Feng Xiyang held a chess piece between delicate fingers, seemingly deep in thought, yet she hadn't placed it for what felt like an eternity. The Empress Dowager observed her in patient silence before gently asking, "Xiyang, is something troubling you?"
Startled from her reverie, Feng Xiyang's face flushed with embarrassment as she apologized profusely to the Empress Dowager. The elder woman remained unfazed, tossing the black jade chess piece she'd been clutching into the basket with a soft clink. She smiled warmly. "It's alright. If something's bothering you, tell me. Perhaps I can help."
Xiyang instinctively glanced at the palace maids standing like silent statues nearby. The Empress Dowager caught her meaning and made a subtle gesture. Within moments, all the attendants had withdrawn from the hall, the last maid closing the heavy door with a muted thud.
"Now, you can speak freely," the Empress Dowager said, patting the space beside her invitingly.
Xiyang curled up next to her like a child seeking comfort. Looking up with troubled eyes, she said softly, "I don't even know what I want anymore. I can't think about anything else; my mind is filled with thoughts of her."
The Empress Dowager's brow furrowed thoughtfully. "Him? Xia Jingshi?"
"No," Xiyang shook her head, her voice dropping to barely above a whisper. "It's Fu Yixiao. Empress Dowager, why do I always feel that she's in my husband's heart? Even if I could kill her, I can never erase his feelings for her…"
"Silly child," the Empress Dowager murmured affectionately, taking her hand and holding it between both of hers. "Why have you suddenly become so pessimistic? If the Emperor has promised to help you, you should trust him."
"But the Emperor said plans have changed… And my husband also said his feelings for me wouldn't change regardless of Fu Yixiao's fate…" Feng Xiyang blinked rapidly, fighting back tears as her voice grew softer and more fragile. "I just want him to love me, but why does everything I do seem to push him further away? I'm scared. I fear that once my husband sees Fu Yixiao, he'll disregard everything else…"
"His eyes are clouded by illusions," the Empress Dowager said with practiced kindness. "In truth, no one is irreplaceable in this world. He just doesn't understand that yet. You just need to be patient. If the Emperor says he can do it, he certainly will."
The midday sun blazed mercilessly overhead. Not only Ling Xueying but even the female attendants in the entourage had drawn their carriage curtains tightly shut, desperate to block out the punishing heat and blinding light.
Fu Yixiao and Feng Suige rode side by side at the front of the procession, exposed to the full force of the sun's glare. Feng Suige squinted up at the relentless orb dominating the sky, then glanced over at Fu Yixiao, who was also struggling to keep her eyes open against the brightness. He sighed with resignation. "You should go back to the carriage and keep Xueying company, or maybe take a nap. This sun is too harsh."
Yixiao waved her hand impatiently, as if swatting away both his concern and the oppressive heat. "I've been cooped up in that carriage for days. I'm going mad. I'd rather be out here in the sun…"
Her words cut off abruptly as something caught her attention. Shading her eyes with one hand, she peered into the shimmering distance. "Those look like military horses."
Before Feng Suige could even process her observation, she had spurred her mount forward. He cursed under his breath and quickly followed suit.
Both parties were mounted on swift steeds and met within moments. The leader of the four approaching riders couldn't hide his surprise upon recognizing Fu Yixiao. His eyes widened as he exclaimed, "Princess… Your Highness… What are you doing here?"
Seeing the four riders about to dismount and bow, Yixiao quickly gestured them to stop. "No need for formalities. Which unit are you from? Do you know how severe the injuries of His Highness the Prince of Nan and Military Advisor Xiao are?"
The leader hesitated, his eyes flickering with something Yixiao couldn't quite identify. "This humble servant is a military officer from the Imperial Guard. As for the Prince of Nan and Military Advisor Xiao, well, we heard their injuries are quite serious…"
Fu Yixiao's frown deepened, her mind working through the implications. After a moment's consideration, she eyed him with undisguised suspicion. "Such a major incident, yet you only 'heard'? This is Shusha territory. What are you doing here in plain clothes?"
The officer stammered, clearly unprepared for her sharp questioning. "This servant wasn't present at the time. After the incident, everything was in chaos…"
Feng Suige, who had been observing in calculated silence, coughed lightly before interjecting with deceptive cheerfulness. "Don't you remember? You arranged for people to meet us once Ning Fei entered Jinxiu territory."
Fu Yixiao turned to him, confusion clear in her expression, while the officer eagerly seized the lifeline offered. "Yes, yes! General Ning sent us to escort you. Forgive my ignorance, but who might you be?"
Feng Suige's smile held the sharp edge of a blade hidden in silk. "Prince Suige of Shusha."
As the officer's face registered shock, Feng Suige casually stretched on his horse, the picture of aristocratic indolence. "Tsk… I wonder if there's a larger town ahead. This prince is quite tired today…"
"Yes, yes, there is!" The officer perked up, his relief palpable. "Not far ahead. We'll go back immediately to make arrangements for the Princess and Your Highness."
Feng Suige nodded with apparent satisfaction. "Very well, thank you for your trouble."
"Not at all, Your Highness. We'll go right away…" As the officer began to turn his horse, Feng Suige's voice stopped him mid-motion. "I'm quite particular about food and lodging. Take my attendants with you; they can lend a hand."
Without allowing space for refusal or discussion, he turned and whistled sharply toward the approaching entourage. Four Shusha soldiers immediately broke formation and rode over with disciplined precision. Feng Suige gave them brief instructions, his voice too low for the Jinxiu officers to hear clearly, before sending them off with a dismissive wave.
As they watched the eight riders disappear into the heat-hazed distance, Feng Suige's affable smile slowly faded like mist burning away in sunlight.
"I clearly remember instructing Ning Fei to send people only after he returned to the capital…" Fu Yixiao's words came to an abrupt halt as realization struck. "They're lying!"
"Fool," Feng Suige sighed, though his tone held more affection than reproach. He shook his head slowly. "Do you not understand why I insisted on accompanying you personally?"
"I've had suspicions about this whole affair, but I didn't want to worry you, so I kept quiet." Feng Suige sat cross-legged in Xueying's carriage, accepting the cup of ginseng tea Fu Yixiao offered with careful hands. He took a small, contemplative sip before continuing. "I believe Xia Jingshi and Xiao Weiran's injuries aren't as severe as reported. Or perhaps they weren't injured at all. If that's the case, then Ning Fei is in danger."
Yixiao quickly placed a calming hand on Xueying's arm as the pregnant woman was about to jump up in alarm. Keeping her voice steady, she turned to ask, "Why?"
Feng Suige's expression turned grave, all traces of his earlier levity gone. "If they truly had a serious accident and were gravely injured, there would be no point in recalling Ning Fei. To put it bluntly, can't the vast Jinxiu territory function without one diplomatic general in the absence of the Prince of Nan? So, I believe this message was meant for you."
The words hung in the air like a death sentence, heavy with implications none of them wanted to voice.
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