The Slender Waist

Feng Yun's expression did not change.

From the moment they left Andu City and entered the enemy camp, they should have been prepared for their fate.

But in Feng Yun's memory, in her previous life, after Pei Jue took her in, he rewarded all the concubines, like Lin E, to the generals with military merits; most of them ended up well, some were much favored, some bore children, and lived without worry about food and clothing...

It seemed that Lin E's clever tricks had backfired, changing the fate of this life.

She was too foolish; treating Pei Jue like those foppish youths in Yutangchun, thinking a fair appearance was enough to get close. Pei Jue, a cautious man—if he accepted every beautiful woman, he would have been killed by his sworn enemies countless times. At least in her last life, during the years she followed Pei Jue, he only had her by his side...

"Shi'er Niang, we are both from Qi; we should help each other..."

Lin E was so panicked her face turned pale. She prostrated on the ground with her shoulders shaking non-stop, "It's all the concubine's fault, the concubine was ignorant and offended you, my lady, I—I will slap myself. Shi'er Niang, you have a generous heart; please do not hold a grudge against me..."

As she spoke, she began to slap her own face.

Feng Yun smiled wryly, "I'm not a straw boat; you don't need to shoot arrows at me. You should have cried louder and slapped yourself harder in front of the general... to gain the general's pity..."

Her expression was calm and gentle, showing no malice, yet her words cut sharper than a knife's edge.

Xiaoman watched Lin E cry her heart out and started to panic and cry too, "Mistress, could it be that my sister is also... also in trouble?"

Feng Yun looked at the campsite illuminated by the firelight, thought for a moment, and called for Alou, "Go to the Central Military Tent and ask why Daman, the servant girl awarded to me by the Great General, has not returned yet."

Alou saluted, "Yes."

He hurried away from Feng Yun's sight, and before long, Ao Qi dragged him back by the arm.

"The Great General orders—"

Ao Qi dropped Alou, and with a solemn face, saluted to Feng Yun, "The Prefectural Governor of Andu County presented beauties, with utmost sincerity, and they shall all be utilized accordingly. Except for Ayun of the Feng Family who has merit in seeking grain and is exempted from labor, all other concubines shall be assigned to the barracks, to reward the soldiers and to comfort the army's heart."

Having said that, he looked at Xiaoman and Lin E, swung his head, "Take them all away."

A group of soldiers came over menacingly, some with swords, some with shackles, intent on taking Xiaoman, Lin E, and the rest, not sparing a single concubine from the campgrounds.

Almost instantly, cries and screams reverberated through the barracks.

Xiaoman was so terrified she lost her color, screaming non-stop as two soldiers dragged her away. Lin E collapsed on the ground...

"Shi'er Niang, save your servant..."

"Miss, save my life!"

The cries of despair were desolate and heartbreaking; in this world, the lives of female captives were no more precious than livestock.

Feng Yun gently stroked the back fur of her pet otter to calm its restlessness; her eyes were calmly watching the scene in front of her, as the concubines were dragged out by the soldiers, dragged, pulled, yanked, listening to their pleas, their screams, hesitant for a long while before she spoke.

"Ao guard, take me to see the Great General."

Her voice was soft and gentle, as if she hadn't been frightened.

Ao Qi snorted with slight contempt, "It would be better for miss not to go. The Great General spared you, you should just count yourself lucky. To go and plead for others is unwise..."

Surrounded by heart-wrenching cries and shouts, Ao Qi was a bit impatient, but having accepted Feng Yun's gifts, he was indebted to her, and he also did not wish to see this beauty wither away like a flower.

"Even if miss goes, the Great General will not see you. Let go of this thought."

"He will," Feng Yun's demeanor was indifferent, revealing no joy or anger, "The General is waiting for me to plead to him."

—

The Pei banner fluttered in the night wind.

Inside the Central Army Tent, Pei Jue was dressed in light armor, holding the Biyong Sword, ready to leave the camp.

His guard, Ye Chuang, came in to report that Feng Yun had requested to see him.

Pei Jue paused, silent. Ye Chuang thought the General would be enraged and quickly saluted to apologize. However, Pei Jue took off his helmet, placed it on the desk, gestured with his hand, and sat back down.

Ye Chuang was stunned before he realized what to do, "Understood."

The Jieqiu Mountain camp was foggy, with a gray haze surrounding it at night, only the light from the Central Army Tent stood out the brightest.

As Feng Yun walked into the big tent, it was not a long distance, but she exhausted all her strength, just like in her last life when she walked step by step into Pei Jue's tent; her heart was beating faster than now, her fear was greater than now...

"Feng Family's lady, pays respect to the Great General."

Ignoring the bundle of indifferent gazes, Feng Yun slightly bowed her head in greeting.

There was no response.

As per usual, Pei Jue was a man of few words, his cold stare could kill.

Feng Yun took the initiative to state her purpose, "General, I've come to pick up my servant Daman. She came to the Central Army Tent to deliver chicken soup and hasn't returned. This person was a reward from the General, and the General's word is his bond, isn't it?"