The Slender Waist-Chapter 734 - 527: Sincere and Earnest Intentions

At dusk, Feng Yun did not see Pei Jue and only then remembered she had such a husband.

She inquired of Ye Chuang.

He went to the camp.

Just as her worries were allayed, an attendant came to report.

"The King has gone to the Andu Mansion and will return late. My lady need not wait for dinner."

The Andu Mansion referred to by the attendant, was the property that Feng Yun originally prepared for the Pei Family.

Pei Yao lived there.

This time, she had brought two children to attend Wen Xingsu’s wedding and was not in a hurry to return, planning to stay in Andu for a while.

But what was Pei Jue doing there at this time?

And doing so behind her back?

Feng Yun remained silent for a moment, then commanded Alou to prepare a carriage.

"My elder sister has come from afar. It’s only right that I keep her company."

Alou responded and went to make arrangements.

Feng Yun then summoned Xing Bing, and emotionlessly ordered.

"Keep a close watch on the Wen residence, report immediately if there’s any disturbance."

Xing Bing bowed, "Your subordinate understands."

The Feng Family members were still staying at Huaxi.

After Xiao Cheng suddenly fell ill that day, the Imperial Physician said that Qi Jun’s condition should not be aggravated by strenuous effort and that it would be best for him to recuperate for some days before setting off back to Tai City.

The Wen residence had invited Yao Ru to diagnose Xiao Cheng’s illness and to treat Feng Ying’s face as well.

Therefore, after Wen Xingsu’s three post-wedding visits, he stayed with Puyang Yi in the adjacent "Yi Garden," leaving the vast Wen residence to Xiao Cheng and the Feng Family.

Having been spoiled by the Grand Princess at her maternal home, Puyang Yi was already anxious about interacting with her detestable mother-in-law. Wen Xingsu’s actions were essentially a lifesaver...

It spared her trouble and granted her leisure, freeing her from the obligation to greet her mother-in-law formally.

Puyang Yi increasingly felt she had married the right man. Her affection for Wen Xingsu warmed with each passing day, wishing all the world knew how happy she was...

Feng Yun had just set out in her carriage when she saw her coming from the other direction, accompanied by several servants, moving lightly and with a radiant complexion — she seemed to be in excellent spirits.

Feng Yun let out a long sigh of relief.

It seemed her elder brother’s marriage was indeed a happy one.

"Ayun, where are you going?"

Puyang Yi saw her carriage from afar and called out.

Feng Yun propped up the curtain, smiling as she spoke, "To Andu. To visit my elder cousin sister."

Puyang Yi uttered an "oh," showing a hint of disappointment.

"I was just thinking of coming to chat with you."

Feng Yun asked, "Does my sister-in-law have urgent matters?"

Puyang Yi shook her head, her cheeks blushing slightly, "Not really, it’s just... Oh well, let’s talk when you return. I’ll find you tomorrow."

Feng Yun gave a gentle smile and lowered the curtain.

-

The mansion in Andu County, though Feng Yun had bought it from someone else, she had renovated it thoroughly and acquired many new furnitures, with tables, chairs, beds, and screens made from fine wood materials — clearly a lot of thought had gone into them.

Pei Jue had never noticed these details before.

Today, upon inspecting the mansion inside and out, his silence grew deeper.

Pei Yao saw his mute pacing and felt puzzled.

"Brother, what are you...exactly looking for?"

Pei Jue: "Elder sister, what do you think this house is worth?"

Pei Yao was startled by his sudden question about its value.

"What are you planning? Are you short on money? You know, this is the house your wife’s arranged. You can’t just do as you please..."

Seeing his frown deepen, Pei Yao sighed.

"Tell me, how much do you need? Your elder sister will figure something out for you."

Pei Jue: "I’m not selling the house. I want to buy."

"Buy?" Pei Yao was even more puzzled, "Why do you want to buy a house?"

Pei Jue sat down, his expression cold and stern, "As the Regent Prince, I don’t even own a mansion. When I married Lady Yun, there were no ten miles of bridal trousseau, only twelve sedan chairs for the dowry, and even those were exchanged for winter clothes..."

He had never before given serious thought to this matter, nor did he consider it critical, but upon reflection, he was inwardly sweating cold sweat.

Let alone Wen Xingsu and Puyang Yi, just consider when Xiao Cheng in his previous life wed Feng Yun...

It was an Empress-worthy wedding.

Sacrifices and divinations, betrothal and dowry, imperial edicts, golden seals and treasures, phoenix crown and bridal sedan chair — it should have been a grand and solemn affair...

What about him?

The battle in Bingzhou left him with nothing, too embarrassed even to mention how poor he was.

That wedding was practically child’s play.

"Ultimately, it’s me who shortchanged her."

Pei Yao burst into laughter, "Are you planning on compensating your wife with a grand ceremony now? I like the idea, leave this to your elder sister. I will handle it."

Pei Jue looked up at her, "No money."

Pei Yao stared at him incredulously.

"You remember that you did own some properties. Where is the money? Have you given it all to your wife?"

Pei Jue nodded.

Instantly, Pei Yao’s face lit up with a smile.

"Then what more is there to say? You entrusted her with your entire fortune, which is more valuable than any dowry. Besides, the Pei Family isn’t poor; I has saved up. In the future, it will all be yours..."

Pei Jue: "You don’t understand."

Pei Yao laughed.

What didn’t she understand...

Wasn’t it just that he felt he hadn’t given his wife a dignified wedding, and his male pride was wounded?

"Otherwise, shall I write to I and ask him to think of a solution? He would certainly be willing to pay this sum."

Pei Jue fell silent for a moment, "Just say it’s a loan from me. When the treasury is more flush, I’ll return my money and then repay his."

The last time Pei Jue offered up the Grand General Residence in Andu to the Imperial Court for the expansion of the Emperor’s palace, he certainly could have demanded equivalent silver coins in return.

Seeing him like this, Pei Yao felt both amused and touched.

"You..."

Sighing, she couldn’t help but burst into laughter at the thought.

"Your wife isn’t the type who cares about such external possessions. In my opinion, the assets in her hands are unmatched by ten Pei Residences..."

Pei Jue: "That doesn’t mean I can be content being a kept man."

A kept man?

Thinking of his circumstances, and then thinking about Feng Yun’s shrewd and very assertive face, Pei Yao couldn’t hold back her smirk, grinning ear to ear.

In this world, probably very few people would believe that the mighty Prince of Yonghuai would have such troubles, right?

"Having a capable sister-in-law is good, and you’re not bad yourself, don’t take it to heart."

Pei Yao, suppressing her laughter, reassured him with a serious face.

Pei Jue had no particular expression on his face, clearly not on the same page as Pei Yao.

"She holds the position of Chief Historian of the Royal Mansion, so she needs a place where she can exercise her authority..."

The siblings discussed it.

In the end, they unanimously agreed that it was better to construct a residence themselves than to buy one.

However, land and houses in Andu are really valuable at the moment. By all accounts, it looks like the old General Pei is going to bleed a lot of money this time...

"Madam, the meal is ready."

A soft and gentle voice floated over, just like morning dew sliding over lotus leaves, carrying with it a hint of intoxicating sweetness.

It’s Jin Shuang.

Pei Yao really liked her voice.

She glanced at Pei Jue, "Let’s go, have a meal."

Pei Jue hummed in agreement, just standing up when someone outside came to report.

"The Princess is here, requesting to see the Prince."

"Quickly invite her in." Pei Yao laughed, teasing Pei Jue, "The love between the young couple is so genuine, you can’t stand to be apart for even a moment."

Pei Jue didn’t say much and walked ahead with big steps to personally greet Feng Yun and went with her to the dining hall.

Feng Yun didn’t come empty-handed; her attendant carried many things, all for Pei Yao.

"To pay my respects to you as elder sister today, I apologize for my impoliteness."

"We’re family, why so formal, sister-in-law?" Pei Yao beamed as she accepted the gifts, signaling the maid to seat the Princess.

"Serve the dishes."

The meal was presented in succession.

Feng Yun glanced at Jin Shuang and Pin Shuang beside Pei Yao.

Pei Yao side-eyed, "You two may leave; your service isn’t needed here."

She too was a woman, guessing that Feng Yun didn’t like the excessively beautiful Jin Shuang and Pin Shuang attending to Pei Jue, which is why she gave them to herself.

Unexpectedly, Feng Yun just laughed upon hearing it.

"It’s alright. The attendants around my sister-in-law are used to serving, it won’t be a bother."

Seeing her magnanimity, Pei Yao breathed a sigh of relief.

Turns out she was the one harboring petty thoughts; this sister-in-law really didn’t care.

The three of them took their seats, each one having their meal.

Jin Shuang and Pin Shuang served by the side with impeccable manners, not speaking out of turn nor crossing any lines. However, with their charming appearance and graceful figures, and their similar faces, anyone would find it hard not to take a few extra glances...

Pei Jue was usually silent, and today he was even more distracted, thinking about building the Royal Residence, paying no attention to the beauty before him.

Yet Feng Yun liked what she saw, jokingly saying:

"Don’t just focus on serving the Madam, pay some attention to me as well—I am, after all, your lifesaver."

Pei Yao retorted with a playful scowl, "Look at what you’re saying. They’re your people to begin with; if you want them, I’ll send them back to your residence at any time."

Jin Shuang gave a slight smile, approaching with grace, bending over.

"Your servant shall serve the Princess."

The faint fragrance of orchids wafted over.

Feng Yun glanced at Jin Shuang, smiled lightly, and continued speaking with Pei Yao.

After serving the Princess, Jin Shuang naturally moved to Pei Jue’s side.

"Your servant shall serve the Prince."

Pei Jue was expressionless, it wasn’t clear if he even heard her.

Jin Shuang leaned in slightly, her delicate hand making every move with elegance and fluidity, like a dancer in a lavish feast. One glance would sweep you away.

She did not try to seduce Pei Jue.

After serving the dishes, she withdrew to one side.

The boundaries were perfectly kept.

Yet it was precisely this restraint that made Feng Yun feel... this temptation was sublime.

Ordinary men would be captivated by beauty and lose their composure. A man like Pei Jue wouldn’t be easily swayed. So, to hook him, one would surely need to spend more effort and cunning.

Feng Yun smiled a bit.

"Prince, is the tofu to your liking?"

Distracted until then, Pei Jue looked over, "I haven’t tasted it."

Feng Yun looked at his bowl and plate, "Why not try it?"

Pei Jue’s brow furrowed upon noticing Jin Shuang standing by.

"I’m not fond of tofu."

There was a slight panic on Jin Shuang’s face, "Forgive me, Prince. I was ignorant of your preferences and acted presumptuously..."

Speaking, she gracefully approached again, attempting to serve Pei Jue another dish.

"No need." Pei Jue did not like to be waited on during meals, "Just attend to the Princess."

He was not one for easy conversation.

Handsome as he was, it did not diminish his dignity one bit.

Especially those cold eyes, one glance could send heart rates soaring.

Jin Shuang seemed somewhat afraid of him, biting her lower lip, replied "Yes," and silently retreated behind Feng Yun.

The corners of Feng Yun’s mouth curled slightly.

"Prince, let us stay at the residence for a couple of days? I could keep elder sister company."

Pei Jue’s gaze was profoundly deep as he looked at her.

He had felt Feng Yun was up to something when she asked if he liked the tofu.

However, he wouldn’t ask, nor would he expose her.

"As you wish."