“Xueying can’t stay,” Yixiao unexpectedly refused. Xueying immediately turned to her, puzzled. “Why not?”
“The most dangerous place is by my side,” Yixiao gripped Xueying’s hand tightly. “So either you go with Ning Fei, or Ning Fei rides ahead alone. When Feng Suige returns, I’ll discuss it with him, and he can send people to escort you back to Jinxiu with your remaining retinue.”
After a moment’s thought, Ning Fei said decisively, “I must go first. I’ll leave the rest to you.” He pulled out his dagger from his bosom and handed it to Xueying. “Take this for protection—the blade is sharp, don’t be clumsy and hurt yourself.”
Holding the dagger, Xueying pouted, “If I’d known marrying an official would be so troublesome, I would have thought twice about it back then.” Ning Fei could only smile bitterly. Before he could offer comfort, Xueying’s face brightened. “Hurry and go. If I change my mind, I might insist on going with you.”
Ning Fei gazed deeply at his beloved wife, then turned to look at Yixiao. Yixiao nodded at him, “When you reach Jinxiu, remember to send someone back immediately to assist.” Ning Fei agreed, then abruptly turned and strode away without looking back.
Even after his silhouette had disappeared, Yixiao was still staring blankly into the distance. Xueying sighed softly, “Your hands are cold—if you’re worried, just go back and see.”
“He would be heartbroken,” Yixiao slowly withdrew her gaze. “Moreover, the person who should be by His Highness’s side right now isn’t me.” Xueying smiled, “You’ve changed a lot. The old you would have been so anxious that you’d insist on leaving for Jinxiu immediately.” Hearing this, Yixiao showed a complex smile. “Yes, I do miss that fool who would act on her thoughts right away.”
“Why did Ning Fei leave in such a hurry, even leaving Xueying behind? He wouldn’t say when I asked,” Feng Suige changed into casual clothes, hanging his robes back on the rack. He turned and asked curiously, “What exactly happened?” “His Highness and Weiran have been severely injured. The Holy City urgently summoned Ning Fei back,” Yixiao looked at him solemnly. “Feng Suige, I want to ask you for two things.”
“Severely injured?” Feng Suige was taken aback and then became serious as well. “Tell me what you need, and I’ll do my best.” Yixiao laughed, “Why so cautious in your answer? Afraid I’ll make unreasonable demands?”
“I don’t know what you’ll say, but whatever you ask, I’ll try my best to do it,” Candlelight flickered in Feng Suige’s eyes. Fu Yixiao felt as if a soft corner of her heart had been touched, but she didn’t dwell on it. She pleaded softly, “The news of His Highness’s severe injury must not be leaked. I’m worried that if the news spreads, someone might try to harm Jinxiu. Also, Xueying is with child and can’t travel hastily, so Ning Fei left her behind, intending…”
“Intending for you to send her back, and coincidentally allowing you to visit your Prince, hmm?” Feng Suige’s voice resembled the predawn darkness, gentle yet cold, seemingly accommodating but distant. Yixiao, slightly bewildered, allowed Feng Suige to pull her into his embrace. “You all planned this, didn’t you? The injury is probably fake too, right?”
The slightly painful invasion on her lips startled Yixiao. She pushed Feng Suige away forcefully, stumbling back against the dressing table. Her trembling hand involuntarily clutched at her chest, her nails scratching the exposed skin, drawing blood. Her expression changed from confusion to disbelief.
Heaven knows!
“What? Nothing to say?” Feng Suige’s angry tone was full of disappointment. Deep down, he had hoped Yixiao would defend herself, but she didn’t offer a single word of explanation…
“Would you believe me if I said anything?” Yixiao shouted angrily. She felt all the blood in her body rush to her head, her eyes swollen and clouded, her ears ringing. The chaos almost made her lose her balance. “Some things in your mind are already set in stone. Saying more would be meaningless—this endless suspicion is truly exhausting!”
Feng Suige suddenly felt anxious. Yixiao’s expression made him feel unprecedentedly distant. He stepped forward to support her, but as soon as his hand touched her clothes, she shook it off forcefully. He had to step back, softening his voice, “I was too hasty. What were you going to say earlier? Please, finish…”
Yixiao laughed coldly, “Actually, I just wanted to ask you for two battalions of trusted personal guards to escort Xueying back. But I don’t know how much of my words you’ll listen to, or how much you believe in me as a person…”
“I believe you,” Feng Suige exhaled as if relieved. “I heard everything, and I believe it all—don’t be angry. I’ll go arrange the troops right away…” “What good is believing now?” Yixiao looked at him coldly. “Some things in this world can be done repeatedly, others cannot. Feng Suige, you’ve disappointed me too much!”
“It’s my fault. I was narrow-minded,” Feng Suige explained awkwardly. “I saw the glass hairpins Xueying brought, and a set of white magnolia jewelry identical to that pendant. I don’t know why, but I felt they were all gifts from him to you. I even thought you bought that pendant for him… So when I heard you mention him, my mind went into chaos. Please don’t be angry with me…”
Yixiao remained silent for a moment, then sighed deeply, “One day, I’ll die from anger because of you.”
The autumn wind suddenly rose, and amidst the falling leaves, the long-unused swing in the garden collided back and forth with the palace walls and tree trunks. The autumn atmosphere was solemn, and the sense of parting was desolate. Feng Xiyang sat quietly in the pavilion, gazing at an exquisite five-colored glass hairpin in her hand.
Susha had no glasswork, so she had only ever admired the beauty of glass described as “colored like ice, with nothing to obscure its delicacy.” She had never owned any glass of her own. This glass hairpin was acquired for her by Xia Jingshi. Although she preferred more subdued colors, she still cherished this hairpin greatly.
After Wei Weiran was severely injured, Xia Jingshi simply moved out of Mingde Palace. The already spacious Mingde Palace seemed even more desolate. Although she had told herself countless times that his happiness was more important than anything, seeing him so distant and indifferent caused a pain in her heart that wouldn’t subside. Amid this agony, she couldn’t distinguish whether she was losing him or had already lost him.
She didn’t want to apologize to Xia Jingshi for her public impropriety that day. Words spoken were like water spilled; how could a mere apology take them back? Moreover, even if she went, she might not be able to see Xia Jingshi…
In this vast world, it seemed that overnight she had lost her place. Feng Xiyang inserted the hairpin back into her hair and sighed softly.
“You’re sighing,” a voice said. “What’s wrong now?” Feng Xiyang jumped in fright, covering her chest in shock. “Your Majesty… why have you come to Mingde Palace?”
“His heart is with someone else. No matter how sad you are, it won’t change anything,” the Holy Emperor frowned, brushing a fallen leaf from her shoulder. “If you want to win him back, Princess, you need to put in more effort. I just received news that Ling Xueying was already with the child before departing. I was worried that Ning Fei would leave her with Fu Yixiao and rush back alone—it seems the plan has changed…”