The Slender Waist-Chapter 690 - 498: The Taste of Home

Pei Jue was in Andu City, discussing matters with Xinzhou officials and military leaders until dusk before he returned to Huaxi.

The villa had received the news early and prepared the meal, waiting for the Prince of Yonghuai to return...

The aroma of the food wafted from a distance.

Pei Jue dismounted from his horse and walked to the carriage, reaching out his hand to Feng Yun.

"Lady Yun, we’re here."

Xiaoman suppressed a laugh, drew back the curtain, and leaned in to help.

Feng Yun glanced at the man before her and smiled faintly, placing her hand in his palm.

Pei Jue tightened his grip, holding her firmly and lifting her off the carriage.

Side by side, Pei Jue led her along the courtyard’s cloister, walking slowly inward. In places out of sight from others, their fingers gripped tightly, as if he was trying to crush her into pieces.

Feng Yun glanced at his solemn face and found it amusing within.

What a pretense!

She asked, "Has the king caught the scent?"

Pei Jue grunted, "It’s so good to be home."

Feng Yun felt that the Prince of Yonghuai had become more talkative nowadays; at least, this phrase was very pleasing to hear.

"Grandma rose before dawn, busying herself preparing food for you."

Pei Jue’s lips curled, and the space between his eyebrows revealed a joyful expression.

"I, as a son-in-law, am quite favored indeed."

"Of course," Feng Yun chuckled and exchanged smiles with him, "Let’s hurry up, son-in-law. I’m hungry too."

The serious matters at Andu City were resolved, and at the dinner table, the two only talked about their daily lives during the years of their separation.

Tiny, almost dull events were recounted. A single meal extended from dusk until the people settled for the night.

The night deepened, the lights were lit in the villa, and together with the lights from the Huaxi residences, they adorned the night sky, unfurling quietly like an ink wash painting.

Both bathed separately, harboring an unspoken restlessness in the still of night, magnifying their long-awaited reunion to an infinite degree...

The lamplight flickered gently, their gazes intertwined, as if sparks flew, the atmosphere heating up with passion. The little boat stranded by months of separation began to sway in the hidden corners of the heart.

No sweet nothings.

Silent gazes.

Only the incense burner in the shape of a qilin, quietly smoking, hugging the walls of the burner.

It was like the morning dew eager to merge with the green leaves, the air filling with a light sweet scent...

"Lady Yun," Pei Jue’s Adam’s apple bobbed, his eyes moist, slender fingers lightly brushing through Feng Yun’s long hair. The soft touch from his fingertips turned all his restraint to ashes.

"Are you well?"

"What?" Feng Yun’s eyes flickered, pretending not to understand.

Pei Jue’s chest heaved, his eyes dangerously narrowed.

"To make merry with you, Qingqing."

"..."

Feng Yun, under his piercing gaze, felt her heartbeat quicken and subconsciously asked:

"Has the king lost weight?"

In this serene night, amidst the warm and intimate atmosphere, with longing heaped into a state of burning passion...

She said he had lost weight?

Pei Jue gazed at her intently, "Love-sick."

Feng Yun: ...

She examined the man’s features, taking a moment before she believed that these words indeed came from Pei Jue’s mouth.

The man who was usually so serious, had learned to speak sweetly?

Feng Yun felt a warmth inside as if a fire was lit, yet her voice remained steady.

"Is the king truly going to lead the charge to Yecheng?"

Pei Jue: "Yes."

In fact, the outcome of the war was already decided at this point. Yecheng could continue to resist stubbornly, but it would only result in more casualties, with defeat inevitable...

Now it all depended on how to end it.

Feng Yun wrapped her arms around Pei Jue’s waist, chuckled lightly, "Will the king take me along?"

Her words were casual, without urgency or a hint of pleading. It was a negotiation, almost like a normal interaction between husband and wife.

Pei Jue looked at her for a moment and sighed softly. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

"I would say the battlefield is dangerous, but you would surely not listen."

Feng Yun raised her eyes, staring at him with a smile, "I would still listen, but after hearing, I would still go."

Pei Jue huffed, "Then why ask me?"

Feng Yun pecked his lips lightly, coaxing, "I still need the king’s consent. After all, who else is my husband but you?"

Pei Jue’s brow twitched.

Being called a son-in-law was not unpleasant, but it was not nearly as compelling as "husband." At that moment, it wouldn’t matter if she wanted the stars in the sky, he would likely find a way to fetch a ladder.

"What’s wrong?" Seeing his stiff expression, Feng Yun asked as he fixed his gaze on her unblinkingly, and her brows knitted slightly, "Why are you staring at me like that? Is there something dirty on my face?"

She touched her face with both hands.

Pei Jue: "I love to hear it."

Only then did Feng Yun catch on, her eyes softening as she teasingly chided.

"Then if I say it a few more times, is it settled? From now on, if anyone says that the Prince of Yonghuai is soft-hearted for bringing his wife to war, I won’t be involved, and you’ll have to worry about it all..."

Pei Jue: "No one dares to ask. Whatever we do is our business alone, and there’s no need to explain to anyone."

A simple statement, yet assertive without anger.

Feng Yun was originally only joking.

Startled by his words, she paused briefly.

"The king has changed a lot from before."

She ceased her smiling, speaking earnestly,

"Everything about you and me in this life is different from our previous one. The world has also changed, and how it will develop in the future is not something we can predict..."

Pei Jue looked at her.

Silence lingered for a long time.

Some words didn’t need to be spoken; they both knew all too well.

Pei Jue said, "Even if I were to fail everyone in the world, I would not fail you."

Feng Yun lowered her head and smiled, "I believe you. We, who’ve stolen a lifetime together, should naturally cherish each other and stand united. What’s the point in fighting amongst ourselves? So, if one day you’re dissatisfied with me and have a change of heart, just say the word."

Pei Jue raised his eyebrows, "Thinking about getting me a concubine again?"

Feng Yun: "What kind of sweet dream is that?"

She glanced over dismissively.

Then she began to laugh.

"Of course, we’ve both lived a lifetime and should be more open-minded. If you truly want to take a concubine, or even divorce me to remarry and extend your lineage, I can understand and am willing to facilitate that for you."

Pei Jue: "Here we go again..."

Feng Yun laughed, "Are you reluctant when it’s for your own good? I don’t believe you’re indifferent to having no children of your own, and that no one’s whispered anything about it in your ear?"

Which successful man doesn’t want descendants to carry on his glory?

Feng Yun believed Pei Jue was no exception.

Indeed, he fell silent.

Pei Jue certainly wanted children.

He looked at Feng Yun, "My children can only be borne by Lady Yun."

Feng Yun: "You know very well..."

"No need to say more." Pei Jue pulled away Feng Yun’s hands and gently parted her to both sides, "Absence makes the heart grow fonder than a new marriage. Talking about having children isn’t as good as doing things that make children..."

Feng Yun started to laugh, "That was just idle talk."

Pei Jue hummed and glanced at her.

"Don’t think I don’t know why you’re being so magnanimous."

The smile on Feng Yun’s face grew, "Then tell me, why?"

Pei Jue’s gaze settled on her face, meeting her clear eyes, and the corners of his mouth curled slightly.

"You probably wish I’d fall for someone else, so you could enjoy the bliss of many lovers. Isn’t Crown Prince Chunyu waiting for you? And Xiao Cheng, the next position remains vacant, and everyone knows it’s waiting for you..."

"Huh?" Feng Yun’s brows relaxed, her eyes lit up, having heard the term "the bliss of many lovers."

The more she thought about it, the funnier and bolder she felt.

"Since ancient times, only men have multiple wives and concubines, enjoying the bliss of many lovers. The King has indeed reminded me... Women can do the same. Why can’t I?"

She suddenly caught hold of Pei Jue’s sleeve, looking at him expectantly with wide eyes.

"Since you have power, I should share the wealth and glory with you."

Pei Jue raised his eyebrows.

Feng Yun said earnestly, "You take three thousand beauties, and I’ll just take eight hundred handsome men..."

An arm came over forcefully, pulling her into his embrace, and a warm breath washed over her ear.

Pei Jue, clearly not amused, picked her up and walked away without a word. As soon as Feng Yun’s back touched the cold yet soft bedding, she looked back, and her heart suddenly tightened...

The Prince of Yonghuai, looming over her, had eyes sharp as blades, a handsome and stern face complemented by a robust physique, exuding not anger or viciousness, but intense desire...

He wanted her.

"Qingqing, every foolish word comes with a price..."

He began to untie her clothes.

The weather was cold, and Feng Yun, especially sensitive to it, was wrapped in three thick layers. He removed her outer garment and then the inner one. Layer by layer, impatience grew in his eyes, and he tugged at the collar, tearing it off...

A naturally delicate and beautiful woman, as tender and gentle as jade, ripe as a spring peach, blooming like a lily, was all that was pure and beautiful in the world, capturing his gaze, seemingly waiting for deep nourishment...

Pei Jue’s pupils were dark, the corners of his eyes flushed red.

"Lady Yun, how can you be so irresistible?"

"Mmm..." Feng Yun felt as though she was on fire under his touch.

Absence had made the heart grow fonder.

She let him have his way.

Transforming her snowy white skin into fresh and plump fish on the cutting board...

Releasing steaming heat as if awaiting his tasting, she quivered gently, untouched by the wind.

"Pei Gou, be gentle..."

Pei Jue did not answer.

He was always a man of few words. Why would that change now?

The lovely lady was flushed with desire, her eyes hazy, her lips lightly panting, having already enticed him into utter confusion, leaving no room for distraction...

"Don’t... I can’t take it..."

"Pei Gou!"

Feng Yun cursed a few times, but soon lacked the strength to struggle. She was still fragile, and he was as steadfast as a boulder, and frighteningly so.

She went along with him.

Pulses of numbness, bursts of soreness, and quickly she was deliriously swept onto cloud nine by him.

"You’re getting... more skilful. I always wonder if you’re a natural philanderer, or if you learned this from somewhere..."

Pei Jue hummed a low laugh.

His gaze was seared onto her face, a vast darkness.

"It’s due to Lady Yun’s skill."

If she hadn’t been so adorably pitiable, how could she have aroused his passion so fervently?

"You taught me."

Feng Yun was startled, then suddenly laughed.

In her past life, she had indeed been quite shameless in trying to please him.

She laughed along, her black hair rubbing against his shoulder.

At this moment, the world was silent, and the rustling sound of the night wind brushing through the banana trees and bamboo in the courtyard could be heard.

As if all of creation was celebrating, right there with them...