Chapter 134
Yixiao tossed the leaf she had torn to shreds into the stream, dusted her hands, and stood up to approach the two men whispering in the distance.
After crossing into Vermilion Sand Country, they were greeted at the border by Marquis Jianxin Ye Duanfang. The meaningful "Thank you, Your Highness" from Piao Cavalry Commander Shang Yun still echoed in her ears when Feng Suige was promptly whisked several yards away by Ye Duanfang for private conversation. Since then, the two had been acting suspiciously, often huddling together when she wasn't looking and immediately changing topics whenever she approached.
Just like now.
"What exactly can't I know?" Interrupting Feng Suige's feigned inquiry about court affairs, Yixiao sat beside him but fixed her gaze on Ye Duanfang. "Did your sisters move into the Prince's mansion?" Ye Duanfang looked startled and shook his head repeatedly, while Feng Suige covered half his face in exasperation, shooting Ye Duanfang a look urging him to leave. Spotting this, Yixiao snapped, "Explain before you go!"
Feng Suige sighed. "We didn't tell you to spare you worry. If you must know, I'll explain in the carriage later."
Playing with Yixiao's fingers, Feng Suige hesitated before speaking. "After we left Vermilion Sand, Marquis Jianxin convinced Father. But then Father selected numerous noble ladies across the country, saying I could choose among them upon my return, and moved them all into the Prince's mansion—I'd anticipated this before our journey, so don't worry. Though it'll take time to resolve, it will be settled."
"And about Xiyang..." He glanced warily at Yixiao. Seeing her calm expression, he continued, "I wanted to explain Xiyang's situation to Father personally, so no one in Vermilion Sand knows she's dead. I fear Father might order an attack on Brocade in rage or demand Xia Jingshi surrender the Holy Emperor for vengeance—which Xia Jingshi would refuse. I understand the whole story and don't want war, but Father won't relent until he gets his way. That puts me in a difficult position, and your stance would be even more complicated..."
Yixiao listened quietly, then suddenly scoffed. "Are you planning to elope with me?" "Honestly," Feng Suige shook his head helplessly, then tensed. "Yixiao, let Marquis Jianxin look after you for a while. Once Father's anger subsides, I'll bring you back, alright?"
"Why not wait until after I give birth?" Yixiao smirked. "That works too!" Feng Suige's eyes lit up. "If you bear a son, Father would definitely—" "Don't even think about it!" Yixiao stood up angrily. "You might as well send me back to Brocade now and be done with it!""Don't be upset," Feng Suige sighed as he pulled her closer. "I don't want to be apart from you either, but this time I truly can't guarantee I'll convince Father not to take his anger out on you. I don't want you facing any more danger—do you understand?"
"Even if you've forgotten our agreement, you should at least remember Guyu," Yixiao suddenly calmed her anger and spoke coolly. "If you can't keep your word, let me leave now. It'll be better for both of us."
Hearing her repeatedly mention leaving, Feng Suige couldn't help but feel irritated. Without thinking, he blurted out, "Where do you think you're going with my child?!"
A flash of light flickered in Yixiao's eyes as she retorted stiffly, "If that's all you care about, I'll have someone bring the child to you after it's born—"
A warm fingertip pressed against her lips as Feng Suige explained with frustration, "That's not what I meant, and you know it." Yixiao remained still. The two locked eyes for a long moment before Feng Suige exhaled in defeat and released her, sinking back into the cushions. "Fine, fine..."
Upon entering the Prince's mansion, Feng Suige shut out the fawning officials who had been hounding them. His smile was barely holding up as he rubbed his tired face and leaned toward Yixiao, whispering, "Are you tired? Go change first—we still have to enter the palace to see Father."
Yixiao nodded and headed straight for the inner quarters. Before she could reach the corridor, an inner courtyard guard hurried over. Spotting Yixiao and Feng Suige, he stopped at a distance and knelt. "Greetings, Imperial Son, Minor Imperial Concubine."
"What is it?" Feng Suige asked, puzzled. Unless it was an emergency, inner courtyard guards never appeared in the front residence.
The guard awkwardly glanced at Yixiao before lowering his head. "When we first moved in, the daughter of the State Minister forcibly occupied the Minor Imperial Concubine's Plum Garden. We informed her of Your Highness's return in advance—but no matter how much we urged her, she refused to vacate it. She even claimed the Lord of the Nation said she could stay wherever she pleased..."
"So what if she's the State Minister's daughter?" Feng Suige's eyes turned cold. "Go. Have her and all her belongings thrown out."
"No need," Yixiao stopped him. "Since she likes that garden so much, let her stay for now. I don’t have many belongings—the main chamber should be enough."
Turning around, she planted her hands on her hips and arched a brow at Feng Suige's stunned expression. "I'll go freshen up first. When there's time later, I'll clear them all out one by one."
"Good," Feng Suige laughed heartily in agreement.
Feng Qishan flipped through the stack of intelligence reports from the secret agents. The papers were nearly worn out from his constant handling—now, he was just using the motion to sort through his thoughts.
Not long after learning that Xia Jingshi had been accused of rebellion, news arrived that Feng Suige had rescued him and even abducted the Holy Emperor in the process. Just as Feng Qishan assumed Feng Suige would bring both the Holy Emperor and Xia Jingshi back to Su Sha, another report came in—Feng Suige's party was heading toward Lucheng and had been surrounded by the pursuing Imperial Guard Barracks.
As Feng Qishan prepared to dispatch troops to assist, yet another update arrived: Brocade was in turmoil, the military had defected, and Xia Jingshi might ascend the throne. He had expected Feng Suige to return to Su Sha then, but instead, he followed Xia Jingshi back to Brocade—only returning today.What on earth is going on? Not only have things spiraled out of control, but even this son he once knew so well has become increasingly unpredictable.
Suddenly, another inexplicable palpitation struck him. Lately, he had been experiencing this frequently for no apparent reason. Feng Qishan frowned, pressing a hand to his chest as he took a few sips of the ginseng tea beside him. The slightly cool liquid helped him relax.
Time spares no one. Perhaps it was time to relinquish the throne and enjoy a few days of peace. That way, he could visit Brocade to see Xiyang—once Xia Jingshi ascended the throne, Xiyang would rightfully become the Empress. Had he known it would come to this, he should have taught her more about the inner court affairs back when they were still in Su Sha.
Narrowing his eyes, he couldn’t help but smile, as if seeing his once playful and naive daughter dressed in the solemn and magnificent robes of the Brocade Empress, gracefully bowing before him.
"His Highness the Imperial Son arrives—" A series of announcements echoed from outside. Feng Qishan didn’t miss the faint murmur of the palace maids in the outer hall: "May the Minor Imperial Concubine be blessed with peace and prosperity."
Ah, yes. There was also Fu Yixiao.
During their time away from Su Sha, he had given it much thought. Since the situation was already settled, Fu Yixiao’s existence no longer posed a threat to Xiyang. Once Xia Jingshi took the throne, if handled wisely, Fu Yixiao could prove to be a rather useful tool.
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