As they spoke, Xia Jingshi, seated at the head, stood up.
His gaze, filled with undisguised disdain and lofty arrogance, swept across the provocative Susa nobility present at the banquet. It seemed they had forgotten that he was not just an ordinary border prince; he was the illustrious God of War of Jinxiu’s battlefields. Royal blood flowed through his veins, and an inviolable nobility was ingrained in his very nature.
A heavy sense of oppression spread silently. All the arrogant and noisy individuals involuntarily closed their mouths.
Feng Suige sensed his formidable aura, and his eyes couldn’t help but brighten. This was the Xia Jingshi he was familiar with.
Just moments ago, Fu Yixiao had been furious. Now he rolled his eyes at Xia Jingshi and muttered dejectedly as if responding to Xiao Weiran’s words, “We should have known he wouldn’t miss such an opportunity to shine. Why were we worrying for nothing?”
Huan Xiang was still kneeling in the hall. Seeing Xia Jingshi’s overwhelming presence, his eyes shot out resentful glares. He straightened up, met Xia Jingshi’s gaze head-on, and sneered, “Doesn’t the Prince of Zhen Nan think he’s overstepping his bounds?”
Xia Jingshi suddenly revealed a gentle smile, like a breeze at dawn. “If standing up is overstepping, why doesn’t General Huan continue kneeling?” The banquet hall of Jinxiu erupted in muffled laughter.
Ignoring Huan Xiang’s purpling face, Xia Jingshi turned and gracefully saluted Feng Qishan. “Your Majesty, may this prince ask General Huan a few questions?” Feng Qishan replied casually, “Of course.”
Curling one corner of his lips, Xia Jingshi slowly descended the imperial steps and asked leisurely, “General Huan’s so-called intentions—are they someone else’s or your own?” Huan Xiang hadn’t expected this question and didn’t dare let down his guard. He answered tersely, “Both.”
“From your tone just now, General, it seems you don’t regard the Nine Dragons Nine Phoenix Crown highly. Therefore, I surmise you must have prepared an even more precious gift. Could you perhaps reveal it and broaden this prince’s horizons?” As he spoke, Xia Jingshi had leisurely strolled before him.
Huan Xiang hesitated for a moment, glanced at Feng Xiyang—seeing she was only looking at Xia Jingshi—then gritted his teeth and said, “A two-foot-tall White Jade Nine-tier Exquisite Pagoda.” As soon as he spoke, murmurs of astonishment arose around them.
Seeing the gleam in Xia Jingshi’s eyes, Feng Suige’s heart stirred, a thought flashing through his mind. Before he could ponder further, Feng Qishan nodded and said, “General Huan is indeed thoughtful toward Xiyang.” Huan Xiang hastily said he didn’t dare. Seeing Xia Jingshi silent, he laughed provocatively, “I wonder if this jade pagoda can compare to the prince’s golden crown?”
Xia Jingshi replied with a smile, “Of course it can. I wonder if this is an heirloom of your family or a gift from a friend?” Huan Xiang said smugly, “I purchased this pagoda at auction on the black market last year for 130,000 taels of silver.” Immediately, an uproar filled the hall.
Feng Qishan’s face changed. Before he could speak, Xia Jingshi preemptively sneered, “General, what is your annual salary?” In an instant, Huan Xiang’s face turned ashen. He forced himself to argue, “I bought it with family wealth. What does that have to do with my salary?”
A tense atmosphere enveloped the hall. With a mocking smile, Xia Jingshi said leisurely, “From your words and actions, General, you don’t seem like a descendant of a noble family, so this prince was merely making a casual guess.”
Feng Suige stepped forward from his seat, laughing loudly, “The Prince of Zhen Nan’s wit and wisdom are indeed well-deserved.” His words subtly acknowledged Xia Jingshi’s implication. Xia Jingshi modestly responded with a smile, then looked at the smiling Feng Xiyang. “May this prince decide on behalf of the princess?”
Seeing Xiyang nod, Xia Jingshi gazed around at the assembly of Susa nobles and ministers. “All of your congratulatory gifts—I will accept them here on behalf of the princess. Together with the gift list, they will be handed over to Prince Feng for handling. After all, these are valuable items. Selling them and contributing the proceeds to the national treasury could offset years of disaster relief expenses. If any items were extorted from the common people, I advise you to report them promptly and have the prince return them intact.” His icy gaze swept over the pale-faced officials and finally landed on Feng Suige before him. “Should General Huan’s white jade pagoda and the other lords’ tokens also be included?” Feng Suige smiled, “Naturally.”
Feng Qishan saw the situation spiraling out of control. What had been a splendid wedding banquet was now in chaos. His fury was entirely directed at Huan Xiang. He immediately ordered the Imperial Guards to bind him and take him into custody for interrogation.
Watching Huan Xiang being dragged away, wailing miserably all the while, the grand hall fell into utter silence, with only the suppressed sounds of hundreds of people breathing heavily.
Xia Jingshi and Feng Suige locked eyes for a moment. Feng Suige was the first to speak frankly, “Since you have married Xiyang and conveniently helped Susa solve the disaster relief funds for the past few years, let’s write off the grudges between us today.” Xia Jingshi raised an eyebrow slightly. “You’re quite perceptive. Old grudges I had long forgotten, and new ones haven’t had time to be settled before they’re written off.” With that, the two laughed together, struck their palms heavily to seal the agreement, and returned to their respective seats.
Feng Qishan’s expression relaxed slightly. Forcing a smile, he said, “Enough, let’s not let those matters spoil the mood. Continue the banquet.” The nobles, adept at reading the situation, felt slightly relieved. The stifled atmosphere in the hall began to ease, but it never returned to its earlier natural and pleasant mood.
As the water clock dripped past the Xu hour, it was time to end the banquet. The ceremonial officer led a group of beautiful palace maidens holding fragrant palace fans forward, smiling broadly. “The hour is late. May Princess Xiyang and the Prince of Zhen Nan please follow this humble servant to Bi’an Palace…”
Before he could finish, Xia Jingshi frowned, “Bi’an Palace?” Xiyang’s face reddened slightly as she explained, “Bi’an Palace was a gift from Father to my mother. Since Mother’s passing, it has remained vacant. So this time, I had it slightly refurbished to serve as our bridal chamber.”
After hearing this, Xia Jingshi gave a faint smile. “We will depart for Jinxiu tomorrow morning, so I need to return to the guest residence later to arrange related matters. It is inconvenient to stay overnight in the palace.” Xiyang was slightly taken aback, and the ceremonial officer exclaimed in alarm, “This… this is against propriety!”
Feng Qishan, who had been listening nearby, narrowed his sharp eyes but could only smile diplomatically, “On the wedding night—the bridal chamber adorned with candles—is one of life’s great events. How can it be skipped?”
Xia Jingshi smiled apologetically, “If things are not arranged properly, it will undoubtedly cause hardship on the journey after we set off tomorrow. Moreover, according to propriety, it is only after the wedding banquet in Jinxiu that it can be considered a true marriage.” Feng Qishan was about to speak when Xiyang smiled and said, “What my husband says is not unreasonable. Then I shall take my leave first.”
“Wait! How can you not enter the bridal chamber after the wedding ceremony?” Feng Qishan’s voice, tinged with anger, unknowingly grew louder, drawing curious glances from others in the hall. Feng Xiyang angrily whispered, “Father, why are you speaking so loudly!”
Feng Qishan took a deep breath, lowered his voice, and said, “Susa has never had such a precedent. If you still sleep in separate quarters after the wedding ceremony, where does that leave the dignity and propriety of the Susa royal family?” Xia Jingshi, enduringly conciliatory, said, “If Your Majesty is concerned about others’ opinions, I can immediately send someone back to the guest residence to prepare a bedroom and invite the princess to stay there.”
Feng Qishan decisively said, “No. How can the guest residence be suitable as a bridal chamber? Tonight, you must stay in Bi’an Palace.” Seeing Xia Jingshi’s gaze grow increasingly cold, Feng Xiyang angrily interjected, “Father, how can you force people like this? What if others misunderstand and think that I am eager to enter the bridal chamber and insist on keeping my husband? How will I face others if such rumors spread?”
Feng Qishan snorted coldly, “This is my decision. It has nothing to do with you. I just fear that someone harbors thoughts they shouldn’t and is making excuses to delay…” Before he could finish, Xiyang had already knelt with a thud. “I beg you, Father, please say no more! My husband is not someone who doesn’t understand reason. I believe in him!”
Feng Qishan’s earlier words had already attracted many covert glances. Now, with Feng Xiyang kneeling, there was a chorus of astonished gasps from those present.
Fu Yixiao and the others were seated farther away and couldn’t hear the conversation at the main table. They only saw Feng Qishan suddenly angry and Feng Xiyang suddenly kneeling. Xiao Weiran’s expression grew serious. He gave Ning Fei a meaningful look. Understanding, Ning Fei subtly adjusted his posture, ready to spring forward from his seat at any moment to protect Xia Jingshi should anything happen.
Although Yixiao didn’t know the details, seeing the vigilant stances of Xiao Weiran and Ning Fei, he became alert. He whispered to Xue Ying, “If anything happens later, don’t panic. Just stay close to me.” Though uneasy, Xue Ying nodded calmly.