The Slender Waist-Chapter 112 - 87: Enjoying Each Other’s Company

Her delicate eyebrows lifted slightly, her voice soft and gentle, her luminous beauty blooming like a lotus flower, yet her words were so vicious.

You Daren cried out in pain, his yells reaching the heavens, incessantly calling for his grandfather to uphold justice.

This patriarch of the You Family had some status in Andu, and even the former Governor Feng Jingteng had shown him some respect. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have sent away the newly redeemed concubine of his eldest grandson. But with the new dynasty, not only did He Qia show no respect for him, Feng Jingteng’s daughter was also being so rude.

Old Master You humphed, "It’s clear that the General Residence intends to bully our You Family."

By bringing up the You Family, he aimed to intimidate He Qia.

When powerful aristocratic families joined forces, they grew strong and numerous, and both the old and the new dynasties had to give face. This was the rule, a tradition for dozens, even hundreds of years—

However, he encountered someone who did not play by the rules.

"So what if I bully you?" Puyang Yi felt aggravated upon seeing You Daren’s pathetic and sniveling demeanor.

"As the County Lord, I have the final say, and we’ll do as Feng Ji suggested."

Obviously, a County Lord would not normally have the final say.

But she was the daughter of the Grand Princess, and it just so happened that He Qia wanted her to make the decision.

Thus, He Qia approached nervously, feigning intimidation by the Lord of Pingyuan County, and ceaselessly offered his respects with clasped hands.

"My lord, this will not do, this will not do..."

Puyang Yi, acting as the authority, did not hesitate.

"What will not do? I, as the County Lord, shall take responsibility for any issue."

He Qia could not ask for more.

But he had to keep up the act...

He tiptoed carefully to the You family members and bowed politely.

"Will you take the deed to the land, or choose your grandson’s hand? Kindly make your choice, Elder You..."

The complexion of the old Master You visibly turned from red to ashen with astonishing speed, as his anger turned into silent fury.

"Let’s go!"

With a smile plastered across his face, He Qia bowed again, "Elder You, please take care."

-

Easily resolving a major trouble, He Qia breathed a sigh of relief, outwardly thanking Puyang Yi, but inwardly grateful to Feng Yun for coming up with the strategy.

Feng Yun exchanged a glance with him, offered a faint smile, and was about to take her leave.

Unexpectedly...

Puyang Yi stopped her, "I have something to discuss with Feng Ji."

Seeing this, He Qia invited Feng Yun and Puyang Yi to sit in the flower hall and ordered the servants to serve tea.

Feng Yun smiled calmly, "Thank you, Lord He."

Puyang Yi sat down listlessly, picked up her tea cup, and gave Feng Yun a lazy glance.

"I am here by the Empress Dowager’s orders and will be staying in the General Residence from now on."

Feng Yun did not reply.

Whatever the Lord of Pingyuan County wanted to do, wherever she wanted to stay, was none of her concern.

Looking at her, Puyang Yi said, "I heard the Great General has over a dozen concubines, each one as beautiful as flowers and the full moon. Are they all as beautiful as Feng Ji?"

With a smile, Feng Yun replied, "They are even more beautiful than this concubine."

Puyang Yi regarded her humble demeanor and thought of what the Empress Dowager’s sister had said, unintentionally furrowing her brows, "So, you are very capable, aren’t you? Is that how you’ve managed to keep a hold of the Great General?"

Feng Yun said, "I haven’t kept a hold of him. Isn’t he off fighting a war?"

Her serious tone made Puyang Yi pause before realizing it was a joke.

"Hahaha!"

She laughed heartily, quite unbecoming of a lady.

But she quickly composed herself, looking at Feng Yun coldly.

They say Feng Ji is a seductress, highly skilled in beguiling hearts. She must be careful.

"Would you be upset with me staying in the General Residence?"

Feng Yun smiled unaffectedly, "Certainly not."

Puyang Yi asked, "Why not?"

Feng Yun answered, "Because I don’t live in the General Residence."

Puyang Yi was slightly surprised, glanced at He Qia, and saw his face contorted as if he were a bitter gourd unable to produce juice. She then sternly asked Feng Yun, "Are you avoiding me?"

Feng Yun replied, "I was not aware of the County Lord’s arrival beforehand."

Puyang Yi snorted, "Then staying in the General Residence I won’t have to see Feng Ji, will I?"

Feng Yun considered seriously, "As long as the County Lord does not take the wrong path, you probably won’t run into each other."

Puyang Yi’s eyelid twitched sharply, restraining her laughter. Laughing in such a situation would be inappropriate and would indicate a loss of composure, letting this Feng Ji get the upper hand.

Feng Yun was anxious to return to Yutangchun and did not wish to continue engaging with Puyang Yi.

However, the Lord of Pingyuan County did not intend to let the matter rest, completely ignoring He Qia’s presence, she straightforwardly asked:

"If you do not stay in the General Residence, then how can you and the Great General be intimate?"

Feng Yun: ...

Puyang Yi’s gaze was intense.

Feng Yun was well aware of what that gleam implied.

The widowed Lord of Pingyuan County had likely imagined her and the General in every position behind closed doors.

She said, "This concubine and the General do not have that sort of relationship."

Puyang Yi narrowed her eyes, "Then what kind of relationship is it?"

Feng Yun knew why she and the lady in the carriage had come to Andu, but lying seemed pointless. It was better to tell some hard truths.

"This concubine and the General meet each other’s needs, free from worldly entanglements, and simply enjoy each other’s company to the fullest."

Puyang Yi nearly burst into laughter again.

Is this the demoness the Empress Dowager’s sister spoke of? No wonder she can handle the Great General—she doesn’t seem to care in the least.

Puyang Yi was actually quite curious about what a man like Pei Jue, who seemed deadly at a glance, would be like when doting on a woman. Unfortunately, the woman had a sharp tongue and revealed nothing she shouldn’t.

"If the Great General were to take a wife, you, with no name and no status, what would you do then?"

Feng Yun considered seriously for a moment, "Then I wouldn’t be able to sleep with him anymore."

Puyang Yi looked bemused.

He Qia, who had been sitting by their side, appeared to choke on his tea, coughing violently and then excused himself to change his clothes, quickly disappearing from sight.

Oh, Great General! 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Her reputation built over a lifetime was nearly ruined.

In the small flower hall, only the two of them remained.

Puyang Yi cast a glance at Feng Yun, "Does Madam Feng know why I came?"

Feng Yun smiled, "I would like to hear the details."

Puyang Yi said, "The woman in the carriage just now is the Empress Dowager’s maternal niece..."

When Ayou and Azuo addressed her as sister-in-law, Feng Yun knew who was in the carriage.

She pretended to be unaware and smiled slightly.

"Please make it clear, my lord."

Puyang Yi said lazily, "The Empress Dowager’s niece, Lady Cui Si, only sixteen, is known by her birth name as Cui Zhi. The Empress Dowager has long intended her to be General Ao’s wife."

"Oh," Feng Yun nodded calmly.

Puyang Yi didn’t see her reaction and felt quite displeased.

"Madam Feng isn’t curious?"

Feng Yun asked, "Curious about what?"

Puyang Yi narrowed her eyes to size her up, "Why would the Empress Dowager send Azhi to Andu? What’s the Ao Family’s reaction to the Empress Dowager’s marriage arrangement?"

Feng Yun looked at her in puzzlement, "It has nothing to do with me."

Puyang Yi raised her eyebrows again with a smile that was not quite a smile, "Madam Feng may not know, the Great General respects his elder sister, Madam Ao, greatly, and Azhi is much loved by her, recognized as the daughter-in-law of the Ao Family. Azhi and Ao Qi were both aware of their betrothal..."

Feng Yun of course understood this.

The Cui Family is a century-old aristocratic family.

They are another powerful family that Prime Minister Li Zongxun of Jin wished to win over through marriage alliances.

But before she had left the Central Capital in her past life, Ao Qi never married Cui Zhi.

After all, Lady Cui Si’s deep emotions were wasted.

Feng Yun smiled, "Why does the lord wish to tell me all this?"

Puyang Yi, who loved stirring up trouble, said, "Can’t you see? Madam Ao is guarding against you."

Feng Yun said, "It is but natural for Madam Ao to worry about the General’s well-being."

Puyang Yi sighed and shook her head.

"Madam Feng really is impervious. Despite my old arms and legs traveling all this way for your troublesome affairs, you don’t seem to care at all..."

Feng Yun smiled inwardly.

Andu County, before the Beiyong Army entered the city, belonged to Qi Country and its landscape and culture were vastly different from those of Puyang Yi’s hometown Pingcheng and the Central Capital.

It’s likely the Lord of Pingyuan County had long wished to come for a visit.

She lowered her eyelids, "The lord is in the prime of life, not old at all."

This mechanical response visibly spoiled Puyang Yi’s fun.

"With such unparalleled beauty, Madam Feng is the one who’s truly in her prime. As for me, a lord... to find a handsome husband, I have to rely on power to pressure others, it’s quite suffering."

Feng Yun’s eyelid twitched slightly.

Puyang Yi really dared to say anything.

In reality, she was only just past her twenties; how could she consider herself old?

Not wanting to be a target any longer, Feng Yun slightly bowed and took her leave once more.

Puyang Yi seemed to want to say something but then waved her hand.

"Go on then, I will stay in Andu for a while. When I have the chance, I’ll come to find you again."

Feng Yun responded, "I will look forward to the lord’s visit."

As Puyang Yi watched her leave, she suddenly said, "Azhi is a close friend of mine from the boudoir, you must not bully her."

Was this not the very thing Puyang Yi most wanted to say?

Feng Yun felt she had mistaken the target.

If Li Sangruo hated her, there could be some discussion, but she held no grudges against Cui Zhi, why would she bully her?

"The lord jests, I dare not."

-

As Feng Yun left the Hall of Political Affairs and exited the mansion gates, she saw only Ye Chuang, no sight of Ao Qi.

But she didn’t ask any questions, climbed onto the donkey cart and directed, "Back to Yutangchun."

Outside the Yutangchun gate, the long queues from the previous day were no more, but the business had picked up quite a bit.

The shadow of war hanging over Andu City had kept it in silence for too long.

News of the Beiyong Army crossing the Huaishui River had come, and the citizens all breathed a sigh of relief. Many people took their families out for a good meal to celebrate surviving the ordeal.

Feng Yun watched for a moment in the hall; Wen Hui and several workers were all busy. She immediately went to the backyard, planning to go upstairs for a short nap.

"I will stay here tonight; call me if anything arises."

Xiaoman asked in surprise, "You’re not going back to Huaxi Village?"

Feng Yun hummed tiredly and leaned on the soft couch.

"Staying in the city allows me to receive news from the south bank more quickly."

Xiaoman giggled, "You’re worried about the General."

Feng Yun gave her a glance and, after some thought, realized it wasn’t entirely incorrect.

Worried about Pei Jue? She was worried.

Pei Jue could not die now; if he were to die, who would help her deal with Xiao Cheng?

So Feng Yun nodded, "I am indeed very concerned about the General."

Xiaoman couldn’t help but feel a vague joy.

Actually, before the fall of Andu City, Lady Chen had also told her and Daman that they must serve the General well in the future, that a woman could only rise with the favor of her man.

But Xiaoman felt the Great General was so frightening, his eyes seemed to hold the blade of a killer. Everyone said he was handsome, but Xiaoman had never met his gaze. Only a maiden like Feng Yun could tame such a man...

Recalling something unexpectedly while tucking Feng Yun in, Xiaoman asked softly:

"Maiden, has the Left Guard not come to deliver messages for a long time?"

Feng Yun didn’t respond immediately.

After a while, she nodded slowly.

Yes, with the war at this stage, Pei Jue had not sent a single word.

It was quite excruciating.