Hanging exposure, or xuan pu, involves using hemp ropes to suspend a person with only their toes touching the ground. It seems easy, but in reality, if the taut body relaxes even slightly, the rough hemp ropes around the wrists bear the entire body weight. Over time, this can cut off blood circulation and even cause muscle spasms.

As she was roughly tied with hemp ropes, Fu Yi Xiao clenched her teeth, glaring defiantly at the supervising official sent by Feng Qishan. The official looked down at her haughtily, indifferently ordering a nearby captain, “Watch her closely,” before moving to a shaded area.

The proud summer sun diligently exuded heat. Soon, sweat soaked through Fu Yi Xiao’s clothes. Feng Suige, standing nearby, only lasted a moment before angrily rushing onto the platform, pointing at the guarding captain and shouting, “Let her down!”

The captain tremblingly explained, “P-Prince, these are the King’s orders…”

“Get out!” he hissed through gritted teeth. The captain immediately fell silent, not daring to say another word.

“Hey—” Fu Yi Xiao’s voice came from above. “They’re not just watching me, they’re watching you too.” Feng Suige stood motionless, looking at her for a moment, then walked to the pole she was hanging from and drew his sword.

“Feng—” Before Yi Xiao could finish, there was a clear ringing sound as Feng Suige thrust his sword into the ground nearby. He turned and walked behind Yi Xiao, his tall body blocking the sunlight that had been shining on her.

“Prince, let me help you…” The captain carefully stepped around the sword on the ground, approaching to point at the rope tied to the wooden post.

“No need,” Feng Suige coldly glanced at the restless supervising official in the shade. “Tell him if he dares say a word more to the King, I’ll make sure he doesn’t see tomorrow’s sun!”

In less than two hours, Feng Suige’s clothes had become drenched with sweat, dried, and become drenched again. He remained motionless, standing there.

Yi Xiao called out to him several times but received no response. She tried to twist her body to look at him, when suddenly she heard Feng Suige say hoarsely from behind, “Save your strength. There are still several hours to go. We can talk when we get back.”

“If you’re going to stand, stand in front of me,” Yi Xiao said stubbornly. “Why are you hiding behind me?”

“Silly woman,” Feng Suige chuckled softly. “I have a lifetime for you to look at me. Why rush now?”

Yi Xiao was silent for a moment, then asked, “What are you planning to do tomorrow?”

Feng Suige mysteriously asked back, “Guess what I’ll do?”

“Are you finding someone to compete for me?” Fu Yi Xiao arched her back as if stretching. “Or will you go yourself?”

“I plan to…” Feng Suige stepped forward, leaning close to her ear, “Marry him as my male consort, then poison him on our wedding night.”

Yi Xiao laughed, “You might as well kill him on the spot. He wouldn’t dare harm you, and the King couldn’t punish you legally.”

“What a brilliant plan!” Feng Suige exclaimed, clapping his hands. Then, grinning mischievously, he added, “It’s settled—when I’m being punished by Father, you must come and shield me from the sun.”

Yi Xiao had only laughed a few times before she started panting slightly. Feng Suige’s expression became serious. “Alright, stop talking,” he said, falling silent. Yi Xiao called out to him a few times, but he didn’t answer, so she finally quieted down.

As the sun gradually moved westward, Yi Xiao’s breathing became increasingly erratic. Feng Suige had long since turned to face the setting sun, anxiously counting the moments.

Finally, as the last ray of light disappeared on the horizon, Feng Suige spun around and strode forward. He pulled his sword from the ground and struck the wooden post with a lightning-fast blow.

With just a soft “mmph,” Yi Xiao fell backward. Feng Suige tossed his sword aside and caught her, lifting her into his arms and running out. Yi Xiao, still in his arms, laughed, “Run slower, don’t drop me.”

“You still have the spirit to joke?” Feng Suige cursed as he ran, “I’ve never met a woman like you!”

Yi Xiao just smiled without speaking. After a while, she called out softly again, “Feng Suige.”

“I wouldn’t mind if you called me husband,” Feng Suige said through gritted teeth. “What other words have you thought of to annoy me?”

“Run slower, I think I’m about to… get dizzy from your jostling…” Yi Xiao’s voice grew fainter, and her body gradually went limp.

Feng Suige paused, disbelievingly shaking Fu Yi Xiao, whose eyes were slowly closing in his arms. In an instant, he began sprinting again, shouting repeatedly, “Someone come! Summon the physician, quickly summon the physician!”

King Feng Qishan sat before his dragon desk, listening carefully to the report from Steward Huang, who had just returned from Jin Xiu. He mused, “The attitudes of those military officers are within my expectations. After all, countless lives were lost when the two countries were at war. But it seems Xiyang is living quite comfortably in Jin Xiu now—did she mention anything else?”

Steward Huang, who had rushed to the palace as soon as he entered the city gates, kowtowed respectfully and replied, “In response to Your Majesty, there was nothing else.”

Feng Qishan sneered, “Is that truly nothing, or nothing as instructed?”

Steward Huang was taken aback, breaking out in a cold sweat. “Your Majesty’s wisdom is clear. The Princess… she didn’t say anything more.”

Feng Qishan slammed the table and stood up, pacing a few steps. “I believe he and Xiyang can put on a show of mutual respect in public, but given Xia Jingshi’s personality, he would never serve food to Xiyang in front of others—I’ll ask you one more time, think carefully before you answer: how bad is Xiyang’s situation?”

After a long moment, Steward Huang stammered, “In response to Your Majesty, due to the long-standing grudge between our countries, the Princess’s life in Jin Xiu is indeed not entirely smooth at present. But this subject believes that with the Princess’s wit and beauty, she will surely be able to win over the Southern Garrison King soon…”

“Bullshit!” Feng Qishan, in his extreme anger, let out a vulgar word. “If Xia Jingshi were so easily moved, he wouldn’t be Xia Jingshi!”

Seeing Feng Qishan’s anger, Steward Huang was so frightened that he prostrated himself on the ground, not daring to breathe, repeatedly saying, “Your Majesty, please forgive me.”

Feng Qishan calmed himself and said coldly, “I’ll give you one last chance. Speak quickly!”

Steward Huang then tremblingly recounted everything he had seen and heard in Jin Xiu. Surprisingly, Feng Qishan’s expression became increasingly gentle. When he heard that Xiyang was afraid of angering him and had instructed Steward Huang on how to answer his questions, a faint smile appeared on his face.

“Truly my good daughter, truly my loyal subject, hmm?” he said meaningfully. “Are you worried about me getting upset? Or are you afraid that being so far away, I can’t make decisions?”

“The Princess said she didn’t want Your Majesty to worry about her affairs,” Steward Huang said tremulously. “This subject was only following orders…”

“Enough,” Feng Qishan interrupted impatiently. “I don’t need your explanation. When you give Xia Jingshi’s letter to Suige, tell him to read it and then burn it. Tell him it was Xia Jingshi’s instruction.”