The Slender Waist-Chapter 674 - 488: One in Ten Thousand

Pei Yao stayed at her parental home, being extremely cautious by nature, she wouldn’t wander around the residence unnecessary and certainly wouldn’t posture herself as the mistress of the house.

She had instructed her servants early on to prioritize the Princess in all matters.

Both openly and secretly, she made it known to everyone that there was only one mistress of the Pei Residence, and that was the Princess of Yonghuai, whereas she herself was a guest, a guest leeching off her younger brother.

Having returned from the back house of the Ao Residence, she knew that beneath the great mansions, the women loved to scheme and were extremely careful in every aspect.

But Feng Yun did not care about this.

She never considered herself as the master, nor did she treat Pei Yao as an outsider.

"Is elder sister busy? I’ve come to disturb you."

From afar, Feng Yun put on a smiling face.

On this clear day, Pei Yao was at the pavilion in Liushui Pavilion, playing chess with Cui Zhi.

Coming from a military family, her chess skills were not refined, and she had only learned a bit while at the Ao Residence, but Cui Zhi was an excellent player, with a calm demeanor, controlling the winds and clouds of the game board as if they were at his fingertips. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

When Feng Yun arrived, Pei Yao was being cornered to a hopeless position.

Upon hearing and looking up to see Feng Yun, she smiled warmly and rose to pay her respects.

"Sister-in-law has arrived at the perfect time, please come and help me tidy up this little hoof, he is truly profound in the art of chess..."

Feng Yun smiled slightly and glanced at the chessboard situation.

Cui Zhi had just risen to greet her and seeing this, also looked over.

The Feng Family of Xuzhou and the Cui Family of Pingcheng were both counted among the great clans.

The two exchanged glances.

Feng Yun said with a smile, "My skills are not refined, what if I lose?"

Pei Yao replied, "If you lose, then you lose, I’ll cover the stakes."

Feng Yun curled her lips slightly, "Then I shall shame myself."

Pei Yao made room for her, "Come, come, let me see a contest between experts."

Cui Zhi stood aside, and when he saw Feng Yun take a seat without moving for a long while, it was not until she signaled that he sat down.

"Please have a seat."

"Yes." said Cui Zhi as he finally sat down.

Feng Yun saw her submissive demeanor, but those eyes were extremely confident, sharp and cold.

Obviously, although her mouth had submitted after the family’s upheaval, her heart had never yielded.

Feng Yun curled her lips slightly, "Miss Cui, please. I’ll give you a three-piece handicap."

Cui Zhi’s hand, reaching towards the board, paused slightly, disbelieving as she looked at Feng Yun.

Normally, the superior player offers the handicap to the weaker one as a courteous gesture.

And currently, with her already having a clear advantage on the board, was Feng Yun being arrogant or simply foolish?

Feng Yun was the master, Cui Zhi the servant.

As the master had instructed, the servant had no choice but to obey.

The corners of Cui Zhi’s lips curved up in an inadvertent smile.

"I accept the Princess’s courtesy."

The moment she made her move, Cui Zhi was wholly convinced that she could defeat Feng Yun soundly in this game, as she couldn’t comprehend how Feng Yun, isolated and besieged, could possibly break through.

However...

The winds and clouds on the board shifted dramatically.

Feng Yun’s cunning and unpredictable moves were something Cui Zhi had never seen before...

She was surprised to find that Feng Yun’s skills were not lacking but rather, she was an exceptional talent rarely seen in the game...

"I..."

When Cui Zhi placed her last piece, it was done weakly.

"I concede."

Feng Yun smiled faintly, not saying much, and without the arrogant posture of a victor, she turned her head to look at Pei Yao as if the game had never happened.

"My visit today was to bring a gift for my elder sister."

Pei Yao was momentarily stunned, her smile bloomed across her face.

"That’s quite a coincidence, for I’ve also prepared some food and items, convenient for the journey. I was about to send them to you later..."

Feng Yun thanked her with a smile.

She then looked up at Jin Shuang and Pin Shuang.

"Come here, pay your respects to Lady Pei."

Jin Shuang and Pin Shuang, having come to Liufeng Academy, had no idea what it was for and, upon hearing Feng Yun’s command, timidly stepped forward, bowed to Pei Yao with voices soft and sweet, carrying a natural charm.

"Your servants, Jin Shuang and Pin Shuang, pay respects to Lady Pei."

Feng Yun said, "From now on, you two will serve at Lady Pei’s side."

Jin Shuang and Pin Shuang were both stunned, profoundly shocked.

They hadn’t expected Feng Yun to suddenly offer them to someone else.

Just moments before, they had been joyfully anticipating their return to Andu with her...

Pei Yao too was somewhat surprised, laughing as she spoke, "These are two clever and handy girls; do you really want to give them to me, sister-in-law?"

Feng Yun also laughed, "How could I dare offer them to my elder sister if they were not clever and handy?"

She then took hold of Pei Yao’s hand, speaking earnestly and heart-to-heart:

"We’re family, there’s no need for formalities. Anyway, we have many people at Changmen, and I don’t even know what to assign them to do; it would be a waste. I see that your residence could use a few more servants, just in time for my elder sister to command..."

Pei Yao, naturally empathetic and, after the recent events, even more keenly aware that only family would truly support her, had already cleared away any grudge against her sister-in-law and fiercely guarded her.

"Since sister-in-law has taken the trouble, I happily accept."