The Slender Waist-Chapter 801 - 569: Facing It With Composure

Feng Yun glanced at his emotionless face, shook her head regretfully, and let out a soft sigh.

"She wanted to live, her face full of desperation for survival, begging me to save her. But alas, the injuries reached her lungs—it was beyond help."

Pei Jue’s gaze sharpened slightly, "Did she say who did it?"

Feng Yun shook her head, her brows furrowing tightly, as though striving to recall something, her tone carrying a faint chill.

"At that time, she was no longer able to speak clearly... She grasped my hand and seemed to say two indistinct words..."

She hesitated, pondering for a moment, as if preparing to say something but swallowing it back instead. Facing Pei Jue, she said:

"I didn’t catch it."

Pei Jue nodded, "Then there’s no need to dwell on it further."

Feng Yun curled her lips into a faint smile, "I thought your return tonight was to condemn me?"

Pei Jue glanced at her, "How shallow of you."

Feng Yun paused briefly, found the comment somewhat amusing, but recalling that he had just lost his sister, it seemed inappropriate, so she stifled her smile awkwardly, "Has the Imperial Court been giving you trouble?"

She didn’t need anyone to tell her—she could easily guess the situation Pei Jue was facing.

The entire court, both civil and military officials, likely felt uneasy about her Changmen Forces.

More unsettling was the fact that Pei Jue had only one wife, her, yet so many years had passed, and still, there were no heirs...

The tumultuous court dynamics shifted like the winds and clouds.

The more support Pei Jue received from his allies in the past, the more they cared about the matter of establishing an Empress now.

Because Pei Jue’s rule directly tied to their own prosperity and fortune.

Only with Pei Jue’s dynasty safely passed down could their descendants benefit from his protection...

Thus, the contributions made to the Dragon’s Merit often turned into shackles—a rope that binds, and the good advice once offered often transformed into knives that backstab.

Only this time, as the blade was thrust down, the edge pointed solely at her.

Feng Yun watched Pei Jue remain silent, guessing his spirits were low. After some thought, she chuckled and said:

"What’s the matter? Unhappy? Or... do you not believe what I said?"

Pei Jue shook his head, "I believe you."

Feng Yun breathed a sigh of relief, laughed, and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him down, planting a kiss on his cheek, "Sleep early. Look at your eyes... So weary, so fatigued. Ayuan was indeed right, isn’t it tough being Emperor?"

Pei Jue’s gaze swept over her face, "Lady Yun."

He gently held Feng Yun, wrapping her and the soft quilt together in his embrace, "You should return to Andu for now, to lie low."

Feng Yun’s heart skipped slightly.

She had long prepared for the journey back to Andu; Pei Jue had noticed it too. This was, in fact, matching the trends of the time. But the misunderstanding in the previous life caused by Li Sangruo, and now being sent back again due to Li Sangruo’s death—it stirred up peculiar emotions within her.

"Alright." She agreed without hesitation.

"My luggage is all packed—ready to depart at any time..."

That night, they didn’t discuss much about Li Sangruo’s death.

Pei Jue didn’t bring up the topic himself, and Feng Yun, not one to be overly kind, didn’t feel a need to dwell on it. Even though Li Sangruo had just called her "sister-in-law" before dying, the resentment persisted—it didn’t dissolve just because of death.

Who hasn’t died before?

In her past life, Li Sangruo had beaten Xiaoman to death and cost Feng Yun her life.

This life, dying in front of her and Xiaoman—wasn’t it karma, an inevitable reckoning?

Feng Yun felt no extra sympathy.

What lingered instead was curiosity—

Who exactly had stabbed Li Sangruo to death in Cixin Hall?

Mei Xiang had already been questioned by the Imperial Cavalry Division.

News came quickly from Luo Yue. By the next afternoon, Feng Yun learned that the little maid had written a farewell letter in prison, accusing Feng Yun of murder before taking her own life in loyal tribute to Li Sangruo.

"Sister, what do you make of that little maid? Hurting you was unforgivable, but how could she just decide to end her life so abruptly?"

Luo Yue shuddered and, speaking of Mei Xiang, gritted her teeth in hatred, "When Wei Zheng mentioned this, I felt so infuriated—I wanted to skin her alive! My poor sister must have been so distraught..."

Feng Yun shushed her, glanced at her rounded belly, and gently caressed it.

"Don’t say such unsettling things. What if Da Bao overhears and gets frightened, hmm? Isn’t that right, my little darling..."

"How could he possibly hear?" Luo Yue’s lips twisted slightly, as she tightly grabbed Feng Yun’s hands, staring at her with reluctance.

"Are you truly going back to Andu?"

Feng Yun gave a soft smile, "Do you want to come back with me?"

Luo Yue sighed with regret, "I’d love to go back with you, but I’m carrying a child... I have to wait until the baby is born at least."

This sentiment, it seemed, had lingered for years.

One pregnancy after another.

After the first, there was the second.

Now with the third, the idea of returning to Andu seemed an unattainable dream.

Feng Yun smiled at her, patted her hand, "Take care of yourself."

Luo Yue’s eyes turned red instantly, "Who knows what the situation will be like when we meet again... Even His Majesty wouldn’t insist on keeping you here..."

She suddenly realized her misstep, awkwardly smiled at Feng Yun, and added:

"It’s all those self-righteous fools—why can’t women lead their own forces, or own retinues, or even become Empress? Ridiculous! They are utterly ridiculous..."

Just last night, she had a quarrel with Wei Zheng over this matter. Speaking of it now, she was still fuming, her words full of indignation on Feng Yun’s behalf.

Feng Yun gave a faint smile in response.

"They have their positions, and rightly so."

Luo Yue hadn’t expected her to voice understanding for the court’s stance and was briefly stunned, her expression betraying a mix of shock and sorrow.

"His Majesty doesn’t suppress these people and lets them prattle nonsense. If it were me, I’d slap them all right across the face!"

Feng Yun chuckled softly, "His Majesty has his own difficulties..."

"He’s already Emperor—what difficulties could he possibly have?"

"Luo Yue." Feng Yun tightly grasped her hand, "In a man’s heart, apart from women, there’s always his realm. Governance isn’t for you or me to comment on. Even if you don’t think their actions are fair, remember to watch your words. Disaster can come from the tongue."

Luo Yue froze, glanced around cautiously, and whispered, "Sister... Do you not trust him anymore?"

Feng Yun looked at her earnestly and suddenly laughed, "He and I have our own way of trusting one another."

Hearing this, Luo Yue exhaled deeply.

"Very well, it’s good for you to take some time to lie low. When Wei Zheng shared his concerns, I was so frightened for you. The court is truly ruthless; they’re practically itching to flay you alive..."

Watching her gnash her teeth with hatred, Feng Yun couldn’t stop laughing, glancing at her belly to offer consolation.

"Don’t upset the baby."

Luo Yue noticed her consistent calm demeanor and couldn’t stop herself from becoming emotional again.

Shi’er Niang had always been strong and resilient, seeming invincible—like nothing in the world could hurt her, no challenge could break her down...

Yet these shoulders—how delicate they still were.

At the end of the day, she was still just a woman.

Luo Yue’s eyes brimmed with tears, "When you leave, I’ll come see you off. I’ll bring Da Bao with me."

Feng Yun handed her a handkerchief, speaking warmly with a smile, "Alright."

-

The Empress Dowager’s death stirred intense commotion.

As court and society erupted into chaos over her demise, Feng Yun quietly left the capital with her entourage.

That day, the weather was clear. Doctor Yao flipped through the almanac and said that leaving at Yin Time would be most auspicious, so she woke early especially.

Usually, by this time, Pei Jue would already be attending court, but today he didn’t go. Instead, he changed into plain robes and personally escorted her out of the city, assigning guards from the Imperial Guard Camp to protect her along the way.

Everything that needed to be said had already been said.

At the end of the wind-swept road, gazing at the distant carriageway, the two exchanged a glance and said only one word to each other: "Take care."

-

By mid-June, Feng Yun arrived at Andu and returned to Changmen. At the entrance of Huaxi, hundreds lined the road to welcome her, their faces filled with enthusiasm—the joy in the air was palpable...

Fate works in mysterious ways.

Returning to Huaxi from Xijing again, Feng Yun had changed identities.

No longer the Feng Family’s daughter, no longer Princess of Yonghuai, but... the future Empress.

What others thought didn’t matter—little could hinder the Andu people from viewing Feng Yun as their rightful Queen. The Governor of Andu County oversaw the clearing of streets in her honor, personally arriving at Huaxi to pay his respects, with officials from Xinyi County, Yupu Prefecture, and Wanning County... governors of nearby areas waiting early in Huaxi.

In Huaxi, Feng Yun felt completely in her element.

This place—this was her true "realm."

Xiaoman pulled open the curtain, half leaning out of the carriage to greet people passing by. This aunt, that uncle, exuberantly merry.

Outside Changmen Village, the carriage stopped.

A group of people bowed deeply.

"Welcome home, Your Grace." 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Your Grace?

Feng Yun’s lips curved slightly.

Though not yet officially conferred, as Pei Jue’s legitimate wife, this title was appropriate and not overstepping.

She lifted her hand slightly, "You may all rise."

The crowd thanked her for her kindness and then heard her laugh:

"To celebrate His Majesty’s ascension, Changmen will host a feast tomorrow. I hope you will all grace us with your presence."

At the mention of the feast, the tense atmosphere relaxed.

The crowd laughed and cheered, offering congratulations nonstop.

Feng Yun pursed her lips slightly, took Xiaoman’s hand, and stepped down from the carriage.

Just entering the main door, she spotted someone lounging lazily beneath the flowering tree in the courtyard.

Seeing her, he didn’t bow, didn’t pay respect, and the faint smirk on his lips seemed visibly displeased.

"Long time no see. Your Grace has grown... more prosperous? Is that a thicker waist I see—ah, fuller indeed!"

Feng Yun’s brow twitched slightly, watching as he slowly stood up and approached her. She abruptly covered her mouth with a handkerchief and made a dry heave, her expression full of disdain.

"Don’t provoke me."

Saying this, she turned away, "Xiaoman."

Xiaoman understood, shot a glance at Chunyu Yan’s confused face, and helped Feng Yun toward the inner chamber.

"Feng Shi Er!" Chunyu Yan watched her resolutely walk away, a surge of frustration rising in him, his chest heaving, his breathing quickening, yet he couldn’t utter a word for the longest time.

Feng Shi Er truly despised him this much?

After so long without seeing him, not even offering a greeting was bad enough, but to react with outright disgust—the audacity!

Unbelievable!