“Feng Jiu’er, and you still call yourself a princess? How can you have not even a trace of a princess’s dignity and poise?”
“Don’t you have any sense of what ought and ought not to be said?”
“…”
Inside the cave, Qiaomu’s voice showed no sign of stopping.
Just as she had said — a day and night without speaking, and she had nearly fallen ill from the monotony. Now that she had found an outlet, she simply could not stop.
The tense atmosphere within the cave eased considerably, and even Mu Mu glanced at Feng Jiu’er from time to time with a faint curve of his lips.
Feng Jiu’er no longer had the energy to concern herself with whether she was being a proper princess or not.
The only thing she could think of right now was: how was she to soothe the mood of the remarkably handsome man sitting beside her?
“Ninth Imperial Uncle, have a little more — we’ll be on the road again soon.”
Feng Jiu’er scooped a spoonful of porridge and held it out before Zhan Qingcheng, blinking her wide, round eyes up at him.
Seeing no reaction from the man, she pressed her lips together and called out once more in a low voice, “Ninth Imperial Uncle.”
Oh, for goodness’ sake — she was, after all, a daughter of the Feng line, a true princess of the Feng Clan, possessing supreme divine arts — so how was it that in front of the Ninth Imperial Uncle, she was still cowering like a quail?
Forget it. She would simply think of herself as an ordinary woman who admired the Ninth Imperial Uncle — that way, it would be a little easier for her heart to accept.
At last, she waited for the man to condescendingly part his lips. After reining in the tiny inner universe that had been threatening to explode at any moment, Feng Jiu’er smiled softly and delivered the spoonful to his mouth.
“How is it? The flavour is still good, isn’t it?”
“Mm.” Zhan Qingcheng inclined his head, his gaze skimming briefly over the spoon in Feng Jiu’er’s hand.
Feng Jiu’er understood at once and immediately offered him another spoonful.
Zhan Qingcheng had done nothing more than eat a bowl of porridge, yet Feng Jiu’er felt nearly drained of all energy by the time it was over.
And then, once that ordeal was finished, the man announced he wanted to eat chicken.
Very well — chicken it was. With a physique that powerful, he certainly couldn’t do without adequate meat.
Only after Zhan Qingcheng’s stomach was filled did Feng Jiu’er return to Feng Li’s side to eat alongside him.
“Jiu’er.” After a brief quiet, Qiaomu called out softly.
“If you don’t speak, no one will think you’re mute.” Feng Jiu’er flicked a glance at Qiaomu, then cheerfully sank her teeth into a chicken leg.
Qiaomu stood, slung her silver spear over her shoulder, and shouldered it.
“I only wanted to mention — the Night Prince needs to rest. Look at that guilty expression on your face.”
Rolling her eyes at Feng Jiu’er, Qiaomu turned and walked toward the cave entrance.
“I’ll keep watch outside. We set off in one hour.”
Watching the figure who couldn’t resist stealing a backward glance as she left, Feng Jiu’er let out a faint sigh.
“Father, rest a while longer.” She turned to Feng Li and said softly.
“Mm.” Feng Li nodded and reached out a large hand to wipe Feng Jiu’er’s little mouth. “You rest too — stop wearing yourself out.”
“Alright, I will.” Setting down the chicken leg, Feng Jiu’er turned to arrange the dry grass into a makeshift bed for Feng Li.
“There’s still one hour. Everyone rest a while — with Qiaomu out there, we’ll be fine.”
The cave fell quiet before long.
Out in the forest, a slender, willowy silhouette stood motionless in the branches of a tree, merging with the darkness of the night as though she were part of it, nearly impossible to detect.
Suddenly, an unusual sound stirred in the distance. Qiaomu’s crescent brows drew together, and in the next instant, her figure had vanished into the forest.
By the time Feng Jin arrived at the cave, there was not a single soul left inside.
He poked the tip of his long sword into the fire that had not yet died out, his grip tightening around his fist. Then he turned and left.
“After them! Keep pursuing! With the exception of the Princess and my Fourth Imperial Uncle, anyone else who dares resist — kill them on the spot!”
“Yes, First Imperial Prince.” The Imperial Guards clasped their hands in unison and followed.
……
For the next three days and three nights, the group spent nearly every moment in the saddle.
Just before they were about to leave Feng Lai City and enter Yue City, Xue Gu found them another place to rest.
It was a stretch of mountain range, far from any marketplace, with rugged, winding paths — roads that could hardly be called roads at all.
Horses were changed again and again, and just before they entered the great mountain range, several more sturdy animals were newly acquired.
A gentle stream murmured along, and in the setting sun, several fine horses grazed at the water’s edge.
Qiaomu sprawled lazily on the grass beside the stream. Before long, the soft sound of snoring drifted over.
Not far away, Jian Yi stood in the stream, catching fish.
Mu Mu sat upon a small hillside, leaning against a large boulder with his eyes closed in quiet rest.
After finishing the acupuncture treatment for both Zhan Qingcheng and Feng Li, Feng Jiu’er emerged from the cave to find this tranquil scene before her.
The mountains were lush, the waters clear, and along the banks of the stream, wildflowers of every colour bloomed in cheerful abundance. Beneath the orange-red glow of the setting sun, everything was suffused with a particular beauty.
She had never imagined that beyond such a treacherous range of mountains, a world like a hidden paradise could exist.
Feng Jiu’er let out a soft sigh, a faint ache in her heart.
If one day all things were finally settled — would she be able to bring these people here to live a good life?
“Jiu’er, go rest a while. I’ll make fish soup for you later.” Jian Yi looked back at the young woman standing on the grass.
In the golden light of the setting sun, Jian Yi’s tall, strong figure was ringed all around by the warm, burnished glow.
He truly was handsome — undeniably so.
Even with his sleeves rolled up and nothing but a bamboo pole in his hand, it did nothing to diminish his looks in the slightest.
It was a pity that he was always standing alongside the Ninth Imperial Uncle and Mu Mu. Even the most handsome of men tended to fade into the background when placed beside those two.
Not wanting to wake the still-sleeping Miss Qiao, Feng Jiu’er walked over toward Jian Yi.
She glanced at the fish still flipping and flopping about on the grass, then turned her eyes back to Jian Yi.
“That’s enough for now — you should rest too.”
“I’m not tired.” Jian Yi shook his head. One sweep of the bamboo pole, and a lively fish was sent flying onto the bank.
He turned back and gave Feng Jiu’er a faint smile, then in a few easy strides he stepped out of the stream and came to stand before her.
“Is something wrong? Did you need me for something?”
Feng Jiu’er looked at this person who never seemed to tire, and shook her head.
“Nothing in particular — I just wasn’t sure how much to reward you when we get back.”
“No need.” Jian Yi reached into his clothing and produced a cord he carried with him, then crouched down to thread the fish onto it.
“Food and shelter is more than sufficient — no reward necessary.”
Once he had strung several fish together, Jian Yi straightened up and held them out, dangling them in front of Feng Jiu’er.
“I’ll take these to Xue Gu.” He left those words behind, and the tall figure turned to go.
Feng Jiu’er watched him leave and exhaled a quiet sigh, then turned and found a clean patch of grass to sit down on.
Food and shelter? Was it really that simple?
The food, he’d found himself — and frequently ended up feeding the rest of the group while he was at it.
As for shelter — apart from traveling and more traveling, there wasn’t even a cave to live in properly. What shelter was there?
Feng Jiu’er truly did not know what stroke of fortune had brought her people who were each willing, of their own accord, to act on her behalf.
The heavens had been generous to her.
If it weren’t for the countless matters still waiting to be dealt with, she would make every effort to earn money and fatten every single one of these people up till they were plump and well-fed.
“What are you thinking about?”
Mu Mu descended from the small hillside with light, soundless steps.
Feng Jiu’er looked up at their silver-haired, strikingly handsome companion, shook her head, and returned her gaze to the distance.
Mu Mu extended his long legs and sat down beside her.