The Slender Waist-Chapter 756 - 541: The Trend of the World

Feng Yun felt like she had plunged into a nightmare.

Just the day before yesterday, she had been discussing Yuan Shangyi’s pulse diagnosis with Doctor Yao.

Doctor Yao said that at this time of year, it’s warm one moment and cold the next, and it’s easy to catch a wind-evoked illness. A few doses of herbal medicine coupled with nourishment until the weather turns mild and everything comes back to life should lead to great improvement.

How could he have just passed away?

If she hadn’t stayed to reorganize Changmen and had rushed to Xijing right away, could she have made it in time to see him one last time?

And if she had seen him, would he not have died?

No one could give her an answer.

Xiaoman was still in the outer room and saw a light flickering through the crack of the door.

She hesitated briefly, then walked over quietly and tentatively called out.

"Madam, are you awake?"

Feng Yun hummed in acknowledgment, "Help me change my clothes."

By the time the sky began to lighten with a carp’s belly whiteness, Feng Yun was already neatly packed and had arranged her luggage.

She donned a plain white dress, without any makeup or a decorative hairpin, her face pale and colorless as she climbed into the carriage.

Alou, Xing Bing, and others were waiting at the door, bowing to see her off.

Feng Yun opened the curtain and ordered with a cold face: "After I leave, be very careful with everything."

"Yes."

"Take care, Madam."

"Rest assured, Madam."

The crowd was very worried and chattered in concern.

Changmen had just experienced trouble, and now the Young Emperor had passed away.

He was a child who had lived in Huaxi, and Madam treated him like family.

Everyone felt a heavy sadness in their hearts.

Feng Yun nodded slightly and said no more.

Just as she was about to let the curtain fall, a tawny figure sprang up with astonishing speed and settled into the carriage.

Feng Yun glanced sideways, "Aozai?"

She stroked Aozai’s back, "Are you not staying with Song Lu? What about your little wife?"

Aozai clung to her, unwilling to leave.

From a young age, Aozai had followed Feng Yun and was very sensitive to her emotions.

Feng Yun knew that Aozai was worried about her.

"I’m alright." She said, "Ayuan was a good child. In the next life, he is sure to be born into a good family and have the life he wishes to have..."

She then lowered her head to soothe Aozai, "Go back."

Not only did Aozai not leave, but it rested its head on her leg even more closely.

Seeing this, Xiaoman said softly, "Madam, let Aozai go with you. It wants to be with you and can’t bear to leave you."

Aozai couldn’t speak.

But Aozai has always been free; it could come and go as it pleases, find food and drink when it returns, or go wild in the mountains whenever it wished, as Feng Yun never restrained it, not wanting it to lose its hunting and survival instincts in the jungle...

So, if it did not leave, it was simply because it did not want to.

It was clear to everyone that Aozai couldn’t bear to leave her.

Feng Yun looked down, replying softly, "Alright."

-

At the gates of Andu City, He Qia, Wen Xingsu, He Chuandong, Puyang Yi, and many officials from Xinzhou were all there, looking mournful.

They had all received the news of the Emperor’s death.

He Qia and the other officials, without an imperial edict, could not return to the Capital. They presented their condolences, entrusting Feng Yun to take them to Xijing.

Wen Xingsu and Puyang Yi, being actual royal relatives, insisted on accompanying her back to the Capital to mourn.

Puyang Yi gave up her own carriage and climbed aboard Feng Yun’s.

"Ayun, my condolences."

After all, Yuan Shangyi was her cousin and much closer kin to her than to Feng Yun.

But due to Empress Duan’s sake, there had been little contact between their families, resulting in a rather distant relationship.

However, Puyang Yi was well aware of the relationship between Feng Yun and Yuan Shangyi and took her hand, comforting her in a soft voice.

"He had been ill since he was young, and medicine was always at his side... In this way, it could be seen as a release."

Feng Yun pursed her lips, acknowledging it with difficulty, and feigned a smile, "Mm."

Puyang Yi gripped her hand tighter and sighed.

-

The group traveled through wind and rain, hurrying toward Xijing.

Feng Yun had expected Aozai to accompany her for a while and then leave, but to her surprise, it stayed inside the carriage the entire time. Except for stepping out for necessities and the occasional hunt to stave off hunger, it stayed close by her side.

Since Aozai had grown up, it had been a long time since it had clung to her like this.

Feng Yun felt both joy and wistfulness.

Aozai feared losing her.

But what about its little wife?

His little wife, who grew up deep in the mountains, was unable to integrate into the human world...

She gave more instructions.

"Xijing is different from Huaxi. No one there recognizes you, and they will be scared, so you must stay quietly inside the carriage once we enter the city. Once back at the residence, you can only stay there, in my sister’s courtyard. Whenever you want to go out, you must be extremely careful and keep away from the crowds, understand? Aozai?"

Aozai’s tail swung slightly, indicating it heard.

Feng Yun stroked its head, "You’re so good."

Puyang Yi watched enviously, "I wish I had an Aozai of my own."

Feng Yun didn’t respond, looking out beyond the curtain.

Compared to her last visit to Xijing, the guard at the city gate had obviously increased...

Perhaps due to the mourning bells resounding from the palace, from the guards at the gates to the common people passing by, a somber pallor had spread across all faces, and not a single smile was to be seen.