The vicious look in Feng Qishan’s eyes was like a knife, falling on Yixiao as if wanting to slice the flesh from her body piece by piece. “I truly underestimated your tactics. But now, I’m even more curious about you.”

Yixiao’s lips curled slightly into a faint smile. “The confidence of holding power, the domineering air of prospering in good times and perishing in bad, casually trampling and manipulating those who can’t resist… Until today’s lofty position. Does Your Majesty remember how many people’s blood, tears, and corpses you stepped on to reach this position?”

Feng Qishan was stunned for a moment, then snorted coldly, “This is the way of kings. How could you understand?”

“Of course, I don’t understand, that’s why you’re the king. But I despise those tactics that manipulate people’s hearts and play power games,” Yixiao’s face showed stubbornness and tenacity as cold and dazzling as sunlight reflecting off a glacier. “Always putting on a noble act, playing the role of arbitrator, but in my heart, that’s just nauseating hypocrisy!”

“How dare you!” “Yixiao!” “Fu Yixiao!” Voices of rebuke rang out from all around, both male and female, but it was too late.

Unexpectedly, Feng Qishan’s face instead showed a rare interest, smiling wickedly and arrogantly. “I admire your courage. May I ask, have you already decided something?”

Yixiao ignored his question, gently embracing the bewildered Feng Xiyang beside her, whispering in her ear, “No matter who you did this for, I thank you. But I have my pride. I don’t want to owe too much, nor can I afford to.”

Sensing her withdrawal, Xiyang hastily grabbed her arm. “Everything I said was sincere. It’s not out of pity for you, nor to please him. You must believe me.”

Yixiao suddenly smiled, charmingly to the bone. She raised her hand to caress Xiyang’s face. “Of course, I believe you. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have thanked you. But you know, even without all this, I had already decided not to go back.” She turned to smile at Xueying. “Others may not understand, but Xueying does. You can ask her after you return.”

As if someone had stabbed him hard in the heart, Xia Jingshi’s gaze lost focus. Though he hadn’t heard what Yixiao whispered to Xiyang, he had gleaned the gist from their exchange—she had refused, she wanted to stay.

“Fu Yixiao, this prince does not agree to you staying here,” he heard himself say, his tone low and slow. “You are a military officer of Jinxiu. Without this prince’s consent, leaving the country’s borders is already treason. This prince gives you one last chance. If you persist in your delusion, you will be dealt with according to military law.”

Xiao Weiran and Ning Fei shuddered simultaneously, calling out in unison, “Your Highness!”

Yixiao was silent for a long while before turning her head to look at him. Her eyes held no emotion, just gazing at him indifferently. “First, the military officer you speak of was shot dead by you years ago. Second, I don’t mind asking King Feng to help me request an imperial edict from the Emperor, so I can stay here ‘legitimately’!”

Xueying’s clear eyes had long since misted over, the tip of her nose slowly reddening. Now she coldly mocked, “Xia Jingshi, I finally understand why Yixiao would rather stay in Su Sha than marry you.” She looked at Ning Fei, holding back tears. “I finally know what that thing is, though it’s a bit late.”

Feng Qishan, who had been quietly watching everything, chuckled. “It sounds like there are many stories here. Fortunately, there will be plenty of time to hear them slowly in the future. Otherwise, I would feel quite regretful.”

A trace of brokenness flashed through Yixiao’s eyes. She shook off Feng Xiyang’s hand and stepped forward, folding her arms and smiling lazily. “I doubt I’ll live to see the day Your Majesty is interested in listening. Perhaps tonight I’ll turn around and be poisoned.”

Feng Qishan’s face darkened. He said coldly, “Just for what you’ve said to me today, sentencing you to death on the spot would not be excessive. But for Xiyang’s sake, I won’t hold it against you. Enough, I’m tired. If there’s nothing else, let’s disperse.” Turning to a dumbfounded palace servant nearby, he ordered, “Take Captain Fu to Fanghua Palace to rest for now.”

“Father,” Feng Suige stepped forward swiftly, his voice colder than a misty night, as if ice had frozen over a pond. “That’s in the back palace. It might not be appropriate to place a guest there.” Feng Qishan waved his hand carelessly. “It’s just for one night. After seeing Xiyang off tomorrow, I’ll have an empty palace prepared…”

Feng Suige’s expression was calm as he said word by word, “There’s a room for her in my Water Painting Garden.”

“She’s not going anywhere,” Xia Jingshi’s eyes had a fire dancing in them. He walked down the steps one by one. “She’s coming back to the guesthouse with me!”

Like wind passing through a bamboo grove, a slight commotion rippled through the previously silent gathering. Before Feng Qishan’s sharp gaze could sweep over them, silence quickly returned.

Yixiao stood quietly, her head tilted back, eyes half-closed, the corners of her mouth neither smiling nor not. She seemed to be waiting for them to conclude, yet also appeared to be pondering something. The golden light from the crystal palace lamps fell on her face, transparent yet brilliant.

This nobility was what they insisted on giving her. She understood well the simple principle of making the most of what’s available.

If you can’t escape, you must face it. This was a war without gunpowder, yet the fiercest of all. What each person could see was only their path; everyone had their battlefield.

Use the simplest, most direct, and quickest method to achieve the best effect – this was what Xia Jingshi had taught her.

To achieve one’s goal, means are necessary, sacrifices are necessary, and power is most necessary – this was what Feng Qishan had taught her.

This was the battlefield of Asura – win or die.

“I want to go to Water Painting Garden,” Yixiao slowly opened her eyes, a glint of playful cunning flashing through them. Since she had already unavoidably waded into troubled waters, why were they still standing on the shore?

Xia Jingshi quickened his pace towards Yixiao. She neither dodged nor evaded, allowing him to seize her wrist. Tch, it hurt.

Brushing aside the rushing Xueying, Xia Jingshi pulled Yixiao in front of him, angrily saying, “Why are you always so willful, never considering others’ feelings!”

Watching Xueying fall into Ning Fei’s arms, Yixiao lazily turned her head back. “What? You intend to marry me?”

Unsurprisingly, Xia Jingshi released her hand as if stung. Just as he was about to say something, amidst the crowd’s exclamations, Feng Suige, who had followed closely, suddenly grabbed Xia Jingshi’s shoulder and punched him in the abdomen with all his might. Caught off guard, Xia Jingshi took the hit, leaning back in pain, barely avoiding Feng Suige’s second punch aimed at his face.

The hall immediately erupted into chaos. Feng Xiyang rushed over to support Xia Jingshi, Xiao Weiran stood between him and Feng Suige, Ning Fei restrained the emotionally agitated Xueying, while Feng Suige, having missed his second strike, had already stopped, coldly shielding Yixiao behind him.

The guards stationed outside had rushed in, but seeing the chaos, they didn’t know how to proceed.

Feng Qishan was already trembling with anger. “Brawling in court, what kind of behavior is this!” Seeing the guards standing dumbly at the door, he roared, “What are you doing here? Get out!” Immediately, the guards collided into a heap, jostling and squeezing their way out. Someone even closed the hall doors behind them.

Yixiao stood somewhat dazed behind Feng Suige. His protective left hand was even around her waist, the warmth of his palm almost burning her.

She had always thought that only delicate women like Xueying or Xiyang could arouse men’s protective instincts. Yixiao smiled softly as if a mist was spreading into her eyes, distant and hazy, with a hint of unpredictability and a faint trace of vulnerability. She vaguely heard someone whispering, “…femme fatale…” A femme fatale? She smiled at the speaker, her cold voice floating and trembling in the air. The person shuddered violently, quickly averting their gaze.

Feng Qishan glared at the confronting group, suddenly feeling a sense of powerlessness. He forced himself to suppress his chaotic breathing and calm down. Suddenly hearing Fu Yixiao’s laughter, he angrily said, “Fu Yixiao, is this your purpose?”

Her playful laughter filled the surroundings unrestrained. “Yixiao stayed in the Water Painting Garden for so long, I like it and am used to it. What’s wrong with that? If Your Majesty already regrets keeping Yixiao, you should have said so earlier.”

Feng Qishan laughed loudly, responding viciously, “What I have decided, I never regret!”