Two maids fastened golden bracelets onto Yi Xiao’s wrists, their heavy weight pressing painfully into her skin. Yi Xiao raised her hand, tracing her fingertip across the mirror’s surface. The woman reflected in the bronze mirror exuded a unique allure, her elaborate makeup concealing her pallor but unable to hide the melancholy between her brows.

The night’s escape attempt had failed, and security around the tower had been tightened. Early the next morning, shortly after eating, Yi Xiao found herself once again weakened and powerless. Today, the Jinxiu Dynasty’s wedding procession was to enter Shusha’s gates, and Feng Suige was forcing her to go to the city wall to welcome them. “The city wall or tonight’s welcome banquet, take your pick,” he had said with a malicious smile, gesturing for the maids he’d brought to step forward and dress her.

“Miss Fu looks truly beautiful when dressed up,” one maid praised, “No wonder the prince adores her so.”

Since that false alarm, news of the Shusha prince falling in love with a Jinxiu captive had spread throughout the entire estate. The story had been revised repeatedly, completely omitting the part where Yi Xiao was injured. It eventually evolved into a touching tale of Feng Suige venturing deep into Jinxiu to retrieve his lover. Gradually, the servants in the garden changed their form of address for Yi Xiao from Major Fu to Miss Fu.

“His adoration is quite special indeed!” Yi Xiao said through gritted teeth, enunciating each word.

As she spoke, the maid doing her hair had fixed the last hairpin in place. After a careful final inspection, she nodded with satisfaction and stepped back. The maid holding the clothing immediately came forward to assist.

Yi Xiao’s gaze fell on the coral-red brocade robe on the tray, and her brows furrowed. “I don’t want this one.”

“You don’t?” Feng Suige asked as he stepped into the room. “I remember you always wore a coral red battle robe. I thought you must love this color, so I had it specially prepared for you. Yet you refuse?”

Yi Xiao lowered her eyelashes. “On a day like this, the one who should wear red isn’t me.”

“What’s wrong with wearing red? It suits you,” he said, approaching her side and turning her body to examine her from all angles. “Why do you always keep your face so plain? Isn’t this much better?”

Yi Xiao turned her head to avoid his gaze. “I haven’t worn such colors since the war ended.”

“Why is that?” Feng Suige asked curiously. “Such a bright color on the battlefield would be quite… conspicuous…” His tone gradually cooled, and a layer of frost settled over his previously gentle features. “For that man, you used yourself as bait? Do you find your life too long?”

Yi Xiao merely gave him a faint smile in response. “I’m still alive.”

Feng Suige raised an eyebrow, suddenly chuckling. “If you’re trying to provoke me, I’m afraid you’ve wasted your efforts. You don’t like this outfit? Tsk, that’s troublesome. Where am I supposed to find a suitable formal dress at this hour?” He looked her up and down with ill intent.

Suddenly, Feng Suige reached out and untied his belt. Yi Xiao tensed, watching him warily.

He unhurriedly removed his own two-toned gold brocade robe and draped it over Yi Xiao, saying with a smile, “This should fit.”

Yi Xiao frowned, but before she could push away the robe that still held his body heat, Feng Suige had already restrained her with his arms. Unable to break free, Yi Xiao angrily said, “Let go! I’ll wear the red one.”

“No,” Feng Suige said with a hint of a smile by her ear. “I think this one suits you better.” Seeing that she was still struggling, he simply flicked the discarded belt up with his toe, caught it, and used it to tie Yi Xiao’s hands tightly along with the robe. Amidst the maids’ gasps of surprise, he lifted Yi Xiao horizontally and carried her out.

The ignored maids were silent for only a moment before breaking into excited chatter. After just a few sentences, the maid who had done Yi Xiao’s hair suddenly jumped up and ran out the door, calling, “Prince, you’re not wearing an outer robe!”

Even as Feng Suige lifted her onto horseback, Yi Xiao was still weakly cursing, “…You battle-crazed lunatic…” Her final words were silenced by Feng Suige’s iron-like grip. “You can make as much fuss as you want in Shuihuiyuan, but once we’re outside, you’d better keep that mouth of yours in check, or else…” Seeing Yi Xiao glare at him, he chuckled softly. “If you promise to behave, I’ll let you put on your clothes properly. You can refuse, of course. I don’t mind letting the Duke of Zhennan see you disheveled in my arms.”

Yi Xiao nodded helplessly. Feng Suige immediately covered her body with a cloak, removed the sash binding the brocade robe, and loosened his hold slightly to give her enough space to adjust her clothing.

Once Yi Xiao had finished arranging herself, Feng Suige revealed a satisfied smile. “If I were you, I’d hold tightly to the man beside me,” he said. Before Yi Xiao could react, he dug his heels hard into the horse’s flanks. The impatient steed let out a long neigh and shot forward like an arrow.

Yi Xiao nearly fell off the horse. Although years in the military had accustomed her to galloping on horseback, and this wasn’t her first time riding with someone else, being held sideways on a horse was a first. The jolting of the horse forced her to cling tightly to Feng Suige’s chest—of all the ways she had imagined dying, falling off a horse wasn’t one of them. So she used all the strength in her arms to hold onto Feng Suige’s waist and back, lest she be thrown off by the galloping horse. He looked delighted, wearing a detestable smile, his eyes gleaming as he proudly carried her towards the city wall.

She had never been so embarrassed in her life. If she had known this day would come, she should have shot a few more arrows at him back then, Yi Xiao thought bitterly.

Feng Suige rode with her to the base of the city wall but showed no intention of putting her down. Ignoring her struggles, he carried her up towards the top of the wall.

“Royal Brother…” Feng Xiyang’s voice trailed off abruptly when she saw Yi Xiao. Her eyes swept over the men’s clothing Yi Xiao was wearing. “Royal Brother,” Feng Xiyang said with an extremely suggestive smile, “Why such a hurry? Surely you had time to change clothes?”

Yi Xiao was about to speak, but upon receiving a warning look from Feng Suige, she swallowed her words. Filled with resentment, she used all her strength to pinch Feng Suige’s waist.

Feng Suige’s expression remained unchanged as he set her down. “Go sit over there with Xiyang. I’ll come find you after I pay my respects to Father.”

A fast rider galloped up the official road, reaching the base of the city wall and shouting, “Reporting to Your Majesty, the Duke of Zhennan’s wedding procession from the Jinxiu Dynasty has arrived within one li.”

The master of ceremonies immediately glanced at Shusha’s King Feng Qishan, and upon receiving permission, announced in a loud voice, “The Duke of Zhennan of the Jinxiu Dynasty arrives!”

A dragon-like horn blast immediately filled the air, piercing Yi Xiao’s chest. She suddenly stood up, ignoring the strange looks from the noble ladies around her, and ran towards the wall’s edge.

He had come!

Feng Suige had returned at some point and caught up with her, forcefully wrapping an arm around her waist. Feigning intimacy, he asked by her ear, “So excited, are we?”

Yi Xiao didn’t answer, her eyes fixed on the royal banner fluttering at the front of the winding procession on the official road.

It was the banner she knew best—a jet-black background with the character “Xia” embroidered in gold thread.

He had come.

Feng Suige gritted his teeth. “It’s useless to stare your eyes out. He didn’t come for you. He came for Xiyang.”

Yi Xiao flashed him a brilliant smile, her eyes revealing a clear yet alluring look. “Can you truly deceive your own heart?”

Feng Suige pressed his lips together, the veins on his forehead pulsing visibly.

Duke of Zhennan Xia Jingshi slowly rode his horse closer to the Shusha city wall. He tilted his head slightly to look up at King Feng Qishan, who sat in his dominant position and bowed in greeting.

Feng Qishan smiled as he looked at Xia Jingshi, beckoning Feng Xiyang to come over. Feng Xiyang bounded lightly to his side and gave Xia Jingshi a charming smile. Xia Jingshi’s gaze towards her remained unchanged, merely nodding in acknowledgment.

“Yi Xiao!” A shout drew everyone’s attention. Ling Xueying broke free from Ning Fei and rushed forward from behind, pointing at the city wall. “Yi Xiao is up there!”

Xia Jingshi instinctively looked up following her gesture. When he saw the two intertwined figures in the recessed area of the wall, his expression changed.

Seeing Xia Jingshi look in their direction, Yi Xiao—whether because Feng Suige deliberately loosened his grip or because she summoned strength in her urgency—managed to break free from Feng Suige’s embrace. She lunged forward to the edge of the wall, crying out, “Your Highness, Xueying, Yi Xiao is here!”