Chapter Forty-Three: The Origins of Xiang Lian

"Miss, Fei Rong truly admits her fault!" Fei Rong knelt, her voice softened, lacking its usual coolness. She never imagined that one day she would kneel and beg Feng Xiao Li. How laughable, isn’t it?

Feng Xiao Li regarded her coldly: "Fei Rong, I cannot afford to keep a shadow guard like you. Go back. If you have no regard for your mistress in your heart, naturally I need not treat you as well as I do Jin Ning!"

You are proud, you are arrogant. I have tolerated you all this time, but today, when Xiang Lian is in trouble, I will not endure. Who do you think you are? When I need you, you hesitate. Such a shadow guard—I would rather do without!

Fei Rong remained kneeling, her voice delicate, tinged with feminine softness. "Miss, Fei Rong truly erred this time. Please forgive me!"

Why now do you realize your mistake? Do you not see your awakening comes too late? Are all people of Huaijing so strange, only kneeling to beg when they are no longer needed? Is this the so-called deathbed struggle?

"Kneel if you wish; it has nothing to do with me. You disgrace only yourself, not me!" Feng Xiao Li swung herself onto her horse, raised her whip, and rode away alongside Yue Wanqing.

After they had gone some distance, Yue Wanqing sighed, "Ah Li, you are still too kind at heart. A shadow guard who disobeys orders cannot be kept—you should have dealt with her!"

Indeed, compared to Yue Wanqing, I am not ruthless at all. As she said, a shadow guard who dares defy orders cannot remain.

Thinking of this, Feng Xiao Li said, "Let this headache be solved by the old man. He gave her to me; it’s not my place to dispose of her. Let him handle it—it’s best that way!"

From Fei Rong’s words just now, one could guess she fears the old man greatly. What exactly did he do to these shadow guards? Perhaps only those involved know. Feng Xiao Li truly did not care to find out.

Let her be. If others treat her poorly, she need not show them kindness. After so long, she would no longer endure.

It turns out Fei Rong had only served her for a single day.

"Besides, compared to her, I think Xiang Lian’s matter is far more important!" Feng Xiao Li added.

Upon hearing Xiang Lian’s name, Yue Wanqing fell silent again. Even the lively Yue Wanqing was subdued, and Feng Xiao Li’s mood could not improve.

Rarely did she see such a grave expression on Yue Wanqing’s face; in the five years she’d known her, never had that beautiful countenance shown urgency.

Their bond must be deep.

Yue Wanqing did not speak, so Feng Xiao Li murmured, "I just never imagined she would dare harm her own daughter?"

"What?" Yue Wanqing seemed amused, a trace of a smile breaking through her anxious features. "Who told you they're mother and daughter?"

"Are they not?"

Xiang Lian is a princess, and only Empress Yuan Min has borne children in the palace. Both Yu Wenhao and Yu Wenche are her sons, so logically, Xiang Lian should be their sibling.

"If I told you they are not related, would you believe it?" Yue Wanqing did not answer directly, but asked instead.

"I believe you," Feng Xiao Li replied without hesitation. She trusted Yue Wanqing; at such a critical moment, Yue Wanqing would not utter irrelevant words.

Their horses continued forward, and Yue Wanqing stared at Feng Xiao Li, unmoving. "Ah Li, Xiang Lian is a hostage, a pawn placed in Huaijing for the sake of peace between Huaijing and Tianshang."

Shocked—utterly shocked. Feng Xiao Li had learned Xiang Lian was a hostage, a sacrifice for the peace and friendship between the two nations.

A hundred emotions surged in her heart.

"Don’t be fooled by Xiang Lian’s wild laughter. While she laughs, her heart weeps. She has known since childhood that she is a hostage. She understood why she could not complain to Empress Yuan Min, why she could not rely on the palace maids—because she is merely a princess from another country, a pawn sent here. How could she expect such good treatment? Over time, she grew indifferent, allowed the maids to do as they pleased, since no one would stand up for her. Later on, some kind-hearted maids did help her."

That was why Yue Wanqing befriended her—she liked Xiang Lian’s genuineness, liked her for who she was, not forcing herself to feel otherwise. This was also why, five years ago, Yue Wanqing had taken an instant liking to Feng Xiao Li—their characters were so alike.

So, in this world, many are powerless over their fate. Beneath the glittering surface, filth hides everywhere; you only see the truth when you peel it back.

Xiang Lian cannot escape her identity; her only role is to remain in Huaijing and secure peace between the two nations. To many, this is a great honor.

But who knows that at night Xiang Lian cries in secret, climbing to rooftops alone, keeping company with the moon, gazing longingly toward distant Tianshang? She sketches in her mind the father emperor and empress who left her here, yearning for the familial affection ordinary people enjoy.

She is human. She misses home. She craves love and care.

Yet all this is forever out of reach.

Xiang Lian, Xiang Lian—may you survive this ordeal. Wanqing and I believe in you utterly.

"So—" Yue Wanqing said each word with deliberation, "for me to believe Xiang Lian poisoned someone—unless I die, otherwise, I will never believe it!"

Yes, they would never believe it. Xiang Lian is not that kind of person.

Now, suspicion fell upon Empress Yuan Min.

This woman, adored above all in the palace, who wields power single-handedly, who regards only her own children as human while dismissing others—she deserves death!

Yue Wanqing’s eyes reddened, yet she would not let tears fall. At such a time, what good would crying do? Just before coming to the Prince Chun’s residence, the Left Prime Minister had slapped Yue Wanqing, saying that no one could intervene in a hostage’s fate! Yes, she understood the logic that a sovereign commands and his subjects must obey, but she could not accept it. Xiang Lian is so young—must she suffer such a destiny?

If the Emperor demands Xiang Lian’s death, then Xiang Lian—

Wait! If this is all a scheme, a plot to upset the balance between Huaijing and Tianshang, then what part does Xiang Lian play in it?

Confusion, chaos, worry clouded her mind!

Xiang Lian, Xiang Lian—may you remain safe!

Feng Xiao Li thought silently. She guessed that, given Yue Wanqing’s nature, she would never let Xiang Lian suffer any injustice. If she cared for someone, she cared with all her heart. Yet, in this world, such kindness could cost Yue Wanqing her life!

Just then, they both tightened their reins—for the palace gates had come into view!