The Slender Waist-Chapter 261 - 183 Initiating Negotiations

Pei Jue’s expression was less than pleasant.

"Princely Heir, watch your words."

"Tsk!" Chunyu Yan knew that Pei Wangzhi was also a greedy fellow who wanted to monopolize everything. He was very displeased to hear him talking about Feng Yun behind her back with Xiao San.

But he insisted on speaking.

Was there anything more satisfying than upsetting Pei Wangzhi?

"Xiao San and I recounted our past with Feng Twelve..."

He spoke as if he were very familiar with Feng Yun.

One could imagine, Xiao Cheng’s mood at the time was probably not much different from Pei Jue’s at this moment.

Chunyu Yan didn’t feel it was inappropriate to say these things in front of her legitimate partner, looking complacent and gleeful—as he read from Pei Jue’s face the same expression that Xiao San had.

Disliking him,

yet powerless to do anything about it.

"It’s a bit strange." Chunyu Yan said, "Xiao San claims that the Feng Twelve I talk about isn’t the same person he knows. He said, Feng Twelve has changed. Whereas I always thought..."

Chunyu Yan smiled slightly.

His eyes were mesmerizingly beautiful, bewitchingly charming.

"Feng Twelve is only her true self in front of me. What you all see is not her real face..."

Pei Jue, holding a document, crumpled it into a ball and hurled it at his face.

"Get lost."

Chunyu Yan picked up the paper ball, unfolded it leisurely without showing any anger, and spoke in an unusually calm tone, "Jin Country’s Imperial Court has already decreed peace negotiations with Qi Country. Even if brother is unwilling, there’s nothing you can do, right?"

He blinked slightly, paused, then continued:

"What I can negotiate for brother is to have Xiao Cheng come to Xinzhou for the talks. Brother need not go to Bingzhou."

This would give him a lot of initiative.

Pei Jue looked at Chunyu Yan without uttering a word.

Chunyu Yan said with a smile, "Brother will agree."

The third nation, Youyun River, acted as a mediator, and both Jin and Qi approved.

Chunyu Yan had analyzed the pros and cons, and even without the reason from Jin Country’s Imperial Court, as long as Xiao Cheng didn’t demand Feng Yun back, Pei Jue would have no reason to refuse.

People live their lives for profit.

Otherwise, why would Xiao Cheng, having deployed his troops up front, be willing to pay such a hefty price?

There’s only one reason, Qi Country truly had no money left.

Over the years, their coffers had been emptied by Emperor of Yanping, Xiao Jue, to build the extravagant and wasteful Yufu Palace in Tai City, which nearly depleted the national treasury.

Xiao Cheng, having just ascended the Dragon Throne, simply couldn’t afford the fight any longer.

"A true man knows when to bend and when to stand." These were the words Chunyu Yan used to persuade Xiao Cheng.

It’s not worth it to gamble the fate of a nation on a woman.

Chunyu Yan found a delicate balance, and in Xiao Cheng’s moment of despair, he convinced him. It wasn’t that he was much stronger than Yan Wuxi; it was about seizing the right time and conditions.

In the end, Xiao Cheng gave up the condition of getting Feng Yun back.

To convince Pei Jue after that was far easier for Chunyu Yan.

Winter had arrived. It was time to enjoy the new year, indulge in Qi Country’s annual tribute, let the people recuperate, and give the soldiers a thorough rest. As long as Pei Jue wasn’t foolish, he would know what the right decision was.

However, at Central Capital, the news nearly drove the resident of Jiafu Hall to smash the imperial seal.

Because Xiao Cheng was adamant about getting Feng Yun back, the Imperial Court had decreed peace negotiations. Now... Xiao Cheng didn’t want her anymore?

"This Chunyu Yan! What is he up to?" Empress Dowager Li Sangruo’s face turned blue with anger, "We asked him to persuade Pei Jue, but he ended up persuading Xiao Cheng instead?"

Eunuch Fang quietly poured tea for the Empress Dowager.

"The Great General has been away from the capital for more than a year; it’s time for him to come back home."

He meant to comfort the Empress Dowager subtly. The battles ceasing meant the Great General could return to the capital, and she could see him at any time.

To his surprise, Li Sangruo snorted coldly.

"At this point, he’s estranged from me. What would his return change? Would he bring that vile woman back with him, brazenly parading her around the city to irk me?"

Fang Fucai quickly sealed his lips.

The atmosphere in the hall was heavy with tension.

The news of General Pei’s grand wedding in Bingzhou was like a knife stabbed into the Empress Dowager’s chest, the wound still raw and bleeding. Even if Fang Fucai was but a servant, having been by the Empress Dowager’s side all these years, how could he not sense her anger, grievance, and resentment?

"Chang Gui died in vain."

The quiet, shallow words of Li Sangruo made Eunuch Fang bow his head even lower.

Chang Gui’s accidental drowning in Xinzhou was a lie; the harsh slap General Pei gave the Empress Dowager and the Prime Minister was the hard truth.

Loyalty to the sovereign comes down to a single word—loyalty. Once one no longer wishes to be loyal, the sovereign disappears from their sight, and how can they serve? If General Pei truly turned disloyal, what stability could the Empress Dowager, a woman alone with her child, expect for her throne?

Fang Fucai’s eyes shone like those of a thief.

What could he not understand?

He knew that Empress Dowager Li Sangruo was enduring agonizing pain and anxiety, merely feigning composure.

"Fang Fucai." Li Sangruo suddenly spoke.

Eunuch Fang looked up, meeting the Empress Dowager’s piercing cold gaze.

"Summon Song Shou’an to see me."

Fang Fucai acknowledged with a sound.

Li Sangruo laughed lightly, "For the peace negotiations in Xinzhou, I shall personally conduct them."

Fang Fucai was just about to turn around when he was stopped by the words and stood there speechless for a long while.

Li Sangruo glanced at him and lazily turned away. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

"The heating is too strong; it’s very hot. Go, open the window and let me have some fresh air."

Fang Fucai replied, went to push open the south window.

Dark clouds tumbled across the sky, and unnamed birds flitted over the palace eaves, emitting shrill cries.

Amidst the cold wind, the sound of bells continued, striking the heart.

Looks like the weather is about to change.

-

November.

Just a few days after the winter solstice, the peace negotiations between Jin and Qi started to take shape, thanks to the vigorous efforts of Chunyu Yan, with an initial draft for the peace proposal.

The news spread, sparking joy throughout the north and south.

The long war was finally about to end.

After the ceasefire, to have a good New Year’s celebration and a full family reunion was the most sincere wish of the ordinary people.

Feng Yun received the news while she was in the back yard of Chunmeng Hall watching Xiaoman carve a cricket out of boxwood; Xiaoman’s hands were all pricked, yet she refused to give up.

She said, "Miss has not received a wedding present from me; this is for Miss."

Feng Yun watched her and laughed, "Didn’t I see the Left Guard carve before?"

Carving wasn’t Xiaoman’s strong suit.

Observant as ever, Xiaoman blushed and lowered her head shyly upon being asked, "Yes, the Left Guard taught me. He carves well; I do not..."

She then pouted her lips.

"Do you disdain it, Miss?"

Feng Yun watched her tie a red string under the wooden cricket and, upon receiving it, immediately hung it on her waist.

"I like it very much."

"Beautiful." Xiaoman was easily satisfied and immediately smiled with flushed cheeks, "The cricket symbolizes many offspring; Xiaoman wishes Miss and the General a house full of children."

Feng Yun’s expression changed slightly, then she smiled.

There might be no children to fill the halls, but this auspicious symbol could be passed on to Xiaoman.

Feng Yun could tell what Xiaoman felt for Zuo Zhong, and she thought to herself that after the negotiations were concluded and everyone had settled down, she would ask Zuo Zhong about his intentions and make some arrangements for Xiaoman.

"The eldest son is here."

Feng Yun was drawn back from her thoughts by Xiaoman’s chirpy voice.

She turned her head and saw Wen Xingsu walking toward her with a serious look, only smiling when he was close by.

"You look much healthier."

Feng Yun examined him from head to toe, "Did elder brother come to see me for something?"

Wen Xingsu’s gaze drifted slightly as he looked around and said softly.

"The list of negotiators from the Central Capital has arrived in Xinzhou."

Feng Yun picked up on his tone, narrowed her eyes slightly, and smiled, "Who are they?"

Wen Xingsu said, "Empress Dowager Li Sangruo of Jin will personally come to Xinzhou, accompanied by the Censorate Chancellor, the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, the Director of the Imperial Library, and others—a total of sixteen people."

He paused, then lowered his gaze, "Xiao San will also come in person."

The presence of both an Emperor and an Empress Dowager indicated the importance both countries placed on the matter.

However, this was all on the surface; in secret, the Qi Army had troops at the ready, and the grand forces of Jin were pressing down. Xinzhou City seemed shrouded with nets from heaven and earth, and no one knew whether the negotiations would bring long-awaited peace or herald the start of another great war.

Both sides were preparing for the worst.

The articles of negotiation kept swaying back and forth.

With Chunyu Yan mediating back and forth, both parties decided to hold the peace talks in Mingquan Town.

It was a marketplace situated between the part of Xinzhou occupied by Jin Country and the territory of Chunning in Qi Country – using it as a venue for the peace talks was most fitting.

But how to host so many dignitaries in the desolate Mingquan Town?

Chunyu Yan suggested building a negotiation pavilion in the middle, with representatives from both countries staying on either side, to show respect for both parties involved in the negotiation.

This approach was fairest, but erecting buildings on flat ground required manpower and resources, and most importantly, agreement from both sides.

Upon hearing the news from Wen Xingsu, Feng Yun did not hesitate; she changed her clothes and sought out Pei Jue.

"General, I wish to take charge of this construction project."

When it comes to making money, one must be quick.

Faster than Chunyu Yan.

Chunyu Yan’s suggestion to build the negotiation pavilion was a scheme for both countries to profit from the venture.

Feng Yun admired his cunning, but she didn’t want to miss out on such an opportunity.

However, upon hearing the word ’subordinate,’ Pei Jue frowned.

"Crown Prince Chunyu already has plans; it’s best that Lady Yun doesn’t get involved."

Feng Yun looked at him, smiling faintly.

"We shouldn’t let outsiders benefit from our resources, General."

Outsiders’ fields...

Pei Jue stared into her eyes, pondering for a moment.

"Submit your proposal tomorrow."

Feng Yun was overjoyed and bowed deeply to him, "I will obey the command."