"I didn't expect the third young lady to be so wealthy yet steal spirit stones from the treasury. If you needed spirit stones, couldn't you just use them as accessories? Why steal them?"
Feng Ninghe casually crossed her arms, her eyes thoughtful as she appraised the other woman at a leisurely pace.
Feng Tongtong looked like a rat whose tail had been stepped on, her face ashen, her voice becoming sharper and more piercing, "Feng Ninghe, don't spout nonsense here. I am the future Imperial Consort, I naturally don't lack spirit stones! You'd best watch your mouth and not bring shame upon our Feng family!"
Even though the facts were undeniable, she refused to admit it.
"Ninghe, it's almost time to go. Why are you still standing here?"
At that moment, a voice came from within the pavilion.
Old Man Xu ambled over leisurely, "We should be departing. We mustn't be late for the First Prince's birthday."
Feng Ninghe looked at him with some surprise, "You're going too?"
Old Man Xu had always disliked such occasions.
His appearance would invariably attract people eager to curry favor.
"The birthday banquet is lively. I have nothing to do at the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, so I might as well go and see the excitement. Perhaps it will be a diversion."
As he spoke, Old Man Xu gently stroked his goatee, his eyes burning with intense interest.
Feng Ninghe understood his meaning.
He was waiting to see her make a spectacle of herself.
She felt a little helpless but nodded nonetheless, "Then let's depart together."
With that, Feng Ninghe strode away with great confidence, completely disregarding Feng Tongtong.
Xiao Zhao, perched on her shoulder, stuck out its tongue and made a face at Feng Tongtong.
Soon, only Feng Tongtong and Taohua remained.
Taohua couldn't help but exclaim, "Third Young Lady, Feng Ninghe is truly arrogant, to ignore you like that! I wonder what this Immortal Xu is thinking, taking such a good-for-nothing as a disciple!"
This was also what Feng Tongtong wanted to know.
In terms of talent, she was far superior to Feng Ninghe. Immortal Xu must have been blind to treasure such a useless person!
Feng Tongtong gritted her teeth, her eyes flashing with fierce light, and said viciously, "After today, Immortal Xu will understand that Feng Ninghe is like mud that cannot be plastered onto a wall – she's utterly useless!"
Many carriages were parked in front of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.
The First Prince's birthday banquet had invited many prominent figures, and the younger generation of the Feng family were eager to attend.
Upon seeing Feng Ninghe, Madam Zhang wiggled her way over and, in a sharp, high-pitched voice, said, "Ninghe, you're going to the banquet too? Tongtong is the First Prince's fiancée. If you attend the birthday banquet, you'll inevitably be talked about."
Unfazed by the taunt, Feng Ninghe met Madam Zhang's gaze, "As the acting head of the Feng family, I naturally must show my face. Besides, even if people talk, they'll be discussing how this marriage between the Third Young Lady and the First Prince came about."
These simple words immediately changed Madam Zhang's expression.
Feng Ninghe did not give her an opportunity to say more and turned to leave.
"Mother, her arrogance won't last long. Today, I will ruin her reputation!"
Feng Tongtong came to Madam Zhang's side at that moment and whispered in a voice only they could hear, "Later, at the banquet, I'll need Mother's help with one more thing."
Madam Zhang's eyes instantly lit up, a look of intense interest glinting within them...
Inside the carriage.
Feng Ninghe lifted the curtain and gazed outside.
She saw Feng Tongtong and Madam Zhang whispering to each other, their faces full of calculation.
Not long after, the Feng family members, in a grand procession, headed towards the First Prince's mansion.
By the time Feng Ninghe arrived at the First Prince's mansion, many guests had already gathered.
Baili Ye was busy attending to the guests.
"First Prince Brother!"
Feng Tongtong seized an opportune moment and quickly hurried towards him.
Baili Ye turned his gaze to her, his eyes brightening, "Tongtong, this dress today suits you exceptionally well."
The fiery red gown made Feng Tongtong's cheeks appear exquisitely beautiful.
Feng Tongtong's eyes curved, her smile radiant, "The First Prince's attire is also very handsome, making you look even more dashing."
Baili Ye seemed to recall something and his gaze quickly scanned the crowd.
When he spotted Feng Ninghe, the corner of his mouth curved upwards, a sharp glint dancing fiercely in his eyes.
Sensing his gaze, Feng Tongtong proactively linked her arm with his and said with a low laugh, "First Prince, everything is ready, awaiting your command."
The appearance of Old Man Xu attracted considerable attention. In a moment, a crowd had gathered before him.
"Immortal Xu, I've long wanted to find an opportunity to visit you at the Feng family. I've heard much about your divine alchemy skills."
"Indeed, the Medicine Valley has caused a stir in the Li Kingdom, and its elixirs are highly sought after. To have the chance to meet you is a blessing for me!"
The crowd was busy flattering Immortal Xu, completely ignoring Feng Ninghe, who was standing closest to him.
Feng Ninghe disliked such occasions and got up to leave on her own.
"What a cute little beast!"
Suddenly, a joyful female voice called out from behind.
She instinctively turned her head to look.
She saw a woman slightly younger than her, staring intently at Xiao Zhao on her shoulder.
The woman was dressed in resplendent robes, her hair adorned with countless jewels, and followed by several maids. It was clear at a glance that she was of noble birth.
"I want this spirit pet. Name your price."
The woman tilted her head up with an arrogant air. Her exquisitely made-up face had fair skin, but this arrogance was inexplicably off-putting.
Xiao Zhao, with its plump body, rolled its eyes in boredom and let out a muffled snort, its chubby little face filled with displeasure.
I am a Qilin, how can I be a mere beast traded for spirit stones on the market?
You want to buy me? Impossible!
Sensing Xiao Zhao's feelings, Feng Ninghe reached out and gently stroked it, offering silent comfort. She moved her red lips and refused the woman, "I am not selling this spirit beast. Please leave, young lady."
The woman raised her beautiful eyebrows, her facial features creasing tightly, "I must have it! No matter how many spirit stones you ask for, I will buy it!"
The woman's unreasonable behavior annoyed Feng Ninghe. Without thinking, she stated, "No matter how many spirit stones you offer, I will not sell it."
The woman was enraged, her two eyes fixed on Feng Ninghe, "Since we can't talk reason, how about a spar? If you win, I won't contend with you. If you lose, you must give this spirit beast to me!"
The woman abruptly drew a long sword, and a surge of spiritual energy emanated from it.
The golden sunlight made the sword gleam brilliantly, its edge as sharp as the woman's arrogance.
The sword was engraved with the woman's name: Ning Peilan.
"She is the beloved youngest daughter of the Ning family, doted upon by everyone!"
"Miss Ning just came of age recently, and her cultivation has already reached the early stage of Enlightenment, with signs of further breakthroughs. The woman clashing with her seems to be... that cultivation waste from the Feng family."
"Even if she's a waste, this eldest young lady of the Feng family has taken Immortal Xu as her master. She has backing, but if she loses the match, Immortal Xu will also lose face..."
For a moment, the surrounding cultivators buzzed with discussion, their faces alight with anticipation, as if watching a show.
They all wanted to know who would win between the youngest daughter of the Bai family and the disciple of Immortal Xu.
Not far away.
Ning Ting frowned and strode forward, "Peilan, that girl is truly troublesome."
He had only taken two steps when a figure approached and blocked his path.