Feng Yun gave a soft smile and drew her face a bit closer.
"Mr. Pei, how do you plan to deal with my elder brother?"
Pei Jue didnât answer but placed his palm on her shoulder and pushed her away from him.
"I highly appreciate General Ningyuanâs talent, and Ji Ying recommended to persuade him to surrender."
Feng Yunâs mind buzzed, and she felt as if all energy had drained from her body, "And if he refuses to surrender, what will you do?"
Pei Jueâs face became somber, "Didnât I just teach you, how should you address me?"
"My Lord?" Feng Yunâs voice trembled a little.
She had called him that in their past life, but never so formallyâit was only during the deepest moments of intimacy that she would call him so sweetly, and if it pleased Pei Jue, he might end their interaction sooner and spare her.
Pei Jue looked down, "Very well."
His breath was warm, but his gaze was indifferent.
From his tone, Feng Yun could easily sense that Pei Jue felt something for her.
But to be moved is not to be invested. Therefore, she wouldnât sink into it and lose herself.
Instead, she wanted to take this opportunity to struggle for a way out for herself.
Being taken by Pei Jue was not a big deal...
After all, she never intended to preserve her purity for anyone.
The condition was, to spare Wen Xingsuâs life...
Feng Yun clutched the corner of his robe, "Do you truly understand what it means to be a Lord?"
Pei Jue looked at her and remained silent.
Feng Yun said, "A Lord is a womanâs heaven, the protector who never leaves nor forsakes under any circumstances, the one to rely on through thick and thin..."
She smiled again, "If Mr. Pei cannot do it, why trouble me?"
Pei Jueâs calm face showed profound surprise.
Perhaps General Pei had not expected that, by granting her, an enemy countryâs captive, to call him Lord, he had elevated her so. Yet, she had the audacity to not recognize the kindness?
Feng Yun didnât hear any response from him but smiled knowingly.
Under his cold gaze, she continued, "If Mr. Pei likes to hear it, I can call you that. But there are two conditions..."
Pei Jue frowned, "Speak."
Feng Yun said, "I wholeheartedly wish to serve as your subordinate, to assist you in your great cause. Privately, I donât much care what I call you if itâs what you wish to hear. But I will not spend my life idly in your back house, just making a living for myself. Should there come a day when you tire of me..."
Almost subconsciously, Feng Yun thought back to the day Pei Jue had sent her out of the Central Capital in their past life.
She knew what the Empress Dowager had summoned him for, since two days prior, Eunuch Fang had already come by with a decree from the Empress Dowager, warning her about the consequences of seducing the General.
At that time, she had believed that Pei Jue would not give in.
Three years of companionship, not to mention those nights of tender closeness and passionate struggles, even Pei Jueâs stubborn demeanor wouldnât allow others to manipulate him.
She belonged to Pei Jueâs household, having slept by his side for three years. She wasnât just any personâeven if she were a dog he had raised for three years, wouldnât there be some attachment?
Back then, Feng Yun was certain that Pei Jue, so fond of her, would not give her up easily...
But who knew she was less valued than a dog?
That night when he returned to the residence, Pei Jue went to his study and didnât come to her room until after midnight. He told her that he was going to have her property in Andu County sorted out so she could move back there.
She asked him, "Was it the Empress Dowager who forced you?"
He said, "No."
She then asked, "Does the General plan to take a wife?"
After some thought, he replied, "Perhaps."
Still not giving up, she pressed on, "When will you bring me back then?"
He remained silent, hunched over her on the couch, tormenting her all night until dawn.
That was the latest Pei Jue had ever stayed with her in their three years together.
The famously self-controlled General Pei had, for the first time, not risen early.
But that was also Feng Yunâs most heartbreaking day...
Because she later realized, their Queque must have been conceived that very night, a terrible misdeed they committed.
"Go on." Pei Jueâs voice was unusually cold, pulling Feng Yun back from her thoughts.
She looked up at Pei Jue, and as thoughts of their child, trapped in Zhaode Palace, whose life or death was uncertain, came to mind, her eyes suddenly reddened.
"When you grow tired of me, I will leave on my own. We will be even."
Pei Jue: "And the second condition?"
Avoiding his gaze, Feng Yun said, "I am frail; to prevent your offspring from illness, I shall not bear children for you."
Pei Jueâs dark eyes turned frosty.
No concubine wouldnât want to bear children for their Lord to cement their status, but Feng Yunâs calculations seemed to prepare her for a day when she could leave him gracefully...
This was not something a man would understand, and Feng Yun didnât expect Pei Jue to comprehend her. She was simply stating her position clearlyâit was his decision whether to accept it or not.
"If Mr. Pei refuses, then I would rather die than comply."
The room was very quiet.
Feng Yun did not look up, but when Pei Jueâs focused gaze bore down on her, she felt a bitter tang as though her soul was being locked away.