Chapter 472: Chapter 474: The Invitation Turmoil
Certainly, obtaining a mid-grade weapon presupposes that Feng Bailing can buy Heavenly Stone at this auction.
Feng Bailing pondered; Dugu Xiaojin’s birthday was also approaching, it was about time to give the child a surprise.
Moreover, tonight’s auction at Xiankelai was about to begin, why hadn’t Dugu Wu come with the invitation to "invite" her, the official Princess Consort, to attend together?
The horse carriage was about to depart for Prince Shun’s Mansion, when a displeasing voice came from outside.
"Isn’t this Princess Consort Wu?"
The carriage was passing by Feng Mansion, where coincidentally there was another carriage outside.
Lady Nan Feng and Feng Luochen were just about to board their carriage; seeing the carriage of Wu Royal Mansion, Lady Nan Feng called the carriage to a halt and proactively stepped forward to greet them.
Feng Bailing glanced at Lady Nan Feng.
This woman was dressed in an enchantingly trailing long gown, her features delicate, exuding a rich and glamorous air. It seemed she was going to attend the auction, right?
And with Feng Zhao’an no less. Feng Bailing was somewhat surprised; the Feng Mansion actually had an invitation too, it seemed very likely due to Lady Nan Feng’s connections.
Feigning surprise, Lady Nan Feng asked,
"Princess Consort Wu, why are you still here? It looks like you don’t plan on attending the auction tonight?"
Feng Bailing detected the implied meaning in her words.
Glancing at Feng Zhao’an, who also looked mockingly at Feng Bailing and her son,
"It seems I wasn’t wrong before. Half an hour ago at Zuixian Inn, I saw Prince Wu walking with a lady towards Xiankelai. Ah, the invitation to the Underworld Market is only for two. Otherwise, I could have taken you there to have a look."
Lady Nan Feng purposely took out the black and gold invitation.
Feng Bailing hadn’t seen Dugu Wu at all today.
This guy hadn’t mentioned the invitation; could it be that he really took another woman?
Feng Bailing’s molars itched with irritation.
"Father isn’t really going to the auction with Mother?"
Dugu Xiaojin, standing beside her, was very anxious, secretly feeling sorry for his mother and somewhat angry at his father.
He had also heard that Heavenly Stone would be sold at the auction, and the event was to be held tonight, yet up to now he had still not seen his father and the invitation.
"Who said I’m not going to the auction? Who decided that I can only go with Prince Wu? I will take Xiaojin with me to broaden his horizons," said Feng Bailing, smiling.
"Mother, are you really taking me to the auction?"
Dugu Xiaojin was both surprised and delighted upon hearing this.
But he was also worried; Mother didn’t have an invitation.
"Of course, it’s true. We have some private savings; this time we will keep it a secret from your father and buy some Heavenly Stone to take back."
Feng Bailing pinched Dugu Xiaojin’s little cheeks, which were red and plump from excitement, feeling particularly good to the touch.
Feng Bailing could clearly see the purpose behind Nalan Yan’er buying a Sleeve Sword for Dongfang Jin—to publicize the Crown Prince Mansion having Heavenly Stone-forged weapons, so that during the Competition Among Ten Countries, individuals from other nations would be wary of the Crown Prince Mansion.
As for the Underworld Market, through Dongfang Jin’s Sleeve Sword, it also indirectly publicized the fact that Underworld Market could forge Heavenly Stone weapons, surely attracting many more buyers for Underworld Market’s weapons in the future.
"What a splendid Underworld Market, what a meticulous Crown Prince Mansion. I can overlook your surreptitious schemes, but using Xiaojin as a touchstone, I will never let your conspiracy succeed."
A crafty glint flashed through Feng Bailing’s eyes.
She simply had to attend tonight’s auction.
She had to see for herself with which "vixen" Dugu Wu would be attending the auction!
Watching the horse carriage leave, Lady Nan Feng curled her lips.
"An invitation to the Underworld Market is the sole criterion for attending the auction. I really want to see their embarrassing looks when they’re blocked outside without invitations."
Feng Luochen was also filled with anticipation, knowing that Dugu Wu would be furious if he found out that Feng Bailing was shamelessly attempting to attend the auction.
As evening fell, Xiankelai Inn, the largest inn in Chu City.
Since the Underworld Market’s auction was to be held here, Xiankelai had been booked out by the rich and powerful Underworld Market several days in advance.
During these days, the doors of Xiankelai were tightly closed, accessible only to those affiliated with the Underworld Market.
Under the bright lanterns, guests steadily entered Xiankelai.
Elder Liu stood outside the inn, greeting guests from all over with a smile.
The guests, arriving in pairs and full of expectation, were all eager to secure treasures at tonight’s auction.
Feng Bailing arrived at the entrance of Xiankelai with Dugu Xiaojin. Among the guests that night, all were dignitaries with exquisite attire, and in such a crowd Feng Bailing and Dugu Xiaojin stood out somewhat awkwardly.
Elder Liu glanced at both of them and, seeing that they were not holding invitations, did not pay them any attention.
Just as Feng Bailing was about to present her VIP card, a carriage with red wheels stopped next to Feng Bailing and her child.
Upon seeing the carriage, Elder Liu, who had been waiting at the entrance, greeted them with a beaming smile.
Crown Prince Dongfang Yu alighted from the carriage first, followed by Nalan Yan’er.
A handsome man and a beautiful woman, dressed for the occasion, they immediately drew the attention of many, with Dongfang Yu conversing amiably with Elder Liu.
Nalan Yan’er caught sight of Feng Bailing and her child standing alone to the side.
With a lift of her lips, she hadn’t expected Feng Bailing to arrive not with Dugu Wu and furthermore empty-handed. Mockery filled her heart as she flaunted her invitation, and she approached deliberately.
"Isn’t that Princess Consort Wu? How come it’s the two of you coming together?"
She asked with feigned concern.
"This is the Underworld Market’s auction, attended by distinguished guests from various countries. Feng Bailing, neither talented in literature nor accomplished in martial arts, and her family destitute, I believe Prince Wu is worried she’d embarrass herself, so he refused to accompany her here."
A voice filled with scorn and mockery followed as Prince Mu’s carriage also stopped, with Prince Mu and Princess Anyang holding invitations as they walked over.
Princess Anyang had had a quarrel with Feng Bailing and Dongfang Li in the Imperial Palace, and the tension had yet to dissipate. She had long held a grudge against Feng Bailing, and now, in such a crowded occasion, naturally wouldn’t miss the chance to suppress Feng Bailing.
"Is this the Princess Consort Wu?"
Elder Liu, seeing Feng Bailing and noticing her fair appearance, couldn’t help but take a few more glances.
However, seeing that her forehead bore nothing and Prince Wu was nowhere to be seen, it was apparent that this Princess Consort Wu was as out of favor as the rumors suggested.
Elder Liu, a man influenced by status, took another look and noticed that Feng Bailing and Dugu Xiaojin had nothing in their hands. His face immediately fell.
"Princess Consort Wu, where is your invitation? Without an invitation, you cannot participate in the auction."
It was then that the onlookers, especially Nalan Yan’er and Princess Anyang, noticed that Feng Bailing and her child indeed had no invitation!