Feng Xiyang held a chess piece, seemingly deep in thought, but hadn’t placed it for a long time. The Empress Dowager observed her for a while before gently asking, “Xiyang, is something troubling you?”
Startled out of her reverie, Feng Xiyang blushed with embarrassment and apologized profusely to the Empress Dowager. The latter, unfazed, tossed the black jade chess piece she had been clutching into the basket and smiled, “It’s alright. If something’s bothering you, tell me. Perhaps I can help.”
Xiyang instinctively glanced at the palace maids standing nearby. The Empress Dowager smiled knowingly and made a gesture. In moments, all the attendants had left the hall, with the last maid closing the door behind her.
“Now, you can speak freely,” the Empress Dowager said, patting the space beside her. Xiyang curled up next to her and, looking up, softly said, “I don’t even know what I want anymore. I can’t think about anything else; my mind is filled with thoughts of her.”
The Empress Dowager asked thoughtfully, “Him? Xia Jingshi?”
“No,” Xiyang shook her head. “It’s Fu Yixiao. Empress Dowager, why do I always feel that she’s in my husband’s heart? Even if I could kill her, I can never erase his feelings for her…”
“Silly child,” the Empress Dowager said affectionately, taking her hand. “Why have you suddenly become so pessimistic? If the Emperor has promised to help you, you should trust him.”
“But the Emperor said plans have changed… And my husband also said his feelings for me wouldn’t change regardless of Fu Yixiao’s fate… I just want him to love me, but why does everything I do seem to push him further away?” Feng Xiyang blinked back tears, her voice growing softer. “I’m scared. I fear that once my husband sees Fu Yixiao, he’ll disregard everything else…”
“His eyes are clouded by illusions,” the Empress Dowager said kindly. “In truth, no one is irreplaceable in this world. He just doesn’t understand that yet. You just need to be patient. If the Emperor says he can do it, he certainly will.”
The midday sun was particularly scorching. Not only Ling Xueying but even the female attendants in the entourage had lowered their carriage curtains tightly, preventing more sunlight from entering.
Fu Yixiao and Feng Suige rode side by side at the front of the procession. Feng Suige squinted at the proud sun overhead, then glanced at Fu Yixiao, who was also struggling to keep her eyes open in the glare. He said resignedly, “You should go back to the carriage and keep Xueying company, or maybe take a nap. This sun is too harsh.”
Yixiao waved her hand impatiently. “I’ve been cooped up in that carriage for days. I’m going mad. I’d rather be out here in the sun…” Suddenly, she exclaimed, peering into the distance with her hand shading her eyes, “Those look like military horses.” Before Feng Suige could react, she spurred her horse forward. He quickly followed suit.
Both parties were on swift steeds and met in an instant. The leader of the four approaching riders couldn’t hide his surprise upon recognizing Fu Yixiao, exclaiming, “Princess… Your Highness… What are you doing here?”
Seeing the four about to dismount and bow, Yixiao quickly stopped them. “No need for formalities. Which unit are you from? Do you know how severe the injuries of His Highness the Prince of Nan and Military Advisor Xiao are?” The leader hesitated before replying, “This humble servant is a military officer from the Imperial Guard. As for the Prince of Nan and Military Advisor Xiao, well, we heard their injuries are quite serious…”
Fu Yixiao frowned, pondering for a moment before suspiciously eyeing him. “Such a major incident, yet you only ‘heard’? This is Shusha territory. What are you doing here in plain clothes?” The officer stammered, “This servant wasn’t present at the time. After the incident, everything was in chaos…”
Feng Suige, who had been silent, coughed lightly and interjected cheerfully, “Don’t you remember? You arranged for people to meet us once Ning Fei entered Jinxiu territory.” Fu Yixiao turned to him, puzzled, while the officer eagerly agreed, “Yes, yes! General Ning sent us to escort you. Forgive my ignorance, but who might you be?”
Feng Suige smiled slightly. “Prince Suige of Shusha.” As the officer looked on in shock, Feng Suige casually stretched on his horse. “Tsk… I wonder if there’s a larger town ahead. This prince is quite tired today…”
“Yes, yes, there is!” The officer perked up. “Not far ahead. We’ll go back immediately to make arrangements for the Princess and Your Highness.” Feng Suige nodded, “Very well, thank you for your trouble.”
“Not at all, Your Highness. We’ll go right away…” As the officer was about to turn his horse, Feng Suige called him back. “I’m quite particular about food and lodging. Take my attendants with you; they can lend a hand.”
Without allowing for refusal, he turned and whistled towards the approaching entourage. Four Shusha soldiers immediately broke away and rode over. Feng Suige gave them brief instructions before sending them off.
As they watched the eight riders disperse, Feng Suige’s smile slowly faded.
“I clearly remember instructing Ning Fei to send people only after he returned to the capital…” Fu Yixiao suddenly halted, exclaiming, “They’re lying!” “Fool,” Feng Suige sighed, shaking his head. “Do you not understand why I insisted on accompanying you personally?”
“I’ve had suspicions about this whole affair, but I didn’t want to worry you, so I kept quiet,” Feng Suige said, sitting cross-legged in Xueying’s carriage and taking a small sip of the ginseng tea Fu Yixiao offered. “I believe Xia Jingshi and Xiao Weiran’s injuries aren’t as severe as reported. Or perhaps they weren’t injured at all. If that’s the case, then Ning Fei is in danger.”
Yixiao patted Xueying’s hand reassuringly as the latter was about to jump up anxiously. She turned to ask, “Why?” Feng Suige replied gravely, “If they truly had a serious accident and were gravely injured, there would be no point in recalling Ning Fei. To put it bluntly, can’t the vast Jinxiu territory function without one diplomatic general in the absence of the Prince of Nan? So, I believe this message was meant for you.”