Divine Doctor Mommy Is A True Big Shot-Chapter 168 - 170: The Despised Prince Consort

"’Little lotus just shows its sharp horns, early on there’s a dragonfly standing on top,’ when could that wretched girl ever compose such fine poetry?"

The newcomer’s eyeballs almost popped out, his little moustache trembling intensely; it was Feng Zhanlian who had arrived.

He had entered the Duke Chen Mansion together with Lady Nan Feng and others, while Feng Xiangxue and Feng Ruoyan had gone to find their schoolmate Chen Piaopia. Feng Zhanlian was surrounded by a group of officials admiring his poetic talents.

They all wanted him to compose a poem, and after he finally freed himself, he couldn’t find Lady Nan Shiu and on his way searching, he saw Feng Bailing and that little wild seed from Prince Shun’s Mansion.

Hearing the poem that his eldest daughter blurted out, Feng Zhanlian felt a mix of envy, jealousy, and resentment.

If only I could have composed this poem, Feng Zhanlian thought to himself. By 3 p.m., the inner garden of Duke Chen Mansion was already bustling with activity.

With substantial wealth, Duchess Chen also famously enjoyed grandeur.

Today’s Xiahe Banquet, ostensibly arranged to welcome and refresh Regent King Xiao Junci as per the orders of the Emperor and the Empress, saw Duchess Chen putting in extra effort to curry favor with Xiao Junci.

The inner garden, compared to the outer garden, was several times larger in area. Feng Bailing glanced over, almost a quarter the size of Yuxiu Academy.

Here, flowers bloom all year round. Although spring’s apricot and peach blossoms had already faded, the specifically bred lotus in the man-made lake was thriving impressively.

Who knows what method Duchess Chen used, but the lotuses in the inner garden had bloomed early, emitting a fragrant aroma by the lakeside, pleasing and refreshing to the soul.

The pavilion set up for the banquet was by the lake shore, and even though night had yet to fall, the setting sun cast a shimmering golden glow across the lake surface.

When it got later, one could see the moonlight enveloping the lotus pond—yet another splendid view.

Seeing that nearly all guests had arrived, Duchess Chen invited everyone to take their seats.

On the tables were set wine cups and tea bowls, platters of various fruits, and pastry delights for early arrivals to sample.

Duke Chen’s wife, perhaps intentionally, had arranged Feng Bailing’s and Dugu Wu’s seating to be separate.

Several princes of the royal family had also arrived. They were seated together with Dugu Wu, who was in the row right in front of the main seat, as today’s guest of honor was Xiao Junci, who had yet to make an appearance.

Beside the main seat, there were two extra guest spots.

Logically, one was for Duchess Chen, but who was the other for?

Feng Bailing and Dongfang Lianhua took their places next to the princes. As for Feng Zhanlian and Lady Nan Feng, typically Feng Zhanlian’s rank didn’t permit him a front-row seat, so he would have been in the middle rows. However, thanks to his recently risen reputation, Duchess Chen made a special arrangement to sit him near the royalty.

Feng Zhanlian wore a smug expression. Just as he took his seat, he noticed Dongfang Lianhua not far away.

Nearby, several ladies and young misses were in discussion.

"Isn’t that Princess Yong’an? She looks so young; look at her flawless skin, not a wrinkle to be seen." "And she doesn’t appear to have given birth; her figure is more slender than many young women here."

Hearing this made Feng Zhanlian feel oddly uncomfortable.

Glancing at Dongfang Lianhua, who was plainly dressed, she nonetheless shone like a polished pearl, drawing several admiring looks.

After being ordered to live separately, shouldn’t she be feeling dejected and withering away day by day?

How could she look radiant as if reborn?

"Is that the Prince Consort Feng?"

"Is that the Mr. Feng who penned ’Poem Presented to the Libationer’?"

As soon as Feng Zhanlian heard people discussing him, he couldn’t help but straighten up.

His name could finally shine on its own, no longer tied to Dongfang Lianhua.

"The poetry is indeed good, but he’s a bit too old."

"Yes, standing next to Princess Yong’an, they look nothing like husband and wife, more like father and daughter."

Feng Zhanlian’s hand shook, he set down his tea bowl, his anger uncontainable. He swigged a mouthful of wine, glaring at the chattering guests.

He prided himself on being suave and debonair, only to be called old?

Lady Nan Feng came over with her daughters Feng Xiangxue and Feng Ruoyan.

"My lord, who has upset you?"

Lady Nan Feng spoke with a smile, her eyes seemingly casually scanning across Feng Zhanlian’s face, then settling on the teapot on the table.

That particular pot was slightly different from the ones at other tables, with a few holes on its body.

"Who else could it be."

Feng Zhanlian replied gruffly.

For so long he had been seated, Dongfang Lianhua hadn’t even spared him a glance, as if he didn’t exist at all.

Dongfang Li, whose mood wasn’t any better, was nearby.

His seat was diagonally opposite to Dugu Wu’s.

Only Duchess Chen knew the reason for arranging his seat to be slightly behind Dugu Wu’s.

His gaze inadvertently floated towards Feng Bailing.

From his perspective, he could only see the back of Feng Bailing’s head, her black tresses fluttering in the wind, separated by just one seat between them.

"Brother Seven, why aren’t Big Brother and Brother Three here?"

As Dongfang Li was about to lean in closer, Dongfang Mosheng took the seat next to him.

"Ninth, you’re looking for me?"

Dongfang Qi and Li Mubei also took their seats.

"I heard Brother Three has been around the Princess’ Mansion quite often lately, so I’d advise you to be careful."

Dongfang Li spoke coolly.

"Brother Seven, stop being so snide. Unlike you, I’m not so petty. Cousin Feng was jilted by you, yet she has no hard feelings. On the contrary, you’ve been secretly targeting her, as if I wouldn’t know."

Dongfang Qi retorted unhappily.

"That’s because she targeted Sisters Xiangxue; Xiangxue is to marry me soon, and Feng Bailing, out of jealousy, plotted against her and even allowed a horse to trample her."

Dongfang Li’s face turned shades of red and white upon being accused.

He was exasperated; it was he who had been jilted by Feng Bailing.

Li Mubei chuckled silently to himself.

He thought, this Seventh Prince of Great Chu was "blind"; how could Princess Feng seem like someone petty and vindictive?

"Regent King arrives."

"Crown Princess Consort arrives."

Outside the inner garden, there were announcements as Nalan Yan’er arrived with Dongfang Jin, and Xiao Junci also entered.

Seeing the two, Duchess Chen hurriedly rose to welcome them.

Xiao Junci, with an air of arrogance, strolled to the main seat.

His gaze, sharp as a hawk’s, immediately fell upon Lady Nan Xiu at the tables, then shifted toward the wine pot on her table.

Without a word exchanged, their eyes met briefly in the air and quickly parted, as if the two had never known each other at all.