The Slender Waist-Chapter 780 - 554 Xijing Defense Map

Little thief...?

Feng Jingyao’s heart sank heavily.

He glanced sideways and gave Pei Jue a bow.

"Prince, this is a misunderstanding. My incompetent subordinate, who had a few too many drinks, has made a fool of himself..."

"I see this as no laughing matter." Feng Yun sneered and continued, pointing at Duan Wu: "Taking the less traveled path through the flowers and desolate areas, sneaking into the garden suspiciously—if not a thief, then certainly with ill intentions."

Feng Jingyao glared sideways, also pointing at Duan Wu.

"Feng Shi Er Niang, can’t you see? His expression clearly shows he’s not sober. How can he have ill intentions while drunk?"

"Maybe he’s pretending?"

Feng Yun and Pei Jue exchanged glances, the corners of their lips slightly lifting.

"One pretends to be drunk, the other pretends to be a fool, surely there is some unspeakable secret. The room is in disarray, merely a subterfuge to deceive us. Otherwise, why would Madam Feng have tried so hard to prevent our men from entering just now?"

Lady Tao’s face dramatically changed.

"I did not."

Feng Yun smiled, "In full view of everyone, seen by all, does Madam Feng still deny it?"

Lady Tao gasped for air, at a loss for words.

Of course, she couldn’t admit that it was all to maintain a facade of protecting Feng Ya’s secret affair...

If Pei Jue wasn’t in that room, they would lose everything.

Now whatever is said, it’s useless.

At this moment, they can only sacrifice a piece to save the king.

Lady Tao, full of hate and urgency, disregarding Feng Ya’s reputation, loudly rebuked:

"I spoke earlier only because I feared this vile maid couldn’t control her desires and would do something shameful, tarnishing the Feng Family’s name... Shi’er Niang, we are all part of the Feng Family, we even share the Feng surname, do you not care about face at all?"

Feng Yun chuckled lightly, "As everyone knows, I am the one the Feng Family despises. Madam Feng, it’s better not to seek connections in this case."

Lady Tao was nearly infuriated to death.

"Pei Residence invited us to a banquet, how could we come with unspeakable secrets? You are simply slandering, utterly unreasonable!"

Feng Jingyao saw her losing composure and gave a light cough.

Waiting for Lady Tao to shut up, he then calmly said: "Prince of Yonghuai, we are envoys from Qi Country. You have no authority over us."

Envoys always hold a special political status, even in war the diplomats are not executed, let alone between ally states like Jin and Qi.

The Ministers of Jin present all frowned.

Unexpectedly, Pei Jue was not convinced.

"If this incident had not occurred in my residence, I would have naturally respected the alliance. However, this is the Pei Residence, my home. The peace of a private residence is not determined by law. Can the immunity of a Qi Envoy extend beyond the private property boundaries?"

This statement was like a bolt from the blue.

Feng Jingyao’s face suddenly changed.

Feng Yun just slightly smiled.

It was her first time realizing that Pei Jue was articulate and flawless in logic.

"Someone." Pei Jue, with a cold face, commanded, "Search them!"

"Yes!"

Several guards rushed into the room, searching thoroughly inside and out.

Two guards were restraining Duan Wu.

Another one, in front of everyone, began to check Duan Wu’s person.

By this time, Duan Wu had regained some consciousness. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Seeing Pei Jue’s icy face, like falling into an ice cellar, he struggled fiercely, shouting loudly.

"You have no right to search me, no right! I am from Minister Feng, I am a Qi Envoy... you have no right to deal with me..."

His struggling was in vain.

This was Pei Jue’s territory.

Not to mention searching him.

If Pei Jue wanted to search any prince or minister here, they likely couldn’t escape either...

With a ripping sound,

Duan Wu’s clothes were torn open.

A hard corner was revealed from the underlining.

Zuo Zhong’s brow furrowed slightly, reaching out and pulling.

A waxed paper-wrapped silk cloth fell into his hands.

Zuo Zhong glanced at it and presented it with both hands in front of Pei Jue.

"My lord."

Pei Jue’s expression turned extremely chilly.

He glanced at Feng Jingyao, whose face was solemn.

"Open it."

Zuo Zhong complied, slowly unfolding the silk cloth.

When the words "Xijing Defense Map" came into view, a low gasp resounded in the courtyard.

"What audacity!" Ao Zheng was the first to speak out, stepping forward from the crowd, and loudly accused Feng Jingyao: "The Qi Envoy visits Xijing, and everyone in Great Jin treats you with respect. Who could have thought, harboring malice, you secretly stole our West Capital City defense map, such despicable behavior is utterly shameless!"

A defense map, unlike gold or jewels, instantly reveals malicious intent if stolen.

The Jin ministers murmured, followed by another wave of cursing.

Feng Jingyao’s hand involuntarily clenched, a cold smile on his face.

"When false charges are desired, what lack there for words? From the moment I arrived at Xijing, every move was under the watchful eyes of your Imperial Cavalry Division’s spies. What secrets could possibly exist? Apart from the Emperor’s summons, I never entered the palace. I have no knowledge of where your nation’s defense map is stored. Even if I intended to steal, I wouldn’t know how to proceed."