A family of three — simple, plain words, yet they struck a chord deep within Feng Li’s heart.

He looked at the little girl before him and for a moment could say nothing.

Feng Jiu’er, however, said nothing more. With a slightly mischievous smile directed at Feng Li, she stood up.

“Right now, the critical first step is to safely leave the Feng Clan’s territory.”

“Father, rest a little longer. We’ll be setting off again very soon.”

Seeing her about to leave, Feng Li asked softly, “Where are you going?”

“It’s nothing — I won’t go far.”

Feng Jiu’er left Feng Li with a reassuring look, then turned and headed deeper into the forest.

“Jiu’er, where are you going?” Qiao Mu hurried after her, a piece of dark, dried meat still in her hand.

“To catch a monkey.” Feng Jiu’er tossed out the words without looking back.

In a blink, Qiao Mu had already come up to her side and was walking alongside her.

“Monkeys?” She frowned. “Where are there monkeys? How come I didn’t see any just now?”

“Because his skills are better than yours.” Feng Jiu’er gave a slight curl of her lips and walked on.

“Feng Jiu’er, what do you mean by that? A mere monkey…” Before she could finish, Qiao Mu’s brow furrowed sharply, and her gaze snapped toward the upper right.

“There really is a monkey.”

Tossing the dried meat in her hand aside without a thought, Qiao Mu lightly tapped her foot, leaped into the air, and left nothing behind for Feng Jiu’er but a gust of wind.

Feng Jiu’er stood with her arms folded, watching the direction she had gone, making no move to act herself.

An instant later, the sounds of a scuffle broke out not far away.

The fight did not last long. Suddenly, a tall figure dropped down before Feng Jiu’er.

The sun was setting in the west, and the light was gradually dimming.

The face before her was clearly a stranger’s, yet Feng Jiu’er’s expression remained unchanged.

“Jiu’er, he…” Qiao Mu arrived a step behind, landing at the man’s back.

“You followed us all day and still didn’t plan on showing yourself?” Feng Jiu’er looked at the stranger, her brow furrowing slightly.

The stranger gave a soft cough and said evenly, “I mean no harm.”

His voice was clearly suppressed.

“You came, so you came. There are no outsiders here. There is no need to hide yourself.” Feng Jiu’er let her folded arms fall to her sides.

The man smiled slightly and let his voice return to its natural tone.

“How are you all holding up? Is everyone alright?”

So as not to be discovered, Feng Jiang had not dared to draw close, and could only follow from a distance.

Just a moment ago, he had merely been worried and had wanted to come and check on his one and only imperial sister — even so, he had almost been found out.

Hearing this somewhat familiar voice, Qiao Mu frowned slightly, took a few steps forward, and came to a stop only when she stood before the man.

“We’re fine. What about you? Did he just let you off that easily?” Feng Jiu’er shook her head and asked quietly.

This foolish elder brother of hers, who shared not a drop of her blood, knew nothing of the situation yet still chose to trust without question.

“I’m fine.” Feng Jiang curved his lips slightly in reply.

“Who are you?” Qiao Mu looked at Feng Jiang, narrowing her eyes. “What are you doing here?”

It was clear she had recognized him.

“If not for him, we wouldn’t have passed through the breeding grounds so easily today. Qiao Mu, bring him something to eat and reward him properly.”

Before the words had even fully landed, Feng Jiu’er turned and headed back.

“Once you’ve eaten your fill, head back. This place isn’t somewhere you should linger too long.”

“I will not.” Feng Jiang fell into step behind her. “Unless I see you all aboard the ship, I won’t leave.”

Having come all this way, how could Feng Jiang turn back halfway?

“Jiu’er, how did you ever think to choose this route?”

“Isn’t it the fastest route?” Feng Jiu’er’s voice carried back.

“But from here onward, even I don’t know what we might encounter, and you aren’t worried at all?” Feng Jiang said lightly.

Watching the two of them leave, Qiao Mu had no choice but to follow.

“Of course I’m worried.” Feng Jiu’er tilted her head to look at Feng Jiang and raised an eyebrow. “But as for our situation — aren’t you more aware of it than I am?”

If we don’t go now, it will truly be too late.

“Right — does Feng Qiongcang mean to have me go back, or does he mean to have my life?” Feng Jiu’er’s voice rang out again.

Feng Jiang started, and his right foot rammed squarely into a jutting rock.

His body lurched forward, but he steadied himself with ease.

“Jiu’er.” Feng Jiang reached out and took Feng Jiu’er’s hand, glancing around them.

Qiao Mu, uncertain of what was between the two of them, stopped where she was and did not immediately draw closer.

She disliked Feng Jiang, but Jiu’er trusted him — and so she could only trust him too.

Seeing Qiao Mu stop, Feng Jiang released Feng Jiu’er’s arm.

“Why are you calling Father Emperor by his given name — does that mean…”

“That look on your face — are you trying to tell me that Feng Qiongcang truly wants to have me killed?”

Judging by the calm expression on Feng Jiu’er’s face, it was as though even if this were the truth, she would not find it the least bit surprising.

“Jiu’er, are you not a princess of the Feng Clan? Are you not Father Emperor’s daughter?” Feng Jiang asked with a furrowed brow.

Feng Jiu’er let out a soft sigh, then drew her gaze away from Feng Jiang’s astonished face.

“The Phoenix Seal pattern on my body — have you seen it?”

“Yes.” Feng Jiang nodded. “My eldest imperial brother and my second imperial brother both saw it.”

“Jiu’er, I’m sorry! None of us meant any harm. To make us believe your identity, Father Emperor at the time…”

“You hadn’t woken up yet then. I’m sorry!”

“This is not the time for that, and besides, you are my elder brother — why would I mind?” Feng Jiu’er raised an eyebrow.

It was only a glance at her lower back. Feng Jiu’er was not going to be so petty about it.

That single word — “elder brother” — warmed Feng Jiang’s heart, and he curved his lips slightly, the exhaustion on his face swept away in an instant.

But very quickly, his expression darkened once more.

“Father Emperor said nothing about wanting your life. Only… Jiu’er, you are clearly a princess. Why would Father Emperor pursue and hunt you down in such a way?”

“I am not Feng Qiongcang’s daughter, but I am still a daughter of the Feng line.” Feng Jiu’er lightly patted Feng Jiang’s shoulder, and her jewel-like eyes blinked. “Elder brother, why do you think that is?”

Feng Jiang looked into Feng Jiu’er’s eyes, and his own grew wider and wider.

“Are you saying that Father Emperor is not actually…”

“Yes.” Feng Jiu’er nodded, stepping forward to continue on their way. “My father is your Fourth Imperial Uncle — the most handsome and most formidable man in the entire Feng Clan.”

“Jiu’er.” Feng Jiang followed, his face a picture of disbelief. “Are you saying that the Phoenix Son of the previous generation was… Fourth Imperial Uncle?”

“That’s right.” Feng Jiu’er nodded without a care in the world. “If you don’t believe me, go over in a little while and strip off his clothes for a look.”

“Of course, you’d have to have the nerve for that.”

Feng Jiang stumbled into a hollow in the ground and nearly tripped.

He had been moving through this stretch of forest for the past two days — how had he not noticed the path was this difficult?

If Fourth Imperial Uncle was the true Phoenix Son and his father was not, then how had his father come to sit on the throne?

Some questions seemed to have been answered, but far more remained that Feng Jiang could not begin to explain.

Was his father truly unwilling to stop until he had killed Fourth Imperial Uncle and Jiu’er both?