Chapter Eleven
Playing with the aqua-blue glass hairpin sent by Feng Suige, Xia Jingshi sighed, "By abducting Yixiao, their aim is to force me out." Xiao Weiran watched him with concern, hesitating to speak several times.
Ning Fei and Xueying had just arrived. Hearing this, Ning Fei cast a puzzled glance at Xiao Weiran, who pursed his lips slightly and nodded.
Ning Fei's thick brows furrowed as he asked solemnly, "Your Highness, should we report this matter to the Holy Emperor?"
Xia Jingshi remained silent. Xiao Weiran shook his head and said, "We don't yet know how much they've discovered. We can't take the risk. Moreover, the Holy Emperor wouldn't care about a mere captain."
Xueying's gaze swept across everyone in the room before settling back on Xia Jingshi. She hesitated before speaking, "Um... did I miss some important news?"
Xia Jingshi shook his head slightly, showing no intention of offering much explanation. "This matter isn't as simple as it appears. It involves the Su Sha royal family. So, you should return to Caocheng first. I will definitely bring Yixiao back safely."
"The Su Sha royal family?" Xueying was taken aback before letting out a cold laugh. "How foolish of me. Every time something happens to Yixiao, you're never free from blame..."
Ning Fei quickly tugged at her sleeve. "Everyone is trying to find a solution. Why say such things?" Xueying brushed his hand away. "What solution? Other than going to demand her return, what else can be done?"
"Xueying is right," Xia Jingshi stood up. "Weiran, draft a letter to the Holy Emperor on my behalf. Inform him that my illness has fully recovered, and I will soon depart for Su Sha to marry Princess Xiyang."
Xiao Weiran and Ning Fei exclaimed in unison, "Your Highness!"
Xia Jingshi smiled faintly. "They're the ones who are impatient. I originally planned to wait until the weather warmed up a bit before going."
Whatever drug Feng Suige had used, though Yixiao could now get up and move around, she felt weak all over, with no strength in her limbs. After that day, Feng Suige had not subjected her to further torture but had instead stationed a team of guards around the pavilion where she was held to prevent her escape.
A few maidservants walked past the window, giggling. Though their voices were soft, Yixiao keenly caught the words "King Who Pacifies the South." She called out to them through the window, "The King Who Pacifies the South you were just talking about—is he the one from the Brocade Dynasty? What happened to him?" One of them hesitated but still answered, "Yes. News just came that the King Who Pacifies the South's wedding procession has already set out from Brocade."
Though the words were spoken softly, they struck Yixiao like a blow to the head, leaving her dizzy. A stabbing pain seemed to spread throughout her body. She swayed slightly, grabbing onto a nearby flower stand to steady herself.
So, by cutting ties with me, you can peacefully marry Princess Xiyang.
She smiled bitterly. No matter how resolute her words had been, her heart still couldn't let go of him.
"The Lord of the Nation insisted the wedding ceremony be held in Su Sha, and the King Who Pacifies the South agreed," another maid chimed in. "So now the palace is mobilizing people to prepare..."
"Too much chatter!" A deep male voice startled the two maidservants, who immediately knelt. "Forgive us, Imperial Son!"
Yixiao sighed. "It's not their fault. I asked first." Feng Suige dismissed the two maidservants and pushed the door open to enter.
Yixiao retreated to sit on the edge of the bed and said slowly, "I told you before—there's no conspiracy against Su Sha."
Feng Suige clenched his fist slightly. "Perhaps. But until everything is settled, anything could happen."Yixiao curled a faint smile at the corner of her lips. "Very well. Once Your Highness marries the princess, if you don’t wish to silence me, then let me go."
"Where would you go? Do you intend to return and follow your lord?" Feng Suige sneered. "Even if you go back, at best you’d only become a concubine."
After sitting for a while, the color gradually returned to Yixiao’s pale face. Hearing his words, she replied indifferently, "So what?" Feng Suige’s mouth twitched. "Do you truly believe he would marry you? In terms of beauty or status, how could you possibly compare to Xiyang?"
"There’s no need for the Imperial Son to remind me. I know my place," Yixiao’s gaze gradually cleared. "I only wish to leave this place."
Feng Suige studied her for a long moment before suddenly chuckling softly. "I won’t kill you, but I have no intention of letting you go either."
Yixiao met his gaze unflinchingly. "If I wish to leave, you won’t be able to keep me!"
"Imperial Son," a maidservant approached Feng Suige nervously. He glanced back and, seeing the untouched food on the tray in her hands, his expression darkened. "She still refuses to eat?"
"You won’t win against her. Surrendering would be quicker," Feng Xiyang, who had been rummaging through his collection of treasures, held up a string of glass beads and waved it at him. "Elder Brother, I’m taking this too." Feng Suige shot her a glare before turning back to the maidservant. "Keep sending the meals as usual. When she’s hungry enough, she’ll eat." The maidservant hesitated. "But... it’s already the fourth day..."
Feng Xiyang froze mid-motion, disbelief in her voice. "Four days? Are you trying to starve her to death?" Feng Suige averted his gaze uncomfortably. "It’s not like the food is medicine. Even if it were, if she wants to vomit it out, she’ll find a way." Feng Xiyang rubbed her forehead. "What a mess. I’ll go see her."
Yixiao was reclining on the brocade couch by the window, gazing absently outside. Hearing the door open, she didn’t turn until a pair of clever eyes met hers. "What a stubborn beauty. No wonder my elder brother is so preoccupied day and night." Yixiao glanced at Feng Xiyang. "Has the bride also been summoned to persuade me?"
Feng Xiyang smiled. "I know you’re his, and I know you don’t wish to see me now. But no matter how angry or resentful you are, you must take care of yourself first. Otherwise, how will you have the strength to compete with me?" Yixiao’s lips twitched. "I’m not his, nor do I care to compete for favor. I hold no grudges—I just want to leave Su Sha."
Feng Xiyang was taken aback. "But my brother... How about I bring some pastries? You should eat a little. I won’t tell him." Yixiao, however, turned away as if she hadn’t heard.
After waiting in vain for Yixiao to respond, Feng Xiyang could only leave awkwardly. Outside the door, she ran into Feng Suige, whose face was livid. She shrugged. "This is between you and her. I can’t persuade her—you go yourself."
When Feng Suige entered the room with the maidservant carrying the tray, Yixiao had just settled back onto the couch. Seeing him, she ignored him entirely.Feng Suige gritted his teeth and barked at the maid, "If she won't eat by herself, then feed her!" The trembling maid stepped forward, placing the tray on the bedside table. Just as she picked up the silver chopsticks, Yixiao raised her hand to block, sending the entire tray—along with its dishes—crashing to the floor. Her bright eyes then locked onto Feng Suige in open defiance.
"Fine," Feng Suige laughed in fury. "For every time you smash a tray today, I'll starve her for three days—go fetch another from the kitchen!" The maid murmured an acknowledgment, her pleading gaze fixed on Yixiao.
Yixiao glanced at the pale-faced maid, then at Feng Suige, whose lips curled slightly in satisfaction. Slowly, she lowered her eyes to the mess on the floor. With a sudden movement, she leaned over—ignoring the maid's startled cry—and grabbed a handful of the scattered food, shoving it into her mouth. Instantly, the sound of crunching ceramic shards mixed with food filled the room, sharp and grating.
Feng Xiyang, who had been secretly watching from outside the door, shrieked and rushed in. Feng Suige, equally horrified, lunged forward, forcing Yixiao's jaw open. "You madwoman, spit it out!" he roared. The maid, frozen in terror, could only cower in the corner, trembling uncontrollably.
By the time Feng Suige confirmed Yixiao's mouth was empty, he was drenched in cold sweat. Feng Xiyang collapsed weakly nearby, her face ashen. Yixiao spat out a mouthful of blood-tinged foam and smiled at him. "Well?"
Unable to meet her gaze, Feng Xiyang tugged weakly at Feng Suige's sleeve. "Brother, stop pushing her—she really will die." Feng Suige's eyes flickered with conflicting emotions. His lips moved soundlessly before he finally seemed to steel himself. "After Xiyang's wedding, I'll send you back to the Brocade Dynasty!" With one last deep look at Yixiao, he turned and stormed out.
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