Chapter 124: Royal Murder
Feng Xiyang lay quietly, gazing through the gaps in the foliage at the clouds drifting across the blue sky.
In truth, over these past days, she had been watching Fu Yixiao—sometimes openly, sometimes in secret.
That Fu Yixiao who spoke as roughly as any man. That Fu Yixiao who would sit anywhere, even on dirty ground, without a second thought. That Fu Yixiao who chased after Feng Suige in rage whenever he teased her. That Fu Yixiao who had once brandished her blade at her and the Holy Emperor with wild ferocity. That Fu Yixiao who had carried her on her back up the mountain to camp, panting and exhausted...
If not for that resolute figure walking away, she still wouldn't understand how she had lost to such a woman.
Though she didn't know exactly what had transpired below, she could tell from Yixiao's tone that the situation was dangerous. If that were truly the case, rushing down would be pointless—worse than pointless. It would be throwing her life away.
If it were her in Yixiao's place, even with her heart burning with anxiety, she would only wait here and let fate decide whether the outcome would be good or bad.
So it seemed that what that man wanted wasn't the intimacy of sharing wine among flowers, nor the quiet tenderness of reading together by lamplight over tea. What he desired was a partner who could stand shoulder to shoulder with him, overlooking the world with pride.
She had lost.
The distant sounds of war drums and battle cries she'd faintly heard earlier vanished in an instant, leaving only hollow silence. She withdrew her gaze from the clouds and listened intently for a while before finally giving up, closing her eyes to rest.
If she could escape safely and recover from her injuries, she still wanted to try once more. She was still young—perhaps everything could begin anew.
So tired. How could she ever catch up to your merciless steps?
Leaving the horses and extra men at the mountain's base, Feng Suige selected a few strong guards and began climbing toward the summit along a relatively gentle path. Though no one understood exactly what had happened between the Imperial Son and the Minor Imperial Concubine, Feng Suige's dark expression silenced everyone, while Yixiao remained unusually calm, following at the rear without a word.
No matter the current situation, given her understanding of Brocade's military world, as long as His Highness agreed to return to the Holy City, he would ascend to the throne smoothly. Weiran and Ning Fei would continue to follow him, Xueying would give birth to a healthy, lively child, and everything would eventually fall into place.
It was time for her to wake from that dream.
For her, the fleeting happiness she'd experienced was already an extravagant luxury. She had nothing left to lose. So even if reluctant, she would calmly await the outcome.
Lost in thought, Yixiao waded through waist-deep mountain grass when she suddenly spotted a trampled white wildflower ahead. Its once-blooming petals now lay pitifully on the ground. After hesitating a moment, she crouched down to prop it up. Just as she was trying to secure it with nearby grass, sudden rustling footsteps startled her. Before she could react, Feng Suige—running back toward her—collided head-on with her. With a yelp, she fell backward while Feng Suige stumbled and tumbled several paces before finally stopping.
Before she could even stand, Feng Suige roared, "What are you doing, squatting there silently?!"
Yixiao, just getting up from the ground, placed her hands on her hips and shot back, "You came running back like a headless chicken and knocked me over, and now you're asking why I'm squatting here?"
"Are you out of your mind?! If I hadn't suddenly lost sight of you..." Feng Suige's angry voice trailed off abruptly. He huffed as he scrambled up from the ground and roughly grabbed Yixiao's arm. "Let's go!"
"Wait." Yixiao struggled to hold him back. "Just a moment." She pulled her hand free from his grasp, crouched down, and carefully gathered the surrounding grass to prop up the broken flower before standing again. "Alright, let's go."
Feng Suige took her hand again and walked forward in silence. Yixiao couldn't help but smile slightly as she gently squeezed his broad palm in return. Feng Suige glanced at her in surprise but said nothing, only tightening his grip.
Watching the General of Agile Cavalry approach Xia Jingshi's group, the Imperial Guards commander hesitated before speaking softly to the Holy Emperor, who still stood frozen nearby. "Your Majesty, perhaps it would be best to wait until we return to the Imperial City before—"
The Holy Emperor jolted as if suddenly awakened. "This must be a trick by the rebels! If I fall for it, Xia Jingshi will seize the chance to escape. The Late Emperor's Imperial Edict was written so clearly—it couldn't have been tampered with!"
"But even the Piao Cavalry has been mobilized. The matter must already be spreading throughout the capital. If Your Majesty doesn't return to the Imperial City soon to clarify the situation, I fear—"
Before he could finish, the Holy Emperor turned in fury and bellowed, "Did you not hear what I said?! Go and apprehend Xia Jingshi at once!"
The Imperial Guard Battalion commander hesitated, then sighed and bowed deeply. "The Imperial Guard Battalion has always borne the duty of protecting the sovereign. Thus, I must beg Your Majesty's forgiveness for disobeying this order. However, until the situation becomes clear, I will ensure Your Majesty's safety with all my might." With that, he slowly stepped back. As his words faded, he turned sharply and ordered the Imperial Guards to cease their standoff with the Piao Cavalry, focusing instead on rescuing the wounded soldiers from the earlier skirmish.
"After capturing the Empress Dowager, the old General ordered all news from the Imperial City to be sealed off," the General of Agile Cavalry said in one breath, lifting his head to gaze hopefully at the slightly stunned Xia Jingshi. "He also commanded us to follow the Imperial Guards' marching route to track Your Highness's whereabouts, ensuring your safe return to the Imperial City to take charge and avenge the Late Emperor and Consort Xuan. Your Highness, the Emperor is narrow-minded and envious of talent—"
Hearing this, Xia Jingshi suddenly interrupted him, asking softly, "You're saying... Father and Mother were murdered?"
"I was present in the court and heard the Old Prime Minister say it myself." The General of Agile Cavalry pressed his lips together before continuing. "The Old Prime Minister said the Late Emperor was poisoned, and Consort Xuan was framed by that Wicked Empress, perishing in the flames. Your Highness, regardless of the truth, we all hope you will take his place!"
After a long silence, Xia Jingshi's gaze slowly turned toward the distant camp encircled in purple. Word by word, he said, "This prince will return with you."
Note
This chapter reveals critical developments on multiple fronts. Feng Xiyang, wounded and reflective, finally understands why she lost Feng Suige to Yixiao—he didn't want a delicate companion but an equal who could stand beside him in battle. Despite her defeat, she resolves to start anew if she survives.
Meanwhile, the tension between Feng Suige and Yixiao begins to thaw. Though still angry about Xiyang's injury, Feng Suige's protective instincts reveal his deeper feelings when he panics at losing sight of Yixiao. Their wordless hand-holding signals a tentative reconciliation, showing that beneath his fury, he cannot bear to lose her.
The political situation reaches a turning point as the General of Agile Cavalry reveals a shocking truth: the Late Emperor was poisoned and Consort Xuan (Xia Jingshi's mother) was murdered, framed by the Empress Dowager who has now been captured. The Prime Minister has orchestrated a coup to place Xia Jingshi on the throne. Even the Imperial Guards commander recognizes the legitimacy of this claim and refuses the current Emperor's orders. Xia Jingshi, learning of his parents' murders, agrees to return to the Imperial City to claim his rightful place.
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