"You mean..."
A glimmer of light flashed in Li Wanming's eyes. She covered her mouth with her hand, suddenly enlightened.
"Yes," Princess Chengping smiled faintly and gazed into the distance with a far - off look in her eyes.
The tall and magnificent building boat ahead was shining brightly in the sunlight. From the painted pleasure - boat in the west came the sounds of silk and bamboo instruments, as if deliberately echoing each other from afar.
Princess Chengping lifted the corners of her lips slightly and said meaningfully, "These two people take turns on the stage. This self - indulgent drama has been going on for almost half a month."
Li Wanming followed Princess Chengping's gaze and immediately understood.
She asked excitedly, "Are all their current behaviors on purpose?"
"Sure they are."
A hint of mockery flashed in Princess Chengping's eyes. "Ever since the news that the Empress Dowager intended to bestow a marriage and form an alliance spread from the palace, Feng Xiao has become a frequent visitor to the brothels in the capital. Every day, he has been indulging himself in debauchery and dissipation."
"As for Fang Zhi..." She smoothed the hair beside her temples, her tone becoming more and more helpless. "Miss Fang has been playing polo one day, visiting the theater the next, and clamoring to go into business the day after. She has almost exhausted all the fun and rowdy things to do in the capital!"
"That's not all," Princess Chengping gently tapped the edge of the table with her round fan. The light spots leaking through the curtain were reflected on the fan with the pattern of a spring sparrow on a branch, like the uncontrollable smile in her eyes. "That naughty girl Fang Zhi always manages to cause trouble!"
"Either she accidentally rammed into the curtain of the Marquis of Xuanping while playing polo, or she flew into a rage and smashed the stage when visiting the theater... Anyway, now when people in the capital mention Miss Fang, they all avoid her like the plague."
Li Wanming listened in admiration.
These two people were clearly staking their futures and reputations to desperately reject the marriage!
One was a young general, a valiant warrior on the battlefield who wouldn't even frown when an arrow flew towards him. Now he was pretending to be a dissolute playboy indulged in the gentle embrace of women.
The other was a young lady from a prominent family. Although she used to be a bit spoilt and domineering, she never went too far. But now, she was rampaging around, acting arrogantly. She might as well have the words "shrew" written on her forehead!
Li Wanming could tell that both of them truly didn't want to marry each other and avoided each other like the plague.
On the building boat, Fang Zhi was still shouting, "Princess, I heard that you were also a female general on the battlefield back then. Do you want to come over and shoot arrows with me? And you, Li Wanming! Why are you hiding? What, now that you're going to be the princess of the heir apparent, are you also learning the coy ways of noble ladies?"
After hearing this, Li Wanming couldn't help twitching the corner of her eye.
When she scolded someone, why did she include herself?
Didn't she realize that her own status was not that of a coy "noble lady"?
Before Li Wanming could reply, the painted pleasure - boat filled with the sounds of silk and bamboo from the west had quietly sailed closer.
The bead curtain on the pleasure - boat was suddenly lifted. Feng Xiao, with his gold - embroidered robe half - open, was reclining on the railing. In his arms was a pink - dressed songstress holding a pipa.
He waved drunkenly towards the building boat. "Miss Fang has really good archery skills! With one arrow, you almost killed our princess. How about... shooting at me next time?"
His finger slid down and he opened his half - unbuttoned robe.
"Do you think I dare not?!"
Fang Zhi was infuriated. She quickly drew another arrow from her quiver. The cold light on the arrow tip glinted as it pointed straight at Feng Xiao's heart.
Feng Xiao squinted his drunk eyes, not caring at all. He even deliberately puffed out his chest.
The songstresses beside him scattered in fear.
The servants beside Fang Zhi were also greatly startled. They rushed forward to snatch the bow and arrow from her hand. "It's not advisable, miss! It's not advisable! If you accidentally hurt General Feng, we might not be able to explain it to General Feng's grandfather..."
The bowstring in Fang Zhi's hand trembled slightly. She tightened it and then loosened it. Finally, she reluctantly put it down.
Although she liked to make a ruckus, she knew her limits and didn't dare to really hurt the only grandson of the great general who guarded the country.
"Humph, so boring..."
Feng Xiao was rather disappointed.
If Fang Zhi really shot a hole in him with an arrow, that would be great!
He could lie in bed for half a year, and this marriage would really be null and void!
It was a pity that although the two of them were angry and dissatisfied, they were not complete fools. All their reckless actions were very tacitly controlled within a reasonable range, and neither of them dared to cross the line.
A hint of loneliness flashed in Feng Xiao's eyes. He threw the jade - green wine pot into the lake. The bright green light drew a beautiful arc in the air and then sank into the lake with a splash.
"What are you standing there for? Sing for this young master! The louder the better, and the more eye - catching your movements, the better!" he shouted angrily.
The sounds of silk and bamboo instruments on the pleasure - boat resounded again.
On the building boat, Fang Zhi was also very dissatisfied.
She swept all the cups and dishes off the table and angrily threw the ebony round bow on the ground.
"All he knows is to drink and have fun with women! All he knows is to drink and have fun with women! After drinking for so many days, what's the use?"
"If he really had the guts, he should take in a dozen or twenty concubines, or simply have a few illegitimate children! Or, he should go to the gambling house and have a big bet, and lose all the century - old foundation of the Feng family. That's the right thing to do!"
The maid beside her said timidly, "Miss, Young Master Feng is trying to reject the marriage, not courting death."
...
The lake breeze blew, bringing the sounds of silk and bamboo from the west, mixed with the sound of cups shattering on the building boat ahead, making this drama even more lively and absurd.
Princess Chengping covered the corner of her mouth with her fan. The fine lines at the corners of her eyes relaxed, and she laughed more leisurely.
Li Wanming looked at the lake where the two were fighting fiercely, like two armies facing each other. She asked doubtfully, "They're making such a ruckus. Why don't Prime Minister Fang and General Feng stop them?"
Princess Chengping chuckled softly and said slowly, "Stop them? How? And why should they?"
"Didn't the Empress Dowager want them to form an alliance through marriage..." Li Wanming hesitated.
Princess Chengping held the teacup by her lips and gave her a meaningful look.
Li Wanming immediately realized. "Prime Minister Fang and General Feng also don't want this marriage!"
Princess Chengping smiled approvingly and gazed into the distance at the lake ahead.
"Although Prime Minister Fang is a trusted and important official of the Empress Dowager, he has always had far - reaching considerations. He knows that no dynasty will always be under the Empress Dowager's control. As the emperor grows older, it's only a matter of time before he takes back power. Prime Minister Fang is not so willing to be a pawn in the Empress Dowager's hands."
"As for General Feng, he is only focused on regaining the lost territory in the southern border and doesn't want to be involved in the muddy waters of the court struggle."
She put down the fan and slowly walked to the side of the boat. She stretched out her hand and pulled out the iron - shafted arrow with an eagle feather. "It's a pity. It's a good arrow, but if it's shot at the wrong time, a small deviation at the start can lead to a big error in the end."