Chapter 5: The Husband Selection Banquet

Zhen Bei Wang’s Mansion

Jinhua Pavilion

As soon as Wei Jing Mo returned, he brought Dong Qing and Dong Gua here first.

Inside the room, Shen Ke was sitting on the noble consort’s couch. Seeing Wei Jing Mo enter with Dong Qing and Dong Gua, a smile immediately spread across his face: “Mo’er is back.”

Wei Jing Mo stood in front of him and bowed: “Father.”

Seeing this, Shen Ke quickly pulled him up to sit on the noble consort’s couch.

Then he waved his hand to dismiss the servants around him, as well as Dong Qing and Dong Gua who were with Wei Jing Mo. The father and son then began to speak in hushed tones.

“Did you encounter any issues during this visit to the imperial palace?”

Hearing this, Wei Jing Mo lowered his eyes slightly.

He didn’t mention his encounter with Feng Bai Su at Wenyuan Pavilion, only saying: “I met the Fifth Princess when I went to see the Second Prince.”

Upon hearing this, Shen Ke immediately furrowed his brows: “How did you happen to meet her?”

Thinking of something, his expression darkened a bit: “Hmph! I know what she’s up to.”

Then changing his tone, he added with some concern: “How was it? She didn’t do anything to you, did she?”

Wei Jing Mo shook his head, “Father needn’t worry. The Fifth Princess wasn’t as unruly as before, she actually seemed gentle and polite.”

Hearing this, Shen Ke fell into thought: “I have heard that she has changed quite a bit since waking up. If what you say is true, it could be a blessing in disguise!”

As he spoke, he looked at Wei Jing Mo with affection: “My son! You know your marriage is not your own decision. If she has truly changed for the better this time, it could be a good thing for you.”

He reached out to gently ruffle his hair, “Although I can’t let you marry someone else, you still have a choice among the princesses. If the Fifth Princess has really changed for the better, marrying her wouldn’t be so bad.”

After all, compared to the other princesses, if the Fifth Princess could truly change, she would be the best of a bad lot.

Shen Ke looked at his outstanding son, feeling a twinge of heartache.

After hearing his words, Wei Jing Mo lowered his eyes, concealing the emotions within them. His voice remained calm: “Mo’er will do as Father says.”

However, for some reason, his mind couldn’t help but recall those seemingly passionate yet cold and indifferent peach blossom eyes.

*

Inside Qingfeng Palace in the Imperial Palace

After finishing her day’s work, Feng Bai Su lay languidly on the soft couch.

Seeing her like this, Cong Bai spoke with some exasperation: “Your Highness, please get up and eat.”

As she spoke, she lightly raised her hand, and the people behind her immediately placed the dishes they were holding on the table.

Then, they respectfully retreated.

Feng Bai Su, with her peach blossom eyes closed, lightly sniffed the air. Smelling the aroma of the dishes, she immediately opened her eyes and walked towards the table.

Taking the chopsticks Cong Bai handed to her, she began to eat with elegant movements.

Cong Bai stood beside her, using serving chopsticks to pick up food for her. Recalling the male voice she had heard in Wenyuan Pavilion, she asked curiously: “Your Highness, who was that gentleman in Wenyuan Pavilion today? Did you see him?”

She had only escorted Feng Bai Su to the hall entrance before waiting in the side hall. Therefore, apart from hearing a man’s voice at the door, she hadn’t seen his figure.

Hearing this, Feng Bai Su continued to pick up food with her chopsticks. She spoke somewhat absent-mindedly: “I saw him, he’s the Grand Tutor’s grandson.”

“Ah?”

Cong Bai was surprised, and somewhat excited: “Is it Young Master Wei, the number one young gentleman of Fengling City? Your Highness, how was he? Is Young Master Wei really as handsome as the rumors say?”

Seeing her so excited, Feng Bai Su’s slender jade-like fingers paused slightly. She put down her chopsticks and thought for a moment: “Hmm… he is indeed quite good-looking. However, compared to your princess, he still falls a bit short.”

Seeing her serious expression, as if she truly believed this, Cong Bai was suddenly at a loss for words: “…Your Highness, Young Master Wei is a man, and you are a woman, how can you compare the two?”

Feng Bai Su raised an eyebrow at her, looking somewhat mischievous: “Why can’t I compare? If I say we can be compared, then we can!”

As she finished speaking, she clicked her tongue twice and shook her head: “His looks are a bit bland, not as good as mine!”

Cong Bai: “……”

She responded with a somewhat expressionless laugh: “Whatever makes you happy, Your Highness!”

Seeing that Feng Bai Su had finished eating, she walked out to call someone in to clean up.

Watching Cong Bai walk out with quick steps, Feng Bai Su got up and sat back on the soft couch, unable to suppress the amusement in her peach blossom eyes.

Teasing little Cong Bai after a meal was truly delightful!

Encountering the male lead Wei Jing Mo in Wenyuan Pavilion today was indeed unexpected for Feng Bai Su. After all, in the book, his first appearance was at tomorrow’s husband selection banquet.

The young man in snow-white robes, cold and otherworldly, instantly dazzled the passage of time!

Feng Bai Su’s slender index finger lightly tapped on the soft couch as she thought about the young man she had seen in Wenyuan Pavilion today. He was indeed as described in the book.

She lazily yawned, her eye corners unconsciously carrying a hint of moisture, looking somewhat bewitching.

Then, she carelessly pushed it out of her mind and got up to walk towards the bed behind the screen.

When Cong Bai came in again, she saw that her princess was already lying on the bed.

She couldn’t help but sigh inwardly, feeling a bit worried: Even the number one young gentleman of Fengling City couldn’t attract her princess, her princess truly lived up to her reputation of being amorous, but in reality, was quite indifferent!

No wonder the Male Empress was depressed every day, always worrying if there was something wrong with the princess’s body!

—

Early the next morning, Feng Bai Su lazily got up from bed when the sun was already high in the sky.

Today was the husband selection banquet, so she could rest for a day and didn’t need to go to Wenyuan Pavilion for work.

Cong Bai entered right on time, and seeing Feng Bai Su up, she spoke excitedly: “Your Highness, which outfit do you want to wear today? There will surely be many young men attending today, you can’t be as lazy as usual.”

Feng Bai Su, however, seemed indifferent. Having just woken up, her voice still sounded a bit hoarse: “Today is Second Sister’s main event, what does it have to do with me? I’m simply going to drink the pear blossom wine.”

Every time there was a palace banquet, what satisfied her most was the wine at the banquet! Rich and sweet, clear and fragrant.

Seeing her reminiscing expression, Cong Bai felt somewhat exasperated: “Your Highness, the Male Empress will also be present this time. He just sent a message earlier, asking you to take this husband selection banquet seriously. After it’s over, he wants you to pick out a list of several candidates you fancy.”

When Feng Bai Su heard her mention Liu Gui Jun, her head started to ache.

She spoke with some frustration: “Alright! I’ll take a good look.”

Hearing this, Cong Bai finally cheered up and asked her what clothes she wanted to wear today.

In the end, Feng Bai Su chose a red robe, with the collar unusually tightly fastened, only revealing her long, jade-like neck. Her black hair was neatly held in place by a golden crown, completely different from her usual casual appearance.

Unfortunately, that face still had its usual languid expression, peach blossom eyes half-closed, carrying a hint of a smile. It made her look somewhat like a cultured rogue, strangely alluring.

Cong Bai couldn’t help but pat her slightly reddened cheeks, her little heart pounding rapidly.

Fortunately, she was a woman. If she were a man seeing the princess’s face every day, she would have probably volunteered for her bed long ago!

After Feng Bai Su was ready, she left Qingfeng Palace with Cong Bai.

The two walked unhurriedly towards Red Maple Garden.

This husband selection banquet was being held in Red Maple Garden.

Passing by pavilions, waterside kiosks, artificial mountains, and scattered rocks, Feng Bai Su led Cong Bai into Red Maple Garden.

Red Maple Garden, as the name suggests, was full of red maple trees. As the gentle breeze blew, fiery red maple leaves fluttered down from the branches, creating a beautiful scene!

At this time, many young men from noble families had already arrived at Red Maple Garden. They sat quietly in their seats, eagerly looking towards the entrance of Red Maple Garden.

When Feng Bai Su entered, she immediately attracted many admiring glances.

Although the Seventh Princess had a bad reputation, her stunning and delicate appearance still made many young men restless.

Shen Ruo, looking at the seemingly dissolute Feng Bai Su with some arrogance and disdain, noticed many young men’s shy expressions around him. He turned his head to look at the cold Wei Jing Mo beside him and said: “Cousin, you must not be fooled by her appearance!”

He leaned in closer and lowered his voice: “I heard she has taken in quite a few people in her back courtyard, even some loose men from brothels. Don’t be fooled by her seemingly decent appearance. Getting involved with those brothel whores who have been ridden by thousands and pillowed by tens of thousands, who knows what diseases she might be carrying?”

As he finished speaking, he wrinkled his nose in disgust, clearly looking down on Feng Bai Su.

Hearing his words, Wei Jing Mo frowned slightly in disapproval and said softly: “Cousin, mind your words! If grandmother hears about this, she’ll punish you with confinement again.”

Hearing him mention the old Grand Tutor, Shen Ruo couldn’t help but shrink his neck, but still muttered defiantly: “What did I say wrong? It’s the truth!”

Seeing his insistent attitude, Wei Jing Mo’s jade-like face showed some helplessness.

His cousin was the only son in the family, pampered since childhood. He had a righteous and arrogant personality. Apart from the old Grand Tutor who could still keep him in check to some extent, he was the little tyrant of the family!

Feng Bai Su naturally didn’t know that her reputation for being amorous had been exaggerated more and more. She walked into Red Maple Garden with Cong Bai, casually heading towards where the princesses were seated.

By now, the First Princess and Third Princess were already seated there, while the Fifth Princess and Second Princess had not yet arrived.

As for the others, the Fourth Princess was still confined, the Sixth Princess was ill, and the Ninth Princess was too young.

After Feng Bai Su walked over, she looked at the two and bowed: “First Imperial Sister, Third Imperial Sister.”

Afterwards, without caring about their reactions, she sat down two seats away.

Feng Bai Kuan, being introverted, dryly replied “Seventh Imperial Sister” upon seeing Feng Bai Su, then sat back down in her chair.

As for Feng Bai Ying, she couldn’t help but furrow her brows.

She wanted to scold her, but noticing that many young men opposite were subtly focusing their gazes over here, she ultimately swallowed her words.

Feng Bai Ying had come of age and established her own residence outside the palace. Although she had already taken a primary husband, the position of secondary husband was still vacant. She came to attend this husband selection banquet with the intention of choosing a secondary husband.

Thinking of this, her gaze fell with some regret on the snow-robed young man opposite.

What a pity, she had already taken a primary husband. The Emperor Mother would never allow him to be her secondary husband!

Generally, after a princess came of age, besides one primary husband in her back court, she could also take two secondary husbands. These were considered official sons-in-law of the royal family and needed to be registered in the royal genealogy.

Besides these, there were also young servants to teach the princess about intimate matters, or those arranged by the primary husband.

Feng Bai Ying, as a standard ancient person educated under the feudal system, naturally strictly adhered to these feudal etiquettes.

To be honest, except for the anomaly of Feng Bai Su who had transmigrated, even the female lead Feng Bai Wei had two young servants for intimate matters.

But even so, the book described that after the male lead Wei Jing Mo married her, he was still envied by the young men in Fengling City. After all, as a princess, Feng Bai Wei only had two young servants for intimate matters beside her, with no one else.

In their eyes, this was already considered keeping oneself pure!