Distant laughter and chatter broke through Feng Xi Yang’s thoughts. News had already spread that the Holy Emperor announced in court the bestowal of the title Guard General to Fu Yi Xiao, along with an additional title for Princess Xing Ping. Ning Fei was reprimanded and appointed as a special envoy, set to depart immediately for Su Sha to deliver the imperial edict, with Ling Xue Ying accompanying him.

Fu Yi Xiao.

Xi Yang lowered her head, absentmindedly fiddling with her fingers. The Holy Emperor’s words echoed in her mind, “Without Fu Yi Xiao, given the princess’s intelligence, he would be easily captured…” She wasn’t worried that the Holy Emperor was using Fu Yi Xiao as bait to deceive her—first severing emotions, then relinquishing power, this was the Holy Emperor’s promise to her. Moreover, the imperial pardon token given as a token of trust lay quietly in her sleeve. She only worried that if Xia Jing Shi discovered everything, she would be beyond redemption. But if she didn’t decide soon, it would be too late.

“You’re all useless!” Feng Qi Shan roared, slamming the table in fury. “When have you ever properly carried out the tasks I’ve assigned you?” The man who had disguised himself as a waiter at the inn prostrated himself on the ground, pleading, “Your Majesty, please calm your anger. Your subject has already dispatched all available men to search meticulously along the canal…”

“Nonsense!” Feng Qi Shan trembled with rage. “If anything happens to the prince, I’ll execute your entire clan!” The anxious Madam Zhuang hurried forward to console him, “Your Majesty, please don’t harm your health with anger. The prince is blessed by heaven, perhaps…” “Get out!” Feng Qi Shan violently pushed her away. “You repeatedly assured me that nothing would go wrong, and now what do you have to say for yourself?!”

The surrounding palace servants stood like stone pillars, not daring to breathe, let alone step forward to help. Madam Zhuang staggered a few steps and fell to the ground, immediately bursting into tears of grievance. “I didn’t want this to happen either. Who knew that Ye Duan Fang would interfere? Otherwise, Fu Yi Xiao would have perished in the fire, and the prince wouldn’t have…”

“Your Majesty! Your Majesty!” A palace guard rushed in, his face beaming with joy. “The prince has returned…” Feng Qi Shan froze, then lunged forward in great joy, grabbing the guard’s collar. “Where? Where is he?” The guard answered smoothly, “When your subject heard the news, the prince and the Junior Consort had not yet entered the city. Marquis Jian Xin has already led people to welcome them…”

Before he could finish, Feng Qi Shan’s expression changed. “That woman has returned with him?” The guard swallowed hard, not daring to move, and merely nodded affirmatively, “The Junior Consort… returned with the prince.”

Feng Qi Shan pushed him away with a grim face and strode out. The guard hurried after him, while Madam Zhuang slowly got up with the help of her servants. Seeing the man still kneeling there in a daze, she berated him in shame and anger, “Get out of here! Are you waiting for His Majesty to return and flay you alive?”

The once bustling street had already been cleared. A simple palanquin, escorted by Ye Duan Fang’s iron cavalry, slowly came to a stop in front of the Prince’s mansion. The curtain moved, and Fu Yi Xiao, still dressed in coarse cloth, emerged first. She quietly thanked Ye Duan Fang beside the palanquin, then turned and thumped on the carriage panel. “Why aren’t you coming out? How long are you going to stay in there?”

“No,” came Feng Sui Ge’s exasperated voice from inside. “Either send someone to bring me some clothes, or have them carry the palanquin inside.” Yi Xiao pursed her lips. “A grown man being so fussy, what will people think?”

Everyone who overheard their exchange secretly smiled in amusement. When Marquis Jian Xin had led the team to receive them, there was already something odd about the situation. To allow the palanquin into the farmhouse courtyard, half of the outer fence gate had been dismantled. The prince finally ordered everyone to turn their backs after the Junior Consort’s repeated urging, and in the blink of an eye, he had darted from the door into the palanquin.

Arguments had erupted from the palanquin several times along the way. Prince Feng complained that his clothes were too rustic and refused to be seen, but the Junior Consort insisted he walk through the front gate of the Prince’s mansion with dignity. It was unclear whether the Junior Consort was deliberately making things difficult for the prince, but the prince always seemed somewhat helpless when facing her.

After a long standoff, Prince Feng’s gritted command finally came from inside the carriage. “Send someone ahead to clear the way. Order all servants in the mansion to retreat. The rest of you, turn your backs.” After some more dawdling, and only after Yi Xiao impatiently called out twice, did Feng Sui Ge slowly and tentatively poke his head out from behind the curtain, followed by his body.

His forehead wound was tightly wrapped with clean white cloth, though Fu Yi Xiao had tied it into a ridiculously large knot. He wore a hemp robe kindly gifted by a farmer, which was clean enough but fit extremely poorly, clinging tightly to his body from top to bottom.

Yi Xiao’s eyes were already curved with laughter. “Aren’t you coming out?” Feng Sui Ge glared at her helplessly, then suddenly jumped down from the carriage shaft and quickly walked towards the main gate. Just as he stepped onto the stairs, the sharp crack of a whip clearing the way suddenly rang out from nearby—King Feng Qi Shan had come in person.

Those who had turned their backs were suddenly at a loss, with the bolder ones secretly turning their heads to peek at Feng Sui Ge. However, they saw that he had already forgotten his disheveled state and was solemnly holding Fu Yi Xiao’s hand, pulling her to his side.

In the blink of an eye, Feng Qi Shan galloped up on horseback. With an ashen face, he dismounted like a gust of wind, completely ignoring the soldiers kneeling all around, and strode quickly towards Feng Sui Ge.

“Father…” Feng Sui Ge had just opened his mouth when Feng Qi Shan swung a powerful slap towards Fu Yi Xiao’s face. If Feng Sui Ge hadn’t been quick-eyed and swift-handed to pull her into his embrace, this slap would have landed squarely, making it difficult for Yi Xiao to avoid fainting.

“You vixen,” Feng Qi Shan cursed venomously, “Why aren’t you dead yet?” “Father!” Feng Sui Ge was angered as well, shouting, “How can you speak to Yi Xiao like this?!”

Hearing this, Feng Qi Shan became even more enraged. Pointing at Feng Sui Ge, he bellowed, “What kind of spell have you fallen under, defending such a lowly woman like this! Look at the state you’re in now, where’s the dignity of a regent prince?!”

Feng Sui Ge replied proudly, “Father doesn’t understand the joy I share with my beloved consort. Regardless of Yi Xiao’s past, she is now my consort, and she even saved my life this time. I hope Father can respect—”

Feng Qi Shan interrupted him with a cold laugh, “Have you asked her why she secretly ran to the inn behind your back? She was trying to rendezvous with a lover right under your nose…”

Yi Xiao, who had been standing silently to the side, suddenly burst into laughter. “Your Majesty’s scheme was brilliant, Fu Yi Xiao admits defeat. It’s just a pity that Your Majesty calculated so much, yet miscalculated so greatly.” Feng Qi Shan glared at her coldly, “If you’re trying to sow discord, you’re not even qualified!”

“Perhaps,” Yi Xiao giggled softly, looking gently back at Feng Sui Ge. “Having survived this great calamity, I will give you a grand gift.” Although still angry, Feng Sui Ge turned his head to ask her, “What is it?”

She smiled mischievously, casting a provocative glance at Feng Qi Shan beside them, and leaned close to Feng Sui Ge’s ear to whisper something.

Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Feng Sui Ge’s face turned red, and he said gruffly, “Of course!”