The Slender Waist-Chapter 742 - 532: Every Night a New Groom

Feng Jingteng had quite a couple of indulgent days in Huaxi.

Night after night, playing the role of a groom...

Waking up in the early morning, there was nourishing soup and care brought by his daughter.

Feng Yun’s reach was very long; whatever Lady Chen disliked, she would do, even meddling in her own father’s bedroom affairs. She insisted on inspecting the headscarf presented on concubines’ first night and shamelessly grilled Feng Jingteng in front of Lady Chen about how many times the maidservants called for water during the night...

Lady Chen was so angry that her face turned white.

Yet she was quite satisfied.

"It’s a blessing for children to have a father in good health."

Lady Chen fell ill with anger again.

Of course, some people thought she was feigning illness.

Such a domineering woman, now being shit on by others, having spewed so many harsh life-and-death threats, yet not actually able to take up a knife in resistance, what else could she do but pretend to be sick?

After confirming that Feng Jingteng took both Jin Shuang and Pin Shuang as his concubines, Feng Yun was very clear in her heart.

This Chen Family is nothing but a paper tiger...

In the past, relying on her family’s backing to overwhelm Feng Jingteng, that was because he was timid. If he became tough, would the Yingchuan Chen Clan truly turn against the Feng Family for taking in two concubines?

Probably not.

Moreover, after Chen Family’s father passed away, the current head of the Yingchuan Chen Clan is Lady Chen’s brother.

Would her brother dote on her as her father did? Would her sister-in-law be willing?

A daughter married off is like spilled water; how much face does Lady Chen have now to return to her family’s home?

This muteness in losing, Lady Chen could only swallow it down.

Feng Jingteng himself was also one to take a mile when given an inch.

In the past, he was suppressed by Lady Chen due to lack of confidence; now things were different. With his daughter’s support, he soon discovered... that the so-called tigress was actually just a sick cat, and now his tail was raised high...

From the first night, sleeping fearfully in Jin Shuang’s room, to now boldly summoning them to serve him in front of Madam Feng, slapping her face again and again...

In the end, Feng Ying could not stand to watch anymore and came to intervene.

"Father, you are of a certain age now. If not for me, then at least think of Aliang and Azhen..."

In front of his daughter, Feng Jingteng restrained himself somewhat, giving vague replies before quickly changing the subject.

"After taking Doctor Yao’s medicine, has your facial condition improved?"

Feng Ying’s eyes darkened slightly as she gently caressed her cheek.

"These past few days have been more comfortable. Doctor Yao said I must maintain a calm mood and not get angry, or the repressed energy would build up and recur. Father, please have some sympathy for your daughter."

Her words carried an implied message.

Feng Jingteng laughed awkwardly, wanting to find an excuse to slip away, when Jiang Da arrived.

"Master of the house, someone from Jin Court has come."

Feng Jingteng glanced at him, unconcerned.

"We are on Jin Country’s soil; what’s so strange about people from Jin coming here?"

Jiang Da, with a pained expression, thought to himself, has the master sleeping with concubines made his brain fuzzy?

Someone from Jin Court coming is not the same as some people from Jin arriving.

He didn’t dare voice his inner thoughts, but with a forced smile, he said, "Master, it’s a messenger from Jin Court delivering an imperial edict. I heard from Eunuch Ping’an... Jin Court is ordering us to prepare to leave Jin Land immediately."

Feng Jingteng’s brow twitched.

"That’s nonsense. We are here to visit relatives, not dealing with state affairs. Who is delivering the message? Doesn’t he inquire around? Who is my son-in-law..."

Jiang Da just looked at him.

Feng Jingteng didn’t finish his sentence, realizing it himself.

His son-in-law, powerful enough to cover the sky.

Empress Dowager and the Young Emperor were ill; without Pei Jue’s approval, who would dare to send an edict to dismiss guests?

He coughed lightly, retracting his words.

He looked for a way to step down gracefully.

"It’s not targeting me, a father..."

It’s targeting the Emperor indeed.

A rivalry between lovers is nothing but a youthful affair.

-

As the imperial edict was presented beside the bed, Xiao Cheng had just finished taking his medicine.

It was bitter.

The imperial edict was written concisely and clearly.

"Qi Jun has lingered in Jin for many days. Out of the goodwill between nations, we have indeed treated you with utmost sincerity. However, as allies, we must also weigh the pros and cons. If there is no urgent matter, Qi Jun should leave Jin immediately, to prevent unnecessary troubles and to preserve the harmony between our two countries."

Xiao Cheng’s brows furrowed slightly, but he said nothing.

Ping’an angrily retorted, "Jin Country really is narrow-minded, it’s only been a few days, and they can’t wait to send us away. We came to attend a feast, not to cause trouble..."

"Ping’an." Xiao Cheng interrupted him, signaling to Jixiang with his eyes, "Prepare the writing materials."

Jixiang responded promptly.

The Four Treasures of the Study were quickly set up.

Xiao Cheng, with an impassive expression, wrote down the reply.

"Bedridden due to illness, I stayed in your honored nation. Now that my health has recovered, I shall rightfully bid farewell and return to my homeland."

Ping’an and Jixiang exchanged glances.

"Your Majesty, when shall we depart?"

They were the least willing to reside in this mansion. No matter how spacious the Wen residence was, it could not compare to the freedom one had in Qi Palace.

The servants had long been eager to return home.

Xiao Cheng glanced up at him.

Ping’an said with a pleasing smile, "Now that a date has been set, this servant can also start preparing the luggage early..."

Xiao Cheng said, "Having arrived at Andu, I have not yet toured around. Jixiang, prepare the carriage."

Ping’an, not having received an answer, awkwardly stood to one side.

Jixiang obeyed and went downstairs.

-

Leaving Huaxi Village also meant leaving those servants from the Wen residence behind.

Xiao Cheng, dressed in plain clothes, wandered around Andu City and finally sat down in front of Ren Rude.

In the room, the fragrance of tea was abundant.

Ren Rude performed a long bow, "Your Majesty has been in Jin for many days, yet this servant could not conveniently come to inquire about your well-being, please punish me."

Xiao Cheng gestured with his hand, lifted his teacup, and looking down, said, "I want to see Feng Shi Er Niang."

Ren Rude’s mouth twitched slightly, he lifted his head to look at him.

"Your Majesty..."

Xiao Cheng narrowed his eyes slightly, his expression cold, "Just she and I."

Ren Rude’s throat tightened, and he was speechless for a moment.

Feng Shi Er Niang was not someone who could be seen whenever desired, moreover, His Majesty’s request - for it to be just the two of them...

This truly presented a difficulty for him.

Ren Rude said, "Allow this servant to consider it further, to find a way to meet Shi Er Niang without arousing her suspicion..."

"No need to consider any further." Xiao Cheng suddenly looked sideways, glancing at Jin Ge standing to one side.

Without speaking, he just stared, his slender fingers lightly tapping the edge of the teacup. After a long moment, he said, "Let Jin Ge take care of it."

Ren Rude’s heart skipped a beat, and he abruptly turned his head to look at Jin Ge.

Jin Ge looked down and bowed, "Your subordinate... shall surely do his utmost."

From the moment the Emperor sat down, Jin Ge’s heart pounded like thunder, fast as if it might leap out from his throat.

Guilt accompanies the thief; he could not pretend as if nothing had happened, to face them with ease...

Even though he was coerced by Feng Yun, it was still an act of betrayal.

He had originally hoped that the Emperor would not discover it, that he would never know...

However, when that gaze fell upon him, his heart was chilled by half.

He did not know how Xiao Cheng found out and was just about to kneel to accept punishment when he heard Ren Rude chuckle dryly.

"It is still His Majesty’s wisdom, this servant had actually forgotten - Jin Ge’s sweetheart, Kong Yun’e, is a close friend of Feng Shi Er Niang and is now quite favored in Changmen. With her help, it should not be a problem."

Xiao Cheng let out a muted laugh, his gaze fixed on him.

Jin Ge’s heart pounded fiercely.

Thinking that he would be exposed the next moment, Xiao Cheng instead moved past it with an air of nonchalance.

"Go and handle it."

-

Actually, seeing Feng Yun was not so difficult; people of Huaxi Village saw her quite often, but to meet her alone without Pei Jue noticing was challenging.

After much hesitation, Jin Ge still chose to use the old method of passing messages with Feng Yun, asking Kong Yun’e to arrange for her to come to his house.

During her years in Huaxi, Kong Yun’e had built a few rooms beside the Cheng Yi Workshop to live in. Jin Ge had paid for most of the construction, but usually, only she and her son lived there.

In the dead of night during the third watch, the wilderness was silent, and the Cheng Yi Workshop was devoid of the daytime’s noise.

When Feng Yun arrived, she brought some food for Hengyang. Kong Yun’e received it with a smile gleaming in her eyes, leading her to the guest hall with an awkward expression on her face.

"Lady Yun, he has come..."

She hesitated, her eyes glancing towards the inside of the house.

Feng Yun noticed the emotions in her eyes and paused, letting out an obscure, low chuckle.

"Lady Yun, did I ever tell you that I would only give you one chance?"

Kong Yun’e turned pale with fright, "Lady Yun, I had no prior knowledge, truly... You must believe me..."

Feng Yun said nothing.

Xiao Cheng’s voice came from inside.

"Since you’ve come, are you unwilling to see me even for a moment?"

Feng Yun scoffed, her gaze coldly sweeping over Kong Yun’e as she walked inside with a straight back.

"You all wait for me here."

Xiaoman and Huanhuan responded, extremely anxious.

The veins on the back of the hand that Kong Yun’e was clenching her sleeves with were bulging.

She walked up to Jin Ge, "Why, why did you use me?"

Jin Ge lifted his head, silent for a moment before saying, "His Majesty found out."

Kong Yun’e was filled with Feng Yun’s gaze from earlier and nearly teared up.

"What does it matter if he knows? Lady Yun no longer trusts me, do you understand? She has lost trust in me, I finally gained her trust after so much difficulty... We grew up together from childhood, and after many years of estrangement, we had finally mended our relationship. It’s all your fault, all because of you..."

"He knows we killed Tie Ma." Jin Ge lowered his head, his eyes intensely on her, "He knows I have betrayed him."

Kong Yun’e was stunned.

Dumbfounded, she at last asked:

"Then why do you still do this, aren’t you afraid of being exposed and being condemned by both sides?"

"I have already been condemned by both sides." Jin Ge looked at her worried expression, lowering his voice: "Don’t be afraid, His Majesty won’t do anything, if he disrespects Shi Er Niang, I’ll be the first to object."