Fortieth Chapter
Among the legendary bows named after the seven stars—Greedy Wolf, Giant Gate, Wealth Store, Literary Star, Pure and Upright, Martial Star, and Army Breaker—the Greedy Wolf is the most renowned. Carved from a single piece of Mulberry Heartwood and standing sixty-eight inches tall, it boasts the longest range and highest precision among the seven.
Yixiao’s gaze traveled inch by inch from the bow limbs entwined with silver threads to the body engraved with totemic patterns. Suddenly, she flicked her wrist, and the bowstring—made from the Yellow Tendon of the Resilient Gold Rattan unique to the Western Regions—hummed resonantly. Unable to contain her admiration, she exclaimed, “What a fine bow!”
Qin Yu asked in confusion, “Does the Minor Imperial Concubine recall the legend of the Divine Weapon Enters Destiny…?”
“Divine Weapon Enters Destiny?” Yixiao turned to him, puzzled. “What does that mean?”
Qin Yu was momentarily taken aback. Pointing at the Greedy Wolf in her hands, he explained, “Legend has it that those destined with the Greedy Wolf not only experience extreme fluctuations in fortune throughout their lives but also gradually adopt the star’s traits—becoming unpredictable in morality, temperamental, and slightly radical.”
Feng Suige was startled. “Is this truly so?” Qin Yu nodded solemnly.
Yixiao gently stroked the Arrow Rest on the bow’s body and smiled. “I was born with a temperament that loves fiercely and despises ruthlessly. A life of dramatic highs and lows has long been my aspiration. Why would I refuse your kindness over a mere legend?” She held the bow with both hands and bowed deeply to Qin Yu. “Yixiao thanks you, Master Qin.”
Qin Yu hurriedly returned the gesture. “Ah, the Minor Imperial Concubine honors this old man far too much…”
Feng Suige scoffed from the side. “Now you’re quick with gratitude. Aren’t you afraid of being misunderstood?”
“Misunderstood how?” Qin Yu asked curiously.
Yixiao shot Feng Suige an awkward glare before explaining in a voice only those nearby could hear, “In Brocade’s folk customs, when a man gifts a bow to an unrelated woman, it signifies he has chosen her as his lifelong… beloved.” Suddenly, an expression of profound anguish flashed across her face.
Qin Yu was not the first to give her a bow.
The first was Xia Jingshi.
“Yixiao, among the Holy Emperor’s rewards is an exquisite Silver Bow. Would you like it?”
“Yes! Give it to me!”
“Then prove your worth. If you can fell a charging beast within five breaths, the bow is yours.”
A man gifting a bow to an unrelated woman means he has chosen her as his lifelong beloved—why hadn’t she realized it then? Why hadn’t it occurred to her later? And why, of all times, did she remember it now?!
Her heart was in turmoil, so much so that she felt utterly lost. Pressing a hand to her chest, she found her heartbeat unbearably rapid. Pain—agonizing pain—as if every inch of her flesh were being flayed by memories, her shattered, bloodied remains devoured by an unseen primordial beast.
Once more, she met those unfathomably deep eyes, saw him smile and say, As you wish.
As you wish, as you wish, as you wish… His voice grew clearer, more fervent with each repetition.
Dazed, Yixiao raised a hand, unsure whether to cover those eyes or silence his moving lips first. But halfway, his grip seized her wrist, squeezing until it hurt. “Please, stop… You’ve already killed me. Must you continue desecrating my corpse?” she murmured faintly."...Yixiao, what's wrong with you? What are you saying?" Feng Suige's face was full of panic as he tightly grasped her flailing hands, holding on with all his strength as if she would disappear the moment he let go.
Yixiao's gaze fixed on his face. After a long moment, she suddenly slung the Greedy Wolf onto her back and flashed a sly smile. Feng Suige froze, unable to react for quite some time. Qin Yi, standing nearby, had already begun clapping and laughing heartily. "How spectacular! Brother Feng's face turned pale with fright, hahaha..."
Feng Suige shot Qin Yi an embarrassed glare before turning back with gritted teeth. "Fu Yixiao, you did that on purpose!" Yixiao tilted her head slightly with a light laugh. "Who told you to talk nonsense?" Feng Suige was both angry and amused, but before he could speak, Feng Qishan's voice cut in. "I've already let the matter with Consort Zhuang slide, and now you publicly humiliate Suige?" Without giving Feng Suige a chance to explain, Feng Qishan coldly continued, "Since Qin Lao gifted you the Greedy Wolf, let everyone witness the power of this ancient divine weapon today—just three arrows remain from earlier. But what shall we use as targets?" As he spoke, he glanced around theatrically. Yixiao knew he was putting on a show and chose not to respond.
Feng Qishan's gaze lingered on Jing Fei's face. Jing Fei forced a smile. "Surely the Lord of the Nation doesn't intend for this concubine to... like Consort Zhuang..." Before she could finish, Feng Qishan plucked a Phoenix Hairpin from her hair, examined it for a moment, and said heavily, "This will do—someone, take this hairpin to the Imperial Son's concubine to wear." With that, he pulled the remaining two hairpins from Jing Fei's hair as well.
The hall immediately buzzed with murmurs, and some ill-intentioned individuals even laughed outright. Qin Yi, sensing something amiss, paled and buried herself in Qin Yu's arms. "Grandfather, they..." Qin Yu patted her back reassuringly, though his own brow was deeply furrowed.
Feng Suige intercepted the palace attendant carrying the hairpins, asking in shock, "Father, didn't you mean for Yixiao to test the bow?" Feng Qishan raised an eyebrow. "Did I say I wanted Fu Yixiao to test the bow?"
Feng Suige protested urgently, "But—" "No buts," Feng Qishan interrupted loudly. "All three hairpins must be shot through. Who volunteers to test the bow?" The crowd erupted with responses, many military officers eagerly stepping forward.
As Feng Suige prepared to argue further, Yixiao calmly took the hairpins from the attendant and secured them in her hair one by one. She turned to him with a smile devoid of warmth. "Can you use a bow?" "Yes," Feng Suige narrowed his eyes. "But I'm not skilled with it."
As if ignoring the latter part, Yixiao handed the Greedy Wolf to him. "Then it's up to you." Feng Suige refused to take it, his expression darkening. "I said I'm not skilled with a bow!"
Yixiao stared at him steadily. "Do you think I truly wish to die?" Feng Suige clenched his jaw, his murderous gaze sweeping over the most vocal officers.
Yixiao's next words successfully drew his attention back. "If you want me to live through today, then take this bow." He glared at her face. "But what if I miss?" "Then I'll die by your hand," Yixiao replied, her tone as casual as if discussing the weather.After a long while, Feng Suige slowly took the Greedy Wolf. "If I miss, I'll put another arrow through your heart."
"Alright," Yixiao teased with a playful blink. "You're not trying to settle a score, are you?"
Feng Suige gave a bitter laugh. "Yes. Had I known I'd get this chance today, I wouldn’t have given you that arrowhead."
With a faint smirk, Yixiao pulled out the sachet containing the arrowhead from her robe and dangled it before him. "Want it back now?"
"Even if you were dying, you must remember this—what I’ve given you, no matter what it is, I’ll never ask for it back," Feng Suige said, each word deliberate.
As Feng Suige accepted the Greedy Wolf, the clamor in the hall gradually quieted. The generals who had been vying to test the bow silently returned to their seats. Feng Qishan watched the two whispering figures without impatience, even thinking indulgently—perhaps these were last words. Let Fu Yixiao say all she needed to.
Feng Suige gazed at Yixiao quietly, the tenderness and resolve in his eyes searing into her skin. She avoided his gaze, smiled faintly, and waved before turning toward where Consort Zhuang had stood.
"Fu Yixiao," Feng Suige said hoarsely, "Would you mind remembering one more thing?"
Yixiao hesitated. The moment she turned back, Feng Suige pulled her tightly into his arms. Overwhelmed by the intensity radiating from him, she pressed a hand against his shoulder, trying to put some distance between them.
"Yixiao," he murmured softly, "How about getting your ears pierced tomorrow?"
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