The Slender Waist-Chapter 114 - 89 Occasionally Missing

Xiaoman went to the counter and asked Wen Hui for paper and pen, presenting them with both hands.

"What does the miss want to do?!"

Feng Yun did not speak. She spread the yellow paper on the wooden table and gestured for Ao Qi to come over and look.

Then, as if writing a letter, she drew a map that included Wanning, Andu, Xinzhou, Chunning, Rui’an, Quhang, and the locations of other cities along the Huaishui River, even the geographical positions of the Northern Jin and Nanqi...

It was like a simplified version of a map.

In this era, maps were extremely precious things that ordinary families did not have, could not read, and certainly couldn’t mark the positions of towns and rivers of two countries so accurately.

"Don’t be surprised—I often looked at maps in Feng Jingteng’s study before."

Feng Yun could not tell them that in her previous life, during those long years in the Cold Palace, how many times she had envisioned in her mind the route Pei Jue’s troops would take to reach Tai City from Huaishui, which towns they would pass through, how long it would take, and whether they would be able to arrive in time to save Queque...

Xiaoman, unlike Ao Qi, did not understand so much.

She did not even realize how astonishing it was to be able to draw a map.

In her heart, the abilities of the lady were not to be marveled at.

She was just curious about what Feng Yun was planning to do with the drawing.

"Miss, where is the Great General?"

Xiaoman strained her eyes to study the sketch.

Feng Yun used the tip of her pen to lightly encircle Xinzhou on the map.

Xiaoman found it very novel.

"Is this circle Xinzhou?"

Her eyes dancing with excitement, she pointed at farther-off cities,

"If the Great General took Xinzhou within two hours, then in a few days, will all these places here, here, and here, also belong to the Great General...?"

Feng Yun glanced at her.

From Xiaoman’s words, she heard the foolish argument of yet another fervent admirer.

Feng Yun said, "War is not such an easy matter. The Beiyong Army took Xinzhou in two hours because they seized the initiative and caught the Qi Army off guard. But with Xiao Cheng coming into power as the new emperor and currently riding a wave of momentum, if he orchestrates a pincer movement from both flanks, the Beiyong Army will have a tough time defending Xinzhou City, not to mention making a deep incursion into Qi territory..."

Ao Qi: "It doesn’t mean we can’t win."

The vigour of youth spoke, especially under the assumption of a string of victories.

Feng Yun understood his pride and smiled.

"It’s not that we can’t win, but the Jin Army will pay a huge price. Besides, winter is approaching, and retreating to fortify Huaishui is the best option..."

Retreat just after winning?

Ao Qi protested, "Doesn’t that mean we’re just handing it to the Qi people on a silver platter?"

Then he remembered Feng Yun was also from Qi.

He quickly rephrased, "I mean those Qi dogs."

Feng Yun smiled, "That’s for the Great General to decide."

Military matters were beyond her; she was merely a strategist on paper. Pei Jue might have better plans, and it wasn’t her place to give directions.

Having said that, she casually crumpled up the yellow paper and tossed it aside.

"Guard Ao, I wish to write a letter to the General. Would that be possible?"

It was very inconvenient!

Ao Qi felt conflicted inside, but he agreed verbally.

So his expression, captured in Feng Yun’s gaze, was that of someone very unwilling to have his cousin "seduce" his uncle.

"Don’t worry, I will only write about official matters."

Ao Qi’s eyes brightened, his tone much softer.

"Miss, just write. I will ensure it is delivered."

Feng Yun nodded, "Thank you."

Ao Qi watched her roll up her sleeves and write. That ordinary yellow paper came to life under her pen, each square character as if beginning to dance.

Everything the lady did was beautiful to watch.

Ao Qi showed no emotion on his face, but his voice was full of youthful spirit.

"Miss, I will not return once I leave for Xinzhou."

Feng Yun paused in her writing and looked up at him.

"Why?"

Ao Qi found himself at a loss under her direct gaze, "A man should strive to achieve great deeds. With the great battle at Xinzhou looming, how can I shrink back? Uncle currently needs people by his side, and I want to be there."

Feng Yun was not surprised to hear Ao Qi say such things.

This was Ao Qi.

The same person who would later become the spirited Young General.

"But have you considered why the Great General left you to guard Tianzhuang?"

Of course Ao Qi knew.

Protecting the lady was only one aspect.

The real reason was simply to keep him from joining the battle.

It was his uncle’s selfish desire, a reflection of Pei Jue’s way of handling things, always shouldering responsibilities himself, a true man.

Ao Qi worshipped Pei Jue like a god...

A tinge of selfishness crept in only because he liked the lady, making him hesitant to face his uncle head-on.

But it did not mean this admiration had vanished.

As the war unfolded, not only did it not fade, it blazed more fiercely, like wildfire.

"I have to go," Ao Qi stated firmly, looking at Feng Yun.

There was expectation in his gaze, "Miss, if I go to Xinzhou, I might not return... Will you think of me from time to time?"

Feng Yun was startled.

The fervent emotions of the young man lay bare in his eyes.

"Of course," she said, her gaze gentle like that of an elder, "If you must go, I can’t stop you, nor do I intend to. But the battlefield is dangerous; prioritize safety above all, heed your uncle’s advice, and don’t act recklessly."

"I know."

Ao Qi took a deep breath.

The call of the war drums stirred his blood.

The rouge on the lips of the lady before him was like a summons for his soul.

On one hand, there was the clamor of swords and steeds, on the other, tender affection; he suddenly found it hard to understand his uncle. How could he so easily leave the lady behind?

Perhaps that is truly the mark of a man of steel and iron.

Ao Qi caressed the hilt of the knife at his waist hesitantly for a long moment.

"I’ll go get ready then. Miss, once you’ve finished writing the letter, I’ll come to collect it. But as for Azuo and Ayou..."

He looked at his wilful siblings.

Worried about troubling Feng Yun, his voice was filled with helplessness.

"For now, I can only entrust them to you. I’ve already sent a letter to my father, asking him to send someone to fetch them. If you can’t manage them, you can hand them over to the Lord of Pingyuan County."

"Go ahead," Feng Yun watched Ao Qi.

The boy had grown astonishingly fast; he seemed taller now, his face thinner, with a more defined jawline, losing some baby fat, his whole bearing clear and bright. Standing there with his hand on his waist knife, he was a pleasing sight.

Attractive people are always a delight to the eyes.

She smiled slightly, "Don’t worry about here, I’ll take care of it."

That gentle gaze melted Ao Qi’s heart into softness.

Surrounded by the fervor of war, his mind seemed to be filled with fighting spirits, unable to remain as calm as usual. He desperately wanted to do something to commemorate this moment, fearing that upon leaving for Xinzhou, he would never again have the chance to express himself...

He had to tell Feng Yun before he left.

"Miss," he suddenly stepped forward two paces, and in front of Xiaoman, he opened his arms, pulled Feng Yun up and into an embrace, holding her tightly, breathing deeply with the heat of his blood and the red flames in his eyes, his heartbeat booming, his body trembling slightly.

This was his first ever embrace with a lady.

Such a soft lady.

He longed for the day when he could make a name for himself and grow up to be a man like his uncle, longing to become a wall of copper and iron to shelter her from the elements, yearning to pour out all his unspoken affection for her.

Yet, all he managed to say was,

"Wait for me to return! Wait for me to achieve glory and rewards!"

Achieve glory and rewards, to ask for a fair maiden’s hand—in marriage

These were the words Ao Qi left unsaid.

"I’m leaving."

Her body was hugged tightly, then released, all too quickly, with Feng Yun barely having time to react.

By the time she came to, all she saw was Ao Qi’s tall, retreating figure dashing out of Yutangchun...

Xiaoman looked at Ao Qi, then at Feng Yun, shock rendering her speechless.

"Miss..." she pointed towards Ao Qi, thinking she might have been seeing things.

The guard Ao had actually embraced the lady with such a forceful hug and such intense emotion; Xiaoman felt it was very... strange yet very tender.

"It’s nothing," Feng Yun returned to her seat, calmly saying, "The boy is just too young and got a bit carried away going off to war."

In her heart, Ao Qi was like a younger brother.

She even often compared him to a young whale.

She had never considered that Ao Qi might harbor any other feelings for her...

But that instant just before, to say she felt nothing would be a lie.

The young man’s body, uncontrollably stiff and trembling as he hugged her...

What of it, though?

Everyone has their youthful days, their first awakening of love.

Whoever it happens with, it happens.

With Ao Qi’s youth, once he realizes what kind of bad woman she is, that bit of liking would be trivial.

In the future, he will have his own suitable match, and once he grows a bit more, realizes there are countless beauties in the world?

By then, the valiant and handsome General Ao will have fair maidens by his side, having long forgotten that sudden flutter in his heart...

-

Feng Yun did not dwell on Ao Qi’s embrace and focused on writing her letter.

She wasn’t in Xinzhou, but she could imagine the dangers.

In her past life, there had been such a battle, but Pei Jue had not crossed Huaishui, instead, it was after Xiao Cheng ascended the throne that he led troops to attack, fighting for three months through winter, ending with a negotiation, with neither side gaining an advantage.

This time was different.

Pei Jue in Xinzhou City across the river...

Enemies on three sides, danger lurking at every turn.

Yet, in the ways of war, being reborn had not bestowed her with any extra abilities; she simply knew a bit more about the enemy than others.

Feng Yun refrained from the folly of the layman commanding the expert.

In the letter, she simply listed out the Qi Army generals and the situation of several military towns near Xinzhou.

Also, she provided Pei Jue with some analysis of the battlefield, fulfilling her duty as a strategist.

At the end of the letter, she wrote:

"Awaiting your triumphant return, to revel in joy with you."