“Mm.” Feng Qingyin gave a vigorous nod and, throwing all caution aside, threw herself forward and wrapped her arms around Zhan Yuheng’s neck.

So long as he didn’t push her away, she wouldn’t mind at all.

That old man, the Emperor — she had long since grown tired of him. All she wanted was her Crown Prince elder brother. She only wished to spend her entire life with her Crown Prince elder brother.

With her Crown Prince elder brother here, she had nothing to fear. Even with the Emperor present, Feng Qingyin was not afraid.

Zhan Yuheng let Feng Qingyin hold him. He sat there without any further reaction, remaining still for a brief moment — like a wooden puppet.

After a while, Zhan Yuheng gave a light cough, rose to his feet, and gently helped Feng Qingyin up, guiding her back to her own seat.

Not far away, Qing Ye stood holding a bird in her arms, hesitating over whether she should come over and interrupt.

Zhan Yuheng settled back into his own seat, having already resumed his customary composure.

Lifting his gaze to glance at Qing Ye, he gave a dismissive wave of his hand.

Qing Ye cradled the bird and stepped forward to stand before Zhan Yuheng.

“Your Highness the Crown Prince, this bird flew in the direction of your camp.” Qing Ye revealed the bird’s foot, looking at Zhan Yuheng.

Zhan Yuheng gave a slight nod. Qing Ye opened the small tube tied to the bird’s foot and drew out a slip of paper from inside.

“Your Highness the Crown Prince, it is a letter from Feng Jiu’er.” As Qing Ye spoke, she did not forget to glance at Feng Qingyin.

Feng Qingyin looked at the person beside her, her brows knitting tightly together.

That wretched woman, Feng Jiu’er — truly a ghost that refused to be laid to rest.

She had worked so hard to make her Crown Prince elder brother see things clearly, and yet Feng Jiu’er had come seeking him out again?

“Crown Prince elder brother, I…” She drew in a deep breath and rose to her feet.

After exhaling sharply, Feng Qingyin looked as though it cost her great effort to press her anger down.

“I am worn out and wish to go rest. I won’t keep you company any longer.”

Before she had even finished speaking, Feng Qingyin covered her lips with her hand and turned to flee in the other direction.

Yet without warning, she had barely taken a single step when she stumbled and pitched forward.

Had Qing Ye not been quick-eyed and swift-handed enough to catch her, she truly would have fallen to the ground.

Even so, this outcome had long since been calculated into Feng Qingyin’s plans.

“I’m sorry! Crown Prince elder brother, I didn’t mean to — I just couldn’t help myself… Wuu wuu… Crown Prince elder brother, I’m sorry!”

Still in Qing Ye’s arms, Feng Qingyin wept like a child.

Zhan Yuheng stood and extended his large hand, carefully steadying her.

“This Crown Prince will escort you back to rest.”

“Mm.” Feng Qingyin nodded. “Crown Prince elder brother, what did Jiu’er say? I want to know.”

“I’m worried you might be… by her…”

“You won’t be.” Zhan Yuheng cut her off. “Qing Ye, go inside and wait for this Crown Prince.”

“Yes, Your Highness the Crown Prince.” Qing Ye dipped her head and turned to leave.

Feng Qingyin deliberately leaned against Zhan Yuheng, yet he did not push her away and continued to support her as they made their way toward her tent.

The woman nestled against the man lowered her head, lightly dabbed at the corners of her eyes, and let the corners of her mouth curl into a smug smile.

Having seen Feng Qingyin settled, Zhan Yuheng returned to his own tent.

Qing Ye watched him enter, dipped her head, and stood guard to one side.

“What did the letter say?” Zhan Yuheng sat down behind the writing table and asked in a low voice.

Qing Ye opened the letter and glanced at it.

“Your Highness the Crown Prince, Feng Jiu’er wishes to exchange one thousand surrendered soldiers for one month’s time.”

“She has once again declared that the Ninth Prince harbors no intent of rebellion, and that once the Ninth Prince clarifies everything before the Emperor, this battle may be averted.”

“For the sake of the tens of thousands of soldiers on both sides, she asks Your Highness the Crown Prince to reconsider carefully.”

Zhan Yuheng’s brow furrowed, and his large hand, which had begun to reach out, was pulled back.

Qing Ye had assumed the Crown Prince intended to read the letter himself — after all, this was written in Feng Jiu’er’s own hand — but it seemed she had misread his intention.

“Destroy the letter.” Zhan Yuheng’s low, deep voice rang out. “Tell her — one thousand surrendered soldiers, exchanged for ten days.”

“If she agrees, she will return my people after ten days, and I will refrain from attacking in the meantime.”

“If she does not agree, tomorrow will be the day battle commences. Let her think carefully.”

“Understood.” Qing Ye dipped her head.

Lifting his gaze, he cupped his hands in a salute and continued, “Your Highness the Crown Prince, is there anything else? If not, this subordinate will take his leave.”

Zhan Yuheng waved his hand without another word.

Qing Ye stepped forward and placed the letter she held onto the table before Zhan Yuheng, then cupped his hands once more.

“Your Highness the Crown Prince, the letter — you should read it yourself. The matter is of great importance, and this subordinate is concerned he may have conveyed it with errors or omissions.”

Putting himself in another’s position, Qing Ye also had no wish for this battle to continue.

If the Ninth Prince had harbored ambitions, he would have rebelled many years ago — there was no need to wait until now.

What the Emperor was doing amounted to forcing the Ninth Prince’s hand.

Even if they defeated Feng Jiu’er, could they defeat the Ninth Prince? Qing Ye had no confidence in waging war against someone he respected.

But he was the Crown Prince’s man. Whatever decision the Crown Prince made, he would carry it out with all his strength.

Qing Ye cupped his hands, stepped back several paces, and turned to leave the tent.

In the wide tent, only Zhan Yuheng remained.

Gazing at the letter on the surface of the table, his lightly-knitted brows sank even deeper.

Zhan Yuheng sat in silence for a moment before the sound that drifted in from outside pulled him back to his senses.

“Crown Prince elder brother.”

“Crown Prince elder brother, may I come in?” Feng Qingyin’s voice drifted in once more.

“Enter.” Zhan Yuheng dropped a single low word.

Having freshened up, Feng Qingyin looked considerably more spirited.

She personally carried a tray and walked in with careful steps.

“Crown Prince elder brother, the lady-in-waiting prepared soup for me just now. I feel much better after drinking it.”

“I heard that you can drink this soup as well, so I had them prepare an extra portion. You haven’t been eating much these past few days, have you? Give the soup a try — it really is good.”

Before she had even drawn close, Feng Qingyin’s eyes landed on the letter sitting on the table.

Judging by where the letter had been placed, she could almost picture Qing Ye having set it down just moments ago.

“Crown Prince elder brother, please try some.” Setting down the tray, Feng Qingyin personally lifted the bowl of soup and carried it to Zhan Yuheng.

She took the ladle and gave the soup a stir.

“The temperature is just right. Crown Prince elder brother, please try some.” Scooping up a spoonful of soup and offering it to Zhan Yuheng, Feng Qingyin said with a smile.

Zhan Yuheng lowered his gaze to glance at the soup, then took the bowl, raised it to his lips, and finished every drop in a few mouthfuls.

Setting the empty bowl back on the table, he said quietly, “All right. Go rest — I still have matters to attend to.”

“Mm.” Feng Qingyin nodded obediently and picked up the bowl.

Her gaze fell on the letter resting to one side of the table. With her free hand, she picked it up.

“Crown Prince elder brother, did Jiu’er truly use surrendered soldiers to negotiate terms with you? One month?”

She turned to look at Zhan Yuheng, her delicate brows furrowing deeply.

“Crown Prince elder brother, you wouldn’t truly agree to one month, would you? The longer the time drags on, if the Ninth Prince’s side launches an attack, we won’t even be able to retreat.”

“But we have a thousand brothers in her hands — we can’t simply disregard their lives either. So what should we do?” Feng Qingyin’s face was a picture of anxiety.

“This Crown Prince is giving her only ten days.” Zhan Yuheng replied in a low voice.

“Five days from now, another fifteen thousand reinforcements will arrive. Once my people are safe, that will be the day the great battle begins.”