The Slender Waist-Chapter 806 - 572: The Emperor Arrives

Feng Yun responded softly, her gaze lightly lifting toward the pinecone wind chime hanging by the window, a trace of barely noticeable gentleness in her eyes.

Sunlight filtered through, casting shadows on the wind chime, creating a dappled effect that resembled delicate ripples.

After a moment, she let out a faint sigh.

"I don’t know if this is a blessing or a curse."

Xiaoman widened her eyes, completely unable to fathom her mistress’s thoughts.

"Of course it’s a blessing! How could it be a curse? Mistress, you’re expecting the Little Prince! If His Majesty finds out, who knows how overjoyed he’ll be..."

Feng Yun’s lips curved slightly. "Is that so."

This, she was certain of.

The child in her womb would undoubtedly be loved by Pei Jue...

And yet, for reasons unknown, since becoming pregnant, she often dreamed of Queque.

In her dreams, it was the little moments of their life together as mother and son in Qi Palace...

Then she would always wake up feeling guilty.

Now that she had another child, would Queque be displeased?

Just like when she gave birth to Yuchu, and saw that fleeting sadness in Queque’s eyes.

Queque was just too sensible, heartbreakingly so...

No matter how much pain he felt inside, he would never show it, leaving her worried for him. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Xiaoman was completely oblivious to Feng Yun’s inner turmoil, happily bustling about with plans—making little clothes, little hats, little shoes—excitedly saying she would get started right away.

Feng Yun couldn’t help but laugh and cry at once.

She pressed Xiaoman’s hands down, calming her.

"Don’t do anything. Act as though you know nothing."

Xiaoman was baffled. "Why? I don’t understand."

Feng Yun’s eyes lifted slightly, "Have you forgotten about the Xijing Defense Map that was found on Duan Wu in Pei Residence’s side room?"

Xiaoman froze. "I see."

Even in Xijing, there were those who could secretly carry out such significant schemes under the radar.

In Changmen, it wouldn’t be impossible either.

"Mistress is right."

This pregnancy was of utmost importance, so precious that no mistakes could be made.

As long as the mistress gave birth to the Little Prince, it could silence all gossip. No longer would anyone doubt her status.

Xiaoman clasped her hands together anxiously. "Please make it a Little Prince! Bodhisattva bless us, Amitabha. Amitabha, Bodhisattva bless us."

Feng Yun glanced at her. "What’s wrong with having a daughter?"

"It’s not that it’s bad." Xiaoman pouted slightly. "If it’s at Changmen, daughters are certainly wonderful. But His Majesty is the Emperor..."

She trailed off, fearing Feng Yun would be upset.

Feng Yun chuckled lightly. "Go prepare dinner. I’m hungry."

-

Pei Jue acted with swiftness and decisiveness.

The imperial edict was issued, and the Astronomical Bureau selected an auspicious date practically on the same day.

The date was set for Mid-Autumn in August.

"The moon shines like silken threads, its radiance flooding the courtyard—this is an exceptional, harmonious day when heaven and earth connect, yin and yang unite. Moving residences on this day heralds prosperity, assures blessings, and brings fortune to Da Yong, ensuring centuries of flourishing, enduring fortune, and unending glory."

Pei Jue boldly signed off. "Approved."

Too fast!

This was the unanimous thought of the court officials.

But everyone knew what kind of character Pei Jue possessed. Not long ago, the Imperial Court had been purged, and those who could now stand before Pei Jue and converse with the Emperor were those already loyal to him.

Who would willingly choose to live their days peacefully, only to be subjected to public executions and disgrace, their corpses exposed to the wilderness?

Move!

When commanded to move, it was done!

-

At dusk the next day, Feng Yun waited for the sun to set, then specifically traveled by carriage to Andu to inspect the residence.

Pei Jue’s mansion had been completed, located very close to the expanded Li Palace.

The houses, all brand new and uninhabited, surrounded the palace, where crowds of people gathered, pointing and commenting.

Further away, numerous craftsmen worked diligently.

The area had previously served as an Accompanying Capital, but the Emperor had never spent a single day living there. Now, with the New Emperor settling in, renovations and new additions were in full swing...

Everything was proceeding methodically and in perfect order.

It was clear Pei Jue hadn’t made a spur-of-the-moment decision but had planned this long ago.

The bustling discussions among the crowd paid no attention to Feng Yun’s carriage.

She quietly observed for a moment and instructed Ge Guang.

"Let’s go."

The carriage moved slowly, its curtains swaying lightly.

Feng Yun’s eyes were half-closed, her thoughts elsewhere.

No matter the outside gossip, speculating that Emperor Jingning had bent to the whims of a lover...

Feng Yun didn’t believe it.

Even if she had a part in it, it wouldn’t have been the decisive factor.

If Pei Jue were truly a foolish emperor who disregarded the security of the state and the welfare of the people for the sake of a single woman, she would look down on him.

No, Pei Jue must have other plans.

The realm is at peace now; it’s been several years since war.

But peace won’t last forever.

With Andu positioned here...

Could it be Pei Jue intends to rule over everyone?

-

Changmen.

As Feng Yun’s carriage entered, she saw Xing Bing and Hou Zhun waiting for her.

Guan Wei was also there, holding hands with her young daughter, who had just learned to walk, trailing beside Hou Zhun.

Since marrying, she had resided in the troop camp at Little Jieqiu, which had since been greatly expanded. Hou Zhun, as the commanding general, had his own residence there. Her days were quite comfortable.

But the joy of returning to her "maiden home" was entirely different.

As Feng Yun lifted the curtain of her carriage, Guan Wei’s eyes lit up.

"Jin Zhi, Mistress is back. Call her..."

Little Jin Zhi, who had just learned to say the words "Father" and "Mother," called out "Mistress" in a muddled yet endearing way.

Everyone laughed together.

Guan Wei took one look at Feng Yun and hesitated.

"Mistress, why have you..."

"Gained weight," Feng Yun interrupted her, to prevent any unwarranted speculation, sweeping a glance toward Xing Bing and Hou Zhun.

"Let’s speak in the study."

Hou Zhun had personally made his way to Changmen, naturally with something important to discuss.

The two men bowed slightly and followed Feng Yun, paying no attention to anything else.

But Guan Wei, being a woman, stared at Feng Yun’s figure for a few moments and shook her head.

Something’s not right.

How could Mistress gain so much weight?

-

Hou Zhun, being straightforward, took a sip of tea and spoke bluntly.

"The reason we’ve come to find you today is about His Majesty’s decision to relocate the capital."

Feng Yun nodded. "Speak."

Hou Zhun glanced at her calm face and said earnestly, "There are no outsiders here, so I won’t beat around the bush. Mistress, Mei Ling’s Troops have always drawn the attention of the Imperial Court. When the capital was still in Xijing, it was fine—the Emperor was far, and as long as His Majesty didn’t pursue the matter, it would pass with a blind eye. But..."

Xing Bing nodded in agreement. "Exactly."

Hou Zhun continued, "Once the capital is relocated to Andu, it will be right under the Emperor’s nose. Mei Ling’s Troops may very well become a thorn in the court’s side, an intolerable presence. It’ll be a real challenge."

Over the years, with continuous expansion and recruitment, Mei Ling’s Troops had grown to over thirty thousand men. With generals like Hou Zhun leading them and training them as a formal army...

The force was highly formidable.

While outsiders only speculated about its size and capabilities, everyone knew Feng Yun had amassed a private army in Little Jieqiu.

Even if Pei Jue didn’t overthink it, what about the court officials?

Hou Zhun, being experienced, understood the implications well.

Would the Emperor truly remain unmoved in the face of repeated petitions and impeachment?

Feng Yun smiled lightly at them.

"I understand your concerns. Moving forward, we must act with even greater caution. As long as the Imperial Court finds no fault in us, there’s no problem. During the Yecheng reclamation, Mei Ling’s Troops contributed significantly to the victory and were commended by the court."

Hou Zhun sighed.

"That was then—when they needed us. But when they don’t need us..."

Xing Bing posed a direct question. "What if His Majesty demands that Mistress hand over Mei Ling’s Troops to be restructured into the Imperial Army? What would you do?"

Feng Yun smiled faintly. "The troops of Changmen can only belong to Changmen."

The two men exchanged glances and understood her stance, bowing in unison.

"Understood."

-

The fifteenth of August marked Mid-Autumn Festival.

According to tradition, on this day Changmen would host a grand celebration with sacrificial offerings of livestock—roasting lamb, slaughtering pigs, catching ducks—and later, at night, everyone would pray to the moon.

This was destined to be no ordinary Mid-Autumn Festival.

Even ten days prior, the county magistrates had begun preparations for the Imperial procession’s arrival.

Bridges were repaired, streets swept. Not only were officials of all ranks required to assemble for the occasion, but representatives from all walks of life—soldiers, farmers, merchants, and artisans—were selected to welcome the New Emperor together.

Before dawn, the road outside Andu City was already packed.

Soldiers lined both sides of the road as dense crowds pressed together, sweating profusely but unwilling to give up their spot.

It wasn’t that they hadn’t seen the Emperor before.

But they had never seen the Emperor as Emperor.

Curiosity and excitement coursed through the swarm, resembling ants on a hot pan...

An attendant clanging his wooden clapper strode through, striking it loudly.

"Silence! Silence!"

"No loud shouting!"

Clang!

"Do not obstruct the Imperial procession!"

Clang!

"No fighting or running about!"

Clang!

"Maintain decorum!"

The clapper-wielding attendant carried out his duties diligently, but as soon as he left one area, the crowd resumed murmuring, impossible to silence entirely.

Until the sound of hooves echoed on the official road, followed by a commanding shout that resonated like thunder.

"His Majesty approaches—"

The crowd’s gaze was drawn inexorably to the Imperial procession, surging forward like waves.

Pei Jue was not riding horseback today but seated in his imperial carriage.

The Imperial Guards marched in neat rows, escorting him. Six horses pulled the carriage, their majestic presence advancing from afar to near amidst the roaring wind and the throngs cheering along the road...

Pei Jue’s dark eyes narrowed slightly.

Seated firmly in the carriage, his cold and stern gaze nonchalantly swept over the crowd.

He saw many people from Changmen.

But he didn’t see Feng Yun’s familiar face.

That wretched woman—she hadn’t even come to greet him.

Indeed, she’d given him quite the "surprise," hadn’t she?