Feng Suige laughed bitterly, “Can I take this as a compliment?”
“Of course you can. However—I hold grudges and easily forget kindness. Be careful, Feng Suige!” She flashed a mischievous smile and turned towards the side door. Xue Ying glanced at Feng Suige with an ambiguous expression before hurrying after her with small steps.
“Fu Yixiao,” Feng Suige called out, striding towards her. “You’re right, I am arrogant and my attitude is terrible. So—” He revealed a wicked smile, suddenly stepping forward and embracing Yixiao tightly. His hot breath brushed against her neck as he said, “You surely won’t mind adding one more grievance to your list.”
Xue Ying watched the stiff Yixiao with her hand covering her mouth, both shocked and amused. Before Yixiao could struggle, Feng Suige had already released her and stepped back, making no effort to hide his smugness. “Go inside. The guards will be back soon.”
Yixiao’s tense body gradually relaxed, and she raised the corner of her lips. “I won’t forget.”
Feng Suige’s smile faded after the door closed. Her gaze used to be different. Back then, her eyes would pierce straight through, as if trying to reach the depths of one’s heart. If there was ever a hint of liveliness or charm, it was tinged with danger, like that time in the carriage… But now, her gaze had lost much of its sharpness. It carried a hint of weariness, along with a sense of indifference and profoundness that came from seeing through people’s hearts. In just a few short days, she had changed so much.
Xiao Weiran, who had been frantically searching for them, finally calmed down when the two returned. He didn’t reproach them, only saying softly, “I’m glad you’re safe.”
At this moment, Feng Xiyang had already changed into a new headdress and was drinking from the wedding cup with Xia Jingshi, which they had taken from the tray held by the palace maids.
Feng Qishan discreetly glanced at Fu Yixiao and Ling Xueying, who had just returned, before looking at Feng Suige, who had quietly returned to his position.
Xia Jingshi had arrived in a hurry, so he hadn’t noticed Fu Yixiao mixed in with his entourage. However, Feng Xiyang’s sudden willful act greatly angered him. While Xia Jingshi hadn’t yet responded, Feng Qishan looked at Feng Suige, who was seated below to his left, considering how to remind him to smooth things over.
Suddenly, Feng Suige turned his body slightly, seemingly casually glancing to his left rear. Feng Qishan instinctively followed his gaze—Fu Yixiao was standing steadily, her bloodless lips still holding a faint smile.
Feng Qishan couldn’t help but soften a bit. She was truly a special woman, radiating pride and stubbornness from her very bones. Even when facing his imposing presence alone, she had never shown a hint of timidity. So when Feng Suige left his position, he not only didn’t stop him but also acted as if he hadn’t noticed.
As the pair of jade wedding cups were placed back on the tray, Feng Suige quietly returned to his original position. Sensing the gaze from above, he suppressed his unease and gave Feng Qishan an appropriately measured smile before naturally looking toward Feng Xiyang, whose face was flushed from the wine.
The officiant, his eyes curved with a smile, chanted, “Bow in return—”
Feng Qishan stepped down from the dragon throne with a beaming smile. By the time he reached Xia Jingshi and Feng Xiyang, they had already completed their three bows. Feng Qishan helped them up, one hand for each, saying, “Now that we’re family, there’s no need for such formalities…”
As soon as the Emperor began speaking, all other voices abruptly ceased. Even the musicians stopped playing. The hall became so quiet that a barely audible scornful tone could be heard, “Hypocrite…”
Everyone’s expressions changed simultaneously as they turned towards the source of the sound. Feng Qishan, flushed with anger and embarrassment, shouted, “How dare you!”
Ning Fei’s face changed, and the faint smile in Xia Jingshi’s eyes gradually turned into a sharp glint. At the center of everyone’s attention stood two people: Fu Yixiao and Ling Xueying.
Feng Qishan’s face turned ashen, his eyes revealing unprecedented ferocity. “Who said that?” Yixiao and Xueying answered simultaneously, “It was me,” “I said it,” then glared at each other.
Feng Suige stepped forward solemnly, “Father, please calm your anger. Perhaps it was misheard…”
“Then what did Suige hear?” Feng Qishan sneered.
Feng Suige opened his mouth but couldn’t articulate anything. On the other side, Ning Fei looked expectantly at Xia Jingshi, hoping he would intercede, but Xia Jingshi seemed unaware, his cold gaze fixed on Yixiao, sharp as a blade.
A light cough drew everyone’s attention. Xiao Weiran calmly walked out from the side and bowed deeply, “Your Majesty, please calm down. I happened to be standing next to Officer Fu and Miss Ling when they were speaking. I heard every word clearly, and it seems the Crown Prince’s guess was correct—Your Majesty must have misheard.”
“Oh?” Feng Qishan raised an eyebrow. Although he was certain he had heard the word “hypocrite,” seeing Xiao Weiran’s composed demeanor, he knew the man must have solid grounds for speaking up. He gradually suppressed his anger and waited for the explanation.
Xiao Weiran smiled slightly, “If I may be so bold, may I ask what Your Majesty heard?”
Feng Qishan’s eyes flashed with murderous intent. After a long moment, he replied, “We did not hear clearly.”
Xia Jingshi’s expression softened slightly, his moth-like eyelashes lowering to conceal all emotion. When he raised them again, he had regained his composure.
Xiao Weiran maintained his respectful demeanor, bowing his head as he reported, “Officer Fu and Miss Ling were discussing His Highness and the new Princess’s marriage. Because the hall suddenly fell silent, their words were cut off. What Your Majesty was concerned about should be the last word—it was ‘vacancy’ from the phrase ‘leaving a vacancy.'”
Murmurs of discussion arose around them. Feng Qishan stared at Xiao Weiran for a moment before nodding with a smile, “Ah, ‘leaving a vacancy.’ It seems We did indeed mishear and nearly wronged our two esteemed guests.”
Xueying seized the opportunity to step forward and curtsied with a forced smile, “It was Xueying who was reckless. This is my first time seeing such grandeur and attending a royal ceremony. I got too excited and spoke too casually, disturbing Your Majesty. Please forgive me.”
At this point, Feng Qishan couldn’t pursue the matter further. He feigned a smile and said, “Today is Xiyang’s joyous day. It’s only fitting to be lively. There’s nothing to forgive—let’s continue!” The last sentence was directed at the officiant.
The officiant, who had never presided over such a difficult royal ceremony before, now had a somewhat glazed look in his eyes. He swallowed hard, trying to keep his voice steady, “Your… Your Majesty, the banquet may begin.”
Although it was a wedding banquet, the guests couldn’t help but network and exchange pleasantries. The sound of greetings and laughter filled the air.
Feng Qishan must truly love Feng Xiyang, as he had ordered the palace servants to add a seat next to the imperial throne, allowing Xia Jingshi and Feng Xiyang to sit beside him.
Xia Jingshi coldly observed the Du Sha officials below. They cast various glances at him, some envious of his renowned military prowess in both countries, some dissatisfied with his status as a noble sitting alongside the Emperor, and others puzzled by how he had won the heart of their kingdom’s princess, Feng Xiyang. He was well aware of everyone’s pretenses but couldn’t be bothered to expose them.
In Du Sha, apart from Feng Xiyang, probably no one liked him. But for the sake of this contractual marriage, he could only maintain a spectator’s attitude, appreciating the ugly expressions of these people who had no choice but to feign happiness. Meanwhile, his soul stood in another corner, watching this body seated at the head of the hall, confirming that he was indeed experiencing all of this.
Xia Jingshi’s gaze slowly swept over the crowd putting on their acts, finally landing on Fu Yixiao. She wore a light purple arrow-patterned ivory robe, her loosely tied hair cascading down her back. She was huddled with Xueying, talking and laughing softly, perhaps joking about the “leaving a vacancy” incident.
Recalling that heart-stopping moment and Feng Qishan’s undisguised killing intent, a dark shade clouded Xia Jingshi’s eyes.
When Feng Xiyang looked at him with a smile, holding the phoenix crown, he should have responded like a loving husband would to his newlywed wife, agreeing without hesitation. But his emotions betrayed his reason, and he found himself searching Feng Xiyang’s eyes. If there was even a hint of smugness in them, he would… He shuddered slightly. What would he do?
His rapidly returning reason urged him on. He heard himself say, “Alright,” but his outstretched hand felt as heavy as a stone tablet. The gaze behind him lacked warmth, yet it scorched his internal organs. He couldn’t help but wonder if anyone had ever died from internal combustion… Just as he was about to smile, the sudden disappearance of pain made him glance in that direction as he took the golden crown. Empty.
Was he in the process of losing, or had he already lost?
It didn’t matter, did it? Wasn’t this the result he had been seeking all along? He laughed softly in his heart. So be it. At last, his heart could be as still as water.
“…Hypocrite…” A very faint voice brushed past his ear, scraping out a sharp ringing. It was the cold, sarcastic tone Xueying often used when speaking to him. For a moment, he almost couldn’t understand why Feng Qishan’s expression had changed.