“Tomorrow may be a little rushed,” Xiao Yingtao said softly. “Our brothers ought to rest properly.”

“And besides, we are short on medicinal supplies…”

“Who knows how long this battle will drag on. If men fall wounded without enough medicine to treat them, we will pay a far greater price than we gain.”

She pressed her lips together and raised her eyes to look at Feng Jiu’er. “Jiu’er, what about the day after tomorrow?”

“The state of our troops is plain for everyone to see.” Feng Jiu’er gave a nod. “The day after tomorrow it is then. Those assigned to stand watch should do so, and those due for rest should rest.”

“Conserve your strength and prepare for battle the day after tomorrow.”

“Very well.” Qiao Mu nodded and swept her gaze across everyone. “If there are no further objections, this meeting is adjourned.”

Everyone dispersed, leaving only Feng Jiu’er and Qiao Mu in the tent.

Tuoba Keyan left the meeting tent, made a brief patrol of the surroundings, and slipped quietly into another tent.

The next day, dawn had barely broken.

By the stream, at the same spot as before, when Tuoba Keyan arrived, Feng Qingyin and Linlong were already waiting there.

Seeing Tuoba Keyan approach, Feng Qingyin — who had been sitting at ease by the stream — immediately rose and turned to face him.

Once Tuoba Keyan had dismounted, Feng Qingyin’s voice rang out.

“Well? Have you retrieved my token?”

Tuoba Keyan casually unfastened a token from his waist and tossed it in Linlong’s direction.

Linlong caught the token, glanced at it, and the furrow in her brow at last smoothed away.

“Miss.” She held the token out to Feng Qingyin.

Feng Qingyin took it and examined it carefully for a moment before letting out a sigh of relief.

“Miss, is it truly the real one?” Linlong asked softly.

“Mm.” Feng Qingyin nodded, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly.

Seeing this, Linlong exhaled deeply with relief as well.

The token that had slipped from her hands had finally been returned.

“My money.” Tuoba Keyan looked at Linlong and extended his large palm.

Linlong glanced at Feng Qingyin once more before drawing out the bank notes tucked inside her robe and pressing them into Tuoba Keyan’s hand.

Tuoba Keyan gave a faint curl of his lips and put the bank notes away.

With the token secured, Feng Qingyin lifted her gaze to the man standing before her.

“Since you managed to retrieve the token on time, I will not go back on my word — one hundred thousand taels, not a coin less.”

“Mm.” Tuoba Keyan nodded. “I can see that.”

He looked at Feng Qingyin, curled his lips once more, and turned to walk toward his horse.

Feng Qingyin watched his retreating figure with a look of puzzlement. She turned to Linlong and raised an eyebrow.

Linlong understood at once. She looked at Tuoba Keyan walking away and hurried forward a few steps.

“Tuoba Keyan, what is the meaning of this? Did you not wish to cooperate with our Miss?”

“Miss is willing to give you the opportunity — why are you leaving without a word?”

Tuoba Keyan acted as though he hadn’t heard Linlong’s words at all. He mounted his horse and only then looked back.

“I’ve changed my mind.” He raised an arched brow, the picture of an indolent young lord.

“Since the Noble Consort’s money is so easily earned, there is no need for us to speak of any cooperation beyond financial matters.”

“You…” Linlong glared at Tuoba Keyan. “What do you mean?”

“How dare you speak to our Miss in such a manner — do you not value your life?”

“I have nothing to lose — at worst, I start over from nothing. Your Miss, on the other hand, is a delicate and cherished person who cannot afford unnecessary trouble.” Tuoba Keyan said calmly.

“My meaning is simple: I will pass along useful information from time to time as it suits me.”

“Oh, and one more thing.” Tuoba Keyan reached into his sleeve and produced a folded sheet of paper. “As it happens, I have a battle plan in my possession right now.”

“Hand it over.” Feng Qingyin’s eyes lit up at the sight of what he held.

If she could obtain such critical intelligence from the enemy’s ranks and use it to help her Crown Prince Brother win this battle, he would surely see her in an entirely new light.

By then, he would be beside himself with concern for her well-being — the very last thing on his mind would be sending her away.

“Three thousand taels of silver — what do you say?” Tuoba Keyan met Feng Qingyin’s gaze and raised a brow.

“Outrageous!” Linlong said coldly.

Tuoba Keyan shifted his gaze to Linlong.

“Since the Noble Consort has no wish to cooperate with me, forget it.” The words had barely left his mouth before he tucked the paper back into his sleeve. “Farewell and good riddance!”

Without another word, he urged his horse forward, ready to turn and leave.

“Wait.” Feng Qingyin’s low voice cut through the air.

Tuoba Keyan looked back at her, a polished, courteous smile rising to his face.

“Noble Consort — your decision?”

“I’ll take it.” Feng Qingyin let out a quiet sigh. “Though whether this thing is of any use, I have yet to determine.”

“Three thousand taels for a single sheet of paper, Tuoba Keyan — isn’t that just a little greedy?”

Tuoba Keyan drew out the white paper once more and gave it a leisurely wave before her.

“It is a sheet of paper, yes — but its value lies in its contents, just as a bank note’s value lies in what it represents. Noble Consort, would you say I am wrong?”

Feng Qingyin shot Tuoba Keyan a withering look and waved her hand.

“Linlong, pay him.”

“Yes, Miss.” Linlong nodded.

Reluctant as she was, she drew out the bank notes from inside her robe and went to Tuoba Keyan to make the exchange.

Tuoba Keyan took the bank notes and looked at Feng Qingyin, the curl of a smile on his lips again.

“My thanks. I wonder whether there may yet be further opportunities to work together with the Noble Consort?”

“Anything that concerns Feng Jiu’er — I want to know about it all.” Feng Qingyin reached out casually and took the diagram Linlong brought to her.

“Understood.” Tuoba Keyan gave a nod. As he turned, leading his horse by the reins, the smile vanished from his lips in an instant.

He raised his eyes and gazed into the distance, then pressed his heels to the horse’s flanks and rode swiftly ahead.

In the blink of an eye, Tuoba Keyan had reverted entirely to his usual cold detachment, utterly unlike the carefree, devil-may-care manner he had just displayed.

Linlong swept a glance at Tuoba Keyan’s retreating figure and came to stand beside Feng Qingyin.

“Miss, is it truly a strategic map?”

Feng Qingyin, her eyes fixed on the diagram, gave a nod, the corners of her mouth rising slightly.

“It seems those three thousand taels were not paid in vain.”

She glanced up at Linlong and extended her hand.

“Come, Linlong — let’s go back. I’m in good spirits today. I’d like to go see my Crown Prince Brother.”

“Yes, Miss.” Linlong smiled and bowed, taking Feng Qingyin’s arm to support her as they made their way toward the two horses.

Back at Zhan Yuheng’s war encampment, before Feng Qingyin and Linlong had returned, a guard rode up to the tent entrance and stepped inside, lifting the curtain.

“I pay my respects to His Highness the Crown Prince.” The guard knelt on the ground and glanced up at Zhan Yuheng.

“Rise.” Zhan Yuheng, seated behind his desk, waved a hand.

“Thank you, Your Highness.” The guard cupped his hands respectfully and stood. “Your Highness, Miss Qingyin went out and met with someone.”

“Do you know who it was?” Zhan Yuheng closed his booklet and looked up.

The guard shook his head. “I do not. However, judging by the direction the person came from and returned to, it is possible they may be from the enemy’s ranks.”

“The enemy?” Zhan Yuheng’s thick brows drew together slightly. “Man or woman?”

“A man — tall in stature.” The guard replied.

“Miss Qingyin is on her way back now, Your Highness. Shall I have her come to see you?”

“No need.” Zhan Yuheng waved a hand. “You may go.”