As Xiao Weiran stepped into the small cottage where Feng Xiyang was resting, Feng Suige, who had been sitting lost in thought by the bed, immediately turned around in surprise. Seeing it was him, he showed a puzzled expression. Xiao Weiran glanced briefly at the drowsy Feng Xiyang on the bed, then gestured for Feng Suige to come out, quietly retreating from the room.
“What’s the matter?” Feng Suige closed the door and rubbed his brow with his eyes shut. “Is there a problem with the medicinal herbs?”
“That’s not it,” Xiao Weiran pondered for a moment before saying softly, “The town’s herbs will last a few more days, and those sent to fetch medicine from Lu City will return soon. But I think the Prince should send someone to invite the King here.”
“That’s not necessary!” Feng Suige suddenly looked up, his bloodshot eyes glaring at Xiao Weiran. “With proper care, Xiyang’s recovery is just a matter of time!”
“Perhaps,” Xiao Weiran sighed, “If she could recover, Yi Xiao would feel better too.”
Feng Suige froze, then after a long while, he said with difficulty, “She’s overthinking it—it’s not her fault.” He paused, then suddenly became irritated, “What exactly are you trying to say? Did you specifically call me out just to ask these nonsensical questions?”
“How are these nonsensical questions?” Xiao Weiran smiled slightly, but his words pressed Feng Suige, “Do you remember what I said before we left Su Sha? I told you that if you couldn’t take care of her, you should let her return to Jin Xiu earlier…”
“I will take good care of her,” Feng Suige finally lost his patience. “If you have nothing else to do, go back and take care of your people!” He turned to leave, but just as he touched the door, Xiao Weiran’s soft voice came from behind, “If you break your promise, I will take her away, whether she’s willing or not, I guarantee it.”
The black-clad Biao Qi Army and the purple-clad Yu Lin Army marched in two columns on the main road. Between the divided troops were two large carriages. The one guarded by the purple ranks naturally carried the Holy Emperor, while the other, wrapped in black, was Xia Jingshi’s carriage.
The further they went, the more uneasy Xia Jingshi felt. He wasn’t afraid of facing everything in the Holy City, those things he had avoided for years. No matter how reluctant he was to confront them, he was somewhat mentally prepared. But—he thought, slightly lifting the carriage curtain to look at the Holy Emperor’s carriage—it was too quiet. For things he didn’t want to accept, that person shouldn’t react like this.
Thinking of this, his heart suddenly skipped a beat. He could no longer sit still and shouted, “Stop the carriage!” Immediately, the entire procession stopped like a long snake, twisting and turning. Many people looked over in confusion. The generals of the Biao Qi and Yu Lin armies at the front of the procession looked at each other and turned their horses back, but before they could gallop close, Xia Jingshi had already jumped down from the carriage shaft and rushed towards the Holy Emperor’s carriage. The Yu Lin Army guarding the Holy Emperor immediately drew their swords in unison, shouting, “No disrespect before the Emperor’s carriage!” Ignoring the cold blades, Xia Jingshi pointed at the lowered curtain of the large carriage and commanded in a deep voice, “Lift the curtain! If the Holy Emperor is inside, I’ll apologize on the spot!”
Suddenly, the entire scene fell silent.
There was still no movement from the Holy Emperor’s carriage. Time ticked by, long enough for even the Yu Lin guards who had drawn their swords to sense something was amiss. They gradually lowered their weapons, looking suspiciously at the carriage. The Yu Lin general, also full of doubt, tentatively called out, “Your Majesty?”
Xia Jingshi could no longer contain his anxiety. He rushed forward in a few steps and swept open the curtain.
Inside the carriage was only a young man wearing the Holy Emperor’s clothes. Seeing that the deception had been exposed, although his face was pale, he still managed to force a slight smile, “Your Highness…” A Yu Lin soldier exclaimed in a low voice, “He’s from the Biao Qi Camp!” Instantly, all eyes turned from him to the Biao Qi general.
“How did you end up in the Emperor’s carriage?!” The Biao Qi general’s face turned red with anger as he jumped down from his horse. “Where has the Emperor gone?!”
“I’m sorry, Commander Shang,” he smiled miserably. Before Shang Yun could ask further, his body suddenly swayed and fell backward.
A Yu Lin soldier carefully climbed into the carriage, felt his neck pulse, then turned and shook his head, “He took poison and committed suicide…”
Seeing Xia Jingshi standing there motionless with a gloomy face, the Biao Qi general couldn’t help but panic and hurriedly said, “Your Highness, I…” Xia Jingshi suddenly waved his hand, cutting off his explanation, “Select some men, prepare fast horses, and follow me!”
Yi Xiao, carrying a basin of steaming water, hesitated at the door for a long time before seemingly making up her mind. She turned her shoulder, intending to push the door open. Almost simultaneously, the door suddenly opened from the inside. Yi Xiao caught off guard, crashed straight into Feng Suige. More than half of the hot water in the basin spilled all over Feng Suige.
“What’s going on?!” Feng Suige jumped back awkwardly, dripping wet, both startled and annoyed. When he realized it was Yi Xiao, his voice softened, “Why is it you?”
Yi Xiao stomped her foot in frustration, “The kitchen was boiling water, so I thought I’d bring some over. Who knew you’d suddenly open the door…”
“It’s fine,” Feng Suige smiled, shaking out the hem of his clothes. “Perfect timing. You watch over Xiyang for a while. I’ll go take a bath and change into clean clothes before coming back.” Yi Xiao agreed, and he hurried off.
After placing the basin on the rack, Yi Xiao turned and sat back by the bed, examining Feng Xiyang’s colorless face.
If it weren’t for the high-quality wild ginseng stored at the wealthy household in town and the black jade essence Feng Suige had brought, Xiyang might not have held on this long. Feng Suige should understand her condition, yet he still hadn’t sent anyone to invite Feng Qishan to see her one last time—in his heart, he must still be clinging to hope, however faint it might be. Even Weiran had said she might not last more than a few days…
That day, Weiran had forced her to tell the truth, but what use was it to say it out loud? She already understood very clearly that most of the time, one couldn’t control the affairs of the world.
Thinking of this, Yi Xiao sighed, got up, and wrung out a cloth with the remaining water in the basin. She walked over and gently wiped Xiyang’s face. Suddenly, Xiyang’s eyebrows furrowed slightly, and her eyelashes fluttered. Yi Xiao was startled, almost thinking she was hallucinating. When she realized that Feng Xiyang was truly trying to open her eyes, the door behind her also made a soft sound as it was pushed open.
“Quick, come here,” Yi Xiao’s eyes were fixed on Feng Xiyang’s face as she called out in disbelief, “Look, she’s awake, she’s trying to open her eyes!”
“Her life or death means nothing to me,” accompanied by a hoarse laugh, an icy hand wrapped around Yi Xiao’s neck, while a sharp blade was pressed against her neck without mercy. “Fu Yi Xiao, did you think I had lost?”