Chapter Fifteen
Feng Xiyang rested her chin on her fist, staring blankly at her reflection in the dressing mirror.
She remembered the first time she saw him—her heart had inexplicably ached so severely that her entire body convulsed.
Seated upright on horseback, he seemed completely devoid of a soul, his entire being exuding the putrid aura of a corpse. Two hours earlier, his younger brother had ascended the throne of the Brocade Dynasty as the Holy Emperor amid the adulation of the masses, while he knelt before the new emperor and accepted the title of King Who Pacifies the South.
Back in Su Sha, she couldn't shake the memory of those eyes, so agonized they seemed to erode one's very spirit. Suddenly, she felt regret—for him and for herself. If only their two nations could be at peace, how wonderful that would be. Or if only they were both ordinary people, how much better life might have been.
Several years passed, and she reached marriageable age. When her father asked her about potential suitors, she could no longer contain herself and confessed outright: she would marry none but Xia Jingshi. For the first time, her father lost his temper with her and stormed off in anger.
Yet, months later, to her astonishment, her father announced during court proceedings the decision to cease hostilities with the Brocade Dynasty. To demonstrate Su Sha's sincerity for peace, he resolved to marry her to the King Who Pacifies the South. Upon hearing the news, she wept tears of joy.
Even when he failed to arrive on the appointed day, she paid it no mind. But the wait stretched on—four long years. She never questioned whether she should wait, nor when he might come. She simply clung stubbornly to her choice, waiting with hopeful desperation until his eventual arrival.
Though the city walls stood high, she could clearly discern every change in him.
His relaxed brow, indifferent eyes, and gentle lips—yet his ethereal, aloof demeanor created an impenetrable barrier around him. He was physically present, yet existed in a world entirely his own. Perhaps storms had once raged within him, but certainly not for her sake...
Suddenly, two taps on her shoulder startled her. Feng Xiyang looked up in surprise. "Father!" Feng Qishan smiled as he sat beside her. "What were you thinking about so deeply that you didn't even notice my entrance?"
Blinking, Feng Xiyang's eyes regained their usual lively sparkle. "Xiyang was just considering which wedding gown to wear—the crimson embroidered with gold, or the black with red accents."
Feng Qishan patted her hand. "The crimson is vibrant, the black dignified. Either would be perfect, because the wearer is my daughter... Are you absolutely certain he's the one?"
Feng Xiyang beamed radiantly. "Does Father find him lacking in some way?"
With a slight sigh, Feng Qishan replied, "I've never doubted your judgment, Xiyang. But after meeting him today, I can't help feeling that loving such a man will bring you hardship. A man like him—winning his favor is difficult enough. Even if he comes to care for you, there will always be people or matters he considers more important than—"
Unshaken, Feng Xiyang declared with confidence, "Father, he may value many things above me, but I believe no matter what danger arises, he would never abandon me... Surely Father agrees he's bound to fall for Xiyang, doesn't he?"
Feng Qishan studied her for a long moment before finally smiling in satisfaction. "You've grown up, Xiyang. No longer the little girl who pestered me for bedtime stories. Your mother in the afterlife can rest easy knowing this."The maid woke Yixiao to inform her that a messenger from the Royal City had arrived to summon her. Still half-asleep, Yixiao asked for clarification and learned it was a personal summons from the Lord of the Nation, Feng Qishan. Slowly descending the stairs, she saw the messenger standing below, arms tucked into his sleeves, pacing impatiently. At the sound of footsteps, he turned abruptly, his expression clearly displeased. "Duwei Fu certainly keeps us waiting," he remarked.
Yixiao smiled faintly and gave a slight bow. "Xingling certainly wields his authority well." The messenger stiffened, forcing an awkward laugh. "This official spoke hastily just now. Please forgive my rudeness, Duwei Fu." Internally, he regretted his impulsiveness. He had heard much about this woman recently. Not only had she, a mere fourth-rank officer under the Brocade Prince Who Pacifies the South, been personally summoned by the Lord of the Nation, but with the favor and attention the regent Imperial Son showed her, a few words from her could easily make his life difficult.
Seeing the flicker of regret on his face, Yixiao chose not to press the matter and nodded slightly. "Please lead the way, Xingling."
As they reached the gate, the rapid clatter of hooves approached from afar, followed by Feng Suige's sharp call: "Wait!" Yixiao didn't even bat an eyelid and stepped straight into the carriage.
Feng Suige's horse skidded to a halt, and he leapt off before it had fully stopped, storming to the carriage and yanking the curtain aside. "I told you to wait! Did you not hear me?" he snapped.
Ignoring him, Yixiao turned to the messenger. "Weren't you worried about wasting time? Why aren't we moving?"
The messenger hesitated awkwardly. "Your Highness, the Lord of the Nation has summoned Duwei Fu. We’ve already delayed long enough. Please don’t make this difficult for your servant."
Feng Suige gritted his teeth and flung his riding crop to the ground before climbing into the carriage. "Then hurry up!" he barked.
The carriage finally came to a stop, ending the suffocating silence of the journey.
Yixiao avoided Feng Suige's outstretched hand and jumped down unaided, following the messenger up the long staircase while taking in the place where the Lord of Vermilion Sand Country would receive her.
The structure was a grand three-tiered high platform, with a two-story pavilion-style hall at its center. Flanking the hall were ten palace chambers of varying sizes, connected by winding corridors and sloping walkways. The walls were adorned with colorful silk murals, and the corridors were paved with white jade carved with dragon and phoenix motifs—a sight of majestic opulence.
"This is Biying Palace," Feng Suige said gruffly, noticing her gaze. "Xiyang's mother lived here before her passing." Yixiao frowned slightly. "This is the inner palace? Shouldn’t foreign officials be received in a designated side hall?" When he merely grunted in response, she didn’t press further.
In truth, Feng Suige was just as puzzled.
The night Xia Jingshi entered the city, his father had urgently summoned him to inquire about Fu Yixiao. After briefly explaining the situation, his father hadn’t reprimanded him, only instructing him to report any similar incidents in the future, regardless of whether Brocade’s schemes could be confirmed.
He had assumed the matter was settled—until the guards at Water-Painting Garden suddenly reported that his father had sent someone to summon Fu Yixiao. Dropping everything, he had rushed back, fearing Xia Jingshi had grown impatient and directly demanded her from his father. But now... His brow furrowed deeper as he cast a worried glance at Fu Yixiao.Xingling led Fu Yixiao and Feng Suige all the way to the garden at the rear of Biying Palace before stopping. He said respectfully, "The Lord of the Nation said Duwei Fu may enter directly. As for the Imperial Son..." He hesitated slightly, but Feng Suige had already cast a sharp glance his way, prompting him to quickly add, "Naturally, the same applies to the Imperial Son."
Though he had already seen her from the city walls earlier, Feng Qishan couldn't help but scrutinize Fu Yixiao once more when they met again.
Upon learning that Feng Suige had brought back a woman from Brocade and settled her in the Water-Painting Garden upon his return, he hadn't paid much attention, knowing his son's naturally unrestrained nature. On the day the King Who Pacifies the South entered the city, Feng Suige had brought her into an event reserved only for royalty and nobility, which had surprised him. But if Xia Jingshi's usually indifferent gaze hadn't flared with intensity the moment he saw her, Feng Qishan might not have given her a second glance.
A poisonous flower—that was the first thought that crossed Feng Qishan's mind. And now this poisonous flower stood not far from him, with his son by her side.
Fu Yixiao remained steady under his gaze.
Seated in the stone pavilion, Feng Qishan was nothing like the Lord of Vermilion Sand Country she had imagined. Though his features closely resembled Feng Suige's, their temperaments were starkly different. Feng Suige exuded bold sharpness, while Feng Qishan was gentle and reserved. Were it not for those piercing eyes, he wouldn't have seemed like a ruler at all.
"I've long known the King Who Pacifies the South had a remarkable female archer under his command," Feng Qishan finally shifted his gaze away. "Seeing you today, you truly stand apart."
He expected Fu Yixiao to offer some modest words in response, but after several breaths, she still hadn't spoken. Feng Qishan couldn't help but feel surprised. When he looked back at her, the corners of her lips were slightly upturned, as if she found his words amusing. His brows immediately furrowed, but before he could speak, Feng Suige stepped forward and diverted the conversation. "Father, what brings you to Biying Palace today?"
Feng Qishan raised an eyebrow. "Xiyang's wedding is approaching, so I came here to speak with her mother—you should be in the Hall of State Affairs right now. I don't recall summoning you." Seeing his son falter, Feng Qishan continued coolly, "As the regent Imperial Son, if you don't share hardships and comforts with your subjects in ordinary times, who will stand with you through thick and thin in times of crisis?" Though his tone was light, it carried undeniable authority.
"This son acknowledges his mistake and will return at once," Feng Suige replied reluctantly, bowing before retreating to Yixiao's side. He paused briefly and whispered, "If Father becomes angry, just yield and apologize. Even if not for yourself, think of the King Who Pacifies the South." After a slight hesitation, Yixiao gave a quiet nod, and only then did Feng Suige lower his head and leave.
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