In Xi Yang’s eyes, the Empress Dowager was a kind and benevolent woman, her every move exuding unparalleled nobility. It was this noble lady who would set aside her lofty status to jest with Xi Yang and alleviate her melancholy, bringing much joy to her usually gloomy days. Over a few days, the two grew quite close, with Xi Yang almost regarding her as a mother figure, while the Empress Dowager became increasingly fond of her.

The Empress Dowager would often stroke Xi Yang’s long hair lovingly and sigh, “Ah, had I known that bearing a son would result in him caring only for state affairs, I might have preferred to have a sweet daughter like Xi Yang to bring me comfort in my old age.” Whenever this happened, Xi Yang would smile coyly and say, “The Emperor’s dedication to state affairs is a blessing for the nation. Besides, isn’t Xi Yang just like a daughter to you?”

One day, the Empress Dowager, holding Xi Yang’s hand, suggested they go to the garden to admire the newly cultivated tribute flowers from the vassal states. Xi Yang happily agreed. As they walked, they faintly heard the sounds of sparring. Xi Yang looked puzzled in the direction of the noise, and the Empress Dowager, seeming to understand her confusion, smiled and said, “It must be the Emperor. He loves to practice martial arts in the garden. Xi Yang, why don’t you accompany me to take a look?” Xi Yang nodded instinctively.

Unlike the formal attire from their previous encounter, this time the Emperor wore only a white training outfit. His collar was slightly open, revealing his strong chest. His movements were powerful and precise. Before long, the palace guards sparring with him were forced to retreat in disarray.

“Utterly useless,” the Emperor suddenly stopped, coldly rebuking them. “Go back and train harder. If you perform like this next time, I’ll issue a decree to strip you of your ranks.” As the guards meekly complied, he turned and took a clean towel from a palace servant, only then noticing the two women standing nearby.

“Mother, why are you here? And the Marquis of Zhen Nan’s wife as well,” the Emperor said as he walked over. His resemblance to Xia Jingshi, mixed with a masculine vigor and an air of supreme authority, inexplicably made Xi Yang blush. “It’s been a few days since I’ve seen you, Mother. Your complexion looks much better.”

“It’s been several days since you visited the Ci Yang Palace, and now that we meet, you only have flattering words,” the Empress Dowager said, gently pulling Xi Yang to her side. “Fortunately, Xi Yang has been coming every day to keep me company, so I haven’t been too lonely.” The Emperor chuckled at this, “In that case, I must thank Xi Yang.”

He called her Xi Yang.

Startled, Xi Yang raised her eyes to look at him. His lips were slightly curved upwards, forming a gentle smile. She remembered Xia Jingshi having a similar smile, though he had never smiled at her like that.

Her heart skipped a beat, but she quickly came to her senses. Suddenly feeling cold and clammy, with sweat breaking out on her forehead, she instinctively wanted to step back. However, the Empress Dowager’s hand held her firmly. In a daze, she heard Empress Dowager say softly, “If Your Majesty has no urgent matters to attend to, why don’t you accompany Xi Yang for a walk? I’m getting old and can’t walk long distances.” With that, she gently pushed Xi Yang forward and turned to leave, giving them no chance to refuse.

The people around them tactfully withdrew, leaving only Xi Yang and the Emperor in the garden. After a long silence, when everyone had gone far away, the Emperor suddenly asked teasingly, “It seems you blush easily in my presence. I hear Xia Jingshi is quite cold towards you. Why don’t you leave him and come to me instead?”

Xi Yang clenched her fists, her nails digging deep into her palms, drawing blood. She tried hard to breathe deeply, silently repeating to herself, “Don’t cry, don’t cry, don’t cry…”

She stiffened her back, striving to maintain the graceful curve of her neck and shoulders, and bravely raised her head to say softly, “Xi Yang doesn’t understand. Your Majesty is so noble and dignified, yet why do you have such an ugly and dark heart?” As soon as the words left her mouth, she regretted them. For the sake of a moment’s verbal satisfaction, she had forgotten to consider whether it might cause trouble for Xia Jingshi…

Not daring to look at the Emperor’s expression, Xi Yang suppressed the panic rising in her heart and bowed slightly to him. “If Your Majesty has no other business, Xi Yang will take her leave,” she said, then turned and fled from the garden as if flying.

As the carriage slowly drove out of the palace gates, Xi Yang closed her eyes wearily, pondering how to explain today’s events to Xia Jingshi.

The sound of rapid hoofbeats interrupted her thoughts, and the moving carriage suddenly came to a halt. “What’s happening?” Xi Yang lifted the curtain, her puzzled words dying on her lips as she recognized the newcomer.

What was he doing here? Hadn’t he humiliated her enough? Or had he changed his mind and decided to punish her for her impudence?

Xi Yang slowly stepped out of the carriage, looking up at him apprehensively.

Suddenly, amidst the gasps of onlookers, the Emperor bent down and swept her onto his horse. With one arm around her waist, he cracked his whip with a resounding “snap” and galloped away with her.

The horse ran swiftly, the wind whistling past Xi Yang’s cheeks. The long tassels of her earrings beat violently against her neck. Xi Yang could only hold tightly to his strong waist, burying her face in his chest. Her entire body seemed to be shaken apart by the jolting ride, her heart beating faster than she thought possible.

After an unknown time and distance, the horse gradually slowed to a stop. Xi Yang pushed away the Emperor’s helping hand and struggled to dismount, retreating far away in panic.

“What’s wrong? Are you afraid now?” The Emperor smiled as he jumped down from the horse. “Where’s that courage you had when you rebuked me earlier?” Xi Yang lowered her head, straightening her disheveled clothes, gradually calming herself. She raised her head and said, “If Your Majesty can apologize for your earlier insulting words towards Xi Yang, then Xi Yang is also willing to apologize for her impudent words to Your Majesty.”

“Xi Yang considers it an insult?” The Emperor smiled, taking a step towards her. “I don’t see it that way.” Xi Yang instinctively took several steps back, protesting, “Xi Yang is already the wife of the Marquis of Zhen Nan. She is no longer the princess of Su Sha.”

“I’d prefer if you were still the princess of Su Sha,” the Emperor paused briefly, flashing her a brilliant smile. “Xi Yang, he treats you so poorly for the sake of a fickle woman, yet you remain so devoted to him. Is it worth it?”

Having expected to struggle with several hidden guards before escaping, Yi Xiao was surprised when the maid led her through the Prince’s mansion, weaving left and right, and smoothly arrived at the back door.

“Commander Fu, this way,” the maid deftly removed the door bolt. “There’s a carriage waiting outside.” Yi Xiao hurriedly boarded a carriage with her, urgently asking, “Did His Highness come in person? Wasn’t he supposed to take Princess Xi Yang to the imperial capital to meet the Emperor?”

The maid smiled sweetly, “Doesn’t Commander Fu understand His Highness’s intentions yet? His Highness returned to Su Sha some days ago, but the scrutiny inside and outside the Prince’s mansion was too tight, so it took many days to delay.”

Hearing this, Yi Xiao felt a mix of joy and sorrow. After a long while, she sighed softly, “Very well, I suppose I need to speak with him face to face and clear things up.”