A sense of impending storm swirled in the air. Fury gathered in King Feng Qishan’s eyes, his usually gentle features appearing somewhat fierce in the lamplight. “What a fine daughter I have,” he hissed venomously. “You trust him, but not your royal father?”

Feng Xiyang crawled forward two steps on her knees, her face pale as she hastily explained, “That’s not what Xiyang meant. I just didn’t want Father to be upset over these matters…”

Feng Qishan gasped loudly like a man just freed from suffocation. Xia Jingshi suddenly felt a touch of pity. He let out an almost inaudible sigh and said softly, “That phoenix crown… Mother Consort wore it when she married the late Emperor. So please, Your Majesty, believe in this prince’s sincerity.”

Feng Xiyang and Feng Qishan’s gazes landed on his face almost simultaneously – one filled with tearful joy, the other with stunned relief.

Feng Qishan suddenly smiled, his expression complex yet full of acceptance. “It seems I’ve grown old, becoming more and more fixated on formalities. Xiyang, get up and go pack your things. Move to the guesthouse tonight.”

Feng Xiyang’s still-moist eyelashes fluttered twice. She slowly stood up and said softly, “Xiyang wishes to stay and talk more with Father.”

Feng Qishan’s expression changed abruptly. He suddenly looked at Xia Jingshi, his eyes showing a strange depth.

Everyone in the hall heard his words clearly: “I want to ask the Prince of Zhennanz for a person.”

A flash of sharpness crossed Xia Jingshi’s eyes. His tightly clenched fists trembled slightly, but a smile appeared on his face. “Who has caught Your Majesty’s eye?”

Feng Qishan’s expression became very strange, his voice slow and calm. “Xiyang will be leaving Su Sha tomorrow. The palace will be so quiet without her.” He glanced down meaningfully. “Ling Xueying, who came with you, is clever and lively. I took a liking to her as soon as I saw her, so I intend to keep her by my side.”

At the wedding, he had heard the word “hypocrite” clearly. Although it was later disrupted by Xiao Weiran, he could still see something in their expressions. Someone who could make Fu Yixiao rush out to take the blame must hold a very important place in her heart. Feng Qishan laughed coldly to himself. The question has been posed; let’s see how you choose.

Dead silence. The sound of lamp wicks crackling could be heard clearly. The flickering candlelight reflected on the pale faces across the brocade mats.

His words were like a slap to Ning Fei’s face, stunning him completely. He instinctively looked at Xueying, who still seemed a bit bewildered. Seeing him look over, she asked softly, “Is he talking about me?”

Feng Suige was also shocked, staring at his father’s inscrutable expression. In the past few days, he had guessed at countless possibilities, even secretly sending people to lurk around the guesthouse for protection and monitoring all personnel deployments in the city. But he never imagined that his father would openly make such a demand in front of everyone, and the person he wanted wasn’t her.

In Yixiao’s instantly darkened mind, a piercing cry surged forth. Anger like scorching fire yet icy cold flames raged through her veins, hatred tearing at her heart.

She had already given up on the idea that unexpected happiness might come her way, only wanting to live a peaceful life. No anxiety or sorrow, no worry or fear, no hurt or despair, no homelessness, no dead ends, no surprises – nothing at all. Just peace would be enough. Why were there still people unwilling to leave her alone? Why?!

The innate defiance boiled up again. Power – she didn’t seek it, but she didn’t fear it either!

Her cold, sweaty hand gently covered Xueying’s. Yixiao’s voice was soft but firm, “Don’t worry, we’ll return together.” She glanced at Ning Fei, then suddenly stood up, looking proudly at the expressionless Feng Qishan. “Does the mighty King of Su Sha also engage in the despicable act of abducting young women?”

Feng Qishan raised an eyebrow and sneered, “She’s dressed as a young lady. How can you call it abduction?”

Yixiao laughed, a very false laugh. “Your Majesty seems to lack propriety. Are the noble ladies of Su Sha supposed to dress as married women after receiving betrothal gifts?”

Still in shock, Xueying received a hint from Xiao Weiran. Ning Fei had already stepped forward, declaring proudly, “Indeed. Because we had to escort His Highness here for the wedding, Ning Fei had no choice but to postpone the wedding date. Otherwise, Xueying would already be my wife!”

Seeing Ning Fei stand up to protect her, Xia Jingshi’s lips curled into a smile. He said gently, “How about this? I will certainly convey Your Majesty’s wishes to the Emperor. I’m sure His Majesty will carefully select a suitable candidate and won’t disappoint you.”

The Su Sha nobles below cowered, not daring to breathe. This was undoubtedly the first and only such bizarre wedding they had ever attended in their lives. From Feng Qishan, they could already sense the scent of bloodshed and slaughter – the dangerous aura before those in power unleashed a massacre.

“Very well. In that case, I’ll take the one by her side,” Feng Qishan finally spoke, cold and emotionless.

A killing intent with the air of destruction suddenly surged in Xia Jingshi’s eyes, as bright as stars in the night. His whole body tensed up. He put away his smile and said in a deep voice, “Captain Fu holds a military position and is not an ordinary woman. Your Majesty’s request is somewhat unreasonable!”

Feng Qishan smiled leisurely. “I’ve already thought of that. Early tomorrow morning, I will draft a letter to be delivered to the guesthouse for the Prince of Zhennanz to take back to the Jinxiu Emperor. I will personally explain the reasons to the Emperor in the letter. The Emperor should not refuse.”

Xiao Weiran, unable to contain himself any longer, also stood up. Almost simultaneously, Feng Suige sprang to his feet, crying out, “If Father feels lonely, this son can visit the palace more often to keep Father company…”

“Father,” before Feng Suige could finish, Feng Xiyang cut in with a smile, “So Father also likes Yixiao very much. It seems Xiyang’s judgment is not bad.” As she spoke, she slowly descended the jade steps and walked to Yixiao’s side, taking her hand. “Xiyang has always believed that if my husband were to take a concubine, Yixiao would be a very suitable choice…”

Everyone was stunned.

Xia Jingshi gazed at Xiyang, his heart surging. He truly hadn’t expected that the person who would step forward to help him protect Yixiao at this moment would be her.

Feng Qishan’s face turned ashen as he shouted, “You’ve just gotten married and you’re already arranging concubines for your husband? Have you gone mad trying to be a virtuous wife?”

Yixiao also looked incredulously at Feng Xiyang’s smiling profile. Her smile was very forced, her hand colder than Xueying’s, but she didn’t back down. “Xiyang has been pampered by everyone since childhood and has never had to worry about anything. I’ve never learned the tactics of harem concubines vying for favor. So, rather than having a stranger by his side, it’s better to have Yixiao, whose temperament I get along with, serve my husband together.”

As Xiyang’s words echoed in his ears, Feng Suige stared fixedly at Yixiao. She would agree, right? Suddenly, his heart twisted in agony. He finally understood – when the heart is moved, it becomes entangled.

The warmth of her body still lingered on his chest, so real, as if she were still standing outside Xuande Hall, still held in his embrace. It turns out it was always destined that he could only watch her from afar – watch her come, and watch her go.

He smiled bitterly. It’s alright. In one’s lifetime, to meet someone who moves your heart is already rare. Compared to those who live their entire lives not knowing what they’re pursuing, having met her, having their lives intersect, even if they can’t be together forever, there are no regrets.

Just because you exist in this mortal world, my heart is filled with happiness and contentment, full.