Chapter 424 - 426: Her Man, Irresistible to Both Men and Women?
As if he thought of something, Dugu Wu suddenly pushed Feng Bailing away.
It was like a bucket of cold water was splashed on her, causing a sudden catch in Feng Bailing's heart.
She saw coldness in Dugu Wu's eyes.
"Sorry, I lost my composure."
Dugu Wu spoke in a low voice.
"Get out."
Feng Bailing bit her lip as Dugu Wu picked up his crutch and slowly walked out of the room.
The instant the door closed, tears sparkled in Feng Bailing's eyes.
"He still only has Nalan Yan'er in his heart; those two times were just accidents."
She took a deep breath and pushed back her tears.
In that past life, she died frozen on the streets, her family ruined, she had already cried all her tears dry.
She couldn't continue to sink down like this.
Both Dugu Wu and the Emperor's aura that he carried were fatally attractive to Feng Bailing, but to Dugu Wu, she was just a doctor.
Feng Bailing repeatedly warned herself to dispel the image of Dugu Wu from her heart completely.
Outside the door, Dugu Wu's gaze darkened.
In solitude, he raised his hand and gave himself a fierce slap.
How could he treat her like that? His impulsive act could kill her.
He would never allow anything to happen to Feng Bailing like it had with the previous princess consorts; otherwise, both Xiaojin and he would not be able to forgive himself.
"Prince, Feng Zhao'an is seeking an audience outside the Feng Mansion."
Feng Zao appeared, his shadow flickering.
"Didn't I tell him not to come again?"
Dugu Wu reverted back to his original cold demeanor.
"My lord, this situation is somewhat special; he's not here for business with the Ministry of Revenue."
Feng Zhao'an came to Prince Shun's Mansion again, this time for registration.
"Reporting to the Prince, I am here to register for the Competition Among Ten Countries."
Feng Zhao'an stood in the Flower Hall with utmost respect.
It had been a long time since he last saw Prince Wu. Since the last time he came to Prince Shun's Mansion, Prince Wu suddenly transferred him to work under another official, and whenever Prince Wu saw him, he wouldn't even look him in the eye.
Feng Zhao'an prided himself on having exceptional character, appearance, and learning. Prince Wu previously treated him with fondness for his talents, so the only explanation for such a drastic change in attitude had to be one possibility.
Feng Bailing.
It must have been that woman who said something to Prince Wu.
But Feng Zhao'an was never one to give up easily. If he deemed Prince Wu worthy, he would follow him at all costs.
He saw the opportunity in the Competition Among Ten Countries; he even gave up the chance for the Gathering Seal to join under Prince Wu's command. He also heard that Prince Wu had not recruited anyone yet.
"I cannot accept you. If you wish to participate in the Competition Among Ten Countries, you may go to the Crown Prince Mansion to register."
To his surprise, Prince Wu rejected him outright.
Dugu Wu remembered Feng Bailing saying that as husband and wife, he should unconditionally stand on Feng Bailing's side.
If Feng Bailing disliked Feng Zhao'an and people from the Feng Residence, Dugu Wu would share in her dislike.
Feng Zhao'an's expression changed.
"Prince Wu, is it because my older sister said something? My sister and I have no quarrel, and I don't understand why she would oppose me joining your command."
Feng Zhao'an noticed the handprint on Prince Wu's face. His expression subtly changed; could that slap have been from Feng Bailing?
She dared to hit Prince Wu!
Feng Zhao'an's heart rippled with anger.
"Don't say that I'm opposed, I welcome you to join the Competition Among Ten Countries, third brother."
Then, he heard Feng Bailing's voice. Turning around, Feng Zhao'an saw Feng Bailing approaching.
The woman before him was elegant and poised, a far cry from the foolish, plump, and ugly Feng Bailing of the past.
"Big sister."
Feng Zhao'an was elated; it seemed that Feng Bailing meant to agree to join Prince Wu's faction.
"Why are you out here?"
Dugu Wu, upon seeing Feng Bailing, was about to get up and grab his crutches but recalled his earlier actions and his heterochromic eyes flashed.
"My third brother is here, how can I, as the eldest sister, not receive him? Lest he thinks I'm picking on him."
Feng Bailing said with a smile, glancing at Feng Zhao'an.
"Big sister, as long as you and our mother don't blame me, that's fine. In fact, my mother has been full of regret lately. She has always wanted to see the Princess, but since the Princess does not wish to see her, my mother has built a temple within the Feng Residence and spends her days in fasting and prayer."
Feng Bailing had heard some things about the affairs of Feng Residence, all of which Chun Liu had inquired about.
Aunt Xue and Lady Nan Feng had a fraught relationship, but Feng Zhanlian doted solely on Lady Nan Feng. At Lady Nan Feng's suggestion, Feng Zhanlian even resigned from his official post and went to teach at the Imperial Academy.
With Dr. Zhao being expelled from the Imperial Academy, Feng Zhanlian filled the vacancy and became a teacher.
However, Feng Bailing felt that there was more to this matter. After Xiao Junci left, Lady Nan Feng became a little too well-behaved.
But for the moment she could not spot any flaws, so she could only ask Chun Liu to keep an eye on the situation there.
"Prince, my third brother is a fine prospect, let's let him register."
Feng Bailing warmly called out to Dugu Wu.
This made Dugu Wu feel somewhat uncomfortable.
Feng Zhao'an, standing to the side, watched, his teeth almost sour with jealousy.
Feng Bailing was clearly doing this on purpose, making a show of love and affection with Prince Wu in front of him.
Noticing the change in Feng Zhao'an's expression, Feng Bailing came to understand.
Goodness, her fourth brother actually had a love for men!
He fancied Dugu Wu!
In that previous life, until Feng Bailing froze to death on the streets, the nearly twenty-year-old Feng Zhao'an had not taken a wife.
Feng Zhanlian had arranged matches for him, but he had refused them all.
Now it seemed that Feng Zhao'an simply did not like women.
Feng Bailing felt a complex mix of emotions. Not only did Dugu Wu charm women, but his allure with men was also good, even with his physical limitations. It seemed it would be better for her to step down from the role of Princess Consort Wu sooner rather than later.
Only then did Feng Zhao'an take his leave.
"Disaster brought by a favored male."
Feng Bailing muttered.
"What are you mumbling about? Didn't you say that I should not get too close to him?"
Dugu Wu was somewhat puzzled by Feng Bailing's thoughts.
"Times change. Aside from the ones who have ulterior motives toward you, who would leave the Crown Prince Mansion for your command? The registration for the Competition Among Ten Countries is about to start, and you have no one at your side, I'm the one who's anxious for you."
Feng Bailing pouted.
"Are you worried about me?"
Dugu Wu looked at Feng Bailing somewhat unexpectedly, thinking that after the incident in the room earlier, Feng Bailing would be angry.
"Of course, I must worry, but it's not you I worry about, it's myself. Xiaojin and I will both join your command, and if you have no one else, we'll be the unlucky ones. I heard that the Competition Among Ten Countries is conducted in groups. If there are fewer than ten people, the group will be formed with the minimum number. Having Feng Zhao'an, who was the third-highest rank in the Imperial Examination, on our side would give us more confidence in the literary tests. Prince Wu, why don't you be generous and spend some money to hire more people?"
Feng Bailing sighed with exasperation.
As Feng Bailing was grumbling about this, Dugu Xiaojin just happened to return home from school, and heard everything she said.