Everyone present could feel the weight of Feng Li’s remorse.

Feng Jiu’er was not unaware of his feelings — but she was not at ease herself.

“And after that? Father, why did you never appear in Bei Mu again?”

“What if my mother did not die in that battle? Was it not said that her body was never found? Why did you not go back to search for her?”

“And what about me? All these years — why did it never occur to you to go look for me?”

Feng Jiu’er’s heart truly ached. She did not think her father was the sort of man who shirked his responsibilities — and yet she could not help but voice her reproach.

And besides, her mother was truly not dead. If it were not for her mother’s own scheme, would she even have had the chance to meet her father, let alone be recognized by him?

Thinking of the expression on Feng Li’s face when he had spoken of his wife and the child he had, Feng Jiu’er felt deeply conflicted.

He clearly loved them both — and yet the truth was that he had never appeared in Bei Mu again.

“It was probably for your sake that he did not return.” At some point, Zhan Qingcheng had moved to stand behind Feng Jiu’er.

He settled one arm around her, holding her steady against him.

Feng Jiu’er looked up at Zhan Qingcheng for a moment, enough to confirm what she had already suspected.

She drew a slow breath and turned to meet Feng Li’s gaze.

“So all this time, the reason you were under Feng Qiongcang’s control — was because of me?”

“You knew he had people watching over me, and for fear that I would come to harm, you had no choice but to do whatever he said?”

Yanu was the most telling proof of that.

Seeing no reply from Feng Li, Feng Jiu’er felt even worse.

“Why were you so foolish? And furthermore — you are the true Phoenix Son. Why did you even yield the throne to Feng Qiongcang?”

Feng Jiu’er did not know how to describe the feeling inside her. Her father must have been magnificent in his prime.

Yet for her sake, he had been reduced to another man’s instrument.

“Among the common people, there is a story that has circulated.” Mu Mu, who had been silent all this while, spoke softly.

“It is said that back then, Lord Night Prince was unwilling to marry the woman the late Emperor had chosen for him, and so he left the Feng Clan.”

“Feng Qiongcang must have seized that opening and claimed the throne — is that not so?”

Feng Li did not need to speak. Feng Jiu’er had already found her answer in his eyes.

For the sake of her mother, he had lost the entire Feng Clan. And for her sake, he had spent over ten years living under another man’s control.

This father of hers was foolish — and utterly heartbreaking.

“Jiu’er.” Jian Yi glanced at Feng Jiu’er, then turned and headed out. “I’ll go check on things outside.”

Zhan Qingcheng kept hold of Feng Jiu’er’s small hand, not letting her move away.

Sensing something familiar in the presence now approaching, Feng Jiu’er did not pay it much mind — she simply raised her eyes to look at the man before her.

“Ninth Imperial Uncle, this is not a place we should linger.”

“Mm.” Zhan Qingcheng raised his slender fingers and let them brush gently across the corner of Feng Jiu’er’s eye.

Reading the concern in his gaze, Feng Jiu’er gave him a look of quiet reassurance.

“Since I am not Feng Qiongcang’s daughter, he will not let me go regardless. For now, wherever you go, I will go. But…”

She glanced back at Feng Li and let go of Zhan Qingcheng’s sleeve.

“Wherever we go, I must take my father with me. I will not let him suffer any more.”

She sat down beside Feng Li and reached up to gently smooth his slightly disheveled long hair.

“From now on, Jiu’er has a father to dote on her. She is no longer a wild child.”

Feng Li looked at her, a gentle smile touching his lips.

“How could any daughter of mine, Feng Li’s daughter, ever be a wild child?”

Feng Jiu’er pressed her lips together — and finally smiled. She smiled as brilliantly as the stars above.

In a corner of Night Prince’s manor, two strangers who had never crossed paths vaulted over the wall at the very same moment.

Qiao Mu looked at the man before her, leveling her silver spear at him. “Who are you?” she said in a low, measured tone.

“Shouldn’t that be my question to ask you?” Feng Jiang gave her a sidelong glance and could not be bothered to engage further.

Watching the man ignore her and turn to leave, then glancing toward the side chamber not far away, Qiao Mu flew lightly through the air and dropped down directly in front of Feng Jiang.

She thrust her silver spear forward, her expression even more stern than before.

“If you do not give your name, do not expect to take another step forward!”

The situation tonight was far from ordinary — she could not afford the slightest carelessness.

Had she not sensed the absence of any hostile intent from the man, Qiao Mu would have already struck.

“Move aside!” Feng Jiang said, unhurried, and stepped forward, extending one finger to press against the tip of Qiao Mu’s silver spear.

“I am not in the habit of engaging in physical confrontation with women. You would do well to get out of the way!”

Qiao Mu had already taken a disliking to this insufferably arrogant man. Upon hearing him refer to himself with the imperial pronoun, she snapped her silver spear back and thrust it forward with full force.

Those from the imperial palace, with the exception of Jiu’er and Lord Night Prince, should all be enemies.

Feng Jiang had not anticipated the sudden strike — and certainly not one so fluid and swift.

He twisted sideways, narrowly avoiding Qiao Mu’s silver spear in what was a rather close call.

“Are you from Bei Mu?” Feng Jiang did not draw his sword, sidestepping left and right, evading Qiao Mu’s attacks one after another.

“I have important business with Jiu’er. You had best not block my way — or do not blame me for being impolite.”

Qiao Mu drew a slow breath and reined in her anger for the time being.

She drew back her silver spear and regarded the man before her.

“I don’t know where Jiu’er is. But if you have something to say, you may relay it through me.”

When Qiao Mu had left on her orders, Feng Jiu’er had not been at Night Prince’s manor.

Besides, whether this person was friend or foe remained unknown — naturally, she would say nothing more than necessary.

Looking at Qiao Mu’s bearing and conduct, Feng Jiang could be almost certain she was from Bei Mu.

With matters now pressing and not a moment to waste, he had no choice but to take the risk and speak plainly.

“My Imperial Father has issued an order to apprehend the people of Bei Mu. Am I not here to warn you?” Feng Jiang glanced at Qiao Mu and continued walking forward.

If his guess was correct, the person he sought was indeed within his Fourth Imperial Uncle’s manor.

Feng Jiang did not quite know how to describe this imperial sister of his. That audacity of Jiu’er’s — was it not a little too bold? To bring people into Night Prince’s manor of all places!

“Wait!” The words had barely left her lips when Qiao Mu stepped in front of Feng Jiang again. “Stay here. I will return shortly.”

Friend or foe had yet to be determined — Qiao Mu was still unwilling to stand aside.

But a certain man did not slow his steps in the slightest, and even reached out and gave her a shove.

“I can’t wait.” Feng Jiang offered by way of explanation and stepped past her to continue forward.

Qiao Mu looked down at her shoved shoulder, brow furrowing deeply.

A sharp metallic sound rang out as the long silver spear came to rest against Feng Jiang’s neck.

Feng Jiang had no choice but to stop. His expression darkened considerably.

“Is there something else to be said? Say it quickly. I have no time to…”

“Apologize!” Qiao Mu stepped forward and cut him off.

“Apologize for what?” Feng Jiang met Qiao Mu’s gaze, his brow creasing as he asked in a low voice.

Qiao Mu glanced down at her shoulder once more, then looked back up to glare at Feng Jiang.

“Has no one ever told you that not every woman is someone you can simply lay hands on?”

“My apologies. I truly did not notice you were a woman.” With that, Feng Jiang flung the silver spear off his shoulder and walked briskly forward.

“You…” Qiao Mu gripped her silver spear so tightly that even her knuckles had gone white.

Sensing the wave of murderous intent, Feng Jiang did not dare linger. By the time Qiao Mu’s fury had crested, he had already vanished without a trace.