Jin Ge let out a sigh.
"Mr. Ren is a man of learning, not one to act out of selfish desires. Naturally, it’s not for Her Majesty, nor out of revenge against the Qi Emperor... The things he speaks of, we don’t fully understand either. In the end, it’s all for the sake of all living beings, for the enduring prosperity of Daqi’s dynasty and foundations..."
Ren Rude—Feng Yun knew a thing or two about him.
An esteed scholar of his ti with clarity in turbulent days, brimming with profound knowledge, a vast vision, and a touch of a benevolent heart...
In the torrents of chaos, his hope to part the clouds and restore a bright and clear sky was not incomprehensible...
But one thing—
Feng Yun had been exchanging letters with Daman for years.
Just two days ago, she received a letter from Tai City.
Daman wrote, "What the Emperor fears and worries about is nothing other than the well-being of the people, the tranquility and happiness of all."
Everything seed peaceful and calm, without the slightest indication of breaking the alliance to wage war against Da Yong.
Was Daman lying to her?
Or had Xiao San not let anything slip to her?
Feng Yun arranged for Kong Yun’e and her family of three to be sent to a tailor shop in Xiangzhou established by Changn.
First, because Kong Yun’e was capable of managing such affairs.
Second, Xiangzhou was far from here, with no acquaintances, ensuring better safety for them.
Thirdly, of course, to keep an eye on them.
After so many years apart, what if they harbored ill intent?
Her considerations were thorough. Returning to the palace, she went to find Pei Jue.
After court, Pei Jue usually stayed in the Imperial Study, dealing with state affairs.
Feng Yun was stopped outside the main door by Laifu, the eunuch by Pei Jue’s side.
"Your Majesty," Laifu greeted her with a beaming smile and perford a salute. "Please wait in the side hall for a mont."
"Where’s His Majesty?" Feng Yun asked.
Laifu, seeing the urgency on her face, glanced back at the tightly shut door of the study.
"The Governor-General has arrived. He’s inside discussing matters with His Majesty."
Big Brother has co?
Feng Yun’s lips curved into a slight smile. "It’s nothing urgent then. I’ll go in myself."
Laifu watched as she stepped forward, opened his mouth to stop her, but swallowed the words back, carefully following behind.
-
Outside the Imperial Study.
On either side stood two guards, ard and solemn.
Feng Yun was about to call out for them to announce her presence when she saw Zuo Zhong rushing over.
Zuo Zhong was no longer the Guard Commander by Pei Jue’s side.
Among that cohort from back in the day, so had been promoted, while others had departed. In the Third Year of Jingning, Zuo Zhong and Jiu You both left the Imperial Guard Camp to serve as Guard Generals in the Northern Yong Army, commanding the left and right wings, gaining much honor.
Although Xiaoman was often by her side, it had still been so ti since Feng Yun last saw Zuo Zhong.
In her mory, Zuo Zhong was not a frivolous man. Why was he acting so out of character?
Her heart sank, and she instinctively felt a sense of urgency.
"Your Majesty, urgent military report!"
Zuo Zhong, disregarding the etiquette of greeting Feng Yun, loudly reported toward the Imperial Study.
The door opened.
Inside, Feng Yun saw Wen Xingsu. Aside from him, there was Helian Qian and two other generals.
Pei Jue, seated behind the desk, lifted his eyes slightly. "Present it."
Zuo Zhong responded, stepping in with long strides.
Feng Yun moved aside to stand near the threshold. Pei Jue didn’t notice her.
But as she passed Zuo Zhong, she caught sight of the cold sweat beading on his forehead.
Clearly, the matter was urgent.
Zuo Zhong dropped to one knee, raising the urgent report above his head.
"Your Majesty, the Northern Rong, united with twelve tribes and a force of one hundred thousand cavalry, have crossed Cangyan Mountain, heading straight for Yunzhou."
All these years, every autumn and winter, the Northern Rong would stir up trouble to store winter supplies, with raids on borderlands being routine. Yet due to their nomadic lifestyle, even though Da Yong repeatedly sent troops to pursue them, they were never completely eradicated.
Pei Jue turned to Helian Qian. "General Helian, this matter is yours to handle."
Helian Qian cupped his hands. "My liege, I accept the command."
He glanced at Feng Yun, saluted, and left in great strides.
Pei Jue turned his head and asked Wen Xingsu, "What of the south?"
Wen Xingsu, clad in military attire, solemnly reported, "Over ten thousand soldiers are stationed at Hengqu Pass. In Chunning, Dongquan, Fujiang, and other regions, the armies led by Provincial Governors and Prefectural Governors have shown no abnormal movents recently."
Pei Jue nodded slightly.
The Northern Rong’s repeated incursions were rely for survival—plundering supplies and leaving. But Nanqi was different. Xiao Cheng harbored grand ambitions, and beneath the years of calm lay long-repressed undercurrents...
Pei Jue slowly stood, stepping toward the map on the desk.
"If you were Xiao Cheng, where would you attack?"
Frowning slightly, Wen Xingsu traced the mountainous terrain on the map with his finger, pausing for a mont.
"From Chunning, striking either Dan Prefecture or Guyi."
Pei Jue regarded him approvingly and fell into brief silence.
"Deploy reinforcents to Dan Prefecture and Guyi."
Wen Xingsu saluted. "I accept the order."
As he left the study, he imdiately spotted Feng Yun waiting outside and smiled faintly.
"I had planned to visit you and Rui Bao with your sister-in-law in the next couple of days. But alas, another errand calls, and I must leave in haste."
Feng Yun smiled back. "Matters of importance take precedence. I will speak with Sister-in-law myself. Focus on your tasks and take care of your health."
Wen Xingsu nodded. "I will, and you must do the sa."
Over the years, he had been stationed in the army and ca and went from the Capital in a hurry every ti he returned.
anwhile, the Grand Princess’s health had deteriorated since a serious illness in the Fourth Year of Jingning. She had been frail and uneasy, forcing Puyang Yi to stay in the Capital to fulfill his filial duty.
The two were often apart, and Puyang Yi’s hope for Wen Xingsu to get a health check had been postponed ti and ti again.
Postponed so much that it eventually beca impossible to bring the subject up again.
The regret of being childless—Puyang Yi ntioned it every ti they t.
But Wen Xingsu, preoccupied with his duties, never took the matter to heart. Not only did he show no bla or resentnt, but he also outright rejected Puyang Yi’s suggestion for him to take a concubine.
Gradually, Puyang Yi stopped bringing it up.
Yet the guilt lingered in her heart, making her inevitably despondent.
"Yaoyao, when I leave, spend more ti with your sister-in-law."
Their eyes t.
Wen Xingsu’s expression was wistful, as though he had much to say but couldn’t bring himself to speak.
"She overthinks things. What I say, she doesn’t listen to. But your words—those, she might take to heart."
Feng Yun softly agreed and smiled at him. "Rest assured, Big Brother. I will. Tonight, I’ll ask Sister-in-law to join for dinner. You should go handle your duties."
Wen Xingsu cupped his hands in a bow. "Take care."
He walked away quickly, his figure growing smaller and smaller with distance.
Feng Yun stood there watching him, only turning to enter the room after she could no longer see him.
Pei Jue asked her, "Why the sigh?"
Feng Yun sat down lazily, her deanor tinged with lancholy.
"Do you think the more one possesses, the happier they are?"
Pei Jue frowned slightly, gazing at her intently.
"The Empress is unhappy?"
Feng Yun pressed her lips together, her delicate fingers caressing the brocade skirt on her lap.
"I can’t say... Over the years, you, , Big Brother, Pingyuan, Xiaoqi, and so many others... It seems like we’ve gained a lot, but also like we’ve gained nothing at all. We’re always running around, burdened with our respective duties, barely having ti to see one another, let alone enjoying happiness..."
She raised her eyes and cast a drifting glance at him.
"Have I asked for too much?"
Pei Jue gave it so thought and replied, "Yes."
Feng Yun feigned annoyance, glaring at him, and then burst into laughter.
"I’ve been naive. The warmth of an ordinary family, the blessings of an imperial household. One can’t have both fish and bear’s paw at the sa ti..."
Pei Jue took her hand.
"In a couple of days, I’ll accompany you to Huaxi for a walk."
Feng Yun was always happier in Huaxi than in the palace—this, Pei Jue knew.
In Huaxi, even sitting by the edge of a vegetable patch, watching seedlings sprout, she seed at ease and content.
But here, in this dazzling yet confining imperial city and deep palace, she was like soone bearing the heaviest shackles of the Da Yong Dynasty...
The two exchanged a smile.
The little worries clouding Feng Yun’s mind dissipated.
"Let’s go, see Rui Bao."
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