Xia Jingshi played with the light blue glazed hairpin sent by Feng Suige’s messenger. He sighed, “They’ve taken Yixiao to force my hand.” Xiao Weiran looked at him worriedly, wanting to speak but hesitating.
Ning Fei and Xueying had just arrived. Hearing this, Ning Fei cast a questioning glance at Xiao Weiran, who pressed his lips and nodded slightly.
Ning Fei furrowed his brow and asked solemnly, “Your Highness, shouldn’t we report this to the Emperor?”
Xia Jingshi remained silent. Xiao Weiran shook his head, “We don’t know how much they’ve learned yet. We can’t risk it. Besides, the Emperor wouldn’t care about a mere Major.”
Xueying’s gaze swept across everyone in the room before settling on Xia Jingshi. She hesitantly asked, “Um… did I miss some important news?”
Xia Jingshi shook his head slightly, not intending to explain further. “This matter isn’t as simple as it seems. It involves the Susha royal family. You should return to Caocheng first. I promise I’ll bring Yixiao back safely.”
“The Susha royal family?” Xueying paused, then laughed coldly. “I’m stupid. Whenever Yixiao is in trouble, you’re always involved somehow…”
Ning Fei quickly tugged at her sleeve. “Everyone’s trying to find a solution. Why say such things?” Xueying brushed his hand away. “What solution? Other than going to get her back, what else can be done?”
“Xueying is right,” Xia Jingshi stood up. “Weiran, send a message to the Emperor on my behalf. Tell him my chronic illness has been cured, and I’ll be departing soon for Susha to marry Princess Xiyang.”
Xiao Weiran and Ning Fei exclaimed, “Your Highness!”
Xia Jingshi smiled faintly. “They’ve become impatient. I had planned to wait until the weather warmed up before going.”
Though Feng Suige had used some kind of drug, Yixiao could now move around, albeit feeling weak and lethargic all day. After that day, Feng Suige didn’t torture her further, only posting a squad of guards around the tower where she was imprisoned to prevent her escape.
A few maids walked past the window, giggling. Though their voices were low, Yixiao’s keen ears caught the words “Prince of the Southern Border.” She called out to them through the window, “Were you just talking about the Prince of the Southern Border from the Jinxiu Dynasty? What about him?”
One maid hesitated but replied, “Yes, we just received news that the Prince of the Southern Border’s entourage has left Jinxiu to marry the princess.”
Though softly spoken, the words hit Yixiao like a thunderbolt. Her whole body ached as if pricked by needles. She swayed, grabbing a nearby flower stand to steady herself.
So, by cutting ties with me, you can marry Princess Xiyang with peace of mind?
She smiled bitterly. Despite her resolute words, she still couldn’t let him go.
“The Emperor proposed holding the wedding ceremony in Susha, and the Prince of the Southern Border agreed,” another maid chimed in. “So now the palace is busy preparing…”
“Gossips!” A deep male voice startled the two maids, who quickly knelt. “Forgive us, Your Highness!”
Yixiao sighed. “Don’t blame them. I asked first.”
Feng Suige dismissed the two maids and entered the room.
Yixiao sat down on the edge of the bed and said slowly, “I told you before, there’s no plot against Susha.”
Feng Suige clenched his fist slightly. “Perhaps, but anything can happen before everything is settled.”
Yixiao’s lips curled into a faint smile. “Very well. After Your Highness marries the princess, if you don’t want to silence me, let me go.”
“Where will you go? Back to follow your prince?” Feng Suige sneered. “Even if you return, at most you’d be a concubine.”
Yixiao’s face gradually regained some color. Hearing this, she replied calmly, “So what?”
Feng Suige’s mouth twitched. “Do you think he’ll marry you? In terms of looks or status, how can you compare to Xiyang?”
“No need for Your Highness to remind me. I know my place,” Yixiao’s eyes regained their clarity. “I just want to leave this place.”
Feng Suige looked at her for a while, then suddenly chuckled softly, “I won’t kill you, but I don’t want to let you go either.”
Yixiao met his gaze unflinchingly. “If I want to leave, you can’t keep me here!”
“Your Highness,” a maid approached Feng Suige nervously. Feng Suige glanced back, noticing the untouched food on her tray. His expression darkened. “She still refuses to eat?”
“You can’t win against her. Admitting defeat would be quicker,” said Feng Xiyang, who was rummaging through his collection of treasures. She dangled a string of glass beads at him. “Brother, I’m taking this too.” Feng Suige glared at her, then turned to the maid, “Keep sending food as usual. When she’s hungry enough, she’ll eat.”
The maid stammered, “But… it’s been four days…”
Feng Xiyang’s hand froze in mid-air. She asked incredulously, “Four days? Are you trying to starve her to death?” Feng Suige turned away uncomfortably. “It’s just food, not medicine. Even if it were medicine, she could still vomit it up if she wanted to.”
Feng Xiyang slapped her forehead. “What a mess. I’ll go check on her.”
Yixiao was leaning on a brocade couch by the window, lost in thought. She heard someone enter but didn’t turn around. Suddenly, she met a pair of bright, intelligent eyes. “What a stubborn beauty. No wonder my brother is so worried day and night.”
Yixiao glanced at Feng Xiyang. “Has the new bride come to persuade me?”
Feng Xiyang smiled, “I know you’re his person, and I know you don’t want to see me right now. But no matter how angry or resentful you are, you need to take care of your health first. Otherwise, how will you have the strength to compete with me?”
Yixiao tugged at the corner of her mouth. “I’m not his person, and I have no intention of competing with you for his affection. I’m not bitter at all. I just want to leave Susha.”
Feng Xiyang was taken aback. “But my brother… How about I bring some snacks? I won’t tell him you ate.”
Yixiao seemed not to hear, turning her head away again.
After waiting a while without a response, Feng Xiyang left the room awkwardly. As she exited, she ran into Feng Suige, whose face was ashen. She shrugged, “This is between you and her. I can’t persuade her. You go in yourself.”
When Feng Suige entered the room with a maid carrying a tray, Yixiao had just sat back on the couch. She ignored him completely.
Feng Suige gritted his teeth and barked at the maid, “If she won’t eat herself, can’t you feed her?” The maid approached trembling, placing the tray on a small table by the bed. As she picked up the silver chopsticks, Yixiao raised her hand to block her, sweeping the entire tray and its contents onto the floor. Her bright eyes challenged Feng Suige.
“Fine,” Feng Suige laughed angrily. “For each time you smash it today, I’ll starve you for three days. Go to the kitchen and bring new food!”
The maid quietly agreed, her pleading gaze fixed on Yixiao.
Yixiao looked at the pale-faced maid, then at Feng Suige with his slightly upturned lips. She slowly lowered her head to look at the mess on the floor. She shifted her body and, amidst the maid’s startled cry, reached down to grab a handful of food from the floor and shoved it into her mouth. Immediately, food mixed with ceramic shards crunched loudly as she chewed.
Feng Xiyang, who had been peeking from outside, screamed and rushed into the room. Feng Suige, also shocked, lunged forward and forcibly pried open her jaw, shouting, “You crazy woman, spit it out!” The maid was too frightened to move, trembling in a corner.
After ensuring there was nothing left in Yixiao’s mouth, Feng Suige was drenched in cold sweat. Feng Xiyang, pale-faced, collapsed nearby. Yixiao spat out a mouthful of bloody saliva and smiled at him. “How’s that?”
Unable to look at Yixiao, Feng Xiyang tugged at Feng Suige’s sleeve, trembling. “Brother, stop forcing her. She’ll die.” Feng Suige’s eyes flashed with complexity. His lips moved a few times before he finally seemed to make up his mind. “After Xiyang’s wedding, I’ll send you back to the Jinxiu Dynasty!” He gave Yixiao one last deep look before rushing out of the room.