In the distance, the Imperial City’s cavalry formed a black iron fence, dividing the Yulin Camp and the Lucheng reinforcements. They were encircling the Yulin Camp, forcing them to retreat inward repeatedly. Even a squad of Yulin soldiers, who had been chasing after Xia Jingshi’s group, noticed the urgency of the situation and abandoned their pursuit, turning back to rejoin their comrades.
Despite Xiao Weiran’s cunning, he couldn’t comprehend what was happening. After observing for a moment, he suddenly ordered, “First, bring back the wounded brothers for treatment—be careful, if there’s any strange movement, retreat as quickly as possible!”
Meanwhile, Xia Jingshi pondered briefly before turning to Feng Suige, “You stay here. If anything changes, try to break through immediately…” “No,” Feng Suige flatly refused before he could finish, “We can’t act rashly before understanding the situation!”
Yi Xiao hesitantly pointed out, “They’re flying the Guardian General’s banner, but not all of them are his troops. Look, those are the Imperial City’s cavalry.” Feng Suige raised an eyebrow, “So what?”
Xia Jingshi nodded, “Putting aside the confrontation between the two sides if it were just about supporting the emperor, nearby counties should have enough troops for the Yulin Camp to use. They wouldn’t mobilize the Imperial City’s cavalry guarding the capital under any circumstances—that’s why I want to get closer and see what’s going on…”
“Oh!” Yi Xiao suddenly exclaimed, “Someone’s coming this way!”
The cavalry general approached alone. In the dead silence, the sound of his armor rubbing together struck everyone’s hearts, each step raising a flurry of questions.
Xia Jingshi stopped his officers from drawing their swords. He calmly watched as the general drew nearer. Feng Suige stood there with a lazy smirk, not showing obvious wariness, but still pulling Yi Xiao closer to his side.
The cavalry general stopped about ten paces from the group. To everyone’s surprise, he knelt respectfully. “Your Highness…” “Rise,” Xia Jingshi said with a slight smile, “I am no longer the Prince of Zhennan.”
The cavalry general hesitated but stubbornly remained kneeling. He spoke clearly and firmly, “This subordinate is Shang Yong, commander of the Imperial City’s cavalry. I’ve come on the Prime Minister’s orders to quell the rebellion…” Xia Jingshi’s eyes darted quickly between him and the army in the distance. “What has happened in the Imperial City?”
Seeing the cavalry general hesitate to speak, Feng Suige scoffed and turned towards the horses, taking Yi Xiao with him. “Let’s go,” he said. Yi Xiao struggled as she was lifted, protesting softly, “Where to!?”
“Wait…” Xia Jingshi called urgently. After placing Yi Xiao on horseback, Feng Suige turned back with a lazy smile. “I’m not interested in your Jinxiu affairs. I need to go pick up Xi Yang—don’t you want to come along?” Without waiting for Xia Jingshi’s response, he mounted his horse and galloped away. Su Sha’s soldiers followed closely behind, leaving Xia Jingshi and a few of his men standing there.
Xia Jingshi watched them leave before turning his gaze back to the cavalry general. “What exactly is going on?”
“Is that it?” Yi Xiao clung tightly to Feng Suige’s waist, craning her neck to look back. “Just leaving like this, so inexplicably…” Feng Suige grumbled softly, freeing one hand from the reins to steady her. “I guess Xia Jingshi’s supporters took control of the court while the Yulin Camp was away—which is good, at least there’s no danger for now. By the way, you should know where the nearest town is, right?”
Seeing Yi Xiao nod, he sighed in relief but then furrowed his brow. “I just hope we can find a good physician.” Yi Xiao hesitated before speaking, “Xi Yang’s injury… I caused it.” Feng Suige started, involuntarily pulling on the reins. The horse neighed shortly, its pace slowing considerably. “What did you say?”
Yi Xiao took a deep breath and slowly explained, “Her injury was my doing. When I went after her, she was with the Holy Emperor. As I was about to capture the Holy Emperor, she…” “See,” Feng Suige suddenly interrupted, smiling, “I’ve always said Xi Yang isn’t bad by nature. Once she understood the Holy Emperor’s intentions, she’d understand everything. But I never expected her to be so brave…”
“Brave?” Yi Xiao seemed confused. Seeing her bewilderment, Feng Suige became puzzled. “I thought she was injured while helping you—wasn’t that the case?”
“No,” Yi Xiao bit her lip and blurted out, “The Holy Emperor pushed her towards me, and I couldn’t stop my sword in time… I wounded her.” Hearing this, Feng Suige shuddered. Seeing his face change color, Yi Xiao continued, “Although it wasn’t intentional, I feel I should take some responsibility for it…”
At some point, the horse had stopped running. After standing still for a while without any direction from its rider, it lowered its head to graze on some grass growing between the rocks. The guards and soldiers around them also gradually halted, looking at them in surprise.
Yi Xiao felt the arm around her waist tightening as if trying to snap her in half. She gritted her teeth, swallowing the cry of pain that nearly escaped her throat, and stubbornly stared at Feng Suige, whose expression was fluctuating between dark and light.
After a long while, Feng Suige suddenly let out a long sigh, looking up at the sky. When he lowered his head again, all the sharpness had left his eyes. He smiled faintly, “Let’s talk after we rescue Xi Yang.”
Though his tone was calm, Yi Xiao felt a pang in her heart. She couldn’t help but ask, “And if we can’t save her?” “If we can’t save her, you’ll have to stay in Jinxiu—or perhaps that’s what you’ve been hoping for?” Feng Suige’s jaw twitched as he shot her a cold glance, his smile gone.
Yi Xiao was stunned for a moment, then suddenly smiled.
Feng Suige, you’ve never really changed, have you?