The Slender Waist-Chapter 710 - 512 Lingering Estrangement_2

Thus, he no longer recognized Pei Jue, but silently waited, waiting for Pei Jue to grow up into an adult. Meanwhile, he carried out his duties meticulously in the Li Mansion, assisting Li Zongxun wholeheartedly, from Provincial Governor of Bingzhou to becoming the Prime Minister of Dajin...

He earned complete trust from Li Zongxun.

Unexpectedly, when the Young Master grew up, he seemed to have completely forgotten the blood feud of the Xie Family; not only did he acknowledge the thief as his father, treating Pei Chong with utmost filial piety, but he also fell in love with the daughter of his sworn enemy, the Feng Family, marrying her as his primary wife, showering her with love and protection as if she were a treasured possession...

Tang Shaogong said, seeing all this, he was heartbroken and in torment, and hence, he had no choice but to take action...

From instigating Li Sangruo to deal with Feng Yun, breaking apart the Young Master’s marriage, to single-handedly driving a wedge between Li Sangruo and her father and Pei Jue, forcing Pei Jue onto the path of tyranny, to accumulate extraordinary power and grasp full authority, from the upheaval at the Central Capital to the destruction of Yecheng...

"Indeed, it’s just one side of the story." Feng Yun smiled, her willow brows lifting slightly, "After all, Li Zongxun is dead, and it was Tang Shaogong who personally shot him. There’s no proof for the dead."

Pei Jue’s eyes were calm and composed, nodding slightly.

"I don’t believe everything."

Feng Yun suddenly laughed: "So, what’s the next step he’s preparing for you? The path of revenge is far from over."

The annihilation of the Xie Family, the chief culprits were Feng Jingyao and the Nanqi Court. Even if the Emperor at that time wasn’t Xiao Cheng, hatred can be extended...

In Tang Shaogong’s eyes, she, Feng Yun, is also a member of the Feng Family.

She is the daughter of the enemy of the Xie Family.

Pei Jue said nothing.

He silently passed a small seal to Feng Yun’s hand.

Feng Yun was startled, "What’s this?"

Pei Jue said: "It was brought by Tang Shaogong."

Tang Shaogong had two pieces of evidence to prove that Li Sangruo is Pei Jue’s biological sister.

One of them was this very seal.

It was the token hurriedly stuffed to her daughter and son by Madam Xie before leaving.

She gave her son a jade pendant gifted by Xie Xian, which bore the small characters of Xie Xian—Zi Jin.

The jade pendant was taken away by Pei Chong back then, and it wasn’t until Pei Jue’s wedding that Pei Chong came to Xinzhou and returned it to him.

The token Madam Xie gave to her daughter was her own small seal, used for reading and painting in the boudoir. Even after more than a decade, Pei Jue could still recognize it as a relic of his mother.

The other strong evidence lies in Li Sangruo’s marriage.

Tang Shaogong said that initially, Li Zongxun did intend to marry Li Sangruo to the Pei Family.

It was he who secretly arranged for the hunting incident, allowing Emperor Xifeng and Li Sangruo to be alone together... thus ruining the marriage alliance between the two families.

"Only because I know the truth that as blood siblings they cannot be husband and wife."

"Young Master, think about it. The Li Family had more than one daughter, if not for the accident, with Li Zongxun’s character, why would he easily offend General Pei, marrying off a daughter who was already discussed to be wed to the Pei Family to someone else? If he wanted to climb higher, he could simply replace the daughter, or not engage with the Pei Family from the start, why bother making a formidable enemy in the court?"

"Young Master, you don’t know how much effort I had to put in to persuade Li Zongxun to prevent your marriage..."

These were Tang Shaogong’s exact words.

He even regretfully wept in front of Pei Jue for not raising Li Sangruo well, leading to her rebellious nature...

All of this sounds reasonable and logical, and this seal serves as evidence, leaving no loopholes.

But Feng Yun’s heart could not fully accept it with ease.

Li Zongxun is already dead.

So much is dependent on Tang Shaogong’s sole testimony...

How to verify what’s real and what’s false?

Even if Tang Shaogong truly was the loyal servant of Xie Xian, after more than a decade, with the changes of the world, who knew whether this person standing before her now was truly human or a specter?

Feng Yun took the small seal, examining it for a long time.

"They say blood is thicker than water, if you want to recognize your kin, I can’t stop you, but let’s be clear on one thing. I can’t let go of my grievances with Li Sangruo, and don’t you try to persuade me to be magnanimous."

Pei Jue’s expression was indifferent, "I won’t persuade."

Feng Yun raised her eyebrows, "Then I’ll take care of her, and you won’t interfere?"

Pei Jue hesitated for a moment, "I won’t interfere."

"Pah!" With such a connection, Feng Yun did not believe that Pei Jue could remain indifferent to his biological sister.

She could see that Pei Jue also had doubts about Li Sangruo’s identity...

However, Tang Shaogong, with this seal and his persuasive words, had convinced him quite a bit. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

He despised Li Sangruo’s character and was unwilling to recognize her, but a sister is still a sister; it would be impossible for him to harshly deal with her.

Feng Yun was not so generous, and her words were not particularly pleasant.

"Enough, I won’t force you to choose. Since things here are concluded, you don’t need me anymore, I will return to Andu tomorrow, not meddling in your family affairs. Whatever hatred I have, I will seek my own revenge..."

"Lady Yun." Pei Jue frowned deeply.

"Don’t persuade me." Feng Yun’s face became stern.

After staring at him for a moment, she again lifted the corners of her mouth, revealing a gentle smile.

"I understand your difficulties, and I ask Your Highness to respect my feelings. Other matters, we may discuss. But do not cross the bottom line."

Pei Jue: "What will you do?"

Feng Yun suddenly recalled the day Pei Jue asked her if she wanted Li Sangruo’s life...

It turned out that at that time, he was testing her.

"I have said, I will not take her life."

Death is not the severest punishment.

Sometimes, it is rather the most relief-giving.

Feng Yun gathered her gown around her and slowly walked back into the hall, sitting by the stove, she lifted the pot of hot tea, brewed a cup, and sipped it delicately.

After a moment, she raised her eyes with a smile, looking at the composed and handsome man standing by the window.

"How I treat her is my business, you don’t need to interfere."

Pei Jue glanced at her obliquely.

Slowly, he walked toward her and looked down intently.

"Who am I? Who are you? Who am I to you?"

Feng Yun’s brow furrowed; without moving, she gazed back at him.

A dense mist rose in the depths of Pei Jue’s eyes, slightly moist.

"Feng Yun, you are heartless."

This accusation somewhat irritated Feng Yun.

If she had not just listened to his story, she might have turned against him on the spot...

But even turning her face wouldn’t get her out of his palm.

Yecheng is not like Huaxi, and even in Huaxi, under the rule of Dajin, those who dare to turn against the Prince of Yonghuai probably think their lifespans are too long...

Feng Yun calmed down.

"I became arrogant out of favoritism. My words just now went too far."

She put on a flexible and adaptable demeanor, smiling faintly, her fingers pinching the edge of the teacup, slow and deliberate, each word uttered seriously, but in Pei Jue’s eyes, it was all hypocrisy.

"Your Highness’s family affairs truly do not allow for my interference, let alone given my status... A girl from the Feng Family, always susceptible to unjust suspicion, wrecking your sibling relationship is indeed unacceptable."

"What did you say?" Pei Jue seized her chin and lifted it.

Feng Yun took the opportunity to extend her arms, embracing him tightly, seeking warmth within his gown, her cheek pressed against his chest with an air of coy sweetness.

"I said I was wrong and made things difficult for Your Highness..."

"Is that so?" Pei Jue looked down at her, the dark depths of his eyes churned with unsettled melancholy, "How could I be troubled?"

Feng Yun twisted her brow slightly, "Siblings are like limbs, connected by blood, an inseverable bond, even when bones break tendons still connect. But as husband and wife, converging by fate, separating due to circumstances, the bond is ultimately shallower. How could I lack understanding..."

"Smooth talker." Pei Jue bent down to caress her shoulders, gently kneading them, then pushed her slightly back, his dark pupils staring coldly at her.

Her delicate beauty was like peach blossoms against her face, distant mountains filled with mist, autumn waters brimming.

Unbeknownst to when, he had fallen so deeply as to nearly lose his rationality.

And she...

Pei Jue’s fingers touched her face.

Her red lips quivered, her alluring eyes like silk, unintentionally seductive, life-threatening when enamored.

An addictive obsession.

Yet without a shred of sincerity.

Pei Jue suddenly let go of her, straightened up and flung his sleeve.

"Your brother will arrive at Yecheng tomorrow. Meet him before he leaves."

He left.

Just like that, without any expression on his face, he strode away.

Feng Yun remained motionless, her heart swelling with anger.

Li Sangruo, oh!

What kind of good fate is it, to have such a brother?

But it’s no use...

Between them, there is only life and death, no forgiveness.

But for such a despicable man...

One still has to appease him when necessary.

Even if it is using him as he said, one must use him well, use him for all he is worth!