The Slender Waist-Chapter 746 - 535: I’ll Take Care of You

The next day before dawn, sounds of horse carriages stirred at the Wen residence.

Xiao Cheng and the Feng family entourage, were to leave Huaxi.

To avoid alarming others, they set off very early.

At the door of the Wen residence, only Wen Xingsu and Puyang Yi came to see them off.

The carriages were neatly lined up.

The dim night lanterns, shimmering under the eaves.

Qi Jun had stayed up all night without sleep.

In the middle of the night, he went out with the Hidden Guard, no one knew where he went. Upon returning, he just sat in his room, writing vigorously, piling up a thick stack of papers.

But what he wrote, he showed no one, before setting it all to flames.

Ping’an and Jixiang, dared not even breathe too loudly.

They often attended to the Emperor and were adept at reading facial expressions.

The servants, seeing them so, were all extra cautious.

The atmosphere was incredibly stagnant.

It seemed as if the day would never brighten, with the heavy night casting a shadow on everyone’s face.

Wen Xingsu stood upright, and upon seeing Xiao Cheng come out, stepped forward to greet him with a salute.

"Dispense with the formalities."

Xiao Cheng looked up at him.

This too was an uncertainty.

Wen Xingsu was supposed to be one of his tiger generals under his command, a Great General of Daqi who would expand territories for him.

He was also someone capable of leading the Qi Army to resist the Northern Yong Army, engaging in years of conflict with Pei Jue, until he fell in battle.

Such was his firm belief...

That Wen Xingsu would be loyal to him throughout his life.

Who would have thought, yet another man unable to leave the skirts of domestic life.

He had defected to Jin Country.

"Xingsu." Xiao Cheng slowly approached with steady steps, his voice mild, "No matter when you return, the gate of Daqi will always be open for you. My marshal’s seal, too, awaits the General’s return."

Wen Xingsu gazed at Xiao Cheng.

Close by, he could clearly see the dark circles under Xiao Cheng’s eyes.

"I cannot return, Your Majesty."

Wen Xingsu spoke softly.

Then glancing at Puyang Yi beside him, who seemed slightly embarrassed. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

"To establish a family and make a living, that is a man’s life."

Xiao Cheng nodded silently, patting his shoulder firmly.

Wen Xingsu looked at him, uttering no word.

From a young age, they knew each other.

They had once talked through the night by candlelight about the affairs of the world.

They had also sipped wine under the green plums, discussing youthful aspirations.

Back then, neither of the young men had thought that one day they would part ways and govern separately.

After a moment of hesitation, Xiao Cheng said, "When we meet again in the future, will we be friends or foes?"

Wen Xingsu’s brow furrowed slightly, and he replied with a gentle voice, "At home, we are family. On the battlefield, I will follow the command of my leader."

The leader...

Xiao Cheng chuckled softly, lifting his head.

He also glanced at Puyang Yi.

"When Pei Jue becomes Emperor one day, will you be the Great General?"

Wen Xingsu and Puyang Yi were both taken aback.

Xiao Cheng’s expression remained unchanged, as if he was talking about commonplace things rather than shocking revelations.

"In the Northern Yong Army, all are Pei Jue’s loyal followers, he has too many men at his disposal. Giving you a position is charity, withholding it is his prerogative. Xingsu, I am different..."

He looked into Wen Xingsu’s eyes.

"The position of the Great General of Qi State, awaits you and you alone."

Wen Xingsu did not respond.

Puyang Yi beside him was rigid, head to toe poised in stark surprise.

Were such words meant for her ears?

The Lord of Pingyuan County, who never dabbled in politics, felt as if sitting on pins and needles at this moment.

She didn’t know what Wen Xingsu was thinking in his heart.

And she feared, if he would be swayed by Xiao Cheng, developing second thoughts—if he were to betray Jin Country, then they would become enemies, and how could their marital affection continue, how could they live happily ever after...

Puyang Yi subtly tugged at Wen Xingsu’s clothing.

Wen Xingsu glanced at the waiting procession and silently held her hand, stepping aside to salute Xiao Cheng.

"Qi Jun, may your journey be safe."

The corners of Xiao Cheng’s eyes held a smile, his demeanor composed and imposing, as if certain that one day Wen Xingsu would return to his side. He chuckled lightly.

"Xingsu, take care."

Xiao Cheng stepped onto the carriage step.

Wen Xingsu bowed respectfully, "Take care."

Lady Chen approached with a cold face, standing in front of him.

Wen Xingsu pursed his lips, looked up, and softly said:

"Mother, take care."

Puyang Yi also followed with a salute, "Mother, take care."

Lady Chen ignored Puyang Yi, huffed, and glared at Wen Xingsu, coldly saying, "I shall consider I never bore you, this wayward son."

She flung her sleeves and walked to the front.

Feng Ying also merely glanced at them silently, her expression unclear beneath her veiled hat.

Neither she nor Feng Zhen or Feng Liang spoke to Wen Xingsu and Puyang Yi.

Before getting on the carriage, Feng Liang even secretly made a mocking face at Wen Xingsu.

Interestingly, Feng Jingteng, who had previously paid him little attention, now came forward with Jin Shuang and Pin Shuang, his two concubines, all smiles as if the benevolent father, reminding them to live in marital harmony and have children soon...