The Slender Waist-Chapter 675 - 488: One in Ten Thousand_2

The two made decisions about Jin Shuang’s and Pin Shuang’s futures with laughter and chatter, without even asking a single question. Apart from Xiaoman, it seemed no one else cared...

Jin Shuang and Pin Shuang bowed their heads, not daring to speak, yet their eyes were already brimming with tears.

Xiaoman wanted to offer comfort but felt somewhat powerless.

It wasn’t until she returned to Meixiang Academy that she asked Feng Yun with distress.

"Why does the lady not want Jin Shuang and Pin Shuang anymore?"

Feng Yun looked at Xiaoman, her eyebrows arching.

"Who says I don’t want them? I pity their unfortunate backgrounds and have found them a good placement. Or do you think serving by Lady Pei’s side is not good enough?"

Xiaoman started.

"Of course, being by Lady Pei’s side is wonderful..."

Feng Yun countered, "Then what are you worried about?"

Xiaoman was at a loss for words.

On reflection, it did seem to make sense.

But something still didn’t feel right...

Feng Yun saw her with her head drooping, her delicate eyebrows tightly knitted in a sullen, troubled look, and she hummed lightly.

"If you can’t bear to part with them, or if you’re afraid they’ll lure your Big Brother Zuo away while at the Pei Residence, then you might as well stay too."

She had intended to keep Xiaoman with her from the start.

Because Zuo Zhong was in West Capital City.

But Xiaoman adamantly refused to leave her, choosing to stay by her side rather than be with Zuo Zhong. She was stubborn and would cry at the mere suggestion; Feng Yun had no choice but to keep her close, as one would with a child.

Sure enough, upon hearing this, Xiaoman’s eyes widened.

"I’m not worried..."

As she spoke, she became shy again.

"If he truly gets lured away by someone else, then let it be. What isn’t meant to be mine, can’t be forced to stay."

Feng Yun took a certain pleasure in these words and looked at her.

"Then what are you waiting for? Go and pack your things."

Xiaoman hurried off, joyfully.

Feng Yun couldn’t help but smile.

Jin Shuang and Pin Shuang had been quiet and obedient these past days, especially humble, almost to the point of fawning in front of Feng Yun. Anyone would find it hard to be harsh on them...

Feng Yun couldn’t be sure, based on a feeling, that the sisters harbored ill intentions, but she also didn’t want to keep them around, lest they interfere with important matters; so she kindly made arrangements for them.

Time reveals a person’s heart.

No one can pretend forever.

In time, whether it’s a mule or a horse, it will show its true form.

Pei Yao was not a fool, and with a shrewd person like Cui Zhi by her side, let them go then; to add some joy to the long, lonely days at Liufeng Academy, and incidentally, to see if these sisters reveal their true colors...

-

On the day she left West Capital City, the sky was clear and bright.

The luggage was all loaded onto the carriages.

The attendants who were traveling with her were also ready.

A line of carriages stretched out from the mansion gate, all waiting...

Feng Yun let Pei Jue take her hand as she stepped out of the Pei Residence’s grand doorway, glancing at the crowd outside the mansion, bidding her farewell, and she quickly stepped forward to bow in respect.

"Father, elder sister, thank you for seeing me off."

Pei Chong, not usually inclined to say much, today had them wheel him out to personally bid farewell to his daughter-in-law. Such kindness was not only unprecedented for Feng Yun, but even in the whole of West Capital City, one would be hard-pressed to find another family doing the same.

Onlookers on the streets felt fortunate for the Feng Family’s daughter.

Many married into wealth, but to marry the Prince of Yonghuai was no mean feat.

To be so esteemed by one’s husband’s family post-marriage was one in a thousand...

Pei Chong, as usual, gave a few instructions, not going beyond that.

Pei Yao, however, was reluctant to let go, holding Feng Yun’s hand and speaking many words.

"When your business there is concluded, come back early. The ongoing war over there is not safe, and we at home are very worried about you. Also, if you get the chance, keep an eye on Xiaoqi’s new wife. Don’t let her be ungrateful and misbehave..."

It was always Feng Yun sending others off; like today, to have so many people seeing her off, it was a first for her.

Feng Yun looked at every kind, smiling face and responded to each one.

Everyone had taken their leave.

Only Pei Jue remained.

He watched with an expressionless face, without a word of parting.

Feng Yun also stood solemnly, looking at him.

"Your Highness, I will be leaving now," she said.

"Mm," Pei Jue nodded his head, seemingly thinking it too bland, and then he raised his hand to tidy her clothes.

"Be careful on the road."

Feng Yun curved her lips, eyeing his furrowed brow, a hint of amusement flickering in her dark eyes.

"Do you have nothing else to say, Your Highness?"

Pei Jue bowed his head, gazing directly into her eyes.

"Take care."

Feng Yun froze completely.

All this wait, for just these two words?

With so many people watching, she wanted to say something, yet she could not, thus her lips twitched slightly as she bowed respectfully to him.

"You also take care, Your Highness."

"Mm, go ahead."

It was too indifferent.

Feng Yun muttered to herself with inward scorn, though her face was warm with the hue of spring.

"Till we meet again."

Feng Yun threw him a glance, approached the carriage, and with a reluctant heart, turned back to look at the crowd once more.

Pei Jue didn’t move an inch.

She snorted softly to herself, smiled at everyone with a curtsy, then turned around and stepped onto the stirrup to get onto the carriage.

"Sister-in-law, take care..."

"Have a safe journey."

The people at the door of the Pei Residence waved tirelessly.

Feng Yun lifted the curtain to look back, Pei Jue stood at the front, his towering figure blocking the view; if not for the corners of his robe fluttering in the spring breeze, his stern face and straight posture would look just like a sculpture.

She waved her hand.

Only then did Pei Jue raise his hand and wave back to her.

Afterward, with a swish of his robe, he turned and walked back into the residence.

Feng Yun stiffened, her hand froze in place.

Was this man really so bad at farewells?

She really shouldn’t have indulged him, shouldn’t have relented...

Once a man believes he’s won a woman’s heart, he no longer cherishes it.

Such character!

Feng Yun let the bamboo curtain fall with a "thud."

The carriage slowly made its way down the street, the wheels grinding a creaking sound on the cobblestones.

Gradually moving farther and farther away.

Gradually moving farther and farther away...

They soon left the city behind.

On the imperial road, the rosy glow was splendid, and through the curtain, one could faintly see the pleasing spring scenery.

Xiaoman leaned against the window, nodding and swaying her head in admiration.

Feng Yun was not in the mood, sitting silently with her eyes closed, resting. Unintentionally, she fell asleep with her head leaning to the side.

She didn’t know how much time had passed when the carriage stopped.

She barely opened her eyes, about to ask what was happening, when she realized Xiaoman was not in the carriage.

What caught her eye was a pair of smiling dark eyes.

The man’s tall figure blocked the light, and his voice was low and captivating.

"I’ll accompany you a part of the way. A longer part."