A few maidservants giggled as they expressed their gratitude for the favor, then they withdrew.
From beginning to end, Feng Yun didnât hear Cui Zhiâs voice.
She glanced at Amir who was completely oblivious and gave a shallow smile.
"Letâs go this way."
Amir, unaware of Ao Qiâs affairs, looked down and fiddled with his sleeve, frowning discontentedly, "Itâs all Ao Qiâs fault for not telling me that sea squirts donât bite, making me embarrass myself."
Feng Yun found her innocence and frankness amusing, smiled, and said no more, personally taking Amir to change her clothes, and then brought her back to the hall, discovering Pei Jue had already returned.
Early today, Pei Jue had gone to the various military camps in West Capital City.
This was his longstanding tradition, on New Yearâs Day, he would definitely have lunch with the soldiers, or at the very least, drop by to greet them.
"Your Highness." Feng Yun bowed respectfully, then sat down next to him.
Looking at each other, she smiled subtly.
"How was it? Nobody gave you trouble, right?"
Pei Jue: "Itâs the New Year, who would be so troubled to do that?"
Feng Yun paused for a moment, then let out a light laugh, "Youâve relegated Lou Ding to the Northern Rong, do you think the old party can swallow that? At yesterdayâs feast, I saw that Minister Ruanâs complexion was not looking very good."
Suddenly, Pei Jue grasped her hand and stared at her intently.
"Is Lady Yun worried about me?"
Feng Yun glanced sideways at him, "What do you think? Does my face look like Iâm capable of worrying?"
Pei Jue raised his eyebrows, changing the subject.
"I heard something related to you when I went out today."
Feng Yun was slightly startled, "Me? What about me?"
Pei Jue, looking at her, said: "Thereâs a rumor going around that His Majesty wishes to acknowledge you as his godmother, and me as his godfather."
Feng Yun was taken aback.
In ordinary households, acknowledging godparents is a trivial matter, but how can the Emperor carelessly do the same?
The rumor being circulated clearly signaled that Pei Jue harbored ambitions to usurp the throne...
"Who is so bold as to fabricate such affairs of the imperial family?"
Pei Jue paused, his voice as cold as ice.
"It seems that the evil spirits hiding in West Capital City canât wait to come out and court death."
"Itâs really strange..."
Last night, when she was talking to Ayuan, she hadnât noticed anyone around.
Unless someone deliberately targeted them.
It wasnât her they were after, it was the Young Emperor.
A chill wind blew through the corridor, passing the curtains, and Feng Yun suddenly felt cold.
-
This yearâs New Yearâs Eve dinner at the Pei Residence was imbued with a strong festive spirit.
Feng Yun suggested that since having dinner as a family was for unity, they should sit around a round table and have a reunion dinner, so they arranged a long table for everyone to sit together.
Pei Chong sat at the head, with Pei Jue and his wife Feng Yun on the left, Pei Yao on the right, and at the end were Ao Qi and Amir, along with the young ones, Azuo and Ayou.
The family sat together neatly, the atmosphere harmonious and beautiful.
However, Pei Chong excused himself early from the table, letting someone wheel him away from the feast.
Amir, seeing the solemn expression on everyoneâs faces, felt afraid.
Because she didnât understand the rules, she had already caused quite a few problems these days.
She whispered, "Is it because I... donât know how to speak, have I offended Grandfather?"
Ao Qi frowned upon seeing her, "Itâs none of your business, eat your food."
Amir uttered an âohâ, quietly bowed her head, and when no one was paying attention, she rolled her eyes at Ao Qi again.
"You..." Ao Qi was lost for words.
Pei Yaoâs gaze swept over with a faint air, followed by a sigh.
"Iâm missing my mother. Every year weâre supposed to reunite, yet every year we remain apart."
Pei Chongâs deep affection for his late wife was something Feng Yun had somewhat heard of, and deep down she couldnât help but feel that a man like her father-in-law, who was so deeply loving, was a real man. What woman wouldnât die for such devotion?
She turned to serve Pei Jue a dish with her chopsticks, smiling softly.
"If you could be half the man your father is, our country would surely be in peace and the people at ease."
Pei Jue looked up, utterly confused.
Feng Yunâs smile was radiant. "Eat up, itâs specially made in the kitchen for you. Man-eating beast ... oh no, spicy diced chicken."
Pei Jue:...
-
That very night, Ao Qi and Amir stayed at the Pei Residence.
Considering they were a couple, Feng Yun had a room arranged just for the two of them.
But when she woke up the next day, awakened by Xiaoman, she learned that Ao Qi, having a tiff with his new wife, had added blankets and mats, and eventually slept in the side room with the young Amir.
She was amused and sympathetic.
"The side room doesnât have a warm stove, he must have been freezing. Command the kitchen to make some ginger soup for General Ao."
Xiaoman nodded in agreement.
Feng Yun had Huanhuan and Peipei come to help her get dressed.
Although the Pei Family lacked close relatives in West Capital City, it was certain that people would come to visit on the first day of the New Year. Even if she was not in the mood for socializing, Feng Yun had to get up and do what was expected of the Princess of Yonghuai.
She was prepared, yet the first to arrive at the mansion to offer New Yearâs greetings were Wei Zheng and Luo Yue.
Feng Yun and Luo Yue, having not seen each other for a long time, had a lot to say. They left the men in the front hall and went to the back yard to chat.
As they spoke of their experiences since they had parted, the two held hands, sighing and lamenting.
"I really miss Andu, those sisters who shared hardship. If I could just go back for a look, that would be great."
Hearing that Wen Hui had married, Daman had returned to Nanqi, Ying Rong became the manager of the Cheng Yi Workshop, Chai Ying and Nan Kui were able to stand on their own, Guan Wei found love, Awan set up a noodle stall, and even Xiaoman was engaged.
"Everyone is doing so well, all thanks to you, dear sister. Itâs all thanks to you."
Luo Yue alternated between tears and laughter before continuing with her own story.
"Without you by my side, coming out on my own made life much harder. At first, there was no shortage of gossip. They said I was a little entertainer picked up from a brothel by my master, not worthy of carrying on the Wei lineage. Laughter followed me inside and outside of the estate. Eventually, my husband discreetly dealt with a few troublemakers, quieting down those with loose tongues. As time went on, people began to respect me..."
After giving birth, Luo Yue grew plumper and her complexion rosier, giving her the appearance of a woman blessed with good fortune.
Feng Yun said with a smile, "As long as sister is happy, thatâs all that matters."
Luo Yue pursed her lips and gave a bitter smile.
"As long as they donât gossip about me to my face, I canât be bothered with what they say behind my back. Anyway, my life is better than theirs now... I have a son and have experienced joy. From now on, let things happen as they may."
Feng Yun had a smile on her face, but hearing the latter half, she felt an inexplicable sadness settle in.
She asked, "Why the resignation?"
Luo Yue suddenly lowered her gaze, lifting the corners of her mouth in a sad semblance of a smile.
"Wei Zheng is taking another wife."
Feng Yun looked at her, at a loss for words.
Luo Yueâs low birth and the ignominious beginning of her relationship with Wei Zheng had brought much criticism. These were things she could scarcely amend in her lifetime.
Feng Yun asked, "What are you planning to do?"
Luo Yue shook her head. "From day one with Wei Zheng, I knew this day would come. Itâs just that I never expected..."
She lifted Feng Yunâs hand to her chest.
"I never imagined it would feel so... like my heart was being torn to pieces."
Feng Yunâs expression subtly changed.
How casually Luo Yue had spoken of leaving Andu before, as if she had seen through all romantic affections and sought only what she craved, never coveting that manâs heartâ
Yet, had she not fallen in love throughout their daily interactions?