“Why target me?” Fu Yixiao still didn’t quite understand. “And what does this have to do with Ning Fei?” Feng Suige shrugged, “It’s just a guess. If it’s not aimed at you, then it’s targeting Ning Fei…”
“At worst, he might have offended someone with his quick temper, but why would anyone want him dead?” Ling Xueying was both shocked and anxious. “By my calculations, he should be nearing Jinxiu soon. This is so nerve-wracking…”
“The most likely target is Xia Jingshi,” Feng Suige glanced at Yixiao. She furrowed her brow, “How is that possible? His Highness rarely interacts with outsiders. How could he have made enemies?”
Feng Suige rested his chin on his fist, speaking slowly, “It’s just a theory for now. Perhaps someone is jealous of your princess title, and Xia Jingshi is caught in the crossfire. We can’t rush this – we’ll know more soon enough.”
Seeing Yixiao glare at him, he raised an eyebrow. “When have you ever known me to be so particular as to send four guards ahead? The most pressing issue now is to figure out who’s pulling the strings behind all this.”
As night fell, Xueying and Yixiao chatted idly in their comfortable guest room, with Feng Suige listening and occasionally chiming in. Suddenly, a low voice reported from outside, “Your Highness, we’ve obtained it.”
“Come in and speak,” Feng Suige perked up, sitting straight. Yixiao and Xueying also stopped their conversation, turning to look at the black-clad guard entering the room.
After paying his respects, the guard approached Feng Suige and whispered in his ear, then presented a bamboo tube. Feng Suige nodded, “Keep a close watch. Report any unusual activity immediately.”
As the guard left and the door closed, Feng Suige peeled off the wax seal on the tube and shook out a small paper scroll. He examined it under the lamp, then turned and handed the paper to Yixiao, saying gravely, “Look at this!”
The note, written in tiny characters, read: “Fu and Feng have arrived together. Humbly request swift action.”
Xueying jumped up in shock, covering her mouth as she exclaimed softly, “Heavens, what’s going on?” After a moment of stunned silence, Yixiao asked hoarsely, “Where did this come from?” Feng Suige pointed to the bamboo tube on the table. “It was a message sent by carrier pigeon. They intercepted it, but we still don’t know who sent it.”
“What should we do now?” Fu Yixiao unconsciously clenched her fists. “No news from Ning Fei, and His Highness and Weiran’s fates are uncertain. Our enemies are hidden while we’re exposed. Who knows what kind of trap awaits us…”
Feng Suige pondered for a moment before saying solemnly, “Don’t panic. Let me ask you this: What’s the military structure of the Imperial Guard in Jinxiu?” Before he finished speaking, Yixiao and Xueying’s expressions changed simultaneously as they exclaimed in unison, “It’s the Holy Emperor!”
After her meal, Feng Xiyang rested briefly on the couch, but still felt extremely fatigued when she awoke.
Before meeting Xia Jingshi, she never imagined a man known for his military prowess could give off such an ethereal impression – gentle yet aloof, accommodating yet distant. This feeling was too complex and unique. If viewed as an ordinary person, he seemed too saintly; but if one tried to revere him, he would scoff at the notion. This blend of purity and aloofness made it hard not to be moved by him.
Before marrying Xia Jingshi, she had dreamed too much. She had imagined their wedding day: herself wearing a phoenix crown and cloudy cape, walking slowly towards him amidst praise from the crowd, while he stood proudly on a high platform, smiling down at her, so arrogant and imperious.
When she placed her hand in his, she thought he would grip it tightly and then, laughing, announce to everyone, “Look, this is my bride, Xia Jingshi’s most beautiful bride!”…
Little did she know her love would be so wild and obsessive, yet so lonely. She had lost her heart but gained not even a smile in return. In the blink of an eye, she had been away from Shusha for half a year. Everything she had experienced felt like a fleeting dream, and upon waking, they remained as separate as ever, without the slightest connection.
A light knock came from the outer door. Judging by the time, it should be the carriage sent by the Empress Dowager to escort her to the palace. Feng Xiyang sighed softly and sat up from the soft couch.
The Empress Dowager had sent people to persuade Xia Jingshi to move back to Mingde Palace, but these attempts were unsuccessful. Fearing Xiyang would be upset, the Empress Dowager invited her to the palace daily for conversation, chess, flower appreciation, and tea tasting. As time passed, she inevitably encountered the Holy Emperor when he came to pay his respects at Ciyang Hall.
Perhaps it was because the Holy Emperor resembled him so much that she couldn’t help but be drawn to him. Yet sometimes, the cold aura he emitted made her want to flee instinctively, fearing that one misstep could lead to irreversible consequences. Whenever she thought of this, an indescribable emotion welled up in her heart, turning her daily diversions into a burden – going was difficult, not going even more so…
Opening the door, Feng Xiyang’s heart skipped a beat. She instinctively clutched at her still-loose collar. “Your Majesty… I didn’t know you had arrived. Xiyang has been discourteous in not welcoming you.” The Holy Emperor gave a soft “Mm” in response. “The Empress Dowager is slightly unwell today and unable to receive you. I happened to be leaving the palace to inspect city defenses, so the Empress Dowager asked me to check on you.”
Xiyang nervously glanced at the maid, who stood rigidly to the side, eyes downcast. Feeling slightly more at ease, she said gracefully, “Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager are too kind. With the Empress Dowager unwell, Xiyang should be the one visiting the palace. How could I trouble Your Majesty to come personally…”
“I’ve always admired your boldness in thought and action. Why suddenly put on this delicate, timid act? Is it because of others?” As the Holy Emperor spoke, he cast a cold glance at the maid beside them.
Even with her head bowed, the maid could sense that piercing look. She hurriedly bowed and retreated. As Feng Xiyang was about to call her back, the Holy Emperor chuckled, “Didn’t you ask the Empress Dowager what I intend to do? Surely you don’t want her to hear this as well?”