Chapter 23 The Ninth Prince His Tea's Aroma

Dongfang Li never expected that he would be deemed so incompetent in Feng Bailing's eyes.

His chest filled with rage that surged upwards; he was a son of the imperial family—there was no need for him to go to battle and kill enemies.

What the Ninth Prince said was quite right; some people are born to be subjects, expected to shed their blood and sacrifice their heads for their monarchs, while others are born monarchs, high above the rest.

He strode forward, his handsome face carried an air of arrogance spelled in bold.

"Feng Bailing, you think just because you got close to Dugu Wu, you have the upper hand? You're so unlucky; the man you set your eyes on has a crippled leg. He has to lie down for the rest of his life, unable to lead a normal life. Staying with him, you can only be a widow."

Thinking that Dugu Wu would never be able to turn things around, Dongfang Li was in high spirits.

Dugu Wu was seriously injured and was reportedly unconscious; the Imperial Hospital was at its wit's end with no cure in sight.

The news spread rapidly throughout the palace, much to the delight of the princes.

Being the son of a Prince, Dugu Wu had enjoyed more glory over the years than any of these legitimate princes.

Under her veil, Feng Bailing's face turned somewhat pale.

She didn't care what this man was saying; what she cared about was that it would hurt Dugu Xiaojin.

Dugu Xiaojin bit her lip, her eyes brimming with tears.

No, Father Emperor would not be disabled.

He was brave and intelligent, but ultimately still just a child.

After the Spring Banquet ended, the eunuchs and palace maids looked at him with different eyes.

"Dongfang Li, have you said enough?"

Anger flared in Feng Bailing's eyes.

Dongfang Li thought he'd feel smug; yet seeing her reaction, he felt somewhat unsettled.

What was this attitude?

She should have acted submissive, begged him with her sweet, soft voice, and he might have forgiven her.

"I must say, Dugu Wu can't perform humanely; he's just a cripple..."

He was about to repeat the 'cripple' word, but then Dongfang Li became speechless.

His face stiffened, as if he had seen a ghost.

Which bastard had told him that Dugu Wu was unconscious?

The man, tall and imposing, leaned against the door, like an eagle perched high in the sky, those heterochromic eyes that struck fear into countless individuals fixed on Dongfang Li, his lips curved into a mocking smile that felt like a flaying knife.

Inch by inch, it tore the skin, picked the tendons, separated the bones, shredding Dongfang Li's arrogance to pieces.

"Are you so concerned about her future happiness, Seventh Prince?"

A hand suddenly appeared around Feng Bailing's waist, pulling her dominantly into an embrace.

The man's robust scent enveloped her, while Feng Bailing, nestled like a small bird in Dugu Wu's arms, her red dress and his black attire, together with a little Dugu Xiaojin, made them look harmonious like a family!

It was unbearable to watch—how irritating!

Dongfang Li almost burst from anger.

Dongfang Li was already shorter than Dugu Wu and now, pressed down by the other's imposing presence, he found it hard even to lift his head.

He looked down and noticed something odd about Dugu Wu's leg.

"Dugu Wu, stop pretending. You've been poisoned severely and barely managing to stand; now even gods can't save you."

Dongfang Li took pleasure in his misfortune.

Isn't that the truth, even gods can't save him, but I can.

Feng Bailing thought silently; her emergency box could not yet provide artificial joints, but maybe in a year's time, it could.

Dugu Wu lifted his eyes, the wildness in his demeanor vanishing without a trace.

With a self-mocking smile, his expression a mix of three parts disheartened and seven parts sorrowful,

"The Seventh Prince is right; a subject I already am, less useful than even ants, of no use to Great Chu, the Emperor, or the people."

"People value self-awareness; you are merely a dog raised by my Father Emperor."

Dongfang Li, upon seeing Dugu Wu submit to him, felt sweet joy as if his heart were filled with honey.

He is Dugu Wu, revered by the people of Great Chu as the Ninth Prince, occupying a lofty position, so much so that even the Father Emperor shows him some deference.

Such a person, now before him, is as lowly as a dog.

"Prince! Stop talking immediately!"

Behind him, Noble Princess Consort Xiao inhaled sharply, but it was too late.

A gust of wind struck, and Dongfang Li, caught off guard, fell face-first into the dirt.

"Who the hell dares to kick..."

Dongfang Li began to curse as he looked up, but he was completely taken aback.

In the brilliant yellow Dragon Robe, Emperor Yongye glared furiously at Dongfang Li.

Around him, including Noble Princess Consort Xiao and others, as well as Feng Bailing and Dugu Xiaojin, knelt in a line, and Dugu Wu struggled to salute.

"Dugu, you are exempt from salutations."

Emperor Yongye never expected this unfilial son to utter such outrageous disrespect.

Dugu Wu boldly stood up and even lifted Feng Bailing, using her as a crutch, comfortably leaning on her, which angered her to throw him a daggering look.

Looking at his face, there was not a hint of the expected dejection or despair.

How infuriating!

He must have sensed Emperor Yongye's arrival earlier; after all, his martial skills endowed him with sharp senses.

"Drag him out and give him twenty lashes."

Emperor Yongye, with a grim expression, gritted his teeth.

Upon hearing this, Noble Princess Consort Xiao pleaded,

"Your Majesty, Li'er is about to undergo the Gathering Seal; he cannot be injured, please spare him this once."

Emperor Yongye knitted his brows.

The crucial time for the Wuji Seal was near; one must not get angry, as it could adversely affect the Gathering Seal, delaying it at best, or at worst, rendering it impossible to achieve in this lifetime.

After all, Dongfang Li was still a beloved son of Emperor Yongye.

"Your Majesty, I am already crippled and unable to further assist Your Majesty. Please grant me permission to resign from my positions as Commander of the Imperial Army, Order Keeper of the Ancestral Affairs Office, and command of the Chu East and Chu West armies."

Dugu Wu said gravely.

Hearing this, Emperor Yongye's expression darkened yet again.

Dugu Wu was the military god of the Great Chu; with him in command, the frontiers of Great Chu could remain secured for another day.

If he were to step down, who could fend off the thousands of foes?

His sons were so eager to see Dugu Wu relinquish his power and take over. Were they even worthy?

Ever since the Crown Prince's incident, over these years, Emperor Yongye had heavily relied on Dugu Wu. On one side due to Dugu Wu's exceptional capabilities, and on the other, because the Princes were continually scheming against each other. Employing Dugu Wu was a cost-effective transaction to keep the Princes in check.

Imperial power tactics, those little bastards simply didn't understand!

Even though he felt that Dugu Wu was becoming too powerful and had plans to gradually sideline Dugu Wu, it shouldn't have been revealed by Dongfang Li, otherwise, wouldn't it dishearten the hearts of Great Chu's officials?

"Drag the Seventh Prince away, and give him fifty lashes."

Emperor Yongye flung his Dragon Robe and, ignoring Noble Princess Consort Xiao's desperate pleas, commanded that Dongfang Li be dragged away.

"Dugu, you should recover well. As for the affairs of the Imperial Army and Ancestral Affairs Office, I approve. We will discuss your resignation from the military later."

Emperor Yongye reassured him.

"My lord, there is another matter. Earlier at the Spring Banquet, in my confusion, I declined a favorable marriage. Just now, I and Miss Feng exchanged true feelings and discovered our mutual affection. Please, Your Majesty, grant us your blessing..."

As Dugu Wu finished speaking, he looked up to see Nalan Yan'er gazing sorrowfully at him.