The Slender Waist-Chapter 210 - 149: Adhering to One’s Duty

Feng Ying applied a bit more pressure to her wrist and slowly massaged the man’s shoulder. This was a technique she had learned from an old palace attendant, said to relieve fatigue and bring pleasure; she wanted to please Xiao Cheng.

"This concubine is worried about Her Highness the Princess, I couldn’t help but come to ask..."

It was the perfect and most thoughtful response, for she knew well what Xiao Cheng liked to hear.

Xiao Cheng signaled her to stop the massage.

"No news is the best news."

Of course, Feng Ying understood that Xiao Rong had left on her own, the Jin Army hadn’t captured anyone, so naturally, they couldn’t come to blackmail, but she still had to appear greatly concerned, whispering softly:

"My sister and the Princess have been at odds since childhood, I fear my sister never considered exchanging her for anything. Could it be... she never intended to return the Princess?"

Xiao Cheng glanced at her, calm and collected.

"Are you suggesting she would harm Arong’s life?"

"This concubine meant no such thing." Feng Ying was adept at reading the room; she might not know whether Xiao Cheng liked Feng Yun or not, but Xiao Cheng was a man who claimed to be a gentleman, disliking gossip and slander - how could he allow her to speak ill of Feng Yun?

"This concubine is just worried about Her Highness the Princess, and also for my sister..."

She quickly glanced at Xiao Cheng’s expression again.

"This concubine has heard that my sister cursed His Majesty on the city wall, and I am quite distressed about it. Could it be that my sister was coerced by Pei Jue into speaking out, shaming His Majesty, Your Majesty mustn’t take it to heart, nor blame my sister..."

She was eloquent.

She provided Xiao Cheng with a graceful way out, and made excuses for Feng Yun’s actions... Her hand, which had been massaging the man’s shoulder, glided slowly downward, her soft body almost draping over his back.

Xiao Cheng took her hand, and the cold touch of his fingertips on her skin made Feng Ying blush, her heart warming, her legs weakening.

"My lord..." she called out softly and tenderly, ready to lean in and be affectionate with her husband when Xiao Cheng suddenly yanked her forcefully from behind and let go of her hand.

"The Imperial Concubine is overthinking it."

Xiao Cheng looked at her dispassionately, his gaze cooling, though his tone was neither harsh nor light. He was not the kind of man who would fly into a rage easily; the upbringing of a noble family was etched deep in his bones.

"Adhere to your place, and do not bring shame upon your family from Xuzhou."

"Your Majesty..." Feng Ying’s face drained of color.

She had never thought that her beloved Xiao would say such harsh words. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

"What has this concubine done wrong?"

"Imperial Concubine Feng Yun, you may withdraw." Xiao Cheng’s expression was indifferent, clearly showing his impatience.

The title given by Xiao Cheng to Feng Ying was a mark of her status as Imperial Concubine, nailing her to that position while the Empress seat was reserved for the girl who cursed him daily in the arms of the enemy...

Feng Ying felt that Xiao San was somewhat masochistic.

But she dared not say it aloud.

Not to ask what shouldn’t be asked, not to inquire about what shouldn’t be inquired, never to speak words that should not be uttered - these were the rules Xiao Cheng had set for her...

Feng Ying lowered her head, her eyes brimming with tears.

"Your Majesty... My lord... This concubine knows she is inferior to my sister in every way, but my heart for my lord is sincere and has never changed... for many years, this concubine has cherished my lord for many years..."

The woman sobbed pitifully, as if unable to move Xiao Cheng.

"My lord." Feng Ying buried her face in his lap, her voice tearful, "This concubine knows you are burdened with state affairs, and I wish to alleviate your concerns, but I am powerless to do so..."

"Why cry? Go and rest early."

His face showed no emotion, and he was not accustomed to cajoling others.

But he wasn’t prone to anger either.

"This concubine, this concubine isn’t crying, I am just... wronged."

Feng Ying gently leaned on Xiao Cheng’s knee, her soft eyes filled with tears as she looked up at him.

"Ever since our marriage, my lord has been occupied with affairs of state and has yet to..." she bit her lower lip before whispering the shame-laden words, "yet to consummate our marriage. Outsiders are unaware of the truth, and they often ask when I will bear Your Majesty a prince. I truly am in a difficult position, and whenever I think of it, I often regret..."

Xiao Cheng: "Regret what?"

Feng Ying replied: "I should not have been greedy, wishing with all my heart to marry my Xiao Lang."

Xiao Cheng looked down, his gaze heavy with scrutiny.

Feng Ying cast her eyes down, pitifully saying: "My lord and my sister had a marriage arrangement long ago, if not for the unpredictable turns of the world, at this moment Aying would be calling you brother-in-law. I know that my lord married me out of necessity... It’s also my fault for not understanding, when my father, mother, and uncle brought up the marriage, I should have firmly declined. That way, my uncle would not have put my lord in a difficult position, and you wouldn’t be angry with me..."

Her voice trailed off, full of sorrow and resentment.

"If I could redo it all, Aying wouldn’t dare to be greedy again, would surely facilitate my lord’s and sister’s union, even if it meant watching my brother-in-law from afar for a lifetime, enduring the pain of unrequited love, Aying would be willing."