Pei Jue was silent.
Everyone outside said he could cover the sky with one hand, but only the two of them knew how could there be someone in the world who could cover the sky with one hand?
No matter how high the position, one must still weigh the interests of all parties and cannot escape being restrained.
Unless one truly didnât care and wanted to topple the flag bearing the word "Jin".
Feng Yun could tell that Pei Jue did not wish to do that.
At least for now, he had no such ambition.
With the Young Emperor in the palm of his hand, why would he push himself into the stormâs eye?
Feng Yun saw him staring silently; not wanting his well-meant suggestion to go to waste after a momentâs thought, inspiration struck.
"The Kingâs proposal actually reminded me of a method."
Pei Jue knew she had many ingenious ideas, his lips curving at once.
"Letâs hear it."
Feng Yun did not have a complete plan in her mind, took a sip of water, and collected her thoughts. By the time she set down her cup, her eyes were strikingly clear.
"Didnât the King make a jest of me reading trivial books the other day? Believe it or not, I actually found something in those books. It said someone dug wells to connect to an underground river, then linked them with channels to draw water for irrigation..."
She couldnât explain it clearly in half a sentence and immediately asked Xiaoman to prepare pen and paper and roughly sketch a diagram.
"King, come and see."
She signaled for Pei Jue to look at the paper, her slender finger gently pointing.
"The book said that as long as a water source is found and a series of wells are dug and linked, they could meet the needs for drinking and irrigation."
Pei Jue leaned back slightly, watching her for a moment before giving a clean and decisive answer.
"Worth a try."
Feng Yun, with her idea supported, showed joy on her face.
"King, wait for my good news."
Pei Jue said, "Manual canals also need to be dug."
Feng Yun pondered for a moment and slightly nodded.
"My well and canal system only benefits individual families. The project the King is thinking of benefits everyone, for generations to come; the two cannot be spoken of in the same breath."
Once he carved out man-made canals, one could imagine how much Andu would change.
No longer would one need to go all the way to Shiguan Dock to take a boat; goods could directly reach Andu.
From then on, Anduâs water transport would thrive, promoting prosperity. People would settle along the water, facilitating trade, and surely unleashing a new vitality.
The name of the auxiliary capital would then be truly deserved.
"The King is wise."
This was sincerely said by Feng Yun, but it seemed to Pei Jue as if his meridians were suddenly opened, grasping her hand and tightening it slightly.
"Since Lady Yun already has a method, is there no need to go to the study anymore?"
Feng Yunâs lips curved slightly.
"Then... shall we rest now?"
Pei Jue gave a low hum, wrapping his arm around her waist and walked toward the inner room.
Feng Yun was incredulous.
The conservative and restrained General Pei, who usually kept his distance from women, was he possessed?
The weather was hot.
Two thin layers of clothing clung to the body, almost sparking flames as they rubbed together while moving.
Feng Yun could clearly feel his heartbeat quickening, desire nearly erupting from his constrained clothes, subtly grazing against her, sending shivers up her spine, her body trembling and tensing involuntarily.
The short distance walked gave the illusion of an eternity passed...
A few maids watched the King carry their lady over, first shocked then shyly bowing their heads.
No one looked up.
Feng Yun gently hooked around Pei Jueâs neck, throwing him a reproachful glance.
Pei Jueâs eyebrows raised slightly.
Their gazes met, no words were spoken, but the silence seemed to churn with endless emotions, sparking dazzling firelight.
The curtain fell with a swish.
Feng Yun felt a release on her body, his arm unshackling from her waist. The man gently wiped the sweat from her forehead, his hands bracing on either side of her, staring intently at her without blinking.
"Shall we bathe?" His voice was husky, full of lust.
Feng Yun looked up, "How can your highness be in such high spirits on such a hot day?"
Pei Jueâs gaze roamed freely over her, his fingers casually tracing over her silhouette, his tone slowly changing.
"Changmenâs arithmetic is the best. Why doesnât Lady Yun calculate how much you owe me? Hmm?"
"Is that so?"
"We agreed to indulge fully, yet to this day, Iâve yet to be satisfied..."
His speech was blurred, yet Feng Yun heard it clearly, unexpectedly with a hint of complaint that made her want to laugh.
"The King is a man of great deeds, not to be trifled with trifles, and certainly should not indulge in the pleasures of the inner chambers."
Pei Jue hummed lowly, his handsome face cast in the daylight, he glanced at her briefly, conveying his feelings. He excluded any further talk, his long fingers gently began to undo her clothing, revealing a patch of finely beaded waist...
Truly beautiful.
He kissed her slowly, his breath hot and hurried.
Feng Yunâs heart raced.
The sky had not yet darkened.
It was incredibly hot.
The rustling of fabric by her ear caused her fingers to tremble slightly, gripping Pei Jueâs shoulder, her neck lifting, the whole person teetering on the edge of losing control.
"Letâs wash... letâs wash first," she gasped out the words, breathlessly.
Pei Jue didnât make it hard for her, restraining her nape with a deep, long kiss before unevenly releasing her to call for water.
As the two got up from the bed, drenched in sweat, ready to go to the cleansing room to wash in warm water and unite as one, a report came from outside the door.
"Madam, someone from Yangxin Restaurant has come, saying the Emperor has something urgent to discuss with you and asks you to come immediately."
Upon hearing Yuan Shangyiâs summons, Feng Yun immediately climbed out of Pei Jueâs embrace, reaching for her clothes to pull them on.
"I will go right away."
Pei Jue pulled her back in one swift motion, his eyes dark and intense.
"Whatâs so important, you little brat?"
His fingers gently brushed aside Feng Yunâs sweat-dampened hair, his voice soft and low like warm water flowing.
"Lady Yunâs urgent matter is right here."
Feng Yun did not resist, but her tone was firm.
"His Majesty has summoned me, I canât delay..."
He refused to let go, so she laughed and tugged at him.
"Your Majesty, please wash up and wait for me in your room, Iâll be back shortly."
To apologize, she bent down and softly kissed Pei Jueâs forehead.
Pei Jueâs body tensed slightly, his gaze resting on her face.
She rarely initiated a kiss with him...
Such a memory almost seemed to come from a past life.
Pei Jueâs eyes dimmed slightly.
"To see him, you seem quite willing."
"What are you talking about?" Feng Yun didnât understand why he would be so petulant over a child, smiling as she got dressed.
"This child is pure, kind, and has a good heart. When he grows up, he will surely be a great Emperor."
Pei Jue: "Someone pure and kind is not fit to be a great Emperor."
As she spoke, Feng Yun had already dressed and walked to the curtain. Hearing that, she paused, released the curtain, turned around, and looked at him seriously.
"With your guidance, he will be."
Her expression was gentle.
As if she were talking about her own child.
Pei Jue remained silent.
They had never before discussed Yuan Shangyiâs matter in greater detail. In that moment, seeing the sharp look in Pei Jueâs eyes, Feng Yun suddenly felt...
Perhaps she didnât fully understand Pei Jue.
Who could guarantee that he had never been tempted by the supreme Dragon Throne?
Especially now that he was so powerful, second only to one, above tens of thousands.
It seemed that the Nine Bestowments ceremony was not only one step away from ascending to the heavens metaphorically but also capable of changing oneâs mindset...
Without saying much, she hurried off to Yangxin Restaurant.
The Female Historian Lin kneeled outside the study, with several Palace Attendants behind her, all with lowered heads, silent.
Yuan Shangyi sat alone in the room, brooding, his eyes red and face full of grievance, but he didnât cry.
"My lady..."
A childâs vulnerability is hard to resist; Feng Yunâs heart immediately softened.
"Whatâs the matter?" She looked into Yuan Shangyiâs eyes, bent down, embraced the child in front of her, and gently patted him. With a smile and a soft whisper, she asked, "Did Female Historian Lin force Ayuan to study hard again?"
Yuan Shangyi shook his head.
He didnât speak.
Female Historian Lin hadnât pushed him, let alone provoked him.
She had only irritated Feng Yun, talking behind her back, accusing her of harboring "disloyal intentions," wanting to replace Empress Dowager Duan as his foster mother...
And she advised him to remember the great kindness of adoption over birth, telling Yuan Shangyi not to forget Empress Dowager Duanâs kindness, adding that his confinement in Huaxi today was due to Feng Shi Er Niangâs doing.
Yuan Shangyi was still young.
He couldnât fully comprehend the intrigues of the adults, especially when they were no ordinary adultsâtheir hearts were trickier, their conflicts fiercer than ordinary folk.
He didnât understand these things.
He just didnât want anyone to speak ill of Feng Yun.
Not Female Historian Lin.
Not even Empress Dowager Duan.
Even though he knew they meant well for him.
Therefore, he couldnât tell Feng Yun these things.
He couldnât let the person who loved him harbor resentment.
"I just suddenly missed my lady..." Yuan Shangyi said, grief welling up, his arms encircling Feng Yun as he buried himself in her embrace.
She thought of the words Female Historian Lin had said...
Sooner or later, he and Feng Yun would become enemies.
He didnât understand.
Why would they become enemies?
"That wonât happen," he murmured.
Feng Yun looked down at him, "What wonât happen?"
Yuan Shangyi pursed his lips.
"My lady wonât become estranged from me."
Feng Yun laughed, gently patting his back.
"Of course, Iâve said Iâd protect Ayuan, and I will."
Yuan Shangyi nodded vigorously.
Being a child at heart, he quickly cheered up, got up from Feng Yunâs arms, and pulled her to see the words he had written that day.
Feng Yun left Yangxin Restaurant half an hour later.
Pei Jue wasnât in her room.
Xiaoman said, the Great General had something to do and left with Zuo Zhong and Jiu You, instructing her to rest early and not wait for him.
Feng Yun nodded, sat on the bed, looked at Pei Jueâs leftover cold tea, at his changed clothes, and sighed softly.
Both of them were too busy.
Too busy to have the time for tender affection...