What replaced it was a scrutinizing gaze.
"Does Your Majesty truly intend to attend the wedding banquet?"
Pei Jue: "Why, am I not welco?"
Feng Yun gave him a sidelong glance, "You may co. But don’t bring any family..."
She nodded slightly, her lips curving upward seriously, yet her words seed tinged with sarcasm no matter how one listened.
The atmosphere grew slightly tense.
Pei Jue faced her.
"You are my only family."
-
Wen Xingsu left before dawn the next day.
Because the hour was so early, he didn’t say goodbye to Pei Jue and Feng Yun.
Feng Yun was also eager to return to Andu to prepare for the wedding. She hitched a ride on Pei Jue’s official missive sent to Xijing, hurriedly sending an urgent letter to the Princess Residence, and then started to pack.
She had arrived with only Xiaoman and two chests.
On her return, the attendants’ luggage filled two full carts.
Feng Yun disliked the atmosphere of parting.
The night before she left, instead of going to bed early as usual, she sat up watching the night drain away, waiting for Pei Jue to return.
Then personally she helped him change his clothes, and softly whispered:
"Tomorrow I shall begin my journey. Does Your Majesty have any instructions?"
Pei Jue stared at her, his dark eyes softened.
"Once I have arranged my affairs here, I will return ho."
Return ho...
Feng Yun smiled faintly, her fingers brushed lightly against his collar, "Good. I’ll wait for you at Huaxi."
Pei Jue responded with a grunt, silent.
Feng Yun arched a brow, "Without , who knows what tricks those at Fangyun Hall will pull. And there’s Tang Shaogong..."
She spoke indifferently, not hearing Pei Jue’s response, and her lips curled into a mocking sneer.
"You don’t need to remind you, do you? The more venomous the sche, the more sanctimonious it appears... Kinship is often the perfect trap."
Pei Jue seized her arm, lifted her across his body, and walked inside.
"Noted."
Feng Yun was startled, sensing his intent, she kicked and flailed in his arms.
"I haven’t finished speaking yet..."
Pei Jue: "The night is still young, we can talk slowly in bed."
-
Feng Yun didn’t calculate the day of departure, but when she awoke the next day, it was beautiful weather with a gentle breeze and sunny skies.
Only, Pei Jue wasn’t beside her.
Qian Sanniu said that His Majesty had risen early to inspect the camp, and could not send her off today.
"His Majesty has specially assigned General Ao to accompany and escort the lady back."
Feng Yun was taken aback.
Was he not worried that she might seduce his grandnephew now?
Ao Qi was waiting for her at the city gate.
Alone, with a few attendants, looking travel-worn.
Feng Yun lifted the curtain and greeted him, then slowly looked back...
Yecheng.
She probably wouldn’t co back again.
The hoofbeats clattered as they left through the wide-open city gate, leaving the city, which had just risen from the ashes of war, far behind in her thoughts...
She didn’t look back.
The road ahead was long, her fate uncertain.
She had many of her own affairs to deal with. She couldn’t imrse herself in the security Pei Jue provided, indulge in deep affection, and then simply wait for the day he grew weary of her, retracted his favor, and left her waiting to die.
Better to rely on oneself than on mountains and rivers.
What she couldn’t do in her previous life, she could do in this one.
"Madam..."
Xiaoman lowered the curtain and turned back, staring at Feng Yun’s face in shock.
"What’s the matter? Are you crying?"
Feng Yun’s eyes were moist, but her lips wore a smile.
"No. It’s just the wind."
"Oh. I thought you might be reluctant to leave the King..."
Xiaoman’s voice was low, tinged with the sadness of parting.
She had not been married long, and now she was parting from Zuo Zhong.
Feng Yun looked at her sympathetically, "I told you to stay, but you wouldn’t... Get off the carriage, it’s not too late to go back now."
Xiaoman shook her head firmly.
"No, I will follow you, Madam. I promised never to leave or forsake you, and I must not break my word."
Feng Yun smiled lightly, with a touch of laughter.
"The wind is strong outside, don’t look anymore."
"Yes."
The curtain was drawn.
On the city tower, Pei Jue stood alone.
Not until the distant carriage and guard procession had utterly vanished from sight...
User Comments
0 comments from readers