As hushed conversations rippled through the hall, Xia Jingshi rose from his seat.
His gaze swept across the provocative Susha nobility—cold, disdainful, laced with an arrogance that came not from pride but from power. They seemed to have forgotten: he was no mere border prince. He was Jinxiu's God of War, forged on battlefields where lesser men perished. Royal blood coursed through his veins. Inviolable nobility was woven into the fabric of his being.
The weight of his presence descended like a physical force. Arrogant voices died. Mouths closed without conscious thought.
Feng Suige felt that formidable aura wash over him, and his eyes brightened with recognition. This was the Xia Jingshi he knew.
Fu Yixiao, who moments before had been seething with indignation, now rolled his eyes and muttered in response to Xiao Weiran's caution, "We should have known he wouldn't miss such an opportunity to shine. Why were we worrying for nothing?"
Xun Xiang remained kneeling in the hall. Confronted by Xia Jingshi's overwhelming presence, resentment blazed in his eyes. He straightened his spine, met that imperial gaze head-on, and sneered. "Doesn't the Prince of Zhen Nan think he's overstepping his bounds?"
A smile touched Xia Jingshi's lips—gentle as dawn breaking. "If standing is overstepping, why doesn't General Xun continue kneeling?"
Muffled laughter rippled through the Jinxiu delegation.
Ignoring Xun Xiang's purpling complexion, Xia Jingshi turned and offered Feng Qishan a graceful salute. "Your Majesty, may this prince ask General Xun a few questions?"
Feng Qishan waved a hand with studied casualness. "Of course."
One corner of Xia Jingshi's mouth curved upward as he descended the imperial steps with measured leisure. "General Xun's so-called intentions—are they someone else's or your own?"
The question caught Xun Xiang off-guard. Wariness crept into his features. "Both," he answered curtly.
"From your tone, General, you don't seem to regard the Nine Dragons Nine Phoenix Crown highly." Xia Jingshi's voice remained conversational as he approached. "Therefore, I surmise you must have prepared an even more precious gift. Could you perhaps reveal it and broaden this prince's horizons?"
Xun Xiang hesitated, his gaze flickering to Feng Xiyang—who had eyes only for Xia Jingshi. He gritted his teeth. "A two-foot-tall White Jade Nine-tier Exquisite Pagoda."
Astonished murmurs swept through the assembly.
Feng Suige caught the gleam in Xia Jingshi's eyes, and understanding stirred. Before he could pursue the thought, Feng Qishan nodded approvingly. "General Xun is indeed thoughtful toward Xiyang."
"This subject doesn't dare claim such credit." But seeing Xia Jingshi's silence, Xun Xiang's confidence returned. He laughed provocatively. "I wonder if this jade pagoda can compare to the prince's golden crown?"
"Of course it can." Xia Jingshi's smile widened. "I wonder—is this an heirloom of your family or a gift from a friend?"
"I purchased this pagoda at auction on the black market last year." Smugness dripped from Xun Xiang's words. "For 130,000 taels of silver."
An uproar erupted.
Feng Qishan's expression darkened. Before he could intervene, Xia Jingshi struck with surgical precision. "General, what is your annual salary?"
The color drained from Xun Xiang's face. He forced words through stiff lips. "I bought it with family wealth. What does that have to do with my salary?"
Tension crystallized in the air, sharp enough to draw blood.
"From your words and actions, General, you don't seem like a descendant of a noble family." Xia Jingshi's tone remained leisurely, almost sympathetic. "So this prince was merely making a casual guess."
Feng Suige rose from his seat, laughter booming through the hall. "The Prince of Zhen Nan's wit and wisdom are indeed well-deserved!"
The words confirmed what everyone now understood: corruption laid bare before the entire court.
Xia Jingshi accepted the acknowledgment with modest grace before turning to Feng Xiyang, whose smile blazed with admiration. "May this prince decide on behalf of the princess?"
At her nod, he faced the assembled Susha nobles and ministers. "All of your congratulatory gifts—I will accept them here on behalf of the princess. Together with the gift list, they will be handed over to Prince Feng for handling." His voice carried effortlessly through the stunned silence. "After all, these are valuable items. Selling them and contributing the proceeds to the national treasury could offset years of disaster relief expenses. If any items were extorted from the common people, I advise you to report them promptly and have the prince return them intact."
His icy gaze swept over pale-faced officials before settling on Feng Suige. "Should General Xun's white jade pagoda and the other lords' tokens also be included?"
"Naturally." Feng Suige's smile held genuine respect.
Feng Qishan watched his carefully orchestrated provocation collapse into disaster. What should have been a splendid wedding banquet now teetered on the edge of scandal. His fury found its target. He immediately ordered the Imperial Guards to bind Xun Xiang and take him for interrogation.
The general's wails echoed through the hall as he was dragged away. Silence descended—hundreds of people holding their breath, the weight of political reckoning pressing down upon guilty consciences.
Xia Jingshi and Feng Suige locked eyes.
The prince spoke first, his tone frank. "Since you have married Xiyang and conveniently helped Susha solve the disaster relief funds for the past few years, let's write off the grudges between us today."
Xia Jingshi's eyebrow lifted slightly. "You're quite perceptive. Old grudges I had long forgotten, and new ones haven't had time to be settled before they're written off."
They laughed together—a sound of mutual understanding—and struck their palms heavily to seal the agreement before returning to their respective seats.
Feng Qishan's expression eased marginally. Forcing cheer into his voice, he declared, "Enough. Let's not allow such matters to spoil the mood. Continue the banquet."
The nobles, ever skilled at reading power's shifting currents, felt relief trickle through their tension. The stifled atmosphere began to ease, though it never recaptured its earlier warmth.
As the water clock marked the passing of the Xu hour, the ceremonial officer led a procession of beautiful palace maidens bearing fragrant fans. He smiled broadly. "The hour grows late. May Princess Xiyang and the Prince of Zhen Nan please follow this humble servant to Bi'an Palace—"
"Bi'an Palace?" Xia Jingshi's frown interrupted the invitation.
Color touched Xiyang's cheeks. "Bi'an Palace was a gift from Father to my mother. Since Mother's passing, it has remained vacant. So this time, I had it refurbished to serve as our bridal chamber."
After a moment, Xia Jingshi offered a faint smile. "We depart for Jinxiu tomorrow morning, so I need to return to the guest residence to arrange related matters. It is inconvenient to stay overnight in the palace."
Xiyang's expression faltered. The ceremonial officer gasped. "This... this is against propriety!"
Feng Qishan, who had been listening from nearby, narrowed his sharp eyes. His smile remained diplomatic, but steel lurked beneath. "On the wedding night—the bridal chamber adorned with candles—is one of life's great events. How can it be skipped?"
"If things are not arranged properly, it will undoubtedly cause hardship on the journey after we set off tomorrow." Xia Jingshi's apologetic tone didn't quite reach his eyes. "Moreover, according to propriety, it is only after the wedding banquet in Jinxiu that it can be considered a true marriage."
Before Feng Qishan could respond, Xiyang interjected with forced lightness. "What my husband says is not unreasonable. Then I shall take my leave first."
"Wait!" The word cracked through the air like a whip. Feng Qishan's voice, edged with anger, rose louder than intended. Curious glances turned toward the commotion.
"Father, why are you speaking so loudly!" Xiyang hissed, mortified.
Feng Qishan drew a deep breath, lowering his voice to a harsh whisper. "Susha has never had such a precedent. If you still sleep in separate quarters after the wedding ceremony, where does that leave the dignity and propriety of the Susha royal family?"
"If Your Majesty is concerned about others' opinions," Xia Jingshi said with studied patience, "I can immediately send someone back to the guest residence to prepare a bedroom and invite the princess to stay there."
"No." Feng Qishan's response came swift and decisive. "How can the guest residence be suitable as a bridal chamber? Tonight, you must stay in Bi'an Palace."
As Xia Jingshi's gaze grew increasingly cold, Feng Xiyang's anger flared. "Father, how can you force people like this? What if others misunderstand and think that I am eager to enter the bridal chamber and insist on keeping my husband? How will I face others if such rumors spread?"
Feng Qishan's eyes flashed. "This is my decision. It has nothing to do with you. I just fear that someone harbors thoughts they shouldn't and is making excuses to delay—"
The accusation hung incomplete. Xiyang dropped to her knees with a resonant thud. "I beg you, Father, please say no more! My husband is not someone who doesn't understand reason. I believe in him!"
Feng Qishan's earlier sharp words had already drawn covert attention. Now, with Feng Xiyang kneeling before the assembled court, astonished gasps rippled through the hall.
Fu Yixiao and his companions sat too distant to hear the exchange at the main table. They saw only Feng Qishan's sudden anger and Feng Xiyang's abrupt prostration.
Xiao Weiran's expression hardened. He gave Ning Fei a meaningful look. Understanding flashed between them. Ning Fei subtly shifted his posture—muscles coiled, ready to spring forward and protect Xia Jingshi should violence erupt.
Though Yixiao couldn't discern the details, the vigilant stances of his companions communicated danger clearly enough. He leaned toward Xue Ying, voice low. "If anything happens, don't panic. Just stay close to me."
Despite her unease, Xue Ying nodded with outward calm.
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