Chapter Eighty-Six
"Xueying cannot stay," Yixiao unexpectedly refused. Xueying immediately turned to her in confusion, "Why?"
"By my side is the most dangerous place. So," Yixiao tightly grasped Xueying's hand, "either you leave with Ning Fei, or Ning Fei rides ahead alone. Once Feng Suige returns, I’ll discuss with him and arrange for his men to escort you back to Brocade along with your remaining subordinates."
Ning Fei pondered for a moment before resolutely saying, "I must leave first. The rest is up to you." He pulled out the dagger from his chest and placed it in Xueying's hand, "Take this for protection—the blade is sharp, so don’t clumsily hurt yourself."
Xueying held the dagger and pouted, "If I’d known marrying an official would be so troublesome, I would’ve thought twice about it back then." Ning Fei could only smile wryly. Before he could offer any comfort, Xueying suddenly brightened, "Hurry up and go. If I change my mind, I’ll follow you."
Ning Fei gave his beloved wife a deep look before turning to Yixiao. She nodded at him, "Once you reach Brocade, remember to send someone back immediately to assist." Ning Fei acknowledged and abruptly turned away, striding off without looking back.
Long after his figure had disappeared, Yixiao remained staring blankly into the distance. Xueying sighed softly, "Your hands are cold—if you’re truly worried, go back and see for yourself."
"He would be heartbroken," Yixiao slowly withdrew her gaze, "Besides, the one who should be by His Highness’s side right now isn’t me." Xueying smiled, "You’ve really changed a lot. The old you would’ve been so restless that you’d insist on rushing back to Brocade immediately." Hearing this, Yixiao gave a complicated smile, "Yes, I do miss that fool who acted on every impulse."
"Why did Ning Fei leave in such a hurry, even leaving Xueying behind? He wouldn’t say when I asked," Feng Suige changed into casual clothes, draping his robe over the rack before turning to ask in confusion, "What exactly happened?" "His Highness and Weiran are severely injured. The Holy City urgently summoned Ning Fei back," Yixiao looked up at him solemnly, "Feng Suige, I want to ask you for two favors."
"Severely injured?" Feng Suige froze, then grew serious, "Tell me what they are first. I’ll do my best." Yixiao chuckled, "Why answer so cautiously? Afraid I’ll make unreasonable demands?"
"I don’t know what you’ll say, but whatever it is, I’ll do my utmost to fulfill it," the candlelight flickered in Feng Suige’s eyes. Fu Yixiao felt something soft in her heart stir, but she didn’t dwell on it. Instead, she pleaded quietly, "The news of His Highness’s injury must not be leaked. I fear someone might take advantage of Brocade if word gets out. Also, Xueying—she’s pregnant and can’t travel. So Ning Fei left her here, planning..."
"Planning for you to escort her back, which would also allow you to return and visit your Highness, hm?" Feng Suige’s voice was like the night at dawn—gentle yet cold, seemingly accommodating yet distant. Yixiao let herself be pulled into his embrace, slightly dazed, "You two planned this long ago, didn’t you? The injury is probably fake too, right?"The slight stinging sensation on her lips jolted Yixiao awake. She pushed Feng Suige away with all her might, staggering back until she collided with the dressing table. Her trembling hands instinctively clutched at the fabric over her chest, her nails scraping against exposed skin until beads of blood welled up. Her expression shifted from bewilderment to utter disbelief.
Heaven and earth bear witness!!!
"What? Nothing to say?" Feng Suige's voice was thick with anger and disappointment. Deep down, he had hoped Yixiao would defend herself, but she hadn't even offered a single word of explanation...
"Even if I spoke, would you believe me?" Yixiao shouted, her blood rushing to her head until her vision blurred and her ears rang. The dizziness nearly made her lose her footing. "Some things are already set in stone in your mind—no amount of talking will change that. This endless suspicion is exhausting!"
A sudden pang of panic struck Feng Suige. The look on Yixiao's face made her seem more distant than ever before. He stepped forward, reaching out to steady her, but she violently shook off his touch the moment his fingers brushed her sleeve. Forced to retreat half a step, he softened his voice. "I was too hasty. What were you going to say earlier? Please, finish..."
Yixiao let out a cold laugh. "All I wanted was to ask you for two battalions of trusted soldiers to escort Xueying back. But I don’t know—how much of my words would you even hear? How much of me do you even trust...?"
"I believe you," Feng Suige exhaled as if a weight had been lifted. "I heard everything, and I believe you. Don’t be angry. I—I’ll go arrange the troops right now—" "What does it matter if you believe me now?" Yixiao cut him off icily. "Some things in this world can be done over and over, but others can’t. Feng Suige, you’ve disappointed me too much!"
"It’s my fault. I was being petty," Feng Suige stammered awkwardly. "When I saw the Glass Hairpin Xueying brought, and that set of white magnolia jewelry identical to the pendant... I don’t know why, but I just felt they were all gifts from him to you. I even thought you bought that pendant for him... So when I heard you mention him, my mind just—just spiraled. Please don’t be angry with me..."
After a long silence, Yixiao sighed deeply. "One of these days, you’ll be the death of me."
A sudden autumn wind stirred, sending fallen leaves swirling through the garden. The long-unused swing set knocked rhythmically against the palace wall and tree trunks, the desolate scene mirroring the melancholy of parting. Feng Xiyang sat quietly in the pavilion, gazing at the delicate, translucent Glass Hairpin in her hand.
Su Sha had no kilns for crafting glass, so she had only ever admired the famed beauty of glassware—its "colors like ice, unmarred by worldly dust"—without ever owning a piece herself. This Glass Hairpin had been given to her by Xia Jingshi. Though she usually preferred softer hues, she treasured this hairpin dearly.
After Xiao Weiran suffered severe injuries, Xia Jingshi moved out of Mingde Palace altogether. The already vast and empty palace grew even more desolate. Though she had told herself countless times that his happiness mattered more than anything, seeing him so distant and indifferent now was a pain she couldn’t soothe. In the midst of this agony, she could no longer tell—was she losing him now, or had she already lost him long ago?She didn’t want to apologize to Xia Jingshi for her public lapse in decorum that day. Words once spoken were like water spilled—how could they be taken back with a mere apology? Moreover, even if she went, there was no guarantee she would see Xia Jingshi...
The world was vast, yet it seemed in an instant there was no place left for her. Feng Xiyang tucked the hairpin back into her bun and sighed softly.
“You’re sighing,” a voice said. “What’s wrong now?” Startled, Feng Xiyang jumped up, pressing a hand to her chest in alarm. “Your Majesty… why has Your Majesty come to Mingde Palace?”
“His heart lies with another. No matter how much you grieve, it’s futile.” The Holy Emperor frowned as he brushed a withered leaf from her shoulder. “If you wish to win him back, Princess, you must put in more effort. I’ve just received word that Ling Xueying was already with child before setting out. I fear Ning Fei may leave her with Fu Yixiao and return alone—it seems our plans must change…”
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