Perhaps due to Feng Xi Yang’s presence, the Emperor granted Xia Jingshi and his entourage Ming De Palace as their temporary residence in the imperial capital.

After changing into appropriate robes, Xia Jingshi strolled towards the nearby Ning Bi Pool. Ming De Palace was still lush with green trees and flowers, and the beautiful lotus pond still boasted three fairy mountains. Yet he no longer felt the carefree enjoyment of his past visits to admire the lotuses.

“Your Highness,” Xiao Weiran called softly from a distance, “The Princess Consort sent someone to inquire…”

Xia Jingshi interrupted him, smiling as he asked, “Weiran, have you ever loved someone?”

Taken aback by the unexpected question, Xiao Weiran paused before nodding, “I have.”

“Then,” Xia Jingshi slowly turned around, “let me ask you, if you fell in love with someone you shouldn’t love, what would you do?”

Xiao Weiran pondered for a moment before approaching him. “There’s nothing to be done. If you love, you love. Your Highness, rejecting love doesn’t necessarily avoid pain. Why bother?”

Xia Jingshi closed his eyes and said softly, “I was just speaking hypothetically.”

Xiao Weiran pursed his lips and continued, “Losing happiness to avoid pain isn’t worth it. Moreover, when you hurt someone, your own heart suffers equally.”

Xia Jingshi chuckled lightly, patting Xiao Weiran’s shoulder. “This is the first time I’ve discovered Weiran has so many insights. Let’s go, the ladies should be ready. We shouldn’t be late.”

On the way, Feng Xi Yang had been speculating about the Emperor of Jin Xiu. She imagined him to be a stern and intimidating figure, given his ability to control ministers and dominate all directions. To her surprise, upon meeting him, she found that the casually dressed Emperor bore a striking seven or eight-tenths resemblance to Xia Jingshi. He didn’t look at all like a calculating ruler who could discuss life and death with a smile. Beside him sat an elegant woman in her twenties, wearing a purple embroidered robe with double ribbons – undoubtedly the Empress.

As they came forward to pay their respects, the Emperor rose with a hearty laugh, quickly descending from his dragon throne to seemingly support the half-bowing Xia Jingshi. “There are no outsiders here, no need for such formalities.”

Xia Jingshi smiled slightly but insisted on completing his prostration before standing up. “Seeing Your Majesty in good health brings your subject great comfort.”

The Emperor sighed, “Elder Brother always keeps such distance.” He then turned to Feng Xi Yang with a smile. “The journey must have been tiring. Sister-in-law has come from afar to Jin Xiu. Are you accustomed to the food here?”

Feng Xi Yang felt a fondness for this gentle and amiable emperor. She smiled in response, “Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. Xi Yang is well in all aspects. As I’m new to Jin Xiu, please forgive any lapses in etiquette on my part.”

The Emperor nodded with a smile. The Empress also laughed softly from afar, gracefully rising. “I’ve long heard of Sister-in-law’s reputation for devoted love. I thought you might be a fiery woman like Captain Fu, but seeing you today, you’re such a delicate and charming lady. I suppose this is what they mean by ‘seeing is believing’.”

At the sudden mention of Fu Yi Xiao’s name, Feng Xi Yang’s face showed a hint of embarrassment. The Emperor frowned slightly, seemingly unconcerned. “How can Captain Fu, merely a military officer, be compared to our Sister-in-law?”

The Empress giggled, affectionately walking down to hold Feng Xi Yang’s hand. “Indeed, I spoke out of turn. Please don’t take offense, Sister-in-law. His Majesty and Uncle haven’t seen each other in a long time and must have much to discuss. It will all be about state affairs. Why don’t you come with me to Ci Yang Hall to keep the Empress Dowager company?”

As Feng Xi Yang was about to agree, Xia Jingshi gently interjected, “We came in haste today and didn’t bring the seven-jeweled incense burner Xi Yang prepared for the Empress Dowager. Perhaps we should postpone our visit.”

The Empress covered her mouth and laughed, “Uncle is still the same, always so meticulous. The Empress Dowager will be overjoyed to see Sister-in-law, how could she care about a small incense burner?” With that, she curtsied to the Emperor, brooking no refusal. “Your subject shall take her leave first.”

Before even entering Ci Yang Hall, with its plaque inscribed “Praising Virtuous Inner Chambers,” Feng Xi Yang could hear peals of laughter from within. Following the announcement of the eunuch, the Empress led her directly into the hall.

Inside, whether seated on armchairs or cushions, two rows of women in consort attire were arranged according to their ranks. They all stood as Feng Xi Yang and the Empress entered. Feng Xi Yang only had time for a glance around before her eyes were drawn to a noble lady sitting upright on a couch by the window.

She appeared to be even older than Feng Qishan but exuded elegance rather than age. With slightly raised phoenix eyes, her gaze commanded instant respect. Her attire, neither overly elaborate nor simple, bespoke her noble status. Without a doubt, this was the Empress Dowager.

After completing the formal greetings, the Empress Dowager’s scrutinizing gaze softened slightly. Still maintaining a languid demeanor, she casually gestured towards some empty palace stools nearby, indicating for the two to sit. She then naturally inquired about the flash flood they had encountered on their journey. Feng Xi Yang recounted the event truthfully, omitting only the part about Xia Jingshi rescuing her hairpin. Even so, her tale elicited continuous gasps of surprise from the assembled women, while the Empress Dowager repeatedly murmured “Amitabha” with a hand to her chest.

Since arriving in Jin Xiu, Feng Xi Yang has been met with cold treatment from many. Upon entering Ci Yang Hall and seeing the array of consorts, she had expected to face an inquisition. The reality, however, was far from her expectations. Just as she began to relax, the consorts gradually started to excuse themselves in twos and threes. Finally, even the Empress left, citing a need to check on the Crown Prince’s studies.

Left alone with the Empress Dowager in the vast hall, Feng Xi Yang couldn’t help feeling nervous. As her mind wandered, the Empress Dowager asked softly, “My dear child, tell me, does he treat you well?”

Like a child full of hidden sorrows and grievances suddenly hearing a mother’s loving call, for a moment, the Empress Dowager’s noble and magnificent face overlapped with the imagined visage of her mother. Feng Xi Yang’s eyes instantly welled up with tears, and she found herself unable to control her sobs.

Seeing her silent tears, the Empress Dowager’s eyes also reddened slightly. After sighing a few times about the hardships of fate, she gently consoled, “You’ve suffered so much. Though not my flesh and blood, he’s a child I’ve watched grow up. How did such a good child become like this after a setback in love? His mother died early, and I couldn’t manage him. I could only watch helplessly, which truly pained my heart…”

The Empress Dowager wiped away her tears with a silk handkerchief and continued, her voice thick with emotion, “To be honest, I had hoped he could have a good life with Fu Yi Xiao. Who would have thought that Fu Yi Xiao… Never mind. You’re a good child. In the future, you’ll need to take on more responsibility for him, understand?”

Feng Xi Yang nodded, somewhat bewildered, but couldn’t help asking, “Doesn’t Fu Yi Xiao like my husband?”

The Empress Dowager gave her a tearful smile, “Even if she did, isn’t she married to your Imperial Brother now?”