"Prince Zhenyang, I didn't expect to see you so soon after leaving my residence."
A smile bloomed on Feng Qingcheng's fair face, her delicate voice evoking a desire to protect.
Baili Yang was captivated by her radiant smile, his eyes fixed on her beautiful, jade-like face. "I was passing by and thought I'd visit. We can go to the palace together."
The Third Prince's mansion was quite a distance from here, and no one would believe his words.
Feng Qingcheng didn't expose Baili Yang. Her star-like eyes beneath delicate brows chided him lightly, and she chuckled softly, "Alright, it would be good for us to depart together. However, I have some private matters to discuss with my third sister, so I'm afraid I can't share a carriage with you."
She was also trying to avoid suspicion, and the necessary politeness must be maintained.
Baili Yang was content with earning a smile from the beauty. He quickly exclaimed, "No problem. I came here to support you, to show your ungrateful elder sister that she has no chance of bullying you."
Feng Qingcheng's smile brightened slightly, a hint of deep meaning in her eyes. "Then I thank Prince Zhenyang."
This was exactly what she had in mind.
She wanted Feng Ninghe to open her eyes and see that only she was the favored daughter, the one pursued by all the good men in the world.
"Look quickly, the eldest young lady is here."
Feng Ninghe's appearance instantly drew everyone's attention.
"In terms of looks, the eldest young lady is more outstanding. But the second young lady has already reached the Nascent Soul stage at such a young age. In terms of talent, the second young lady is more outstanding."
"If you ask me, the eldest young lady can't compare to the second young lady in any aspect. One is a favored daughter, the other is a natural waste. There's no comparison between these two. Look how enthusiastic Prince Zhenyang is. Perhaps he'll marry the second young lady in the future, and then she'll be someone we can't reach!"
The younger generation of the Feng family compared Feng Ninghe and Feng Qingcheng.
Hearing the discussions, Feng Qingcheng's lips curved upwards, her eyes filled with a hint of disdain.
The younger generation was still sensible.
That bitch Feng Ninghe wasn't even worthy of carrying her shoes!
The murmurs of the crowd did not change Feng Ninghe's expression. She continued to walk forward on her own.
A white robe clearly outlined her graceful figure. The woman's beauty was unparalleled, her demeanor calm and composed, with a hint of aloofness in the corners of her eyes that carried no trace of earthly dust.
Baili Yang was stunned. His pupils contracted sharply, and he stared at the figure with astonishment.
"She... she is Feng Ninghe?"
Baili Yang instinctively asked, his eyes filled with disbelief.
Could this fresh and elegant woman, surpassing even an immortal, be Feng Ninghe?
He had seen Feng Ninghe before when she was young, her features not yet fully developed, her cheeks still childish.
But now Feng Ninghe had matured. She was alluring without being seductive, and her face was even more beautiful than Feng Qingcheng's.
Upon seeing this stunning and moving face, a flicker of jealousy crossed Feng Qingcheng's eyes, and her voice deepened unconsciously. "Indeed."
In a moment, Baili Yang collected his thoughts and strode towards Feng Ninghe. "Feng Ninghe, why do you not bow to me upon seeing this prince?"
The slightly harsh male voice made Feng Ninghe raise an eyebrow. A coldness appeared on her delicate face. "Who are you?"
Baili Yang's expression immediately changed. His dark eyes, filled with a trace of anger, asked, "You don't even know who I am?"
Chi Xia quickly whispered from the side, "Eldest young lady, this is Prince Zhenyang."
Feng Ninghe quickly searched her memory for information about Prince Zhenyang.
After a moment, she lowered her gaze and said calmly, "Greetings, Prince Zhenyang."
With that, she continued to walk forward as if nothing had happened.
Prince Zhenyang and Feng Qingcheng were close, and because of this, he often mocked her.
She had no good feelings towards this Prince Zhenyang.
"Feng Ninghe, it's been many years, and you've become even more rude!"
Baili Yang strode forward and blocked her path, his handsome face stern as he looked at her.
Feng Ninghe tilted her head to meet Baili Yang's gaze, her eyes icy, as if looking at a stranger. "Does Prince Zhenyang have anything else? If not, I'll be returning to my carriage. We mustn't delay the palace banquet."
An inexplicable anger burned in Baili Yang's heart. His eyes were fixed on her. "Feng Ninghe, I'm here to warn you not to bully Feng Qingcheng. Last time your stupid beast injured Qingcheng. If there's a next time, you'll bear the consequences."
"Stupid beast?"
Feng Ninghe seemed to have heard an unbelievable joke. A cold light flashed across her clean, fair face, and her clear voice was as chilling as ice. "Then do you know that Feng Qingcheng tried to steal my spirit pet, which is why she was injured?"
Feng Qingcheng, fearing that the truth would be exposed, quickly interjected, "Prince Zhenyang, since this matter is already in the past, let it be. Bringing it up now will only harm our harmony."
Baili Yang glanced at Feng Ninghe, his eyes full of warning. "Don't spout nonsense. In short, remember what I just said."
Feng Ninghe stopped paying attention to the Third Prince and walked away on her own.
She didn't need to guess to know that Feng Qingcheng must have said something inappropriate, and Baili Yang was blaming her for everything.
She disdained to explain and was too lazy to waste her breath.
Baili Yang raised his eyebrows, his eyes filled with darkness. His voice, laced with malice, said, "Feng Ninghe is all looks and no substance, a good-for-nothing. Does such a woman deserve to manage the Feng family? She'd better pray she doesn't fall into my hands."
Baili Yang had been enfeoffed as a prince at a young age and possessed certain means. He had plenty of ways to torment people.
Feng Qingcheng lowered her gaze, her long eyelashes hiding the joy in her eyes. Her red lips curved upwards wantonly, and she sighed softly, "Forget it. My elder sister has always been like this since she was young. There's no need to pay attention to her."
After getting into the carriage, Old Man Xu narrowed his eyes and said, "Your second sister is cunning and quite skilled. Those who don't know her might truly think she's innocent."
Feng Ninghe leaned casually to the side, her eyes half-closed as her thoughts drifted.
The hatred from years ago resurfaced in her eyes, making her wish she could kill Feng Qingcheng immediately.
"Achoo!"
At this moment, a milky voice echoed in the carriage.
Xiao Zhao transformed into a red light and quickly appeared inside the carriage.
After swallowing a Hundred Flower Fruit, his height shot up, estimating him to be around nine or ten years old in human terms.
"Oh, you've grown quite a bit."
Old Man Xu's gaze was fixed on Xiao Zhao, scrutinizing him.
Xiao Zhao's eyes curved into a smile, and he casually raised his little fists. "I feel spiritual energy overflowing within me. If I wanted to, I could smash this carriage open with one punch!"
Sensing the spiritual energy fluctuations within Xiao Zhao, Feng Ninghe's eyes showed relief. "Very good. If you were to revert to your original form, you would likely have the strength of a Nascent Soul."
The talent of divine beasts was terrifying. Possessing one would greatly increase one's strength.
It was no wonder everyone desired a divine beast as a spirit pet.
Xiao Zhao chuckled, his young face filled with determination. "Master, Xiao Zhao promised to protect you, so I must quickly improve my strength!"