Chapter 438 - 440: Dugu Wu's Suspicion
Feng Bailing and Dugu Wu, this couple is quite peculiar. It's clear that they both have feelings for each other, visible to any discerning eye, yet they both stubbornly keep their feelings hidden without acknowledging them.
Despite this, as a good friend, I have no choice but to lend a hand.
Lu Yin thought to himself.
Dugu Wu is as obstinate as a rock in a pit, both stinking and hard. It's impossible for him to take the initiative.
As long as Feng Bailing is slightly proactive, Dugu Wu definitely won't hold up.
As soon as Lu Yin finished speaking, before Feng Bailing could react, he turned on his heels and fled, leaving Feng Bailing standing there, staring.
These guys, they are really too irresponsible.
Depressed, Feng Bailing had her complaints, but given the situation, for the reputation of Phoenix Mercenary Corps, she still had to find a way to get White Wolf to participate in the Competition Among Ten Countries.
How could she convince the granary to accept a wolf to participate in the Competition Among Ten Countries?
Feng Bailing looked on longing, and it was already almost evening; Dugu Wu hadn't returned yet.
These past days, she had grown accustomed to spending all her time with Dugu Wu, and not seeing him for even a moment felt quite unusual.
At this time, Dugu Wu actually had returned to the Shunqing Prince Manor, but before he could make it to Wu Courtyard, he was called away by a servant under Princess Consort Shun.
"Prince Mu, you two can discuss whatever you need to."
Princess Consort Shun amiably had someone serve tea to Prince Mu.
Dugu Wu's face soured when he saw Prince Mu.
Prince Mu was also full of anger when he saw Dugu Wu.
Both were well-known military generals of Great Chu, and although they were related by marriage, they had never sat down and calmly had tea together like today.
But for the sake of his daughter, Prince Mu had to swallow his pride.
"Prince Wu, one wouldn't visit the Temple of the Three Treasures for no reason; I have come today to register Princess Anyang for the Competition Among Ten Countries," Prince Mu said, forcing a smile.
Dugu Wu remained silent.
Seeing him not speaking, Prince Wu was already cursing inwardly.
Princess Anyang's participation in the Competition Among Ten Countries was a spur-of-the-moment decision.
Since that day in the Imperial Palace, after Princess Anyang and Dongfang Li had a huge fight over Feng Bailing and even came to blows, Princess Anyang returned to Prince Mu's Mansion, crying and making a scene, insisting on breaking off the engagement.
This was troublesome; although Dongfang Li did have his faults, he was still the Seventh Prince. Others could break off an engagement with him, but it was disrespectful for others wanting to do the same to him.
After much persuasion, Prince Mu and Princess Consort Mu finally got Princess Anyang to change her stance, stating she would only marry if she could participate in the Competition Among Ten Countries; otherwise, she'd rather die than marry.
Now, having only this precious daughter, Prince Mu and his wife couldn't overcome her stubbornness and had to first approach Princess Mingyue to speak with Dugu Wu.
However, the usually gentle Princess Mingyue, this time, absolutely refused to agree, stating that the Competition Among Ten Countries was a major national event, and as a mere woman, she shouldn't interfere.
After Prince Mu pleaded several times, Princess Mingyue went to accompany Noble Consort Guo in the palace with Ah Ning.
Left with no other choice, Prince Mu had to personally visit Dugu Wu. Fortunately, Princess Consort Shun was still quite polite to him, her relative.
Here we go again.
Dugu Wu no longer wanted to look at the list of names he had recruited to participate in the Competition Among Ten Countries.
His Princess Consort, his son, his brother... all still clashing within the nest, how could they participate in the Competition Among Ten Countries?
Adding Princess Anyang into the mix would surely create chaos.
But in his heart, Dugu Wu thought, yet he did not refuse verbally.
If Princess Anyang really participated, she would definitely not allow Feng Bailing and Dongfang Li to get too close.
She would indeed be a very useful tool.
"Prince Mu, you should also be aware that the Competition Among Ten Countries is very dangerous, and it also pertains to the prestige of our Great Chu. Ordinary people cannot participate. Although I am also a founder, I cannot abuse connections,"
Dugu Wu spoke with a justified tone.
"Princess Anyang's literary talent is commendable."
Dugu Wu changed the topic, and Prince Mu nodded in agreement.
"It's not that I'm bragging about my own daughter, but Anyang could easily rank within the top ten in Yuxiu Academy, particularly excelling in zither and painting."
"I'll speak bluntly before we proceed, participating might lead to injuries or fatalities which cannot be pursued afterwards."
Prince Mu sneered inwardly upon hearing this.
"It's merely the Competition Among Ten Countries; one could simply withdraw if it becomes too dangerous. Otherwise, would you honestly allow your Princess Consort and son to participate? Whom are you trying to scare? It is nothing but fear that Anyang might overshadow Feng Bailing."
Prince Mu quickly added.
"Prince Wu, rest assured, life and death are fated post-competition."
Prince Mu then got up to leave.
Dugu Wu returned to his study, noticing that Feng Bailing was absent.
He had only walked a few steps when he smelled a sweet milky fragrance and saw Feng Bailing entering with a pot of milk tea.
Clad in a smoky white long gown, draped over with a water-blue cloak, and adorned with Yulan flowers in her hair, she presented herself as ethereal and refined.
Upon seeing Dugu Wu, Feng Bailing's expressive eyes shone even brighter.
Smiling cheerfully, she came over, set down the tea, took Dugu Wu's cane, and assisted him to the table.
"Prince, are you thirsty? I've brewed a pot of milk tea using fresh tea leaves and honey from Xinqi Village, do you find it sweet?"
Her voice was silky, like the refreshing rain, making one's ears feel as if they'd tasted honey.
Dugu Wu sipped the tea.
"Not bad."
Even for someone as discerning as Dugu Wu, he had to admit that the water and soil of Xinqi Village were truly superior.
The flavor of the tea leaves blended perfectly with the honey, surpassing many expensive teas he had tasted; none were as delicious as the milk tea prepared by Feng Bailing.
Feng Bailing mentioned that she had stored goods from Xinqi Village for consignment at the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce in the city, one of Li Mubei's businesses.
Dugu Wu was not a traditionalist; Li Mubei was a decent man, so Dugu Wu had no objections to Feng Bailing's partnership with him.
"Prince, are you tired? Let me give you a massage."
As she spoke, Feng Bailing busily showed diligence, tapping on Dugu Wu's arms and legs.
Dugu Wu initially wanted to refuse, but her strokes were just perfect, falling precisely right and leaving a tingling and numbing sensation, even reaching his legs.
Seeing Feng Bailing about to tap lower, Dugu Wu felt a surge of inappropriate heat rise, and he grabbed Feng Bailing's restless hands.
"What misdeeds have you done again?"
"Prince, what are you saying? I see that you are too busy with official duties and also have to teach me every day, so I wanted to take good care of you."
Feng Bailing blinked.
Her eyes were lovely; Feng Xiaoli inherited those big eyes from her, which surprisingly appeared rather cute.
Dugu Wu's grip tightened unwittingly.
Feng Bailing's smile froze.
Trouble!
Now a cultivator herself, the instant Dugu Wu seized her wrist, she felt a strange Gang Qi burrowing into her body.
The Gang Qi, as domineering as Dugu Wu himself, with a strong intent, invaded her body as if it were unoccupied territory, heading straight for Feng Bailing's Dantian.
Inside Feng Bailing's Dantian lay the residual yang energy Dugu Wu had left in her!