The Slender Waist-Chapter 835 - 587: Long-standing Wish

Ao Qi came amidst the heavy rain.

Standing in the hall, clad in battle armor, tall and upright.

The translucent morning light streamed through the lattice windows, illuminating his figure. Snowflakes that had yet to melt adorned his shoulders, accentuating his heroic and handsome bearing.

"Lady." He bowed in salute.

Feng Yun smiled faintly. "You’ve come. Sit and let us talk."

Ao Qi looked up at her, his gaze piercing, a slight crease between his brows.

"This humble servant... standing is fine. If Lady has commands, please speak freely."

Feng Yun paused at his words, turned back to look at him.

"How can one drink tea standing? Sit down!"

She adopted the dignity of a senior.

Ao Qi hesitated, then moved with precision and respect to kneel and sit at the lower seat, his posture straight, radiating deference.

Feng Yun couldn’t help but laugh.

This was General Ao at thirty years old.

No longer the boy whose ears turned red at the slightest incident.

In her past life, Feng Yun had never seen Ao Qi grown into adulthood.

She didn’t know how, as a Northern Yong Army guard, he grew into a young general capable of leading troops into battle and making decisive judgments; what lengths he had to go, how many enemies he had to kill, and how much merit he had to earn.

But in this life, she knew.

Knew clearly.

During the battle to reclaim Yecheng, Ao Qi made significant contributions.

In recent years, in all of Da Yong’s external wars, from minor skirmishes to bloody conflicts, attentive individuals would notice the recurring presence of one name—Ao Qi.

His family ties compelled him to exert greater effort than others to prove to the world that he wasn’t just Pei Jue’s nephew but also a man with resolute strength of character.

Feng Yun remembered the battle where he emerged from a pile of corpses, drenched in blood, waving the battle flag, leading two thousand Light Cavalry troops to obliterate two major camps in Yecheng.

She also remembered the act of bravery when Pei Jue went missing in Cangyan Mountain, and Ao Qi risked his life to venture into Heibei Gorge...

He was his uncle’s admirer.

And executor.

In this recent war with the Qi Army, Ao Qi was the first to volunteer.

But Pei Jue refused.

With a single command, Ao Qi could only remain in the Capital to defend.

Because, at the end of last year, Amir became pregnant—

Ao Qi and Amir spent several years quarreling and reconciling.

Now, at thirty, he had grown steady, matured in temperament.

And was finally going to be a father.

Feng Yun’s eyes softened with a smile.

"How is Amir doing lately? I’ve been so busy, always saying I’d visit her but never finding the time. As her aunt by marriage, I have failed in my duties..."

Ao Qi froze for a moment.

Learning of Feng Yun’s summons this morning, he had assumed she intended to dispatch him to Dan Prefecture. Caught off guard by this question, he didn’t react immediately.

"Lady speaks too gravely." Ao Qi quickly clasped his hands, moistening his lips. "As the younger generation, she should regularly pay her respects to the Lady. But she’s been unwell due to pregnancy and lacks the energy..."

Feng Yun asked, "Did you call for the Imperial Physician to examine her?"

"He’s seen her, thank you, Lady, for your concern." Ao Qi slightly lifted his gaze before calmly lowering it again, sipping the tea Feng Yun had brewed for him.

The Huaxi Fragrant Tea was of exceptional quality, moistening the lips and teeth. Its lingering aroma carried a faint bitterness, yet when savored carefully, it unfolded into threads of delicate sweetness that wrapped themselves around the heart.

The familiar taste overlapped with the figure before him.

Ao Qi’s thoughts stirred.

Unspoken emotions seeped through the long passage of time and flooded his heart.

Ao Qi’s chest thumped slightly, bringing to mind that distant twilight when, under the influence of alcohol, he lost his composure, embracing her and crying bitterly...

Now, at thirty, he could scarcely imagine how impulsive and reckless he had been in his youth, daring to defy social ethics, doing and saying things he shouldn’t...

It was precisely his uncle, and this woman before him, a year older than him yet exceedingly generous, who continually forgave, indulged, understood, and guided him, saving him from deviating further, from straying into an unforgivable path...

"Is the tea not to your liking?" Feng Yun observed his expression, then took a sip herself. Her brows furrowed slightly as she looked at him.

In the instant their eyes met, Ao Qi realized his lapse and quickly lowered his head.

"For what purpose has the Lady summoned me today?"

Feng Yun set down the teacup, her expression growing more serious.

"To be honest, I wish to entrust the Crown Prince to you."

Ao Qi was visibly taken aback, a flicker of astonishment crossing his features.

Feng Yun continued, "The frontlines are at a stalemate, and I feel restless in Xinjing. I wish to go to Dan Prefecture but can’t let go of matters here in the Capital, especially Rui Bao, who is still young and in need of care..."

Pausing slightly, she broke into a soft smile.

"Just as your uncle entrusted you with the critical task of defending Xinjing during his campaign, I cannot think of anyone else but you to whom I can entrust Rui Bao’s safety."