The Slender Waist-Chapter 61 - 48 Tough and Powerful

That very night, Crown Prince Chunyu Yan received intelligence gathered from Huaxi Village.

In times of chaos, the death of a concubine was not a matter of great consequence to her master’s household. However, it was naturally impossible to keep it completely concealed, especially since Crown Prince Chunyu Yan was actively prying into the matter.

But that was all.

The scout said, "The people in the manor remained tight-lipped about the events of that night, and the villagers who witnessed the burial didn’t dare to ask any questions. They simply avoided the manor..."

Crown Prince Chunyu Yan lounged lazily, the corners of his lips curling into a faint, almost imperceptible smirk that seemed to mock.

"What does the counselor think?"

Sitting opposite Crown Prince Chunyu Yan was the strategist Quding, a native of Xingtai. Previously, he served in Nanqi but was underutilized. Later, he fled to Yunchuan, claiming to be a disciple of the sage Guigu Zi, and became a distinguished guest of Crown Prince Chunyu Yan.

Hearing his lord’s inquiry, Quding did not dare to be negligent.

"At first glance, it seems like a rivalry between concubines; at second glance, it’s the power struggle within the Jin Dynasty court."

Crown Prince Chunyu Yan asked, "How so?"

Quding replied, "Pei Jue holds significant military power, with achievements that overshadow his master. The Young Emperor of Jin has nothing left to reward him with or to bestow upon him. With the power to sway the entire court single-handedly, wouldn’t this make Empress Dowager Li very anxious? By using the concubine’s hand to test Pei Jue’s edge, killing two birds with one stone..."

After finishing, Quding nodded with conviction, stroking his beard in self-satisfaction.

However, the eyes beneath the Mountain Eagle Mask shone with a fiery intensity, yet there was not a single word of affirmation. Quding added, "Is the Princely Heir worried that Pei Jue suspects someone other than the concubine of poisoning, leading him to doubt you?"

Crown Prince Chunyu Yan countered, "If Pei Jue didn’t trust me, would I be able to sit here in Huayuejian so comfortably now, enjoying tea with the counselor?"

Quding was puzzled, "Then, what is the Princely Heir’s esteemed opinion?"

"None. The analysis provided by the counselor is very reasonable," Crown Prince Chunyu Yan said, his demeanor relaxed as he rubbed the bruise on his cheek, a flicker of scorn scarcely visible in his gaze.

Considering how Pei Jue hurried into the water to save her, that Feng Family girl must have been of great importance to him.

The Northern Jin court would surely think so too.

Empress Dowager Li is pettier than a pea, it’s not strange for her to send someone to poison...

Initially, that was his thought as well.

But upon reflection, he found the matter increasingly peculiar.

The day before at Huaxi Village, Pei Jue’s heavily armed guards had been secured, and it was thanks to Feng Yun drugging the guards with a sleeping potion that he found the chance to strike.

When the Feng Family girl opened her eyes and saw him, her initial reaction wasn’t fear, but surprise, astonishment...

Moreover, his decision to take her was made on the spur of the moment; even he couldn’t have guessed it, let alone Li Sangruo in far-off Northern Jin.

So, if he hadn’t abducted her, into whose hands would the little girl, drugged with an aphrodisiac and freshly bathed and clothed, have fallen?

He had just left when Pei Jue arrived shortly afterward...

The answer was on the verge of revelation.

It was all a sumptuous feast meticulously prepared by the Feng Family girl for Pei Jue...

To lure Pei Jue into the trap, she didn’t hesitate to harm herself. Regardless of what she was after, this girl was truly...

Ruthless, stubborn, and fierce.

Crown Prince Chunyu Yan began to smile in delight.

Before his trip to Huaxi Village, he had contemplated how to humiliate her, to torment her slowly until her death...

Yet, when she was truly in his grasp, he changed his mind—not just because of her extraordinary beauty that could rival that of fabled creatures, but also because of her cunning and twisted mind, which was a rarity in this world.

"It would be a pity to kill her..."

"Killing her would indeed be a real pity."

Quding watched the Princely Heir’s lips move, his facial expression gradually stiffening.

Living off one’s wit wasn’t easy; could it be that the Princely Heir had discovered he wasn’t that talented, nor a disciple of a disciple of Guigu Zi, and was considering whether or not to kill him?

—

The next day was another sunny one.

It was just dawn, and the heat of the day had not yet arrived, making it the most comfortable time of the day.

Feng Yun was outside in the courtyard, observing the newly sprouted radish seedlings when Xing Bing’s new wife, Madam Xu, came rushing in.

She managed the various affairs of the household’s women for Feng Yun. She was diligent and efficient and had quickly adapted to her tasks.

"Shi’er Niang," Madam Xu whispered, "Huan Ji wants to return to her mother’s home. She says her brother sent a message that their mother is severely ill."

Feng Yun’s eyebrows raised in a smile, "The General hasn’t forbidden his concubines from returning home. If Huan Jiao wishes to go back, then let her go."

Madam Xu waved her hands and gestured excitedly.

"But I find something peculiar about Huan Ji," she said.

Feng Yun asked, "What’s peculiar?"

Frowning, Madam Xu replied, "In this sweltering heat, Huan Ji seems quite bulky, as if she’s wearing several layers of clothing. She’s stuffing all sorts of food and items into her bag, claiming they’re to be brought back for her sick mother..."

Feng Yun was unconcerned, bending down to inspect her radish seedlings.

"Let her take them, it’s not often she gets to go home. Go to the kitchen and get a few pounds of white flour and a few eggs for her. Tell her it’s my goodwill and to take them home to her parents," Feng Yun instructed.

Madam Xu acknowledged and went off, slightly disgruntled.

She suspected the lady had lost her wits.

The well-rounded and attractive Huan Ji had tried to cozy up to the General at the manor that day, but the lady hadn’t taken it seriously.

So, when she went to fetch the flour and eggs, Xu’s wife took the opportunity to tell everyone:

"The lady’s favor towards Huan Ji is a great kindness."

Huan Jiao seemed hardly able to believe it when she saw the items.

Facing the direction of the main house, she said to Xu’s wife with tears in her eyes, "Please trouble sister-in-law Xu to thank Shi’er Niang for me."

Xu’s wife curled her lip, thinking to herself that if she really wanted to express gratitude, prostrating before the lady wouldn’t have taken much effort—that would have been sincere.

Huan Jiao left with the items in hand.

She did not bring the two maidservants Grand Eunuch Fang had pointed out to her at the beginning.

Her home was far from Huaxi Village; she had no ox cart or horse, and had to rely on her own two legs to walk back. By the time she got home, it would be dark.

However, upon leaving Huaxi Village, she did not head towards her home but instead went straight into Andu City, turning a corner, she headed for Mingyue Alley by the city gate.

This alley used to be bustling with merchants coming and going before Andu fell. As a result, there were many inns, tea houses, and eateries closely packed together. Most were now closed, except for one tea house that had removed its door panel. A boy of about fourteen or fifteen was sitting on the threshold.

When Huan Jiao approached, the boy stood up with a stern face.

"The tea house isn’t open for business, we are not serving customers."

Huan Jiao anxiously looked around and then took out a small purse from her bosom and stuffed it into the boy’s hand.

"Little brother, please tell the owner that I am a good friend of Lin Ji, my name is Huan Jiao. Lin Ji is dead, someone wants to kill me..."

Ever since she saw Lin E beaten to death with wounds all over her body, Huan Jiao had not had a single moment of peace in her heart.

She was afraid.

At first, she was afraid Lin E’s vengeful spirit would come after her.

But the spirit never came; instead, Alou did.

He was hesitant to speak, beating around the bush, "I’m an acquaintance of Huan Ji, and I don’t wish to see Huan Ji follow in Lin Ji’s footsteps... If there’s another way out, Huan Ji should consider it sooner rather than later."

Alou was usually a kind and honest person. Regardless of his intentions in coming to warn her, Feng Yun had murderous intentions towards her.

She could no longer stay.

But where could she go?

She couldn’t return home, and it was hard for a woman to survive in times of chaos.

So, she thought of the purse Lin E had given her, and the way Lin E had told her to find Grand Eunuch Fang.

This tea house used to be run by a man who was intimate with Lin Ji.

As long as she could find Grand Eunuch Fang and expose Feng Shi Er Niang, even if she couldn’t rise high and meet nobility, there was at least a chance for survival.

"Lin Ji, Lin Ji? Who’s that? I don’t know her."

The boy didn’t want the purse and pushed it back impatiently.

"You better leave! Our owner doesn’t want to get involved in idle matters..."

Huan Jiao bit her lip and stuffed the flour and eggs she was carrying into his hands. "Please help me, little brother. Go tell the owner... I know Feng Twelve’s secret, and I can vindicate Lin Ji..."

Upon hearing the name Feng Shi Er Niang, the boy finally showed a reaction.

"Wait outside..."

Before the boy could finish speaking, a figure suddenly burst out from the alley, grabbed Huan Jiao’s hand without saying a word, and cursed loudly:

"What a slut. You went to the General Residence, lived a good life, and didn’t care whether your parents lived or died... Now that you’ve fallen into my hands, let’s see where you can go to enjoy your life..."

The man was scruffy with a beard, sunken eyes, and his clothes were so ragged that their original color was indistinguishable. He was Huan Jiao’s elder brother, Huan Dalang.

After cursing, regardless of Huan Jiao’s response, he snatched the basket, glanced inside, and his eyes went wide. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

This was flour and eggs.

In these times, which household had finely ground white flour?

Who could still afford to eat eggs?

Huan Dalang’s mouth was dry, his throat almost sticking out his tongue.

"Come! Follow me home."

The boy protested angrily, "What are you doing?"

Huan Dalang raised a fist and spat out a curse, "An elder brother scolding his sister is only right and proper. What’s it to you, boy? Mind your own business when it comes to family matters in my house!"

Mingyue Alley was home to quite a few people.

Hearing the commotion, many peered out to see what was happening.

Huan Jiao’s face had already turned pale; Huan Dalang was no good and had never shown any sibling affection toward her. She felt so aggrieved she wanted to die but couldn’t break free and could only look back at the boy.

"Help... Little brother, save me..."

"Our parents are starving, eating soil portraying as deities, and even their stools are bloodied, and here you are, you little whore, holding flour and eggs to keep a pretty boy. Come on, follow me!"

Just like that, Huan Jiao was dragged out of the city gate by Huan Dalang.