Feng Suige merely glanced at Xia Jingshi and the others who came to greet him. “I need to speak with the King of Zhennan alone.”
After leading Feng Suige into the inner chamber, Xia Jingshi sat by the table and calmly looked at him. “Is this about Yixiao?” Feng Suige’s breathing faltered for a moment before returning to normal. “In a while, send some people to my Shuihuiyuan to bring her here.”
Even with Xia Jingshi’s composure, he still stood up in disbelief upon hearing this. “Are you serious?” Feng Suige nodded heavily but didn’t speak, as if considering something.
Xia Jingshi had regained his calm. “What are your conditions?” Feng Suige replied coldly, “There are no conditions.” He then glanced at Xia Jingshi, “From now until we return to Jinxiu, are you capable of protecting her?”
Xia Jingshi’s gaze fell on his clenched fists. “Did something happen?” Feng Suige’s expression changed slightly. “I hope you can treat Xiyang well… and don’t get too close to Yixiao in the future.”
Seeing Xia Jingshi narrow his eyes sharply, Feng Suige angrily said, “Put aside your thoughts. This has nothing to do with Xiyang.” “It’s the King,” Xia Jingshi said gravely. Feng Suige shuddered and avoided Xia Jingshi’s gaze.
“Maybe I’m overthinking. Today, Father summoned Yixiao alone. Although she was ultimately unharmed, I feel it won’t be that simple,” Feng Suige took a difficult breath and continued, “Xiyang’s mother died shortly after giving birth to her due to complications. On her deathbed, Father swore before her that he would ensure Xiyang’s happiness. So, if Father feels that Yixiao’s existence threatens Xiyang…” His voice trailed off abruptly.
Because Xia Jingshi’s hand slowly rested on his shoulder, the warmth gradually seeped through his clothes to his skin. “I’m grateful,” Xia Jingshi said softly, “You care about her too, don’t you?”
Feng Suige irritably swatted his hand away. “Don’t be so presumptuous. I’m afraid you’ll take it out on Xiyang if something happens!” He stepped back. “I’ve said what I needed to say. I’m leaving now. Go call your people.”
Xia Jingshi looked at him with an ambiguous smile for a while. “Alright.”
Yixiao curled up, hugging her knees on the soft couch. She didn’t cry, though she thought she would. She didn’t.
When she was very young, she once found a beautiful jade pendant in the Fu family garden. Yixiao still remembers it was a half-bloomed magnolia flower exquisitely carved from white jade.
Yixiao played with it as she walked towards the back courtyard. Her mother never had any decent jewelry, and this pendant would suit her well.
“Yixiao,” suddenly someone called from behind. Yixiao turned around to see the First Madam slowly approaching with two maids. “What are you holding?”
The First Madam was the daughter of an official family. Yixiao had seen her from afar a few times, a graceful and beautiful woman whom her father greatly favored.
Yixiao handed over the pendant. “I found it.” The First Madam pinched it between her fingers to examine it. “This pendant is one I accidentally dropped—but since you picked it up, I don’t want it anymore.” The First Madam stood straight, holding the pendant before Yixiao’s eyes. “Where were you taking it?” Yixiao instinctively reached out to take it. “I wanted to give it to my mother.”
Those beautiful lips curled into a mocking smile. “I forgot to mention, things I’ve worn are not for low-class people like you to touch.” With that, she raised her hand and smashed the pendant on the ground.
It shattered into pieces.
Yixiao lowered her head, looking at the scattered jade fragments on the ground. The First Madam sneered, “Don’t forget your status, and don’t foolishly imagine you can possess things that don’t belong to you…”
A gust of wind blew open the half-closed window, bringing in a whiff of flower fragrance. Yixiao stirred slightly, her curled body slowly unfolding as she relaxed on the couch.
Once, after joining the army, she was out on business with Xia Jingshi. On their way back to the royal city, she saw a woman wearing a pendant of similar style and couldn’t help but look twice. Xia Jingshi noticed and teased her, “What’s this? Are you interested in such things too?” She hesitated before recounting that past incident.
After listening, Xia Jingshi pretended to be angry and lightly struck her back with his horsewhip. “You spineless girl. Whether commoner or royalty, being fortunate enough to be born human, one should know their inherent worth. What’s so great about being of noble birth? They’re just ordinary people too, subject to birth, aging, sickness, and death, experiencing joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness. How can you measure yourself by the standards of shallow people?” Seeing Yixiao nod, he continued, “In the future, no matter who dares to say such things to you, give them a good thrashing with a whip. Say it’s by my royal decree. Remember that?” “I will!” she laughed heartily. “Your Highness, don’t forget either. If I ever stir up a hornet’s nest someday, you must be my support!”
After her mother passed away, Yixiao sorted through her belongings and found a well-preserved box. Opening it, she discovered a complete set of top-grade jade ornaments, each piece carved with either open or closed magnolia flowers. At the bottom of the box, pressed under a light blue gold-stamped note, someone had imitated her handwriting to write six characters: “Daughter Yixiao humbly presents.”
Thinking of this, Yixiao laughed softly. She had never told Xia Jingshi that even without imitating her handwriting, her mother wouldn’t have noticed anything—Mother was illiterate, so Yixiao’s letters home were always sent to her father, who would then relay the contents to her mother.
As she laughed, a sudden bitterness filled her mouth.
Your Highness, why does Yixiao increasingly realize that the difference in status is an unbridgeable chasm between people and that things that shouldn’t belong to oneself are truly impossible to possess forever?
Hearing footsteps, Yixiao slowly sat up. Feng Suige walked straight to the couch and handed her two pills.
Yixiao suspiciously sniffed them. They smelled the same as last time, but why were there two this time?
“Hurry up, I’ll wait for you outside,” Feng Suige said, turning to leave.
“Wait,” Yixiao stood up and chased after him, “Where are we going?” “We?” Feng Suige stopped and turned, raising one corner of his mouth, “Not we, just you.”
Yixiao pressed her lips together, hastily tossing the pills into her mouth. “Let’s go.”
But Feng Suige didn’t move. He looked at her for a long time, then suddenly pulled out the sachet containing the arrowhead from his bosom and thrust it into her hand. “I originally planned to return your arrow with this,” he chuckled dryly, not letting go of her hand, “But suddenly I don’t want to bother with you anymore, so I’m giving it back.”
Yixiao, somewhat bewildered, clutched the sachet as Feng Suige dragged her down the stairs, winding through several corridors until they neared the side entrance of Shuihuiyuan.
“Wait,” Yixiao suddenly struggled, “Let me see His Highness and Xueying. It won’t take long.” Feng Suige didn’t look back, forcefully pulling her forward.
“You’re back,” a familiar low voice came from nearby. Yixiao instinctively glanced over, and in that one look, her mind went blank.
Xia Jingshi stood smiling at the gate, holding the reins of a horse. Ning Fei and Xiao Weiran, along with several guards dressed in ordinary clothes, were scattered around keeping watch.
Feng Suige grunted, took her hand, and pushed her forward, muttering to Xia Jingshi, “Remember to follow the same route back.” Seeing her stop after a few steps, still dazed, he gritted his teeth and pushed her forward again.
Yixiao walked passively, still looking back at him in disbelief. “You’re letting me go back?” Feng Suige revealed a mischievous smile, “If you can’t bear to part with me, you can stay,” then forcefully pushed her out the gate.
Without even a word of farewell, Feng Suige, still wearing that mischievous smile, slowly closed the garden gate.
Inside, Feng Suige closed his eyes and pressed his forehead against the door, until the clip-clop of hooves gradually faded away. Only then did he take a deep breath, open his eyes, and turn to walk back into the garden.
Unconsciously placing her hand in Xia Jingshi’s, Yixiao didn’t know how she was helped onto the horse. In a daze, the surrounding scenery flowed backward like water.
There had been similar scenes before, but— “Your Highness?” she called uncertainly. Xia Jingshi looked down at her, asking gently, “What is it?” Yixiao shook her head, her eyes already wet, and tightly embraced his waist.
It wasn’t a dream. He had come.
“He came to the post house on his own,” Xia Jingshi’s voice sounded somewhat broken in the rushing wind. “He was worried you might be in danger.” “Maybe his conscience finally awakened,” Yixiao chuckled softly, hiding her face in his embrace and closing her eyes.