Fu Yixiao observed for a while, her initially tense heart gradually relaxing. Guyu’s techniques were straightforward—a punch was just a punch, and a kick was just a kick. Xuan Xiang consistently avoided confrontation, preferring to dodge and evade. The spectators in the stands had begun to murmur their dissatisfaction.
Feng Suige’s lips curved slightly—the fact that even a simple doorkeeper from the Prince’s estate could display such impressive boxing skills would serve as a deterrent to those harboring ill intentions.
After watching a bit longer, Feng Suige’s smile faded. Given Xuan Xiang’s abilities, he shouldn’t be performing this poorly. He must be stalling, waiting for Guyu to exhaust his strength. “Guyu, finish him quickly,” Feng Suige called out sternly.
Guyu’s punches instantly doubled in force. Xuan Xiang was caught off guard and unable to defend himself. Forced to retreat several steps to distance himself from Guyu and regroup, he suddenly heard the gong sound—he had unknowingly stepped out of the arena’s boundaries.
According to the rules, the match was over. Xuan Xiang had lost.
Before the official could announce the result, Feng Suige rose, his sleeves billowing. “Xuan Xiang has committed a serious offense. Not only did he fail to show remorse, but he also deliberately provoked the Prince Consort. Now he has lost the match as well. Therefore, today’s defeat should not only result in his loss but also in stripping him of his military rank, never to be reinstated! I request Father King to issue the decree.” The fewer such powerful individuals in court, the better.
A wave of shock swept through the venue. Xuan Xiang hadn’t anticipated such severe consequences. He immediately fell to his knees, bowing to Feng Qishan as if seeking help, “May the King show wisdom…”
Feng Qishan hesitated but nodded, “Let it be done according to the Prince’s wishes.”
Resentment instantly flashed in Xuan Xiang’s eyes. Guyu, who had been standing dazed since the gong sounded, clearly hadn’t grasped what had transpired. He stammered and reached out to help Xuan Xiang, “It’s okay. Next time, you can come find me, and we’ll win it back slowly.”
Xuan Xiang suddenly raised his hand, flinging a handful of dust and sand into Guyu’s face. The sudden change happened so quickly that no one had time to react. Everyone outside the arena froze.
Xuan Xiang drew a concealed dagger from his boot and leaped up with murderous intent, lunging toward the roaring Guyu, who was rubbing his eyes.
Amidst the shocked gasps, Guyu, completely unaware of his surroundings, seemed unable to avoid this vicious attack coming straight at him—when suddenly, an arrow pierced through Xuan Xiang’s back, emerging from his chest.
Such a powerful bow, such a swift arrow, such precise aim!
Everyone was stunned by this scene.
In an instant, just an instant, Xuan Xiang was dead, shot by an arrow in the arena. The arrow had entered through his back, and everyone followed the direction of the arrow’s tail to its source.
Standing beside Feng Suige was an archer dressed in snow white. Despite the many eyes upon her, she maintained an air of aloof pride. In the intense sunlight, it seemed as if a faint glow emanated from her body.
Feng Qishan had already risen in shock and now bellowed in rage, “Fu Yixiao, you dare shoot and kill our national soldier in front of me! What crime have you committed!”
“What crime have I committed? Is this the martial way of Susha, to use such despicable means to harm an opponent in the arena?” Yixiao, truly angered, confronted him head-on, refusing to yield.
“The judgment had not been passed. Xuan Xiang was still a military officer of Susha, and he hadn’t harmed anyone,” Feng Qishan sneered. “Yet you directly shot him dead!”
“Yixiao, you mustn’t openly defy Father King—the civil and military officials are all present. They’ve always been looking for faults in you. Now, you’re liable to be punished for the slightest mistake!” Feng Suige gripped her wrist tightly, urging her desperately.
“If I hadn’t shot, Guyu would have been in danger. Everyone saw it. Why does everyone side with Xuan Xiang and blame me?” Yixiao had lost all reason in her anger. Her piercing gaze locked onto Feng Qishan, still seated on his throne. “It was the same at Your Highness’s wedding. If Xuan Xiang had provoked the King that day, I suppose he would have been killed on the spot, wouldn’t he?”
A wave of astonished murmurs swept through the crowd. Feng Suige drew in a sharp breath, using all his strength to restrain the struggling Yixiao. “Don’t be reckless. No one can openly challenge Father King. This is a grave disrespect.”
“When one wishes to condemn, excuses are never lacking. If he’s determined to punish me, killing Xuan Xiang is already a capital offense,” Yixiao suddenly stopped struggling and said coldly.
The surrounding pavilions, occupied by court officials, had already begun to voice their disapproval of Fu Yixiao’s blatant insolence. Although Xuan Xiang’s tactics against Guyu had been extremely despicable, in Susha, those who dared to openly defy Feng Qishan were few and far between, let alone challenge him.
Guyu, still blinded by the sand, had sensed the tense atmosphere in the arena despite his dimwittedness. He waved his arms wildly, eyes closed, and shouted hoarsely, “It wasn’t the Consort, it was the General!”
“Silence!” Feng Qishan roared. “A mere commoner, you have no right to speak here! Guards! Take this commoner who dares to make a commotion before me and give him two hundred lashes!”
“Father King,” Feng Suige finally couldn’t hold back, “Although Xuan Xiang didn’t harm Guyu, his intentions were clear. Guyu is naturally slow-witted and didn’t mean to offend Your Majesty. I request that Father King hand this matter over to the Ministry of Justice. I will handle it impartially, without favoritism!”
“Then how shall we account for Fu Yixiao’s defiance of me?” Feng Qishan asked coldly. Feng Suige hesitated, but Yixiao had already spoken solemnly, “If the matter of Xuan Xiang can be handled fairly, I am willing to apologize for my earlier offense…”
“An apology won’t be necessary,” Feng Qishan suddenly smiled. “After all, you are Suige’s favored consort. I needn’t quarrel with a mere woman…” Immediately, a military officer stood up and loudly proclaimed, “I find this inappropriate. The King’s mercy is Susha’s fortune, but if Your Majesty doesn’t punish the Consort, I fear it will be difficult to establish authority in the eyes of the world!”
As soon as he finished speaking, a chorus of agreement arose. Feng Qishan feigned contemplation for a moment before reluctantly saying, “Very well, but for Suige’s sake, I will be somewhat lenient. Do any of you ministers have objections?” A wave of praise and flattery immediately followed.
Feng Suige trembled with anger, but Fu Yixiao had already calmed down. “I lost my temper earlier—they won’t easily let go of such an opportunity. If we try to suppress this, it might only damage your reputation.” Feng Suige said regretfully, “I don’t care about reputation. I promised to protect you.”
Yixiao freed herself from his grasp and smiled brightly. “Your words are enough—it won’t be a severe punishment. I might as well face it openly, to avoid tarnishing Jinxiu’s reputation.” She then removed her bow and quiver, handed them to him, and walked away.
Feng Qishan watched Fu Yixiao kneel before his seat with an inscrutable smile. After a long moment, he declared imperiously, “To maintain discipline in the court—guards, take the Consort to the training ground and tie her to a wooden post until sunset, as a warning to all!”
“Father King!” Feng Suige, who had followed, shouted angrily. “Yixiao is to participate in the archery competition tomorrow!” Feng Qishan merely glanced at him indifferently. “Suige, don’t be foolish. I’m already being very lenient. If she weren’t your secondary consort, I would have ordered her beheaded long ago.”
Yixiao didn’t resist, allowing Susha’s soldiers to bind and lead her away. She knew that if she refused to accept this punishment, it would be seen as defiance, playing right into Feng Qishan’s hands and causing even more trouble. She just needed to endure… just endure this afternoon.
As she passed Feng Suige, she smiled and tossed out a sentence, “It seems I’ll have a hard time winning tomorrow. You’d better start making other plans!”