Chapter 126
When Xiao Weiran stepped into the small room where Feng Xiyang was resting, Feng Suige, who had been sitting blankly by the bedside, immediately turned his head in alarm. Recognizing him, Feng Suige's expression shifted to one of surprise. Xiao Weiran glanced briefly at the unconscious Feng Xiyang on the bed, gestured for Feng Suige to come outside, then quietly retreated from the room.
"What is it?" Feng Suige closed the door behind him, rubbing his temples with his eyes shut. "Is there an issue with the medicinal herbs?" "Not exactly," Xiao Weiran replied after a moment's thought, his voice soft. "The herbs in town will last a few more days, and the men sent back to Lucheng for more will return soon—but what I meant to say is, the Imperial Son should send someone to summon the Lord of the Nation."
"No need!" Feng Suige snapped his head up, his bloodshot eyes glaring at Xiao Weiran. "With proper care, Xiyang's recovery is only a matter of time!" "Perhaps," Xiao Weiran sighed quietly. "If she recovers, Yixiao will feel better too." Feng Suige froze, then after a long pause, spoke with difficulty, "She's overthinking it—this isn't her fault." After another pause, Feng Suige suddenly grew agitated. "What exactly are you trying to say? Did you drag me out here just to ask these absurd questions?"
"How are they absurd?" Xiao Weiran smiled faintly, but his words pressed sharply against Feng Suige. "Do you remember what I told you before we left Su Sha? I warned you—if you couldn't take care of her, you should have let her return to Brocade sooner..."
"I will take care of her," Feng Suige finally lost patience. "If you have nothing better to do, go back and tend to your own people!" With that, he turned to leave. Just as his hand touched the door, Xiao Weiran's quiet voice came from behind, "If you break your word, I will take her away—whether she wants to or not. I promise."
The black-clad Piao Cavalry and the purple-clad Imperial Guards marched in two distinct columns along the main road. Between them, two grand carriages moved side by side—one guarded by the purple ranks, naturally carrying the Holy Emperor, while the other, shrouded in black, was Xia Jingshi's carriage.
The further they traveled, the more uneasy Xia Jingshi grew. It wasn't fear of what awaited him in the Holy City—those things he had avoided for years. No matter how reluctant he was to face them, he had prepared himself mentally. But—he thought, slightly lifting the carriage curtain to glance at the Holy Emperor's procession—it was too quiet. For someone unwilling to accept the inevitable, the reaction shouldn't be like this.
The thought sent a sudden jolt through him. Unable to sit still any longer, he shouted, "Stop the carriage!" Instantly, the entire procession lurched to a halt like a twisting snake, many turning to look in confusion. The generals of the Piao Cavalry and Imperial Guards at the front exchanged glances before wheeling their horses around. But before they could reach him, Xia Jingshi had already leaped from the carriage and strode toward the Holy Emperor's procession.
The Imperial Guards protecting the Emperor immediately drew their blades in unison, shouting, "Do not disrespect His Majesty!" Ignoring the cold glint of steel, Xia Jingshi pointed at the drawn curtains of the grand carriage and demanded in a low voice, "Raise the curtain. If the Holy Emperor is inside, I will apologize on the spot!"
Silence fell over the scene.There was still no movement from the Holy Emperor's carriage. As time ticked by, even the Imperial Guards who had initially drawn their swords began to sense something amiss. Gradually lowering their weapons, they turned suspicious gazes toward the large carriage. The General of the Imperial Guards also wore a puzzled expression as he tentatively called out, "Your Majesty?"
Xia Jingshi could no longer contain his mounting anxiety. In a few quick strides, he reached the carriage and flung open the curtain.
Inside sat only a young man dressed in the Holy Emperor's robes. Caught in the act, his face paled slightly, but he managed to force a weak smile. "Your Highness..." One of the Imperial Guards gasped, "He's from the Cavalry Camp!" Instantly, all eyes turned toward the General of Agile Cavalry.
"What are you doing in His Majesty's carriage?!" The General's face flushed red with anger as he leapt down from his horse in agitation. "Where is the Emperor?!" "Forgive me, Commander Shang," the young man replied with a bitter smile. Before Shang Yun could press further, his body suddenly slumped backward and collapsed.
An Imperial Guard cautiously climbed into the carriage to check the young man's pulse, then turned and shook his head. "He took poison... he's gone."
Seeing Xia Jingshi standing motionless with a dark expression, the General of Agile Cavalry grew flustered and hurriedly began, "Your Highness, I—" Xia Jingshi abruptly raised a hand, cutting him off. "Gather some men and prepare fast horses. Follow me!"
Yixiao paced outside the door for a long while, holding a basin of steaming water, before finally steeling herself to push it open with her shoulder. At the same moment, the door suddenly swung inward from the other side. Caught off guard, Yixiao collided straight into Feng Suige, splashing most of the hot water onto him.
"What's going on?!" Feng Suige jumped back in alarm, dripping wet and both startled and annoyed—until he recognized Yixiao, at which point his voice softened. "It's you?" Yixiao stomped her foot in frustration. "The kitchen was boiling water, so I thought to bring some over. How was I to know you'd open the door just then...?"
"It's fine," Feng Suige replied with a smile, shaking out his damp robes. "Actually, this works out. Could you watch over Xiyang for a while? I'll go bathe and change into dry clothes before returning." After Yixiao agreed, he hurried off.
Setting the basin on its stand, Yixiao turned and sat by the bed, studying Feng Xiyang's pallid face.
If not for the premium wild ginseng provided by the local wealthy family and the Black Chalcedony Marrow Feng Suige had brought, Xiyang would likely have succumbed long ago. Feng Suige must understand her condition, yet he still hadn't sent for Feng Qishan to see her one last time—perhaps he still clung to a faint hope, however slim. Even Weiran had said she might not last more than a few days...
That day, Weiran had forced her to speak the truth. But what good did it do? She had come to understand all too well that most things in life were beyond one's control.
With a sigh, Yixiao rose and wrung out a cloth from the remaining water in the basin. She stepped forward to gently wipe Xiyang's face when suddenly—Xiyang's brows furrowed slightly, and her eyelids fluttered. Startled, Yixiao nearly thought it a trick of the light. But just as she realized Feng Xiyang was genuinely struggling to open her eyes, the soft creak of the door opening sounded behind her."Come quickly," Yixiao's eyes were fixed intently on Feng Xiyang's face as she whispered in disbelief, "Look! She's waking up, she's trying to open her eyes!"
"Her life or death means nothing to this king," came a hoarse chuckle as an icy hand coiled around Yixiao's neck, while the sharp edge of a blade pressed mercilessly against her throat. "Fu Yixiao, did you truly believe this king had lost?"
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