Feng Yun saw her elder brotherâs smile, and the color returned to her face, rosy cheeks blooming with joy.
"Elder brother, General, how come you two have come together?"
Pei Jue did not speak, his brows barely perceptibly furrowed for a moment.
Wen Xingsu smiled and said, "We came to see how you are feeling. Are you feeling any better?"
"Uh-huh." Feng Yun smiled and glanced at Pei Jue, "The Puyang Medical Officer said that since they even used Hundred-Year Ginseng on me, if I didnât improve soon, wouldnât I be emptying out the Generalâs coffers?"
Only then did Pei Jue look at her, his expression stern, "Talk less."
Feng Yunâs voice was a bit more cheerful, but one could still see the frailty of someone recovering from a serious illness on her face. A slight move would cause a sense of cold sweat along her back.
She had indeed injured her body.
Feng Yun thought of the words Puyang Jiu said and smiled.
"Then Iâll listen to you and elder brother talk."
Pei Jue was a man of few words, and if he had any official business, it would have been discussed at the hall already. What could he possibly have to say to Wen Xingsu?
He took a small bottle from the table beside him, opened it to look inside. It was the medicine that Puyang Jiu had left for Feng Yun, instructing her to take two pills daily, one in the morning and one at night, but the medicine was exceedingly bitter, and Feng Yun, feeling a bit better, had stopped taking it.
Pretending not to see him check the medicine bottle, Feng Yun covered her mouth with a handkerchief to cough a few times, then laughed and said:
"Elder brother once wrote in a letter that he dug a wine cellar in Xinzhou and stored many fine wines, when will you take me to see it?"
Wen Xingsu smiled and said, "When youâre well, you mustnât indulge in wine while youâre recuperating."
Feng Yun was actually very fond of the rare and long-missed affection from her family, especially since she narrowly escaped death this time, and in front of Wen Xingsu, she showed an even more playful spoiledness, like when she was young.
"Then take me to see the Xinzhou River scenery. I remember you talking about it, how there are many food stalls by the Xinzhou River, and everything there is wonderful."
Xinzhou could be said to be Wen Xingsuâs stronghold.
He knew its pleasures and delicacies better than anyone.
Wen Xingsu smiled, about to speak, when a tall shadow abruptly appeared before him.
Pei Jue, carrying water with the medicine bottle in his hand, came to Feng Yunâs side and handed it to her without a word.
Feng Yun clamped her mouth shut, pouting slightly.
"Take it after a meal."
Pei Jue, "Youâve just had a meal."
Feng Yun, "I took it this morning."
Pei Jue, "Iâve counted. You did not."
Feng Yun:...
Why insisted she take the medicine?
Feng Yun was a bit resentful, "Isnât it said that all medicines carry a degree of toxicity, General? Have you not heard of that?"
Pei Jueâs hand stretched out, displaying it before her.
In front of Wen Xingsu, Feng Yun gave him a bit of face, silently took the medicine and mixed it with water to swallow, the bitterness twisting her face as she glared at him with dissatisfaction.
Pei Jue said nothing.
Feng Yun pushed the medicine bottle back into his hand, "Take it."
Pei Jue still wore a stern expression, his demeanor icy as he took away both the medicine bottle and the water.
Wen Xingsu watched silently, somewhat shocked.
This was completely different from what he imagined their relationship would be like. Ayun was not afraid of Pei Jue and did not show the compliance or sycophancy he expected; likewise, Pei Jue was not the aloof figure he appeared to be in public.
Suddenly, Wen Xingsu felt superfluous.
With a mixture of bitterness and helplessness, Wen Xingsu stood up and smiled, "Seeing youâre alright makes me relieved. Take care and rest well, I must take my leave due to other matters."
Then, he bowed to Pei Jue and took his leave.
His arrival and swift departure were likely out of deference to Pei Jue, and Feng Yunâs face visibly displayed her disappointment.
"Stay for a while longer, I havenât had the chance to congratulate you, elder brother..."
For Wen Xingsu, the military rank offered by Pei Jue was actually not as high as the one he had in Qi Country, but it was a start. The so-called ârising step by stepâ required exactly thatâgradual progress, and he needed to first build a foundation of experience within the Beiyong Army.
Feng Yun felt it was worth congratulating.
Wen Xingsu glanced at Pei Jue and still simply smiled.
"I refused the kindness of the Great General."