The Slender Waist-Chapter 198 - 139: Beauty Lies in the Bones_2

"It was originally prepared for the General, but now it’s not needed anymore."

Pei Jue slightly raised his eyebrows.

He was puzzled, but didn’t voice his question. Feng Yun acted as if she didn’t see it, didn’t explain further, tossed the cloth strip back into the box, took the Wind Chime from his hand, put it back as well, closed the lid of the box, and didn’t give Pei Jue another chance to gaze into her private world.

"Let’s go, it’s time to eat. I’m hungry."

Pei Jue watched her stash things into the wooden box, his eyes slightly darkening.

He thought back to the jade object and the Wind Chime that fell out of her room that day, glanced briefly at the mysterious box, but said nothing more, stepping ahead to lead the way.

Feng Yun watched his retreating figure, sighing with relief.

If Pei Jue knew the marvel of this thing, everyone would probably go mad.

-

On the dining case were two steamed buns, a bowl of noodle slice soup, as simple as could be. Feng Yun glanced at it without speaking, yet she felt a twinge of sourness in her heart.

The civilians of Andu County weren’t living well, but with the trade routes open and goods available in the market, she, who had money, had been living quite comfortably these recent days. She hadn’t expected the Beiyong Army’s rations to be this poor, even the Great General had to eat this...

Pei Jue noticed the change in her expression, and his brows furrowed.

"Doesn’t suit your taste?"

Feng Yun picked up a steamed bun with her chopsticks.

"Does the General eat this every day?"

"Mhm." Pei Jue didn’t mind, placing the noodle slice soup in front of her, grabbed a steamed bun, and started to eat. His movements weren’t rude, but he ate quickly, devouring a steamed bun in the blink of an eye like a gust sweeping away the remnants of a storm.

Feng Yun stared in amazement.

Pei Jue spoke in a light tone.

"Bingzhou cannot be compared to Andu, with just a solitary city, we do not know how many days the stored grain will last, we save where we can."

Feng Yun understood that such white flour steamed buns were something ordinary people might not even have access to; to be fair, this was probably the best Pei Jue could offer at the moment. She wouldn’t be fussy having something to eat, besides, she didn’t come for the food.

"I know. I’m not picky."

Pei Jue cast a glance at her, remaining silent.

She was considerate and gentle, but also reserved, portraying the dignity expected of a lady from a noble family.

Pei Jue could sense her unusual attitude towards him, yet he wasn’t in the habit of delving deeper.

After a while, he said, "The noodle slice soup is made from carp, Ao Qi said you liked fish."

It was rare for him to speak at such length, yet not a single word was pleasing to Feng Yun.

One, she wasn’t that fond of fish; two, Ao Qi had been missing for so long, and his uncle hadn’t uttered a word of concern. To call him cold-hearted was a compliment; this man seemed to have no heart at all.

Feng Yun ate slowly, observing proper dining etiquette.

The manners ingrained in her since childhood couldn’t be shed.

After Pei Jue finished eating, he just sat there watching her.

Feng Yun didn’t speak either, quietly finishing half a steamed bun and a bowl of noodle slice soup before declaring herself full.

"Where does the General plan to take me?"

Neither mentioned what transpired on the couch, but Feng Yun didn’t forget to remind Pei Jue of what he had said.

Pei Jue glanced at her, not saying much more, took the rest of her unfinished food without any reservation, and swept it all into his stomach. Then he stood up coldly and walked out.

Feng Yun was taken aback.

After a moment, he returned with Zuo Zhong, carrying a set of armor in his hands.

It wasn’t the heavy armor like the one Pei Jue wore, but rather light armor, with iron plating protecting only the vital parts, which would be much lighter to wear.

Feng Yun was somewhat surprised and looked at Pei Jue.

Pei Jue said, "Put it on."

He didn’t say why, and Feng Yun didn’t ask, simply responding before letting two maids take the light armor inside to change.

Daman and Xiaoman had never served anyone dressing in such attire, feeling both novel and excited.

As the curtain closed, Feng Yun began to undress, and Xiaoman let out a sigh.

"Miss is so fair..."

She had never seen skin more delicate and fair than Feng Yun’s, often feeling envious and emotional. But such skin had a downside, any mark would be particularly conspicuous.

As the clothes were exchanged, Feng Yun was unfazed, but Xiaoman became increasingly reproachful.

"The General really doesn’t understand how to cherish the fairer sex. The lady’s body is already so delicate, how can he bear to treat her like this..."

Daman, thinking the General might be just outside and able to hear if his hearing was slightly better, quickly gestured for Xiaoman to be quiet, yet she couldn’t help but let her gaze wander over Feng Yun’s body.

Such a body, enticing in its alabaster purity, became particularly pitiable when tinged with crimson blush, supremely enchanting; it wasn’t just men who would want to pinch her, but women too might long to touch, hinting at how vigorously the General might play...

But why couldn’t the two of them get things sorted?

Xiaoman, unaware of Daman’s thoughts, clicked her tongue incessantly, her eyes reddening with distress.

"Miss, the General didn’t hit you, did he?"

Being younger, she was completely oblivious to matters of the bedroom, and Feng Yun, fearing that Pei Jue might overhear, coughed softly.

"Hurry and dress, the General is waiting."

Xiaoman pouted, falling silent. But in her heart, she bore resentment towards the Great General, and felt that affairs between men and women were too dreadful; even someone as composed and aloof as the General could torment a lady thus. What would life be like with a rough and reckless husband?

The three of them harbored their own private judgments as they dressed Feng Yun in the light armor and styled her hair in a young man’s coiffure, before emerging from the inner chamber.

Pei Jue was no longer in the room.

He was chatting with Deng Guang in the courtyard. Seeing the two of them with serious expressions, Feng Yun stood under the eaves, waiting, without approaching.

Pei Jue was the first to see her, said something to Deng Guang, who responded with a salute, then turned to look at Feng Yun.

It was meant to be a casual glance, but unexpectedly, he encountered a vision of beauty, causing him to subconsciously stop in his tracks, a look of surprise and admiration written all over his face.

Changing into a different set of clothes had transformed her aura entirely.

Beauty lies in the bones, not in the skin, and isn’t this what’s meant by overwhelming natural beauty? Draped in deep robes, she was the charming and seductive lady of a noble family; donning light armor with her hair tied up, she transformed into a dashing and spirited female General.

Pei Jue said, "You can leave now."

Only then did Deng Guang come to his senses, his cheeks burning, as he bowed his head and saluted.

"This subordinate takes his leave."

Once Deng Guang had left, Feng Yun stepped forward and, mimicking the courtesy of the military officers, saluted Pei Jue, "Great General."

Her soft and gentle words struck Pei Jue’s heart like a feather.

His gaze darkened, "Come with me."