Chapter Sixty-Three
Fu Yixiao watched for a while, and his initially tense heart gradually eased. Guyu’s moves were straightforward—no flourishes, just direct punches and kicks—while Huan Xiang consistently avoided direct confrontation, relying solely on dodging and evasive tactics. The murmurs of dissatisfaction from the spectator stands grew louder.
Feng Suige’s lips curled slightly. Even a seemingly dull gatekeeper from the Prince's mansion possessed such astonishing martial prowess—this would serve as a warning to those with ill intentions and restless ambitions.
After observing further, Feng Suige’s smile faded. Given Huan Xiang’s skills, he shouldn’t be performing so poorly. He must be stalling, waiting for Guyu to exhaust himself. “Guyu, finish him quickly,” Feng Suige commanded sharply.
Guyu’s strikes instantly doubled in force, leaving Huan Xiang stunned and defenseless. Forced into retreat, he stumbled back several steps, desperate to create distance and catch his breath. But then—a resounding gong echoed. Unbeknownst to him, he had stepped beyond the arena’s boundary.
By the rules, the match was over. Huan Xiang had lost.
Before the officiant could announce the result, Feng Suige flicked his sleeves and rose to his feet. “Huan Xiang has committed grave offenses—not only failing to repent but also provoking the Imperial Son’s consort. Now, he has lost this duel. Therefore, today’s verdict should not only declare his defeat but also strip him of his military rank, barring him from future service! I request Father’s decree.” Such forces were best diminished within the court.
A wave of shock rippled through the crowd. Huan Xiang, never expecting such an outcome, dropped to his knees and kowtowed desperately toward Feng Qishan. “My Lord, please judge fairly—” Feng Qishan hesitated but finally nodded. “Let it be as the Imperial Son decrees.”
Hate flashed in Huan Xiang’s eyes. Guyu, who had been standing frozen since the gong, still hadn’t grasped the situation. Stuttering, he reached out to help Huan Xiang up. “It’s… it’s alright. Next time, come find me… we’ll take it slow and win it back.”
Huan Xiang suddenly flung his arm out, hurling a handful of dust and sand straight into Guyu’s face. The abrupt attack was too swift for anyone to react. The entire audience froze.
Drawing a concealed dagger from his boot, Huan Xiang lunged with lethal intent, charging at Guyu—who was roaring and rubbing his eyes—with lightning speed.
Amidst the collective astonishment, Guyu, utterly unprepared for the external threat, seemed doomed to suffer the vicious strike—until an arrow pierced through his back, emerging from his chest.
Such power, such speed, such precision!
The entire crowd was stunned.
In an instant—just an instant—Huan Xiang was dead, shot through in the middle of the arena. The arrow had entered from behind. Everyone followed its trajectory to its source.
Beside Feng Suige stood an archer clad in snow-white hunting attire. Despite the countless eyes upon her, she remained aloof, as if the world around her meant nothing. Under the blazing sun, an almost ethereal radiance seemed to emanate from her.
Feng Qishan, already shocked to his feet, now bellowed in fury, “Fu Yixiao! You dare execute one of my soldiers before my very eyes! What crime do you plead?”
“What crime have I committed? On the sacred grounds of combat, to harm an opponent with such treachery—is this the martial code of Su Sha?” Yixiao, incensed, met his challenge head-on, refusing to yield an inch."The verdict has not yet been delivered, and Huan Xiang remains a Military General of Vermilion Sand Country. Moreover, he did not actually harm anyone," Feng Qishan sneered. "Yet you shot him dead without hesitation!"
"Yixiao, you must not openly defy Father—civil and military officials are all present here. They have been waiting for an opportunity to catch you at fault. Now, any misstep will be held against you!" Feng Suige desperately gripped her wrist, pleading urgently.
"If I hadn't fired that arrow, Guyu would have been in danger. Everyone saw it clearly. Why must they all side with Huan Xiang and blame me?" Yixiao was so enraged that she lost all reason, her sharp gaze fixed on Feng Qishan, who remained seated high on his throne. "It was the same at Your Highness's wedding ceremony. If Huan Xiang had provoked the Lord of the Nation that day, he would have been killed on the spot, wouldn't he?"
A wave of shocked murmurs rose from the crowd. Feng Suige gasped and used all his strength to restrain her as she struggled fiercely. "Stop this madness! No one can openly challenge Father—this is outright disrespect!" "If they are determined to accuse me, any excuse will do. If he truly intends to punish me, my killing of Huan Xiang is already a capital crime," Yixiao suddenly stopped struggling and spoke coldly.
From the pavilions on either side, where the court officials were seated, an uproar of disapproval had already erupted over Fu Yixiao's blatant defiance. Though Huan Xiang's methods against Guyu had been utterly despicable, in Vermilion Sand Country, openly opposing Feng Qishan—let alone challenging him—was something few dared to do.
Guyu, still blinded by the dust, was slow-witted but could sense the tension in the air. Eyes shut, he flailed his arms and shouted hoarsely, "It wasn't the Minor Imperial Concubine—it was the General!" "Silence!" Feng Qishan roared. "A mere lowborn has no right to speak here! Guards! Drag this insolent wretch away and give him two hundred lashes!"
"Father!" Feng Suige could no longer hold back. "Though Huan Xiang did not harm Guyu, his intent was clear. Guyu is naturally slow and did not mean to offend Your Majesty—I beg you to entrust this matter to the Criminal Supervision Bureau. I will handle it impartially, without favoritism!"
"And what of Fu Yixiao's challenge to me?" Feng Qishan asked coldly. Feng Suige hesitated, but Yixiao spoke heavily, "If Huan Xiang's case is handled fairly, I am willing to atone for my earlier offense..."
"No need for atonement," Feng Qishan suddenly smiled. "After all, you are Suige's beloved concubine. I need not trouble myself with a mere woman..." Immediately, a Military General stood and declared loudly, "Your Majesty, this is improper! While Your Majesty's mercy is a blessing for Vermilion Sand Country, if no punishment is meted out to the Minor Imperial Concubine, it may undermine Your Majesty's authority in the eyes of the people!"
His words were met with a chorus of agreement. Feng Qishan pretended to deliberate before reluctantly conceding, "Very well. But for Suige's sake, I will show some leniency. Does anyone object?" Below, a flood of sycophantic praises followed.
Feng Suige trembled with anger, but Fu Yixiao had already calmed down. "I truly lost my temper earlier—now that they have this opportunity, they won't let it go easily. If we force the issue, it will only damage your reputation." Feng Suige said bitterly, "I don't care about reputation. I promised to protect you."Yixiao broke free from his grasp and smiled brightly, saying, "Your words are enough for me—it won't be a severe punishment anyway. I might as well face it openly rather than tarnish Brocade's reputation." With that, she handed him the Greedy Wolf and the quiver before walking out.
Feng Qishan watched with an inscrutable smile as Fu Yixiao knelt before him. After a long pause, he declared sternly, "To uphold discipline in the court—guards, take the Minor Imperial Concubine to the training ground and bind her to the wooden post under the sun until sunset, as a warning to all!"
"Father!" Feng Suige, who had followed, shouted in anger. "Yixiao is supposed to compete in the archery contest tomorrow!" Feng Qishan merely glanced at him coolly. "Suige, do not be unreasonable. I am already showing great leniency. If she were not your concubine, I would have ordered her execution long ago."
Yixiao did not resist as Su Sha's soldiers stepped forward to bind and take her away. She knew that refusing to comply would only play into Feng Qishan's hands—it would invite more trouble. As long as she endured, everything would be fine. As long as she could endure... this one afternoon.
As she passed Feng Suige, she smiled and tossed him a remark, "Seems like winning tomorrow will be difficult now. You'd better make other plans early!"
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