The Slender Waist-Chapter 783 - 556: Bizarre Arrival

It was also on Pei Jue’s birthday.

At that time, Feng Yun had just entered the General Residence not long ago, feeling both terrified and fascinated by everything. Everyone said there was only one woman by the Great General’s side, which should mean she was greatly favored. Subconsciously, she mimicked the role of a virtuous wife, handling household chores, cooking soup, and making clothes for him.

Usually, Pei Jue did not necessarily show much emotion towards her advances, but he would accept them, and sometimes he would even reciprocate.

She made a pot of soup.

He would have someone send over a piece of Green Jade.

She embroidered a sachet.

He would have someone make a set of clothes for her.

The two of them together did not share affectionate whispers of lovers or sweet nothings, but in their daily life of food and clothing, Pei Jue was accommodating towards her, letting her be.

But that time, when Pei Jue saw the new clothes she had personally sewn, he was far from joyful as he was today...

It seemed like he almost hated his birthday, to the point of loathing.

Feng Yun had worked on that garment for a long time and brought it to him with courage, presenting it as if offering a treasure, saying "Wishing General He a thousand autumns of joy," but he just gave her a cold look, didn’t even touch it, and left with a flick of his sleeve.

Perhaps too much time had passed.

Or perhaps, having suffered too much in her previous life, she had forgotten such trivial matters.

Even now, remembering that icy glare was still heart-wrenchingly painful.

Feng Yun gave a soft laugh, "Back then, I was trying to win the General’s favor, not expecting that I would mistakenly flatter the wrong way. How embarrassing."

"I’m sorry." With a slight choke in his voice, Pei Jue looked down at her, stood silently for a moment, and then gave a belated explanation, "That day was not my birthday, but merely the day my father found me... and also the anniversary of my birth mother’s death."

It was also the day he witnessed his mother being humiliated to death.

"At that time, I could not control my grief, but I should not have disregarded Lady Yun’s kindness."

Feng Yun slowly reached out, clasping his fingertips.

In her previous life, she did not know Pei Jue had such a past.

Understanding now, it all became clear.

Pei Jue had always suspected that the Feng Family was implicated in the death of Xie Xian and the Xie Family Army, making her the daughter of his parents’ and his family army’s enemy. Receiving a gift from the enemy’s daughter on the anniversary of his mother’s death filled him with unbearable resentment, yet he couldn’t confide this to anyone.

Her grievance was visible on her face, while Pei Jue’s torment was concealed in his heart.

With this thought, Feng Yun felt a sense of relief.

After all, despite his hatred, he merely left without lashing out at her.

Looking up, she whispered softly, "The same mistake, and I’ve made it twice."

She slightly curved her lips, her eyes brimming with remorse, "Today, I took the liberty to celebrate your birthday extravagantly... please don’t be annoyed with me, okay?"

Pei Jue shook his head, his black eyes sparkling with a strange light, his tone relaxed as if joking.

"I thank Heaven, for I once again wear the new clothes made by Lady Yun."

The word ’again’ carried the vicissitudes of two lifetimes.

Feng Yun’s eyes slightly curved, and she breathed a barely perceptible sigh of relief.

"That garment, I later locked it away in a trunk."

"I know." Pei Jue held her face, his breath trembling slightly as he leaned down to kiss her, "Later, I wore it to chase after you."

Feng Yun’s throat moved.

She had something to ask, but the man held the back of her head, and all her questions were swallowed by his burning breath.

That night the moon shone brightly, and the leaves in the courtyard rustled.

Feng Yun emerged from the misty bath, Pei Jue was not there.

When he returned to the room, his hands were clutching several branches of crabapple flowers.

-

The night immediately following his imprisonment, Duan Wu readily confessed.

It all boiled down to him acting under the orders of Feng Jingyao. However, how he stole the defense map and how he broke into the private chambers of the Pei Residence, and why he harbored ill intentions towards Feng Ya, his accounts were a bit jumbled.

One moment he claimed he was framed and completely unaware, the next, he confessed his long-time admiration for Feng Ya’s beauty and mentioned being inebriated on the day, unable to resist when he saw a beautiful woman entering the room.

But regardless of his intentions, having been found guilty of stealing the defense map meant implicating Feng Jingyao.

Of course, Feng Jingyao refused to accept this.

He vehemently denied Duan Wu’s testimonial, claimed ignorance, and demanded, as an envoy of Qi, that Dajin consult Qi Country.

At the same time, similar views permeated the Jin court.

Some believed that handling Feng Jingyao without consulting Qi might upset Qi, potentially reigniting conflicts between Jin and Qi, leading to renewed warfare.

Ruan Pu explicitly stated, "Not to mention that stealing the defense map is merely Duan Wu’s word; even if it were truly Feng Jingyao’s doing, we should first notify Qi before making a decision."

Ao Zheng disagreed with his view, immediately arguing back.

"Duan Wu is an official under Feng Jingyao, and Feng Jingyao represents Qi. Thus, Duan Wu’s actions represent those of Qi. Minister Ruan, would Qi dare to snatch from the tiger’s mouth and we, Dajin, shrink back?"

Ruan Pu sharply criticized Ao Zheng for being reckless.

Ao Zheng scoffed, calling Ruan Pu cowardly.

The two argued back and forth several times, but neither could determine a winner.

Such matters should be decided by the Emperor.

However, Emperor Wenzhi, after returning from a banquet at the Pei Residence that night, claimed he was unwell and had not attended court for three days.

Court officials took turns visiting Zhenghe Hall, and the Imperial Physician had diagnosed him countless times without being able to specify the illness.

The Emperor’s illness was peculiar.

The physicians couldn’t identify the disease; he just had no energy to get out of bed or attend the court.

What could be done?

The Emperor is not present, both major and minor matters are all decided by Pei Jue.

Pei Jue once went to Chongzheng Hall and met with Emperor Wenzhi.

The sick Emperor Wenzhi appeared extremely weak, not having listened to the whole cause and effect, weakly waved his hand.

"For all matters, major or minor in the court, just let Minister Pei decide. With Minister Pei here, there’s no need to ask for my opinion anymore."

The people who heard this phrase were not only Pei Jue.

Ruan Pu, Ao Zheng, and several princes and high officials were also present.

A heavy stone seemed to be pressing on everyone’s heart.

They faintly felt that something was wrong, yet they were powerless to reverse it.

-

The next day, Pei Jue summoned the court officials to Zhenghe Hall to discuss and make a final decision on the theft of the defense maps by the envoy from Qi Country.

"Send all records including Duan Wu’s testimony to Tai City. State that the evidence is conclusive, to secure Dajin Country’s foundation. On April 15th, at the Xuanhua Gate, execute the Qi envoy by beheading to serve as a warning and demonstrate our national prowess."

-

The national letter of Dajin galloped swiftly towards Tai City of Qi Country.

How Xiao Cheng would act upon receiving the news was yet unpredictable; meanwhile, Pei Jue, after sending the messenger out of the city, summoned Wen Xingsu and Helian Qian for a confidential discussion in the study.

The next day, military orders flew out of Xijing, reaching the frontiers of Dajin bordering the areas like Xinyi and others. The Northern Yong Army was even more rigorously prepared, in anticipation of Qi Country raising troops.

Thus passed the March of the first year of the Wenzhi era in Dajin.

At the onset of April, Yao Ru arrived at Xijing along with the messenger from the Northern Yong Army.

Originally scheduled to treat the Young Emperor Tian Shou, Doctor Yao’s entry into the capital was delayed, unexpectedly turning into a visit to treat Emperor Wenzhi, which was rather lamentable.

These days, the court buzzed with discussions due to Emperor Wenzhi’s peculiar illness.

Since returning from Pei Residence, he had fallen ill and strangely, despite consultations from all the notable doctors of the Imperial Medical Bureau and Xijing, not one could determine the cause of the illness.

The Young Emperor, who had just passed away, had congenital issues, yet Emperor Wenzhi who ascended the throne was healthy. How could he suddenly fall ill?

Thus, gradually, unfavorable rumors began to circulate within the court and public.

Some said there was a problem with the feast at Pei Residence.

Others said the Feng Shui of Chongzheng Hall was bad...

Finally, it was Princess Chang who decided to move Emperor Wenzhi’s sleeping quarters from Chongzheng Hall to Mingguang Hall, hoping that "the bright light of midday would drive away evil spirits and ensure the Emperor’s wellbeing."

However, the Emperor is already the Emperor, embodying righteousness, what should he fear then?

This kind of self-deceptive talk, whether others believe it or not, Feng Yun certainly does not.

She also found it odd how Emperor Wenzhi fell ill, so when Princess Chang wanted to invite Yao Ru, she did not oppose.

Before entering the palace, Yao Ru specially met with Feng Yun.

Treating the Emperor was never a simple task.

Yao Ru, a cautious person, felt uneasy inside and asked Feng Yun a question.

"Should the king’s illness be viewed with sincerity or taken lightly?"

Feng Yun chuckled and responded to him, "How does Doctor Yao usually practice medicine when in clinic?"

Yao Ru said, "With sincerity to diagnose the illness."

Feng Yun said, "Doctor Yao is a doctor; this is your only role. Boldly treat the illness."

With her assurance, Yao Ru finally breathed a sigh of relief, boarded the carriage sent by the palace, and went to see the sick.

Feng Yun had Ge Guang accompany Yao Ru for care.

Unexpectedly, after waiting at home for half a day without Yao Ru’s return, only Ge Guang came back to report, "Doctor Yao had just left the palace gate when he was taken by Princess Chang."

Feng Yun pondered for a moment, then nodded, "Wait outside the Princess Residence. Ensure Doctor Yao is safely brought back."

Ge Guang bowed, "Yes."

-

Yao Ru was of course safe.

He was merely a doctor who had also cured Puyang Zong’s finger, thus Princess Chang decidedly had no reason to trouble him.

Inviting him over was merely to inquire about the Emperor’s condition.

With her younger brother sick for so long and the cause still unidentified, Princess Chang was more anxious than anyone.

She welcomed him with good tea, showing genuine concern.

"There are no outsiders here, may I ask the sir to speak frankly, what illness exactly does His Majesty suffer from?"

Yao Ru pondered for a moment, "How did the Imperial Medical Bureau diagnose it?"

Princess Chang’s gaze flickered with slight panic.

She likely knew Yao Ru’s concerns and sighed, "Those incompetent doctors could not detect the root of the illness. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have gone through such trouble to summon you here."

Yao Ru mostly understood then.

"From what I see, His Majesty... is not sick."

What? Princess Chang was startled, observing Yao Ru’s expression before calming down slowly,

"I trust Doctor Yao’s medical skills, but I do not understand, if His Majesty is not ill, why does he lie in bed every day, too weak to rise?"

Yao Ru thought for a moment, stroked his beard, and sighed: "In this world, except for external evil influences, only emotional troubles remain."

Emotional troubles?

A perfectly fine Emperor, what emotional troubles could he have?

Thinking of the events at Pei Residence before he fell ill, Princess Chang pondered...