C68 Bitch

Inside the hall, besides Feng Tiange and Rong Qi, there were several officials from the Ministry of Rites. They all wore stern expressions as they listened to Bai Yushuang's brazen arrogance.

"General..." Dao Wu, standing behind, thought it was enough.

"Relax. Dugu Yan is no longer the Grand Marshal; she's a corrupt concubine. I could curse her to become a vengeful spirit right in front of the Crown Prince, and he wouldn't blame me."

"The Crown Prince won't mind, right?" Bai Yushuang turned to Beiming Yuan without giving him a chance to respond. "Honestly, Dugu Yan should have been gone long ago. While she was alive, everyone only knew about the Crown Prince Consort, not the Crown Prince. Honestly, I feel for the Crown Prince!"

Beiming Yuan's face stiffened. "General, please take your seat. The officials are waiting to drink with you."

The banquet, which should have started a while ago, was delayed by Bai Yushuang's antics.

With fine wine and delicious food, the atmosphere was lively. After a few drinks, Bai Yushuang, in high spirits, began recounting to the surrounding officials the seven battles she lost to Dugu Yan and how Dugu Yan won them. "So, getting rid of Dugu Yan was the right move! With her gone, I can just sit back and watch as all of Great Qi's generals fall to me!"

When it comes to Bai Yushuang being arrogant, who would bother with a woman who's had too much to drink? But Beiming Yuan had heard enough.

"I'm not feeling well. General Bai, please continue drinking," Beiming Yuan finally said, unable to tolerate it any longer. As he stood, he glanced at Bai Yushuang, and Dugu Rou rose with him, having had her fill of the situation.

Anyone with sense could tell that Bai Yushuang's words were clearly in defense of Dugu Yan, despite the supposed animosity.

"Is the Crown Prince leaving? Let me see you off!" Bai Yushuang, holding her cup, pushed through the crowd, swaying as she went.

"No need." Beiming Yuan had encountered unruly women before. There was once a female cook under Dugu Yan, large and unkempt, with a perpetually grimy face. He thought she was the most disheveled woman he'd ever seen.

But today, his standards were challenged. A general, speaking like a shrew!

Beiming Yuan moved quickly, so when Bai Yushuang rushed out, she only managed to block Dugu Rou. "Is the Crown Prince Consort leaving too?"

"I'm not feeling well either..." Dugu Rou stepped back, trying to sidestep, but Bai Yushuang grabbed her arm.

Bai Yushuang seemed to sober up instantly, her dark eyes fixed on Dugu Rou, emphasizing her words, "Crown Prince Consort?"

Dugu Rou tried to pull her hand back, but the more she struggled, the more her arm hurt. "General Bai, you misunderstand. I am... I am the Vice Consort. The Crown Prince hasn't appointed anyone as the Crown Prince Consort..."

"Vice Consort?" Bai Yushuang released her grip abruptly, as if she'd just heard the most ridiculous joke. "A Vice Consort!"

As Dugu Rou fled the hall in panic, Bai Yushuang's mocking "Vice Consort" still echoed in the room. The entire scene unfolded under Feng Tiange's watchful eyes. Having sparred with Bai Yushuang for years, she knew all too well about her drinking prowess—never drunk, no matter how much she consumed.

After Beiming Yuan and Dugu Rou left, Bai Yushuang finally noticed Rong Qi sitting beside Feng Tiange and strode over with purpose. "What are you doing here? Didn't I tell Dao Wu to inform you to steer clear of me?" While Bai Yushuang's attitude towards Beiming Yuan and Dugu Rou was veiled in sarcasm, her approach to Rong Qi was straightforward.

Seeing Rong Qi grabbed by the collar, Feng Tiange instinctively shifted to the side, silently lighting a candle for him in her mind. "Those peach blossom wines weren't from me to the Third Royal Elder Sister. She brewed them secretly and pinned it on me," Rong Qi paused for a moment. "As harsh as it sounds, she deceived you..."

Rong Qi hadn't even finished speaking when Bai Yushuang knocked him to the ground with a punch and a loud "ouch."

Pointing at Rong Qi, Bai Yushuang warned Tiange, "Stay away from people like him who would sell out their own sister. You never know how you'll end up."

"Thank you for the advice, General. I appreciate it," Tiange replied, standing up and giving Bai Yushuang a deep bow for everything that had happened today.

Bai Yushuang was surprised by Tiange's gesture and, for a moment, seemed taken aback. Without another word, she turned and left.

As the banquet was winding down, Ye Zhong from the Ministry of Rites reminded Bai Yushuang that the carriage to the embassy was ready.

Unexpectedly, Nanny Sunn, who rarely appeared at such events, arrived with a decree from Empress Dowager Chu...

The news from the palace was shocking to Xie Jin, who never imagined Bai Yushuang wouldn't return to the embassy. He had already arranged for assassins, hired by Huang Qing, to ambush her there, ready to send her to her doom the moment she returned.

And now, it seemed Bai Yushuang might not return to the embassy at all before leaving the country...

Late at night, in the Imperial Study Room, Beiming Yuan was stunned when he received the news.

"Why would Empress Dowager Chu have Bai Yushuang stay at the Happiness Prolonging Hall?" Beiming Yuan wondered, puzzled by the unexpected connection between the two.

Lee Chengrui straightened up. "Nanny Sunn mentioned the Empress Dowager wanted General Bai to spar with her because Bai Yushuang was too arrogant at the palace..."

Lee Chengrui, who usually preferred to keep a low profile, was there too. Even someone like him felt like rolling up his sleeves after hearing Bai Yushuang's brazen remarks.

"If that's all, it wouldn't be so bad..." Beiming Yuan's dark eyes were cold. "Any news from Xie Jin?"

"The embassy is quiet. Mr. Xie sent someone to ask if the Crown Prince could take action at the Happiness Prolonging Hall."

Before Lee Chengrui could finish, Beiming Yuan angrily tossed the document to the ground. "Foolish!"

"But if we don't act, there won't be another chance..." Lee Chengrui hesitated.

Beiming Yuan sneered, "Dugu Yan is Bai Yushuang's sore spot. Her sword, the Wind Slash, has been challenged seven times by the Wind Slash Sword. If she ever gets her hands on the Wind Slash Sword..."

If such an opportunity arose, Bai Yushuang wouldn't miss it...

The carriage returned from the palace and soon arrived at the South Suppressing Marquis Mansion, but Feng Tiange didn't get out.

"Take Prince Rong back to his residence."

Inside the carriage, Rong Qi was taken aback by the unexpected honor.

It seems that even the most esteemed individuals have a tiny bit of mischief hidden in their bones, occasionally revealing itself.

Just like Rong Qi, after being thrown off the carriage multiple times, Feng Tiange was easily satisfied with even the slightest favor.

Feng Tiange sat quietly, lost in thought.

"Are you wondering why Yushuang stood up for Dugu Yan?" Rong Qi offered, hoping to clear up Feng Tiange's confusion.

Feng Tiange looked up, "I thought she wore such festive clothes because she truly felt festive."

"Those who seem indifferent often have the deepest feelings. As the saying goes, 'like recognizes like.' Yushuang has developed feelings for Dugu Yan," Rong Qi said, his voice tinged with melancholy. "If Dugu Yan were alive, she might think the same."

No, she didn't think that way.

She genuinely believed Yushuang would be happy about her death.

When even the closest people can betray you, how can you expect your rivals to have any mutual understanding...