The Slender Waist-Chapter 69 - 56: A Tacit Slap in the Face

The Censorate Chancellor can even spew saliva with rage, berating every official in the imperial court. No wonder he is eloquent, but how could Wei Zheng, a military general, be his match?

Wei Zheng had no choice but to invoke the Empress Dowager.

"My lord, let’s not forget the purpose of our mission," he said.

Ao Zheng snorted coldly, cupped his fists in salute, and looked upward, "This official is acting under imperial orders, with no need for General Wei’s warning, and will surely not fail His Majesty’s command."

Then, with a sidelong glance that suggested he couldn’t care less, he added, "I would also advise General Wei to speak cautiously; if any more indecent words are uttered, this official might just have to report back to the court once more."

Wei Zheng wished he could draw his sword and slaughter the old rascal.

But before setting off, the Empress Dowager had specifically instructed him to act according to the situation and to avoid rashness.

The anger he suppressed thus found its vent on Alou before he turned back with a forced bow.

"I mean no offense, my lord. Please excuse me," he said, his voice barely fallen when he turned to kick Alou again.

"If your lady is so precious that she must rise at the 5-7 AM hour, then I will keep beating her until she wakes, just to see how long she can sleep..."

The blow, delivered with full force, immediately ignited the fury of Meiling’s men.

Voices of rage roared from the crowd, ready to fight Wei Zheng to the death.

Alou, struggling for breath, turned and shook his head at Xing Bing.

"Don’t... clash with... the government troops..."

The last words were nearly inaudible as a sweet metallic taste filled his throat, his mouth opened, and he spat out a mouthful of fresh blood in front of everyone.

"Alou!"

"Manager Alou!"

The entire courtyard erupted into turmoil.

The scene had infuriated Meiling’s men and also sent Ao Qi’s blood boiling to the top of his head.

"You Wei thief, I’ll slaughter you!"

He forcefully broke free from two restraining Ao Family attendants, drew his sword, and was about to charge forward, causing Ao Zheng to startle and raise his hands to block—

Just then, the main house’s doors, which had been firmly shut, were thrown open.

Two slender and beautiful servant girls came out first and took their places to the left and right.

Next, two guards emerged, Zuo Zhong and Jiu You.

The two men stood with swords in hand, tall and powerful, quite intimidating.

Suddenly, silence reigned.

Wei Zheng, Ao Zheng, and the group of Imperial Guards seemed to realize something and immediately held their breaths.

Sure enough, when more sounds came from inside the house, everyone saw a couple stepping over the threshold, hand in hand.

Pei Jue walked in front, his clenched hand holding a delicate and lovely young woman, both dressed in fluttering robes. With matching expressions of cool indifference, they appeared like a match made in heaven against the morning light and mist.

Everyone in the courtyard was dumbstruck.

Wasn’t it said that the Jin Army was on the brink of war?

As the Commander, why was General Pei not in Huaishui Bay’s camp leading the battle, but here in Huaxi’s Tianzhuang?

Wei Zheng had never had the chance to see Pei Jue up close before. Pei Jue was still in casual attire, but the moment Wei Zheng saw him, he knew, without a doubt, that this man was the one Empress Dowager Li pined for—General Pei.

Rivals meeting was a sight for sore eyes...

Weighed down by anger yet unable to muster his usual bluster, Wei Zheng felt dwarfed by Pei Jue’s presence, which seemed to tower disdainfully over all others, compelling him to confront it.

Wei Zheng silently ground his teeth and, amidst the complete silence of the courtyard, bowed his head and cupped his hands in a salute.

"I, Wei Zheng, am under orders to apprehend someone. Please, General, grant me convenience," he requested.

Pei Jue did not look at him but glanced at the people in the courtyard and said tersely, "Take him."

Two words, uttered plainly, but they exploded like a thunderclap.

As several guards advanced to seize Wei Zheng, Meiling’s men, blood boiling with excitement, shouted praises of their general’s wisdom. And the Imperial Guards, who usually strutted about the palace, now faced with soldiers of the Beiyong Army experienced in battle, dared not to make a move.

Wei Zheng struggled vehemently, "What is the meaning of this, General Pei?"

Pei Jue looked at him calmly: "General Wei has caused trouble on my grounds, wounding my servants, and must be punished by law."

On his grounds?

Wei Zheng’s eyes widened as he looked at the young woman by Pei Jue’s side.

"General, you must be mistaken. I, along with the Chancellor, am here under imperial orders to capture the traitorous Southern Qi commander and those sheltering an enemy officer..."

Without any change of expression, Pei Jue raised his hand to gently encircle Feng Yun’s slender waist.

"Is General Wei here to arrest me?" he questioned.

Wei Zheng was taken aback.

Pei Jue continued: "Governor Wen Xingsu of Xinzhou admired me, deserted his post and fled to Andu to offer his loyalty to Northern Yong. How virtuous and honorable is this? How can he be insulted by the likes of you?"

The courtyard was in an uproar.

Even Ao Zheng was dumbfounded.

Admiration? Loyalty? Virtuous and honorable?

How did the situation change so drastically from Central Capital to Andu?

"Zuo Zhong," commanded Pei Jue calmly, turning his gaze slightly. Zuo Zhong nodded, retrieved a document that had been prepared earlier, and walked up to Ao Zheng, presenting it with both hands.

"Please review this, my lord," he said.

Ao Zheng glanced at Pei Jue, then carefully unfolded the document.