Chapter 11: Ending

Time passed slowly, and the midday sun had begun to slant westward.

However, the competition on the training ground still had not determined a winner.

Feng Bai Su stood calmly on the field, her peach-colored robes fluttering. Her forehead was clean, her breathing steady, as she exchanged blows back and forth with the burly woman opposite her at a leisurely pace.

Looking at the burly woman opposite her, she was now exhausted and drenched in sweat, with large beads of sweat constantly flowing down from her temples, her face flushed red. Her taut back was also soaked with a large patch of sweat. She breathed heavily with her mouth open, her limbs weak and limp, and even her punches carried a hint of softness.

Despite the obvious difference in strength between the two, they had been dragging out the match on the training ground for an hour, and still hadn’t determined a winner.

The military officers watching below only felt their frustration grow, their gazes towards Feng Bai Su seeming to want to pierce through her.

How could someone toy with people like this? She was clearly insulting her opponent!

Under the shade of the trees, Wei Yun saw Feng Bai Su exchanging punches and palm strikes with great interest, looking as if she wanted to fight until the end of time. The veins on her forehead couldn’t help but throb.

She stood up with a gloomy expression and looked at Feng Bai Su on the platform, saying in a deep voice, “Enough! Today’s martial arts competition ends here. From now on, the Seventh Princess is a member of the Capital Garrison. Whoever is not convinced can fight again next time!”

Her words sounded somewhat gritted through her teeth.

Wei Yun swung her long sleeves and turned to walk towards the tent. She was afraid that if she looked at Feng Bai Su for one more moment, she wouldn’t be able to resist beating her up.

After the competition was announced to be over, Feng Bai Su immediately stopped her fist, stepped back three paces, and cupped her hands towards the woman opposite her, saying, “Thank you for your leniency.”

Seeing this, the burly woman was forced to stop, unable to help but clench her teeth tightly.

Being toyed with on the martial arts platform for so long had made all the rationality in her mind disappear, and she no longer cared about status or position.

Looking at Feng Bai Su, she spoke harsh words one by one: “Don’t be smug! Tomorrow we’ll fight another round, and I’ll definitely beat you until you kneel and beg for mercy, calling me grandmother!”

Hearing this, Feng Bai Su smiled at her somewhat perfunctorily and said in a casual voice, “I wish you success then.”

After speaking, she said “Good luck” to her again.

Then, with her right hand pressing on the edge of the martial arts platform, she jumped down from the stage, slowly walking forward through the crowd.

She left only the military officers still at the training ground, gnashing their teeth as they watched her back.

—

After returning to the imperial palace, Feng Bai Su immediately dove into bed and fell asleep.

It had been a long time since she had exercised like this, and she was still somewhat unaccustomed to it.

When Cong Bai saw her mistress return, she felt both excited and somewhat distressed.

She was excited that the princess had entered the Capital Garrison, but distressed that she must have suffered a lot in the Capital Garrison today.

She walked out with light steps and instructed the female attendant standing guard outside to go to the small kitchen and tell them to keep the food hot at all times. This way, when the princess woke up, she could immediately eat a hot meal.

During this time, people from Furui Palace came several times, all inquiring about Feng Bai Su’s situation. However, seeing that she was still asleep, they had no choice but to return first.

It wasn’t until the sun had set that Feng Bai Su finally woke up.

As soon as there was movement, Cong Bai walked in around the screen: “Princess, you’re finally awake! The young man has been so worried that he sent people over several times.”

Feng Bai Su slowly sat up, her peach blossom eyes still retaining traces of sleepiness, looking lazy and languid.

Her voice sounded somewhat hoarse: “What time is it?”

Cong Bai immediately replied: “Princess, it’s already the hour of you (5-7 pm).”

As she spoke, she asked another question: “Shall I call for the people from the small kitchen to prepare a meal?”

Feng Bai Su got up from the bed, put on the outer robe hanging on the nearby clothes rack, and walked outside: “No need. I will dine at Furui Palace.”

Hearing this, Cong Bai quickly followed behind her.

As soon as the two walked into Furui Palace, the palace servants waiting at the door saw Feng Bai Su and immediately went to the inner hall to report excitedly.

“Young man, the Seventh Princess is here!”

By the time Feng Bai Su stepped onto the stairs, a graceful figure walked out from the inner hall. It was Liu Gui Jun.

When he saw Feng Bai Su, a smile immediately appeared on his beautiful face, and he took her hand and walked inside: “Su Su, come in quickly! Keep your father company for dinner.”

Feng Bai Su didn’t pull her hand away from his grasp, but instead followed his lead into the hall.

The servants in the hall saw the two enter and quickly added another pair of bowls and chopsticks to the table.

After Liu Gui Jun pulled Feng Bai Su to sit down, he couldn’t help but look at her face for a few moments, and as he looked, his eyes began to redden.

Seeing this, Feng Bai Su felt a wave of helplessness in her heart. She held his hand and asked softly, “What’s wrong, Father? Why are you about to cry when everything is fine?”

Liu Gui Jun pulled out a silk handkerchief from his waist and lightly wiped the corners of his eyes, his voice soft: “Her Majesty is also… why did she let you enter that wretched Capital Garrison? In just one day, my child has become so much more haggard. How can your father not be heartbroken and upset?”

Liu Gui Jun was a typical man raised in a matriarchal society, with a soft and timid nature, and a pure heart. Apart from caring about his daughter’s external appearances and clothing, he couldn’t think of much else.

Feng Bai Su couldn’t help but sigh in her heart more than once: The reason her father could survive in this man-eating imperial palace was probably because he wasn’t favored! Otherwise, with his pure and weak personality, he would have long been swallowed up by the intrigues and schemes of the back palace!

She reached out her hand to take the silk handkerchief from his hand, gently wiping his tears for him, and comforted him in a gentle voice: “Father, don’t think too much. You don’t know my personality yet, how could I let myself suffer? You just take care of yourself and be at ease. If you’re doing well, your daughter will be fine in every way.”

Liu Gui Jun was coaxed into a smile by her sweet words, and his tears stopped flowing.

Seeing her sweet-talking manner, he couldn’t help but glare at her with his beautiful eyes: “If you really want me to be well, then hurry up and marry a husband or take in a male concubine, letting me hold a granddaughter soon would be better than anything.”

Seeing him bring this up again, Feng Bai Su blinked at him innocently: “Father, why are you mentioning this again? Isn’t it not yet time for your daughter to marry?”

But Liu Gui Jun wouldn’t listen to her excuses, “You don’t have to marry a primary husband, marrying a secondary husband is fine too! If not that, then at least take in a small male attendant. Tell your father what kind of appearance and personality you like, and tomorrow your father will find one for you.”

However, Feng Bai Su found this somewhat overwhelming, and smiled sheepishly at him: “There’s no rush, no rush…”

Seeing her evasive attitude again, Liu Gui Jun truly became a bit anxious.

His eyes, which had just dried, reddened again, and his expression became somewhat pained: “Su Su, you don’t really have some hidden ailment, do you? Tell your father, and we’ll go for treatment tomorrow!”

She was at the age when her blood and energy should be vigorous, and other young women couldn’t wait to sleep in that soft paradise every day. Why was his Su Su so resistant to men? She wasn’t like those nuns who had entered the temple, so why was she so indifferent?

Seeing him getting more and more outrageous, scaring himself to tears,

Feng Bai Su couldn’t help but have black lines all over her head: “Father, stop imagining things! Your daughter is in perfect health, there’s no need to seek medical attention at all!”

As she finished speaking, seeing Liu Gui Jun about to speak again, she quickly stood up and bid farewell: “Your daughter still has to go to the Capital Garrison tomorrow, so I won’t keep you company anymore! I’ll come to see you next time.”

Saying this, she called for Cong Bai and quickly walked towards the door.

Before Liu Gui Jun could say anything, she had disappeared.

Seeing this, he could only sit back in his seat, his delicate eyebrows lightly furrowed with worry.

Seeing this, the attending Ban Xia immediately bent over to comfort him: “Young man, don’t think too much. The princess just hasn’t awakened yet, she doesn’t know the goodness of men.”

Hearing this, Liu Gui Jun couldn’t help but sigh lightly: “I don’t know why Su Su is so averse to men. Fortunately, I had some rumors spread about her romantic affairs, otherwise if those people knew that my daughter is still untouched at this age, wouldn’t it be laughable?”

“Ban Xia,” he suddenly called softly: “Tomorrow, pick a few more palace servants to send to Qingfeng Palace. Choose some charming ones, some innocent ones, pick several. I don’t believe that facing such beautiful men every day, she won’t be moved.”

Ban Xia immediately responded in a low voice: “Yes, young man.”

At this moment, Feng Bai Su was still unaware that tomorrow her palace would have several more beautiful men. After fleeing from Furui Palace with Cong Bai, she finally let out a sigh of relief.

Cong Bai saw her expression of fear and felt somewhat puzzled: “Princess, why do you dislike men so much?”

It’s such a waste of that reputation for being romantic and unrestrained!

She mumbled quietly: “Men are so nice! They’re soft and fragrant, isn’t that better than lying on a hard bed all day?”

Cong Bai was particularly envious of those women who had husbands, but she stayed by her beautiful princess’s side every day, and even if men looked over, they were looking at her princess. Yet her princess was indifferent to men.

Thinking of this, her gaze couldn’t help but become somewhat resentful.

However, Feng Bai Su looked at her with curiosity, not understanding: “When did I say I disliked men?”

She simply didn’t want to get close to those flowery and coquettish men!

Eating alone is so nice, why would she want to share food with someone else?

Obviously, she had forgotten that with her status as the Seventh Princess, who would dare to share food with her? Unless she agreed to it herself.

Cong Bai looked at her silently, thinking: You don’t consider this disliking men? As soon as the word ‘men’ is mentioned, you want to jump three feet away. Someone who doesn’t know might think it’s some kind of stink bug.

She replied expressionlessly, “You never said so.”

Hearing this, Feng Bai Su turned back to look at her once more, feeling that her tone was somewhat off.

—

Early the next morning, before going to the Capital Garrison, Feng Bai Su first went to Taiwu Hall to pay respects to the Emperor.

As soon as she stepped into the hall, she saw Feng Bai Wei, Feng Bai Ying, and Feng Bai Zhi were all there.

She raised an eyebrow slightly and looked at the Emperor in the highest seat, bowing and saying, “Your child pays respects to Mother Emperor.”

The Emperor lifted her eyelids and glanced at her, speaking in a deep voice, “Rise.”

Only then did Feng Bai Su stand up, joining Feng Bai Wei and the other two.

Seeing her dressed in a red brocade robe, the Emperor’s gaze couldn’t help but darken, and she spoke in a flat voice, “I heard you went to the Capital Garrison yesterday and competed with the military officers inside?”

Hearing this, Feng Bai Su honestly replied, “Yes, Mother Emperor, your child indeed competed.”

The Emperor continued to ask, “We also heard that you won?”

As soon as these words were spoken, the gazes of Feng Bai Wei and the other two also fell on Feng Bai Su, with a hint of excitement to see the drama unfold.

Feng Bai Su honestly answered, “Indeed, I won.”

“Hmph!”

Unexpectedly, as soon as the words fell, the Emperor in the highest seat couldn’t help but let out a cold snort.

Her voice was cold and stern: “Won? You won against a small soldier? You couldn’t beat the second one who came on stage? You have the face to say this out loud? We are embarrassed for you!”

Feng Bai Su, however, mumbled softly, “Winning one is still winning…”

“What did you say?”

Seeing her lowering her head and muttering something, the Emperor felt a burst of anger: “It seems you’re still not convinced? What, defeating one made you lose your bearings? Look at how you’re dressed, does this look like you’re going to a military camp?”

She darkened her face and shouted angrily, “Go back and change this outfit for me! We have already ordered the Northern Border King to properly rid you of this stubborn air! If you embarrass me again outside, see if I don’t skin you alive!”

As if extremely angry, as soon as the words fell, she couldn’t help but start coughing.

Frightened, the palace servants attending nearby quickly patted her back to help her catch her breath.

Beside her, Feng Bai Wei and the other two also looked nervously at the Emperor: “Mother Emperor, are you alright?”

After the Emperor calmed her anger, seeing Feng Bai Su still standing below like a wooden block, she reprimanded with some eye pain: “Why aren’t you getting out of my sight!”

Feng Bai Su hadn’t expected the Emperor to be so angry, and feeling somewhat innocent, she pinched her little finger and stammered, “…Your child takes her leave.”

Then, she turned and retreated from Xuanwu Hall.