Chapter 102
Yixiao didn't know how she made it back to the inner chambers. When she finally regained her senses, only Feng Suige stood before her, his face etched with concern. She looked around blankly and asked softly, "He's gone?"
"Gone," Feng Suige nodded in reply.
Yixiao fell silent for a long moment before suddenly letting out a hollow laugh. "Did you see that? He was in such a hurry to cut ties with me."
Feng Suige pulled her into his arms, murmuring soothingly, "Don't dwell on it too much. After all, he still cares for you, doesn't he? Otherwise, he wouldn’t have told you to take care of your health—perhaps he truly has his reasons. Maybe he knew the Holy Emperor had people secretly watching the residence."
"I understand," Yixiao replied woodenly. "If it were me, I might not sacrifice my career for an insignificant daughter either."
"Yixiao..." Feng Suige sighed.
She cut him off absently, "This is for the best. Fewer worries. I never intended to drag too many people into this anyway..."
"Ah! Who are you—" A maid's startled cry rang out from the outer chamber, followed by the faint creak of the door swaying slightly. Yixiao's words broke off abruptly as her sharp gaze snapped toward the entrance. Feng Suige released her and dashed forward, his expression dark—until it transformed into shock and delight at the sight of the visitor.
"Xiyang?!"
"Imperial Brother," Feng Xiyang managed only those two words before tears poured down her face. She threw herself into Feng Suige's embrace, sobbing uncontrollably. Her tears fell like broken strings of pearls, quickly soaking the front of his robes. Heartbroken, Feng Suige bombarded her with questions, "Why have you grown so thin? Are you ill? Has someone mistreated you?"
Suddenly, he realized that Fu Yixiao, who had followed him out of the room and stopped a short distance away, had vanished without a trace. He glanced around but saw no sign of her. Yet with Xiyang still weeping in his arms, no matter how anxious he felt, he had no choice but to set the matter aside for now. Gently patting her back, he coaxed in a low voice, "Don't cry. Come, tell me what happened. Let your Imperial Brother handle it for you."
"...Everything was fine before, but recently, the Holy Emperor received some secret report accusing my husband of privately manufacturing weapons. He was arrested and thrown into the imperial prison," Xiyang sniffled, accepting the handkerchief Feng Suige handed her and wiping her face. "I heard that if no evidence is found to prove his innocence, the charge of treason will be pinned on him—Imperial Brother, my husband was framed! Please, help him!" As she spoke, fresh tears spilled over.
Feng Suige listened quietly, his mind racing through countless thoughts. Seeing her frail, gaunt figure and timid demeanor, he couldn't bear it any longer and tentatively asked, "Xiyang, is there anything else you haven’t told me?"
Xiyang stiffened, instinctively straightening her posture and clutching the handkerchief tightly. "Why would you ask that, Imperial Brother?"
"I was just asking casually," Feng Suige sighed. "Xiyang, your pure and kind nature is a good thing, but sometimes you need to be more cautious. Don’t let scheming people take advantage of you."
Xiyang hesitated, opening and closing her mouth before finally asking uncertainly, "Imperial Brother... do you truly care about Fu Yixiao that much?"Feng Suige nodded. "She's the first woman I couldn't help but want to approach and cherish..."
"Do you love her?" Feng Xiyang felt the question was difficult to ask.
"I do," Feng Suige answered without hesitation.
"How much?" Feng Xiyang pressed.
Surprised by her question, Feng Suige nevertheless thought carefully before replying slowly, "I don't need her to promise me anything. She doesn't have to do anything for me—just being by my side is enough."
For a moment, Feng Xiyang seemed lost in thought. In that instant, Feng Suige before her seemed to transform into another version of herself, speaking so earnestly that she couldn't help but continue questioning.
"Then... what if she's only using you now, and her heart belongs to someone else? Brother, would you still treat her this way?"
Without hesitation, Feng Suige answered firmly, "Yes. And I believe she isn't that kind of person."
In the silence, Feng Suige thought he heard the faint sound of teardrops falling onto silk. Feng Xiyang sat with her head lowered for a while before shakily rising to her feet.
"Brother, I'll take my leave now."
Feng Suige stood and escorted her to the door, unable to resist offering one last piece of advice. "Xiyang, if there's anything you can't figure out, come to me. No matter how difficult it is, your brother will bear it for you. Don't struggle alone."
Feng Xiyang didn't respond, only quickened her steps as she walked away.
"Finished talking so soon?" Yixiao stood on the swing in the courtyard, swaying idly back and forth as she tilted her head to glance at Feng Suige, who had quietly approached. "I thought you'd keep her for dinner."
Feng Suige pressed his lips into a thin line, stepping forward to push the swing for her. "She's suffering inside," he said softly. "But for some reason, she refuses to say a word about it."
"What I don't understand is why she believes the Holy Emperor's lies," Yixiao replied, her smile laced with suppressed anger. "Nor do I understand why she didn't announce herself properly and instead chose to lurk by the door eavesdropping on our conversation. And what I really don't understand is why you, knowing she was listening, didn't even think to question her about it—Feng Suige, we don't have much time. We can't afford your wavering. If you've changed your mind, remember to tell me as soon as possible..."
"Can't you be fair?" Feng Suige stopped pushing the swing, his voice low with restraint. "The one you want to save is your dear friend, but she is my closest kin!"
Yixiao nimbly jumped off the swing and shot him a cold glare. "Don't talk to me about fairness. If fairness truly existed, whether commoner or king, anyone who does wrong should be punished for their actions—no exceptions made for their special status!"
Feng Suige fell silent.
Indeed, in this chaotic world, how many people or things could truly be called fair?
He couldn't even achieve it himself—how could he demand it of others?
Seeing his silence, Yixiao's agitation gradually subsided. After a long pause, she spoke calmly, "They say the heart of Buddha brings peace to the world, but her heart holds only herself. I can forgive her ignorance, but I cannot forgive her refusal to distinguish right from wrong."
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