Feng Xiyang lay there, gazing quietly at the clouds drifting across the blue sky through gaps in the branches and leaves.
In fact, during these days, she had been observing Fu Yi Xiao, both openly and discreetly.
That Fu Yi Xiao who spoke as coarsely as a man, who could sit down carelessly even if the ground was dirty, who would angrily chase after Feng Suige after being teased, who brandished a knife fiercely at her and the Holy Emperor, who panted heavily as she carried her back to camp after climbing the mountain… If it weren’t for that resolute departing figure, she still wouldn’t understand how she could have lost to such a woman.
Although she didn’t know exactly what had happened, from Yi Xiao’s tone, she could tell that the situation below was dangerous. If that was truly the case, her rushing down would be of no help—or rather, it could be said she was going to her death.
If it were herself, even if she was anxious, she would only wait here, waiting for whatever outcome, good or bad, to arrive.
So, what that man wanted wasn’t the intimacy of “a jug of wine among flowers, your smiling face always by my side,” nor was it the tenderness of “a cup of tea by the desk, reading with you through the night.” What he wanted was a companion who could stand shoulder to shoulder with him, looking down on the world…
She had lost.
The sounds of war drums and shouts that were faintly audible before suddenly disappeared at some point, leaving only a vast emptiness. She withdrew her gaze from the clouds, listened intently for a while, and finally gave up, closing her eyes to rest again.
If she could escape safely, after recovering from her injuries, she still wanted to try once more. She was still young; perhaps everything could start anew…
She was so tired. How could she catch up with his merciless steps?
Leaving the horses and extra manpower at the foot of the mountain, Feng Suige selected a few strong guards and found a relatively gentle shortcut to begin climbing towards the summit. Although he didn’t understand what had happened between the Prince and the Junior Consort, Feng Suige’s gloomy expression made everyone as quiet as cicadas in winter. Yi Xiao, however, displayed an unusually calm demeanor, following silently at the rear.
Regardless of the current situation, based on her understanding of the Brocade Empire’s military, as long as His Highness agreed to return to the Holy City, he would be able to smoothly take the throne. Wei Ran and Ning Fei would continue to serve by His Highness’s side, and Xue Ying would give birth to a healthy, lively child. Everything would eventually work out, and she should wake up from that dream.
For her, the bits of happiness she had experienced before were already an enormous luxury. She had nothing else left to lose. So, even though she was reluctant, she would calmly await the outcome.
As she walked through waist-high mountain grass, lost in thought, Yi Xiao suddenly saw a white mountain flower that had been trampled down ahead. Its once-blooming flower crown was now pitifully lying on the ground. She hesitated for a moment, then crouched down to prop it up. Just as she was trying to secure it with nearby grass leaves, she suddenly heard a rush of footsteps. Startled, she looked up, and before she could understand what was happening, Feng Suige, who had come running back, collided with her head-on. With a yelp, she fell backward, while Feng Suige stumbled and tumbled quite a distance before coming to a stop.
Before she could get up, Feng Suige was already roaring, “What are you doing crouching here without a sound?!” Yi Xiao had just risen from the ground when she heard this and retorted with her hands on her hips, “You ran back and knocked me over without warning, and you’re asking me what I’m doing here?”
“Do you have any brains?! If I hadn’t suddenly lost sight of you…” At this point, Feng Suige’s angry voice suddenly disappeared. He got up from the ground, fuming, walked over, and roughly grabbed Yi Xiao’s arm. “Let’s go!”
“Wait,” Yi Xiao struggled to hold him back. “Just a moment.” She pulled her hand from Feng Suige’s grasp, crouched down to gather the surrounding grass leaves to support the broken flower, and then stood up. “Okay, let’s go.”
Feng Suige took her hand again and walked forward in silence. Yi Xiao couldn’t help but smile, gently squeezing his broad palm. Feng Suige gave her a surprised look but didn’t speak, though his grip tightened.
Watching the Cavalry General walk toward Xia Jingshi’s group, the Yulin Guard Commander turned back to see the Holy Emperor still standing dazed nearby. He hesitantly said in a low voice, “Your Majesty, perhaps it would be better to wait until we return to the capital to…” The Holy Emperor suddenly jumped as if awakening from a trance. “This must be a trick by the rebels. If I fall for it, Xia Jingshi will take this opportunity to escape. The late Emperor’s edict was written so clearly, it couldn’t possibly have been altered!”
“But even the Cavalry Division has been mobilized. The news must have spread. If Your Majesty doesn’t return to the capital quickly to clarify the situation, I’m afraid…” Before he could finish, the Holy Emperor had already turned around in a rage, shouting, “Did you not hear what I said?! Hurry and capture Xia Jingshi!!”
The Yulin Guard Commander hesitated for a moment, then finally sighed and bowed, saying, “The Yulin Guard has always been responsible for protecting the Emperor. Therefore, please forgive me for not being able to follow your order. However, until the situation becomes clear, I will do my utmost to ensure Your Majesty’s safety.” As he spoke, he slowly backed away. As his words faded, he spun around and ordered the Yulin Guard soldiers to cease their confrontation with the Cavalry Army and begin rescuing the wounded soldiers from the earlier battle.
“…After capturing the Empress Dowager, the old general, in addition to ordering the sealing of information in the capital, also commanded us to follow the Yulin Army’s marching route to search for His Highness’s whereabouts. We must ensure His Highness’s safe return to the capital to take charge of the situation and avenge the late Emperor and Consort Xuan,” the Cavalry General said in one breath, then looked up hopefully at the slightly stunned Xia Jingshi. “Your Highness, the Emperor is narrow-minded and jealous of talent…”
Hearing this, Xia Jingshi suddenly interrupted him, asking softly, “You’re saying that my father and mother were both murdered…” “This subject was present in the court at the time and heard the old Prime Minister say it with my ears,” the Cavalry General pressed his lips together and continued, “The old Prime Minister said that the late Emperor was poisoned, and Consort Xuan was also framed by that evil Empress, perishing in a sea of flames. Your Highness, regardless of whether this is true or false, we all hope that Your Highness can take the throne!”
After a long silence, Xia Jingshi’s gaze slowly turned towards the distant purple-encircled formation. He said, enunciating each word clearly, “I will return with you.”