Chapter Twenty-One
At some point, someone had started the trend of leaving their seats to present congratulatory gifts, offering an array of priceless treasures one after another. Xia Jingshi withdrew his gaze and picked up his jade-inlaid cup, admiring the amber-hued wine within as he smiled faintly.
Some sought only to curry favor with Princess Xiyang, the Lord of the Nation’s most beloved daughter, while others were simply too intimidated by the Lord’s authority to neglect the occasion. Not a single gift carried genuine joy for his marriage—nor did he himself feel the happiness one ought to on such a day.
Royal and noble marriages had always been little more than political farces.
Noticing Xia Jingshi’s silence, Feng Xiyang stole a glance at him under the pretense of sipping from her cup. His smile remained as light as mist, his eyes still cool as distant stars. Though he sat beside her, his heart felt leagues away, as if the wedding banquet unfolding around them had nothing to do with him.
A sudden wave of helplessness washed over Feng Xiyang, and the elation that had filled her heart these past few days gradually dissipated. Even as husband and wife, could she still not earn his undivided attention? The warmth in his eyes was scarce, and none of it was directed at her…
Perhaps sensing her gaze, Xia Jingshi abruptly turned toward her. Feng Xiyang had no time to look away, and all her sorrow lay bare before his clear eyes. "Are you unwell?" he asked softly, taking the cup from her hand. "The wine is strong—don’t drink too much."
His tenderness pierced through the gloom in her heart like a sudden ray of light. Feng Xiyang rewarded him with a radiant smile, retrieving the cup from his grasp before rising gracefully to face the assembled guests, instantly drawing all eyes to her.
Her long lashes lifted elegantly, her expression brimming with dignified allure. The hall fell silent. "Today, my husband has bestowed upon me a magnificent phoenix crown," she began, her voice trembling slightly. "I wish to offer him a gift in return, but I do not know what he would like." She paused, then continued, "All I have is my wholehearted devotion. From this day forth, I will strive to be a good wife—to share his burdens, his glory, his hardships, and his triumphs. Let heaven and earth bear witness, and all present here today!" With that, she drained her cup in one swift motion. As she set the jade vessel down, whether from the wine’s effect or her own fervor, a delicate flush spread across her cheeks, her eyes shimmering with emotion.
Silence. Someone’s cup toppled over, its contents dripping steadily onto the floor from the edge of the table, yet not a single servant moved to clean it.
Feng Suige turned his head in astonishment, gazing in mild bewilderment at the radiant woman before him. Was this truly his youngest sister, Xiyang, the one most doted upon since childhood? Just days ago, she had been a mischievous girl using the wedding as an excuse to pester him for jewelry and rare trinkets. Now, the bashfulness of youth seemed to have left her, replaced only by a fierce longing for love.
Xia Jingshi’s face held only puzzlement. Four years ago, he had heard from the decree-bearing envoy of the Holy City that Princess Xiyang had vowed to marry no one but him. At the time, he had been perplexed but had not dwelled on it. Yet today, Feng Xiyang had declared such words before him once more, forcing him to wonder if he had overlooked something crucial in the past.Ling Xueying had long heard Fu Yixiao speak of Feng Xiyang's unique words and deeds, yet she still couldn’t help but gape slightly and glance at Yixiao. Yixiao merely responded with a faint expression that seemed to say, "You’ll get used to it." Xueying then turned her gaze toward the slender, green-clad figure on the high platform, feeling a pang of regret. If Feng Xiyang weren’t the princess of Su Sha, if she hadn’t been dragged into this murky mess, perhaps they could have become close friends—the three of them traveling the world together, laughing and singing under the sun and moon...
Amid the silence, Feng Qishan sighed with emotion, "Such sincerity and authenticity—among my daughters, only Xiyang possesses this. Xia Jingshi, you must not fail her." Hearing the implied entrustment in her father’s words, Feng Xiyang, still thin-skinned, quickly sat down. Many of the ministers below, who had watched her grow up, burst into laughter at her rare display of bashfulness.
Xia Jingshi smiled faintly. "If love endures, what need is there for sweet words?" "Well said!" Feng Qishan laughed heartily. "Then I can rest easy. Xiyang, you’ve grown up now. After marriage, don’t act as willfully as before. Be more steady. When your father is no longer by your side, learn to make your own decisions—ah, how worrisome..."
Feng Xiyang obediently agreed at first, but as she listened to his melancholic sigh, her eyes reddened. Fighting back tears, she pouted, "Father, today is Xiyang’s joyous day. Don’t say such sad things." Seeing her on the verge of crying, Feng Qishan had no choice but to suppress his sorrow. He raised his cup in a distant toast to Xia Jingshi, masking his emotions.
Suddenly, a voice neither too loud nor too soft rose from below. "All we see are our own congratulatory gifts. Did the people of the Brocade Dynasty come empty-handed?" Before the words even faded, murmurs of discussion spread through the banquet hall. Xia Jingshi and Feng Xiyang frowned simultaneously, looking downward.
The speaker, though dressed in a ginger-yellow scholar’s robe with bat motifs, had the bearing of a military officer. He now fixed Xia Jingshi with a challenging glare.
Feng Xiyang immediately rebuked him, "Huan Xiang, if you’re going to pretend drunkenness, take it outside. Spare us the disgrace!"
Huan Xiang, publicly scolded by the princess, flushed with humiliation. But when he noticed that the Lord of the Nation, Feng Qishan, showed no displeasure, his courage returned. He stood and retorted, "This humble official merely speaks the truth. Doesn’t the Brocade Dynasty pride itself on abundance? Why do they shrink back at the crucial moment..."
Just as Xiyang was about to erupt in anger, Feng Qishan smoothly intervened. "General Huan, our guests are to be treated with courtesy. Do not be rude." Though Huan Xiang had more to say, he dared not continue under the ruler’s reprimand and resentfully returned to his seat. Feng Qishan glanced at Xia Jingshi’s impassive face and added sternly, "The ancients spoke of sending a goose feather from a thousand miles away—it’s the sentiment that counts, not the quantity. Do not speak so disrespectfully."
Feng Suige’s eyes swept over the upper and lower seats, quickly grasping the situation. His father was clearly indulging Huan Xiang, though his motives remained unclear. For now, he remained silent, watching quietly.
Meanwhile, another man—lean and gaunt—stood up and said respectfully, "The Lord is wise. We do not seek to cause trouble, but the marriage of Princess Xiyang is a matter of national importance. How can a mere golden crown suffice?"Ning Fei finally couldn't hold back his anger and snapped, "His Highness had already sent three batches of betrothal gifts to Su Sha while he was still on the road. Moreover, upon bringing the princess back to Brocade, there will be another grand banquet to receive congratulations from nobles across the land. Do you intend to follow us to Brocade and present your gifts again?" The man was immediately left speechless, and the Brocade delegation erupted in laughter. The Su Sha side, having lost face, began arguing noisily among themselves.
Seeing signs of conflict brewing between both sides, Feng Qishan silently set his golden goblet down on the dragon-carved table with a thud. The clamor instantly ceased. Satisfied, he swept his gaze around and spoke in a deep voice, "Enough quarreling. Arguing over trivial wedding formalities is truly undignified."
By now, Xiyang had also noticed his ambiguous wording. Worried that Xia Jingshi might lose his temper, she whispered, "That Huan Xiang once asked Father for my hand, but Father refused. Not long after, our betrothal was arranged, so he's always resented you. Don't stoop to his level."
Xia Jingshi chuckled at her bluntness. "What he said isn't entirely unreasonable. This prince did overlook some details. I'll be more careful in the future—why would I be angry?" Xiyang scoffed and shot him a sidelong glance. "How many times do you plan to welcome a bride?" The moment the words left her mouth, she realized her blunder. Noticing Xia Jingshi's amused expression, she flushed and mumbled, "Just a jest. Xiyang wouldn't oppose you taking concubines." Xia Jingshi merely smiled without responding.
Their intimate whispering at the high table went unnoticed by none. Below, Huan Xiang was seething. He knelt abruptly and declared loudly, "This subject has a petition for the Lord of the Nation!" Feng Qishan raised an eyebrow. "This isn't court, but speak freely."
"Understood." Huan Xiang shot Ning Fei a sidelong glance. "This subject requests permission to escort the princess to Brocade, bringing along the 'heartfelt gifts' from myself and other ministers to present during the grand banquet there." The hall erupted in uproar, the outcry growing louder with rising indignation.
Xueying, observing Feng Qishan's expression from afar, sneered. "He's deliberately showing favoritism to humiliate us." Already in poor spirits, Yixiao grew more agitated by the commotion and muttered bitterly, "If this were an ordinary household, we could just flip the table and leave. But here, we're trapped—can't stay, can't go. Utterly maddening."
Seated at the same table, Xiao Weiran heard Yixiao's complaint and cautioned softly, "Don't act rashly. We depart tomorrow—we can't afford any mishaps now."
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