Chapter 209 - 148: The Fearless Mad Woman

The mist hung heavy in the bathhouse, and Feng Yun lay in the bathtub with her eyes half-closed, revealing only her head, lost in thought.

Xiaoman was adding water to her side, while Daman was tidying up the room.

Afterward, Pei Jue simply washed himself, changed his clothes, and left.

The two didn’t have much to say. Feng Yun was out of strength, with no desire to speak, while it seemed Pei Jue had nothing to say to her. The man’s face, which grew cold after gratification, was completely different from the one that had been pressing down on her and panting just moments before.

Feng Yun didn’t care too much about this.

Is this not what "adulterous couples" are like? Affection is only present during moments of pleasure. Having chosen such an identity, she was willing to accept such indifference; there was nothing to complain about. What she was dissatisfied with was that unquenchable thirst and emptiness, which had now intensified.

Pei Jue truly is a dog.

She leaned against the edge of the tub, lifting one arm to inspect the red marks on her fair skin, and thought to Xiaoman’s incredulous shock, anger, and nearly tearful look of grievance earlier, and she couldn’t help but smirk to herself.

Pei Jue’s body bore no fewer marks than hers. If someone were to see them, they would probably wonder who dared leave so many scratches on the General’s body, right?

Feng Yun sighed deeply and allowed herself to sink further into the water.

Once again, she silently cursed Pei Jue.

In Bingzhou City, which was besieged by the Qi Army, her heart felt unexpectedly peaceful and firm.

After cleaning the room, both maids’ cheeks were oddly flushed.

"Where are the dirty clothes the young lady and the General changed out of..."

Xiaoman had just begun speaking when Daman interrupted her.

"I’ll go wash them."

Unlike Andu, which had special laundresses, the two of them had to do everything here, and Feng Yun said, "Just leave the General’s clothes for him; he can have someone come to wash them later."

Having spoken, she applied some Laughing Lotus fragrance and lay down on the couch to rest.

At this moment, she somewhat regretted not bringing the tortoise with her.

How comfortable it would be to have a tortoise warm the bed when the weather was cold.

Not knowing how long she had dozed off for, she opened her eyes to see Xiaoman coming in and smiling, "The eldest young master is here."

Although they were siblings, propriety required distance. Wen Xingsu was arranged to stay in the western courtyard, which was the furthest from this one, complete with his own servants and guards. Pei Jue accorded him great respect but also guarded against him everywhere.

Of course, Wen Xingsu wouldn’t share such feelings with his sister.

He was worried because Pei Jue had looked too pale when leaving the city tower.

But upon seeing Feng Yun, he found himself unable to voice his concerns.

Feng Yun sat on the soft couch by the window, surrounded by fragrant tea. Dressed in a narrow-waisted dress of the color of coagulated cream, sitting beside a charcoal stove, she appeared languid and satisfied, much like a well-fed cat. She was no longer the heroic and vigorous lady at the top of the city tower but seemed more like a sultry banshee pampered in a man’s chambers...

Wen Xingsu felt a twitch in his eyelids and realized his thoughts were uncontrollably straying too far, even entertained the absurd notion of bullying his waist, quickly reined in his thoughts and calmly sat down.

"I came to see how you were doing. It’s good that you’re fine,"

With eye contact, the siblings understood each other well enough not to need to speak too plainly to know each other’s thoughts.

Feng Yun gave a charming smile.

"Big brother needn’t worry about him bullying me. Perhaps, I could try handling him?"

Wen Xingsu felt a bitter tinge of sourness within him, and his mouth was bitter. This was not a normal emotion, he reminded himself. He gave a soft hum, and all that was left on his face was the generous warmth a brother should have, as he sat normally.

"Still, Waist, it’s best not to be too careless."

Feng Yun smiled and replied, "Pei Jue has already allowed me to be his subordinate, and my big brother still doubts my capabilities?"

Since there were no outsiders here, Wen Xingsu spoke without any reservations, "It’s not that I doubt Waist, but Pei Jue..." He looked at Feng Yun’s face, and seriously said, "Forgive my bluntness, but he is not a man who is easily manipulated by women."

That was something Feng Yun believed.

How could a man who could control his desires be easily controlled by others? Isn’t there also the possibility that he isn’t "easily" controlled?

She smiled and sipped her tea.

Seeing that she did not wish to talk further, Wen Xingsu, as her brother, didn’t think it was right to meddle too much. So, he sighed and brought up Xiao Rong.

The little princess had been locked up for two days. Not only had her temper gone, but her spirits had also dissipated. She hardly spoke, and she didn’t even eat today. There was some worry in Wen Xingsu’s tone.

Feng Yun remained unconcerned.

"When she gets hungry enough, she’ll eat. No need to fuss."

She laughed again, "If big brother keeps speaking for her, I might start to suspect that big brother is smitten with the elder princess."

What else could Wen Xingsu say?

He silently swallowed his words.

He did pity Xiao Rong, but she was reaping what she had sown. Now that she was in the enemy camp, with food and drink and without humiliation, she couldn’t ask for more.

"Today I walked around the city. The situation in Bingzhou City doesn’t look good. The big households are alright, but most commoners haven’t stockpiled enough supplies. If the siege lasts, I’m afraid trouble will brew..."

He didn’t elaborate further.

He couldn’t be involved in the military affairs of the Beiyong Army, but seeing the dire situation and having once been a Commander himself, he couldn’t help but think from that perspective.

Feng Yun said, "Bingzhou is a big granary. Despite its small size, it is rich in fertile land and abundant water sources, and it has Hengqu Pass as a defense. That’s why everyone wants to bite off this chunk of fat..."

Wen Xingsu frowned, "Waist means to say?"

Feng Yun replied, "What does it matter if the commoners have no grain? As long as there is food in the city, and the Aristocratic Families have it, there’s no worry about not getting through the siege."

Wen Xingsu’s expression shifted subtly, coming from an Aristocratic Family himself, the interests were interconnected; he had never thought of such a ploy, seeing the infringement of Aristocratic Family assets as a grave sin.

But Feng Yun didn’t care...

She believed, Pei Jue would be even less scrupulous.

So he reached out to cradle the teacup and took a sip, his gaze already shifting.

"Big brother, how about you help me out?"

It wasn’t about going to war against the Qi Army, nor was it about assisting the Northern Yong Army—it was simply to toil for the welfare of the common people. In Feng Yun’s eyes, this did not betray Wen Xingsu’s beliefs.

"Don’t worry, big brother. I’m the bad one, and I’ll carry the black pot."

She wanted Wen Xingsu to take on this task so he wouldn’t waste his days in the name of healing, growing melancholic. Additionally, she hoped it would ease his relationship with Pei Jue. If the big brother didn’t go to battle for Xiao Cheng, the tragedy of their past life wouldn’t repeat itself...

Wen Xingsu was greatly shocked upon hearing her plan.

"This must not be done, Yunyun."

To undertake such actions would surely be despised by the aristocratic families of the world. After all, this was a clan society; some deep-rooted customs and traditions could not be challenged.

The voice of the common people would not be remembered.

But offending the aristocratic families could result in eternal disgrace, an indelible stain...

If possible, Feng Yun would not do it herself.

But she was acutely aware of how vital the stability of Bingzhou City was to the Beiyong Army at this moment. If the city were to collapse from within, then the Qi Army wouldn’t need to attack; there would be chaos inside first.

Since she had come to Bingzhou and become a subordinate, it was her duty to alleviate the worries of her lord. Ensuring sound logistics, money, and provisions was the safeguard for charging into battle; with these, great achievements could be realized.

"Big brother, reputation is of no use to me. Who should I fear if I’m mad? Even if the whole world says I flatter my lord and commit all manner of evil deeds, so what? As for what descendants think, that’s even less of my concern—I won’t have descendants."

"What are you saying?"

Wen Xingsu’s gaze intensified on her, as if trying to see through her heart.

"Is it because of Pei Jue?"

Feng Yun fell silent for a moment. "It’s because I don’t want to."

-

Pei Jue was right.

Xiao Cheng indeed wouldn’t be provoked by a few curses.

As the rain drizzled down, Xiao Cheng bathed and changed, standing in front of the window watching the starless and moonless sky, which darkened the sodden earth and sky.

"Your Majesty," Ping’an came over with a lamp and saw his master’s pale face, even his lips were losing color. Startled, he quickly took a cloak and draped it over his shoulders.

"Your dragon health is vital, Your Majesty. Please rest."

Xiao Cheng hummed a response and sat at the wooden table, picking up a scroll.

"You may leave."

Ping’an glanced at his face. "Shall we summon a lady to attend you tonight?"

He spoke cautiously, with a hint of probing.

After all, everyone knew Feng Shi Er Niang had committed an outrageous act, cursing the Emperor on the city wall. The Emperor might claim she was coerced by the enemy army, but he must be filled with intense hatred, perhaps even wishing to execute her, right?

This moment seemed the perfect time to summon the gentle and considerate Lady Feng to his side, to alleviate the resentment in his heart.

Ping’an was deeply concerned for his master.

As soon as the words left his mouth, Xiao Cheng lifted his head.

That noble and dignified face was one of rare coldness that Ping’an seldom saw.

"You wish to play the master?"

Ping’an’s smile was awkward. "This servant dares not. It’s just that I cannot bear to see... In ordinary households, is there not a wife or concubine to warm the bed? In the depths of winter, Your Majesty lies alone..."

Lady Feng had been in Hengqu Pass for so many days.

The Emperor had not summoned her to his bed once; Ping’an couldn’t bear it, but Xiao Cheng seemed unfazed.

"Wait until Arong is found, then send them back to Tai City together."

The Princess had gone missing, but Ping’an felt the Emperor didn’t seem worried.

But she was the elder sister he doted on the most.

A living person had vanished, yet the Emperor’s expression had not changed in the slightest.

Ping’an had no idea that in Xiao Cheng’s eyes, the incident of Xiao Rong leaving the camp and then sending a letter saying she was kidnapped by Feng Yun had happened before. Even that letter was identical to one from a past life—how could he believe it?

Right now he wasn’t worried about Xiao Rong.

Only concerned about Feng Yun.

Was she resentful that he had married Feng Ying?

He had reserved the position of a rightful wife for her and didn’t even mind that she had been with Pei Jue. So why would she humiliate him in public like this, making him lose face before thousands of soldiers?

Xiao Cheng, a coward, incompetent...

Feng Family’s Ayun, indeed, even at this time, had given her heart to Pei Jue, and not just due to the feelings that grew from constant companionship later on. From the fall of Andu to now, how many days had it been?

Why had she become like this?

Her affection, how ridiculously cheap it was.

Feng Ying lifted the curtain and entered, seeing Xiao Cheng with his brows deeply furrowed.

In the faint drizzle of a secluded night, his upright figure was like a painting of a peerless masterpiece set against the misty rain of Jiangnan, noble and cold, like an exile from the mortal realm.

Feng Ying took the tray from the maid’s hand, motioned for the maid to leave, then placed it on Xiao Cheng’s desk before walking behind him, starting to knead his shoulders.

Xiao Cheng opened his eyes and saw it was her, his face darkened.

"Why have you come?"