CHAPTER 412: CHAPTER 414: THE INFERTILE NOBLE CONSORT GUO

Prince Li is set to marry his first princess consort, a piece of news that somewhat surprised Feng Bailing.

The story has to start with Feng Ruoyan. One day, the Dragon Trap Formation trapped several princes within the Crown Prince Mansion.

Though they were later rescued without harm, Feng Ruoyan’s legs became useless, and she also lost her fertility.

Noble Princess Consort Xiao discarded her back to the Feng Mansion without hesitation.

At first, Feng Zhan Tian was not pleased, but after Noble Princess Consort Xiao gave him 200,000 taels and promised to let him continue as an imperial merchant with a few more shops, Feng Zhan Tian changed his stance and even ignored his daughter’s life and death, accepting the divorce letter from Prince Li Residence.

Thus, there were no women left around Prince Li.

The Empress passed away, and Noble Princess Consort Xiao planned to marry off her relation to Prince Mu, paving her way to claim the position of Empress.

Prince Mu had offended the Emperor because of the Empress and thus lost favor.

In order to regain the Emperor’s favor, Prince Mu agreed to marry his daughter, Princess Anyang, to Prince Li.

Princess Anyang admired Dugu Wu and was naturally unwilling, but she was also not young anymore.

Dugu Wu already had the challenging Princess Consort Wu Feng Bailing. Entering Shunqing Prince Manor was impossible. Princess Anyang thought since Prince Li was still a prince and also handsome, only by marrying Prince Li could she overshadow Feng Bailing, so she agreed.

"It’s quite pitiful when it comes to Prince Li. For this marriage, nobody asked if he wanted it or not."

Ouyang Chenchen also heard about this and couldn’t help but feel emotional.

"In the royal family, marriage is merely a balancing of interests."

Feng Bailing shook her head.

She neither sympathized with Feng Ruoyan nor with Prince Li; like her former self, they were just sacrifices in the power struggle.

Ouyang Chenchen listened and felt somewhat gloomy.

While they were speaking, they saw Feng Xiaoli running over.

"Xiaoli, why did you run over to Yuxiu Academy?"

Feng Bailing said in surprise.

"It was Princess Consort Shun brought me here to see if Noble Consort Guo could have a baby."

Feng Xiaoli said innocently.

Feng Xiaoli was brought to the Imperial Academy by Princess Consort Shun, not to see Fan Bailing, but to see the sister of Princess Consort Shunqing, Noble Consort Guo.

After the Empress died, the Eastern Palace was vacant.

Initially, Noble Princess Consort Xiao thought she was absolutely going to be the Empress, as she was the only Noble Consort in the harem.

However, not long after, Emperor Yongye made Guo Consort into Noble Consort Guo, which greatly infuriated Noble Princess Consort Xiao.

The position of Empress became undecided, and at this time, Noble Princess Consort Xiao arranged for Prince Li to marry Princess Anyang, also as a way to gather more support for herself.

After all, Noble Consort Guo’s father was Sacrificial Officer Guo, a man of literary talent who did not value fame or wealth. Noble Consort Guo was like her father, detached from worldly desires, childless, usually only fond of poetry and painting, and she even specially asked Emperor Yongye to allow her to teach in the Yuxiu Academy.

It was her non-contentious nature that had made Emperor Yongye favor her for so many years.

Previously due to the affair involving Princess Mingxia, Feng Bailing and Noble Consort Guo did not have much interaction, and after Princess Mingxia and Feng Bailing reconciled, Noble Consort Guo was still cold towards Feng Bailing.

Princess Consort Shun taking Xiaoli to visit Noble Consort Guo was a surprise to Feng Bailing.

At this time, Princess Consort Shunqing was in the Wangyue Pavilion trying hard to persuade Noble Consort Guo.

Noble Consort Guo had just finished a painting lesson and was busying herself tidying up her brushes and ink.

Though a noble consort, she wore no accessories, simple as if she were just a common female teacher.

"Little sister, this time you must listen to me. Your womb must prove itself; if you give birth to a Dragon Son, the position of Empress could be within reach."

"Big sister, don’t say any more. Over the years, you have wasted quite a bit of money because of this womb of mine. I just can’t conceive, and even the Imperial Physician couldn’t find any hidden ailments in me. Let alone relying on the words of a little girl."

Noble Consort Guo laughed.

She did not believe in the supernatural.

"This time you must believe it. Feng Xiaoli is truly a living Buddha. Yesterday, I bet on horse racing. She said I would win, and I really did. She even precisely predicted the amount of money I would win. I originally planned to visit you at the palace today, but she told me to find you at Yuxiu Academy, and here you are, having decided to take a class here on a whim. If she says you can get pregnant, you will definitely be able to conceive."

Princess Consort Shunqing rambled on.

Noble Consort Guo couldn’t help but give a wry laugh.

"This favor, Xiao Li can’t help with. However, I could have a look for Noble Consort Guo."

Feng Bailing came over holding her daughter.

Naturally, Feng Bailing would not let Feng Xiaoli use her ’crows mouth’ again; this concerned a little life, a responsibility Feng Xiaoli couldn’t bear.

Noble Consort Guo saw that Feng Bailing’s expression was still indifferent, but she showed a fondness for Feng Xiaoli who was in Feng Bailing’s arms.

Indeed, Noble Consort Guo was very fond of children, but having never been able to conceive, she had given up all hope.

Even though Feng Bailing had cured Princess Mingxia’s muteness, Noble Consort Guo’s impression of Feng Bailing was still very ordinary because Feng Bailing was only a nominal disciple of the academy director.

The director had granted Feng Bailing permission not to attend classes at Yuxiu Academy every day, thus she only went to the academy a few times a month.

This led to rumors within Yuxiu Academy that Feng Bailing was abusing her privileges, and the female teachers there generally had a poor impression of her, including Noble Consort Guo.

"Can you also treat infertility? Then come and check on my sister, she has been in the palace for over twenty years and has failed to conceive."

Princess Consort Shunqing eagerly said.

"I’m not sick, and I don’t seek treatment."

Noble Consort Guo said and turned to leave.

"Noble Consort Guo, this painting..."

Feng Bailing noticed a finished painting behind Noble Consort Guo, depicting the water lilies outside Wangyue Pavilion, the subject of today’s lesson.

Feng Bailing reached out to touch the painting, but Noble Consort Guo coldly said.

"You don’t understand painting; don’t dirty it."

"This painting is quite well done, it’s just that the pigments are inferior, failing to capture the beauty of summer water lilies. If oil paint were used for coloring, it would be perfect."

Feng Bailing was actually not very knowledgeable about paintings.

However, when he was taking care of patients in the battlefields once, he had encountered an elderly well-known painter who had told him a bit about painting.

Great Chu’s climate was relatively humid, which made ink paintings prone to fading, and pigments were also very scarce, mostly ground from colored plants.

Feng Bailing regretted his words immediately after saying them, realizing he spoke of oil painting, how could an ancient person like Noble Consort Guo understand.

Surprisingly, Noble Consort Guo said something astonishing.

"You understand oil painting too?"

"You know about oil painting?"

Feng Bailing was even more surprised.

"Madam Dugu mentioned it to me before. She’s also my art master."

It turned out that Noble Consort Guo also knew Lady Dugu, Feng Bailing was delighted and quickly grabbed Noble Consort Guo’s hand, chatting while also checking her health.