The Slender Waist-Chapter 757 - 541: The Trend of the World_2

She dared not laugh.

When the carriage entered the city gate, the guards needed to check the documents, and they were very serious. Zuo Zhong and Wen Xingsu showed their waist tokens, and after the guards learned their identities, they respectfully stepped aside.

Puyang Yi also sensitively detected the solemn atmosphere and sighed again.

"Finally had peace for three years."

For her, these three years were extremely comfortable.

Newlywed to Wen Xingsu, the world was peaceful, no wars, having money, leisure, and the protection of her maternal family; except for not having children, life was almost without regrets...

Though Yuan Shangyi paid no attention to the state affairs and the Emperor was merely a symbolic figure, what did it matter?

These were the best years Dajin had seen in the past few decades.

If possible, Puyang Yi also wished for Yuan Shangyi to live a long life.

But fate did not favor such wishes, he ultimately couldn’t hold on.

What would happen next, Puyang Yi barely dared to think about.

"Ayun," she suddenly reached out, clasped Feng Yun’s arm and pressed her face against it, "I’m scared."

Feng Yun looked at her sideways, his lips curving up slightly, "I’m not big brother, acting coquettishly won’t work on me."

Normally, Puyang Yi would have reacted with petulant coyness.

But this time, she was unusually calm, just holding him tighter and tighter, as if afraid of losing something, with her eyelids drooping and remaining so for a long time.

"I wish for us all to be safe."

Feng Yun steadied her shoulders, straightened her up, and smiled into her eyes, asking:

"Is this fear of facing one’s homeland?"

Puyang Yi did not speak.

She knew that Feng Yun was well aware that her fear stemmed from the potential conflict between the Prince of Yonghuai and her mother.

Puyang Yi did not care to delve into political matters, but she was not completely ignorant.

With Yuan Shangyi present, and Pei Jue wholeheartedly supporting, her mother would not think overmuch.

But with the Young Emperor gone, her mother’s thoughts would inevitably become active, wanting to install her own nephew, Yuan Yue, the son of the Prince of Zhuangxian, as the heir and support him to become the Emperor...

A daughter knows her mother best.

Everyone desires that supreme position.

With the opportunity right in front of her, and the throne within reach, her mother would not give up.

Moreover...

Without Yuan Shangyi, actually having Yuan Yue succeed to the throne could be deemed legitimate and not just fond delusions...

The premise is that Pei Jue does not obstruct.

But would Pei Jue obstruct?

Who, in his heart, does he regard as the suitable Emperor?

Would he conform to the Grand Princess’s wishes and support Yuan Yue...

Puyang Yi felt he would not.

Her mother, her second brother, Yuan Pu, and a host of royal relatives all belonged to Dajin’s original forces, the Old Party.

Pei Jue outwardly had no stance, yet his brother-in-law, Ao Zheng, was the head of the New Party.

The New Party would not have developed so quickly or have had the chance to compete with the Old Party without Pei Jue’s covert support.

Pei Jue seeks balance, stability.

Once Yuan Yue ascends the throne, it would disrupt this balance...

While he is still young, it is manageable, but what about when he governs by himself?

Yuan Yue is several years older than Yuan Shangyi; he’s thirteen this year.

How many years can he be put off?

If Pei Jue disapproves, but his mother insists, Xijing will again see a storm of bloodshed.

That is not what Puyang Yi wanted to see...

When the time comes, which side will her husband stand on, and what should she do?

The sudden unexpected incident threw her mind into chaos, her eyes reddened, but Feng Yun remained very calm.

She acted like she knew nothing, instructing the driver Ge Guang.

"First, take the Lord of Pingyuan County to the Grand Princess Residence."

Ge Guang answered: "Yes."

Puyang Yi buried her head in Feng Yun’s arm.

The carriage stopped at the entrance of the Grand Princess Residence.

Feng Yun smiled and said: "Today is a rush, I won’t meet Her Highness. Please send her my regards, sister-in-law."

Puyang Yi nodded, her eyes moist, "No matter what happens, we are still good sisters, right?"

Feng Yun smiled, "Go back quickly, Her Highness must be missing you after such a long time."

Puyang Yi slowly got out of the carriage.

Wen Xingsu rode up, took her hand, and helped her down.

But his gaze was fixed on Feng Yun.

"I will visit the prince later at his residence."

Feng Yun nodded, "It’s proper to meet your mother-in-law first upon returning to the capital. Go ahead."

Wen Xingsu’s gaze darkened slightly, he did not say much, nodded at Feng Yun, and then turned away with Puyang Yi.

From behind the curtain, Feng Yun watched their receding figures and after a long while said: "Return to the residence."

It was now midday, yet the temperature was unusually cold. Thick clouds covered the sky, like a massive gray curtain. The death of the Young Emperor seemed to make even the heavens mourn, moist mist pervading the air, pedestrians on the streets hurried their steps, seeming both cautious and affected by the weather.

The carriage slowly passed by the Grand Princess Residence.

Feng Yun saw the tightly closed palace gates and guards layered both inside and out.

The doors of the Pei Residence were also firmly shut, Pei Jue was not at home.

The servants said, the prince had entered the palace last night and had not yet returned.

Zuo Zhong, knowing her anxiety, quickly said: "I’ll go to the palace to check, and will report immediately if there’s any news."

Feng Yun responded, "Thank you."

Zuo Zhong left, Feng Yun brought Aozai back to the courtyard, and immediately sent people to gather information relentlessly.

Half an hour later, Ge Yi brought back Luo Yue.

She came from Wei Zheng’s residence, and upon seeing Feng Yun, she bowed deeply, her expression a mix of joy and worry, her brow furrowed with sorrow, lacking her usual carefree demeanor.

"Sister."

She sat down, barely having time to sip her tea, and urgently said:

"The Emperor suddenly passed away, and I heard that the Prince of Yonghuai has ordered the arrest of all attendants and the Imperial Physician who were before the Imperial Carriage, suspecting that the Emperor’s death might be otherwise... Not to hide from you, Wei Zheng entered the palace last night, and there’s still no news back today, my heart is also very unsettled, I sent someone to inquire this morning, but the palace gates are sealed, no one can enter, no knowing what happened inside..."

She cast a weak glance at Feng Yun.

"I heard that outside the Zhuangxian Royal Residence, more Imperial Guards are stationed, guarding strictly."

"Since last night, the Jingji Camp’s army has been on standby."

"Sister, I am really scared."

One statement following another, Luo Yue, usually so composed, appeared completely disorganized, her eyes full of panic.

In the face of the world’s major events, she, a woman, had no ability to resist risks.

"Wei Zheng won’t be in trouble, right?"

Feng Yun looked up: "That depends on where his heart leans."

Her tone was calm, and despite her beautiful appearance showing slight fatigue, there was no tension, her expression razor-sharp, exuding a cold air.

Luo Yue’s heart suddenly chilled.

"I hope his father doesn’t choose the wrong path."