Chapter Seventeen
Feng Suige only glanced at Xia Jingshi and the others who had come out to greet him. "I need to speak with the King Who Pacifies the South alone."
After leading Feng Suige into the inner chamber, Xia Jingshi sat down at the table and regarded him calmly. "Is this about Yixiao?" Feng Suige's breath hitched for two beats before steadying again. "Later, send some of your men to my Water-Painting Garden to fetch her."
Even with Xia Jingshi's composure, he stood up in disbelief. "Are you serious?" Feng Suige gave a firm nod but remained silent, as if weighing his thoughts.
Xia Jingshi had already regained his calm. "What are your conditions?" Feng Suige replied coldly, "There are none." Then he turned his head slightly to glance at Xia Jingshi. "From now until we return to Brocade, can you protect her?"
Xia Jingshi's gaze fell on Feng Suige's clenched fists. "Has something happened?" Feng Suige's expression darkened slightly. "I hope you'll treat Xiyang well... and from now on, don't get too close to Yixiao."
Seeing Xia Jingshi narrow his eyes sharply, Feng Suige snapped, "Drop your suspicions. This has nothing to do with Xiyang." "It's the Lord of the Nation," Xia Jingshi said heavily. Feng Suige stiffened, avoiding his gaze.
"Perhaps I'm overthinking it. Today, Father summoned Yixiao alone. Though she came out unharmed, I can't shake the feeling it wasn't that simple." Feng Suige took a difficult breath and continued, "Xiyang's mother died in childbirth. On her deathbed, Father swore at her bedside that he would ensure Xiyang's happiness. So, if Father believes Yixiao's existence threatens Xiyang..." His voice trailed off.
Because Xia Jingshi's hand had slowly come to rest on his shoulder, warmth seeping through his robes. "I'm grateful," Xia Jingshi said softly. "You... care about her too, don't you?"
Feng Suige smacked his hand away in irritation. "Don't flatter yourself. I just don't want you taking your anger out on Xiyang if something happens!" He took two steps back. "I've said what I needed to. I'm leaving. Send someone."
Xia Jingshi studied him with a faint smile. "Very well."
Yixiao sat curled up on the soft couch, hugging her knees. She hadn't cried—she thought she would, but she didn't.
When she was very young, she had once found a beautiful jade pendant in the Fu family garden.
To this day, Yixiao still remembered it—a white jade carving of a half-bloomed magnolia flower.
She had played with it all the way as she headed toward the rear courtyard. Her mother had never owned a decent piece of jewelry, and this pendant would have suited her perfectly.
"Yixiao." Suddenly, someone called from behind. She turned to see the First Wife approaching slowly with two maids. "What are you holding?"
The First Wife was the daughter of an official. Yixiao had seen her from afar a few times—an elegant and beautiful woman, much favored by her father.
Yixiao handed over the pendant. "I found it." The First Wife pinched it between her fingers and examined it. "This pendant was mine—I lost it. But since you picked it up, I don't want it anymore." Her posture rigid, she held the pendant out in front of Yixiao. "Where were you taking it?" Yixiao instinctively reached for it. "I wanted to give it to my mother."The beautiful lips curled into a mocking smile. "I forgot to mention earlier—things I've worn aren't for the likes of lowly people like you to touch." With that, she raised her hand and dashed the pendant to the ground.
Shattered into pieces.
Yixiao lowered her head, staring at the broken jade fragments scattered across the floor. The First Madam sneered, "Don't forget your place. And don't delude yourself into thinking you can possess what was never meant to be yours..."
A gust of wind blew open the loosely latched window, carrying in a floral fragrance. Yixiao stirred slightly, her curled limbs gradually unfurling as she relaxed onto the couch.
Once, after joining the army, she accompanied Xia Jingshi on an errand. On their way back to the Royal City, she noticed a woman passing by wearing a pendant of similar design and couldn't help but glance twice. Noticing this, Xia Jingshi teased her, "What? You're interested in these things too?" After hesitating, she recounted that past incident.
After hearing her story, Xia Jingshi pretended to be angry and lightly flicked his horsewhip against her back. "You foolish girl. Whether commoner or royalty, being born human means you're born with inherent worth. What does noble status matter? They're just ordinary people too—subject to life and death, joy and sorrow like anyone else. Why measure yourself by shallow people's standards?" Seeing Yixiao nod, he continued, "From now on, if anyone dares say such things to you, give them a good thrashing with your whip. Say it's by this prince's decree—remember that?" "I'll remember!" she laughed. "Your Highness mustn't forget either! If I ever stir up a hornet's nest, you'll have to be my backer!"
After her mother's passing, Yixiao sorted through her belongings and found a well-preserved box. Opening it, she discovered a complete set of exquisite jade ornaments, each carved with magnolia blossoms in various stages of bloom. Beneath them lay a pale blue gilded card, where someone had imitated her handwriting to write: "Respectfully presented by your daughter, Yixiao."
At this memory, Yixiao chuckled softly. She had never told Xia Jingshi that even without forged handwriting, her mother wouldn't have noticed—her mother was illiterate. All of Yixiao's letters home had always been addressed to her father, who would then relay them to her mother.
But as her laughter faded, a bitter taste filled her mouth.
Your Highness, why does Yixiao increasingly realize that status differences form an unbridgeable chasm between people? And that things never meant for us can truly never be possessed?
Hearing footsteps, Yixiao slowly sat up. Feng Suige walked straight to the couch and handed her two pills.
Suspicious, Yixiao leaned in to sniff them—the same scent as last time. But why two now?
"Hurry up. I'll wait outside," Feng Suige said, already turning to leave.
"Wait," Yixiao stood and chased after him. "Where are we going?" "We?" Feng Suige paused, turning back with one corner of his lips quirking up. "Not 'we'—just you."
Pursing her lips, Yixiao hastily shoved the pills into her mouth. "Let's go."
But Feng Suige didn't move. After studying her for a long moment, he suddenly pulled the sachet containing the arrowhead from his robe and thrust it into her hand. "I originally planned to mount this on a shaft and return your arrow," he said with a dry laugh, though he didn't release her hand. "But suddenly I don't feel like holding grudges against you anymore. So here—take it back."Yixiao, still dazed, clutched the sachet as Feng Suige dragged her down the stairs and through several winding corridors. The side gate of the Water-Painting Garden was just ahead.
"Wait a moment," Yixiao suddenly struggled, "Let me see His Highness and Xueying. It won't take long." Feng Suige didn't even turn his head, pulling her forward with force.
"They're back," came a familiar whisper from nearby. Yixiao instinctively glanced over, and with just that one look, her mind went completely blank.
Xia Jingshi stood outside the gate, holding the reins of his horse with a smile. Ning Fei and Xiao Weiran, along with several guards dressed in plain clothes, were scattered around keeping watch.
Feng Suige snorted, took her hand, and pushed her forward. Without looking up, he muttered to Xia Jingshi, "Remember to follow the same path on your way back." Seeing her stop dazedly after a few steps, he gritted his teeth and gave her another shove forward.
Yixiao walked passively, still disbelieving as she turned to look at him. "You're letting me go back?" Feng Suige flashed a roguish grin. "If you can't bear to leave me, you can stay." With that, he pushed her firmly out the gate.
Without even a word of farewell, Feng Suige, still wearing that unretracted smirk, slowly closed the garden gate.
Inside, Feng Suige pressed his forehead against the door, eyes tightly shut. Only when the sound of receding hoofbeats faded into the distance did he take a deep breath, open his eyes, and turn to walk back into the garden.
Without realizing it, Yixiao placed her hand in Xia Jingshi's. She didn't know how she ended up on the horse. In her daze, the scenery around her flowed backward like water.
She had experienced a similar scene before, but—"Your Highness?" she called uncertainly. Xia Jingshi looked down at her and asked softly, "What is it?" Yixiao shook her head, her eyes already wet, and wrapped her arms tightly around his waist.
This wasn't a dream. He had come.
"He came to the posthouse on his own," Xia Jingshi's voice was fragmented by the rushing wind. "He was afraid you might be in danger." "Maybe his conscience got the better of him," Yixiao chuckled lightly, burying her face in his chest and closing her eyes.
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