiled.

After a moment of contemplation, He Qia said, "The Qi soldiers were rampant a few days ago, boasting that they would storm the city. But these past two days, suddenly there’s been no movement, they’ve calmed down... Not sure if it’s because the Great General took a formidable deputy on the expedition that scared the enemy..."

Feng Yun was taken aback, "Which deputy general?"

He Qia replied, "The newly-titled General who Conquers Barbarians, Wen Xingsu, injured as he is, the General insisted on carrying him to the base camp at Huaishui Bay..."

Feng Yun was stunned.

Wen Xingsu must not have voluntarily taken on the title of General who Conquers Barbarians.

The name itself was sufficiently ironic.

Pei Jue’s intention to bring Wen Xingsu to the front lines was straightforward. Many of the commanders on the Nanqi side had been Wen Xingsu’s subordinates and comrades. Word getting out would be a significant blow to the Qi Army...

At the same time, it cut off Wen Xingsu’s escape routes.

Even if Wen Xingsu regained his freedom, how could he return to Nanqi? How could he face his former subordinates? Especially since Xiao Cheng was very suspicious, even if Wen Xingsu and he were close friends, Wen Xingsu would likely not avoid doom...

It had to be said, Pei Jue’s move was truly ruthless.

It killed two birds with one stone, leaving the other party powerless to retaliate.

Feng Yun was very concerned about Wen Xingsu’s safety. She gave Xiaoman a look, signaling her to serve the fine tea and wine they’d brought and push it towards He Qia.

"Officer He, I have an improper request."

He Qia looked at the items on the table, his eyes crinkling with mirth, but he answered cautiously.

"But speak freely, miss. If I can help, I will. If I cannot help, there’s nothing I can do."

Feng Yun said, "It won’t trouble Officer He. My concern is for my elder brother, but at the moment, it’s not convenient for me to bother the General too much... If Officer He hears anything, please let me know."

Was this a request for intelligence?

He Qia eyed her sideways, thinking of the General’s orders.

This girl was cunning. If she made requests, he could agree verbally.

Officer He happily accepted the gifts with a grin, "A small matter, please rest assured, miss."

Feng Yun sincerely thanked He Qia before leaving with her entourage.

What she didn’t know was that the gifts she had given to He Qia were promptly handed over to Pei Jue untouched, along with a declaration of loyalty.

"In order to avoid arousing the young lady’s suspicions, I had no choice but to accept them. I hope the Great General will not blame me..."

"You’ve done well," Pei Jue glanced at the gifts, speaking coldly, "Take them to Wen Xingsu. And tell him exactly what Feng Family said without omitting a word."

He Qia: "Huh?"

He was truly perplexed.

Letting Wen Xingsu know just how concerned Feng Shi Er Niang was about him, how she went to great lengths to gather intelligence about him—was that really a good idea?

What act is the Great General playing at?

—

Feng Yun had been waiting for several days and had finally caught her breath.

The anticipated battle didn’t erupt.

The Northern Yong Army didn’t forcibly cross the river, and Xiao Cheng on the opposite bank didn’t proclaim himself Emperor. Both armies stood at the brink, swords drawn and crossbows tense, yet neither moved, as if both were waiting for the other to loose the first arrow.

The inevitable had not occurred.

The gears of fate had turned in the wrong direction...

Feng Yun thought for a long time.

If there was anything different in this life, the first was her, and the second was Wen Xingsu.

She was no longer like her previous life, pining in wait, trying all means to send messages to the southern bank.

Wen Xingsu, in his previous life, hadn’t seen her before he returned to Nanqi, still bearing injuries as he steadfastly defended Xinzhou City. But this time, he had been brought back to the main camp by Pei Jue and even granted the title of Breaker of Barbarians General.

The situation had completely changed, leaving Feng Yun with mixed feelings of amusement and dismay.

But while the trajectory had changed, people did not.

She believed that Xiao Cheng would definitely take the path to becoming Emperor.

She only wondered if Pei Jue would still believe her words.

And Ge Guang and Ge Yi, who were always out of reach, also made her uneasy. It was as if someone held a secret power over her, patiently waiting in the shadows, a hidden danger lurking.

A sword hanging overhead is far more terrifying than one plunged into the chest.

The oppressive summer heat and the turmoil in her heart became unbearable, and Feng Yun rode the donkey cart to the Tianzhuang.

He Qia governed with simplicity, and gradually, the villagers of Huaxi Village became registered settlers and received their fields. In the scorching heat of the day, one could still see farmers weeding and hoeing the fields, busily at work.

Having land meant having food, and with food, there’s no fear of starvation.

This is the simple happiness and hope in the lives of ordinary people.

The weeds around Feng Yun’s estate had been cleared, revealing tidy fields and paths, more comfortable than the average farmhouse.

She sat down in the thatched pavilion by the lotus pond, gazing at the still scenery, stroking the smooth fur on the back of the young turtle.

"Little one, the universe is yet to be settled, but there’s no need to rush. After all, we’re both still alive. As long as we’re alive, there will be a way out."

"Xiao San isn’t so immersed in being a bridegroom that he has forgotten to be Emperor, has he?"

As night fell and the temperature dropped, lying on the wooden bed in the Tianzhuang, she was lulled to sleep by the quiet chirping of frogs.

Under the eaves, the night lamp flickered dimly.

Daman, who was on night watch, caught sight of a tall figure passing through suddenly and instantly lost any urge to sleep.

She bowed in respect, head lowered, "General..."

Pei Jue didn’t speak, passing by her side and pushing the door open.

Xiaoman followed him, coughing loudly to alert Feng Yun.

"General, the young lady has already retired for the night..."

Before she could finish, Daman tugged at her arm.

Daman shook her head at Xiaoman, who acknowledged with an ’Oh,’ but then saw the General close the door from inside.

"Sister..." Xiaoman stepped back, a bit resentful, but upon seeing Daman’s serious look, she ultimately held her tongue.

The sound of the door was exceptionally clear in the night.

Feng Yun had already awoken at Xiaoman’s cough, but she did not move.

She had thought the man would come to her bedside, but his footsteps stopped outside, hesitating for a long time, which made her feel unsettled.

"Who is it?" Feng Yun asked softly.

"Go back to sleep," It was Pei Jue’s voice.

His voice, coming through the curtain, had a deep and sticky quality.

Feng Yun watched his shadow cast on the curtain, slightly dazed.

Thud! The man raised his hand and waved his sleeve, extinguishing the fire, plunging the room into darkness. Feng Yun couldn’t see him and could only guess by the sounds that he was pushing the desk aside, pulling out a rush mat, and laying it on the floor.

The night was extraordinarily quiet.

Feng Yun held her breath, utterly perplexed.

Pei Jue had coldly refused her that day, and now, inexplicably, he was in her room. She thought he had a change of heart, but he was sleeping on the floor behind the curtain. What kind of mood was this?

She wanted to ask.

But Pei Jue was a somber man, quiet as sawn wood. If he didn’t wish to speak, even if she asked, it was likely she wouldn’t get an answer.

Feng Yun turned over, lying on her back and closing her eyes.

Insects chirped, yet the room was frighteningly silent.

Even the young turtle shrank into a corner, lying low, making no sound at all.

It seemed that the young turtle might be afraid of Pei Jue? It always moved out of the way whenever it saw him...

Feng Yun’s mind raced, her thoughts scattered and tangled, and she dared not turn over.

She was afraid any noise she made would shatter the quiet atmosphere and lead herself into an even more awkward situation...

Pei Jue slept very properly, lying stiff on the floor without snoring much...

Though he wasn’t very rough, why couldn’t he restrain himself in that matter?

Images of the two of them involuntarily surfaced in Feng Yun’s mind, tranquil, heart-pounding, hateful, resentful, tumultuous, replaying slowly.

Three years, neither long nor short, with too many memories that made it hard for her to remain calm...

By dawn, she finally fell asleep.

When she woke up, the room was already empty.

The rush mat Pei Jue had slept on was in its place, neat and orderly.

Xiaoman said that the General had left before dawn, and not even the people in the estate knew that the Great General had come last night, let alone stayed in the young lady’s room...