Across the vast space before the city walls—one looking up, one gazing down—their eyes met for a fleeting instant. A sharp ache surged from Yi Xiao’s heart to her throat. It felt as if every drop of blood had drained from her body, leaving her barely able to stand as she clung to the cold stone.
She could see nothing but those eyes—deep as a soul-devouring spring, hot as a volcano on the verge of eruption.
Then, her waist tightened. Feng Suige’s arm encircled her again, his breath brushing against her ear. A wicked smile played at his lips as his gaze challenged Xia Jingshi, his mouth descending to graze Yi Xiao’s neck.
So what if she’s your woman? his eyes seemed to say.
Ignoring the sharp sting of his nails digging into his palm, Xia Jingshi smiled faintly. “What a pleasant surprise. Had I not come to marry the princess, I might never have known that the missing Major from my army would appear in Susha.”
Feng Xiyang bit her lip and turned away, face flushed with embarrassment. “Brother, what are you doing?” she demanded in a low voice.
Meanwhile, Ning Fei was dragging a furious Xueying toward the back of the caravan. “Let go of me, you thick-headed ox! Take your pig snout off Yi Xiao, you fever-ridden swine who’ll be toothless by morning—ah!” Her scream echoed through the crowd as Ning Fei hoisted her over his shoulder and ran.
Feng Suige burst into laughter. “She’s far more creative with her curses than you are.”
Yi Xiao stopped struggling. Meeting Xia Jingshi’s eyes, she whispered to Feng Suige, “Give up. You’ll never match him in wit or bearing.”
Feng Suige’s smile faded, and his grip tightened.
The nobles on the wall had already sensed the tension, their hushed whispers rippling through the air. Feng Qishan’s sharp voice silenced them all. “I was negligent. I’d heard that the prince brought back a woman from Jinxiu, but I didn’t know she served under the Prince of the Southern Border.”
Xia Jingshi bowed slightly. “Your Majesty is too kind. The prince merely wished to give me a surprise.” He turned to Feng Suige with calm politeness. “I’ll remember His Highness’s deep friendship.”
Feng Suige opened his mouth to reply, but Feng Qishan barked, “Quickly invite our honored guest into the city to rest!”
The startled ceremonial official regained his senses and cried aloud, “Welcome the Prince of the Southern Border into the city!”
Within the bustling streets of Susha, a young couple dressed in foreign attire quarreled openly, drawing curious glances.
“Ling Xueying! Will you be reasonable?!” Ning Fei shouted for the second time.
“No!” Xueying retorted again, hands on her hips. “I came to Susha to find Yi Xiao, not to sit around sipping tea with scheming courtiers!” She turned and snapped at a gawking bystander, “What are you staring at? Never seen a lovers’ quarrel before?” The poor man rubbed his nose and scurried away.
Life with this uncouth man for less than a month had stripped her of all the refinement she once possessed. Her father had been right—one becomes like one’s company. Still, since this was foreign soil, no one back home would hear of her disgrace.
Ning Fei spread his arms to scoop her up again. Seeing his intention, Xueying backed away. “Try it, and I’ll make you regret it!”
She’d dreamed of dazzling the people of Susha—of making every woman weep with envy for not being born a lady of Jinxiu. Instead, she’d been carried into the city on his shoulder like a sack of rice. The humiliation alone could kill her. Worse, she’d overheard women whispering, Look at that Jinxiu general… how enviable!
Enviable? She had wanted to scream.
In her rage, she’d snatched out her hairpin and stabbed him squarely in the buttocks, to the gasps of the crowd.
Now, Ning Fei eyed her hair warily. Fortunately, she wore an ebony hairpin today—otherwise, his backside would have been punctured like a sieve.
“His Highness just arrived,” Ning Fei said stiffly. “We should mind our manners. We can’t let Susha’s people laugh at us.”
Xueying pointed at his nose. “Tell me, are you the Prince of the Southern Border?”
“Of course not.”
“Am I?”
“Also not. Are you suffering from heatstroke?”
“Then if neither of us is the prince,” she declared, “even if we act improperly, no one can blame Jinxiu! So, Ning Fei, either you come with me to the palace, or you can sit here drinking tea like an idiot!”
“Yi Xiao was taken by the prince,” Ning Fei argued. “Even the Emperor might not know. She won’t be in the palace—”
“Who said I’m looking for Yi Xiao? I want to ask the Emperor how he rules his realm, letting his son abduct innocent women!” She raised her chin defiantly. “Are you coming or not?”
“Ling Xueying! Be reasonable!”
“No!”
Their quarrel entered its third round—until Xueying suddenly stilled. “Ning Fei… that man’s gaze isn’t friendly.”
Ning Fei’s face hardened. “Come here.”
For once, Xueying obediently leaned into his arms. He held her close, then looked up—his sharp gaze locking onto Feng Suige, seated high on horseback.
At some point, the street had been divided by squads of Susha soldiers. The onlookers were pushed aside, leaving Ning Fei and Xueying standing alone in the cleared center.
“Pretend I’m not here,” Feng Suige said lazily. “Please, continue.”
Ning Fei’s voice was cold. “Does Prince Feng intend to abduct people in broad daylight again?”
“Why would General Ning say such a thing?” Feng Suige replied with mock surprise.
“So it’s you!” Xueying snapped, peeking from Ning Fei’s embrace. “Are you blind, or am I hallucinating? Don’t tell me these soldiers are scarecrows!”
Feng Suige smiled. “I heard rumors in the market involving His Highness and the Emperor, so I came to investigate. Clearing the street was just to prevent interference—I was being thoughtful. Please don’t misunderstand.”
Xueying shivered dramatically and nestled deeper into Ning Fei’s arms. “Ning Fei, I just realized—you’re much better than him…”
Ning Fei nearly choked. “Ling Xueying, this isn’t the time for jokes.”
Hopeless fool, Xueying thought, glaring at him. “Do you know what kind of creature wears human skin but speaks like a man?”
“A beast?” Ning Fei frowned. “How could a beast wear human skin?”
Grinding her teeth, Xueying hissed, “Haven’t you heard of ‘a human face with a beast’s heart’?”
Ning Fei nodded slowly, but Xueying went on, voice sharp as glass. “Actually, no one knows what he truly is. Maybe not even a thing at all. But what exactly is he? Only he knows.” Her smile turned sweet and deadly as she looked at Feng Suige. “I’ve heard that the regent prince of Susha is exceptionally learned. Perhaps you could enlighten me?”
Feng Suige’s eyes glimmered. “Ah, that question stumps even me. Perhaps General Ning knows better—he’s seen much of the world.”
Before Ning Fei could speak, Xueying clutched his hand tightly. “We’ve debated this on our journey but reached no conclusion. It’s a pity even the prince can’t enlighten us.” Her tone was sugar-sweet. “But perhaps someday he’ll discover the answer.”
Feng Suige raised an eyebrow. “Then you might ask the Prince of the Southern Border. Yi Xiao admires his wit deeply.” With that, he cracked his whip, galloping off with his soldiers in tow.
Xueying stomped her foot. “Yi Xiao—damn it! I forgot to tell him to release her!”
Ning Fei sighed, flexing his hand. “Uh… my hand.”
Xueying glanced down and released him at once, wiping her fingers in disgust. “Ugh! Who knows if you even washed your hands after using the toilet!”
Ning Fei arched a brow. “Just now—you said I was better than him. What did you mean?”
Xueying’s lips curled into a teasing smile as she backed away. “He has a human face but a beast’s heart. You have a beast’s face but a human heart. Isn’t that better?”
“Beast—?!” Ning Fei’s face darkened. “Ling Xueying! Don’t you run!”
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