Chapter Sixteen
Feng Qishan waited until Feng Suige had gone far before turning to Fu Yixiao. "Earlier, Captain Fu seemed to have heard something amusing. Why not share it so I may also have a laugh?" Yixiao showed not a trace of panic and replied steadily, "Yixiao was merely contemplating the profound meaning in the Lord of the Nation's words and momentarily lost herself. I beg the Lord of the Nation's forgiveness."
A faint smile appeared on Feng Qishan's face, but his words were icy. "Rare to find someone as perceptive as you. I shall speak plainly. Before Xiyang's mother passed away, I promised her that I would ensure Xiyang's happiness. Therefore, I hope that after Xiyang marries into Brocade, you will remain in Su Sha."
A slight tremor passed through Yixiao's brow as she struggled to maintain her composure. "If the Lord of the Nation is concerned about the princess, Yixiao can swear never to set foot in Lucheng again in this lifetime. But to ask Yixiao to stay in Su Sha—that, I cannot agree to."
Feng Qishan seemed to have anticipated her outright refusal, his expression unchanged. "You can control yourself, but not others. Xia Jingshi is not a suitable choice, yet Xiyang has chosen him. My lack of opposition does not mean I will let things take their course. So—Fu Yixiao, as long as you behave yourself, I will not treat you unfairly."
Yixiao listened silently, then offered Feng Qishan a smile, clear and firm as she uttered a single word: "No."
Feng Qishan narrowed his eyes in displeasure. "Are you not afraid that I might order your execution in a fit of anger?"
Yixiao met his gaze without fear. "The Lord of the Nation would not do that."
"Oh?" Feng Qishan did not hide the admiration in his eyes. "Quite bold. Tell me, why are you so certain I won't kill you?"
A glint flashed in Yixiao's eyes. "A virtuous ruler who demands his Imperial Son and subjects share hardships and labors equally would not fail to understand that even plants have spirits and men are not ants. Nor would he put Yixiao to death simply for refusing his request."
Feng Qishan fell silent for a moment before suddenly bursting into laughter. "Well said, Fu Yixiao—I shall spare your life today. But next time, you may not be so fortunate."
Yixiao said nothing more, offering a proper bow before turning to walk back the way she had come. A gust of wind blew past, chilling her to the bone, and only then did she realize she was drenched in cold sweat.
Faintly, she heard Feng Qishan call out behind her, "Captain Fu." Yixiao paused but did not turn around. "Would you like to know how I will make my next move?" he said.
Yixiao stood still for only a moment before continuing forward.
Feng Suige had not returned to the Hall of State Affairs. After leaving the garden, he avoided the passing palace attendants and quietly slipped into the nearest palace chamber. Though he could hear nothing, as long as he could see the activity in the garden, he could rest easier.
Suddenly, he heard loud laughter. His heart clenched, but then he saw Yixiao bow and turn to leave through the exit. Feng Suige let out a long sigh of relief—Father had ultimately spared her.
Just as he was about to step away from the window, he heard his father call out, "Fu Yixiao." Puzzled, he turned back. "Would you like to know how I will make my next move?" Feng Suige's heart pounded violently as he strained to catch even the faintest sound.
But his father had already stopped speaking, watching Yixiao's retreating figure with a smile. Yixiao's eyes remained clear, as if she could not be bothered to consider his words, and she continued walking forward without hesitation.
Feng Suige couldn't help but chuckle softly. Such infuriating stubbornness. But—his smile gradually faded. What exactly was his father plotting?The sound of palace attendants clearing the way echoed from the corridor outside—the Lord of the Nation was departing. The previous silence was shattered by the rumbling of the imperial carriage. The wind rattled the doors and windows, their creaking reverberating desolately through the empty palace halls.
Glancing out the window again, Yixiao was no longer there—Biying Palace had never felt so eerie before.
Xueying wandered gloomily through the inner gardens of the guest residence. Ever since the incident on the main street, she had been placed under strict surveillance.
Calling it "surveillance" was just self-consolation, she thought bitterly, plucking a leaf from a roadside shrub and crushing it in her hand.
After hearing the full account of the incident, Xia Jingshi had merely remarked offhandedly, "Don’t go out unless necessary." Just like that, she became the only person in the entire residence forbidden to come and go freely. Even Ning Fei, who had once shadowed her every step, now roamed like a wild horse, disappearing for days on end.
It was suffocating—so suffocating she wanted to scream.
If Xiao Weiran hadn’t told her that Xia Jingshi had formally requested the Vermilion Sand Country’s Lord to allow Yixiao to return to the residence, she swore she would have filled his shoes with nails, stuffed his pillow with needles, spiked his tea with vinegar, and laced his bowl with poison...
Rounding a corner, she came upon a delicate arched gate inscribed with the words "Lingxi." It was a crabapple garden she had discovered the day before. Now in full bloom, the garden was filled with trees laden with white and pink blossoms.
She strolled in slowly but immediately caught sight of a figure.
A tall, broad-shouldered man stood in the center of the garden, wielding a jade-green long blade with fluid grace.
Xueying knew nothing of martial arts, let alone how to critique techniques. Since meeting Ning Fei, this was the first time she had seen him practice. His sleeves billowed as he moved, each turn and strike precise and effortless, exuding both agility and steadiness. The air currents stirred by his movements sent petals swirling and slender branches swaying, momentarily mesmerizing her.
Noticing someone approaching, Ning Fei halted his stance. Seeing it was Xueying, he looked surprised. "What are you doing here?"
Blinking back to reality, Xueying suddenly grinned, her eyes curving into crescents. "Ning Fei..." Instinctively, Ning Fei took a wary step back. Though they hadn’t known each other long, he recognized that expression—it meant she was scheming something. The way she looked at him was like a starving person suddenly spotting a feast—ravenous!? A cold sweat broke out on his back. "What do you want?"
Xueying stared at him with sparkling eyes for a long moment before finally speaking. "What you were doing just now—can you teach me?"
"Ning Fei!"
"His Highness has given me so many tasks, I’m swamped!"
Ling Xueying and Ning Fei hurried down the residence’s long corridors, one after the other—Ning Fei in front, sweating profusely, and Ling Xueying chasing behind, eyes gleaming.
"Xiao Weiran is smarter than you—he’d definitely do a better job. Hand everything over to him, and you’ll have time to teach me!" Xueying blurted shamelessly.
Ning Fei wanted nothing more than to turn around and strangle her, but he didn’t dare stop. Earlier, in a moment of madness, he had agreed to teach her a few moves. When they practiced with crabapple branches, she had mimicked him flawlessly. But then she insisted on using real weapons. Once the Kunwu Blade was in her hands, it either flew wildly through the air or plunged straight into the ground. If Ning Fei hadn’t dodged quickly, he would have ended up with several new holes in his body."It won't work. His Highness said these matters are very important and must be handled by me personally!" She had insisted it was just her first time holding a blade and she'd get used to it with more practice. Remembering the sight of Lingxi Garden strewn with broken branches and shredded leaves, Ning Fei quickened her pace. Almost there—just past that gate ahead and she'd be...
"Handle what?" Xia Jingshi's voice suddenly cut in. Before the words fully landed, he appeared by the gate, followed by Xiao Weiran, who was struggling to maintain a composed expression though the corners of his mouth twitched faintly.
Xueying's eyes lit up. "Your Highness, could you assign the tasks you gave Ning Fei to Xiao Canjun instead? There's something very important I need Ning Fei's help with."
"No!" Ning Fei blurted out before Xia Jingshi could respond. "Your Highness, she wants to learn my blade techniques, but... just look at the devastation in the Haitang Garden behind us! Until we return to Brocade, your safety is my responsibility, so I absolutely cannot afford injuries..."
"Learning blade techniques?" Xia Jingshi studied Xueying thoughtfully. "This prince recalls Brother Ling once mentioned..."
At this, Xueying deflated and mumbled, "Fine, no learning then. But you mustn't tattle to Father!" Last time she'd merely touched her father's sword and been punished with copying an entire bookcase. If he found out she'd not only handled a blade but learned techniques, she'd likely be confined for a year copying texts.
Just as Ning Fei began to grin, Xia Jingshi added, "However, this prince believes young ladies should learn some self-defense. Since Ning Fei has already started teaching you, she may continue—but if Brother Ling ever inquires, remember this prince knew nothing about it."
Xueying immediately brightened. "Xueying remembers! Thank you, Your Highness!" Before she could turn away, an Embroidered Army guard rushed in to report, "Your Highness, the Imperial Son Regent has arrived and awaits in the front hall." Xueying's willow-leaf eyebrows shot up as she made a grab for the Kunwu Blade at Ning Fei's waist. "How dare he come to our doorstep!"
Ning Fei firmly shielded her weapon while glancing at Xia Jingshi. Xiao Weiran also stepped forward. "Your Highness..." Xia Jingshi waved a hand. "Since he's come, we can hardly refuse to meet him. Xueying, would you rather practice blades now or accompany this prince to the front hall?"
Xueying locked eyes with him momentarily before finally releasing her grip on Ning Fei.
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