The news of the Prince of Yonghuai recuperating at the estate spread, and all the royal relatives and prominent families of Andu stirred, vying with one another in eagerness as they sent their calling cards and gifts.

Feng Yun specifically arranged for Alou to receive guests at the main entrance.

The calling cards were kept, but the gifts were returned unopened.

It was only said, "His Highness is indisposed and wishes to convalesce in peace at the villa. We appreciate the kind thoughts of our esteemed guests. Once His Highness recovers, Changmen will host a banquet in invitation."

Alou had now been trained.

He was no longer the frightened youth who rode out of the city in a little donkey cart, crying.

Having met many important figures, he conducted himself with dignity, humility, and courtesy, no longer behaving in a cringing manner.

The guests didn’t get their gifts to the Prince of Yonghuai, but winning the favor of the head butler put their minds at ease, quelling any wild speculation.

Calling cards came in like snowflakes, and Feng Yun count each, noting the names, then tapped her fingers on the desk and smiled at Pei Jue,

"All the distinguished houses of Andu have paid their respects. Even the Residence of Marquis Xuanping has sent a calling card." 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Because of the incident where the son of the Marquis was killed by a leopard, the residence originally planned an armed expedition to hunt in the mountains, but due to a "mountain closure edict" from the Governor He Qia, they had to relent.

Resentment lingered, certainly.

But with Pei Jue alive and returned, they dared not make a move against him.

Feng Yun pondered for a moment, recalling the news that Jin Ge had provided, and said to Pei Jue with a smile,

"This Marquis of Xuanping, it’s said, has close ties with the Li family of Yecheng."

Pei Jue nodded his head.

Candlelight illuminated his handsome face, tinged with a hint of sickness.

"In terms of statecraft, Li Zongxun is capable and skilled at winning people’s hearts. The Marquis and he are old friends, and during their time in the Central Capital, he received many favors from Li Zongxun. Him not going to Yecheng was due to the political climate, not a lack of will toward Xijing."

Feng Yun pursed her lips and smiled faintly.

"His Highness is generous, always praising his rivals. Li Zongxun might not think the same..."

Pei Jue glanced at her.

"If it weren’t for Empress Dowager Li stirring the pot, Dajin wouldn’t have split in two."

Feng Yun smiled lightly, her eyes lowered.

Why did Li Sangruo stir the pot?

It was because of her, Feng Shi Er Niang’s appearance—that was the initial upset that led to Li Sangruo losing her beloved, her descent into madness...

So in essence, the one who stirred the pot was herself.

Feng Yun always felt there was an implication behind the man’s words.

But Pei Jue didn’t expose it, and Feng Yun didn’t embarrass him either, pretending to laugh as she played with a fruit bowl.

The treats, freshly served by Huanhuan, were abundant at Huaxi but rare in the military camps.

Seeing that Pei Jue enjoyed them the day before, Feng Yun had made a point to prepare extras today.

He had a hearty appetite, so the portion in the fruit bowl was quite generous.

The discussion paused until Huanhuan left the room, then Feng Yun finally placed a neatly sliced piece of sweet melon in front of Pei Jue.

"I’ve heard that Empress Dowager Li sent people with a portrait to search Xiangzhou for handsome men..."

With a playful glance, she fixed her eyes on Pei Jue with a smile.

"At a high price in Xiangzhou, I procured a copy, would the General care to have a look?"

Pei Jue’s brows knitted slightly, his tone nonchalant, "No need."

Feng Yun laughed softly.

The matter she knew of, the "man from the portrait", how could he not be aware?

Since he did not wish to see it, Feng Yun did not insist, saying lightly, "The intent of Empress Dowager Li is indeed moving. After all these years, is His Highness truly unmoved?"

Pei Jue’s complexion turned dark, and he did not speak for a long time.

Feng Yun looked serene, subtly lifting her chin, "Eat the melon."

Pei Jue began to nibble at it slowly.

She then said, "The King indeed shows remarkable forbearance toward Empress Dowager Li, always showing mercy. Without the King’s protection, it’s doubtful she would have even lived to reach Yecheng and seek her handsome prince."

Pei Jue stopped eating and slowly looked up at Feng Yun.

"For her, I have absolutely no romantic feelings."

Feng Yun inquired, "Then what is it? The affection of childhood friends?"

Pei Jue gazed back at her, sighing deeply.

"Lady Yun, be at ease. I am heartless."

Ha! To say he was heartless was indeed telling it like it is.

Feng Yun chuckled, "Enjoy the melon. My elder brother will arrive this afternoon, and there may be official matters to report. You will have much to attend to, Your Highness."

She dropped the curtain and went out.

It was as though she was just speaking casually, never truly having Li Sangruo in her heart.

She was proud and distantly elegant, not the type of woman to be petty or jealous.

As Pei Jue pondered, Feng Yun suddenly reentered through the curtain.

"Is Your Highness’s wound healing well?"

Pei Jue didn’t know why she asked this question and hesitated for a moment, raising his eyebrows, "Does the Village Chief’s wife intend to summon this prince for a royal sleepover?"

Feng Yun rolled her eyes at him.

"The Princess sent someone with a message saying she wanted to visit the prince. It’s easy to refuse others, but when it comes to Her Highness the Princess... always avoiding doesn’t seem right and might be hard to justify."

Pei Jue’s expression didn’t change, "Refused."

Feng Yun, "Really?"

"Mm," Pei Jue said, "Except for serving my lady in bed, everything else is outright refused."

Ruthless.

Arrogant.

After all, behind the Princess was the entire royal family of Dajin.

She smiled.

Compared to that Great General who put loyalty and service above all in her previous life, or the King of Yonghuai whose merits overshadowed his master, he was somewhat more captivating.

Feng Yun bowed, "Your concubine understands."

-

Everyone else might be dismissible, but Wen Xingsu was someone Pei Jue could not afford to ignore.

Wen Xingsu came for official business.

This was the only man that Feng Yun truly cared about; even before Wen Xingsu arrived, the manor had already prepared food and drinks early, readying a sumptuous feast.

The banquet for three was set up in the guest hall by the floral courtyard.

Servants bustled about serving dishes, and two beautiful maidens attended the feast.

Initially, Wen Xingsu felt awkward, as these were the concubines previously sent to Pei Jue by Feng Jingteng.

But then he realized, he had been mistaken.

The beautiful maidens weren’t there to attend to Pei Jue, nor were they there to serve him, but...

They were there to attend to Feng Yun.

Two maidens, one named Guan Wei and the other named Awan.

Guan Wei was previously a subordinate official of Prefectural Governor Feng Jingteng of Andu County, holding a martial position and skilled in both riding and archery.

When Guan Wei first joined the camp, she couldn’t bear the disparity and even considered suicide. After being transferred to Huaxi Changmen, she settled down and sought to become Pei Jue’s concubine. But no matter how long she waited, the Great General’s favor did not come her way. Eventually, as she saw other women with inferior backgrounds finding their way out, she gradually changed her mind...

Their way out lay with Feng Yun, not with Pei Jue.

Awan was different from Guan Wei; her father was originally a lowly courier who offered her to Feng Jingteng in exchange for a better position. However, Awan’s heart followed the same trajectory as most of the other concubines.

Previously they wished to gain the Great General’s favor, now they only hoped to be noticed by their lady so she might assign them a duty, with the promise of a favorable marriage.

At worst, they could be like Ying Rong and Kong Yun’e, managing an entire clothing workshop, with their status elevated, able to walk with their heads held high anywhere...

Pei Jue was also a bit puzzled.

The two concubines, one on each side of Feng Yun, serving tea and water, even going so far as to remove the seeds from the grapes before she ate them...

Feng Yun unabashedly enjoyed the favor of the beauties.

And it seemed there was nothing wrong with it.

Yet this scene just felt inappropriate.

This was a scene that would not occur in any household.

At the male master’s seat, there were no beautiful maidens to attend.

A whole group of beauties revolved solely around the mistress...

Wen Xingsu and Pei Jue exchanged glances, then with a gentle smile and a shake of his head, Wen Xingsu brought up the matter at hand.

"Shentu Jiong sent word today that the bandits of Xiufeng Mountain, unable to withstand the purge by the Beiyong Army, have retreated to a treacherous canyon in Xiufeng Mountain. The terrain is complex, easy to defend and difficult to attack. Shentu is reluctant to risk the soldiers’ lives, so he has opted for a siege without attack, asking for advice."

Pei Jue said, "The soldiers’ lives are important, there’s no need for them to risk their lives."

Wen Xingsu nodded, sighing, "The bandits of Xiufeng Mountain have been a nuisance in the area for over a year now; they must have stored plenty of food in the mountains, enough to withstand a siege."

Speaking, he sounded a bit wistful, "Under Gua Ping’s command, all are brave men."

Pei Jue looked at him.

Wen Xingsu realized his position was perhaps ill-spoken and apologized with a bow, giving a wry smile.

"This general has misspoken."

Pei Jue said, "Big brother speaks the truth."

He addressed Wen Xingsu not as General Wen but with the intimate address Feng Yun used.

He added, "If they can be won over, it would be fortunate for our army."

Wen Xingsu, not hearing any reproach, relaxed and then smiled, realizing that Pei Jue had always been like this – he was simply being overly cautious.

So, he chuckled, "I also have this intention, but... this remnant army of Wanning is extremely fierce, fighting without regard for their lives, resolved to a mutual destruction with the Beiyong Army, their hatred runs deep, I fear they would rather die than surrender."

If they were going to surrender, they would have done so long ago.

Why wait until today?

Yet, the more such an opponent, the more respectable they seem.

Thinking about what Feng Jingteng had done, compared to this remnant army of Wanning, even Feng Yun felt embarrassed for her own father.