The Holy Emperor strolled by the lotus pond, with Feng Xiyang following closely behind, her mind racing with wild guesses. She heard the Holy Emperor ask, “Do you know why I’m helping you?” Xiyang hesitated, then shook her head, saying, “Xiyang doesn’t know,” even though she wasn’t sure if he could see her.
“It’s not just about helping you; I’m also doing this for myself,” the Holy Emperor said. “You may not have experienced Fu Yixiao’s tactics firsthand, but surely you’ve heard about them from the Empress Dowager?” He turned to glance at her, continuing, “Not only has Xia Jingshi been deceived by her, but Feng Suige is also wrapped around her finger. Yet, the one she truly loves is someone else.”
All the information in Xiyang’s mind froze for a moment. She asked bewilderedly, “Who is it?” The Holy Emperor didn’t answer directly, instead saying with a slight smirk, “There’s something Xia Jingshi can’t give her, but she can get it from your royal brother. Do you understand what she wants?”
“What does she want?” Xiyang suddenly felt like a parrot, stupidly repeating the Holy Emperor’s words. “Hasn’t she… always loved my husband?”
“Love? If it were love, why didn’t she marry Xia Jingshi?” The Holy Emperor sneered. “Xia Jingshi is merely a stepping stone she’s discarded, and Feng Suige is just her backup plan. Once that person succeeds, Fu Yixiao will undoubtedly abandon Feng Suige…”
“Who is that person?” At this point, Xiyang forgot about etiquette and interrupted the Holy Emperor. “What exactly do they want?” “Under heaven, all traitors and rebels covet the throne, and what she’s eyeing is nothing but the empress’s crown,” the Holy Emperor’s eyes flashed sharply. “That person, Princess, you’ve met before and should be quite familiar with. He’s Fu Yixiao’s childhood sweetheart—Ning Fei!”
Feng Xiyang shuddered, struggling to speak, “How can it be him? Isn’t he Ling Xueying’s husband? Isn’t Ling Xueying her close friend?” “Heh,” the Holy Emperor chuckled, “Everyone has weaknesses—fame, profit, love, or desire. Just as no deal can’t be negotiated if the stakes are high enough, do you think she wouldn’t comply?”
A vague thought flashed through her mind like a shooting star, too quick to grasp before it dissipated. But in Feng Xiyang’s heart, anger had taken over. She stamped her foot angrily, “No wonder they’ve been targeting me at every turn. It’s utterly despicable! I must write to Father King and tell him everything…” “There’s no need to alarm the King,” the Holy Emperor stared into her eyes, enunciating each word, “All we need to do now is wait for the right moment.”
As Feng Xiyang froze, the Holy Emperor smiled confidently, “Once Xia Jingshi sees through Fu Yixiao’s malicious intentions, do you think he won’t understand who truly cares for him in this world?” Xiyang suddenly understood, exclaiming happily, “I see now. Thank you for your guidance, Your Majesty. I’ll go find my husband right away…”
“Wait,” the Holy Emperor stopped her. “Now is not the time to tell him.” Seeing Feng Xiyang’s wide-eyed, uncertain look, the Holy Emperor sighed softly. He rolled up his sleeve, bent down to pluck a blooming pink lotus from the pond, and handed it to Xiyang. “I don’t know how King Feng managed to raise such a pure flower like you in this murky imperial garden…”
Feng Xiyang instinctively took the lotus, a confused look flashing in her eyes. Before she could decipher the meaning behind his words, the smiling Holy Emperor suddenly became serious, shouting, “Who’s there?” while looking sharply towards a blue shadow that had silently emerged on the left.
Xiyang followed the Holy Emperor’s gaze, her hand trembling. The pink lotus fell to her feet with a soft thud. “Husband, you’re back!”
Xia Jingshi’s gaze locked with the Holy Emperor’s until he was close. Only then did he look away, saying coolly, “So it’s Your Majesty visiting.” As he was about to bow, the Holy Emperor raised his hand gently, “How many times have I said, we’re family? This isn’t the court, there’s no need for such formalities.”
Xia Jingshi slightly avoided the gesture and bowed anyway. The Holy Emperor’s hand, left hanging in mid-air, quickly recovered. He bent down to pick up the fallen lotus and handed it back to Xiyang, smiling, “Hold it carefully, don’t drop it again.” Xiyang hesitated for a moment, softly saying “Thank you, Your Majesty,” before lowering her head and walking back behind Xia Jingshi.
The three stood in awkward silence for a moment. The Holy Emperor coughed lightly, “I should be heading back now. Do visit the palace more often when you’re free. The Empress Dowager often thinks of you.” Without waiting for Xia Jingshi’s response, he turned to Feng Xiyang, “About that unfinished chess game we discussed earlier, I’ll set it up for you again tomorrow at the Empress Dowager’s.” Seeing Xiyang nod, the Holy Emperor said no more and left along the winding path.
Silence.
Even the gentle breeze that had been blowing seemed to suffocate in this awkward atmosphere, disappearing without a trace. The air itself grew stifling.
Xiyang stole a glance at Xia Jingshi, noticing his displeased expression. Feeling even more uneasy, she thought for a moment before explaining, “The Empress Dowager was feeling unwell today, and she was worried I might be bored. It just happened that His Majesty was going on an inspection, so…” Xia Jingshi turned to look at her indifferently, “I didn’t ask about this. Why are you so eager to explain?”
Feng Xiyang was suddenly at a loss for words, feeling both embarrassed and angry. Looking down at the lotus in her hand, she didn’t know what to do. After a moment of silence, Xia Jingshi suddenly asked, “Where is Ning Fei?” Feng Xiyang looked up at him in surprise, “Ning Fei? Didn’t he go to Shusha with Ling Xueying?”
Xia Jingshi stared at her intently. Seeing that her expression didn’t seem feigned, he sighed and briefly explained, “Someone reported seeing Ning Fei enter Mingde Palace gates two mornings ago, but I haven’t received any news of his return. So I came to check.” Feng Xiyang, remembering the Holy Emperor’s words, felt her heart skip a beat. However, she calmly replied, “Perhaps they saw wrong… Husband, has Military Advisor Xiao’s condition improved?”
Xia Jingshi made a sound of acknowledgment and said gently, “Weiran has fully regained consciousness. The physician says he’ll be able to walk after a few more days of recuperation. As for you, I heard from the palace staff that you haven’t been feeling well lately. Don’t move around too much these days. Get some good rest.”
Hearing his gentle words, Feng Xiyang felt a warmth in her heart, and tears threatened to spill. Afraid of displeasing him again, she only dared to keep her head lowered, saying, “Thank you for your concern, husband. Xiyang will take good care of herself.”
“Mm, that’s all then. If you hear any news about Ning Fei, send someone to inform me…” As Xia Jingshi was about to turn and leave, Feng Xiyang froze for a moment. Then, with unexpected courage, she rushed forward to stop him. “Husband, please listen to Xiyang’s words!”
Xia Jingshi’s lips twitched slightly. “If it’s more of that nonsense, there’s no need to say it.” “It’s not,” Xiyang pleaded. “Xiyang just wants to remind husband to be careful of those around you. Don’t let ill-intentioned people take advantage of you.”
“Take advantage?” Xia Jingshi narrowed his eyes sharply. “Have you heard something?” “Not exactly,” Xiyang stammered. “It’s just… Xiyang just feels that husband is kind-hearted by nature and easily deceived by villains…”
Xia Jingshi listened quietly, then interrupted her, “You might as well speak plainly, so I can be on guard early.” Xiyang hesitated for a moment, then looked up at him. “Will husband believe me?” Xia Jingshi nodded, “If what you say is true, why wouldn’t I believe you?”
After a long hesitation, Xiyang slowly said, “Ning Fei, and… Fu Yixiao.”