Yi Xiao didn’t know how she had returned to the inner court. When she fully came to her senses, only Feng Suige stood before her, his face full of concern. She looked around in confusion and asked softly, “Has he left?” “Yes,” Feng Suige nodded in response. Yi Xiao remained silent for a long time, then suddenly laughed, “Did you see? He was in such a hurry to distance himself from me.”
Feng Suige drew her into his arms, comforting her gently, “Don’t think too much about it. After all, he still cares about you, doesn’t he? Otherwise, he wouldn’t have told you to take care of yourself—Perhaps he truly has some difficulties, or maybe he knows that the Holy Emperor has sent people to secretly monitor the guest house.”
“I understand,” Yi Xiao replied woodenly. “If I were in his position, I might not sacrifice my career for an insignificant daughter either.” “Yi Xiao…” Feng Suige sighed. Yi Xiao vaguely interrupted him, “This is for the best. It removes many concerns. We didn’t plan to involve too many people anyway, did we?”
“Ah! Who are you…” A maid’s sudden cry came from outside. The door panel trembled slightly, making a creaking sound. Yi Xiao’s words stopped abruptly, her gaze sharp as she looked towards the doorway. Feng Suige released Yi Xiao and rushed over, his face ashen. But when he saw who had arrived, his expression suddenly changed to one of joy, “Xi Yang?!”
“Imperial Brother,” Feng Xi Yang only called out once before bursting into tears, throwing herself into Feng Suige’s arms and sobbing. Tears fell like broken strings of pearls, quickly soaking Feng Suige’s front. Filled with distress, Feng Suige asked her repeatedly, “Why have you become so thin? Are you ill, or has someone bullied you…”
Suddenly, Feng Suige realized that Fu Yi Xiao, who had followed him out of the room and stopped not far away, had disappeared without a trace. He looked around but couldn’t see her. However, Xi Yang in his arms was still crying uncontrollably. Despite his anxiety, he had to set it aside for the moment. Gently patting Xi Yang’s shoulders, he coaxed softly, “Don’t cry. Come, tell Imperial Brother what happened. I’ll make it right for you.”
“…Everything was fine before, but a few days ago, the Holy Emperor received a secret report from someone accusing my husband of privately manufacturing military equipment. He imprisoned my husband in the Imperial Prison,” Xi Yang sobbed, taking the handkerchief Feng Suige offered and wiping her face. “I’ve heard that if we can’t find evidence to prove my husband’s innocence, the charge of treason will be confirmed—Imperial Brother, my husband is truly being framed. Please help him!” At this, she began to cry again.
Feng Suige listened quietly, his mind turning over countless thoughts. Seeing her emaciated and timid appearance, he finally couldn’t bear it and tentatively asked, “Xi Yang, is there anything else you haven’t told Imperial Brother?” Feng Xi Yang trembled, instinctively straightening her back and clutching the handkerchief tightly. “Why does Imperial Brother ask this?”
“I’m just asking,” Feng Suige sighed. “Xi Yang, your nature is pure and kind, which is a good thing, but sometimes you need to be more cautious. Don’t let yourself be used by those with ulterior motives.” Feng Xi Yang seemed to want to speak but hesitated. After a while, she asked hesitantly, “Imperial Brother, do you care about Fu Yi Xiao?”
Feng Suige nodded, “She’s the first woman who made me want to approach and cherish…” “Do you love her?” Feng Xi Yang felt the question was difficult to ask. “Yes,” Feng Suige answered without hesitation. Feng Xi Yang asked again, “How much do you love her?” Feng Suige was surprised by her question but still thought seriously for a moment before slowly answering, “I don’t need her to promise me anything, and she doesn’t need to do anything for me—as long as she’s by my side, that’s enough.”
Feng Xi Yang was momentarily lost in thought. For an instant, it seemed as if the Feng Suige before her had become another version of herself, speaking candidly to her. She couldn’t help but continue to ask, “Then if she’s only using you now, and her heart truly belongs to someone else, Imperial Brother, would you still treat her the same way?” Feng Suige didn’t hesitate, answering decisively, “Yes, and I believe she’s not that kind of person.”
In the silence, Feng Suige thought he heard the faint sound of tears falling on silk. Feng Xi Yang sat with her head lowered for a while, then stood up shakily. “Imperial Brother, I’ll go back now.” Feng Suige stood her at the door, unable to resist advising her once more, “Xi Yang, if there’s anything you can’t figure out, come to me. No matter how difficult it is, Imperial Brother will bear it for you. Don’t try to endure it alone.”
Feng Xi Yang didn’t answer but quickened her pace and left.
“Finished talking so quickly?” Yi Xiao stood on the swing in the courtyard, swaying back and forth leisurely. She turned her head to look at Feng Suige as he approached quietly. “I thought you would ask her to stay for a meal.” Feng Suige’s lips pressed into a line as he stepped forward to push the swing for her, saying softly, “She’s suffering inside, but for some reason, she won’t reveal anything.”
“What I don’t understand is why she would believe the Holy Emperor’s lies,” Yi Xiao’s smile concealed anger. “I also don’t understand why she would sneak in without announcement and hide by the door to eavesdrop on our conversation instead of entering openly. What I understand even less is why you knew she was eavesdropping but showed no intention of confronting her—Feng Suige, we don’t have much time. We can’t afford your wavering and indecision. If you’ve changed your mind, remember to tell me as soon as possible…”
“Can’t you be a little fair?” Feng Suige’s hand stopped, suppressing a low shout. “The one you want to save is your close friend, but she is my closest kin!” Yi Xiao nimbly jumped off the swing, looking at him with a cold smile. “Don’t talk to me about fairness. If there were truly fairness to speak of, whether commoner or king, anyone who does wrong should be punished for their actions, regardless of their special status!”
Feng Suige was speechless.
Indeed, in this chaotic world, how many people or things could truly be called fair?
He couldn’t even achieve it himself, so how could he demand it from others?
Seeing his silence, Yi Xiao’s emotional state gradually calmed. After a long while, she said flatly, “People say, ‘When the heart is Buddha, the world is Buddha,’ but she only has herself in her heart—I can forgive her ignorance, but I cannot forgive her inability to distinguish right from wrong!”