The Slender Waist-Chapter 201 - 142: The Soul Buried in the Bones

Outside the city, Xiao Cheng was silent and uncommunicative, while atop the battlements, Feng Yun was completely unaware that behind that group of jeering Qi Army soldiers, there was such a familiar face. Her attention had been pulled away by the experience of her first ascent to the wall to observe the battle.

With a general by her side rich in military experience, she seized the opportunity to seek advice and didn’t care about the insults being hurled—not that they were directed at her anyway.

Among the Qi Army, another version of herself existed in their taunts.

It was a woman who shared mutual love with Xiao Cheng, they consented to each other’s affections, and their wedding was imminent, but due to the Beiyong Army’s siege, she was forcibly taken by the enemy general.

And Xiao Cheng was a devoted husband willing to undertake a thousand-li campaign to rescue his wife...

She found it amusing and decided to listen for fun.

"General, if you were attacking the city today, how would you fight this battle?"

Pei Jue said, "I would pull up heavy trebuchets, smash the defensive works to pieces, win the psychological battle first to intimidate, reduce the threat of the defenders, then press forward with a large force, cross the river by laying down a floating bridge tied with iron chains at night, and strive for a quick resolution..."

He answered, yet it was as if he hadn’t.

Wasn’t this just a routine siege?

Feng Yun noticed he was somewhat distracted, his gaze fixed on the Qi Army outside the moat, motionless for a long time.

"What are you looking at, General?"

She took two steps towards the crenellation, wanting to have a clear view.

However, as soon as she peered out, Pei Jue gripped the back of her head and pulled her forward, "Don’t get too close."

The city wall was high, and the wind was strong; pulled by him in this way, Feng Yun’s forehead banged straight into his shoulder.

"Hiss... that hurts..."

A delicate voice escaped her, and she froze.

Reflexively, she acted spoiled when he hurt her.

But it was only after she spoke that she realized this wasn’t in a room, but in front of others. The nearby soldiers had heard, and they all looked over.

She touched her forehead, cleared her throat, pretending as if nothing happened, her voice roughening a bit.

"The General suddenly pulled me, it gave me a fright. What’s wrong?"

Pei Jue said, "Don’t lean out, I’m afraid of hidden soldiers. It’s dangerous."

"Oh!" Feng Yun, not acting as he expected, apologized very sincerely, "It was my lack of forethought, thank you for the reminder, General."

Another word of thanks.

Pei Jue frowned, his expression not very pleasant.

Feng Yun thought he was quite strange.

But hearing the sky-full of insults and remembering his earlier claim of being "wronged," she understood.

Everyone gets upset by insults.

Whoever is cursed, their heart is not at ease.

Feng Yun nudged him with her elbow, speaking in a soft and low chuckle.

"Such cursing won’t get them anywhere. When my invention is ready, we’ll hurl back insults tomorrow."

Us.

Pei Jue looked down, "That aligns perfectly with my thoughts."

His finger touched her face as if inadvertently, appearing to brush off dust, but in fact pinched that soft flesh.

Flirting in front of so many people?

Feng Yun couldn’t help but shiver and glared at him.

"In what way does that align with the General’s thoughts?"

She reproached him, but did not get angry.

Pei Jue glanced at her, "You understand me."

From Andu County and the Equal-field System to the siege of Bingzhou, it was like she lived in his heart, her actions fitting perfectly, never overstepping bounds, and yet accommodating his every meticulous need...

Feng Yun half-believed his words, but she played along.

"In that case, I shall certainly do my utmost from now on to serve the General with the loyalty of a dog or horse."

Pei Jue’s eyebrows lifted slightly, seemingly enjoying her compliance in that moment, a rare pleasure unfolding in his commanding posture. He leaned down beside her ear and whispered softly, "The loyalty of a dog or horse, only occasionally necessary."

Feng Yun looked up into his gaze.

Eye to eye.

The expressions in both pairs of eyes were exceedingly subtle.

She perceived the implication in the General’s words, her face smiling while she secretly clenched her teeth.

Pei Jue, however, merely drew her toward him with an ambiguous meaning and then let go, treating her with the propriety due to a subordinate or brother.

But Feng Yun felt that if not for the soldiers around them, preventing an overt display of affection, he might have picked her up this very moment and bullied her fiercely, to show his contentment...

She sensed Pei Jue’s pleasure.

Yet she did not know why he was pleased.

"It’s a bit cold," Feng Yun suddenly hugged her arms.

Having had enough of the verbal taunts, she felt awkward and wanted to leave.

Pei Jue: "Hmm. Let’s go."

She obediently followed Pei Jue down the city wall, without looking back at the city again, but after they had gone, a few soldiers exchanged glances, all with mirth in their eyes. They watched until their figures disappeared before they started joking in hushed tones.

"Pei Daqi."

"Does the lady know of the General’s illustrious reputation?"

"Fool, of everyone the General impresses, it’s the lady who knows it best."

"Hahaha, careful or the General might hear and you’ll be punished by military law."

Feng Yun watched as Zuo Zhong waited below, and as she descended the steps, she walked a bit quickly. However, as she proceeded, Pei Jue suddenly stopped, casting an unsavory glance towards the top of the city wall.

"What’s wrong?" she asked, turning her head back.

"It’s nothing." Pei Jue quickened his pace, pulling her along down the steps, then suddenly gripped her waist with both hands.

Feng Yun’s eyes widened in surprise, and before she could react, she found herself lifted onto the horseback.

Ta Xue was less patient with this unfamiliar lady, swishing its tail and snorting through its nostrils. Seeing that Pei Jue did not make any other moves, Feng Yun breathed a sigh of relief and bent down to stroke Ta Xue’s head.

"You, so beautiful, yet so bad-tempered," she commented.

Ta Xue: "Neigh!"

_

Today there were no battles.

Looking at the Qi Army formation, they were unlikely to attack the city for the time being.

Feng Yun reckoned Pei Jue could take the time to rest and build up his strength. So, as he mounted the horse, she turned around and asked, "General, do you want to go back for some more sleep?"

Pei Jue reached out to straighten her head: "No need."

Feng Yun studied him for a moment, seeing no signs of fatigue on the Great General’s face, she silently admired his vigorous vitality and then yawned.

"Then I will go back to sleep a little longer. When the carpenter’s workshop is ready, please ask someone to wake me. I won’t sleep tonight, I must rush out this divine artifact, to hurl back curses."

Pei Jue saw her vindictive look and the corner of his eyes twitched.

"No rush, let’s walk a bit more."

Feng Yun looked at the sky, "It’s about to rain." 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

In such weather, what was there to walk about, especially since the two had left not too pleased with each other in the morning?

And with Puyang Jiu thrown into the mix, Feng Yun felt a pang of sourness for him when she recalled his heart-rending cry of "Pei Wangzhi" on the long street.

"General, do you want to visit Puyang Medical Officer?"

Feng Yun asked subtly, but to her surprise, the hand wrapped around her waist suddenly tightened. Even through two layers of armor, she could feel his intense reaction—Puyang Jiu held a different significance for Pei Jue.

Pei Jue fell silent for a moment and then said, "Stay away from him in the future."

"Why?"

Feng Yun twisted her neck, trying to see his expression.

Pei Jue again grabbed her head and straightened it back, but this time with a touch of tenderness, pulling her close against him. After hesitating, he wrapped his left arm around her waist and took hold of her right hand.

"He’s annoying."

Feng Yun: ...

Looking down at the arm on her waist, she couldn’t help but note that General Pei indeed had long arms and legs—long everything—and then she felt the warmth of his breath by her ear.

"Let’s go." Pei Jue bent down to hug her tightly, squeezing his legs against the horse’s flanks.

Feng Yun had no chance to say anything more.

Ta Xue was fast, and the winter wind that blew through chilled her to the bone. She kept her mouth firmly shut, thankful that Pei Jue’s arms around her blocked much of the wind...

"Can I sit behind you next time?" she asked.

"What?"

"I said, General, could you let me sit at the back?"

She repeated, and Pei Jue fell silent for a moment.

"Sit wherever you want," he finally said.

Huh? Feng Yun felt Pei Jue had become much more frivolous ever since he spent an hour in the same room with Puyang Jiu. Had he been influenced by that annoying man?

She kept glancing back, trying to speak.

But it seemed Pei Jue preferred to see only the back of her head.

He leaned forward, his head low and close to her face, as if a cheetah had a little kitten in its embrace, his gaze icy as he stared ahead, while the majestic horse beneath them raced as if in flight...

Feng Yun closed her eyes.

Suddenly, she felt his warm breath by her ear.

"Why bind your chest today?"

Unable to bear the icy wind filling her nostrils, Feng Yun buried her head in the crook of his arm, "All for the General’s sake, lest it unsettles your soldiers’ hearts."

She had wrapped up her chest due to wearing male light armor, wanting to experience the feeling of being heroic and vigorous. She had done it secretly before leaving, never expecting Pei Jue would notice such a detail.

"Good." Pei Jue supported her legs and effortlessly gathered her across his lap, holding her tightly as they had raced through the streets of Andu that night—fierce and firm...

"Such beauty shall be for my eyes only from now on."

"..." She’s going to die! Broad daylight.

Ta Xue stopped in the north of the city, at a small hill with no houses around, but full of verdant pines and bamboo, the woods thriving, the gloomy weather and cold wind making it especially secluded and chilly.

Pei Jue dismounted and extended his hand towards her.

There were no onlookers, so Feng Yun didn’t resist, letting him lift her down from the horse.

"General, what place is this?"

Looking around the desolate surroundings, Feng Yun turned back with a puzzled look.

Pei Jue remained silent, his expression solemn, his usually distant face seemed even more remote and indifferent immersed in emotion.

Walking ahead, Feng Yun followed his steps, along the bluestone path.

The path was overgrown with weeds.

Feng Yun felt a heavy weight in her heart, but she kept silent, suppressing her curiosity as they ascended the steps, only to discover that there was a large tomb at the top of the hill.

The inscription on the tombstone read:

"Tomb of Daqi’s Supervisor of Bingzhou Military Affairs, Xie Xian."