The Slender Waist-Chapter 266 - 186: Much Grievance

As he spoke, his head drooped lower and lower.

As the personal guards of Pei Jue, they actually didn’t understand what the Great General was thinking, nor what kind of feelings he had for his wife.

But they would feel uncomfortable on behalf of their master.

Rumors about the negotiations had long been spreading throughout the city like a storm.

Countless people in Xinzhou City spread rumors in private, saying that Feng Yun and Xiao Cheng had been betrothed to each other a long time ago, that the pair were deeply in love, and it was General Pei who stepped in and forcibly took someone else’s wife.

Others said that their General was not a husband, but a paramour.

The Imperial Guard Camp always received messages from scouts in all directions, and outsiders were so angry they could die, let alone them?

But the General, aside from silence, offered only silence.

He didn’t even mention a word of it to his wife.

This was something Jiu You couldn’t tolerate; he wanted to pry the General’s mouth open.

"At the very least, the wife should know that the General isn’t that kind of frivolous man. Others might not know, but the wife is all too clear on how she joined the camp and followed the General. Where did the forcible taking of someone else’s wife come from? Does our General need to stoop to seizing by force? There’s no lack of beautiful women who come knocking at the door..."

Zuo Zhong tugged at his sleeve.

Seeing that he was still talking nonstop, Zuo Zhong tugged harder.

The General’s thoughts were neither for them to speculate on nor to doubt.

Jiu You knew he had overstepped, but he couldn’t restrain the fiery indignation he felt for Pei Jue, and he complained without holding back. Seeing Pei Jue turn his head in silence, he immediately stopped, "Your subordinate has spoken too much."

Pei Jue glanced at him, not blaming him, but he also did not mention a word on the matter.

"Ask General Wen to come over."

Jiu You’s brows and eyes drooped as he cupped his hands, "As you command."

-

Wen Xingsu had also heard the rumors in the city.

However, whether someone was deliberately spreading misinformation to negotiate better terms for the peace talks, or if someone else was harboring ulterior motives, muddying the waters, was impossible to ascertain.

Having served as the commander of Xinzhou and a leading general, Wen Xingsu was very aware of the power of rumors and felt an unease in his heart.

When he went to see Pei Jue, he thought it was regarding that matter.

But Pei Jue was sitting upright in a dignified manner with a roster on the wooden table in front of him. Without a change in his expression, he said:

"General Wen, take a look."

Wen Xingsu bowed, stepped forward to take the register, and upon opening it, his expression changed.

The roster contained detailed information about the members of the Zhongjing Delegation.

It included their names, identities, official positions, family backgrounds, and even the relationships between them – it was very comprehensive.

This kind of document was supposed to be top secret.

Wen Xingsu set down the roster and bowed deeply, showing his solemnity with a formal salute toward Pei Jue, before saying, "What does the General mean by this? Wen is confused."

Pei Jue looked at him quietly, pointing to a spot in front of him.

"Sit."

Wen Xingsu locked eyes with him for a moment before taking his seat with a lowered gaze.

The roster lay in front of them, the two men looking at each other for a moment.

Pei Jue said, "I would like General Wen to be responsible for security during the peace negotiations."

Pei Jue did not choose anyone from the Beiyong Army, instead seeking him, and Wen Xingsu felt somewhat surprised.

Negotiations were a serious matter.

Whether the terms currently being drawn up could be put to paper, achieving a balance satisfactory to both sides, and bringing about true peace, was as yet uncertain.

Any number of situations might arise during the negotiations, and even a small issue could affect the final outcome.

Security was of the utmost importance, and both countries would seek out the most trustworthy individuals.

Yet Wen Xingsu neither held office under Pei Jue’s command – to put it nicely, he was a general; to put it crudely, he was still a prisoner of war.

It was a very uncomfortable status.

"Thank you for the honor, General," said Wen Xingsu. "May I ask why the General has sought me out?"

Pei Jue tapped on the desk, slightly raised his head to look over, his gaze serious and his voice calm.

"There are a few considerations. First, General Wen is familiar with Xinzhou and the Qi Army, which is convenient for better hospitality. Second, General Wen is the brother of my sister-in-law, my brother-in-law. Third..."

He dipped his finger in some tea and wrote a character for "Li" on the tabletop.

Then he quickly wiped it away.

"Only with General Wen handling this do I feel at ease."

Clearly, Deng Guang’s betrayal and the startled horse incident at Qijing Slope had heightened Pei Jue’s wariness towards Li Zongxun. He was concerned that Deng Guang was not the only one infiltrating the Beiyong Army from Li Zongxun’s side.

"This matter is not in opposition to the Qi Army. General Wen won’t refuse, will you?"

Wen Xingsu smiled faintly.

This wasn’t just about non-opposition; it was about security.

From another perspective, he could also better protect the Qi Country Delegation through this.

"Thank you for your trust, General."

Wen Xingsu accepted the task, but felt a vague unease in his heart.

It was good that Pei Jue was wary of Li Zongxun, something his sister-in-law had long hoped for. Although he didn’t fully understand why, the feeling that Feng Yun was increasingly acting beyond his control troubled him greatly.

He spoke slowly:

"The General should not involve my sister-in-law in this."

Pei Jue fell silent for a moment, "I can’t control it."

Wen Xingsu: ...

He couldn’t believe that such words were coming from Pei Jue.

If he couldn’t control her, how could Wen Xingsu himself manage to?

Alas!

-

Returning to his quarters at Hanjiang Academy, Wen Xingsu immediately had Si Hua summon Shentu Jiong and Yang Qi over.

As the three brothers dismissed their servants to enjoy some tea and talk, they could not help but be surprised by the matter at hand.

"Does General Pei really trust us?"

After all, they were all men of Qi.

Once they colluded with Xiao Cheng, that would be infinitely tricky to guard against.

Wen Xingsu said, "This is precisely where Pei Jue’s brilliance lies."

He looked at Shentu Jiong. "We are people of Qi; we know Qi people the best..."

Understanding the Qi Country Delegation, surveilling the Jin Country Delegation, and still being trustworthy in the eyes of Pei Jue, indeed, they were most suited for the role.

After pondering for a moment, Yang Qi sighed.

"What magnanimity from General Pei! If my Qi Country had heroes like Pei Jue, how could we ever have fallen to such straits?"

Shentu Jiong looked at him with a strange expression.

"Brother Yang, be careful with your words."

Right now, they were within the Jin Army, and saying "my Qi Country" was a taboo. It was fine to say such things in private, but if overheard by the wrong ears, it could bring disaster.

Realizing his mistake, Yang Qi clasped his hands together in an apologetic gesture towards Wen Xingsu.

He laughed wryly and lamented, "Speaking of General Pei, I, Yang Qi, am thoroughly convinced. But to speak of... us swearing loyalty to that three-year-old child of Jin, wouldn’t that be absurd and laughable?"

Wen Xingsu, thinking of Feng Yun’s words, reached out and patted Yang Qi.

"We’re helping Pei Jue, not the Jin Imperial Court. Just consider it repaying the Great General for his recognition and favor. But let’s keep these words between the three of us, brothers."

Were Shentu Jiong and Yang Qi not astute individuals?

With one glance at Wen Xingsu’s eyes, they grasped his implications.

What kind of times are these?

There are many who would raise the banner of rebellion and crown themselves as kings...

If it were Pei Jue? It seemed not such a bad thing.

Shentu Jiong and Yang Qi exchanged a look and suddenly their eyes lit up. As men standing between heaven and earth, how could they not wish to make a name for themselves and carve out a splendid future?

With Pei Jue’s trust, if that day truly came...

Why couldn’t they return home in glory?

-

Mingquan Town is very close to Xinzhou, a watertown with a famous spring known far and wide as Mingquan, which is said to echo with the singing of young girls if one stands by the spring at night.

As a town, it naturally had an encampment stationed there.

On the Chunning side, there was a Qi Army garrison of about twenty to thirty thousand men, situated roughly five miles away from the streets and residential areas.

Today, Mingquan Town was unusually bustling.

The small town had only one street, with most houses shut tight, leaving only one restaurant open. When Feng Yun’s carriage passed by, smoke rose from the cooking, and the aroma of meals drifted through the air.

Feng Yun lifted a corner of the curtain and looked out.

The restaurant was rudimentary with a thatched canopy over several small square tables and a simple stove partly hidden from view, clear enough to see right through.

Yet, in such a tiny place, there sat about twenty men who were all exceptionally tall and sturdy. They squeezed around the tables, which seemed somewhat incongruous.

There were no luxurious dishes in the restaurant. Placed on the tables were water-drawn cakes, blooming steamed buns, along with gruel and rice soup, clear enough to see one’s reflection.

They did not talk to each other or speak.

When the carriage passed by, a man with a face rounder than a cake lifted his head to glance, then quickly looked down again.

By this time, Feng Yun had already hidden her face behind the curtain.

"Tell guard Ye to be cautious," she said.

Xiaoman murmured an affirmation, sat on the shaft outside the carriage, and after quietly speaking with Ye Chuang returned.

Seeing Feng Yun deep in thought, Daman asked, "Does the young lady suspect something about those people?"

Feng Yun shook her head, her eyes half-closed as she said, "Mingquan is bound to become a place of contention in the coming days, being cautious can do no harm."

Daman hummed in agreement.

Suddenly, she said, "Among those people, your servant thought she saw a familiar face..."

Feng Yun opened her eyes to look at her, saying nothing.

The silence made Daman somewhat nervous.

She was becoming less certain about her mistress’s moods and attitudes, but one thing she knew for sure, Feng Yun didn’t fully trust her and seemed somewhat guarded. Nevertheless, she wouldn’t deliberately make things difficult for her and would keep her by her side, just like Xiaoman...

Daman suppressed her unease and said, lowering her head,

"Your servant has an aunt who once married a widower. That widower had two sons, whom your servant met twice. They later joined the military, and just now, it seemed like one of them was sitting there..."

Feng Yun: "Are you certain you’re not mistaken?"

Daman bit her lower lip, nodded, then shook her head.

"It’s been many years; your servant cannot be sure."

Feng Yun then turned to Xiaoman, who looked confusedly at her, then at her older sister, shaking her head.

Daman said, "Xiaoman was very young at the time; she probably doesn’t remember."

Feng Yun hummed, "Got it."

If she hadn’t seen wrongly, then the Qi Army had placed their people in Mingquan Town long ago, blending in with the locals...

Xiao Cheng was not the type to forgive and forget.

A slap on his face was something he would remember for a lifetime; how could he possibly let them off so easily?

Feng Yun chuckled, her lips curling into a smile.

"The more, the merrier."