The night was chaotic and filled with an unsettling atmosphere.
"Truly a lovely, beautiful airhead," Emperor Sheng said coldly after listening to his subordinate's description. He casually opened a thin sheet of paper, scanning the densely written characters. The icy expression on his face slowly melted like snow, replaced by an eerie smile. "Prepare the carriage. We're going to Chongning Palace."
Feng Xiyang, hearing the announcement, had already been waiting outside the palace. Seeing Emperor Sheng enter with light steps, her heart skipped a beat, and she blurted out, "Has Your Majesty received some good news?"
After dismissing the attendants, Emperor Sheng withdrew a scroll from his sleeve and handed it to Feng Xiyang. "Everything is now in place. We're just waiting for the right moment."
Feng Xiyang took it and quickly scanned its contents, exclaiming joyfully, "The list of rebels! Your Majesty, can we finally close the net?"
"Don't be so hasty," Emperor Sheng said leisurely. "Didn't I say we're still waiting for the right moment?"
Feng Xiyang clasped the paper in her hands, her eyes gleaming brightly. "Your Majesty means..."
Emperor Sheng smiled and took a few paces. "What I want is an isolated Fu Yixiao. Tomorrow, it will depend on you!"
The argument from the previous day had ended with Feng Suige conceding. Since then, he'd been mediating between the Jinxiu officials presiding over the private armament case. With Xiao Weiran's situation unclear, he needed to do his utmost to delay these officials and even Emperor Sheng.
After completely disrupting Emperor Sheng's plans, everyone had to start anew. At this point, besides human effort, what they needed to strive for was time. If they could uncover doubts in the private armament incident, that would be ideal. If not, they could only observe quietly and attempt to protect everyone as much as possible.
Feng Suige understood the undercurrents between Yixiao and Xiyang, but one was his beloved, and the other his closest kin. No matter which side he leaned toward, he would inevitably fall into a trap. Yet he couldn't reveal all the inside information to Xiyang...
He couldn't gamble everyone's safety on Xiyang's sudden enlightenment, but he also couldn't watch Xiyang drift further and further down this path of no return.
"Hey," Yixiao appeared at the door of the flower hall, her expression unpleasant as she called out to him. "She's looking for you, in the front."
Feng Suige pulled back his wandering thoughts and called out to Yixiao, who was about to leave. "Why don't you come with me?"
"No," Yixiao refused outright, though her expression improved slightly. "You siblings must have private matters to discuss. There's no need for an outsider like me to interfere."
"Silly," Feng Suige casually picked up a paperweight to secure the documents he'd been reading, then walked over and took Yixiao's hand. "How did you become an outsider again? Come on, try talking to her alone. Who knows—things might take a turn for the better?"
Yixiao thought for a while before reluctantly nodding.
So, the two made their way to the front courtyard, awkwardly pulling and pushing each other along.
Feng Xiyang, witnessing their intimacy, felt displeased. She stepped forward and gave Feng Suige a perfunctory bow. "It seems I've come at an inconvenient time. I'll come back later."
Despite her words, she showed no intention of leaving, her eyes fixed on Fu Yixiao.
Yixiao scoffed. "That's fine. The doors of this guesthouse are always open."
Feng Xiyang was momentarily at a loss for words. Embarrassed and angry, she stamped her foot. "You're trying to drive me away, but I won't leave!"
"Tch," Yixiao laughed instead of getting angry, leaning into Feng Suige's embrace. "I was talking about welcoming guests. How did you turn that into refusing guests?"
"You two..." Before Feng Xiyang could speak again, Feng Suige intervened helplessly. "Stop arguing... Yixiao, keep Xiyang company in the hall for a while. I'll be right back."
With that, he pushed Yixiao toward Xiyang and turned to leave.
"Where are you going?" Xiyang and Yixiao asked in unison.
Feng Suige waved his hand without turning back. "Those documents I was looking at earlier—I need to find a place to secure them."
In the flower hall, the two women sat in opposite corners, each lost in their thoughts.
After sitting down, Yixiao felt calmer. Based on her understanding of Xia Jingshi and his soldiers, along with Xue Ying's account, she had some grasp of Feng Xiyang's situation in Jinxiu. This somewhat lessened her dislike for Feng Xiyang, replaced more by sympathy.
She picked up a porcelain cup, skimmed off the foam with the lid, took a sip, and smiled. "I always feel the tea in Jinxiu is more fragrant. I suppose Xiyang might find the water in Su Sha sweeter."
"Yes..." Xiyang responded instinctively, then immediately caught herself. She composed herself and replied coolly, "There's an old saying: 'A married woman follows her husband.' Since you've entered the imperial family and become my royal brother's consort, you should behave yourself and not keep thinking about Jinxiu..."
Hearing the contempt in her voice, Yixiao felt annoyed but maintained her smile, saying leisurely, "Although I've entered the imperial family, my humble origins make it difficult for me to speak such lofty words. However, I've always admired Princess Xiyang's conduct—marrying well and following even better!"
"Fu Yixiao," Feng Xiyang's expression changed almost instantly as she stood abruptly. "Don't push your luck!"
"I'm pushing my luck?" Yixiao finally dropped her smile. "Let me give you a warning: stop this foolishness. Otherwise, in the end, even Feng Suige won't be able to save you!"
Their gazes met, almost sparking flames.
From a distance came the sound of servants greeting Feng Suige.
Feng Xiyang glared at Fu Yixiao hatefully, gritting her teeth. "If you don't want others to know, then don't do it. Don't be so smug. You won't have a good ending."
Yixiao laughed derisively. "Fine, let's see who doesn't have a good ending."
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