The Slender Waist-Chapter 782 - 555: The Heart of Stealing the Nation

Chapter 782: Chapter 555: The Heart of Stealing the Nation

Feng Yun watched Pei Jue for a long time.

Standing in the delightful spring light of March, observing him.

After a long while, she smiled faintly.

"How wonderful."

She showed no surprise, not even a hint of it, accepting and believing in the outcome so naturally, and the deeper nature of this outcome—

Xiao Cheng wished for Feng Jingyao’s life.

When the Feng Family allied with Xiao Cheng to overthrow the Emperor of Yanping, Xiao Cheng, and elevate Xiao Cheng to the Dragon Throne, leveraging the Dragon’s Merit to dominate in the Zhengchu Dynasty, arrogantly looking down on ministers for years, they finally met with inevitable fate.

The sovereign is sovereign, the vassal is vassal.

Having too much merit yet not knowing how to keep a low profile, such a day was bound to come—just as it had come for the Emperor of Yanping, Xiao Cheng. It was either your death or my survival.

However, last time, the discarded pawn was Xiao Cheng; this time, it was the Feng Family.

Because, Xiao Cheng was not the foolish Xiao Cheng.

He was adept at scheming.

Frighteningly adept.

An emperor who kills a meritorious minister inevitably leaves a bad name in history.

Yet the Feng Family, relying on their merits, continually hindered everywhere, something no ambitious emperor would tolerate.

Thus, Xiao Cheng sent Feng Jingyao on a diplomatic mission to Dajin, using Pei Jue’s hand to remove a major thorn in his side, to henceforth monopolize governmental power without any relative meddling, his hands unstained by blood and his reputation as a wise ruler untarnished.

Thinking of how Feng Jingyao looked utterly disgusting like a poison-fed fly at his wit’s end yet helpless, Feng Yun’s heart overflowed with pleasure.

Being reborn, what could be more delightful than watching one’s enemies slaughter each other, dying unjust deaths?

"I guessed Xiao San would break the bridge after crossing the river, that there’d come a day when he could no longer tolerate Feng Family’s arrogance, but I did not expect it to be so soon."

Pei Jue said, "Feng Family pushed too aggressively."

"Is that so?" Feng Yun asked with a smile, "What did they push him on?"

Pei Jue gazed at her, "Initially, they pushed him to take a legal wife, now, they push him to establish a queen."

Ha! Feng Yun did not even frown, saying lightly, "Just as he does. He, how could he let others dictate his choices?"

Pei Jue’s gaze was deep, his feelings complex.

He often rejoiced in their tacit understanding, yet felt intense jealousy over her understanding of Xiao Cheng.

Yes, jealousy.

Pei Jue was reluctant to admit but had to face this unfamiliar emotion.

After standing silently for a long while, he asked, "Lady Yun, do you think I should cater to his wishes?"

Feng Yun chuckled lightly, "That depends on Your Majesty’s decision. If Xiao Cheng is a fierce tiger, then Feng Jingyao is a venomous snake, once set free in the wild, he will be hard to catch again."

Pei Jue asked, "Do you want him dead?"

Feng Yun smiled faintly, "Before he dies, I want to know the truth behind my mother’s tragic death."

Pei Jue was silent.

This was indeed the great gift Xiao Cheng had sent them.

Or rather, sent to Feng Yun.

His dark eyes serene, he looked up at the blooming begonias by the roadside, plucked one, and placed it in Feng Yun’s hair, calmly saying, "Lady Yun, have you ever thought, by doing this, he wants you to remember his affection?"

Feng Yun stroked the flower on her temple, glancing sideways, the man as handsome as ever, his expression unjealous.

She laughed, "Your Majesty is overthinking."

Feng Yun and Pei Jue thought differently.

She did not think a person like Xiao Cheng, after so many years, would still remember her.

In these three years, without Ren Rude or Jin Ge, Xiao Cheng seemed to have completely vanished from her life; occasionally mentioned in the letters received from Daman, and even then, hardly any affection involved.

Moreover, having been his wife in a past life, Feng Yun always knew Xiao San’s ambition was only for power not for romantic entanglements.

For the past three years, new beauties were frequently introduced in Qi Palace, Xiao Cheng did not lack female companionship, how could he hold on to a remembrance of a woman for so long?

If she had to ascribe any sentiment, perhaps she was Xiao San’s "unattainable," something somewhat difficult for him to accept.

Feng Yun disagreed, speaking, "Let alone the fact Xiao San wouldn’t dwell on romantic attachments, even if that were the case... I wouldn’t owe him any gratitude."

"Is that so?" Pei Jue said subtly.

It sounded like a casual query, as if he didn’t care.

Letting those heavy emotions dissolve into the wind.

Feng Yun did not probe his unease, but smiled faintly, "I would rather witness how the Feng Family Members, once they knew the truth, would go insane."

Pei Jue remarked, "Without Feng Jingyao, Feng Family cannot stir up any more trouble."

After a moment’s thought, Feng Yun nodded, "Strike the snake at its vital spot, Xiao San is truly ruthless. If Feng Jingteng had been the envoy to Jin Country today, it would’ve been completely harmless to the Feng Family."

Pei Jue glanced at her.

In her heart, her biological father was so useless.

Feng Yun smiled, "That Formation Map, where did you find such a forgery, King? It seems to have fooled quite a few people."

Such confidential maps like the Formation Map were not meant to be seen by just anyone.

Feng Yun believed it was something Pei Jue had intentionally placed on Duan Wu after having him drink medicated liquor.

And she was sure it was fake.

Unexpectedly, Pei Jue said, "It’s real."

Feng Yun was slightly taken aback, "What?"

Pei Jue said, "The defense map is real."

Feng Yun: "..."

After exchanging a glance, seeing Pei Jue’s serious expression and knowing he wasn’t joking, she finally voiced her confusion, "Wait, why would you use a real one? What exactly is going on here? I’m confused."

This birthday banquet, including the layout of the West Chamber, was all to plot against Feng Jingyao.

The maid, on her first attempt to deliver a message for Feng Ya, was caught by Feng Yun and turned against her.

All the correspondences between Feng Ya and Lady Tao, along with their unsavory dealings, were crystal clear to Feng Yun.

Thus, they could turn the tables — making Feng Ya mistakenly believe Pei Jue, drugged in the chamber, was vulnerable, allowing him to sneak in to take advantage, before they caught him, trapping the turtle in the jar—-

In front of everyone, they caught Feng Ya and Duan Wu in the chamber meeting, swapping intelligence.

However, this intelligence was actually official documents that could have been stolen by the Pei Residence.

After all, it was logical and reasonable for Feng Ya to steal documents during his stay at Pei Residence and hand them to his father’s subordinate official, sufficient to convict Feng Jingyao.

She had never imagined that Pei Jue would use a defense map, and a real one at that.

Because the real defense map should not have appeared in Pei Residence...

Pei Jue looked at the confusion in her eyes and slightly furrowed his brow.

"It wasn’t me."

"Not you?" Feng Yun started, her heart inexplicably trembling, "You mean, the defense map Xiao Cheng obtained was placed on Duan Wu to frame Feng Jingyao?"

Pei Jue remained silent.

"No, no, no." Feng Yun shook her head, "I feel something is off. I understand why Xiao Cheng, to eliminate the Feng family’s influence, would send Feng Jingyao knowing our hatred of him, to be butchered at will in Dajin. But how could Xiao Cheng from Tai City, even with his long reach, manage to get the real defense map? That Duan Wu, even with the will, should not be able to obtain it."

Pei Jue still did not speak.

His dark eyes flickered, seemingly pondering as well.

Feng Yun had a ghostly illusion, "So, you mean this Formation Map appeared out of nowhere?"

She took a deep breath, suddenly feeling a chill down her spine.

"The existence of the defense map not only solidifies Feng Jingyao’s crimes but also hides a strike against the king—wouldn’t the possession of the defense map by Pei Residence imply that the king harbors intentions of usurping the state?"

Pei Jue hummed, "Lady Yun makes a good point."

Feng Yun was extremely surprised: "Who could it be then?"

Pei Jue gently embraced her, holding her hand in his palm without using too much force, his large hand encasing hers as if to encompass all of her, "Wait for me to investigate."

Feng Yun glanced at him.

Things had deviated from the plan, and she really wanted to understand why.

But remembering today was Pei Jue’s birthday, she again let go of her thoughts and smiled.

"I’ve also prepared a birthday gift for the king, would you like to see it?"

Pei Jue had received many gifts today, but none had made him as happy as these words.

He hummed, "Lady Yun is thoughtful."

It was a black wide-collared robe, light as silk, with folded branches and subtle flowers, elegant and soft, perfectly suited for the season."

Feng Yun said, "I’ve been idle at home these days, and I made this by myself."

In Andu, she was busy every day, rarely having the leisure to sit down like an embroideress to cut and sew clothes, even her own attire was from Ying Rong or Cheng Yi Workshop, it had been a long time since she had done any needlework herself."

But she grew up in Feng Family, and was not unfamiliar with needlework, making clothes quite expertly..."

"Try it on?" she smiled, asking Pei Jue.

Pei Jue held the clothes, remaining silent for a long time.

Feng Yun’s eyes curved, "Well, if you don’t like it, you don’t have to wear it..."

"I like it." Pei Jüe’s hand gripped the clothes tightly, as if clutching some treasure he’d regained and feared Feng Yun might take it away."

"I’ll wear it, right now."

He stared at Feng Yun, opened his arms, signaling her to help him change."

Feng Yun readily stepped forward, her smile brimming."

"Who would let you be the birthday boy today? I’ll indulge you."

Soft as water, she helped the man into his clothes, then pulled him in front of the bronze mirror, proudly saying, "My skills aren’t bad, it looks good."

The tall and strapping man was even more handsome and spirited in the clothes."

Feng Yun was quite pleased, waiting for praise."

Pei Jue looked at the person in the mirror, ripples stirring deep within his eyes as dark as a deep pool, bottomless. Feng Yun was surprised, tilted her head to ask, but suddenly he pulled her tightly into an embrace."

The begonia on her hair silently fell, landing in Pei Jue’s embrace."

"Yun Lady."

"What is it?" Feng Yun pinched his lean lower back and chuckled, "It’s just a piece of clothing, no need to be so moved."

Pei Jue did not speak, hugging even tighter."

Feng Yun was almost out of breath from his embrace, pushed him and looked sideways at the bronze mirror, and suddenly vaguely remembered..."

In her previous life, she had also made a similar garment for Pei Jue."

That day, something rather unpleasant had also transpired."