The Slender Waist-Chapter 38 - 32 Tianzhuang Landlord

In the neighboring courtyard, two maids supported Feng Ying as she sat on the bed, wiping the sweat from her brow.

Seeing the Chen Family approach, Feng Ying called out, "Mother," her eyes brimming with tears.

"Aying had another nightmare."

The Chen Family sat down, tenderly taking her hand with concern.

"Tell Mother, what did you dream about?"

"I dreamt about sister..." Feng Ying’s eyes fell, "Sister was stabbing me with a curved knife, saying I stole her Zicheng brother, and that she wanted to cut my flesh, slice by slice, to feed her cat, Mother, Sister... she really dares..."

"Dreams are the opposite of reality."

The Chen Family comforted her daughter softly, "She has ruined her reputation by giving herself to the enemy. From now on, she cannot compete with Aying anymore. Aying has her mother, her uncle, and even your eldest uncle on your side... Whatever Aying wants, you will have, you should have."

Feng Ying looked up, "Will brother Zicheng marry me?"

The Chen Family lowered her eyes, "He will. Naturally, he will."

Feng Ying said, "How much longer must I wait? Mother, I am of age now; if I don’t marry soon, I’ll be old."

Seeing her younger daughter’s coquettish demeanor, the Chen Family’s eyes filled with affection, embracing her precious darling with love, "What’s the rush? All of Aying’s good fortune lies ahead."

Feng Ying hummed shyly, snuggling into her mother’s embrace.

"Mother, the letter I sent to brother Zicheng, he hasn’t replied."

The Chen Family scolded her lightheartedly, "Silly child, Xiao San is a man of great affairs; if he were like other young men, constantly dangling love on his lips, Mother wouldn’t even approve of him."

Feng Ying thought that made sense.

How could Xiao San, so excellent, be distracted by love affairs at such a critical moment?

"Mother, I want to go back to Tai City... these past few days, I’ve missed the days in Tai City so much. All the sisters were together, drinking, gambling, admiring the lanterns, and I could even visit Arong, my sister from the Jingling Royal Residence next door, and secretly catch a glimpse of San Lang..."

The Chen Family tapped her forehead, "You’ve got no shame."

Suddenly rapid footsteps came from outside the courtyard.

Soon, Feng Jingteng’s angry scolding could be heard.

Feng Ying looked at the Chen Family, "Is Father angry at eldest brother again? Eldest brother still wants to lead troops to save sister..."

"That stubborn fool, pay him no mind." The Chen Family had quite a headache about this son from her previous marriage.

As the General of the Defender Army and commander in Xinzhou, he was preoccupied with rescuing Feng Yun, ignoring the big picture. To have a blood sister he does not care for, yet to be bewitched by a little fox, indeed infuriated the Chen Family.

Feng Ying’s mood also darkened, "Eldest brother doesn’t like me."

With grievances welling up, she said with teary eyes, "We’ve been in Xinzhou so long, eldest brother has never once asked how I’ve been or if I’ve been wronged. He only cares about sister..."

The Chen Family, as Wen Xingsu’s own mother, knew her son’s thoughts very well.

And for this reason, she resented Feng Yun all the more for enticing her eldest son.

"Wait till the bride enters our home, he will be taken care of!"

—

On the same day, at the Nanqi Jingling Royal Residence.

The lights in Qishan Hall had not been extinguished all night.

Ping’an carefully placed the tea on the desk, murmuring softly, "His Highness exhausts himself with war matters every day and doesn’t take good care of himself."

Xiao Cheng glanced at him, his face expressing just the right degree of mildness, "You and your chatter."

Ping’an sneakily stuck out his tongue, topping off the tea in his master’s cup, "Has General Ningyuan sent another pressing letter to His Highness?"

Xiao Cheng’s hand, poised to write, paused for a moment.

Separated by the Andu River, Wen Xingsu was like sitting on pins and needles in Xinzhou, desperate to lead the troops to snatch Feng Yun back from the Northern Yong Army. Hence, day after day he pressed Xiao Cheng to commit forces to battle and repeatedly requested to lead the charge...

All of which Xiao Cheng had refused.

Ping’an felt deeply sorrowful for his master.

Ever since the Emperor ascended the throne, His Highness had been continuously suppressed. Only after the collective pleading of the officials did the Emperor reluctantly recall him from the imperial tombs...

Such a rare opportunity could not be wasted on a woman.

"General Ningyuan is too impatient, treating war like child’s play. Without full considerations, how will they fight against the Northern Yong Army? His Highness regards him as a close and dear friend, yet the General has repeatedly spoken out of turn and even blames His Highness..."

Ping’an knew that His Highness didn’t care much for that fiancee who had not yet entered his household, so he didn’t take the matter to heart and kept grumbling.

"His Highness has his plans, and the Feng Family has more than one daughter..."

"Ping’an!" Xiao Cheng suddenly looked up, the severity in his gaze startling Ping’an.

His Highness was displeased.

Ping’an went silent and stood respectfully.

Xiao Cheng sealed the letter in his hand and handed it over.

"Deliver this personally to Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, Lord Feng."

Ping’an dared not ask further, glancing at His Highness’s expression, he tucked the letter into his bosom with care, bowed and saluted, "This subordinate obeys the command!"

Ping’an hurried off.

Xiao Cheng’s stare lingered for a long time before he finally opened a drawer and took out a painting stashed inside, spreading it out on the desk.

The woman in the painting wore a gentle smile, as if watching him from beyond the clouds.