Chapter 123: Political Coup

From a distance, the Piao Cavalry of the Imperial City formed an impenetrable black iron wall, slicing through both the Imperial Guard Battalion and the Lucheng reinforcements. They forced the Imperial Guards into a tightening retreat. Even the distant detachment that had been pursuing Xia Jingshi's group sensed the shifting tide and abandoned their chase, wheeling back toward the main conflict.

Despite his usual sharpness, even Xiao Weiran couldn't make sense of what was unfolding. After watching intently for several moments, he finally ordered, "Retrieve our wounded first and get them to safety. But stay alert—if anything seems off, pull back immediately."

Meanwhile, Xia Jingshi considered the scene briefly before turning to Feng Suige. "You should stay here. If things take a turn, find a way to break through and—"

"No." Feng Suige's refusal was immediate and firm. "Until we understand what's happening, we don't move."

Yixiao spoke up hesitantly. "They're flying the Guardian General's banner, but those aren't all his troops. Look—those are the Piao Cavalry from the Holy City."

Feng Suige raised an eyebrow. "And?"

Xia Jingshi nodded slowly. "Beyond the obvious confrontation, if this were simply about protecting the king, the nearby counties have more than enough troops for the Imperial Guard Battalion to draw from. There's no reason they would deploy the Piao Cavalry stationed near the capital. That's why I need to get closer and see what's really going on."

"Wait—" Yixiao's voice dropped to an urgent whisper. "Someone's coming this way."

The General of Agile Cavalry approached alone, his armor clanking with each deliberate step, the sound cutting through the tense silence like unanswered questions made audible.

Xia Jingshi gestured for the nearby generals to lower their drawn weapons, his expression calm as he watched the figure draw near. Feng Suige stood with deceptive laziness, a faint smirk playing at his lips, though he subtly drew Yixiao closer to his side.

The general stopped a few paces away and, to everyone's shock, dropped to one knee. "Your Highness..."

"Rise." Xia Jingshi's smile was light. "I'm no longer the King Who Pacifies the South."

The general hesitated but remained kneeling, his voice ringing clear. "This humble servant is Shang Yun, commander of the Imperial City's Piao Cavalry Camp. The Prime Minister has dispatched me to quell the rebellion."

Xia Jingshi's gaze flickered between the general and the distant army. "What's happened in the Imperial City?"

When the general hesitated, Feng Suige scoffed and turned toward the horses, pulling Yixiao along. "Let's go."

Yixiao stumbled after him, whispering fiercely, "Where are we going?"

"Wait—" Xia Jingshi called out.

Feng Suige only paused after lifting Yixiao onto his horse. He turned back with a lazy grin. "I have no interest in Brocade's political games. I need to get to Xiyang. Are you coming or not?" Without waiting for an answer, he mounted swiftly, spurred his horse forward, and led the way back down the road they'd come from. The Su Sha soldiers fell in behind him, leaving only Xia Jingshi and a handful of generals staring after them.

Xia Jingshi watched them disappear before returning his attention to the kneeling general. "Now. What exactly is going on?"

---

"That's it?" Yixiao clung tightly to Feng Suige's belt, craning her neck to look back over her shoulder. "We're just leaving? Just like that?"

Feng Suige muttered something under his breath, releasing one hand from the reins to steady her more securely. "I suspect Xia Jingshi's supporters used the Imperial Guard Battalion's absence to seize control of the court. But perhaps it's for the best—at least there's no immediate danger now." He glanced at her. "Do you know where the nearest town is?"

When Yixiao nodded, he relaxed slightly, though his brow remained furrowed. "Good. I just hope we can find a decent physician there."

Yixiao hesitated, then spoke quietly. "Xiyang's injury... it was my fault."

Feng Suige went rigid. His hands jerked on the reins involuntarily, causing the horse to whinny and slow its pace considerably. "What did you just say?"

Yixiao took a steadying breath. "I caused her injury. When I was chasing them, she was with the Holy Emperor. Just as I was about to capture him, she—"

"See?" Feng Suige interrupted suddenly, and she could hear the smile in his voice. "I always knew Xiyang wasn't truly bad. Once she understood the Holy Emperor's real intentions, she'd turn around. I just never expected her to be so brave about it."

"Brave?" Yixiao blinked in confusion.

Noticing her expression, Feng Suige frowned. "I assumed she was injured trying to help you. Wasn't she?"

"No." Yixiao's jaw tightened. "The Holy Emperor shoved her toward me, and I couldn't pull back my blade in time. I wounded her."

Feng Suige shuddered violently. Though his expression darkened like a storm cloud, Yixiao forced herself to continue. "It wasn't intentional, but I still bear responsibility for what happened."

At some point, the horse had stopped moving entirely. Without any command from its rider, it lowered its head and began pulling at a tuft of grass growing between the rocks, chewing contentedly. The guards and soldiers around them gradually came to a halt as well, staring at the pair with barely concealed shock.

Yixiao felt the arm around her waist constrict like iron, threatening to crush her ribs. She swallowed back a gasp of pain, forcing herself to meet Feng Suige's furious gaze without flinching.

The silence stretched between them, taut as a bowstring.

Finally, Feng Suige exhaled sharply and tilted his head back, staring at the sky. When he looked down again, the sharp edge in his eyes had dulled to something harder to read. His smile was faint and bitter. "We'll discuss this after we save Xiyang."

Though his tone was controlled, Yixiao felt her heart twist painfully. She couldn't stop herself from asking, "And if we can't save her?"

"If she dies, you'll have to stay in Brocade forever." Feng Suige's jaw clenched as he shot her a glacial look, all traces of warmth evaporated. "Or is that what you wanted all along?"

Yixiao stared at him for a long moment before she suddenly laughed—a quiet, knowing sound.

Feng Suige, you haven't changed at all. Not even a little.

---

Note

This chapter marks a critical turning point in the political landscape and personal relationships. The unexpected intervention of the Piao Cavalry suggests a coup or major power shift in the Imperial City, likely orchestrated by Xia Jingshi's allies during the Imperial Guard Battalion's absence.

Meanwhile, the revelation about Xiyang's injury introduces profound tension between Yixiao and Feng Suige. Xiyang was wounded when the Holy Emperor used her as a human shield against Yixiao's attack—a tragedy that wasn't intentional but carries heavy consequences. Feng Suige's protective anger over his sister and his threat that Yixiao must remain in Brocade if Xiyang dies reveals both his deep love for his sister and his inability to fully forgive, despite his feelings for Yixiao. The chapter ends on Yixiao's bitter realization that Feng Suige's fundamental nature—his protective fury and conditional affection—remains unchanged.