Chapter Ten
After enduring a night of cold wind, Yixiao was already somewhat dazed but still forced herself to stay conscious.
Feng Suige leisurely sat down in front of her. "Did Captain Fu rest well last night?"
"Thanks to the Imperial Son's blessing, Yixiao had an excellent rest," Fu Yixiao glanced at him and let out a mocking laugh. "But the Imperial Son looks as haggard as if he just returned from battle—surely you were busy all night. No wonder you couldn’t dodge that arrow back then; you must’ve been overworked."
Feng Suige’s smug smile instantly froze on his face. Angrily turning his head aside, he happened to see Yunyi approaching with two guards carrying a wooden bucket. Suppressing his rage, he leaned back into his chair. "If Captain Fu still hasn’t figured out how to start talking, let’s begin with an appetizer."
"Wouldn’t dream of refusing," Yixiao licked her cracked lips and relaxed her body, letting herself hang limply against the wall.
The whip twisted like a snake in Yunyi’s hand before lashing down with a whistle. Yixiao felt a pain so intense it seemed to tear her soul apart. As the initial agony subsided, the wounds burned with a stinging sensation, jolting her fading consciousness. For a moment, she was transported back to the day she had been punished with military rods.
He had said, "Whether you love or not is your own affair—what does it have to do with this prince?"
If she had been clear-headed that day, she should have severed all affection.
A low chuckle escaped Yixiao’s lips, startling everyone in the cell. Even Feng Suige stood up in surprise.
Yixiao suddenly raised her head and glared venomously at Yunyi, whose face had paled. "You wretch, did your master exhaust you too much last night? You’ve got no strength left!"
Yunyi’s expression darkened further, and the next strike landed twice as hard—so forceful that blood splattered and flesh split open. Trembling too violently to speak clearly, Yixiao still managed to laugh. "Now that’s more like it."
Perhaps today was the day to end it all. Though she wondered—could death truly bring closure to everything?
"Stop!" Feng Suige halted Yunyi and strode to Yixiao, staring at her in disbelief. He could swear he saw relief in Fu Yixiao’s eyes.
She had deliberately provoked Yunyi. She was seeking death.
Yunyi dropped the whip and silently retreated behind Feng Suige, his hands trembling slightly.
With a mere wave of Feng Suige’s hand, the people in the cell filed out like flowing water. Narrowing his eyes, his piercing gaze seemed to bore into her very soul. "You’d rather die than speak—what did he give you to earn such loyalty?" Yixiao’s mind spun into momentary blankness, but she bit her lip and forced her eyes open to meet his. "With him, I don’t have to worry about being sent off as a military prostitute for the slightest misstep…"
Seeing this once-vibrant woman remain so composed under such torture, Feng Suige couldn’t help but feel a flicker of admiration. Yet her words reignited his fury. "If you wish to die, I’ll grant it today!"
Yixiao managed only one more laugh before darkness swallowed her.
Vermilion Sand Country.
A curtain divided the inner chamber where Yixiao now lay on a sleeping couch, dressed in clean white robes. Her jet-black hair cascaded like silk around the embroidered pillow, and her slightly parted lips hinted at a dazed state between sleep and wakefulness.A young girl entered carrying a tray, placed the bowl of medicinal soup on a small side table, then turned to look at the figure on the bed. When she had been brought in, not only did she bear severe whip wounds, but she was also burning with high fever. They said she was merely a captive—but why would a captive be sent here?
Sensing her gaze, Yixiao slowly opened her eyes. With the slightest movement, pain shot through every inch of her body, and she couldn't help but sigh. "I'm not dead yet?"
"No," the girl chuckled softly, sitting by the table. "You were close, but they pulled you back."
Yixiao shifted slightly to study her—willow-leaf brows, phoenix eyes, a delicate nose, cherry lips, and a golden forehead ornament at her brow, though her attire was ordinary. "Who are you?"
Instead of answering, the girl countered, "Guess who I am." Yixiao frowned and averted her gaze.
White gossamer curtains draped the windows, while ink-wash landscapes and elegant bamboo adorned the walls. The air carried a refined fragrance, and the small room was immaculately clean, exuding an unusual freshness.
"Of all the prison cells I've seen, this one is the most decent," Yixiao muttered, struggling to prop herself up on her elbows. She inspected her body—both wounds had been meticulously bandaged. Though they still ached, a cooling sensation seeped through, indicating the medicine's high value. Whether from weakness or prolonged sleep, her limbs felt utterly devoid of strength.
"Does it still hurt?" The girl watched her movements with amusement. "The salve on your wounds is the Su Sha royal family's revered Black Chalcedony Marrow—it won't leave scars."
Yixiao gave a low laugh. "What new game is this, Princess Xiyang?"
The girl's eyes widened in surprise as she leaned in close, nearly pressing against Yixiao's face. "Why would you think I'm Princess Xiyang?"
Yixiao met her gaze unblinkingly. "Even if Yixiao were ignorant, she wouldn't fail to recognize that the dragonfly-wing gold-traced forehead ornament is reserved for royal noblewomen."
With a playful tilt of her head, the girl countered, "At most, that only proves I'm of royal blood—not that I'm Princess Xiyang."
Yixiao arched a brow. "Is there any noblewoman in Su Sha who cares more about Brocade than Feng Xiyang?"
"Now I understand why His Majesty ordered your treatment," Feng Xiyang clapped her hands, laughing. "Your arrogance is truly something—hard to hate, hard to love!"
"Xiyang?" Feng Suige's voice abruptly cut in. "What are you doing here?" Feng Xiyang straightened and smiled. "Visiting the beauty on your behalf!"
Feng Suige set the medicine bowl in his hand on the table, strode over, and pulled her a few steps away. "Don't stand so close to her. Aren't you afraid she might take you hostage and escape?" Feng Xiyang lazily shook off his grip. "Brother, do you think I don't know what you've given her?"
Caught off guard, Feng Suige pressed his lips together and said, "Leave us first."
Feng Xiyang chuckled. "As you wish, Brother." Gliding to the door, she turned back and winked at Yixiao. "Rest well—he's no match for you." With that, she shut the door behind her.
After a moment of silence, Feng Suige's gaze fell on the steaming medicine. He returned to the table, picked up the bowl, and thrust it directly before Yixiao. "Since you're awake, drink it yourself!"
Yixiao took it slowly, then suddenly flung the contents at him. With a mocking smile, she said, "Yixiao has always been lowly—such precious medicine is wasted on me."The brown medicinal broth splashed and dripped down Feng Suige's face. Enraged, he seized her wrist and yanked her up. "Don't be so ungrateful," his icy voice carried a sneer as he pinched her chin, forcing her to meet his blazing eyes. His lips curled into a disdainful smirk. "In your current state, even a flick of my finger could make you wish you were dead. So, you'd better stay put here obediently."
Yixiao sneered, "I'd really like to taste that 'wish you were dead' feeling." Feng Suige threw her back onto the bed. "We'll see about that."
Just as Feng Suige changed out of his soiled clothes, Feng Xiyang pushed the door open and casually picked up an exquisite piece of hibiscus cake from the table, popping it into her mouth. She remarked coolly, "This must be the first time you've encountered such a stubborn opponent, Brother?"
Feng Suige shot her a glance. "You don't seem worried that Xia Jingshi hasn't come for you. Looks like I've been playing the villain for nothing." Feng Xiyang brushed the crumbs off her hands and said somewhat indistinctly, "The Holy Emperor's decree from Brocade has been issued, and he's accepted it. If he doesn't marry me, he can't marry anyone else either." Feng Suige sighed helplessly, "What if he feigns illness for the rest of his life? Will you wait for him in Su Sha forever?"
Feng Xiyang snorted. "Forever it is, then. At worst, I'll go to Brocade to find him—but what about you? What exactly are you planning by locking his beloved general in the Water-Painting Garden?" Feng Suige frowned and lifted a teacup to his lips. "I'm worried Xia Jingshi might pull some trick. If he were truly sincere, he would have come to marry you long ago. I just can't figure out what game he's playing, so..." Feng Xiyang chuckled softly. "I suspect someone might be mixing personal motives with official business—her name reminds me of a certain sachet, Brother."
Pleased to see Feng Suige choke on his tea, she headed for the door. "Xiyang still has to practice the zither, so I'll take my leave now." Ignoring his glare, she paused at the door and added, "Don't hurt her too badly. If she decides to hate someone, she'll carry that hatred to the grave."
The door closed behind Feng Xiyang. Feng Suige stared fiercely at it, as if trying to bore a hole through the wood. After a long moment, he exhaled deeply and slowly sat down.
OpenNovel