News spread like wildfire throughout the Holy City—General Xia Jingshi, the King of Southern Pacification, had been detained by the Holy Emperor on charges of secretly hoarding weapons and troops. The emperor planned to use the visit of the Xi Sha delegation as a pretext to accuse him of colluding with Xi Sha to rebel.
Teahouses and taverns buzzed with whispers in every accent, the city abuzz with this sudden scandal. Even street storytellers abandoned their usual tales to recount how the Western Founder Emperor had founded the nation by executing the Prince of Qi.
Court officials, always sensitive to rumors, could not ignore the turmoil. Elder statesmen from the previous dynasty immediately raised questions in the assembly, demanding Xia Jingshi’s release until the truth was clarified, and volunteering to assist in investigating the alleged private weapons case.
After venting his anger in court, the Holy Emperor stormed out, intending to confront Xia Jingshi directly. Yet halfway there, he abruptly stopped, turning toward Chongning Palace, where Feng Xi Yang was confined.
After several days in isolation, Feng Xi Yang had grown noticeably pale and thin. In plain white robes and without any makeup, her skin seemed almost translucent, veins faintly visible beneath.
Seeing the Holy Emperor enter, she sprang up, clutching his elaborate sleeve. “Why have you locked me up? Where is my husband?”
The Holy Emperor frowned, shaking her off coldly. “What was meant to be a simple matter has now erupted into chaos because of you. The city is in an uproar. Do you think I should let you continue causing trouble outside?”
Xi Yang, unused to rebuke, froze as he walked past. Then he spoke again. “I came to tell you news—your Imperial Brother and Fu Yi Xiao have arrived together.”
“Imperial Brother?” Xi Yang’s eyes lit up. “Really? Has he come?”
The Holy Emperor snorted. “He didn’t come for you. Why are you so happy?”
Feng Xi Yang flushed but smiled. “Of course I know he didn’t come specifically for me, but I’ve missed him terribly.”
“Such deep sibling affection,” the Holy Emperor interrupted coldly. “Even if you’ve forgotten our agreement, remember who he came with.”
“Doesn’t Your Majesty think this is perfect?” Xi Yang’s face glowed with excitement. “We can expose her true nature in front of everyone.”
“I need evidence,” the Holy Emperor said flatly. “Without proof, no one will believe us. And Fu Yi Xiao will not be suspected so easily.”
“Evidence?” Xi Yang hesitated. “I don’t understand much about governance, but Father King said internal strife shakes a country’s foundation. Does Your Majesty intend to wait until they act?”
“That’s not what I mean,” the Holy Emperor replied impatiently. “I need documents—correspondence, lists of conspirators, anything that proves collusion.”
A faint, cold smile curved his lips. “I will manage the investigation. But you… do you understand what to do when they arrive?”
Feng Xi Yang shook her head instinctively.
“Your husband is in my dungeon. Naturally, you will want to rescue him. When your Imperial Brother arrives in Jin Xiu, urge him to clarify the facts quickly and restore Fu Yi Xiao’s innocence. Only by giving her time to act alone will her true colors emerge.”
“I’m afraid I won’t be able to keep it from Imperial Brother for long,” Xi Yang admitted, concern in her eyes.
“It won’t be for too long,” the Holy Emperor replied, lightly touching her cheek. His cold fingers made her step back instinctively. “But don’t cause trouble or disrupt my plans again. This is Jin Xiu, not Xi Sha, where you can act willfully.”
Banners fluttered as the Xi Sha delegation slowly entered the Holy City, led by Jin Xiu’s Feathered Forest Cavalry. Red and black mingled in the procession; the clear divisions of their departure were no longer visible. Curious citizens gathered at the gates, pointing and discussing this unusual spectacle.
When the first grand carriage, pulled by eight fine horses, entered the city gate, cheers erupted. “Look, it’s our Princess General, with the Crown Prince of Xi Sha!”
Gradually, the crowd’s scattered voices joined into a unified chant: “Princess General… Princess General… Princess General…”
Yi Xiao sat stiffly in the half-open carriage, fists clenched on her knees. She had seen similar scenes returning victorious with an army—but then the praise had been for Xia Jingshi. She had ridden silently behind him, watching him smile and wave.
Feng Suige’s hand rested on her waist, breaking her reverie. She turned to meet his smiling eyes. “Seems you’re popular in Jin Xiu. How does it feel to be the center of attention?”
“It’s alright,” she replied, her tension easing slightly.
“Feeling awkward, unsure where to place your hands?” he chuckled. “Relax. You’ll get used to it.”
She nodded, glancing back outside the carriage, a small smile forming. But in an instant, it vanished. She stood abruptly.
Feng Suige, quick as ever, rose with her. “What’s wrong?”
Yi Xiao’s eyes were fixed on a point in the distance. “One of Ning Fei’s deputy generals is disguised in the crowd—he deliberately let me see him!”
“Now is not the time for recognition,” Feng Suige said with a bright smile, waving to the crowd. “He will contact you again. Follow my lead. Smile.”
The carriage wheels rolled over the stone-paved palace road. The Princess General and her husband stood hand in hand, smiling as the citizens of Jin Xiu’s Holy City cheered, watching them slowly approach the royal gates.
The dark reddish-brown gates of the royal city loomed ahead.
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