Chapter 71 - 57: Have Her Come Over

A group of Imperial Guards was taken down to the field by Xing Bing; Wei Zheng was full of reluctance, yet with two Northern Yong Army attendants by his side and Pei Jue’s gaze on his back, he dared not refuse his fate.

Working in the fields was better than being killed by Pei Jue.

That’s what the group of Imperial Guards thought as well.

Some had farming tools, one as good as two.

Those without farming tools pulled weeds with their bare hands, working hard nonetheless.

Ao Zheng watched this scene, unsure what to say for the moment.

But Ao Qi, looking at the Censorate Chancellor who had nothing to say, was displeased with his eyebrows and eyes, having many words he wanted to speak.

Until today, the brothers in the camp did not know that Ao Qi was the son of the head of the Censorate and that his real name was Ao Qi.

Now that his background was exposed, even if he earned military merit later on, there would probably be those who said it was due to nepotism.

Ao Qi couldn’t wait for Ao Zheng to leave, stepping forward to bow and shoo him away.

"When will the head of the Censorate return to the Central Capital to report?"

Ao Zheng looked at his son’s incompetent behavior and wanted to lecture him a few more words, not wishing to leave.

"I’ll settle the score with you later."

He glared at his son and performed a courteous bow toward Pei Jue.

"Wangzhi, sorry for the disturbance."

Pei Jue seemed not to recognize him as his brother-in-law; his expression remained unchanged.

"Head of the Censorate, there’s no need for such formality. Let’s talk in the main house."

With that, he glanced at Feng Yun.

Without saying a word, Feng Yun understood his intent.

"Head of the Censorate, General, please rest at the waterside pavilion."

When uncle and nephew met, they surely had private matters to discuss. Feng Yun led them to the small wooden pavilion beside the lotus pond, personally bringing Daman and Xiaoman to serve tea.

The small wooden pavilion had been refurbished just a few days ago; the new thatch on top carried the fresh scent of grass. The lotus flowers in the pond were in full bloom. It was somewhat simple, but also distinctive.

Feng Yun served tea with meticulous care, warming the cups, pouring the water, and rinsing the pot—every move adhered to the etiquette taught only in households of prestigious families. The seemingly simple tea leaves imparted a lotus fragrance upon tasting, refreshing the palate.

Ao Zheng couldn’t help but take another look at her, "Good tea."

"Please enjoy, Head of the Censorate."

Feng Yun, not wishing to interrupt, retreated with the tray in hand.

Pei Jue didn’t say much, just glanced at her and lowered his eyes to drink the tea.

As Feng Yun stepped down from the platform, intending to check on Alou’s injury, she was unexpectedly stopped by Ao Qi.

The young man’s gaze was complex, and his handsome face set against the backdrop of the humble village house was filled with melancholy.

Feng Yun asked, "What’s the matter, Guard Ao?"

Ao Qi pursed his lips, hesitating for a long time.

"Lady, don’t you have any questions you’d like to ask me?"

For some reason, Feng Yun found Ao Qi’s droopy demeanor quite amusing.

Like dealing with a mischievous child, she even felt the urge to ruffle his hair.

"No," she feigned indifference, "Guard Ao, please don’t block the way; I’m going to see Alou."

Ao Qi lifted his reddened eyes, full of innocence.

"The doctor has seen him; he won’t die."

Feng Yun looked at him dissatisfied, "What kind of thing is that to say?"

Ao Qi saw her indifferent attitude towards him and his complexion worsened.

"The lady is concerned about everyone, thinks of everyone, except for me."

Feng Yun’s brows arched, "What do you need me to think about, Guard Ao?"

Ao Qi was at a loss for words, choked by her question.

At this moment, he felt quite annoyed. Why was he so tongue-tied and lacked his father’s eloquent speech? Was he really his father’s son?

"I..." Ao Qi took a breath, "I’m not called Ao Qi."

Feng Yun was puzzled and waved a hand in front of his face.

"Are you possessed?"

Ao Qi grabbed her hand, feeling the smoothness of her skin in his palm; it was like being burned by fire, and he quickly withdrew, not knowing where to place it, hastily rubbing his hot ears.

That only made his ears grow redder.

"My name is Ao Qi."

"You’re not called Ao Qi, but you are Ao Qi? What exactly are you trying to say, Guard Ao?"

"Not that Qi, the other Qi."

"..." Feng Yun narrowed her eyes at him.

Ao Qi was frustrated and really wanted to grab her hand to write it down for her to see, but he didn’t dare, so he just clenched his palm, "I’ll write it for you later."

Feng Yun hummed, "Then I’m off to see Alou."

Ao Qi, seeing her about to leave, felt a sense of urgency, "Aren’t you angry?"

Feng Yun turned back, "Angry about what?"

Ao Qi, "I lied to you, I didn’t tell the truth."

Feng Yun asked skeptically, "What joke is Guard Ao telling? That’s your private affair, why would I be angry?"

Ao Qi breathed a sigh of relief, regaining his usual smile, "I’ll go with you to see Alou."

Feng Yun made a noncommittal noise, not refusing.

The two of them walked side by side towards the courtyard.

All of a sudden, Ao Qi asked, "Lady, have you ever been to the Central Capital?"

Feng Yun’s brow furrowed slightly.

In her past life, she had been.

So much time had passed, yet the opulence of Central Capital remained vivid in her mind: the towering buildings, the teeming crowds, the myriad of vendors, and the peonies of Luocheng—unforgettable as she might try.

She even remembered the Grand General Residence in Luocheng, Central Capital, where a century-old peony, the Peony King, was deeply cherished by Pei Jue.

Somehow, after Li Sangruo began using flower viewing as an excuse to visit the General Residence, she ended up killing it...

Back then, she was indeed wilful.

Luckily, Pei Jue was unaware of the actual circumstances; otherwise, he might have long ago taken her life.

The chaos of memories collided with reality in her mind, and Feng Yun failed to pay attention to Ao Qi, thus missing the anticipation written all over his eyes.

"I haven’t been there," she heard herself reply against her will.

Ao Qi asked, "Would the lady like to go?"

Only then did Feng Yun realize something was amiss with Ao Qi.

She glanced sideways, quietly observing the young man before her when a stroke of inspiration reminded her of an old matter.

It seemed that Ao Qi had joined the battlefield in secret with Pei Jue to avoid an arranged family marriage...

Now that his father had caught him, could he be panicking?

She pursed her lips slightly, "What does Ao Qi need to ask me this for? With my status, where do I have the opportunity to choose?"

Ao Qi asked, "What if the lady did have a chance to choose?"

Feng Yun thought for a moment and then nodded, "I would also like to take a look."

Ao Qi’s eyes lit up, his smile revealing a row of neat white teeth, "That’s great... "

Feng Yun shook her head in amusement, finding Ao Qi incredibly endearing now that his father had arrived.

"So how shall I go to Central Capital? In a prison cart?"

Ao Qi said, "Once the war is over, I will bring the lady over."

Feng Yun’s face was full of doubt.

What kind of outrageous proposal had she just heard?

In a previous life, Ao Qi had thoroughly despised her. To drive her away from Pei Jue, he spared no effort in humiliating her.

What trick was he planning this time?

Feng Yun was filled with wariness.

But Ao Qi remained carefree and sunny, "The lady just needs to wait."

—

The light in the wooden pavilion was very good.

Ao Zheng and Pei Jue had their eyes on the two figures who were walking and talking, yet neither of them spoke.

After a while, Ao Zheng finally broke the silence.

"How is Xiaoqi doing in the camp?"

Pei Jue’s eyelids slightly lowered, his face betraying no emotion, "The Bureau Chief saw for himself."

To address him by official title instead of brother-in-law was to set a boundary between them.

Ao Zheng felt a bit of a headache.

In truth, he had noticed earlier.

Ao Qi was far too attentive to the Feng Family girl, and his manner was a bit too affectionate.

Fortunately, Pei Jue showed no reaction; he probably didn’t care much.

After all, she was merely a concubine.

No matter how nicely put, she was something the master could dispose of at will.

In these times, it was common practice for friends, siblings, and superiors to exchange concubines; it was nothing remarkable.

But if it affected Ao Qi, Ao Zheng couldn’t accept it.

In Central Capital, teenagers of Ao Qi’s age already understood the pleasures of the flesh, yet Ao Qi was solely focused on martial arts, aspiring to be a great hero on the battlefield like his uncle.

The boy had grand ambitions and limitless prospects; it would be a joke if he caused a scandal over coveting his uncle’s concubine.

Ao Zheng observed Pei Jue’s expression, pondered for a moment, stroked his fine beard, and sighed, "Xiaoqi’s marriage has already been arranged, just waiting for the war to end so we can proceed with the preparations. But this stubborn boy refuses to give in. Since you’re his uncle, perhaps you could find an opportunity to persuade him."

Pei Jue did not look at him and simply sipped his tea.

After a while, when Ao Zheng was on the verge of kneeling to apologize on behalf of his son, he saw Pei Jue raise his eyes without changing his expression.

"The Bureau Chief should try this tea."

Ao Zheng’s heart fluttered as he took a deep breath and also bowed his head to take a sip.

"Infused with lotus, Miss Feng is clever and skilled, a woman capable of managing a household."

Pei Jue acted as if he hadn’t noticed, the corners of his lips barely curling, "Is that so?"

Ao Zheng thought to himself, ’Aren’t you just waiting for me to lavish praise? I’ve already shamelessly done so, and now you pretend to be unaware.’

Unfortunately, this Censorate Chancellor, who could scold the entire court, feared only his younger brother-in-law.

Ao Zheng sighed deeply, "If Miss Feng were an ordinary woman, she wouldn’t have caused the palace to become jealous to the extent of using Court Officials and the Censorate to create such an uproar..."

Pei Jue said, "It’s just Li Zongxun looking for an excuse to cause trouble."

Seeing that he was not perturbed, Ao Zheng felt relieved, "It’s good that Wangzhi understands. But you personally handed over the knife to Li Zongxun, can you blame him for stabbing you relentlessly?"

Pei Jue remained expressionless, his gaze sweeping over the receding figures of Feng Yun and Ao Qi, his brow furrowing slightly.

Watching him, Ao Zheng lightly coughed, "Li Zongxun has grand ambitions. You heard it earlier; despite Wei Zheng being newly appointed, he dared to challenge authority in front of a senior official. Who gave him such audacity?"

Pei Jue lifted his eyes, "Oh?"

Ao Zheng set down his teacup, leaned forward, and looked into his eyes, lowering his voice, "Recent rumors from the palace suggest the Empress Dowager wants to expand the number of scouts and establish an ’Imperial Cavalry Division’, aspiring to rival the Bureau of Censorate Affairs of the state of Cao Wei. I’ve been informed that the Empress Dowager has recommended Wei Zheng to Li Zongxun..."

Scouts were, in fact, spies, with the scout chief being the spy leader, tasked with gathering intelligence, numbering in the hundreds already.

However, compared to Cao Wei’s Bureau of Censorate Affairs, they fell short of some espionage functions, unable to arrest or imprison, and thus couldn’t stir up much trouble.

If they were to expand further...

It clearly meant emulating the Bureau of Censorate Affairs, using a secret service to monitor the officials, thereby controlling them, an action that would inevitably lead to a bloodbath...