FID – Chapter 680

Chapter 680: Devoid of tenderness toward women

The next day, the Nanling envoy team submitted a memorial, requesting the Beicang Emperor to put the negotiations on the agenda. However, there was no response from above for a long time.

During the waiting period, Duan Ting played the role of a gracious host, taking Feng Qingbai to tour the sights of the Beicang capital.

They spent their days eating, drinking, and having fun, while the nights were filled with music and revelry.

After nightfall, the two sat on a painted boat in the artificial lake in the city, drinking together.

Duan Ting was accompanied by charming dancers, occasionally chatting and laughing, his low chuckles frequently ringing out. Sitting in a wheelchair didn’t stop him from enjoying his left and right companions.

Feng Qingbai, however, ignored this. He served himself a drink, sipping slowly, his gaze directed out the window.

As night fell and the city lights lit up, the painted boats floated lazily across the artificial lake. The sounds of singing, music, cheers, and teasing echoed endlessly.

This place was the playground of the wealthy youth in the capital, their sanctuary for indulging in luxury and decadence.

After playing alone for too long, it started to feel meaningless. Duan Ting waved the dancers away and picked up the wine jug to pour. “You’re really no fun. The purpose of coming out is to enjoy yourself. You’re living like a monk, what kind of fun is that?”

“Is your kind of fleeting entertainment, just a passing pleasure, truly fun?”

Duan Ting chuckled lightly. “Life is short, just a few decades at best. Naturally, one must try everything, experience it all. Only after sailing through a thousand sails can life truly be considered exciting.”

“And after those thousand sails, what remains? Can you leave a mark in anyone’s heart? In the end, you’ll be left all alone, perhaps even without anyone to bury you.”

Such a sharp tongue.

Duan Ting changed the subject. If he stayed with Feng Qingbai any longer, he’d be driven mad.

“Have you figured out who’s behind it yet?”

“I have some leads, but it’s not certain yet, since there’s no evidence.”

“I later heard from the officials in the envoy team about the situation at the time. The person was incredibly efficient and ruthless. Luo Beichuan had been on the battlefield for more than a decade. His skills were not at the peak, but definitely formidable. And yet, he was killed with one sword strike. If I didn’t know it was impossible for it to be you, I would have thought you did it yourself.”

After returning to Beicang, he had specifically inquired about the assassination of Luo Beichuan, and the methods used had left him feeling uneasy.

Feng Qingbai remained silent, his gaze drifting toward the horizon.

What exactly was Gong Ling’s identity? It was still unclear, and the feeling the person gave him was incredibly mysterious.

The road ahead was like a dark sky, unclear, and shrouded in mist.

“Your father should know that Luo Beichuan’s death has nothing to do with my Nanling. So why does he keep holding onto this and keep pushing? What is he trying to do behind the scenes?”

“Isn’t that a question you should be asking someone else?” Duan Ting replied with a chuckle. “I’m from Beicang, after all. If I told you everything, wouldn’t I be a traitor?”

He turned his head, casting a faint look at him. “Even if I’m not a traitor, I still can’t see any respect you have for your father. Someone who respects his father wouldn’t say something like ‘my father’s seed.’”

 “…” Duan Ting was left speechless.

He knew the other person was sharp, so how did he end up showing a weakness in front of him?

Slowly finishing his drink, he then muttered, “Whether he knows the truth or not doesn’t matter. What’s important is the attitude of the common people. Right now, the people of Beicang are extremely hostile toward Nanling. If we want to calm the public’s anger, the court needs to come up with a plan—at least something that saves face. Otherwise, Beicang will be in chaos.”

“Your father wants to use public anger to force Nanling into compromising, doesn’t he?” Feng Qingbai lightly curved his lips, a cold smile forming.

The thoughts of those in power were always like this.

Grabbing any condition and maximizing their interests.

“That, you’ll have to ask my father about…”

Before the words were finished, there was a loud crash.

The boat rocked, and outside, screams echoed one after another.

“Boatman! What’s going on?”

The boatman hurriedly ran in, his head lowered and trembling, “Young Master Ting, there was a collision with another ship outside. I apologize, I apologize!”

In the capital, the easiest person to recognize was the current prince; he was the only one who liked to roll around in a wheelchair. If anyone else were in his condition, they probably wouldn’t even want to leave their room. 

The boatman respectfully addressed him as ‘Young Master Ting,’ but everyone knew his true identity—he was a prince of the court, someone not to be treated carelessly.

Duan Ting and Feng Qingbai exchanged a glance before walking out of the cabin, one after the other. They saw that the painted boat had been struck sideways by another ship.

It seemed that someone had fallen into the water, struggling and coughing as they called for help.

A number of people had already jumped into the water to rescue the person, but they were being pushed away, refusing to let anyone near.

Feng Qingbai narrowed his gaze. The water-red dress and skirt were floating in the water, and a head of black hair was drenched, sticking to the person’s face and body in a mess. Yet, that face was unmistakable.

“Tsk, I wasn’t wrong, was I? Out of all of them, it’s the Seventeenth Princess who’s the most troublesome in our royal family. But to create such a ‘coincidental’ situation and make herself look so disheveled—she really doesn’t hold back,” Duan Ting laughed, showing no intention of helping the person in the water. He watched with glee as the woman continued to struggle and curse from the water.

The woman in the water had already seen the man walking out of the cabin. Her eyes lit up, and she called out, “Your Highness, save me!”

Feng Qingbai gave her a glance, then turned around and walked back into the cabin, completely ignoring her!

The person in the water was speechless: “…”

Duan Ting, “…”. He sighed and closed his eyes for a moment. “Someone, pull her up!”

Feng Qingbai didn’t respond. Was he supposed to? 

She was, after all, his nominal royal sister. If he acted like Feng Qingbai and ignored her, he’d soon be criticized by other siblings.

The guards from Prince Ting’s Manor pulled her up. With a splash, the deck of the ship became wet.

Duan Ting didn’t bother with the person who was pulled up and turned back into the cabin.

As the crowd saw there was no more excitement to watch, they gradually dispersed.

Fortunately, the painted boat, though struck, was still in good condition. It didn’t leak and could continue on its way to the shore.

“Does Miss Liu know you’re so lacking in tenderness and care for women?” With the mood for fun ruined by the collision, Duan Ting complained.

Feng Qingbai couldn’t be bothered to respond.

He knew others were approaching with ulterior motives. Why should he nurture false hopes for someone who wasn’t even worth the effort?

Outside, the Seventeenth Princess had tidied herself up after the mess and changed into clean clothes before heading back into the cabin.

She walked straight to Feng Qingbai’s side and sat down, her voice teasing, “Your Highness, you just watched me drown without helping!”

“Your Highness is a good swimmer,” Feng Qingbai replied. “Besides, Prince Ting is also present. Would he just watch Your Highness get into trouble? I didn’t think it necessary for me to intervene.”

A hint of discomfort flashed across the princess’s face. She hadn’t expected him to see right through her swimming abilities with just one glance. Being exposed so suddenly made her feel quite embarrassed.

Duan Ting, who was standing nearby, couldn’t help but laugh inwardly. It was always a joy to watch others experience Feng Qingbai’s sharp tongue.

If things weren’t going well, at least everyone was in the same boat.

“Since you’ve figured me out, you must also understand my intentions, Your Highness. You’re a guest in our Beicang. While you’re here, I’ll do my duty and take care of you!”