FID – Chapter 686

Chapter 686: Guess

The Emperor laughed heartily; he knew full well the capabilities of his sons.

“About your engagement with the Seventeenth Princess, do you really…”

Before he could finish his sentence, the curtain of the royal tent was suddenly lifted, and a woman stormed in. “Father, Your Highness, everyone outside is gathering and having fun. Why are you both hiding here, seeking peace and quiet?”

Upon seeing the visitor, the Emperor feigned anger. “A young lady like you is barging in like this—what kind of manners are these?”

“Father and Your Highness are not outsiders, so do I need to stand in ceremony?” The Seventeenth Princess coquettishly walked forward and knelt beside the Emperor, taking the wine jug and refilling their cups. “Only in front of Father do I act this way. Once I’m married, even if Father wants to see me, it won’t be so easy.”

As she spoke, her flirtatious gaze swept over Feng Qingbai.

“You truly have no shame; only you would dare to behave so recklessly in front of your father,” the Emperor laughed and chastised.

“That’s because I know Father loves me dearly.” The Seventeenth Princess turned the conversation around, “It’s still early, and my brothers are all outside, discussing going to the hunting grounds for some fun. Father and Your Highness should join them and make it more lively.”

“Alright, let’s go take a look.” The Emperor stood up, his peace disturbed. With the mood now gone, it was hard to continue any meaningful conversation.

Feng Qingbai followed the two of them out of the royal tent. Outside, the court officials and royal offspring were gathered in a group, many already carrying bows and arrows, leading their horses, preparing to head to the hunting grounds on the opposite side.

Duan Ting had also arrived, but was sitting in a wheelchair, watching from a distance.

He was accompanied by two serving maids, with no one else around.

Feng Qingbai walked over and smiled at Duan Ting. “Are you here to feel the loneliness again?”

“I wish I didn’t have to come, but the higher-ups insist.” Duan Ting patted the armrest of his wheelchair. “You see, a cripple like me who can’t walk or run, and yet they want me to go hunting—it’s laughable, isn’t it?”

“You should tell that to your father.”

“I did, but it was useless. See all those princes ahead? They’re all splitting into hunting groups. No one wants me. My situation can’t even be described as ‘lonely’ anymore. Why don’t you show some compassion and take me in?”

“Alright, then you can be in my group.”

The man agreed without hesitation, so decisively that Duan Ting almost couldn’t believe it.

“…Since Your Highness doesn’t mind, I’ll rely on you then. Let’s hunt more game, at least we can’t let ourselves go hungry. If we end up starving on the way back, we’ll be the laughing stock.”

This was the custom of Beicang royal hunts: when they came, they only brought some rice, and nothing else. If they wanted to eat, they had to hunt it themselves.

If they couldn’t catch anything, they had to go hungry.

Who told you you weren’t capable?

“Your Highness, Fourteenth Brother, I’ll join your group too,” a woman dressed in a light blue hunting outfit, carrying a bow and arrows, walked over, looking graceful and confident. “Don’t underestimate me. When it comes to hunting, I definitely won’t be a burden.”

“Seventeenth Sister’s hunting skills are among the best among all the princesses. Who would dare say you’re a burden?” Duan Ting chuckled lightly and glanced at Feng Qingbai. “But this grouping isn’t something I can decide. You’ll have to ask His Highness if he agrees. After all, I’m just a burden myself.”

“This King doesn’t associate with women in hunting. There are rules in hunting, so Princess, you should return to the women’s group. Being unconventional is not always a sign of character,” Feng Qingbai said coldly. He took a bow and arrows from the guard, then swiftly mounted his horse and galloped away.

“Feng Qingbai!” The Seventeenth Princess stomped her foot, her fair face flushed with anger.

Surrounded by ministers and many royal brothers and sisters, she had been trying to please him like this, yet he always coldly rejected her. Where could she save face?

Her eyes flashed with a mixture of emotions, and she gritted her teeth. She grabbed a nearby horse and rode after him.

Duan Ting silently watched from behind, a shallow smile on his lips. The surrounding royal children occasionally whispered mockingly.

But now, the target of their mockery was the Seventeenth Princess.

She had been smooth-sailing all her life, growing up with a high and proud temperament, but Feng Qingbai, the King of Nanling, was her first major obstacle in life.

No one knew what the final outcome would be.

“Feng Qingbai, stop right there!” The Seventeenth Princess shouted, riding fast to intercept him in the hunting woods. Her face was full of fury. “What do you mean by this? The marriage between the two countries is already a done deal. Even if you’re dissatisfied, you should at least give me some face. Stop making me lose face in front of my brothers and sisters! Just because I like you doesn’t mean you can treat me like this!”

“Seventeenth Princess, you must be joking. The marriage between the two countries is a done deal? Although the talks between Nanling and Beicang have ended, His Majesty has yet to make a public announcement. Who told you that the two countries are going to have a marriage alliance?”

The Seventeenth Princess’s expression changed. “Are you saying there is no marriage between us? Impossible! Father promised me, and he will make it happen!”

“Even if your father promised you, it has nothing to do with me. You have repeatedly harassed me, and I have been avoiding you out of respect for your status as a royal princess. Seventeenth Princess, I am not a patient person. Do not push your luck.” Feng Qingbai said coldly, not hiding the disgust in his eyes. He urged his horse to turn and rode deeper into the forest.

His words, especially the look of disdain in his eyes, stunned the Seventeenth Princess. She stood frozen, watching his back, but ultimately, she didn’t chase after him.

She turned and headed back the way she came, heading straight for the Emperor’s tent.

This scene was witnessed by many, and there were quiet murmurs among the onlookers.

The Seventeenth Princess had chased after the King to the hunting grounds, only to return alone and storm into the Emperor’s tent. After some commotion inside, she was seen crying as she ran out.

What exactly had happened inside?

The Emperor usually doted on the Seventeenth Princess immensely.

The most likely people to know what happened are the powerful officials who were involved in the negotiations between the two countries, but those individuals remain tight-lipped about the matter.

If the Emperor’s lack of a public announcement were to be revealed by them, it would be considered insubordination.

Who would dare to speak such words?

Meanwhile, in the deep forest, Feng Qingbai gradually slowed down and halted his horse.

The surroundings were quiet, with only the occasional wind rustling through the trees.

There were no wild beasts, no signs of human presence, but an inexplicable chill lingered in the air, causing one’s hairs to stand on end.

He lowered his gaze, closed his eyes, and his ears subtly twitched.

Whoosh——

A sound, hidden beneath the wind, reached his ears.

His eyes suddenly snapped open, and in the same instant, he shot something from his hand.

He struck the concealed weapon flying through the air, sending it off course.

At the same time, a shadow lunged at him from the front, and a gleaming blade reflected the light.

This was their third encounter.

In an instant, hundreds of moves were exchanged, still ending in a draw.

After the hundreds of moves, both sides retreated and stopped fighting.

“What do you intend to do?” Feng Qingbai asked, staring at the figure about ten feet away from him.

The man looked back, his eyes hidden behind a mask, revealing no emotion. His voice, cold as ice, responded, “Guess.”