-
The snow in Xinzhou had been falling for three days before it stopped.
Pei Chong had been injured on the battlefield before, and when faced with such severe cold weather, his body was in unbearable pain.
During these three days, he had stayed in Ao Qiās house without stepping outside.
The news had spread everywhere; of course, Pei Chong wasnāt unaware.
But he didnāt ask, nor did he seek out Pei Jue, and Lady Ao didnāt know what he was thinking.
Ao Zheng had come over from Cuiyu early in the morning.
With red eyes from a sleepless night, he immediately asked Lady Ao,
"What on earth is the Great General thinking? We canāt drag this on any longer, we must make a decision quickly..."
In last nightās deliberations at Cuiyuās palace, Ao Zheng already experienced the feeling of being in a no-win situation.
"Hurry and have the Great General make a decision. With the snow stopped today, we should visit Ajue to gauge his intentions. If the Imperial Court really bestows the Nine-tinelled Rite, once branded with ambition overriding his master, that hat will be impossible to remove..."
Ao Zheng sighed.
"Heās always known how to conceal his sharp edge, but who knows what mischief heās fallen prey to recently, how strange and bewildering..."
Upon hearing this, Lady Ao was not pleased.
"My brother has a far better head on his shoulders than you do. What mischief can he fall prey to? It seems to me itās you who hasnāt returned all night and have had your ear bent by someone else, until your loyalties have been skewed..."
Lady Ao was a fiercely protective sister.
As soon as someone spoke ill of Pei Jue, she would launch into a full-blown defense.
"If you ask me, we should press them. Otherwise, theyāll soon be walking all over us. Today they dare to kidnap Ajueās woman; will they dare to attack his father tomorrow?"
Ao Zheng glanced sideways, "I thought you didnāt think much of your sister-in-law?"
Lady Ao lifted her chin, "Whether I think highly of her is one thing, whether others do is another. I may not think highly of her; thatās something to say behind closed doors in our own home. But if others donāt, thatās an insult to Ajue, a slap in his face."
Ao Zheng: ?
The heart of a woman, he could never understand.
"Enough, I wonāt argue with you. Iām going to speak to the Great General..."
As he was about to go inside, Lady Ao stepped in front of him and stopped him.
"Father has denied guests for three days now. You think you can just see him whenever you want?"
"Am I a guest? Iām his son-in-law."
"Well, youāre also the son-in-law of the Liu Ji and Xie Ji families..."
"You!"
As they spoke, they began to bring up the matter of the two concubines that Ao Zheng had taken again.
After half a lifetime of quarreling, Ao Zheng was both tired and helpless, unable to out-argue her, and as he looked at Lady Ao, his face turned pale with anger.
Lady Ao snorted, her mouth ready with a sarcastic remark.
Just as the two were about to start arguing again, Ao Qiās voice came from behind.
"Grandfather has arrived."
Ao Qi had a stern look and didnāt even glance properly at his father as he walked out, pushing Pei Chongās wheelchair with straight shoulders.
The couple immediately fell silent, no longer arguing.
Seeing the state of his daughter and son-in-law, Pei Chong knew what was going on.
He didnāt say much, just ordered, "Prepare the carriage, weāre going to Chunmeng Hall."
-
The cold wind swept through the trees of Chunpei Academy, howling like a wild beast.
The weather was cold, but Feng Yun was sweating profusely.
"Hei! Ha!"
She grasped the knife with both hands, lifted it forcefully, and then chopped down hard. Her stance was full-on, but she couldnāt control her strength, and her whole body lunged forward with the knife.
"Madam!" several guards screamed in fright.
Feng Yun had mentioned earlier that she wanted to practice martial arts with everyone to strengthen her body, but it was all talk and no action.
Now, sick and confined to the yard in the freezing weather, she suddenly took an interest in practicing with them.
The lady was frail, and neither Ge Guang nor Ge Yi could teach her effectively, which was quite frustrating.
So she went to look for Pei Jue.
Pei Jue was even harsher, wrapping the blade of Jian Shui in cloth and handing it to her.
"Take it and play."
Feng Yun felt insulted, so she took advantage of Pei Jue discussing matters with Wen Xingsu in the study and pulled Ge Guang, Ge Yi, and a few guards aside for a secret training session.
It was a shame that she exhausted all her energy just lifting the heavy ring-pommel knife. How could she perform any slashing moves?
The knifeās tip hit the ground with a loud "thud," embedding into the crevice of the blue bricks and resonating with a metallic hum.
Feng Yun saw that it was firmly stuck and finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Iām this powerful?"
She gripped the hilt with both hands, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldnāt pull it out, and finally, with a frown, she called for help.
"Wonāt anyone come to help?"
An arm reached out obliquely and wrapped around her waist, effortlessly pulling out the knife and placing it in front of her.
Feng Yun jumped in surprise and turned to see Pei Jueās serious, unsmiling face.
"General, what brings you here?"
Pei Jue looked at the sharp ring-pommel knife.
"This knife is not suitable for you."
He lifted his hand, and his warm palm brushed her face. Feng Yunās heart tightened, and her facial hairs stood on end, but he had already passed by her, elegantly swirling the knife and creating beautiful flourishes in front of her.
With a display of majestic power, it was truly a sight to behold.
Feng Yun suddenly felt indignant, "Wasnāt it you, General, who said you would teach me to kill? Itās been so long, and all youāve given me is a dagger. Who could I possibly kill with that?"
Pei Jue held the long knife levelly, his eyes cold and severe.
"Who does Lady Yun wish to kill? Iāll help you."
Feng Yun didnāt speak but snatched the knife and swung it at him with a few gestures.
Pei Jue didnāt dodge or evade, just stared deeply at her.
Feng Yunās hand went limp, and the knife dropped down.
"Is this the legendary ādeath by a lookā?"
Pei Jue gently embraced her from the front, holding her hand and guiding her through the motions of the knife, one by one.
"The essence of knife skills, the footwork should be fast, heavy, and stable, eyes on the tip of the knife, strength in the wrist..."
He taught with earnest, while Feng Yun half nestled in his embrace, dancing with the knife following his lead, but her eyes werenāt on the tip of the knife; instead, they were fixed on his stern face.
Beneath the cold, shady trees, the Great General looked exceptionally handsome.
"All right." Pei Jue suddenly stopped, sheathed the knife, picked up a dry branch from the side, and shaped it round in a few quick moves before handing it to her.
"Practice like I just showed you."
"..."
Feng Yun held the branch, looking utterly bewildered.
What had he just taught?
She had been too focused on watching him and hadnāt remembered a thing...
"Great General." Zuo Zhong hurried over, giving Feng Yun a way out of her embarrassment.
"General Pei and the head of Chunpei Academy and his wife have arrived."