At some point, guests began to leave their seats and present their wedding gifts, one by one offering valuable presents. Xia Jingshi averted his gaze, lifting his jade-inlaid cup to admire the amber-colored wine within, smiling reservedly.
Some were merely trying to curry favor with Princess Xiyang, the most beloved of Ji Kingdom’s ruler. Others were intimidated by the sovereign’s authority and dared not slight the occasion. Not a single gift conveyed genuine congratulations for his marriage, and even he lacked the joy befitting a newlywed.
Royal marriages had always been nothing more than political farces.
Noticing Xia Jingshi’s silence, Feng Xiyang stole a glance at him while pretending to sip her wine. Her smile remained as faint as a wisp of smoke, her eyes still as cold as stars. Though beside him physically, her heart seemed distant, as if the ongoing wedding banquet had nothing to do with him.
Feng Xiyang suddenly felt powerless, the joy that had filled her heart for days gradually dissipating. They were husband and wife now, yet she still couldn’t capture his undivided attention. The warmth in his eyes was scarce, and none of it was directed at her…
Perhaps sensing something, Xia Jingshi suddenly turned his head. Feng Xiyang didn’t have time to look away, her hurt exposed under his clear gaze. “Are you unwell?” he asked softly, reaching out to take her wine cup. “The wine is quite strong. Don’t drink too much.”
His gentleness suddenly illuminated the gloom in her heart. Feng Xiyang returned a radiant smile, taking back the wine cup from his hand. She slowly stood up, facing the crowd, instantly drawing everyone’s attention.
Feng Xiyang’s long eyelashes arched gracefully, her expression full of dignified charm. The hall fell silent. “Today, my husband has brought me a beautiful phoenix crown. I wish to give him a gift in return, but I don’t know what he likes,” she said, her voice trembling slightly. “I can only offer myself wholeheartedly to him. From now on, I will do my utmost to be a good wife, sharing his worries, his glory, and his hardships—with heaven and earth as witnesses, and all people present as witnesses!” With that, she drained her cup in one gulp. As she set down the jade cup, whether from the wine or excitement, a rosy hue spread across her cheeks, her eyes sparkling.
Silence. Someone’s wine cup toppled, dripping steadily onto the floor, yet no palace servant came forward to clean it up.
Feng Suige turned his head, stunned, looking at the spirited young woman before him with slight bewilderment. Was this his youngest sister Xiyang, who had always been the most favored? Just days ago, she was still a mischievous girl using the wedding as an excuse to wheedle precious ornaments from him. Now, the shyness of a young girl seemed to have left her, replaced by an intense longing for love.
Xia Jingshi’s face showed only confusion. Four years ago, he had heard from the imperial messenger that Princess Xiyang had declared she would marry no one but him. He had been puzzled then but didn’t give it much thought. Now, hearing Feng Xiyang speak such words before him, he couldn’t help but wonder if he had missed some crucial development.
Ling Xueying had heard from Fu Yixiao about Feng Xiyang’s unique behavior, but she still couldn’t help gaping at Yixiao. Yixiao merely returned a look that said “You’ll get used to it.” She then glanced at the slender figure in green on the high platform, feeling a twinge of regret. If Feng Xiyang weren’t the princess of Susha, if she hadn’t been entangled in this murky situation, perhaps they could have become good friends, traveling the world together, laughing and singing under the sun and moon…
Amidst the silence, Feng Qishan sighed, “Such true sincerity—among all my daughters, only Xiyang possesses this. Xia Jingshi, you must not let her down.” Hearing her father’s words of entrusting, Feng Xiyang finally showed a rare hint of shyness and quickly sat down. Many of the officials below had watched her grow up, and seeing her display such an uncommon coy expression, they burst into laughter.
Xia Jingshi smiled faintly, “May our affection endure long, what need for honeyed words?” “Good!” Feng Qishan laughed heartily. “Then I can set my mind at ease. Xiyang, you’ve grown up now. After marriage, don’t be as willful and capricious as before. Be more steady. When your father isn’t by your side, you must learn to make decisions on your own—ah, it’s truly hard to let go…”
Feng Xiyang first obediently agreed, but upon hearing his wistful sigh, her eyes reddened. Fighting back tears, she pouted, “Father, today is my wedding day. Don’t say such sad things.” Seeing her on the verge of tears, Feng Qishan had to swallow his melancholy, covering it up by raising his wine cup in a distant toast with Xia Jingshi.
Suddenly, a voice of moderate volume came from below, “How come we only see our wedding gifts? Did the people from the Jinxiu Kingdom come empty-handed?” Before the words faded, a buzz of discussion arose from the seats. Xia Jingshi and Feng Xiyang frowned simultaneously, looking down.
The speaker, though dressed in a scholar’s robe of ginger-yellow jacquard satin with bat patterns, appeared to be a military official judging by his bearing. He was now casting a challenging look at Xia Jingshi.
Feng Xiyang immediately rebuked, “Xun Xiang, if you want to act drunk and crazy, go outside. Don’t embarrass yourself here!”
The military official called Xun Xiang, having been publicly reprimanded by Feng Xiyang, looked somewhat discomfited. Suddenly noticing that King Feng Qishan showed no sign of displeasure, he grew bolder and stood up to retort, “This humble official is merely stating facts. Doesn’t the Jinxiu Kingdom boast of its numerous people and abundant resources? How come they’re hiding on the sidelines at this crucial moment…”
As Xiyang was about to lose her temper, Feng Qishan intervened timely, “General Xun, guests are to be respected. Do not be unreasonable.” Seeing the king speak, Xun Xiang dared not continue, though his words were left unfinished, and he sat back down resentfully. Feng Qishan glanced at the expressionless Xia Jingshi, then admonished, “The ancients said, ‘A thousand miles to gift a goose feather,’ speaking of sentiment. The gift lies in the heart’s intent, not in quantity. Refrain from speaking rudely.”
Feng Suige’s eyes darted between the upper and lower seats, already understanding the situation. His father was allowing Xun Xiang’s behavior intentionally, though for what purpose remained unclear. He remained silent, watching quietly.
On the other side, a thin man stood up and respectfully said, “Your Majesty is wise. We do not mean to make unreasonable demands, but Princess Xiyang’s marriage is a great affair for the state. How can it be settled with just a golden crown?”
Ning Fei finally couldn’t contain his anger and retorted, “His Highness had already sent three batches of betrothal gifts to Susha while en route. Moreover, upon bringing the Princess back to Jinxiu, there will be another grand banquet to receive congratulations from various noble guests. Do you also plan to bring gifts and follow us to Jinxiu to present them again?” The man was instantly speechless. The Jinxiu seats immediately erupted in laughter, while the Susha side, having lost face, broke into a clamor of voices.
Seeing signs of a dispute between the two sides, Feng Qishan nonchalantly tapped his golden wine vessel on the dragon table. The noise ceased abruptly. He looked around with satisfaction and spoke gravely, “Stop quarreling. To argue red-faced over a few wedding gifts is truly undignified.”
At this point, Xiyang also sensed the ambiguity in his words. Seeing Xia Jingshi remain silent, she feared he might get angry and whispered, “That Xun Xiang once sought my hand from Father, but Father didn’t agree. Not long after, I was betrothed to you, so he’s always resented you. Don’t stoop to his level.”
Hearing her speak so frankly, Xia Jingshi couldn’t help but smile, “What he says is not without reason. I indeed didn’t consider it thoroughly. I’ll pay attention in the future. Why would I be angry?” Xiyang snorted and glanced at him sideways, “How many times do you plan to marry?” As soon as the words left her mouth, she realized their impropriety. Seeing Xia Jingshi’s ambiguous smile, she blushed and lowered her head, mumbling, “I was just joking. Xiyang won’t object to you taking concubines.” Xia Jingshi merely smiled without answering.
While the two whispered intimately above, seemingly oblivious to others, Xun Xiang watched from below, his anger boiling. He knelt among the seats and loudly proclaimed, “This subject has a matter to report to Your Majesty!” Feng Qishan raised an eyebrow, “This is not a court session, but speak freely.”
“Yes,” Xun Xiang glanced at Ning Fei and continued, “This subject requests to escort the Princess to Jinxiu, and to bring along the ‘heartfelt gifts’ from this subject and other officials, to present to the Princess at the grand banquet in Jinxiu.” The hall immediately erupted in an uproar, with waves of voices rising one after another in excitement.
Xueying carefully observed Feng Qishan’s expression from afar and sneered, “He’s deliberately showing favoritism, intentionally embarrassing us.” Yixiao, already in a foul mood, felt even more irritated hearing the commotion and said resentfully, “If this were an ordinary family, we could just flip the table and leave. But in this place, we can’t leave, and we can’t stay. It’s truly vexing.”
Xiao Weiran, seated at the same table, heard Yixiao’s complaint and advised in a low voice, “Don’t be rash. We’re returning tomorrow. We can’t afford any mistakes.”