Chapter Seventy
Perhaps due to Feng Xiyang's presence, the Holy Emperor granted Mingde Palace to Xia Jingshi and his entourage as their temporary residence during their stay in the Imperial City.
After changing into formal robes, Xia Jingshi strolled toward the nearby Jade-Green Pool. Though Mingde Palace remained unchanged with its lush trees and blooming flowers, and the beautiful lotus pond still stood with its three Immortal Mountains, he no longer felt the same carefree joy as when he had accompanied the Emperor here to admire the lotuses years ago.
"Your Highness," Xiao Weiran called softly from nearby, "the Princess Consort sent someone to inquire..." Xia Jingshi interrupted him with a smile, asking, "Weiran, have you ever loved someone?" Caught off guard by the question, Xiao Weiran paused before nodding. "Yes, I have."
"Then," Xia Jingshi turned slowly, "tell me—what would you do if you fell in love with someone you shouldn't?" After a moment of contemplation, Xiao Weiran stepped closer. "There's nothing to be done. Love is love. By rejecting it like this, Your Highness may not avoid suffering. Why torment yourself?"
Xia Jingshi closed his eyes and murmured, "I only said 'if.'" Xiao Weiran pressed his lips together and continued, "Losing happiness to avoid pain isn't worth it. Besides, when you hurt others, your own heart suffers just as much."
Xia Jingshi chuckled softly and patted Xiao Weiran's shoulder. "This is the first time I've seen you so philosophical—come, the ladies must have finished dressing by now. Let's not keep them waiting."
On the way, Feng Xiyang had imagined the Brocade Saint Emperor—a ruler who commanded generals and intimidated all four directions—as a stern, imposing figure. Yet when she finally saw him in casual attire, his features bore a striking resemblance to Xia Jingshi's, nothing like the shrewd, life-and-death-deciding Emperor she had pictured. Beside him sat a graceful woman in her twenties, dressed in purple embroidered robes with double silk ribbons—undoubtedly the Empress.
As they stepped forward to pay respects, the Holy Emperor rose with a hearty laugh and strode down from the Dragon Throne, gesturing to stop Xia Jingshi mid-bow. "There are no outsiders here—no need for such formality." Xia Jingshi smiled faintly but still completed the full kowtow before standing. "Seeing Your Majesty in good health brings me great relief."
The Holy Emperor sighed. "Royal Brother, you're always so distant." Then, turning to Feng Xiyang with a smile, he asked, "The journey must have been arduous. Has Royal Sister found the food in Brocade to her liking after traveling all the way from Su Sha?" Feng Xiyang felt an immediate warmth toward this gentle and amiable Emperor and replied cheerfully, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. Xiyang is doing well. As this is my first visit to Brocade, I hope you will forgive any lapses in etiquette."
The Holy Emperor nodded approvingly, while the Empress laughed melodiously from her seat and rose gracefully. "We've long heard of Royal Sister's devotion, expecting someone as fiery as Duwei Fu. Yet today, we meet a delicate, tender beauty. Truly, seeing once is better than hearing a hundred times."
At the mention of Fu Yixiao, Feng Xiyang's expression faltered slightly. The Holy Emperor frowned dismissively. "Duwei Fu is merely a Military General—how could she compare to Royal Sister?"The Empress let out a tinkling laugh and warmly stepped forward to take Feng Xiyang’s hand. “Indeed, this concubine misspoke. Please do not take offense, Sister-in-law—His Majesty and the Prince have not seen each other for a long time and must have much to discuss, likely all matters of state affairs. Sister-in-law, why not accompany this one to Ciyang Palace to chat with the Empress Dowager…”
Just as Feng Xiyang was about to agree, Xia Jingshi gently interjected, “We came in haste today and did not bring the Seven Treasure Incense Burner that Xiyang prepared as a gift for the Empress Dowager. Perhaps it would be better to visit Her Majesty another time.”
The Empress covered her mouth with a sleeve and laughed. “The Prince is still the same as ever, so meticulous in everything—the Empress Dowager would be overjoyed just to see Sister-in-law. How could she possibly mind a small incense burner?” Without waiting for a reply, she bowed to the Holy Emperor. “This concubine shall take her leave first.”
Before even stepping into Ciyang Palace, where a plaque inscribed with the words “Praise and Virtue” hung high above the entrance, Feng Xiyang could already hear bursts of laughter from within. Following the announcement of the attendants, the Empress led her straight through the palace gates.
Inside, women dressed in the attire of imperial concubines sat in order of rank, some on armchairs, others on round stools. Upon seeing Feng Xiyang and the Empress enter, they all rose. Feng Xiyang barely had time to glance around before her eyes landed on the noblewoman seated properly by the window.
She seemed older than Feng Qishan, yet her demeanor exuded grace rather than age. With slightly upturned phoenix eyes and an imposing presence, her attire, though not overly ornate, radiated nobility. There was no doubt—this was the Empress Dowager.
After a round of formal greetings, the Empress Dowager’s scrutinizing gaze softened slightly, though she remained languid. She casually gestured to an empty stool nearby, signaling for the two to sit, then naturally inquired about the mountain flood they had encountered on their journey. Feng Xiyang recounted the events truthfully, omitting only the part where Xia Jingshi had rescued her hairpin. Even so, the women gasped in shock, and the Empress Dowager clutched her chest, murmuring prayers to the Buddha.
Since arriving in Brocade, Feng Xiyang had faced cold indifference from many. Upon entering Ciyang Palace and seeing the assembly of concubines, she had braced herself for an interrogation. Yet, to her surprise, the atmosphere was far from what she expected. Just as she began to relax, the concubines gradually took their leave in small groups, until even the Empress excused herself to check on the Imperial Son’s studies, leaving Feng Xiyang alone with the Empress Dowager in the vast hall.
Left alone with the Empress Dowager, Xiyang couldn’t help but feel uneasy. As her thoughts wandered, the Empress Dowager asked gently, “Good child, tell me—has he treated you well?”
Like a child filled with sorrow and grievances suddenly hearing a mother’s loving call, in that instant, the Empress Dowager’s dignified face overlapped with the image of the mother Feng Xiyang had imagined. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she choked back sobs.
Seeing her silent tears, the Empress Dowager’s eyes also reddened slightly. After sighing softly and murmuring about “karmic retribution,” she comforted her warmly. “You’ve suffered so much—though he is not my own child, I watched him grow up. Such a good boy, yet after heartbreak, how did he become like this? His mother passed early, and I could not rein him in. Watching helplessly breaks my heart…”The Empress Dowager wiped away her tears with a silk handkerchief and continued in a thick, nasal voice, "I won’t hide it from you—I had always hoped he would live happily with Fu Yixiao. But who would have thought Fu Yixiao would… Ah, never mind. You’re a good child. From now on, you must take good care of him, understand?"
Feng Xiyang nodded, though not entirely comprehending, and couldn’t help but ask, "Does Fu Yixiao not like my husband?"
The Empress Dowager smiled at her through her tears. "Even if she did, hasn’t she still married your imperial brother now?"
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