As Feng Qishan waited for Feng Suige to walk away, he turned to Fu Yixiao, “Earlier, it seemed Commander Fu overheard something amusing. Why not share it and let me laugh as well?” Yixiao, without a hint of panic, calmly replied, “I was merely contemplating the deeper meaning in Your Majesty’s words. I got carried away for a moment. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me.”
Feng Qishan revealed a faint smile, but his words were icy, “It’s rare to find someone as perceptive as you. I’ll be frank then. Before Xiyang’s mother passed away, I promised her I would ensure Xiyang’s happiness. So, after Xiyang marries into Jinxiu, I hope you can stay in Susha.”
Yixiao’s brow trembled slightly, but she answered with forced composure, “If Your Majesty is concerned about the Princess, I can swear never to set foot in Lucheng again. But I cannot agree to stay in Susha.”
Feng Qishan seemed to have anticipated her outright refusal. His expression unchanged, he continued, “You may control yourself, but you can’t control others. Xia Jingshi isn’t a good choice, yet Xiyang chose him. My lack of opposition doesn’t mean I’ll let things run their course. So, Fu Yixiao, as long as you behave, I will not mistreat you.”
Yixiao listened silently, then offered Feng Qishan a smile, clearly and firmly uttering a single word: “No.”
Feng Qishan narrowed his eyes in displeasure, “Aren’t you afraid I might order your execution in a fit of rage?”
Yixiao met his gaze fearlessly, “Your Majesty wouldn’t do that.”
“Oh?” Feng Qishan didn’t hide the admiration in his eyes, “You’re quite bold. Tell me, why are you so certain I won’t kill you?”
A glint flashed in Yixiao’s eyes, “A wise and virtuous ruler who demands princes and officials share the same hardships wouldn’t fail to understand that all living things have spirits, and humans are not mere insects. He certainly wouldn’t put me to death just for refusing his request.”
Feng Qishan fell silent for a moment, then suddenly burst into laughter, “Well said, Fu Yixiao. I’ll spare your life today, but next time, you might not be so lucky.”
Yixiao remained silent, bowing properly before walking back the way she came. A gust of wind blew past, chilling her to the bone. Only then did she realize she was drenched in cold sweat.
Faintly, she heard Feng Qishan call out behind her, “Commander Fu.” Yixiao’s footsteps faltered, but she didn’t turn around. “Would you like to know what my next move will be?” he said.
Yixiao stood still for a moment, then continued walking away.
Feng Suige hadn’t returned to the political hall. After leaving the flower garden, he discreetly slipped into the nearest palace chamber, avoiding the passing palace servants. Though he couldn’t hear anything, just being able to see the activity in the garden gave him some peace of mind.
Suddenly, he heard laughter and saw Yixiao bow and turn towards the exit. Feng Suige let out a sigh of relief; Father had ultimately let her go.
Just as he was about to leave the window, he heard his father call out, “Fu Yixiao.” He turned back, puzzled. “Would you like to know what my next move will be?” Feng Suige’s heart began to race violently as he strained to catch any subtle sounds.
His father had stopped speaking, smiling as he watched Yixiao’s retreating figure. Yixiao’s eyes remained clear, as if she disdained even considering the question, and continued walking forward.
Feng Suige couldn’t help but smile softly. What stubborn defiance, but—his smile gradually faded—what was Father planning?
Outside, the corridor echoed with calls for servants to make way; the King was departing. The previous silence was shattered by the rumbling of the royal carriage, and the wind rattled the doors and windows, creating an eerie creaking sound that reverberated through the empty palace chamber.
Looking out the window again, Yixiao was no longer there—never had the Bi’an Palace felt so uncanny.
Xueying wandered glumly through the inner courtyard of their temporary lodgings. Since the incident on the main street, she had been kept under strict surveillance.
Calling it surveillance was self-consoling. She angrily plucked a leaf from a nearby shrub, crushing it viciously.
After hearing the full story, Xia Jingshi had merely said lightly, “Just don’t go out unless necessary from now on.” And just like that, she became the only person in the entire lodging who couldn’t come and go freely. Even Ning Fei, who used to follow her closely, had become an unbridled wild horse, disappearing all day long.
She felt so stifled she wanted to scream.
If it weren’t for Xiao Weiran telling her that Xia Jingshi had formally requested the Susha King to allow Yixiao to return to their lodgings, she swore she would have put nails in Xia Jingshi’s shoes, needles in his pillow, vinegar in his tea, and poison in his bowl…
Turning a corner, an arched doorway appeared before her, with “Ling Xi” carved on its top. This was a begonia garden she had discovered yesterday. It was the peak season for begonias, and the garden was filled with trees bearing white or pink flowers.
As she slowly walked in, she first glimpsed a human figure. A burly man wielding a cyan-colored long sword was practicing in the center of the garden.
Xueying didn’t understand martial arts, nor could she comment on his techniques. Since meeting Ning Fei, this was her first chance to see him practice. His clothes fluttered as he moved, turning and pivoting with no wasted motion. His movements were swift yet steady. With each gesture, gusts of wind sent flower petals flying and branches swaying gently. For a moment, she was mesmerized.
Ning Fei sensed someone approaching and stopped his practice. Seeing it was Xueying, he was somewhat surprised, “Why are you here?”
Xueying blinked, coming back to her senses. Suddenly, her eyes curved into a smile, “Ning Fei…” Ning Fei took a cautious step back. Though they hadn’t known each other long, he knew this expression meant she was plotting something. Xueying’s gaze was like that of a starving person suddenly seeing a delicious meal—starving!? Ning Fei felt cold sweat about to trickle down, “What are you planning?”
Xueying stared at him with sparkling eyes for a while before finally speaking, “That thing just now—can you teach me?”
“Ning Fei!” “His Highness has given me many tasks to handle, I’m truly swamped.” Ling Xueying and Ning Fei were walking hurriedly through the long corridor of the lodgings, with a sweating Ning Fei in front and a bright-eyed Ling Xueying chasing behind.
“Xiao Weiran is smarter than you, he’d do a better job. If you give all the tasks to him, you’ll have time to teach me,” Xueying called out without restraint.
Ning Fei very much wanted to turn around and strangle her, but he didn’t dare stop. Earlier, in a moment of weakness, he had agreed to teach her a few moves. When practicing with begonia branches, she had shown some promise, but when she insisted on using real weapons, the Kunwu sword in her hands either flew wildly through the air or plunged straight into the ground. If Ning Fei hadn’t dodged quickly, he would surely have ended up with several new holes in his body.
“It’s impossible. His Highness said these matters are very important and must be handled by me!” She still argued that it was because she wasn’t used to holding a sword for the first time and that she’d improve with more practice. Thinking of the Ling Xi Garden strewn with broken leaves and branches, Ning Fei walked even faster. Just a little more, once he passed through the door ahead, she would…
“Handle what?” Xia Jingshi’s voice suddenly emerged. Before his words had faded, he appeared at the doorway. Xiao Weiran, following behind him, maintained a calm expression, but the corners of his mouth twitched slightly.
Xueying’s eyes lit up, “Your Highness, can the tasks you assigned to Ning Fei be given to Adjutant Xiao instead? Xueying has something very important to ask of Ning Fei.”
“Not!” Ning Fei shouted before Xia Jingshi could respond, “Your Highness, she wants to learn my sword techniques, but… Your Highness should see the state of the begonia garden behind us. Before we return to Jinxiu, Your Highness’s safety is my responsibility, so I absolutely cannot be injured…”
“Learn sword techniques?” Xia Jingshi looked thoughtfully at Xueying, “I remember Uncle Ling once said…”
Hearing this, Xueying deflated and mumbled, “If I’m not learning, then I’m not learning. But you can’t tell Father about this, okay?” Last time, she was punished with copying a whole bookshelf just for secretly touching Father’s sword. If Father found out she not only held a sword but also learned a few moves, she’d probably be confined and forced to copy books for a year.
Just as Ning Fei was about to grin, Xia Jingshi continued, “But I think it’s good for girls to learn some self-defense. Since Ning Fei has already taught you, he should continue—if Uncle Ling asks about it in the future, remember, I knew nothing about this.”
Xueying immediately beamed with joy, “Xueying will remember. Thank you, Your Highness.” Before she could turn around, a Jinxiu soldier on guard outside rushed in to report, “Your Highness, the Regent Prince has arrived and is now in the front hall.” Xueying immediately raised her willow-like eyebrows and reached for the Kunwu sword at Ning Fei’s waist, “How dare he come here!”
While Ning Fei firmly protected his weapon, he looked towards Xia Jingshi. Xiao Weiran also stepped forward, “Your Highness…” Xia Jingshi waved his hand, “Since he’s here, how can we not meet him? Xueying, do you want to go learn sword techniques now, or do you want to accompany me to the front hall?”
Xueying glared at him for a moment before finally releasing her grip on Ning Fei.