Chapter 22: Three in One (Bug Catching)
At this moment, the little fox cub that was forced into Wei Jing Mo’s arms suddenly moved its body and whimpered.
Wei Jing Mo came back to his senses, lowered his eyes to look, and immediately met the soft glass vertical pupils of the little one in his arms.
Looking at its soft and mellow watery eyes, as if it was acting coquettishly, Wei Jing Mo’s heart, which had initially wanted to return it, immediately softened. His previously firm resolve began to waver.
His cold ink-black eyes softened, and he raised his hand to stroke its soft back.
Then, he said in a faint voice to Dong Qing and Dong Gua behind him: “Let’s go, we’ll return to the tent as well.”
Dong Qing and Dong Gua exchanged glances, both their eyes flashing with traces of shock.
How could the most proper and courteous young master so easily accept something given by a woman? Wasn’t this private interaction? If others found out, how could this be explained?
Dong Qing hesitated for a few seconds, and finally couldn’t help but advise: “Young Master, are you not returning this little fox to the Seventh Princess? Wouldn’t it be inappropriate to keep it?”
Hearing this, Wei Jing Mo didn’t stop walking. His voice sounded somewhat indifferent: “Since she gave it to me, if I were to send it back now and be seen by others, wouldn’t it cause more gossip? Moreover, this little fox is so delicate, I’m afraid the Seventh Princess wouldn’t have the patience to raise it with her temperament. Don’t overthink it, I think she just wanted to find someone to get rid of this little one.”
Hearing these words, Dong Qing and Dong Gua thought about it and indeed felt that Wei Jing Mo’s reasoning made sense. After all, they had both just seen how the Seventh Princess had treated this little fox, toying with it like some novel plaything. It made the little one seem quite pitiful.
Both of them were still young men, and found it hard to resist such an adorable little creature.
Hearing Wei Jing Mo speak this way, they finally fell silent, swallowing back their words, and didn’t continue to persuade him.
However, in their hearts, they were thinking that they must keep this matter tightly under wraps, to prevent their young master’s reputation from being tarnished!
While the two were lost in thought, they didn’t notice the fleeting sparkle of dazzling light in Wei Jing Mo’s cold ink-black eyes as he walked ahead, looking incredibly captivating!
—
Meanwhile, after Cong Bai followed Feng Bai Su a distance away, she couldn’t help but ask: “Your Highness, why did you give the little fox to Young Master Wei?”
Her tone was somewhat low, sounding full of gloom.
Feng Bai Su continued walking forward at a leisurely pace, her voice somewhat nonchalant: “Keeping it would be useless, it barely has two ounces of meat on its body, and its fur isn’t even good. Can’t roast its meat, can’t skin its fur. It would just be a bother to raise, quite uninteresting.”
By the end, her deep voice was filled with disdain.
Cong Bai, however, continued in a muffled voice: “Your Highness could have given it to this servant to raise.” After all, she quite liked that little fox cub.
Hearing this, Feng Bai Su finally stopped walking and glanced at her: “What business does a woman like you have raising pets? It’s a distraction! You’d be better off spending that time doing an extra half-hour of horse stance training every day.”
Cong Bai was confused by her words, not understanding how raising a little fox cub was related to being distracted from important matters.
But then she realized that whatever she said now would be useless, since it had already been given away. Could they really ask for it back?
She let out a somewhat disappointed “Oh” and said in a muffled voice: “Then this servant will go back and do an extra half-hour of horse stance training.”
Only then did Feng Bai Su nod with satisfaction and continue walking forward.
Suddenly, as if just realizing something, Cong Bai asked: “But Your Highness, isn’t it inappropriate for you to give a gift to a man? After all, you’re both unmarried.”
A small flame of hope rose in her heart, thinking that maybe Young Master Wei would return the little fox cub.
Feng Bai Su, however, seemed unconcerned, her peach blossom eyes showing no fluctuation: “It’s just a wild fox cub.”
In her heart, she silently added: It’s not like I haven’t given him gifts before.
Her brocade robe and the little red horse were both much more valuable than that fox cub.
It’s just a little fox cub, what’s the big deal about giving it away?
Hearing her words and seeing the indifferent expression on her face, Cong Bai couldn’t quite figure out her mistress’s attitude.
But then, remembering her mistress’s usual indifference towards male beauty, she felt somewhat reassured.
With her mistress’s personality, it was also possible that she had truly given it to Young Master Wei simply because she found it troublesome.
Cong Bai felt a bit melancholy, thinking that the Male Empress would probably be disappointed again. The autumn hunt was already half over, and not only had her mistress not approached any men, she had even done something so careless. She wondered if Young Master Wei would misunderstand her mistress’s intentions.
—
At the Northern Marquis’s camp
“Cousin!”
Shen Ruo’s voice arrived before he did, as he lifted the tent flap and ran in.
He had just entered and hadn’t yet seen Wei Jing Mo when he spotted a little fox on the ground, its four limbs trembling as it stumbled about. It had light red fur and eyes like clear grapes, with a delicate golden bell hanging around its neck. Each step it took produced a crisp, pleasant jingling sound.
His round pupils instantly lit up, feeling as if his heart was about to melt.
Looking at Wei Jing Mo standing behind the little fox, he asked excitedly: “Cousin, where did you get this little fox? It’s too adorable!”
The young masters in Phoenix Feather City were quite fond of keeping pets. After all, men had few entertainment activities and spent most of their time in their boudoirs, so keeping a pet could help alleviate boredom. But most of them kept cats or dogs.
Keeping a little fox like this was something he had never seen before!
Shen Ruo noticed that the little fox on the ground seemed to sense someone’s arrival. Its little short legs suddenly stopped, and it turned its head. Its clean, innocent eyes blinked at Shen Ruo, as if asking who this person was.
He gasped, unable to resist covering his mouth and letting out a short, excited cry: “Ah-”
The little fox seemed frightened by the sound, its four short legs immediately starting to scurry towards Wei Jing Mo.
It reached out with two tender little paws and grabbed onto the hem of his skirt.
Wei Jing Mo, seeing its frightened little appearance, curved his thin lips into a faint smile. He bent down and gently picked it up in his arms, soothingly stroking the soft fur on its back.
He walked to the table and sat down, placing the little fox on his lap. Looking at Shen Ruo, who was still standing in place, he asked softly: “What brings cousin here? I heard from father that you were planning to go to the outskirts of the hunting grounds today?”
“I was planning to go, but before setting out, I thought about how you’ve been staying in the tent these past few days without coming out, so I wanted to ask if you’d like to come with me.”
He sat down across from Wei Jing Mo, his gaze falling on the little fox in his lap, his eyes somewhat wistful: “No wonder you haven’t been coming out, it turns out you got a new plaything and couldn’t bear to leave it.”
Saying this, he suddenly became serious, his eyes staring directly at Wei Jing Mo as he pressed: “Tell me! Where did you get it? Don’t try to fool me by saying you picked it up somewhere, I won’t believe that.”
As he spoke, his gaze returned to the little fox, observing it carefully.
“Looking at its appearance, it seems to be a rare red fox. Even in the inner hunting grounds, these are uncommon, let alone a lively little fox cub like this.”
Shen Ruo had an expression that said he wouldn’t leave until he got an answer, making Wei Jing Mo feel somewhat helpless.
He looked at Shen Ruo somewhat resignedly, but his face remained composed, “It really was picked up, but not by me. It was found by one of the guards of the Marquis’s mansion.”
Wei Jing Mo naturally wouldn’t reveal that the little fox had been given to him by Feng Bai Su. After some thought, he could only explain it this way.
Shen Ruo, however, seemed unconvinced and was about to speak when Wei Jing Mo calmly interjected: “If a huge beast can appear in the outer grounds, what’s so impossible about a little fox that lost its way?”
“But, but…”
Shen Ruo thought for a long time but couldn’t come up with a rebuttal. He felt that this explanation was full of holes, yet he couldn’t pinpoint exactly what was wrong.
He deflated a bit, puffing out his cheeks in resignation, and compromised: “Fine, I’ll believe you. But let me hold that little fox!”
“By all means, cousin.”
Wei Jing Mo immediately handed the little fox in his arms over to him, watching him with a smile in his eyes.
Behind them, Dong Qing and Dong Gua exchanged glances. They felt that their young master was becoming increasingly lively. He could even lie with such a straight face and seriousness. When had they ever seen him like this before?
While Dong Qing and Dong Gua were marveling, they also felt somewhat pleased. Their young master used to be like an immortal who had stepped out of a painting, every gesture and expression conforming to the behavior standards of the current upper-class men. He was too perfect, lacking the vivacity and liveliness he now possessed.
They quite enjoyed seeing their young master so full of life!
Shen Ruo rubbed the little fox’s soft, plump body, listening to the comfortable whimpering sounds it made. The light in his eyes was frighteningly bright, clearly showing his extreme fondness for this soft and adorable little fox cub.
He suddenly looked at Wei Jing Mo and asked: “Cousin, have you given this little fox a name yet?”
Hearing this, a blush spread across Wei Jing Mo’s jade-like handsome face. His eyelashes fluttered slightly, and he lowered his eyes as he replied: “I have…”
“Oh?” Shen Ruo didn’t notice his unusual behavior and asked excitedly, “What name?”
Countless poetic or cute names instantly flashed through his mind.
“Su Xiao Mo.”
“Hm?”
Shen Ruo’s eyes were bewildered, looking at him with confusion: “Su Xiao Mo? What kind of strange name is that?”
Is this really a name for a pet? To him, it sounded more like a child’s nickname.
After speaking, Wei Jing Mo regained his composure. His cold ink-black eyes looked at him calmly and nodded.
Dong Qing and Dong Gua stood behind Wei Jing Mo, both with a slight blush on their faces and some disbelief in their eyes.
The young master giving the little fox such a name, could it be what they were thinking? Wasn’t the young master being too bold?
Wei Jing Mo actually felt a bit embarrassed when he said it, but since the little fox was given to him by Feng Bai Su, he naturally wanted to include her name in it.
Moreover, he couldn’t think of anything else at the moment, and Shen Ruo’s question was sudden. He had no choice but to randomly pick a character from his own name to name the little fox.
Wei Jing Mo’s ears, hidden under his black hair, were slightly red, but he felt that this name really suited his heart.
Seeing Wei Jing Mo suddenly daze off, his ink-black eyes somewhat unfocused, Shen Ruo didn’t know what he was thinking about.
He called out with some confusion: “Cousin?”
Wei Jing Mo immediately came back to his senses. Seeing Shen Ruo’s gaze, he suppressed the emotions surging in his heart and looked at him with a faint smile.
Only then did Shen Ruo withdraw his gaze, but he couldn’t help feeling puzzled, thinking that his cousin seemed a bit strange today.
Because of the little fox’s presence, Shen Ruo completely abandoned his plan to go to the outskirts of the hunting grounds today!
He spent the entire day in Wei Jing Mo’s tent, playing with the little fox cub.
It wasn’t until dusk that he reluctantly returned the little fox to Wei Jing Mo and left.
As Dong Qing went to escort him back, Dong Gua, who remained by Wei Jing Mo’s side, couldn’t help but chuckle, “Young Master, it seems the young master cousin really loves the little fox.”
He kept looking back every few steps, his eyes full of reluctance.
A trace of amusement flashed through Wei Jing Mo’s cold ink-black eyes as he lowered his head to look at the little fox sleeping on his lap. He reached out and gently pinched its ear.
The little fox cub immediately whimpered, stretching its paw somewhat confusedly, as if trying to drive away the person disturbing its sleep.
Seeing this, Wei Jing Mo smiled and withdrew his hand, getting up to place it back in the small nest he had set up nearby.
—
Early the next morning, just as Wei Jing Mo had finished breakfast, Shen Ruo walked in.
He first crouched down to pet the little fox eating on the ground, then stood up and said to Wei Jing Mo, who was standing nearby: “Cousin, you can’t stay in the tent today. The Emperor has made a last-minute decision to have the noble ladies play a horseback archery game on the last day of this autumn hunt. All the young masters have to go watch. Come with me!”
Hearing this, Wei Jing Mo’s face remained unchanged, and he asked in a faint voice, “Why is there suddenly a competition? Aren’t we going hunting in the grounds anymore?”
Shen Ruo was also somewhat unclear, “I don’t know, I just heard it from my father.”
He exclaimed, “Oh my! Why do you care about the reason? All the noble ladies will be participating later, and even a few princesses will be joining in. It’s a rare opportunity, you must come with me!”
Saying this, he grabbed Wei Jing Mo and ran out.
The little fox, which was lapping milk from a small bowl, saw its master suddenly run out and let out a milk-muffled “awoo”, trying to follow on its short legs.
Before it could run out of the tent, Dong Qing behind it scooped it up in his arms.
He soothingly rubbed its small body and said softly, “Little one, you can’t run out like that.”
After being pulled out by Shen Ruo, Wei Jing Mo panted lightly and shook off his arm.
“Cousin, I’ll go with you, but let’s walk slowly.”
Hearing this, Shen Ruo realized that his earlier behavior was somewhat unbecoming of a well-bred young master.
He sheepishly rubbed his nose and slowed his pace.
When the two arrived, the area around the field was already crowded with people. The Emperor, the Male Empress, and several noble gentlemen were seated on a high platform at the back.
Shen Ruo pulled Wei Jing Mo to squeeze into the front.
At this time, the competition hadn’t started yet, but the princesses and noble ladies who were to participate were already mounted on horses standing in the field.
Wei Jing Mo looked up and immediately saw Feng Bai Su trailing behind several princesses.
Her gorgeous face still wore that lazy expression, her eyes lowered carelessly, looking somewhat bored.
Today she wore a begonia red riding outfit, sitting lazily on a black horse, looking particularly eye-catching.
Wei Jing Mo had only been there for a moment, but he had already noticed several young masters casting shy glances at her.
His heart felt a bit sour, and he couldn’t help but mutter: “Vixen!”
The content of the horseback archery competition was simple. The princesses were divided into two teams, each leading the noble ladies behind them in a mounted archery competition. They would ride their steeds standing in designated circles on the field, shooting at moving straw targets 100 meters away in all directions. Whichever team first shot 50 arrows into the red heart at the center of the straw targets’ chests would be declared the winner.
Before the competition began, the Emperor stood up on the high platform and announced in a loud voice: “The winners of this competition will be heavily rewarded by Us, just like the winners of the hunting ground!”
As soon as the words fell, a guard immediately came forward to strike the bronze gong, and the competition officially began!
The princesses participating in the competition were Crown Princess Feng Bai Ying and Second Princess Feng Bai Zhi. They, along with Feng Bai Su and other noble ladies, formed the red team, with red markings on the tail of each arrow. Feng Bai Wei and Third Princess Feng Bai Kuan were on a team, leading another group of noble ladies to form the blue team, with blue markings on the tail of their arrows.
As soon as the competition started, Feng Bai Wei quickly rode her black horse towards the circle. Three noble ladies ran in front of her, automatically clearing obstacles on both sides. In less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, she had already hit ten consecutive arrows.
Her graceful horse-riding and fierce archery made the young masters watching below let out one exclamation after another. Even the Emperor on the high platform, whose black eyes were usually deep and unfathomable, showed a trace of satisfaction.
Shen Ruo, standing beside Wei Jing Mo, excitedly jumped up and down on the spot. Turning his head to look at Wei Jing Mo, who had an indifferent expression, he asked with bright eyes: “Cousin, the Fifth Princess is so amazing, how come you’re not excited?”
Hearing this, Wei Jing Mo nodded in agreement and tugged at the corners of his mouth, revealing a faint smile.
Seeing this, Shen Ruo’s excitement dampened a bit, and he muttered: “Cousin, you’re being too perfunctory! It’s better not to smile at all!”
In Shen Ruo’s mind, he naturally assumed Wei Jing Mo to be a supporter of the blue team.
Thus, he didn’t notice when Wei Jing Mo’s cold ink-black eyes fell on the red team on the field, his hands hanging at his sides unconsciously clenching tightly.
On the field, Crown Princess Feng Bai Ying and Second Princess Feng Bai Zhi both had somewhat unpleasant expressions.
Their red team was a full five arrows behind the blue team!
At their age of hot blood and competitive spirit, they naturally didn’t want to admit defeat so easily.
At this time, there was still one incense stick’s worth of time left in the competition. The two exchanged a glance with unsightly expressions, and when they saw Feng Bai Su slacking off in the team not far away, they felt even more furious.
Feng Bai Zhi rode her black horse inconspicuously towards Feng Bai Su’s back, and when she wasn’t paying attention, whipped Feng Bai Su’s black horse.
The black horse neighed loudly and ran towards the circle in front, carrying Feng Bai Su on its back.
Feng Bai Su had no time to think, only hearing Feng Bai Zhi’s cold snort from behind: “Little Seven, it’s time for you to contribute to the team!”
The black horse beneath her then ran forward frantically.
Seeing this scene, the crowd below couldn’t help but exclaim in shock, some even covering their eyes, not daring to see Feng Bai Su fall.
Even Liu Gui Jun on the high platform couldn’t help but turn pale, his eyes involuntarily filled with tears.
After all, Feng Bai Su’s reputation for being unskilled was too well-known, and no one thought she could escape unscathed in such a dangerous situation.
The Male Empress couldn’t help but look at the Emperor in the right seat, worriedly saying: “Your Majesty, will Little Seven be in danger? Should we let the guards standing by below intervene?”
The Emperor, however, had an inscrutable expression and spoke coldly: “As a princess, if she can’t even solve this little trouble, she’s truly useless!”
When her deep eyes looked at Feng Bai Su on the startled horse in the field, the coldness in them was probably even less warm than that of a stranger.
When Feng Bai Su’s horse was startled, Wei Jing Mo’s usually calm eyes couldn’t help but waver slightly. His heart felt as if it was gripped by a hand, aching.
Although he knew that Feng Bai Su wasn’t as incompetent as others said, he still couldn’t help but feel nervous when he saw this dangerous scene on the field.
On the field, Feng Bai Su tightly gripped the reins in her hand. The laziness in her peach blossom eyes disappeared, replaced by sharpness and depth. Her entire aura changed with it, becoming unstoppable.
Damn!
She cursed fiercely in her heart: This is absolutely insane!
Ahead, Feng Bai Wei was also quickly riding her horse towards this direction. When she saw Feng Bai Su charging towards her, she didn’t even slow down her horse. To be the first to rush into the circle, she had a reckless attitude.
Seeing this, Feng Bai Su couldn’t help but complain again in her heart: Great! Here’s another one acting crazy!
She gripped the reins with both hands and pulled back hard. The black horse, which had already stepped into the circle, reared up on its hind legs uncontrollably. Feng Bai Su stood up in the stirrups, using her legs to straighten her body. She drew a long arrow, nocked it, and with a “whoosh,” the arrow flew straight towards the moving straw target 100 meters away.
Bulls-eye!
The straw target couldn’t withstand the force of the arrow imbued with inner energy, and with a “boom,” it scattered, all the arrows falling to the ground.
Feng Bai Su gritted her teeth inwardly: What’s the point of shooting arrows!
At the same time, Feng Bai Wei’s black horse had also run up.
Seeing Feng Bai Su suddenly stop, her pupils contracted slightly, and she pulled tightly on the reins. Her black horse kicked forward uncontrollably, hitting the belly of Feng Bai Su’s horse just as Feng Bai Su’s arrow left the bow!
“Neigh~~Neigh”
The two horses instantly fell to the ground!
Feng Bai Su rolled to the side, ending up next to Feng Bai Zhi, and extended her long leg to kick the horse’s leg.
She used full force in this kick, and the black horse immediately fell to its knees. Feng Bai Zhi on its back also fell forward uncontrollably.
In an instant, the field was in chaos!
Everything happened so suddenly that people only saw the Seventh Princess’s black horse rear up, then collide with the Fifth Princess’s black horse. As the Seventh Princess shot an arrow, both horses fell to the ground. Then, somehow, the Second Princess far away was also affected and fell from her horse.
With three princesses falling to the ground simultaneously, everyone was frozen in shock.
On the high platform, the Male Empress, Liu Gui Jun, and Qi Gui Jun, the Second Princess’s father, all stood up anxiously.
Before the Emperor could speak, the Male Empress looked at the guards below and said sternly, “What are you standing there for? Quickly go rescue the three princesses!”
The guards hurried to the field, and the competition was forced to stop due to the sudden accident involving the three princesses.
They quickly moved the three to a tent and summoned the accompanying imperial physicians for treatment.
Among the three, Second Princess Feng Bai Zhi was the most severely injured. She had fallen headfirst, with a large wound on her head, and was still unconscious.
Feng Bai Wei was next, with scratches on her back and her right hand fractured by the horse.
As for Feng Bai Su, the reason she was said to be the least injured was because although her right leg was fractured, it was entirely her own doing.
To kick Feng Bai Zhi’s horse, she had directly fractured her own leg!
From this point of view, one has to say she was also somewhat crazy!
After the imperial physicians left, of the three people, one lay unconscious on the bed with her head wrapped in bandages. Another sat in a chair with a bandaged arm, her face cold and gloomy. And the last one lay on a soft couch with her injured leg propped up, looking lazy.
Feng Bai Wei’s gaze fell on Feng Bai Su, and thinking of the earlier situation, a trace of curiosity flashed in her deep black eyes.
“Seventh Sister’s arrow just now was quite impressive. You’ve really fooled us all.”
She spoke as if joking, her lips curling into a meaningful smile.
Feng Bai Su, however, remained calm, her expression unchanging. She lightly lifted her eyelids to look at Feng Bai Wei, her voice carrying just the right amount of confusion and innocence: “What do you mean, Fifth Sister? If your horse hadn’t kicked mine, my arrow wouldn’t have left the bow. I was hoping Mother Emperor would praise me for once.”
Her expression became somewhat resentful, her gaze towards Feng Bai Wei carrying a hint of blame.
Seeing this, Feng Bai Wei’s sword-like eyebrows furrowed imperceptibly, her eyes suspiciously examining Feng Bai Su again.
Seeing her still with that resentful look, she couldn’t help but doubt herself: Could she have been mistaken? Was this all really an accident?
She lowered her eyes with an inscrutable expression, not speaking again.
When Feng Bai Wei lowered her head, the resentment on Feng Bai Su’s face disappeared completely. Her usually lazy peach blossom eyes coldly glanced at Feng Bai Wei. Then she resumed her scattered appearance and directly lay down on the soft couch, closing her eyes.
Others naturally saw the arrow Feng Bai Su had shot. However, those outside the field didn’t take it to heart. After all, from the situation at the time, Feng Bai Su’s arrow was indeed shot when Feng Bai Wei’s horse kicked her horse. They didn’t suspect anything, and even seeing the shattered straw target, they only thought it was due to the great impact of the two horses colliding that had scattered the straw target.
With the three princesses having accidents in succession, the Emperor’s mood naturally wasn’t good. All the joy accumulated over the past few days had completely disappeared.
She looked at the Male Empress with cold eyes, unusually saying a few harsh words: “Male Empress, don’t spoil the Fifth too much! With such an aggressive and competitive nature, how can she shoulder great responsibilities? I think it’s best to use this recovery time to cultivate her character and temperament!”
Hearing this, the Male Empress’s gentle face immediately turned pale. Was the Emperor prohibiting Feng Bai Wei from leaving the palace?
Just a few days ago, she was praising Feng Bai Wei for being steady and diligent, even intending to establish her as the Crown Princess. How did it suddenly turn out like this?
The Emperor didn’t wait for the Male Empress to react and turned to look at Qi Gui Jun.
The fact that Qi Gui Jun could be brought back to the royal palace by the Emperor from a small place shows that he was indeed very handsome. But serving the Emperor with beauty alone cannot last long. Especially for the Emperor who has seen all the beauty in the world. Her gaze towards Qi Gui Jun was colder, and her words were harsh and direct: “The Second is even more stupid and vicious! Daring to treat her own sisters like this in front of me, is she thinking about how to harm me behind my back?”
Hearing this, Qi Gui Jun’s face immediately changed drastically, and he fell to his knees with a thud.
“Your Majesty, the Second Princess absolutely wouldn’t dare to be so rebellious! She was just momentarily blinded by the competition! This servant begs Your Majesty to forgive her this once!”
Qi Gui Jun wept on the ground, crying like a willow in the rain: “The Second Princess has already paid the price for her mistake, and now she’s lying in bed, her life hanging in the balance, Your Majesty!”
“This servant begs Your Majesty to spare her!”
The Emperor’s face was gloomy and unpredictable, her aura terrifyingly oppressive. Her deep black eyes looked at Qi Gui Jun prostrating on the ground. After a long while, she finally spoke in a flat tone: “Alright, get up. Considering her severe injury this time, everything will be decided after she recovers!”
With these words, Qi Gui Jun stood up trembling. Although the Emperor hadn’t pardoned Feng Bai Zhi, at least he had bought some time.
He wiped the tears from his face and silently returned to his original position.
Liu Gui Jun had been standing behind the two, and seeing Qi Gui Jun’s miserable state, and thinking about how even the Male Empress, who was quite favored by the Emperor, had been scolded, his calves couldn’t help but tremble.
One after another had been reprimanded, so wouldn’t he be next?
He successfully scared himself pale!
He looked at the Emperor with a pitiful gaze, biting his lip and thinking to himself that he must hold back, he couldn’t cry as miserably as Qi Gui Jun.
Unexpectedly, the Emperor only gave him a cold glance, as if she was a bit speechless at his stupid appearance.
Liu Gui Jun watched her retreating figure, feeling somewhat bewildered for a moment.
He had prepared himself to face the Emperor’s wrath, so why did she suddenly leave?
The Emperor indeed wanted to reprimand him, but thinking about how Feng Bai Su had first been startled by the Second’s horse, then kicked down by the Fifth’s horse. Even though she disapproved of her usual carefree behavior, she couldn’t bring herself to scold her now.
So when her gaze fell on Liu Gui Jun, she just gave him a cold glance before turning to leave.
After the Emperor left, seeing the Male Empress’s somewhat unpleasant expression, the lower-ranking male consorts, being quite perceptive, took their leave first.
Liu Gui Jun came to his senses and, anxious to check on Feng Bai Su’s condition, also bid farewell to the Male Empress.
“Liu Gui Jun, wait. This Palace will go with you,” the Male Empress suddenly called out to him. By now, his expression had recovered, once again becoming the gentle and kind appearance of usual, as if the earlier unpleasant look had been just an illusion.
Liu Gui Jun carefully glanced at him, naturally not refusing.
Behind them, Qi Gui Jun, seeing the Male Empress’s cold attitude, couldn’t help but clench his fists.
He knew the Male Empress was blaming him for this matter.
After all, if Feng Bai Zhi hadn’t startled Feng Bai Su’s horse first, the subsequent events wouldn’t have happened.
Fang Gui Jun, who had been standing quietly in place, watched the three leave one after another, his face calm and composed. After all, among the princesses who participated this time, the Crown Princess had maintained a steady performance throughout the competition, though not particularly outstanding.
But with this incident, it highlighted Crown Princess Feng Bai Ying. Even the Emperor, who usually found the Crown Princess rigid, had given her rare praise.
This made Fang Gui Jun, as the Crown Princess’s father, feel somewhat smug, as if he had vented some frustration.
—
When the Male Empress brought Liu Gui Jun and Qi Gui Jun over, Feng Bai Su and Feng Bai Wei were still maintaining their earlier postures.
Seeing the three enter, Feng Bai Wei, sitting in the chair, immediately stood up to bow: “Father Empress, Liu Gui Jun, Qi Gui Jun.”
Feng Bai Su, hearing the commotion, also opened her eyes and tried to get up to bow. The Male Empress, looking over, stopped her, “You’re injured, there’s no need for such formalities!”
Hearing this, Feng Bai Su paused and then lay back down.
The Male Empress first walked over to check on Feng Bai Zhi, seeing her head wrapped in thick bandages, her face frighteningly pale. He asked with concern in his eyes, “What did the imperial physician say? When will Little Two wake up?”
Feng Bai Wei replied in a low voice, “The imperial physician said Second Sister lost too much blood. It might take three to four hours for her to wake up.”
The Male Empress nodded, then left the bedside without further questions.
This tent was only temporarily set up. Feng Bai Wei, who had injured her arm, didn’t need to stay here anymore. After the Male Empress finished inquiring, she left with him.
Seeing the Male Empress leave, Qi Gui Jun finally dared to approach Second Princess Feng Bai Zhi. He hurriedly walked to the bedside, holding onto the bed frame as he looked at his daughter lying there, and began to cry softly.
Liu Gui Jun, who was talking with Feng Bai Su, also lowered his voice.
Hearing the constant sobbing nearby, he remained unusually indifferent, not softening his heart.
After all, the Second Princess ended up like this due to her own actions! If it weren’t for his daughter’s good luck, it might have been Feng Bai Su lying in bed now.
He wasn’t so thoughtless as to comfort Qi Gui Jun.
After giving a cold glance, he directly ordered Cong Bai and the attendants to help Feng Bai Su walk out of the tent.
Meanwhile, as the Male Empress led Feng Bai Wei out, they happened to encounter Wei Jing Mo and Shen Ruo.
Seeing no way to avoid them, the two could only step forward and greet, “Greetings to the Male Empress and Fifth Princess!”
When Feng Bai Wei saw Wei Jing Mo, her black eyes brightened slightly. These past few days, she had actually been looking for opportunities to encounter him. But except for the first day, Wei Jing Mo had been staying in his tent, out of sight. Feng Bai Wei had no choice but to give up.
She didn’t expect to run into him just as they were about to leave.
“Young Master Wei, Young Master Shen!”
After a simple greeting, her deep gaze fell on Wei Jing Mo, “Is Young Master Wei heading back?”
Wei Jing Mo didn’t expect her to ask him specifically, especially in front of the Male Empress and Shen Ruo.
He frowned slightly, feeling somewhat uncomfortable. However, his face remained impassive as he replied calmly, “Yes.”
Seeing that she was about to say something else, he took the initiative to bid farewell, “Male Empress, Fifth Princess, my father is waiting there. If there’s nothing else, Jing Mo will take his leave first.”
Hearing this, the Male Empress glanced at Feng Bai Wei beside him, who was unusually enthusiastic, a trace of amusement flashing in his eyes. Then he looked at Wei Jing Mo and Shen Ruo, saying gently, “Go on, don’t keep Shen Zheng Jun waiting.”
Only then did the two bow and leave.
Seeing his daughter turn her head to watch the two leave, the Male Empress teased her unusually, “What are you doing, Wei’er? Father Empress remembers that when he urged you to meet this Young Master Wei the other day, your face was full of impatience.”
Feng Bai Wei coughed lightly, feeling somewhat embarrassed for once, “Young Master Wei comes from a noble family, he’s talented and good-looking, a worthy match.”
Hearing this, the Male Empress couldn’t help but laugh, then said earnestly, “This Young Master Wei is indeed not bad, he’s worthy of you. However, the Northern Marquis’s household is somewhat special, and Father Empress can’t directly arrange a marriage for you. If you want to win the beauty’s heart, you’ll have to work hard yourself.”
“Of course, Father Empress.”
Feng Bai Wei’s face was full of confidence, a determined look flashing in her black eyes.
After Wei Jing Mo and Shen Ruo left, they turned their heads to see Shen Ruo looking at him thoughtfully.
He stopped and asked Shen Ruo, “What’s wrong, cousin?”
Shen Ruo took a few quick steps, standing face to face with him.
His bright black pupils stared at him directly, asking, “Why do I feel that the Fifth Princess seems a bit different towards you?”
Hearing these words, Wei Jing Mo immediately felt uncomfortable. He frowned and said, “Cousin, you’re overthinking. I’ve barely spoken a few words with the Fifth Princess, how could she have any thoughts about me?”
Shen Ruo thought about it and realized it was true. He knew his cousin’s personality quite well; he was never frivolous with any woman, always proper and decorous.
While feeling relieved, he still couldn’t help but emphasize to Wei Jing Mo, “Maybe I was overthinking! But cousin, are you really not interested in the Fifth Princess? Remember, you’re not allowed to compete with me for her, okay?”
Hearing this, Wei Jing Mo not only didn’t relax his furrowed brows but frowned even deeper. He looked at Shen Ruo seriously, “Cousin, have you really taken a liking to the Fifth Princess?”
Shen Ruo nodded casually, “Yes, I’ve already decided, I won’t marry anyone but her!”
He chuckled, a trace of sweetness flashing in his eyes, “Mother and father both dote on me a lot. They’ve already said I can make my own decisions about marriage and find someone I like to marry. In all my life, this is the first time I’ve met a woman who makes my heart flutter.”
“But you used to say you liked my second sister!”
Wei Jing Mo said quietly.
Shen Ruo glared at him and exclaimed, “Oh! I was still young then, and couldn’t distinguish between familial love and romantic love. I just saw Second Cousin as an elder sister.”
Seeing his stubborn expression, Wei Jing Mo felt a bit of a headache, “But Grandmother probably won’t agree to you marrying the Fifth Princess, and a man marrying into a family is something to be careful about. Marrying the wrong person is a lifelong matter.”
Wei Jing Mo hoped Shen Ruo would change his mind. He didn’t have a good impression of that Fifth Princess and felt that if Shen Ruo married her, he might end up at a disadvantage.
Shen Ruo saw him frowning, looking very serious.
He burst out laughing, “Haha, I didn’t say I want to marry her right now!”
He wiped away the tears of laughter from the corners of his eyes and said cheerfully, “Don’t worry, even if I were to marry her, I’d wait until she likes me before doing so. I’m not that foolish.”
Wei Jing Mo saw him lift his chin proudly and felt temporarily relieved.
He only hoped that after some time, his cousin would come to his senses.
Even if he didn’t marry his second sister, marrying someone else would be fine.
Being a son-in-law of the royal family wasn’t easy, and his cousin’s spoiled and proud nature was even less suitable for the royal family.
