The Slender Waist-Chapter 93 - 74 The Village Chief’s Wife
The surroundings were awkwardly silent.
Ren Rude knelt at the wooden table, behind the hanging bamboo curtain’s screen, while two maids stood quietly without making a sound.
In the western room, only Feng Yun sipped her tea in silence.
Endless resentment.
As Ren Rude chewed over the name of the tea, a sudden unease gripped him, and his wide-sleeved garment seemed to constrict upon him.
"It was presumptuous of me, I should not have brought up matters that upset the lady," he said.
Feng Yun looked up, her smile not fading, "Sir worries too much. I currently possess fertile lands by the hundreds of acres, a multitude of servants, an official position, and Mr. Pei’s affection. How could I be sad?"
Ren Rude realized he had made another mistake.
The lady before him, who could amaze with just one look, had a kind of delicate and tender beauty that only a life of good days could nurture.
Pei Jue must dearly cherish her.
Only a good life could nourish such a complexion.
Another attempt at probing was fruitless; bringing up the Ge brothers’ affair as leverage against her was clearly impossible. This lady was not afraid of Pei Jue at all. Even if her act of framing Lin E became known, Pei Jue would not trouble her over a neglected concubine...
Ren Rude couldn’t utter the words he had planned beforehand.
Instead, he said, "Regardless, the lady and I are both from Qi. If you suffer any grievances in Andu, I will certainly try to assist you as best as I can..."
Feng Yun merely smiled and nodded, remaining silent.
The last time Ren Rude had come looking for her, she was an abandoned wife of Pei Jue, weeping daily. Ren Rude, with Xiao Cheng’s insincere sympathies, appeared like a savior.
This time, he didn’t mention Xiao Cheng at all, nor did he have the face to mention him again. He could only allude to a past acquaintance and plan for later steps. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦
Fate seemed to have changed direction, but Feng Yun believed that what was meant to come would still arrive...
A dog cannot change its nature to eat feces, and Xiao Cheng will do the same.
She was eager to see the day Xiao Cheng would be humiliated and was also waiting for Ren Rude to discuss his scheme to sow discord...
After exchanging pleasantries for a moment, Ren Rude found it difficult to interact with the lady, who was polite with every sentence but without a trace of emotion. He bowed his head to take a sip of tea, then changed the subject.
"Lady, you sent people to buy grain seeds and farming tools in Shiguan County today. Is it convenient?" he asked.
Feng Yun said, "In these times, the lives of the people are hard."
Ren Rude laughed, "Though I have no other talents, I have traveled extensively and made many friends. If the lady wishes to reorganize the estate and take up farming again, I do have a strategy that can borrow from others to aid you..."
Feng Yun paused for a moment, "Please enlighten me, Sir."
Ren Rude stroked his beard, "I don’t know if the lady has heard of the Tu Family Fort. I am a close friend of the Tu Fort Master, perhaps I can offer some assistance."
Like being offered a pillow when feeling sleepy.
Feng Yun’s eyes curved into a smile, "Sir is most kind."
If Ren Rude wished to do her a favor, then she would gladly accept it.
And so, Ren Rude made an appointment with her.
"In three days, I will take the lady to the Tu Family Fort."
Upon his departure, Ren Rude brazenly asked for a can of tea from Feng Yun, which she cheerfully gifted, laughing as she saw him out of the estate. They said goodbye to each other with a ceremonial bow, their faces betraying no hint of their thoughts, much less their inner musings.
Ren Rude sighed in his heart and, returning to the Yuqian Teahouse, hurriedly retreated to his room to write a letter after setting down his conical hat.
"After all this, nothing was accomplished. Feng has been deeply harmed by your betrayal, and further deceived by thieves, making it difficult to gain trust. You should plot carefully and not rush...
"Wait until you have clarified the court affairs, ensuring the overall situation remains safe, then when you lead your troops to Andu, why worry that the lady will not return to your side?"
—
After sending Ren Rude off, Feng Yun instructed Xing Bing to close the doors and dismissed everyone. Only then did she question the Ge brothers alone.
The two were very remorseful about the incident that day.
They were waiting outside for the signal from Feng Yun to go up and abduct someone. They also calculated the time the General would arrive, as well as how to frame the eunuch Fang and make their escape.
Unexpectedly, they were targeted at the critical moment.
Ge Yi said, "There were two fellows beside Mr. Ren, very capable. My brother and I could not withstand more than three moves against them and would surely lose."
Feng Yun asked, "What are their names?"
Ge Guang said, "One is called Jin Ge, the other Tie Ma. They come and go without a trace. My brother Ge Yi and I didn’t even see where these two came from before we were knocked unconscious..."
Jin Ge, Tie Ma?
Feng Yun was surprised upon hearing these two names.
To describe them as ’coming and going without a trace’ might be an exaggeration, but these two indeed possessed some skills.
They were originally Shadow Guards of the Jingling Royal Residence. To Feng Yun’s knowledge, these two were assigned to protect Xiao Cheng and almost never left his side, being his most reliable guards.
Now, Xiao Cheng was still in Tai City waiting for the opportunity to usurp the throne, yet Jin Ge and Tie Ma were not by his side but had appeared in Andu, even coming to her estate...
