The Slender Waist-Chapter 792 - 564: The Edict of Abdication

The carriage interior was very cramped. Pei Jue leaned entirely against Feng Yun, producing no sound other than his breathing.

The air was unnervingly quiet.

Feng Yun had never seen Pei Jue so weak before. His breathing was tense and held.

The carriage entered the Pei Residence.

The curtain of the vehicle remained shut as Yao Ru stepped forward.

Zuo Zhong, Jiu You, and a group of guards from the Imperial Guard Camp dispersed the household laborers entirely—no one knew what had happened.

-

The gates of the Pei Residence had barely shut when a spy from the Princess Residence hurried off to make a report.

"Pei Jue’s health must have a serious problem," Princess Chang declared after hearing the news.

Anything that violates normal patterns must contain abnormalities.

She signaled her maid, "Assist me in changing."

After Princess Chang finished bathing, clothing, and adorning herself neatly, she stepped out of her chambers, only to be stopped by Puyang Yi’s outstretched hands.

"Mother."

Puyang Yi’s eyes were red as she looked at her.

"Mother, where are you planning to go?"

Princess Chang’s figure paused slightly, her face brimming with a smile. "I heard the Prince of Yonghuai suffered grievances in the great hall today. I intend to go and see him."

Speaking further, she seemed worried Puyang Yi might not believe her. She gestured for the attendants beside her to bring over the gifts she intended to take to the Pei Residence.

The maid lowered her head and said, "County Lord, please look."

Puyang Yi didn’t spare a glance at those items.

Her gaze remained fixed on her mother. Using a look filled with sorrow and disappointment, she locked firmly onto Princess Chang’s smiling eyes until the smile froze on her face and could no longer be maintained.

"I saw the spy return to the residence, and I also overheard what he told Mother. Why did you send someone to monitor the Pei Residence, Mother?"

Princess Chang’s face fell.

She didn’t speak, her lips pressed tightly together. She raised her hand to signal the attendants to leave, then finally cast a glance at Puyang Yi.

"Come inside with me!"

Her tone was stern, vastly different from her usual image as a kind and gentle mother. Puyang Yi instinctively shivered slightly inside.

She bowed her head and followed Princess Chang indoors.

Princess Chang took a seat up high, and Puyang Yi sensibly kneeled down in front of her, preparing the tea for her.

"Did Wen Xingsu send you?"

Princess Chang spoke frankly, her eyes filled with suspicion.

Puyang Yi’s fingers froze slightly. She shook her head twice before setting down the teapot.

"It has nothing to do with him. He doesn’t know about this..."

She glanced again at Princess Chang’s angry expression and added, "No matter how unfilial I may be, I would never speak ill of my mother in front of outsiders."

Princess Chang sneered. "Don’t bother defending him. Speak, what are you planning to do?"

Carefully, Puyang Yi leaned forward, her hands clasping onto Princess Chang’s arm, as though she were still that naive little girl unaware of the complexities of the world.

"Mother, let us not contend with the Prince of Yonghuai, alright?"

Princess Chang’s gaze darkened.

She did not reprimand, nor did she display anger; she merely coldly fixed her eyes on Puyang Yi. Slowly, she pushed the hands clinging to her arm away.

"Do you even understand what you’re saying?"

"Yes, Mother." Puyang Yi bit her lower lip, her eyes cast downward. "There are many rumors circulating outside now. Though I do not understand the ways of the Imperial Court, I do know—a mountain cannot house two tigers..."

Princess Chang let out a heavy snort.

"If you understand that principle, then what is the point in saying all this? Your own uncle sits on the Dragon Throne—that is the source of your prosperity and privilege."

As she spoke, she seemed pained, her gaze falling heavily on Puyang Yi.

"Pingyuan, from childhood to adulthood, you’ve wanted for nothing. You’ve grown into a kind-hearted soul, which brings me comfort. I wish for you to remain this way your entire life—free from suffering, living peacefully and smoothly as a pampered, wealthy County Lord. But you must understand where your affluence comes from..."

"Mother," Puyang Yi called out as she rushed forward to embrace her. Gazing up, she said, "More than I value my own wealth, I wish for Mother’s safety and peaceful years. Don’t you understand?"

Princess Chang’s body stiffened.

She stared into Puyang Yi’s earnest eyes, and despite herself, her heartstrings trembled faintly. Her tone softened.

"You are a good child, but given the current circumstances, I cannot afford to remain passive..."

"Mother! But isn’t this what Uncle wants, anyway?" Puyang Yi pressed forward, her words laced with determination.

"Uncle is timid by nature. He was never capable of being a bold ruler. Unable to contend with the Prince of Yonghuai, he simply wishes to escape the burdens of the throne and live carefree as an idle prince. What’s so wrong with that?"

Princess Chang’s pupils constricted slightly.

She spoke very slowly, deliberately emphasizing her words.

"You are naive. If the throne is ceded to Pei Jue, the entire Great Jin Imperial Family will face annihilation. You, me, your brother, your uncle’s entire family, and even more members of the Imperial Clan—their wealth, their futures, even their lives, will become the price of abdication."

"No, it won’t. Even if he doesn’t become Emperor, with a gesture of abdication, Prince of Yonghuai would surely grant the Imperial Family its honor and prosperity..."