346: Interesting situation

After hearing Feng Ming's analysis, everyone suddenly understood. Jiang Bing couldn't help but praise, 'The Xun Luoyuan truly lives up to being King Xibei's daughter. Her mind is meticulous, she even thought of this.'

The others all agreed, but Zhang Bai was still frowning, full of doubts. 'That's not right. If the Xun Luoyuan really had our best interests at heart, she shouldn't have invited anyone. Why did she specifically invite you alone?'

'This way, aren't you in danger?'

Everyone was also very puzzled, so their gazes once again converged on Feng Ming.

Seeing Zhang Bai still looking like he didn't believe he hadn't hooked up with the Xun Luoyuan, Feng Ming sighed helplessly and said, 'This is the difference between caring and not caring.'

Zhang Bai blinked, looking confused. 'What do you mean by that?'

Feng Ming chuckled. 'You've never been in love, so you don't understand. I can relate. Let me put it this way: whether it's during the dating phase or the ambiguous phase, as long as a man and woman have mutual affection, they'll pretend not to care about each other, yet they'll consider each other in everything.'

'The Xun Luoyuan seems like she didn't invite you because she doesn't care, but in reality, she's protecting you. I'm different. The Xun Luoyuan has no affection for me. Calling me to the banquet, she doesn't care if I become a thorn in the side of the two princes, nor does she care if I offend them.'

'To put it bluntly, the Xun Luoyuan's banquet is no good feast at all. She just wants to use me as cannon fodder to draw fire.'

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone was stunned. The Inn instantly fell silent.

A moment later, Jiang Bing suddenly slapped his thigh and praised loudly, 'Now that you mention it, it really is like that.'

Zhang Bai was dazed for a long while before coming back to his senses, but the worry on his face grew even thicker. Hanging his head, he said with a bitter face, 'But even so, if I can't see the Xun Luoyuan, how can I pursue her?'

Feng Ming chuckled. 'So I'll go for you. That way, the Xun Luoyuan will know your feelings. Otherwise, why do you think I'd go to such a dangerous event?'

'You like the Xun Luoyuan, but your rival is the Crown Prince. One wrong move and you could lose your life. As your big brother, I can't just stand by and watch. This time, I'll pretend I'm interested in the Xun Luoyuan and scout the way for you. If the Crown Prince doesn't do anything to me, it means he's magnanimous and can accept fair competition.'

'Then you can go for it without worry. On the other hand, if the Crown Prince is petty and tries to kill me, then you should give up. Your life is more important.'

'So, I'm doing all this for you.'

Upon hearing this, Zhang Bai was immediately overwhelmed with gratitude, tears welling up in his eyes. 'Brother Feng, how can I ever repay this great kindness?'

Feng Ming waved his hand. 'Don't be so formal. You've already acknowledged me as your big brother. How can I not help you out more?'

'Brother Feng... you're a true brother. I, Zhang Bai, acknowledge you as my big brother for life.'

Having successfully persuaded Zhang Bai, Feng Ming let out a long sigh of relief. Then, using the excuse of needing to go back and prepare, he returned to his room to rest first.

He left the group drinking downstairs by themselves. Although Lu Qianqian didn't hear anything wrong with Feng Ming's words, she felt an indescribable strangeness. She couldn't pinpoint exactly what was off.

The night was deep. In the back garden of the Xun Luoyuan's Mansion, only two palace lanterns were lit beside the stone table. The dim yellow light illuminated Xun Luoyuan's solitary figure as she drank alone. The clear wine in her cup shimmered with fine silver light.

A maidservant stepped forward lightly and whispered, 'Xun Luoyuan, it's been a long wait. Young Master Feng probably won't come. Why not return to your room and rest?'

Xun Luoyuan paused the hand holding the cup, looked toward the mansion gate, and said with certainty, 'Wait a little longer. I believe Feng Ming isn't lacking in that bit of courage.'

The maidservant didn't dare say more. She bowed and responded, 'Yes,' then retreated to the side.

After a moment, a guard was seen rushing over, kneeling on one knee to report, 'Xun Luoyuan, Feng Ming, Young Master Feng, and Feng Da have arrived!'

A hint of a smile flashed in Xun Luoyuan's eyes. She gently placed the wine cup on the stone table and said calmly, 'Invite them in.'

The guard accepted the order and retreated. In a short while, Feng Ming walked in slowly with Feng Da. The bluestone path was damp with night dew, and the hems of their clothes were slightly damp with cool moisture.

Upon seeing Xun Luoyuan, the two of them bowed in unison. 'Greetings, Xun Luoyuan.'

'You saved my life. No need for formalities. Sit.' Xun Luoyuan raised her hand in a gesture of support, her gaze falling on Feng Ming, indicating for him to sit opposite her.

Feng Ming didn't stand on ceremony and sat down directly. Feng Da stood by his side with his hands hanging down, not taking a seat.

Xun Luoyuan looked at him, the corner of her mouth slightly raised. 'I knew Young Master Feng wasn't a timid person. But there's one thing I want to ask: aren't you afraid that attending my banquet will offend the big shots in the Capital?'

Hearing this, Feng Ming chuckled lightly, his tone calm. 'Xun Luoyuan, you're mistaken. The banquet was set by you. I'm just a guest who accepted the invitation. After three rounds of drinks, I'll leave. It's just attending a banquet. How can that be considered offending anyone?'

'You know in your heart who you'll offend.' Xun Luoyuan picked up her wine cup, took a sip, and looked at him intently. 'Playing this kind of riddle with me isn't interesting.'

Feng Ming raised an eyebrow and said bluntly, 'Is the Xun Luoyuan referring to Crown Prince Yue Mang, or Third Prince Yue Han? If the Crown Prince holds a grudge just because I had a drink alone with you, then with such narrow-mindedness, it's hard for him to achieve great things.'

'As for the Moon Enthalpy, if he classifies me as part of the Crown Prince's faction based on this, then such a personality that judges people based on assumptions—offending him doesn't matter. He's not worth befriending deeply anyway.'

He paused briefly, his tone becoming even more frank. 'To be honest, I came to the Capital this time just to receive an imperial appointment. Once the decree is issued, I won't stay long. Even if I resign and return to my hometown, the vast Bright Moon Dynasty can accommodate me, Feng Ming. Why should I fear offending one or two princes?'

A flicker of surprise passed through Xun Luoyuan's eyes, then she smiled. 'Since you know the stakes, why did you still come? Could it be that Young Master Feng has taken a liking to me?'

As her words fell, she looked directly at Feng Ming, her gaze carrying a bit of playfulness and a bit of probing.

Feng Ming thought to himself, this Xun Luoyuan is decisive-minded and doesn't beat around the bush at all.

But on the surface, he still smiled and bowed. 'Xun Luoyuan, you're dashing and radiant, with beauty that topples cities. Any man in the world who sees you would inevitably be moved. But I already have a family and dare not have any greedy thoughts toward you.'

'Today, I came to the banquet for the sake of a brother of mine—the young man who rushed forward first to save you that day.'

'I'm not interested in him. No need to say more.' Xun Luoyuan raised her hand to interrupt, her tone indifferent, clearly unwilling to hear these trivial details.

Feng Ming smiled helplessly, thinking to himself: Little Zhang, I've done my best as your big brother. It's the Xun Luoyuan who doesn't fancy you. Can't blame me.

He composed his expression and changed the subject. 'Since the Xun Luoyuan doesn't want to talk about this, how about discussing the word 'game'?'

'Game?' Xun Luoyuan raised an eyebrow, becoming interested. 'Young Master Feng, do you have an interesting game to discuss with me?'