The Slender Waist-Chapter 310 - 218: The Taste Within

Last afternoon, Feng Yun received the news from Mingquan Town.

Hearing that Feng Jingteng had been humiliated, she showed no expression but maintained her graceful and smiling demeanor.

"That’s exactly how it should be, we as merchants act according to the rules, treating everyone equally."

Wen Xingsu’s brows furrowed slightly, feeling that the term ’treating everyone equally’ was a bit twisted.

"Ayun behaving like this might attract criticism. It’s detrimental to your reputation."

A daughter who is unfilial to her father, that is a great sin indeed.

Throughout history, there have been few who dared to commit such an outrageous act against the world.

Feng Yun’s eyelids fluttered as she replied with a light laugh, "Feng Jingteng and I ceased to be father and daughter on the day Andu City fell."

"In the eyes of the world, you are still..."

"Who are the ’world’?" Feng Yun lifted her head to look at him and smiled faintly, "What the ’world’ says or thinks, what does it have to do with me? I only care if my oldest brother also thinks I’m unfilial."

Wen Xingsu was startled for a moment, then smiled warmly with a gentle sigh.

"Your oldest brother is worried about you, not blaming you..."

Which woman can endure the slanders of conventional society?

Even Ayun’s mother, who was as tough as her, also suffered greatly from it, didn’t she?

Wen Xingsu didn’t want Ayun to follow in her mother’s footsteps, but as she became more and more like her, moving further and further away, he couldn’t hold her back...

"Oldest brother, you need not worry." Feng Yun said, "Whichever ’world’ dares to speak nonsense about me, I will let them broaden their horizons and reacquaint themselves with my Feng Family Ayun’s moral standards."

Wen Xingsu’s jaw clenched firmly, and his seated posture stiffened slightly at her words.

"Have it your way."

Feng Yun blinked and, seeing her oldest brother’s helpless indulgence, laughed lightly.

"Oldest brother treats me best."

Wen Xingsu, refined and cultivated, was by nature a conservative traditionalist.

When Pei Jue entrusted the security of the council chamber to him, he had never imagined that his first task would be to deal with his stepfather in Mingquan Town.

Given his nature, he would not have made things difficult for Feng Jingteng in Mingquan Town, but he still tacitly allowed the guards in charge of security to deliberately neglect him.

Feng Yun knew this was not easy for him and kept trying to cheer him up.

The brother and sister looked at each other and eventually smiled.

At this moment, Ge Guang entered from the outside, seemingly having something to say. Upon seeing Wen Xingsu present, he hesitated for a moment, then looked at Feng Yun without speaking.

Feng Yun said, "My oldest brother is not an outsider, speak freely."

Ge Guang bowed in response.

"I have received news that the Empress Dowager of Jin Country has arrived at Andu County with an envoy, ordering the Great General to go and receive her."

Feng Yun smiled faintly, showing no surprise on her face.

"I understand."

Li Sangruo didn’t wait for Pei Jue to go to Pingyang to receive her, and now she has arrived in Andu County. The distance is only over a hundred miles; she certainly wouldn’t consent to come on her own.

Without Pei Jue receiving her, how could she display the majesty befitting the Empress Dowager who presides over court?

And how could she show the world her position in Pei Jue’s heart?

As for Pei Jue...

This time it would be difficult for him to refuse again.

Pingyang is too far and has its disadvantages, so returning due to urgent matters can be understandable.

But Andu is so close, as a subject, what excuse can he find?

Feng Yun decided to help him come up with one.

-

When Feng Yun first joined the military camp, she wanted to avoid offending Li Sangruo and avoid unnecessary trouble. But now, avoidance seemed impossible, as even if she were willing to kneel and lick Li Sangruo’s feet, Li Sangruo would not let her go.

If that was the case, what was there to worry about?

After sending Wen Xingsu away, Feng Yun called Ge Guang over and issued her instructions in this way and that, with Ge Guang nodding frequently before bowing and taking his leave.

Only then did she return to her room to bathe and change clothes, then sat and meditated for a while before suddenly getting up to open the sandalwood chest. She found the neatly folded cloth straps she had tucked into the corner.

She had taken them with her to Bingzhou but had never found a use for them.

Now...

After hesitating briefly, she picked them up and slipped them into her sleeve.

"Xiaoman, ask Guard Ye where the General is," she instructed.

-

Pei Jue was in his residence within the large encampment.

Having summoned Helian Qian to deal with military affairs and just returned to his quarters to change clothes, preparing to set out for Andu County, Feng Yun arrived at his door.

"Is the General heading out?" she asked.

In the days since his return to Xinzhou, Feng Yun had never once visited his residence.

Yet today, she came, her tone notably tender and affectionate.

She approached gracefully, her charm intoxicating like a freshly bloomed flower in the early morning, her dress trailing spring colors, her smile soft yet filled with melancholy.

"Are you going to Andu County to receive the Empress Dowager?"

Pei Jue frowned slightly.

With Feng Yun’s arrival, the atmosphere in the room changed. His legs stiffened to the point of immobility, his stern face masking restrained emotion and surging blood.

"Yes." He replied in a low voice, with a single word.

Feng Yun smiled, "No wonder the General didn’t go to Mingquan Town to see my father. Something more important than the peace treaty between the two countries must be at hand—only the Empress Dowager herself."

In the past, whenever Feng Yun mentioned Feng Jingteng, she would call him by name without a hint of respect. Pei Jue had left Feng Jingteng waiting in Mingquan Town, as a way to vent for Feng Yun.

Her reaction caught Pei Jue by surprise.

Without hearing a response from him, Feng Yun’s hand touched his stiff shoulder.

"Does the General wish to change clothes? I think this piece suits you well. Let me help you."

She tip-toed to adjust Pei Jue’s robe for him.

Pei Jue, when it came to dressing, did not like to rely on others, so besides guards, he kept no attendants or servants by his side.

But as Feng Yun was willing to attend to him, he naturally relaxed his hands and let her fiddle as she wished.

"General...are you really not going to see my father?" Feng Yun looked down slightly as she tied his sash, revealing a stretch of her soft, fair neck.

Pei Jue was much taller than she, and from his higher vantage point, he couldn’t help but notice the alluring sight.

The color of hibiscuses unfolded, while brocaded belts encircled her slender waist.

He gazed at her for a long time, his Adam’s apple bobbing.

"Does Lady Yun wish for me to see him?"

Feng Yun hummed in affirmation, her fingertips as if imbued with a cold that, under the pretense of straightening his clothes, raised an irrepressible heat within him.

Yet she brushed it off lightly, seemingly unaware.

"After all, we are father and daughter. Even when words are harsh, the bond of blood remains strong..."

Pei Jue stood ramrod straight, his dark eyes filled with sharpness, "Do you truly think so?"

Feng Yun cast her eyes downward, a bitter smile on her lips.

"What daughter would hate her father? I yearn for even a glance from him. Alas...he already resented me, and today, he faced cold treatment in Mingquan Town. Who knows what desperate thoughts he may harbor now..."

A soft sigh escaped her, showcasing her vulnerability.

"My reputation must be ruined by now."

Pei Jue stopped her from "adjusting" his clothing any further and swept her into his embrace in one swift motion. He lifted her waist, gazing at the mist in her dark eyes with a slight start, then gently brushed aside the hair by her ear, caressing her delicate cheek.

"What scheme is Lady Yun cooking up now?"

Feng Yun: ...

She hummed through her nose, her head buried into his chest on impulse.

A scent of sublime, refined orchid essence wafted over him.

Had she taken a bath before coming to Andu County?

A subtle displeasure suddenly rose within Feng Yun.

"If the General believes it to be a scheme, why ask?"

Pei Jue grasped her chin, lifting it to prevent her from hiding, his eyes deep like a bottomless well.

"What do you want?"

He asked bluntly.

Feng Yun responded with a smile, just as directly.

"What can the General give me? An antidote, perhaps? That’s not something only the General possesses..."

Pei Jue’s teeth clenched, his face turned utterly grim.

"Lady Yun, do not be capricious."

From his gaze to his voice, it was all menace.

Feng Yun pursed her lips, a gentle smile on her face, "But the General has much of it."

Pei Jue’s body stiffened, a chill emanating from him so intense it seemed his robe couldn’t contain it.

She took the initiative, her hands moving to those broad shoulders and narrow waist, the strong, desirable lines of his body.

In that moment, Pei Jue’s mind went blank uncontrollably, his heart racing like a runaway horse, his breathing heavy, his throat as if being strangled, a low grunt escaping him.

"General, you have a fine waist," Feng Yun suddenly remarked.

Then with a forceful squeeze, she ignited an unbearable craving in Pei Jue, his agitation unnameable, "Lady Yun."

"It’s done," Feng Yun smiled, looking down at him, "In such a state, how will the General go to receive the Empress Dowager?"