The Slender Waist-Chapter 16 - 13 Youthful Embarrassments

Alou is currently the chief steward in front of Feng Yun.

Once a mere errand boy in the manor not favored by the lord, he suddenly found favor with his new master. Full of untapped energy, he strutted everywhere with his chest puffed up, eager to make a significant contribution for his new master at a moment’s notice.

Therefore, having received orders from Feng Yun, he swaggered out of the manor with his men in tow.

Ao Qi had someone follow him and discovered that Alou was heading to the South Building at Huayuejian, which made his handsome face flush deep red with embarrassment.

Before coming to Andu County, Ao Qi had heard that Huayuejian was the grandest pleasure ground in Andu.

"North Building cultivates female entertainers, South Building harbors male favor." The brothers in the army used to joke that Ao Qi possessed the graceful bearing of a young man from the South Building of Huayuejian, with a beautiful appearance. For that, they earned themselves a beating from him.

Shocked by the news he received, Ao Qi was initially taken aback and thought that Feng Shi Er Niang was quite improper. Yet, he couldn’t help stealing glances at her, and his ears involuntarily flushed hot, feeling a weird and awkward sensation inside.

He deliberately refrained from thinking about the absurd dreams he had at night...

And sternly reminded himself that he had to keep an eye on her for his uncle.

Feng Ayun could only belong to his uncle.

With such thoughts storming through his head, Ao Qi became a bit restless. After lunch, he had just arrived at Changmen Academy for his shift when his fellow guard Ye Chuang came over, picking his teeth and calling out to him in an overly familiar manner.

"Ao Qi, did you wet the bed last night? What did you do to your mat?"

Ao Qi felt a buzz in his ears and flushed red from embarrassment, wishing he could silence the man by force, "What are you babbling about?"

Ye Chuang squinted his smiley eyes, "Or were you drawing military maps on your mat in the middle of the night?"

"You..." Ao Qi, boiling with anger, lunged forward to grab him and dragged him toward the corner of the room, gasping with urgency, "Stop talking nonsense! I just can’t stand the heat and sweat all night. I’ll clean it up myself later."

Ye Chuang teased him with a wink and elbowed him gently, "Xiaoqi has grown up, yearning for a bride now!"

"Ye Chuang!" In his desperation, Ao Qi felt as though his entire world was collapsing, and he tensed up drastically. Dappled light and shadow played across his face, now red as a pig’s liver, whereas his youthful irritation and nervousness peaked.

"Brother, please spare me. After my shift today, I’ll treat you to a drink," he pleaded, with no way to explain himself.

Ye Chuang shook his head vigorously, his eyes crinkling with laughter as he deliberately teased Ao Qi.

"I won’t drink. Xiaoqi, with your hot temper, if I get drunk, I fear you may take advantage of me, and my chastity will be at risk..."

"You miscreant, let’s see how I tear your mouth apart..."

Ye Chuang dodged with giggles, then loudly shouted towards Feng Yun’s carved window, "My lady, Ao Qi he..."

Ao Qi, furious, grabbed him by the waist and pinned him to the wall, then covered his mouth tightly while Ye Chuang twisted and laughed hysterically...

The two of them pushed and shoved each other against the wall, causing quite a stir.

Just at that moment, Zuo Zhong returned from the Beiyong Army camp and coughed loudly at the sight.

Ao Qi and Ye Chuang exchanged glances and quickly let go of each other, then nonchalantly greeted him, "Does the general have any orders?"

Zuo Zhong glanced at their expressions, "Where is the lady?"

Feng Yun was staring out the window, lost in thought. Hearing the report, she put down her teacup and invited them in.

With just one look, she frowned, "Is Guard Ao sick?"

Ao Qi’s cheeks were burning hot, and he quickly wiped his forehead with his sleeve, looking around, "It’s so hot today."

Ye Chuang struggled to hold back his laughter, nearly choking on it.

Feng Yun noticed there was something odd about the two of them, but didn’t inquire further, simply looking to Zuo Zhong.

"Left Guard, did you make this trip because the general has a message?"

Zuo Zhong pulled out a folded yellow paper from his sleeve and handed it over.

This kind of paper was commonly used for official documents in the Jin Army. Feng Yun had seen it countless times in her previous life, but never once received one written by Pei Jue. She felt a mix of emotion and novelty, observing it patiently before slowly unfolding it.

"Acknowledged receipt."

These four simple words naturally came from the hand of a military general.

It wasn’t that Pei Jue’s writing was bad. On the contrary, his strokes were powerful and vigorous, with an authoritative and bold quality that seemed to penetrate through the paper. But even through the paper, one could feel the sternness and coldness of the writer.

Feng Yun raised her head to ask Zuo Zhong, "Does the general have any other instructions?"

Ao Qi also leaned forward eagerly, "Yes, has the General given any instructions on when I can return to the camp?"

Nanqi claimed to be assembling five hundred thousand troops for a major counterattack, and Dajin was about to face a fierce battle. Ao Qi’s blood was boiling with excitement. He wanted to be on the battlefield, not stuck minding a girl and wasting the days away.

Zuo Zhong paused, then looking down, said, "The General said he will come to see the girl after the Start of Autumn."

Feng Yun smiled.

After the Start of Autumn indicated that Pei Jue had read her letter.

What was the purpose of his visit? Zuo Zhong didn’t say, but at the same time, everything was made clear.

Pei Jue had brought her to Andu, staying in her former residence, and returned her servants to her, not to gain a strategist, of course.

What General Pei lusted for was her body.

A sleeping beast roared in her heart, and Feng Yun’s cheeks flushed with heat.

It wasn’t out of shame, nor anger, but a sense of loss.

Had all her careful planning and crucial intelligence regarding the enemy been invisible to Pei Jue? Was serving a man truly the only road for a woman?

Feng Yun fell silent for a moment, then had Peipei grind some ink. She took out a Plum Blossom Wooden Tablet that she had made herself during leisure times from a drawer, rolled up her sleeves, and started writing.

"I have procured grain for your army. In exchange, treat me as a strategist, how about it?"

Zuo Zhong left with the wooden tablet, while Ao Qi quickly ran out, pulling and gesturing eagerly, seemingly in a rush as if there was something rather urgent. He would glance back from time to time at the window where Feng Yun stood.

After a long while, he returned, looking dejected, standing under the eaves gazing up at the sky, like a wife yearning for her husband to return home.

Feng Yun opened the window and leaned out to ask him, "Did Guard Ao go to tattle on me?"

Ao Qi, with his hands clasped around his sword, looked at her askance and with some disdain, "If the lady dares to do it, she shouldn’t fear others talking about it."

Feng Yun couldn’t help but smile, "What have I done?"

Ao Qi’s face turned red: "I can’t say it out loud; you should be mindful of your actions."

Hmm? Seeing him puff up with anger, Feng Yun shook her head and laughed.

—

Zuo Zhong didn’t return empty-handed; he also brought back two carts of food. Apart from millet and corn, there were the red yams that Feng Yun and her people had dug up last time, all piled up in the storeroom by the main gate.

A few servants joyously moved the provisions, Feng Yun watched, dumbfounded.

It turns out receiving food from others could bring such joy.

If she could secure a large supply of military provisions for Pei Jue, what reason would he have to refuse?

As the sky darkened, Chang Da, who had left with Alou, came back limping.

Only after dismissing everyone did Chang Da’s ashen-faced report reach Feng Yun.

"Miss, Steward Alou can’t come back."

Feng Yun asked, "What are their demands?"

Seeing that his master remained composed as if she had expected it, Chang Da was shocked.

Bowing deeply, he responded, "Your servant, along with Steward Alou, went to Huayuejian as you instructed to see if we could exchange goods for grain. Unexpectedly, the master of Huayuejian was unreasonable and tied us up without a word, denied us food and relief, and beat us savagely, saying that you have to come personally to fetch your people, otherwise..."

Still trembling with fear, he touched his cold forehead, stuttering through his words.

"...they will turn Steward Alou into meat soup and send him back to the house."

This was a grave matter, potentially fatal, and Chang Da felt his heart rise to his throat. Recalling the dreadful state of Steward Alou turned into meat soup and the mysterious and ruthless master of Huayuejian, his legs went weak.

But his new master didn’t seem to be afraid; she leisurely finished her half cup of cold tea before getting up to leave.

"This matter must be kept strictly confidential."

Having given her instructions, Feng Yun pointed to the water clock in the room.

"In half an hour, let Guard Ao know of my whereabouts."

Somewhat confused, Chang Da complied with a nod.