After sitting in silence for a while, Feng Suige spoke. "Xiyang caught a chill from falling into the water earlier today and has fallen ill. When we leave later, please take extra care of her. The physician said her body is very weak and she can't risk getting chilled again."
"Fell into the water?" Xia Jingshi frowned.
Feng Suige sighed helplessly. "I'm not entirely clear on the details myself. Perhaps she and Yixiao argued... I was only gone for a moment, and when I returned, everything was in chaos. We still have some time now—do you want to go see her?"
Xia Jingshi merely pondered, showing no intention of rising. Feng Suige added patiently, "This time, she was indeed at fault initially, but she was only being used by others..."
"I understand," Xia Jingshi interrupted him. "Let's go see her together."
In her feverish haze, Feng Xiyang felt as if she were being roasted over a fire, her body burning hot. The next moment, she was plunged into an icy pit, cold to the bone. Between hot and cold, it felt like a thousand small knives were carving into her limbs and body.
Suddenly, a warm palm rested on her forehead. "How did her fever get so high?"
Xia Jingshi!
Like a drowning person grasping at a willow branch skimming the water's surface, she'd never been so desperate to break free from this void, yet she felt as if she were trapped in a pile of cotton, unable to move.
"The physician said her body is quite weak," Feng Suige's voice sounded nearby. "After she recovers, she'll need a good period of recuperation."
Xia Jingshi made a sound of acknowledgment and withdrew his hand. "Once everyone is out of danger and settled, I will arrange it."
As footsteps began moving toward the door, Feng Xiyang wanted to call out. Using all her strength, her voice reached her throat but only emerged as a low sob. "Husband..."
"Xiyang!" Feng Suige rushed back to the bedside from the doorway, overjoyed. "You're awake."
Feng Xiyang slowly opened her eyes, calling out in a hoarse voice, "Royal Brother." Her gaze wandered to Xia Jingshi standing at the door, becoming intense. "Husband, you... you've come back."
Xia Jingshi merely nodded in response. Even so, Feng Xiyang's eyes filled with joy. "Indeed, he didn't lie to me."
As Feng Suige remained stunned, Xia Jingshi spoke. "No, we took the Emperor hostage to escape from the palace."
Hearing this, the smile in Feng Xiyang's eyes instantly froze. "Took hostage... why did you need to take hostage..."
"Xiyang," Feng Suige coughed awkwardly, "the Emperor was simply using you to eliminate the Prince of Zhennan. You were too trusting."
"How could that be!" Feng Xiyang struggled to sit up. "His Majesty promised me—he just wanted to eliminate the traitorous Fu Yixiao and Ning Fei. He even gave me a golden token of immunity as proof." She began frantically searching her body and pillow, panting. "I've always kept it with me—where did it go..."
Seeing her so anxious that even her ears turned crimson, Feng Suige finally couldn't bear it. He stepped forward to support her, gently comforting her. "Lie down and rest for a while. Perhaps the servants put it away when changing your wet clothes. Your royal brother will find it for you later."
"What use is it to find it now?" Xia Jingshi, who had been silent, suddenly spoke. "Given the situation, don't you think you should tell her?"
Feng Suige paused, refusing without turning back. "We'll talk about it later. She's still ill and needs to rest."
"No, I don't want to sleep anymore," Feng Xiyang weakly clung to Feng Suige's arm. "Royal Brother, I want to hear it."
Feng Suige helplessly assisted her in sitting up, carefully wrapping her in a brocade quilt. He said softly, "Xiyang, you should rest for a while. When Yixiao returns, we'll need to find a way to leave the city."
"Fu Yixiao?" Xiyang exclaimed softly. "Royal Brother, didn't I tell you? She and Ning Fei conspired to deceive everyone. They're planning a rebellion..."
"Answer me first," Xia Jingshi's gaze caught hers. "Why do you believe the Emperor's words so readily? What makes you so certain that Yixiao is a bad person?"
Feng Xiyang was stunned. After a long while, she managed to answer, "The Emperor is the ruler of the Jinxiu Dynasty. His word is law. How could he falsely accuse a commoner... Moreover, I've seen secret correspondence between her and Ning Fei. Although I don't understand matters of state and military, those lists of generals to be used in the future uprising are all concrete evidence!"
Xia Jingshi smiled slightly. "Then, aren't the newly forged weapons found in my military camp also evidence? Does that mean the charge of privately manufacturing weapons that he pinned on me is also true?"
"This isn't true..." Feng Xiyang murmured in a daze. "These were all tactics used to force out Fu Yixiao. Besides, I believe my husband wouldn't do such things."
Feng Suige's brow furrowed deeper, several times on the verge of speaking but stopping himself.
Xia Jingshi glanced at him and pressed further. "Then how do you know that those so-called secret letters and name lists aren't the Emperor's tactics?"
"It can't be!" Feng Xiyang suddenly burst out. "You like her so much, of course you'll make excuses for her. Why won't you believe me?!"
"Xiyang!!" Feng Suige suppressed a low shout. "Can't you be more clear-headed?"
"I am clear-headed!" Feng Xiyang retorted, struggling slightly to free herself from his embrace. "Royal Brother also likes her, so he won't believe me either, right?!"
"This isn't a matter of belief," Xia Jingshi sighed. "Your royal brother is here today, so I might as well speak plainly. I know you love me very much, and I can surmise that the Emperor promised you he wouldn't kill me, likely offering you a very tempting hope."
Feng Xiyang gradually ceased struggling, leaning quietly on Feng Suige's shoulder, her eyes welling up with tears.
"I also know that you very much hope I could fall in love with you, to give you the beautiful life you desire. If people had many reincarnations, I would be willing to spend one lifetime accompanying you, being a good husband. Unfortunately, in this life, I am Xia Jingshi." Xia Jingshi spoke slowly, his gaze calm and profound. "So, I can only promise you a peaceful life for the latter half of your days, just as I promised before. You will be my only wife."
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