Suddenly, a cheer erupted from the troops rushing down the mountain, “His Highness is safe! They’re alive!” Ning Fei’s heart leaped with joy as he dropped Feng Xiyang and sprinted towards the commotion.

In the hazel grove of the valley, the intertwining shrubs and tree trunks had slowed the water’s force. Several people had managed to cling to the nearest tree trunks. “Your Highness,” Xiao Weiran called out after a violent coughing fit, “Are you injured?” Xia Jingshi shook his head without speaking. Xiao Weiran hesitated before complaining, “Even if we lost it, if you had explained to her, she wouldn’t have said anything…” Xia Jingshi smiled faintly, “I didn’t think we’d fall at that moment—right, save your strength.” With that, he fell silent, and Xiao Weiran could only turn to address the other two military officers.

The downpour continued for over two hours before gradually subsiding. The raging yellow water dragon began to show signs of fatigue. Ning Fei and several strong soldiers, hand in hand, waded through the waist-deep muddy flow, slowly approaching the hazel grove to rescue the exhausted Xia Jingshi and the others.

Feng Xiyang, her eyes red from crying, stood nearby, still sobbing uncontrollably. Seeing the bedraggled Xia Jingshi look her way, she burst into tears again, “Are you alright… I didn’t mean to throw the hairpin away…”

At the mention of the hairpin, Xia Jingshi’s eyes grew cold. He slowly extended his hand towards Xiyang, palm up. In it lay half of a light blue glass hairpin. “It broke. Are you satisfied now?”

Xue Ying, who had been anxiously watching from the side, exclaimed in disbelief, “It was for this hairpin?!” Xia Jingshi didn’t respond, withdrawing his hand and slowly walking away, surrounded by a group of people.

At the annual martial arts competition of the Shu Sha Kingdom, various shelters were set up around the stands. Those closest to King Feng Qishan were occupied by royal relatives and nobles, while state ministers sat in order of rank.

“I hate these occasions,” Feng Suige said with a wry smile, watching the ceremonial official sweat profusely under the sun as he read out the king’s edict. He turned to the bored Yi Xiao and said, “Because every time we have to listen to that official’s voice droning on like a saw cutting wood. It’s grating.”

“Why do we have to have this grand meeting, and why am I forced to attend, only to find it so dreadfully dull?” Yi Xiao asked irritably.

“Because I’m the Prince Regent,” came the simple and clear answer.

In Yi Xiao’s view, the focus of this gathering wasn’t on the martial arts competition, but on his attendance. Every move of the rapidly rising Fu Yi Xiao was now the focus of public attention. If he didn’t attend, it could lead to gossip, accusations of defying orders, or cowardice…

The horn sounded in the arena, signaling the start of the martial arts competition. Various contestants entered the field. According to Shu Sha Kingdom tradition, any weapon was allowed in the martial arts competition, and the victor could be appointed as a first-class military officer.

Feng Suige solemnly pointed to a young general entering the arena, “That’s Marquis Cheng Xin, Ye Duanfang.” Yi Xiao glanced at him, becoming serious as well, “You mentioned him last time. Is there a problem?”

Feng Suige suddenly resumed his playful attitude, “Do you want to beat him?”

“No,” Yi Xiao answered without hesitation, “I won’t train archers for Shu Sha.”

Feng Suige immediately put on an anguished expression, clutching his chest and lamenting, “You tell me not to let you go, yet you’re willing to hand me over to someone else.”

Yi Xiao froze for a moment, then suddenly shuddered, showing a look of disgust, “If you take a male consort, you’re not allowed to touch me ever again.”

Feng Suige nearly fell off his chair. Ignoring the puzzled looks from those around, he pointed at Yi Xiao, caught between laughter and tears, “What on earth are you thinking?!”

Yi Xiao glared back, “Didn’t you say I was going to hand you over to him?”

Feng Suige was momentarily speechless. Taking a deep breath, he said slowly and deliberately, “I said ‘hand over to someone else’.”

Yi Xiao still argued, “You were talking about him, and then you said if I lost, you’d be handed over. Isn’t that handing you over to him?”

At this point, Gu Yu chuckled beside them, “He can, can be given to his sisters.”

Feng Suige and Yi Xiao turned to look at him in surprise. “Gu Yu?” Feng Suige was surprised, while Fu Yi Xiao was shocked.

Pleased with the attention, Gu Yu continued, “Also to the maids in the mansion, and the cooks…”

Yi Xiao had already slid off his chair, laughing. A vein throbbed on Feng Suige’s forehead as he restrained himself from interrupting Gu Yu further. He pulled Yi Xiao to a secluded corner outside the tent.

“Fool!” Feng Suige cursed softly before kissing her fiercely. Between passionate kisses, he said brokenly, “I didn’t want, to tell you, about this, but seeing you, so carefree, I feared you might, inadvertently, sell me off…”

Yi Xiao awkwardly responded to his intense kisses, causing Feng Suige’s breathing to falter. His hand caressed Yi Xiao’s waist, his expression tender yet complex. “When this is over, I’ll make up for your wedding night properly.” Yi Xiao, her face flushed, glared at him with clear eyes, “Can’t you think of anything else? You didn’t finish what you were saying earlier. Don’t change the subject.”

“Listen, Yi Xiao. Father intends that if Marquis Cheng Xin wins the archery contest, I might…” “Another political marriage,” Yi Xiao steadily finished, “Is that it?”

Feng Suige nodded, flashing a mischievous smile, “If you don’t want to see me flirting with other women, you’ll have to win this competition for me. Before, I protected you. Now it’s your turn to protect me.”

Yi Xiao stared at him for a long moment, then suddenly bared her teeth at him, “Don’t even think about it.” Before Feng Suige could react, she pushed him away and ran off, laughing.

Halfway through the competition, as they waited for the next round, a muscular warrior rushed towards Feng Suige’s tent, kneeling before it and shouting loud enough for all to hear, “Your subject, Xun Xiang, requests instruction from the Junior Consort!”

The arena erupted in an uproar. Even King Feng Qishan looked over in surprise. Xun Xiang, due to Xia Jingshi’s situation, had been demoted several ranks after the wedding banquet, with most of his family wealth confiscated. This martial arts competition was his chance to restore his reputation, but no one expected him to challenge Fu Yi Xiao directly.

As Fu Yi Xiao was about to stand, Feng Suige grabbed her hand and commanded sternly, “Gu Yu, you go.” Gu Yu responded and slowly made his way out, entering the arena with his characteristic unhurried pace.

Xun Xiang was taken aback but dared not defy Feng Suige. He hesitated, “Your subject…”

Feng Suige smiled slightly, “If you can defeat Gu Yu, then you may challenge Yi Xiao!”

“Will Gu Yu be alright?” Yi Xiao asked, slightly worried.

Feng Suige crossed his legs and leaned back in his chair contentedly, “Don’t worry. With his valor, dealing with Xun Xiang will be child’s play.”