The Slender Waist

The sky gradually darkened, and each household in Huaxi Village had lit their lanterns, scattering small points of light against the looming night.

When night fell, hardly a dog’s bark could be heard, the whole earth seemingly enveloped by endless silence...

Without the sunlight of the day, the cool breeze became bone-chillingly cold.

Feng Yun had waited for a long time without seeing Wen Xingsu, smelling the fragrant dinner from the kitchen, she went to the doorway to look out...

Feng Liang, accompanied by Yansheng, came out with Feng Zhen in tow, strutting arrogantly.

"Haven’t we started dinner yet? I’m starving."

That afternoon, to avoid being locked in the firewood shed, he had reluctantly gone to the village school, only to find today’s lesson was conducted by Ren Rude, who had intended to turn a blind eye to this young lad from the Feng Family. However, Feng Liang began creating a disturbance not even a quarter of an hour into the class.

He complained that everyone else had a charcoal stove, and he did not.

He wanted to change seats, to sit closer to the charcoal stove.

Ren Rude, sympathizing with the Feng Family of Xuzhou, adamantly refused to indulge him. Feng Liang then made an even greater fuss, which led to a punishment of a few hand spankings in the dead of winter. He had returned home bawling, and after being consoled by the servants, he finally came out looking for food.

Of course, Feng Yun did not indulge him.

"Your father has yet to pay the education fee and food expenses; who gave you the audacity to demand dinner?"

Feng Liang’s eyes widened with anger as he retorted, "Isn’t your father also my father? The crow offers filial piety; those unfilial to their parents are worse than beasts!"

Heh!

He’s learned to speak pretty slickly.

Feng Yun laughed, "Alou, until the Feng Family sends money, let the young master of Feng eat and drink as a servant does."

As soon as Feng Liang heard this, his expression changed and he started to shout.

"Feng Shi Er Niang, you dare!"

Feng Yun ignored him, and Yansheng’s expression turned sour as well.

Alou asked, "What about the little girl?"

Feng Yun spoke indifferently, "As long as she behaves and causes no trouble, I will treat her well with good food and drink. Of course, the account will be kept and must be repaid by the Feng Family."

Alou nodded in agreement.

At his wits’ end, Feng Liang somehow produced a stone and hurled it violently at Feng Yun.

"You shameless wicked woman, I’ll kill you..."

No one expected his sudden attack, and the young boy actually had quite some strength. Feng Yun dodged slightly, and the stone flew straight toward the main gate.

Whinny---

A horse’s neighing sounded from outside the gate.

In just a moment, Wen Xingsu rode in on horseback.

The stone hit Wen Xingsu’s horse right on its leg.

With a stern face, Wen Xingsu dismounted, and Feng Liang instantly turned cowardly.

"Big, big brother..."

Wen Xingsu got off his horse without saying a word and handed the reins to the guard, Pinshu, glancing at Feng Yun.

"Why is Aliang here?"

Feng Yun smiled slightly without speaking.

Feng Zhen, who adored this elder brother, ran over and tugged at his clothes, clinging to him as if she had found a pillar of support.

"Big brother, it’s father who sent us here to study."

Feng Zhen looked tender and cute, and Wen Xingsu’s expression softened a bit as he patted her head and said to Feng Yun:

"You shouldn’t have accepted them, it’s only causing you trouble."

Feng Yun laughed, "Turning down money? I’m not that foolish. Let’s go in. Wash your hands, and we can start dinner. It’s been ready for a while, just waiting on you."

A group of people chatted as they walked inside while Feng Liang followed with a sullen expression.

Feng Yun turned her head, "Alou."

Alou shuddered slightly, "Yes, madam."

Feng Yun was true to her word, and even with Wen Xingsu there, she showed no favoritism, ordering someone to take him away.

Feng Liang was nearly driven mad with rage. At the Feng Family, everyone pampered him, and he was accustomed to having everything handed to him. Here, facing repeated setbacks, how could he stand it?

"Feng Shi Er Niang, just you wait. A tiger, when it falls in Pingyang, is bullied by dogs—there will be a time when I make you pay..."

One should never underestimate the fighting spirit of a ten-year-old. His screams were earth-shattering. Even when being carried away by soldiers, his feet unable to touch the ground, he continued to curse and roar.

"I want to go home! Father, mother, I want to go home! Feng Shi Er Niang, send me home; I command you, right now, immediately!"

Feng Yun remained unmoved, smiling, "From tomorrow on, no one is to attend to his daily needs."

Feng Zhen turned pale with fright and tugged at Wen Xingsu’s sleeve, "Big brother."

Wen Xingsu face was stern as he sighed deeply.

"It’s time he learned some discipline."

Feng Yun smiled at him but said nothing. She then turned to Xiaoman:

"What about the Princely Heir, haven’t you sent someone to invite him?"

Sitting in the main hall, Chunyu Yan saw this little lady who hadn’t even noticed him, his lips curling into a sardonic sneer as bitter as swallowing coptis.

"How could the Princely Heir be late to a dinner hosted by Feng Shi Er Niang? I have been waiting here for a long time."

He stood up and bowed to Wen Xingsu.

"Brother Xingsu, it’s been a while."

"Your Highness," Wen Xingsu hastened to return the salute.

The two exchanged greetings and took their seats. Thinking of Wen Xingsu’s drunken episode from last time, Feng Yun glanced at the liquor jug on the table and signaled the maidservant to remove two, which just so happened to catch Chunyu Yan’s eye.

"Stingy!"

Feng Yun raised her eyebrows slightly, showing no emotion.

However, Wen Xingsu smiled knowingly.

"I must rise early for Andu Great Camp tomorrow and dare not drink. The Princely Heir may drink as he pleases."

He was the deputy commander of the Northern Yong Army and had nearly taken over all affairs that Helian Qian used to handle in the army. He was extremely busy on a regular basis.

Feng Yun felt sorry for him, "It’s cold and freezing, drink less to warm up and sleep until noon before leaving."

Wen Xingsu, upright and unyielding, said to her, "I’ll come back and drink later."

Feng Yun’s eyes lit up, "You’re coming back?"

Wen Xingsu smiled.

"Of course I’m coming back. I’m off for five days. I should be able to stay in Huaxi Village for two or three days."

"That’s great."

Feng Yun smiled with her eyes curved sweet as a clear spring, Chunyu Yan saw it in his heart and felt sour as anything.

"General Wen rarely has a chance to come over. Today we must hold on to you and have a good drink. You’re not allowed to find excuses to refuse..."

Wen Xingsu smiled in response, glancing at Feng Yun from time to time.

Feng Yun looked at him too, her expression soft, "Go ahead and drink, as long as you don’t get drunk, it’s fine."

Chunyu Yan almost ground his teeth to pieces amidst the interaction of their glances.

The food and drinks were served, and Feng Zhen, probably scared of Feng Yun, was very well-behaved. Attended by maidservants, she ate silently and left the table after a few bites.

Feng Yun lifted her face, her gaze sweeping across Wen Xingsu’s, semi-smiling.

"Do you think I am petty, willing to poison even a child?"

The laid-back atmosphere suddenly became solemn.

Wen Xingsu shook his head slightly, his face gentle and handsome, with a faint smile.

"Indulging a child is like indulging a tiger; pampering a child is like killing a child. If they had been disciplined like this earlier, they wouldn’t have developed such tempers and suffered as they are now. It should be this way."

A typical family banquet became incredibly warm.

In the countryside, the lights were quiet, the shadows played in the long wind, without string music or dances, but the scent of wine and meat was especially mouthwatering.

Feng Yun, Wen Xingsu, Chunyu Yan...

The three of them talked and laughed, recalling the past and discussing the present. As the wine went down their throats, the circle of light from the night lamps gradually transformed into countless shadows...

With ice pitchers and incense burners, Feng Yun, slightly drunk, slept happily until daylight.

The next day, the sun rose, and it was another clear day.

Wen Xingsu left before dawn.

The entire village was busy turning over the ground, rushing to sow in early spring.

Under the sunlight, in every field, the busy figures of farmers could be seen bending over.

Feng Yun, who had drunk a bit too much the previous night, sat in the study just as tea was being prepared when suddenly, a commotion came from outside.

The sound of horse hooves was coming from the direction of the village school.

"Victory report—"

"Victory report—"

Two long shouts rang out, and the farmers in the fields all looked up at the government officer dashing down the village road, faces showing joy.

"The Great General has won a battle!"

"It wasn’t the Great General, it was the Prince of Yonghuai, the Regent Prince..."

"Yes, yes, they’re all deemed as great now."

"And there’s a princess living in our village."

"If you hadn’t mentioned it, I would have forgotten about it; it just slipped my mind. Often seeing the Village Chief’s wife smiling and walking by, not stopping to pay respects or kneel... do you think the Village Chief’s wife would mind?"

"That’s just you overthinking it. The Village Chief’s wife is so magnanimous, how could she squabble with a peasant woman like you? If she was as petty as we are, she couldn’t accomplish great things."

"Yes, yes, yes..."

"Did you see the notice under the old locust tree? Changmen is looking for temporary workers to mine coal on the mountain... one hundred wen a day, isn’t that better money than mucking about in the fields?"

"They say, the recruitment notice is to be posted all the way in Andu City. Could it be that they’re recruiting refugees to work the mines? Refugees are cheap, just care for their food, and that’s enough."

The crowd was abuzz amidst the sounds of victory.

The southern window of the study was pushed open by someone, unnoticed.

Feng Yun leaned against the window, looking out at the warm spring sun, her heart trembling unconsciously.

Traveling soldiers have no set date of return, watchtowers light the old city.

Silent in the face of the post officer, only hoping for the return of the cavalry under the banner.

She had waited too long for this belated victory report...

In her previous life, there had been no division in Dajin, and the Northern Rong tribes had not invaded. This was a war completely off the original track, and Feng Yun’s heart had always been hanging.

The terrain of the northwest is complex, and even for an undefeated general, there is no telling what might be encountered once there...

"Lady, lady, a victory report! The victory report has come—"

Xiaoman thought she hadn’t heard and ran over, her feet pounding in the courtyard.

Feng Yun stepped out, her expression serene, "What’s the rush, there will be plenty of such victory reports in the future."

Xiaoman giggled happily.

The government officer came over and presented the victory report.

"Informing the Princess, the army of the Prince of Yonghuai has crossed the Cangyan Mountain. The Northern Rong tribes set an ambush at Cangyan Mountain, but His Highness foresaw it. Taking advantage of the victory, they chased the enemy who fled in panic towards their heartland..."

Feng Yun asked, "What about the Prince of Yonghuai?"

The officer scratched his head and grinned, showing his teeth, "For such petty offenders infringing on us, naturally, one must strike decisively to drive them back to their homeland. The Princess can rest assured, His Highness will soon return to the capital in triumph!"

Feng Yun hummed in acknowledgment, smiling, "Alou, take the government officer down to rest and have something to eat."

The officer was indeed exhausted from the non-stop journey, and seeing the princess so hospitable, giving both food and money, he couldn’t stop smiling. After offering a few comforting words, he left.

Feng Yun’s emotions were complex, and she remained unsettled for a long time.

The Northern Rong controlled a vast expanse of land beyond the Cangyan Mountain in Yunzhou, with wide skies and a vast depth. Although the weather was harsh and the land barren, not conducive to cultivation, the terrain there was complex, making it difficult for armies to find a breakthrough.

In such circumstances, the struggle was between a mighty dragon and a local snake, about who would have the advantage or suffer losses—it was difficult to say.

Therefore, crossing Cangyan Mountain was the real challenge ahead.