Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Four
Feng Xiyang lay there, gazing quietly through the gaps in the foliage at the drifting clouds in the blue sky.
In truth, during these days, she had been observing Fu Yixiao—sometimes openly, sometimes covertly.
That Fu Yixiao, whose speech was as rough as a man’s. That Fu Yixiao, who could sit down carelessly even if the ground was dirty. That Fu Yixiao, who would chase after Feng Suige in anger after being teased. That Fu Yixiao, who had once brandished a blade at her and the Holy Emperor with wild ferocity. That Fu Yixiao, who had carried her on her back, panting heavily as she climbed the mountain back to camp… If not for that resolute figure walking away, she still wouldn’t understand how she had lost to such a woman.
Though she didn’t know exactly what had happened, she could tell from Yixiao’s tone that the situation below was dangerous—if that were truly the case, rushing down would be futile. Or rather, it would be like throwing her life away.
If it were her, even if her heart burned with anxiety, she would only wait here, letting fate decide whether the outcome would be good or bad.
So, it turned out that what that man wanted was not the intimacy of sharing wine among flowers, nor the tenderness of reading together by lamplight with a cup of tea. What he desired was a partner who could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with him, overlooking the world with pride…
She had lost.
The distant sounds of war drums and shouts that she had faintly heard earlier vanished in an instant, leaving only an empty silence. She withdrew her gaze from the clouds and listened intently for a while before finally giving up and closing her eyes again to rest.
If she could escape safely and recover from her injuries, she still wanted to try once more. She was still young—perhaps everything could start anew…
So tired. How could she ever catch up to your merciless steps?
Leaving the horses and extra men at the foot of the mountain, Feng Suige selected a few strong guards and began climbing toward the summit along a relatively gentle path. Though no one understood what exactly had happened between the Imperial Son and the Minor Imperial Concubine, Feng Suige’s dark expression silenced everyone, while Yixiao remained unusually calm, following at the rear without a word.
No matter the current situation, given her understanding of the Brocade Military World, as long as His Highness agreed to return to the Holy City, he would smoothly ascend to the throne. Weiran and Ning Fei would continue to follow him, Xueying would give birth to a healthy and lively child, and everything would eventually fall into place. It was time for her to wake from that dream.
For her, the fleeting happiness she had experienced before was already an extravagant luxury. She had nothing left to lose. So, even if reluctant, she would calmly await the outcome.
Lost in thought, Yixiao waded through waist-deep mountain grass when she suddenly spotted a trampled white wildflower ahead. Its once-blooming petals now lay pitifully on the ground. Hesitating for a moment, she crouched down to prop it up. Just as she was trying to secure it with nearby grass, a sudden rustling of footsteps startled her. Before she could react, Feng Suige, who had been running toward her, collided head-on with her. With a yelp, she fell backward, while Feng Suige stumbled and tumbled far before finally stopping.Before she could even stand up, Feng Suige roared loudly, "What are you squatting here silently for?!" Yixiao, who had just gotten up from the ground, placed her hands on her hips and retorted, "You came running back like a headless chicken and knocked me over, and now you're asking why I'm squatting here?"
"Are you out of your mind!? If I hadn't suddenly lost sight of you..." Feng Suige's angry voice trailed off abruptly. He huffed as he scrambled up from the ground, roughly grabbing Yixiao's arm. "Let's go!"
"Wait," Yixiao struggled to hold him back. "Just a moment." She pulled her hand free from his grasp, crouched down, and gathered the surrounding grass leaves to prop up the broken flower before standing again. "Alright, let's go."
Feng Suige took her hand again and walked forward in silence. Yixiao couldn't help but smile slightly as she gently squeezed his broad palm in return. Feng Suige glanced at her in surprise but said nothing, only tightening his grip.
Watching the General of Agile Cavalry approach Xia Jingshi's group, the Imperial Guards commander hesitated before softly speaking to the Holy Emperor, who still stood frozen nearby. "Your Majesty, perhaps it would be best to wait until we return to the Imperial City before..." The Holy Emperor jolted as if suddenly awakened. "This must be a trick by the rebels! If I fall for it, Xia Jingshi will seize the chance to escape—the Late Emperor's Imperial Edict was written so clearly, it couldn't have been tampered with!"
"But even the Piao Cavalry has been mobilized. The matter must already be spreading. If Your Majesty doesn't return to the Imperial City soon to clarify the situation, I fear..." Before he could finish, the Holy Emperor turned in fury and bellowed, "Did you not hear what I said?! Go and apprehend Xia Jingshi at once!!"
The Imperial Guard Battalion commander hesitated, then sighed and bowed. "The Imperial Guard Battalion has always borne the duty of protecting the sovereign. Thus, I must beg Your Majesty's forgiveness for disobeying this order. However, until the situation becomes clear, I will ensure Your Majesty's safety with all my might." With that, he slowly stepped back. As his words faded, he turned sharply and ordered the Imperial Guards to cease their standoff with the Piao Cavalry, instead focusing on rescuing the wounded soldiers from the earlier skirmish.
"...After capturing the Empress Dowager, the old General ordered the Imperial City's news to be sealed off. He also commanded us to follow the Imperial Guards' marching route to track Your Highness's whereabouts, ensuring your safe return to the Imperial City to take charge and avenge the Late Emperor and Consort Xuan," the General of Agile Cavalry said in one breath, lifting his head to gaze hopefully at the slightly stunned Xia Jingshi. "Your Highness, the Emperor is narrow-minded and envious of talent..."
Hearing this, Xia Jingshi suddenly interrupted him, asking softly, "You're saying... Father and Mother were murdered..." "I was present in the court and heard the Old Prime Minister say it myself," the General of Agile Cavalry pressed his lips together before continuing. "The Old Prime Minister said the Late Emperor was poisoned, and Consort Xuan was framed by that Wicked Empress, perishing in the flames—Your Highness, regardless of the truth, we all hope you will take his place!"
After a long silence, Xia Jingshi's gaze slowly turned toward the distant camp encircled in purple. Word by word, he said, "This prince will return with you."
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