Watching the gravity settle across Xia Jingshi's features, Feng Suige felt something shift in his chest. He recognized this moment for what it was—the fullest measure of tolerance and compromise Xia Jingshi could extend. Just as Feng Suige assumed Xiyang would accept without hesitation, she stirred restlessly against him and lifted her face.
"Then, would my lord first promise Xiyang one thing?"
"What is it?" Xia Jingshi's tone remained measured. "Speak freely. If it lies within my power, I'll do my best."
"Please promise me first." Feng Xiyang's stubbornness surfaced, her voice carrying an edge of desperation. "This matter is simple. My lord can certainly agree to it."
Xia Jingshi's brow creased almost imperceptibly, though he neither refused nor consented. Sensing the tension building, Feng Suige interjected with forced lightness. "After all this time apart, Xiyang has grown particular. Why not speak plainly? Let His Highness hear what concerns you so deeply."
Xiyang's hesitation was palpable, worry etched into every line of her expression. Finally, she lowered her head and whispered, "Please promise never to meet Fu Yixiao again. Never have any contact with her."
"Xiyang." Feng Suige's reprimand came gently. "You're being unreasonable."
"I'm not!" Feng Xiyang sat upright abruptly, her voice breaking. "Don't you see? All the suffering we've endured—wasn't it because of her?"
Before Feng Suige could form a response, Xia Jingshi's voice cut through the air, cold and deliberate, each word precisely measured. "You're mistaken. Everything was because of you."
Feng Suige went rigid. Xiyang stared in stunned disbelief, her body trembling. After a long, breathless pause, she managed, "Why... why me?"
Xia Jingshi held her gaze for a moment before his lips curved into something that wasn't quite a smile. "There's little point in discussing it now. Consider it said in anger if you wish." He paused, his expression hardening. "But your request—I cannot grant it." Another beat of silence. "Moreover, don't you find such demands rather discourteous?"
The air in the room crystallized, heavy with unspoken truths.
"She's here! She's here!" The tension shattered with the sound of hurried footsteps. A guard stationed outside burst through the entrance, breathless. "The Minor Imperial Concubine has returned safely."
Xia Jingshi said nothing. He simply turned and strode toward the exit. Feng Suige placed a comforting hand on Xiyang's shoulder and rose to his feet. "Rest a while longer. We'll be departing soon."
"Brother..." Feng Xiyang's voice wavered, small and lost. "I only meant—"
Feng Suige stopped, releasing a weary sigh. "Speak with him properly once we've left Brocade. This matter... I cannot help you with."
"Your Highness!" As Xia Jingshi emerged into the front courtyard, Ning Fei, freshly released from the prisoner's cart, rushed toward him with undisguised joy. He started to drop to his knees, but Xia Jingshi moved forward to prevent it, his expression softening into a smile. "No formalities necessary. Conserve your strength."
Ning Fei's grin spread wide as he looked Xia Jingshi over, then casually clapped him on the shoulder where his hand rested. "Your Highness wears these clothes well!"
Feng Suige, following a step behind, moved too late to intervene. The hearty pat landed squarely on Xia Jingshi's injuries. He coughed softly, pressing a hand to his chest as he took half a step back.
"Ning Fei!" Yixiao rushed forward from behind, her face draining of color. "How could you be so careless—"
Xia Jingshi raised his hand swiftly, cutting off her words before they could finish. "It's nothing. Just caught my breath wrong." He shifted his attention to the subordinates gathering in small clusters around the courtyard. Despite their prolonged imprisonment, their spirits remained remarkably intact beneath slightly disheveled clothing. Relief washed through him. "Take time to rest and gather yourselves. We depart shortly."
The night watch guards atop the city tower had just completed their shift change. The newly stationed soldier muttered under his breath as he made his way toward a sheltered corner near the gate. "Damn bastards, pushing me around because I'm new. Just wait until I get promoted—you'll all regret it then." Still grumbling, he retreated into the shadows, adjusting himself into a comfortable position. His eyes had barely closed when movement from the palace road startled him awake. Suspicious, he rubbed his eyes and peered into the darkness.
From the black throat of the street emerged two palace lanterns, leading a procession of carriages and horses that drew steadily closer. The soldier squinted at the lantern bearer, then rubbed his eyes again in disbelief. "A eunuch?" The realization sent a jolt of alarm through him. He scrambled to his feet and hurried from the shadows, kneeling by the roadside.
A powerful horse bearing a Military General trotted forward from the procession, halting beside him. The mounted general spoke with unmistakable arrogance. "What's this about? Weren't you informed earlier that His Majesty would be leaving the city tonight? The gates should already be open."
At the mention of the Holy Emperor, ice flooded the soldier's veins. Yet he truly had received no such instructions. With a pained expression, he replied, "This humble soldier was given no such notice. Perhaps the previous shift failed to inform me—"
The general snorted dismissively. "Enough excuses. Open the gates immediately. If you delay any further and inconvenience His Majesty, you'll be the first to answer for it."
"Yes, sir!" The soldier kowtowed deeply, then rose and started to move. But after several paces, he stopped abruptly and turned back, scrutinizing the general more carefully. "Forgive me, sir, but you seem unfamiliar. Are you newly promoted as well? Shouldn't Commander Miao of the Imperial Guards be on duty in the inner city tonight? Why isn't he accompanying His Majesty?"
"How dare you!" The general's voice cracked like a whip. "The inner city's security arrangements are not your concern!"
The soldier felt fear prickle along his spine, yet something continued to nag at him. Forcing an apologetic smile, he bowed. "Please forgive this humble soldier's presumption, sir. Opening the gates at night is no trivial matter. I lack the authority to make such a decision alone. If you could wait just a moment, I'll ascend to the tower and—"
"What's the delay?" An irritated voice cut through from within the procession. The soldier froze as the general quickly dismounted and hurried to the lead carriage, dropping to one knee. "Your Majesty, there was a minor complication with the outer city's handover. This night watch soldier is being difficult and refuses to grant passage..."
"Is that so?" The voice from within the carriage carried a note of curiosity, accompanied by the whisper of shifting fabric. A nimble attendant stepped forward to lift the curtain, spilling warm golden light onto the ground and illuminating the figure who emerged—clad in gleaming imperial yellow soft silk.
"Your Majesty!" Every doubt in the soldier's mind evaporated along with his courage. His knees buckled, sending him crashing to the ground. "This... this humble subject pays homage to Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor! Long live!"
"Bold, aren't you?" Xia Jingshi's voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "Daring to obstruct this sovereign's passage."
Terror seized the soldier completely. He pressed himself flat against the ground, not daring to move a muscle, his pleas tumbling out frantically. "Your Majesty, show mercy! This humble subject knows his crime..."
Xia Jingshi exhaled a quiet sound of dismissal. "Enough. You were merely performing your duty." After a measured pause, he commanded the Military General below, "Proceed." With that single word, Xia Jingshi withdrew back into the carriage.
The soldier remained frozen in place, cold sweat streaming down his back. An eternity seemed to pass before the entire procession began moving again. Wheels creaking, hooves clopping, hurried footsteps passing—all flowing around him while he dared not lift his head.
Then, suddenly, a sharp whistle pierced the air from the direction of the inner city. Several fire arrows exploded against the deep blue canvas of sky, painting the world in urgent crimson.
The emergency signal summoning the Imperial Guard Barracks into action.
The inner city was under threat.
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