The Slender Waist-Chapter 300 - 209: The Cunning Rabbit Has Three Burrows

Chapter 300: Chapter 209: The Cunning Rabbit Has Three Burrows

"Is that so?" Feng Yun laughed lightly, "Judging by your expression, I thought the Qi Emperor had passed away."

"Truly a heartless and ungrateful woman," Chunyu Yan couldn’t quite hide the smile on his lips, even as he chided her.

It was obvious that Feng Yun didn’t care about Xiao Cheng at all.

So in Feng Twelve’s heart, his position was only second to Pei Jue...

Chunyu Yan glanced at her expressionless face and his tone became much more sincere.

"There’s something you need to be aware of..."

Feng Yun glanced at him, "What is it?"

Chunyu Yan spoke gravely, "Your parents are coming to Bingzhou. Unless something unexpected happens, your father, Feng Jingteng, will be the envoy for the peace negotiations, and he will arrive in Mingquan Town on the first day of the twelfth lunar month."

Feng Yun looked at him expressionlessly, saying nothing.

Chunyu Yan continued, "When I left Bingzhou today, your father sought me out privately. He asked about your recent situation."

Feng Yun: "What did you say?"

Chunyu Yan’s lips curled into a faint smile, "What could I say? I almost asked for your hand in marriage on the spot..."

Seeing Feng Yun raise her eyebrows, he stopped joking and said seriously, "Seeing your father’s concern for you, I didn’t speak much but promised him to relay the message to meet at Mingquan Town on the first day of the twelfth lunar month."

Feng Yun remained silent.

Chunyu Yan smiled.

"It seems you don’t want to see them? Do you want me to refuse for you?"

Feng Yun: "No need."

She had done nothing wrong; why should she fear meeting anyone?

Chunyu Yan couldn’t find a trace of melancholy or pain in her eyes and found it very refreshing; he shook his head.

"You really do look on the bright side."

Feng Yun leisurely pursed her lips and remained silent.

Chunyu Yan asked with a half-smile, "If your father refuses to acknowledge your wedding with Pei Wangzhi, what will you do?"

Feng Yun turned her head quietly to look at him.

"Whether my wedding with Pei Wangzhi is recognized or not is entirely up to me, not Feng Jingteng. In this age, there are plenty of women who marry without their parent’s consent. After all, I am Feng Jingteng’s unwanted daughter; our relationship was severed long ago. What right does he have to interfere with me?"

Chunyu Yan was at a loss for words.

Because what Feng Yun said was not nonsense.

In this turbulent time, with families torn apart, exiled from their homes, and suffering losses, separation of kin occurs almost every day; in such an environment, constraints on women were far looser than before. There were countless cases of people living together as husband and wife on their own terms.

But she was not just any commoner.

She came from the Feng Family of Xuzhou.

Chunyu Yan looked at her determination and could not help but feel a hint of admiration.

This was a different emotion from his whimsical desire for Feng Twelve.

He became a bit more solemn.

"You and I are partners with common interests; I will always stand by your side, no matter what."

Feng Yun raised her hand to pay her respects, her eyes and brows smiling.

"I am grateful, Princely Heir."

"It’s the least I could do."

The two spent half a day enjoying themselves in Mingquan Town before returning in high spirits.

Feng Yun discovered that Chunyu Yan had not returned to his estate but was instead accompanying her to Xinzhou.

Only when her carriage was about to reach Chunpei Academy and she noticed that Chunyu Yan was still leisurely following behind did she feel puzzled and lifted the curtain to ask.

"Where are you planning to go, Princely Heir?"

Chunyu Yan smiled, "Home."

Feng Yun frowned slightly, "And where might the Princely Heir live?"

Chunyu Yan raised his chin to indicate the direction and smiled faintly, "I just acquired a property that happens to be right next door to Chunpei Academy. Quite a coincidence, isn’t it?"

"Quite the coincidence," Feng Yun lowered the curtain and hummed softly.

The man really was wealthy and shrewd, with safe havens in abundance.

-

When Feng Yun entered the gate, she ran into Wen Xingsu.

He had just come from Xiao Rong and looked hurried and troubled.

"Eldest brother," Feng Yun paid her respects to him, glancing behind him.

"Did you see Xiao Rong?"

Wen Xingsu made a sound of affirmation, steadied his steps, and returned the gesture.

Seeing the color of his face, Feng Yun guessed that Xiao Rong must have thrown a tantrum in front of him again and couldn’t help but chuckle lightly.

This person, he loved to take advantage of those who were good to him.

Now, Xiao Rong was very well-behaved in front of her, this "viper of a woman," not daring to say a word. But in front of Wen Xingsu, she played a triple act of being pitiful, aggrieved, and complaining, employing every posture of the spoiled young girl. For someone like Wen Xingsu, the epitome of a modest gentleman naturally inclined to pity and protect the weak, each move struck him where it hurt, leaving him unable to ignore her.

"Did Xiao Rong cry again?" she asked.

Wen Xingsu didn’t deny it and let out a sigh.

"Xiao Rong is indeed undisciplined, but her nature isn’t bad..."

"It’s not too bad. And then what?" Feng Yun said indifferently, "We provided her with good food and drink, no torture, no difficulties; she was treated nearly as if she were being spoiled like a princess of Qi Country. What more do they want? Is it not enough unless we honor her with incense three times a day..."

Her tone sounded sharp.

But it wasn’t aimed at Xiao Rong; instead, it seemed to be a dissatisfaction with Wen Xingsu.

Wen Xingsu picked up on the nuance and softened his tone a bit.

"The negotiations will happen in a few days, and she will leave with Xiao San."

Feng Yun glanced at him from the corner of her eye, "Does big brother have trouble letting go?"

"Yaoyao." Wen Xingsu seemed taken aback, his sky-blue brocade robe accentuating his handsome face, which was cultivated and square, tinged with a hint of nervousness.

"I used to be very close with Zicheng and often visited the Jingling Royal Residence. The old Prince and Princess of Jingling treated me as if I were their own son. Now that their daughter is in trouble, even if I were not considering Xiao San’s part in it, I couldn’t just stand by idly..."

He rattled off a lot, as if he were afraid that Feng Yun would misunderstand.

Unexpectedly, Feng Yun burst out laughing.

"I’m just teasing you. Why so serious? Feeling guilty?"

Wen Xingsu’s breath caught in his throat.

He looked at her innocently, unsure of how to respond.

It was true; he felt guilty.

But not about Xiao Rong.

Listening to their harmonious playing of the zither at Chunyu Yan’s manor that night was an extreme form of torture for Wen Xingsu.

Until that day, he hadn’t truly considered his feelings for Yaoyao. The pretense of sibling affection was the perfect cover, allowing him to remain calm and composed before Ayun, playing the role of the genteel and proper elder brother, always maintaining the right degree of propriety...

But when those coy moans that were both audible and muted reached his ears, the restlessness in his blood reminded him, admitting jealousy, admitting pain.

He was closer to Yaoyao than anyone else.

Yet, he was farther away than anyone else...

The status of an elder brother was the wall that blocked them, as well as his own shackles...

"What’s wrong? Is big brother angry?" Feng Yun stuck out her tongue playfully, with the naivety of a seventeen-year-old girl, and gently tugged at Wen Xingsu’s sleeve, sincerely apologizing.

"I didn’t consider big brother’s feelings; my joke went too far. It’s my fault, please don’t be annoyed."

Wen Xingsu’s gaze lowered to watch her feather-like lashes lightly brush a smile.

It had been a long time since he’d seen such a lively and carefree Ayun.

Pei Jue could see even less of her.

This was the pure and innocent Ayun that belonged only to him.

"No," he said, looking down, his fingers gently brushing a stray lock of Feng Yun’s hair, "even if the sky were falling, big brother would never be angry at Yaoyao."

"Can I be angry with you, then?"

"Of course, big brother is Yaoyao’s venting outlet."

Seeing him speak as if it were a serious matter, Feng Yun could no longer laugh.

Thinking of all that Wen Xingsu had done for her in her previous life, thinking of his tragic death, Feng Yun’s heart ached, and she grasped his hand, her eyes reddening slightly.

"I don’t like Xiao Rong, but I understand big brother’s intentions. You pity her for being without parents, just as you once treated me, it’s your kindness, and how could I blame you..."

Wen Xingsu seemed startled for a moment, "It’s not the same."

How could Feng Yun be the same as Xiao Rong?

He wanted to explain, but before he could, he heard a low call of "General" from the courtyard gate. The tranquil courtyard seemed to be thrown into sudden turmoil, and the air became tense.

Both their eyes turned to see Pei Jue standing under the archway, silently watching them.

Wen Xingsu withdrew his hand and bowed in greeting.

"Great General."

Truthfully, he didn’t need to panic. What was wrong with a brother and sister holding hands?

Feng Yun didn’t think much about it, because she truly wasn’t guilty.

"Why is the general here?"

The midday sun shone on Pei Jue’s shining armor, highlighting his martial valor and a colder expression.

"I’ve brought the antidote."

The three words were said calmly, simply and directly.

Wen Xingsu couldn’t discern any undertones, but Feng Yun almost choked.

The meaning of the antidote was a secret only the two of them understood.

"Cough!" Feng Yun finally managed to control her emotions so as not to reveal any oddity to Wen Xingsu, then glared at him and curtsied in thanks before Wen Xingsu took his leave.

He left quickly, the sway of his robe elegant.

Pei Jue watched his retreating figure.

Instead of returning to his quarters as Feng Yun had expected, he coldly pulled out a white porcelain bottle and handed it to her.

"I have other matters, I’ll take my leave."

Feng Yun knew what this bottle labeled "Jade Gates" was used for.

She watched Pei Jue leave without looking back, and she softly laughed.

Is this how he delivered the antidote?

That’s too insincere, isn’t it?

It seemed that losing his virginity bothered General Pei quite a bit, his mood wasn’t very stable. Or perhaps, had she truly "bullied" him too harshly that night?