Feiyan spoke grandly, but Xingyuan didn't believe a single word.
If he claimed to be devoted to medicine and unable to bear unresolved illnesses, she might believe him. But if he spoke of grand patriotic ideals, Xingyuan could only scoff.
As a leisurely prince from an enemy nation, traveling thousands of miles to their Fengnian Kingdom to study medicine, while he might have his own selfish motives, there were undoubtedly deeper purposes at play.
Xingyuan feigned belief. She didn't care if this person had ulterior motives; she felt no allegiance to the entire dynasty anyway.
She had once considered dragging the entire dynasty down with her, but later decided this decadent dynasty wasn't worth it!
Xingyuan shook her head, banishing past memories. Perhaps because she had been summoned this time, she felt an unusual sense of belonging to this world.
At times, she even truly saw herself as this person. Xingyuan's brow furrowed, telling herself this was wrong. She was herself, and should not be influenced by any external factors.
Thus, Xingyuan secretly left the palace and made her way to the General's mansion.
Gazing at the gleaming saber pointed at her, Xingyuan instinctively smiled at its owner.
Ning Yue sheathed her sword and, with a frown, looked at the Emperor who had left the palace late at night, asking earnestly, "Your Majesty, have you forgotten what you promised me before?"
Xingyuan guiltily looked away, her gaze drifting.
What she had promised before had nothing to do with her now.
Ning Yue sighed, retrieved a coat from inside, and draped it over Xingyuan's shoulders, saying gently, "It's cold outside, Your Majesty, please wear more."
This was like poking a hornet's nest. Xingyuan was already feeling wronged that Ning Yue hadn't questioned her earlier. Now, Xingyuan abandoned all pretense and stepped forward, embracing her.
Xingyuan sniffled, squeezed out a couple of tears, and accused, "Sister Ning, why didn't you come to the palace? Aren't you curious why I suddenly brought someone into the palace?"
Ning Yue hesitated, stroking Xingyuan's head, and said softly, "Would it have made a difference if I went? Would you have changed your mind?"
Xingyuan paused, then honestly shook her head. "But you still shouldn't have not asked! Sister Ning, you know, you are the only family I have in this world."
"I know." Ning Yue's eyes were filled with pity, but precisely because she knew, she wouldn't go. She would support all her decisions.
From the moment she decided to have the General's mansion stand with Xingyuan and support her ascension to the throne, the outcome of some matters was already sealed. However, she had no regrets!
"It's nothing between him and me. We're just cooperating. He's helping me fend off some unwanted attention," Xingyuan explained proactively, seeing that Ning Yue had no intention of asking.
Even if she was acting, she didn't want her sister to misunderstand. Because from beginning to end, she belonged to her sister, and no one else could even think about it!
Ning Yue smiled and still said, "I know."
She had always known this person's heart. Even if she pushed her away, she understood the reason why.
If she were just an ordinary person, she would naturally accept. But she wasn't! While she was born with honor, she also had responsibilities to bear.
Xingyuan understood the meaning in her expression and, feeling a bit dejected, kicked a wooden stake in front of her, muttering, "I'm returning to the palace."
Xingyuan "fled" back to the palace in a disheveled state, but her heart was not defeated. She wasn't an ordinary person, and there would always be a way.
Xingyuan did not leave the palace to see Ning Yue again, and Ning Yue remained peacefully in the General's mansion without entering the palace. This stalemate was only broken when the envoy from Xi Kingdom arrived in the capital.
Xi Nanshan was like Xingyuan in the past, or perhaps luckier than she was. At least he had been the Crown Prince from beginning to end.
Xi Kingdom was the opposite of Fengnian Kingdom. One revered women, while the other revered men, and it had been this way for years.
Xi Nanshan carried an air of arrogance and was picky about the accommodations prepared by the Ministry of Rites, appearing thoroughly displeased.
He had always believed his trip was merely to earn merit, never considering that he was being exiled here because his father could no longer tolerate him.
Xi Kingdom had initially proposed two conditions, the most significant being to keep their Crown Prince, allowing the Fengnian Kingdom's ruler to decide whether he would be a hostage or betrothed to someone.
Xingyuan, having just had an unpleasant disagreement with Ning Yue, had in a fit of pique taken him into her harem to provoke her.
The outcome was inevitable. She eventually framed the Crown Prince and left with the person she loved.
However, she had indeed suffered a minor setback at Xi Nanshan's hands. Xingyuan had even learned that Xi Nanshan's subordinates had made all the arrangements, waiting for his return to ascend the throne.
The memory ended. Xingyuan said to the Minister of Rites in front of her, "Please inform His Highness the Crown Prince that my Fengnian Kingdom has received the envoy with due courtesy. If he is truly unsatisfied, then he may find a place he is pleased with himself."
Xingyuan would not indulge him. If he wanted to stay, he could; if not, it was as if she were begging him.
No matter how displeased Xi Nanshan was, he knew in his heart that he could not find a better place than this.
Xi Nanshan did not lose his temper inappropriately. The two countries had been at war for years, and the current Fengnian Kingdom's Emperor had even usurped the throne by killing his mother. If a few people were arranged to cause his accidental death, even if someone avenged him in the end, he couldn't be resurrected.
Xi Nanshan would naturally not engage in such a fruitless endeavor.
Xingyuan was pleased with his sensible behavior and that same day went to Feiyan's chambers to inform him of his brother's arrival.
To show his affection for Feiyan, the palace where he lived had been renamed Feiyan Palace.
Feiyan smiled faintly, his eyes calm, and retorted, "Why is Your Majesty telling me this? I have no intention of vying for power with him. If I were to leave, I guarantee that no one else could cure Your Majesty's poison."
"I was merely chatting with you, Divine Doctor. Why are you upset? I just feel that your temper is much better than His Highness the Crown Prince. From your perspective of caring for the nation and its people, if you were to ascend the throne, the common folk would be able to enjoy a peaceful life."
The last sentence was Xingyuan's genuine thought. She truly felt that this person's disposition was suited to be an emperor; at the very least, he would be a benevolent ruler.
Feiyan's movements paused. His eyes held a hint of melancholy. He turned to look at Xingyuan and asked earnestly:
"Does Your Majesty mean... if I were inclined to contend for that position, you would fully support me?"
"That's right!" Xingyuan nodded earnestly and continued, "I don't trust others, but I feel that compared to cooperating with others, you seem more reliable."