Chapter Thirty
Simplicity was Fu Yixiao's only request for the ceremony. Yet, no matter how minimal, this was the first wedding of the regent Imperial Son, and despite Lord of the Nation Feng Qishan's vehement dissatisfaction with the marriage, all due pomp and circumstance were observed as protocol demanded.
At the Prince's mansion, lanterns blazed brilliantly as goblets clinked amidst revelry and song. The meticulously choreographed group dances left the audience in awe, while skilled musicians played joyous palace melodies on sheng, xiao, qin, pipa, five-stringed lutes, konghou, jiegu drums, and hujia. Acrobatic performers presented the lively Five Directions Lion Dance, drawing thunderous applause from the assembled officials.
Thanks to deliberate whispers, the most discussed topics among the guests were the Imperial Son's concubine's alleged premarital impropriety and her lowly origins. One noblewoman even declared loudly, without restraint, "To climb from the consort's bed straight into the Imperial Son's arms—such a shameless wretch might appear only once in ten thousand years."
Feng Qishan, seated at the head table, heard every word clearly. He smirked coldly, lowering his eyes to adjust his sleeve cuffs in feigned indifference.
Though he had relented, though Yixiao was only being installed as a concubine, the ruthless struggles for power and favor within these palace walls were no arena for a minor military officer of humble birth. Let her enjoy this fleeting triumph.
The ceremony commenced at last.
Though the malicious gossip hadn't reached Yixiao's ears, as she walked down the red carpet, the razor-sharp glances from all directions made the envy and hatred in the room palpable—especially the piercing gaze from Feng Qishan ahead, whose eyes bored into her like daggers, as if wishing to stab countless transparent holes through her.
She sneered inwardly. Everyone believed she had stayed in Su Sha solely for the power Feng Suige already possessed or might acquire. She wondered if, in time, even he would come to think so.
Perhaps this was inevitable. In the world's eyes, only a pampered noblewoman like Feng Xiyang could ever be worthy of His Highness.
Before departing from Brocade, His Highness had already sent Xiumu to summon Uncle Ling to Lucheng for the wedding banquet. By now, Ning Fei must have requested Uncle Ling's permission to marry Xueying—a request the old man would undoubtedly grant without hesitation. Only outsiders could see how completely Uncle Ling had surrendered to his seemingly delicate daughter, eager to marry her off to any respectable family at the earliest opportunity.
Xueying, you must help me remember how happy I once was. I can't recall it anymore, but you must remember for me. You must...
A sudden pressure on her left hand made Yixiao glance down instinctively. Feng Suige's right hand gripped hers firmly, his warmth flowing through the contact. He held her hand openly, standing with her against the countless dagger-like stares.
Noticing her gaze, Feng Suige turned to smile at her. The light in Yixiao's eyes flickered momentarily before she indifferently faced forward again, letting the abundant reassurance in his eyes fade into quiet disappointment.
Even on her wedding day, Yixiao had merely pinned up her hair with a single phoenix-wound pearl hairpin. Were it not for the golden-threaded dragon-patterned ceremonial robe, no one would have believed she was the bride at this grand occasion.
But that didn't matter.
The wedding proceeded smoothly—at least on the surface.This was an awkward celebration. The esteemed nobles of Su Sha lavished their Imperial Son with the reverence befitting his majestic presence, yet they cast disdainful glances at the woman about to become his concubine.
After a series of intricate rituals, Yixiao finally heard the delightful words, "The ceremony is complete," and let out a sigh of relief.
The eerie atmosphere hadn’t initially weighed on her much, but when Feng Suige’s warm hand sought to offer encouragement, her composure suddenly faltered. The calm and courage she had maintained for days vanished, and suppressing the urge to flee, she slowly followed the ceremonial guide toward the bridal chamber.
Suddenly, a sharp female voice cried, "Wait!" The clamor of the guests ceased instantly. Yixiao halted, and all eyes turned to a striking woman in yellow robes who had risen from the banquet tables.
Yixiao frowned slightly but met the woman’s venomous gaze with poise—ah, she mused with a faint smile, an old acquaintance. She wondered how the woman had gotten in.
Feng Suige snapped, "Yunyi, what are you doing?" Yunyi scoffed, glaring at Yixiao before lifting her chin defiantly. "Has the Imperial Son forgotten his promise to me?! You swore to grant me status!"
Clenching his teeth, Feng Suige hissed, "Even if you don’t know what’s happening here, you should know this is the Prince's mansion. Who gave you permission to cause a scene?!" As he spoke, four or five nearby guards rushed forward, covering Yunyi’s mouth and dragging her away.
The already stifling wedding ceremony grew even more surreal after Yunyi’s outburst. The hall buzzed with murmurs as guests, forgetting the dignity of Feng Suige’s station and the Su Sha royal family, openly gossiped.
Fu Yixiao, however, remained silent, watching quietly as if observing a farce. The moment she saw Yunyi, she had braced herself.
Trained in archery from childhood, she had always been resolute, especially in public. The more dire the situation, the calmer she became. By the time Yunyi was expelled, her earlier turmoil had miraculously settled into unshakable composure.
Feng Suige, now visibly flustered, grew even more uneasy seeing Yixiao’s detached expression. When mocking whispers about her reached his ears, his anger flared. Defying decorum, he pulled Yixiao close and declared coldly, "I know the instigator who sent Yunyi to disrupt this wedding sits among you. Today, I won’t pursue it further, but you’d best abandon such schemes. Next time, I’ll make you regret being born." His words, delivered with the innate arrogance of his upbringing, silenced the crowd, even stunning Feng Qishan at the head table.
Amid the hush, Feng Suige wrapped an arm around Fu Yixiao’s shoulders and strode out.
In the crimson bridal chamber, after dismissing the attendants and matrons, Feng Suige stood by anxiously as Yixiao removed her hair ornaments and wiped away the rouge. Finally, he blurted, "Had I known she would come, I would have ordered stricter checks..."Yixiao sighed inwardly and said calmly, "What has she done wrong? She merely loves you." Feng Suige couldn't help but sneer, "So what if she loves me? That was her own choice. Even if I once promised her status, she shouldn't have come to make a scene today."
Yixiao's originally indifferent tone suddenly turned cold and resolute. "Actually, this has nothing to do with me. Perhaps you think it's her own fault for falling in love with you—you never asked her to love you. But dare you say you didn't indulge her, letting her love you even more? Is falling in love with someone inherently deserving of blame?"
As if speaking to someone else in a daze, she grew more agitated as she spoke, trembling slightly by the end. It was as though something buried deep in her heart had been dug up, squeezing out the dark, stagnant pus. The wounds that were about to scab over were easily torn open again by the words "that was her own choice."
Feng Suige failed to notice her turbulent emotions and explained in frustration, "I know I didn't handle this well and made you suffer. I promise nothing like this will ever happen again."
Yixiao scoffed. "Why bother promising? I'm just living under someone else's roof—what right do I have to meddle in the household affairs of the esteemed Imperial Son and Regent?"
"Fu Yixiao!" Feng Suige gritted his teeth as he called her name, his voice laced with suppressed pain. "What exactly are you trying to say?"
"I'm not saying anything," Yixiao replied, her smile hiding mockery. "I just want to remind you—don't fall in love with me, and don't delude yourself into thinking I'll love you. This is just a game, with no relation to feelings."
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