Chapter 104
As Feng Suige's voice drew nearer, Feng Xiyang, trembling with rage, suddenly curled her lips into a peculiar smile. She whispered softly, "You act so fearlessly only because my imperial brother backs you, don't you?" Before Yixiao could grasp the meaning behind her words, Xiyang lifted her skirt and rushed out like a gust of wind.
At the doorway, Feng Suige nearly collided with Xiyang, who charged out like a headless fly. He let out a short exclamation and instinctively sidestepped to avoid her. In that moment of confusion, Feng Xiyang had already dashed far away, and Yixiao also stepped out, her face full of bewilderment. The two of them spoke simultaneously, "She—"
Almost at the same time, accompanied by the startled cries of the servants, a loud splash echoed from the front courtyard as something heavy hit the water.
"Your Highness!!!"
"Princess Xiyang..."
"Someone... the Princess has thrown herself into the water..."
"Xiyang!?" Feng Suige's face paled, and he instinctively roared at Yixiao, "What did you do?!"
In an instant, Yixiao understood the deeper meaning behind Feng Xiyang's smile.
Night deepened, but the guest residence remained bustling with noise. Maids and attendants hurried about like a woven tapestry, carrying basin after basin of hot water into the bedchamber, while several medical officers murmured in hushed tones in the outer room.
In the rear hall, Feng Suige's furious voice boomed, "Is there not a single trustworthy medical officer in Brocade?!" The reprimanded attendant replied meekly, "Upon hearing of the Princess's fall into the water, His Majesty the Holy Emperor has already dispatched the finest imperial physicians from the inner court..."
"Then why is she still unconscious?!" Feng Suige paced anxiously, taking two steps before stopping. "What about the common folk? Send someone immediately to the largest medical hall in the Holy City and bring back their best physicians!" The attendant hastily assented and withdrew.
Feng Suige slammed his fist against a curio cabinet in frustration before striding into the room where the medical officers had gathered. Suppressing his temper, he asked, "Is there any shortage of medicinal ingredients?" The medical officers exchanged glances before shaking their heads in unison. After a moment of silence, an elderly physician stepped forward hesitantly and reported in a low voice, "Phoenix Prince... the King Who Pacifies the South's Consort merely suffered from internal cold intrusion after falling into the water, leading to an imbalance of the five viscera..."
"Enough," Feng Suige waved impatiently. "Spare me the scholarly jargon—speak plainly." The physician stammered in agreement, then carefully continued after a pause, "Earlier, we questioned the Princess's attending maid. She mentioned that the Princess had been slightly unwell even before arriving in the Holy City, with irregular rest and diet. Thus, the high fever and unconsciousness are... normal. Um, so... please do not worry, Phoenix Prince. As long as the fever subsides within three days, the Princess will be out of danger."
Feng Suige relaxed slightly upon hearing this, though his frown remained. He swallowed the words he wanted to say and nodded at the visibly intimidated medical officers. Turning, he spotted Fu Yixiao standing in the corridor, half-hidden in the darkness like a night-blooming cereus silently unfurling in the lifeless night.
"Do you hate her that much?" Feng Suige's voice was weary. "After all I've done, can't you treat her a little better—for my sake?"
"You asked me what I did, didn't you?" Yixiao turned her face slightly, her expression obscured, but her voice was calm. "If I told you I did nothing, that she suddenly ran out on her own, would you believe me?"Feng Suige was stunned. He had never expected such an answer.
If what Yixiao said was true, then Xiyang...
If...
Suppressing the sudden turmoil in his heart, Feng Suige said firmly, "Enough, now is not the time to discuss this. I—" "You don't believe me," Yixiao interrupted, her nails digging deeply into her palms as she tried to maintain a calm tone while stating this heartbreaking truth. "You'd rather believe that I said or did something to make her feel so ashamed she wanted to die, than believe she was putting on an act."
"No, that's not it. I'm just more concerned about Xiyang's condition," Feng Suige's voice sounded somewhat muffled as he took a few steps forward and embraced Yixiao. "Can we talk about this after she recovers?" Yixiao gave a faint smile, subtly pulling away from his grasp and stepping back. "You want a confrontation, is that it?"
Feng Suige quickly grabbed her hand. "I didn't mean it that way." "Neither did I," Yixiao said, breaking free. The fluttering hem of her robe cut a cold, silent arc through the dark night—cold yet scorching. "I'm very tired and need to rest. The Imperial Son may do as he pleases!"
Watching Yixiao's figure gradually disappear into the darkness, Feng Suige struck a pillar of the corridor in frustration. Yixiao clearly heard the dull thud, but she didn't turn back.
No trust, no reliance, no hope—then there would be no disappointment, right?
But why had it taken her so long to realize this?
"Your Highness," someone called out clearly from the side. "Please wait." Yixiao paused and looked toward the voice. Under the dim glow of the corridor's night lamps, she vaguely saw a maidservant standing nearby with her hands clasped, her head bowed in deference, yet with an inexplicable smile playing at the corners of her lips.
"What is it?" Yixiao asked curtly. "This servant has come to deliver a message," the maid replied with a slight bow. "Please, Your Highness, do not alert anyone else. Follow me quietly to a place where you will meet the person you most wish to see." Yixiao's heart tightened. "Who? And who sent you?" The maid chuckled softly. "Who sent me is unimportant. What matters is whether Your Highness wishes to see him—this opportunity comes only once. Think carefully before answering."
Yixiao pondered for a moment. "How do I know you're not lying to me?" The maid replied leisurely, "For him, isn't it worth taking a risk? Or has Fu Yixiao, who once prioritized him above all else, become a timid coward after enjoying enough wealth and glory?"
How could such sharp words come from a servant with such a humble demeanor?
Yixiao fixed her gaze on the maid, her eyes gleaming like a beast's in the dark. Only when the maid's confident expression turned to fear, and her slender frame trembled uncontrollably, did Yixiao slowly speak. "Lead the way."
Everything in the darkness was unknown, holding all possibilities and impossibilities, filled with an air of mystery. Night was the origin of all living things. Bounded by darkness, the norms of the light were obscured by the chaotic shadows, forming another state—one that contained all truths and the essence of certain things, impossible to ignore.Stepping down from the tightly sealed black carriage, Yixiao tilted her head to gaze at the golden glazed roof of the building before her. Yes, it must be him.
A chamberlain respectfully ushered her into a resplendent and exquisitely decorated room, gently closing the door behind her. Yixiao strolled to one end of the room and casually plucked the strings of a gilded six-stringed zither carved from red sandalwood resting on the table. "A fine instrument," she murmured in admiration.
"If you like it, We shall bestow it upon you," the Holy Emperor said with a smile as he emerged from the inner chamber, stepping closer. "Fu Yixiao, years have passed, yet you remain unchanged—still willing to drop everything at the mere mention of Xia Jingshi's name!"
Without looking up, Yixiao let her fingertips glide over the strings. "A pity it's too ornate, lacking the refined elegance a fine instrument ought to possess," she remarked before finally turning to kneel gracefully before the Holy Emperor. "Your subject, Fu Yixiao, pays homage to Your Majesty the Holy Emperor. Long live Your Majesty, long live, long live!"
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