Chapter 33: Sinister and Poisonous Scheme

When the two of them came out of the Marquis of Zhenbei’s mansion, the snowflakes falling from the sky had diminished considerably.

Wei Jing Mo directly got into the carriage of the Grand Tutor’s mansion and drove together towards Fengyang Lake.

A thick layer of snow had accumulated on the road, and the coachman carefully drove the carriage forward.

Inside the carriage, Wei Jing Mo and Shen Ruo were wrapped in thick cloaks, each holding a small hand warmer to keep warm.

There was also a small charcoal stove placed at their feet, occasionally emitting crackling sounds of charcoal. Warm heat constantly radiated from the openwork top cover of the charcoal stove, making the interior of the carriage cozy and warm.

Wei Jing Mo reached out to lift the curtain and looked outside, only to see a pure white landscape filling his view. People on the street were sparse, all with hurried expressions. The usually bustling small shops had their doors tightly shut, with only wind and snow raging through.

After a glance, he withdrew his gaze, tightly gripped the hand warmer in his arms, and closed his eyes to rest.

Fengyang Lake wasn’t too far from the Marquis of Zhenbei’s mansion. After about half an incense stick’s time, the carriage arrived at the destination.

Wei Jing Mo, supported by Dong Qing’s hand, got off the carriage. As soon as he stood steady, Shen Ruo also jumped down from the carriage.

Many waterside pavilions and towers were built on Fengyang Lake, which was the favorite place for literati and scholars to visit on ordinary days.

Boats had been moored on the lake for years, and from time to time, elegant scholars would stand on the boats reciting classics and composing poetry.

Although it had snowed heavily all night, there were still quite a few people gathered on Fengyang Lake. Wei Jing Mo stood on the lakeshore and looked across, seeing figures moving on the pavilions and towers. Most were literati and scholars in blue and white robes, admiring the snow scenery.

At this moment, Shen Ruo suddenly grabbed his arm and pointed towards a spot on the lake, his voice somewhat excited: “Cousin, look quickly! That should be the Second Prince’s boat!”

Wei Jing Mo looked in the direction he was pointing and saw a magnificent large boat slowly emerging from behind the pavilions and towers.

The boat had buildings constructed on it, square-shaped with two floors, and a row of guards standing on the deck.

Whether they had seen the figures of the two or not, the boat slowly moved towards their direction.

As it was about to stop at the shore, a head poked out from the second-floor window.

Looking at the two, a cheerful voice said: “Brother Jing Mo! Brother Shen! You’ve finally come!”

It was none other than the Second Prince, Feng Jue Ming!

After the boat docked, Wei Jing Mo and Shen Ruo followed the guiding guard onto the vessel.

It wasn’t until they entered the boat that they realized the Second Prince had not only invited the young masters from noble families in Fengling City. There were also many noble ladies on the boat, and even the figures of several princesses appeared among them.

The positions of men and women were divided into left and right rows, with court musicians playing silk and bamboo instruments in the middle.

After Wei Jing Mo and Shen Ruo walked in, the crowd who were drinking and chatting obviously paused, all looking towards the two of them.

Feng Jue Ming even stood up directly from his seat and ran over to them.

He grabbed Wei Jing Mo with one hand and Shen Ruo with the other, pulling them inside.

“Brother Jing Mo! Brother Shen! Come quickly! I’ve been waiting for you for a long time!”

As he spoke, he looked up at the people looking over from both sides and said with a smile, “Everyone, don’t be restrained, just be at ease!”

Hearing this, everyone nodded and smiled at Feng Jue Ming, then started talking to the people beside them.

On this side of the screen, the Fourth Princess Feng Bai Shao looked at Feng Bai Wei beside her and suddenly laughed strangely, “Fifth Sister seems a bit too cold towards her fiancé, right? Shouldn’t you go forward to welcome him? After all, you’ll be family in the future!”

Feng Bai Wei glanced at her coldly with her black eyes, not bothering to reply.

Seeing this, Feng Bai Shao still persisted: “What? Does Fifth Sister have objections to Mother Emperor’s bestowed marriage? You seem a bit unwilling?”

“Fourth Sister.”

Feng Bai Wei called out, her expression unreadable: “If you have time to care about me, why don’t you worry about Young Master Su? I heard that the Male Empress has already set the engagement for you two and is preparing to ask Mother Emperor for the imperial edict of marriage.”

She laughed lightly, neither cold nor warm, “With good news approaching similarly, Sister should worry about herself.”

“You!”

Feng Bai Shao pointed at her, speechless, her face becoming somewhat unsightly.

She had been troubled by this matter these days, and Feng Bai Wei’s words could be said to have hit the nail on the head!

The Su family was Feng Bai Shao’s maternal family. Like the Marquis of Zhenbei’s mansion, they were an authoritative family holding military power. Keeping the benefits within the family, the Male Empress naturally hoped for his daughter to marry her maternal nephew.

Although Feng Bai Shao intended to refuse, neither the Male Empress nor her maternal Su family would give her this opportunity.

It could be said that her marriage was basically settled.

Feng Bai Shao was clear about this point, which was why she wanted to find fault with Feng Bai Wei, wanting to vent a little.

However, unexpectedly, in the end, she was exposed by Feng Bai Wei!

Regarding the sparring between the two, the others didn’t pay much attention.

Feng Bai Ying, Feng Bai Zhi, and Feng Bai Kuan had already married their primary husbands, and their appearance at the Second Prince’s snow-viewing banquet was mainly out of respect for Feng Bai Wei and the Male Empress.

As for Feng Bai Su, she was completely indifferent to the confrontation between the two!

Halfway through the banquet, the wine on everyone’s table was almost finished.

Emboldened by the alcohol, people were no longer confined to their seats but started wandering around the boat.

At this moment, someone who had come to the deck suddenly shouted into the boat: “Everyone, come out and see! The snow outside has become heavy again!”

Hearing this, the people still sitting inside the boat immediately ran out excitedly.

Before Wei Jing Mo could refuse, he was pulled out by Feng Jue Ming and Shen Ruo, one on each side.

Cong Bai stood behind Feng Bai Su, constantly tiptoeing to peer out the window, her face full of eagerness.

Unfortunately, Feng Bai Su had no intention of going out. She rested her arm holding the wine cup on her bent right knee, slowly swirling it.

Seeing this, Cong Bai couldn’t help but speak up: “Your Highness, aren’t you going out to take a look?”

Hearing this, Feng Bai Su carelessly uttered a word: “Cold.”

Cong Bai: “…”

How could her Highness be so uninterested?

Cong Bai, not giving up, spoke again: “Your Highness, this servant wants to go take a look.”

“Go ahead, I’m not stopping you!” she said.

After saying this, seeing that she still stood in place without moving, Feng Bai Su looked up at her and clicked her tongue: “Troublesome.”

Although she said this, she still stood up from her seat.

Seeing this, Cong Bai immediately became excited: “Thank you, Your Highness!”

In her heart, she also cheered: Success! Another day of cultivating interest with Her Highness!

When the two walked to the exit, Cong Bai had already eagerly run forward.

Feng Bai Su’s steps towards the outside suddenly paused, her gaze falling on the position to the left front.

The Second Prince Feng Jue Ming, Shen Ruo, and Wei Jing Mo were standing there at that moment. The three were positioned somewhat to the side, with no one on either side of them.

A man dressed as a small servant approached behind the three somewhat furtively. Before Feng Bai Su could clearly see his actions, she saw Wei Jing Mo, who was standing on the outermost edge, suddenly fall off the boat!

Her pupils contracted slightly, her body almost instinctively flashing towards that direction.

Seeing Wei Jing Mo suddenly fall off, the Second Prince Feng Jue Ming and Shen Ruo’s faces changed dramatically, and they immediately shouted: “Quick! Someone come quickly! Someone has fallen into the water!”

At once, the crowd on the deck became chaotic.

Dong Qing and Dong Gua stood anxiously on the deck, looking at the crowd and crying out: “Can someone save our young master?”

Feng Bai Wei, standing on the right side of the deck, walked over with large strides. After glancing in the direction where the small servant had left, she walked to the edge of the boat and was about to jump down to save Wei Jing Mo.

Seeing this scene, a flash of coldness passed extremely quickly through Feng Bai Su’s peach blossom eyes.

With a cold smile at the corner of her mouth, she threw off the large cloak she was wearing and jumped down before her.

With a “splash,” the sound of falling into water rang out.

Feng Bai Su quickly swam towards the direction where Wei Jing Mo was struggling. Seeing him desperately waving his arms, she grabbed him with one hand and pulled him into her arms!

Wei Jing Mo immediately clung to her shoulders and started coughing.

His muddled mind gradually cleared.

Realizing that he was now nestled in someone’s arms, his body instantly stiffened, and the blood flowing through his body turned extremely cold!

Suddenly, a familiar low, hoarse voice sounded by his ear: “How are you? Hold on a bit longer, I’ll take you up.”

Wei Jing Mo suddenly raised his head and saw Feng Bai Su’s extremely beautiful face.

Seeing her peach blossom eyes looking at him somewhat profoundly, Wei Jing Mo’s previously stiff body slowly relaxed, and the blood in his body began to flow again.

He rested his forehead on her shoulder, making a very soft sound of agreement, his hands on her shoulders involuntarily tightening their grip.

Feng Bai Su looked down at him again before swimming forward while protecting him.

As soon as she brought Wei Jing Mo up onto the boat, Cong Bai quickly ran over with the large cloak that Feng Bai Su had thrown on the ground.

The total word count of this book is: 544,184 words

“Your Highness!”

Dong Qing and Dong Gua were following behind her.

“Young Master!”

Feng Bai Su took the large cloak from Cong Bai’s hand and directly wrapped Wei Jing Mo in her arms, not even letting a single hair show.

After she had wrapped him up, Feng Bai Wei also walked over with large strides, followed by an anxious-looking Shen Ruo and Feng Jue Ming.

Feng Bai Wei stopped in front of Feng Bai Su, her gaze becoming indescribably cold: “Seventh Sister was quite quick-eyed and deft-handed this time!”

Hearing this, Feng Bai Su raised her head.

Her red lips curled slightly, a smile appearing on her face, but her eyes were exceptionally cold: “After all, Fifth Sister, you already have a marriage engagement. It wouldn’t be appropriate for you to save Young Master Wei. I, your younger sister, am unattached. Even if I saved him, he wouldn’t lose out too much. After all, I could also take him home as a primary husband, couldn’t I?”

Her words seemed to have some implied meaning.

After hearing this, the cold black eyes of Feng Bai Wei became somewhat deep and unfathomable.

At this moment, the large boat had just docked. She looked at Feng Bai Su with an icy expression, then turned and walked down.

Feng Bai Su was completely indifferent to the coldness emanating from her. She didn’t even look at the others still remaining on the deck, but picked up Wei Jing Mo horizontally and left the boat.

After the two fell into the water, they had skin contact in full view of everyone.

Now, she was maintaining an attitude of ‘in for a penny, in for a pound’, not feeling there was anything inappropriate about carrying away the young master like this!

Cong Bai, following behind her, was somewhat dumbfounded.

Dong Qing and Dong Gua had even more unsightly expressions, wanting to speak but stopping themselves.

Feng Bai Su directly carried him onto her own carriage, and after sitting steady, she had the coachman drive towards the Marquis of Zhenbei’s mansion.

After the carriage had traveled for a while, Wei Jing Mo, who had been curled up inside the large cloak, finally poked out his head.

When he saw Feng Bai Su sitting beside him, his thin lips couldn’t help but press together slightly.

Noticing his gaze looking over, Feng Bai Su suddenly spoke: “Do you know what will happen to you after today?”

Hearing this, Wei Jing Mo’s thick eyelashes trembled lightly, and he lowered his eyes without speaking.

He naturally knew what the consequences would be.

Having skin contact with a woman in public, even though he was the young master of the Marquis of Zhenbei’s mansion and quite renowned in Fengling City, it couldn’t change the fact that he had lost his purity.

This was the tragedy of men in this era…

“What I mean is, do you want to marry me?”

Feng Bai Su suddenly added abruptly.

Hearing this, Wei Jing Mo suddenly raised his head, looking at her with a dazed expression.

Feng Bai Su, however, smiled lightly at him, her expression still characteristically lazy and casual: “Well? What do you think of my proposal? Do you want to marry me?”

When she decided to jump into the water to save Wei Jing Mo, she had naturally thought through all the consequences that would follow!

And it was precisely because she had thought through these consequences, yet still couldn’t coldly stand by and watch Wei Jing Mo die, letting that woman Feng Bai Wei succeed.

So, she decided to jump down!

Feng Bai Su couldn’t help but click her tongue lightly in her heart. She felt that she might… perhaps… probably had fallen…