The Slender Waist-Chapter 732 - 525: Intricate and Confusing

Pei Jue did not expect her to come over, his eyebrows unintentionally raised a bit.

"Is there something?"

Feng Yun’s lips curved slightly, "Nothing."

Immediately, someone arranged cutlery and chairs next to Pei Jue, and Feng Yun took the opportunity to sit down.

"I was bored sitting over there, so I came over to join in the fun."

As Puyang Zong is the groom’s grand-uncle and also the Commandery Prince of Dajin, he naturally sat at the main table next to Pei Jue, and smiled upon hearing these words.

"The Commandery Prince and the Princess truly look affectionate, making others envious."

Feng Yun looked towards him, "The Commandery Prince and Princess Consort are also a couple of talents and beauty."

Puyang Zong, seeing Feng Yun speak earnestly, couldn’t help but reveal a trace of awkwardness.

"May the Princess’s good fortunes extend to us."

Feng Yun smiled a little and stopped talking, no longer staring at him, but casually observed the people at the banquet instead.

Pei Jue glanced at her, equally silent.

After a short while, Wen Xingsu came back.

He usually doesn’t drink much, but today he was coaxed and teased into drinking quite a bit, not only his cheeks were flushed red, slightly drunk, but his ears and eyes were also flushed.

"My apologies, my apologies."

"Everyone, please continue drinking..."

He greeted the guests as he walked, and when he got to Pei Jue’s side, he saw Feng Yun.

"Yaoyao... why are you here?"

Feng Yun chuckled, "Big brother, are you drunk? How could I not attend your wedding?"

Wen Xingsu’s lips curled up and he sat down with a flick of his sleeve.

"I didn’t see you during the matrimonial vows, where did you go?"

Feng Yun smiled, "There was something at the villa, so I went back for a bit."

Wen Xingsu chuckled, "My own brother had a wedding and you let something delay you, you should be punished!"

He personally poured a full glass of wine for Feng Yun and pushed it in front of her, then turned to look at Pei Jue.

"I trust the Commandery Prince doesn’t mind?"

Pei Jue glanced at Feng Yun indifferently, "As she wishes."

"She should drink." Feng Yun picked it up, tilted her head back, and drank it all.

Today was her elder brother’s wedding, she originally didn’t want to dampen the spirits and tried to show happiness, but Awan’s death weighed heavily in her heart like a massive stone making it difficult for her to breathe, and she could not smile.

Every smile recalled Awan’s face filled with terror.

She couldn’t help but wonder what exactly Awan had experienced before her death...

Wen Xingsu noticed her mood and messaged his eyebrows with a smile.

"Aren’t you happy about your brother’s marriage?"

Feng Yun heard his jest and pulled the corners of her mouth helplessly.

"How could I not be? It’s the sister-in-law I have been looking forward to for so long, you must treat her well."

Wen Xingsu eyed her, speaking warmly with a smile, "Of course."

Their conversation was somewhat teasing, which normally wouldn’t mean much, but to Pei Jue’s ears, it definitely meant something...

If there was any man Feng Yun harbored feelings for.

It would definitely be Wen Xingsu.

Especially since both of them knew about each other’s rebirth, the fate of Wen Xingsu in his past life might intrude on their minds at an inappropriate moment — like now.

Pei Jue looked at Feng Yun, his gaze deep and unfathomable.

Feng Yun returned his look with a bland indifference, her gaze complex.

Puyang Zong felt uncomfortable sitting and got up to bow, "I will excuse myself for a moment, everyone please continue."

As he left, Wen Xingsu was then called away by someone else.

With no one else around, Pei Jue asked, "What happened?"

"Your Majesty’s eyes can’t escape it." Feng Yun’s voice was calm, carrying an inexplicable chill, "Awan is gone. Murdered."

"Awan?" Pei Jue obviously could not remember such a person.

Feng Yun looked at him.

This man really doesn’t care much about his own consorts.

"She’s from my villa."

Pei Jue nodded, understanding.

"Do you suspect Puyang Zong?"

Such a keen observation.

But Feng Yun shook her head, "I suspect everyone."

She briefly mentioned the information she had received before, and added the news brought by Daman.

"I also suspect that there might be Xiao Cheng’s spy in the Pei Residence."

While they were talking, another guest came to toast Pei Jue. With people coming and going at the banquette, it was not convenient to talk, Feng Yun glanced at Pei Jue and then excused herself, intercepting Puyang Zong in the courtyard.

"Your Highness, please wait, I have a question to ask."

Puyang Zong adjusted his sleeves and approached her to pay respects, "Speak freely, Princess, if you have something to say."

Feng Yun said, "Did you see Awan today?"

Puyang Zong’s eyelids twitched.

He stared straight at Feng Yun, observing her facial expressions, then shook his head.

"I did not see Lady Wan, but..."

His voice trailed off, his expression hesitant.

Feng Yun asked, "But what?"

Facing her piercing gaze, Puyang Zong looked slightly uncomfortable.

"Why did the Princess suddenly ask about her?"

Feng Yun scrutinized him for a moment, "Awan is missing..."

"Missing? What happened?"

Puyang Zong was startled, the panic in his expression was unmistakably genuine.

Next, without waiting for Feng Yun to ask further, he spilled everything like pouring beans out of a bamboo tube.

"I indeed saw Lady Wan. She was walking alone on the small path outside the wall of Changmen Village towards the back. I originally wanted to follow her to exchange a few words... The Princess knows that I will be returning to Xijing in a couple of days, and there would be no other chance to say goodbye..." 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"Then what happened?" Feng Yun asked.

"Later, I discovered, discovered that... Lady Wan went there perhaps for convenience... I was afraid of intruding upon her, so I quickly retreated..."

Feng Yun then carefully clarified the time and place.

It completely matched with what Tu Lan had said.

Puyang Zong appeared completely unaware that Awan had met with an incident. After he finished talking, seeing that Feng Yun had no reaction, his face showed a hint of anxiety.

"She wasn’t seen during the wedding ceremony, I found it strange. Usually such a lively person, how could she not be there... Princess, has everyone thoroughly searched the village? A full-grown person, how can she just disappear without a trace, could it be she encountered kidnappers?"

Feng Yun stared at him for a long time.

Eventually, she felt somewhat unable to bear it.

His affection for Awan was obvious to anyone.

But he also restrained his feelings, not using his power to pressure her or force Awan into anything...

"Awan is gone."

Unlike Wen Hui and others who received their deserved love, she didn’t achieve her dream of making a fortune before dying unclearly and unfairly.

A not so good background.

And not a good way to die, either.

If Feng Yun didn’t stand up for her, not even a family member would come to mourn her.

Her existence would quickly be erased, forgotten.

"Why do the women in this world have to live such difficult lives..."

She said quietly, not expecting an answer.

And right now, Puyang Zong also had no strength to give any answer.

He stood there blankly, his face pale, remaining stiff without making a sound for a long, long time...

-

It’s impossible to keep a death hidden.

The officers in Andu County, conducting secret investigations around Huaxi, gradually spread the news about the dead in Changmen widely known.

After decades of war, death was no longer a shocking event. What was rare, however, was that it happened today, and the deceased was a beautiful concubine from Feng Yun’s estate.

Suddenly, there were all sorts of gossip.

Especially Lady Chen, upon hearing about Awan’s death, completely changed her previous scolding demeanor, appearing refreshing and cheerful, showing a smiling face to everyone she met.

And even deliberately approaching Feng Yun.

"Heard that the wretched woman is dead?"

Her words choked in her throat, a smile on her face, putting on the demeanor of a loving mother.

People who couldn’t hear her might think she was letting bygones be bygones, seeking reconciliation with Feng Yun.

"A low-ranking concubine dares to be so presumptuous, it’s as if even Heaven couldn’t stand it anymore. Shi’er Niang, you should really take more care... I’m your mother. Even if not by birth, I’ve raised you. Don’t be rebellious and ungracious again, lest you follow this wretch’s fate..."

Feng Yun coldly watched her, "What if I don’t? Are you going to kill me as well?"

Lady Chen was taken aback, scoffing.

"You, just like your actual mother, full of cunning. Still thinking about digging traps for me? What dreams! Her death has nothing to do with me. I am merely concerned, afraid you’re defying natural order and will suffer retribution; I’m just reminding you..."

Saying that and seeing Feng Yun not responding, she hummed briefly, then purposely raised her voice slightly, speaking softly and gently:

"No matter how much you resent me, we are still a family; the bones are broken but the tendons are still connected. Why would I harm you... Shi’er Niang, don’t listen to those who sow discord. Your father and I, we are the ones who truly care and understand you, even if you would beat your elders or speak harshly, we’ve always tolerated and accommodated. Your temperament really needs adjusting..."

Feng Yun just watched her.

Listening to her boldly utter those sanctimonious words.

Suddenly, she sneered.

"Fine, I’ll change. I will definitely treat you all well."

Feng Yun didn’t want to ruin her elder brother’s wedding banquet, restrained her emotions, and waited until the festivities ended before her smile faded, and she changed her expression.

"Until the matter is clarified, no member of the Feng Family is allowed to leave Huaxi."

Xing Bing answered, "Yes."

It wasn’t necessary for Pei Jue to deploy troops. The retinue from Changmen was sufficient to ensure that no members of the Feng Family could leave Huaxi.

But...

As He Chuandong’s investigation progressed, the situation grew more bizarre.

The members of the Feng Family, whom Feng Yun most suspected, had no opportunity to commit the crime.

Just as Feng Yun found out, that afternoon, up until the discovery of Awan’s body, none of them had left the Wen residence.

He Chuandong said to Feng Yun, "Involving the diplomatic relations between the two countries, if we don’t have solid evidence, we can’t arrest or interrogate any members of the Feng Family, including the servants..."

Feng Yun looked at him, "So Awan just died in vain?"

He Chuandong frowned, "In my view, it’s very unlikely that the Feng Family members killed Lady Wan. Is it possible that the killer is someone else?"

Someone else?

Without deep hatred, who would go to the extent of taking her life and then pushing her into a foul cesspool after her death? And why did Awan’s facial expression before her death show such horror?

Feng Yun firmly believed that this incident was related to Awan scolding Lady Chen.

"Fine, if the law can’t handle them, I will."