After enduring a night of cold wind, Yi Xiao was feeling dizzy but still forced herself to stay strong. Feng Suige sat down leisurely in front of her, “Did Major Fu rest well last night?”

“Thanks to Your Highness’s kindness, Yi Xiao rested extremely well,” Yi Xiao glanced at him and chuckled mockingly, “However, Your Highness looks as haggard as if you’ve just fought a battle. You must have been busy all night — I suppose when you were shot by an arrow back then, it was also due to overexertion that you couldn’t dodge in time?”

Feng Suige’s smug smile instantly froze on his face. He turned his head away in annoyance, just in time to see Yun Yi bringing two guards carrying a wooden bucket. He leaned back in his chair, suppressing his anger, “If Major Fu still hasn’t figured out how to speak up, let’s start with an appetizer.”

“It would be rude to refuse,” Yi Xiao pursed her dry lips, relaxing her body to hang limply on the wall.

The whip in Yun Yi’s hand twisted like a snake and lashed down with a whistle. Yi Xiao felt a heart-wrenching pain. As the initial shock subsided, the wound began to burn and sting. The pain stimulated her already dizzy mind, and for a moment, she was back to the day she endured military punishment.

He had said, “Whether you love or not is your own business. What does it have to do with me?”

If she had been clearheaded enough on that day, she should have cut off all her affections then and there.

A low laugh escaped from Yi Xiao’s mouth, startling everyone in the cell. Even Feng Suige stood up in surprise.

Yi Xiao suddenly raised her head, glaring fiercely at the now pale-faced Yun Yi, “You lowlife, did your master exhaust you too much last night? You don’t have any strength left!”

Yun Yi’s face grew even more unsightly. He struck twice as hard with the second lash, drawing blood and tearing flesh. Yi Xiao trembled so much she could barely speak clearly, yet she was still laughing, “That’s more like it.”

Perhaps it’s best to end everything today, she thought. Only, she wondered if death could truly provide a conclusion to all of this.

“Stop!” Feng Suige ordered Yun Yi, quickly walking to Yi Xiao. He looked at her in disbelief. He could swear he saw relief in Yi Xiao’s eyes.

She had deliberately provoked Yun Yi. She was seeking death.

Yun Yi dropped the whip and silently retreated behind him, his hands trembling slightly.

Feng Suige waved his hand, and everyone in the cell filed out like flowing water. He narrowed his eyes, his gaze seemingly trying to penetrate her soul, “You’d rather die than speak — what benefits did he give you to make you so loyal?”

Yi Xiao’s mind went blank for a moment, but she bit her lip and forced her eyes wide open to look at him, “Following him, I don’t have to worry about being turned into a military prostitute someday for making a mistake…”

Seeing this once lively woman remain so composed under such brutal torture, Feng Suige couldn’t help but feel a hint of admiration. However, hearing her words, he still angrily said, “If you want to die, I’ll grant your wish today!”

Yi Xiao only laughed once before she could no longer hold on and fell into darkness.

In Sushang country.

A curtain separated the inner sleeping chamber. Yi Xiao had been changed into clean white clothes and was lying on the bed. Her hair was black and shiny like silk, spread around the embroidered pillow. Her lightly pressed lips revealed a hint of drowsy confusion as if she were between sleep and wakefulness.

A young woman entered carrying a tray. She placed the medicine from the tray on a small table nearby, then turned to look at the person on the bed. When Yi Xiao was brought in, she not only had severe whip wounds but was also running a high fever. It was said she was just a prisoner, but — how could a mere prisoner be sent here?

Feeling her gaze, Yi Xiao slowly opened her eyes. She moved slightly, only to feel aches all over her body. She couldn’t help but sigh, “Am I not dead yet?”

“No,” the young woman sat down by the table with a light laugh, “You were close, but you were saved.”

Yi Xiao shifted her body a bit, examining the young woman. She had willow-like eyebrows and phoenix eyes, a jade nose, and cherry lips, with a golden ornament on her forehead, yet she wore ordinary clothes. “Who are you?”

Instead of answering, the young woman asked, “Who do you think I am?”

Yi Xiao frowned and looked away.

White gauze hung on the windows, and the walls were decorated with splashed-ink landscape paintings and elegant ink bamboo. A refined fragrance permeated the air. The small room was bright and clean, appearing particularly refreshing.

“Of all the cells I’ve seen, this one looks the most proper,” Yi Xiao struggled to sit up on her elbows, examining herself. Both of her wounds had been carefully bandaged. Although still painful, there was a cooling sensation, indicating that the medicine used was quite valuable. Perhaps due to weakness or having slept too long, she had no strength in her limbs.

“Does it still hurt?” the young woman watched her movements with interest. “The medicine applied to your wounds is the Sushang royal family’s sacred healing ointment, Black Jade Essence. It won’t leave any scars.”

Yi Xiao chuckled softly, “Are you playing some new game, Princess Xiyang?”

Hearing this, the young woman leaned close to the bed, almost touching Yi Xiao’s face, “Why do you think I’m Princess Xiyang?”

Yi Xiao stared at her without blinking, “No matter how ignorant Yi Xiao might be, I wouldn’t fail to recognize that the gold-inlaid dragonfly wing ornament is exclusive to royal ladies.”

She glanced sideways, “That only proves I’m from the royal family, not that I’m Princess Xiyang.”

Yi Xiao raised an eyebrow, “Does Sushang have a nobler lady more concerned about Jinxiu than Feng Xiyang?”

“I finally understand why my royal brother ordered to save you,” Feng Xiyang clapped her hands and laughed, “Your pride truly makes one unsure whether to hate or love you!”

“Xiyang?” Feng Suige’s voice abruptly interrupted, “Why are you here?”

Feng Xiyang stood up straight, smiling, “To visit the beauty on your behalf, of course!”

Feng Suige placed the medicine cup he was holding on the table and strode forward, pulling her a few steps away, “Don’t get so close to her. Aren’t you afraid she might take you hostage and escape?”

Feng Xiyang lazily freed herself from his grip, “Brother, do you think I don’t know what you’ve given her to eat?”

Feng Suige didn’t expect her to say this. He pressed his lips together and said to Feng Xiyang, “You go out first.”

Feng Xiyang chuckled lightly, “I understand, Brother.” She walked gracefully to the door, turned back to wink at Yi Xiao, “Rest easy and recover. He’s no match for you.” With that, she closed the door and left.

After a moment of silence, Feng Suige’s gaze fell on the still-steaming medicine. He returned to the table, picked up the cup, and brought it directly in front of Yi Xiao’s eyes, “Since you’re awake, drink it yourself!”

Yi Xiao slowly took it, but suddenly flung her hand, splashing the medicine towards him, mockingly saying, “Yi Xiao has always been lowly, unworthy of such precious medicine.”

The brown medicine splattered down Feng Suige’s face. He seized her wrist in fury, pulling her up, “Don’t be ungrateful.” His cold voice carried a sneer as he gripped her chin, forcing her to look into his rage-filled eyes. His lips curled into a slight sneer, “In your current state, I could make you wish for death with just a flick of my finger. So, you’d better stay put here obediently.”

Yi Xiao sneered, “I’d like to taste what it’s like to wish for death.”

Feng Suige threw her back onto the bed, “Then we’ll see about that.”

Feng Suige had just changed out of his soiled clothes when Feng Xiyang entered, casually picking up an exquisite lotus cake from the table and putting it in her mouth. She said coolly, “Is this the first time my royal brother has encountered such a troublesome opponent?”

Feng Suige glanced at her, “Xia Jingshi hasn’t come, and you’re not in a hurry. It seems I’ve been the villain for nothing.”

Feng Xiyang brushed the crumbs from her hands, speaking somewhat unclearly, “The Holy Emperor of Jinxiu has issued an edict, and he has accepted it. If he doesn’t marry me, he can’t marry anyone else.”

Feng Suige sighed helplessly, “If he pretends to be ill for a lifetime, will you wait for him in Sushang for a lifetime?”

Feng Xiyang snorted, “A lifetime is a lifetime then. At worst, I’ll go to Jinxiu to find him — But you, keeping his beloved general locked up in Shuihuiyuan, what exactly are you trying to do?”

Feng Suige frowned, lifting a teacup to his lips, “I’m worried Xia Jingshi might pull some tricks. If he truly had sincerity, he should have come to marry you long ago. I just can’t figure out what game he’s playing, so…”

Feng Xiyang laughed lightly, “I’m afraid someone is using public office for private gain — her name reminds me of a certain sachet, Brother.”

Satisfied to see Feng Suige choke, she walked towards the door, “Xiyang still needs to practice the zither, so I’ll take my leave.”

Ignoring Feng Suige’s glare, she added as she held the door, “Don’t hurt her too badly. When she starts to hate, it truly goes to the bone.”

The door closed behind Feng Xiyang. Feng Suige stared hard at the door panel as if trying to burn a hole through it with his eyes. After a long while, he let out a long breath and slowly sat down.