From inside the carriage, someone stared unblinkingly at the tall figure riding ahead. Yet Zhan Yuheng on horseback had his gaze fixed on the young woman not far in front of him, his attention captivated.

Feng Jiu’er wasn’t wrong — with her here, Feng Qingyin would be thinking at every moment of how to do away with her. What state of mind would that leave for recuperating?

Feng Qingyin knew full well that this was the truth. Once her man laid eyes on that wretched woman, he lost all sense of direction.

But if she didn’t come in, what excuse would there be to push her Crown Prince brother to attack?

Waiting — that was absolute foolishness. It was a shame her man was willing to play the fool in front of a woman.

Two quarter-hours that felt like an eternity to Feng Jiu’er felt even more interminable to Feng Qingyin.

The moment they entered the courtyard gate, Qing Yun looked back and raised a hand.

The four attendants immediately dismounted and rushed to his side.

“Sweep the perimeter and check for safety.” Qing Yun commanded in a low voice.

“Yes.” The four attendants acknowledged the order and dispersed.

Feng Qingyin climbed out of the carriage without delay and, supported by two palace maids, made her way toward Zhan Yuheng.

“Crown Prince brother.”

“Take her inside to rest.” Zhan Yuheng’s low voice cut off Feng Qingyin’s words. “If anything goes wrong, every one of you will answer with your heads.”

“Yes.” The palace maid dipped her head and moved to support Feng Qingyin.

But Feng Qingyin shook them off with a flick of her hands.

“Miss Qingyin, your constitution is not well at present. Won’t you heed this old servant’s words and let me have a look at your condition first?” the elder imperial physician said with earnest concern.

“Miss, do listen to Physician Dong. Your body cannot be subjected to more strain.” Lingling added softly.

Feng Qingyin glanced at Feng Jiu’er, drew a slow breath, and finally let her gaze settle on Zhan Yuheng.

“Crown Prince brother, Qingyin is going to rest now. Please do tell me when you intend to leave.”

She pressed her lips together, cast another glance at Feng Jiu’er, and turned to walk inside.

Feng Jiu’er sat on her horse with an air of complete indifference until Feng Qingyin was gone. Then she asked in an even tone, “Your Highness — you’re not leaving, then?”

Yet Zhan Yuheng gave no reply, turned his horse, and rode away.

Feng Jiu’er furrowed her brow, wheeled her horse, and followed.

She watched the figure ahead of her leave the courtyard and move along a deep, tree-canopied path.

Taking in his unhurried silhouette, Feng Jiu’er quickened her horse and caught up.

“Your Highness, what exactly do you mean by this? Please be direct — there are many matters waiting for me.”

“As long as you keep me company, I will not leave.” Zhan Yuheng glanced sideways at the woman beside him and curved his lips faintly.

“If I do not leave, what you were worried about will not come to pass — isn’t that right?”

Feng Jiu’er met Zhan Yuheng’s gaze, her crescent brows tightly knitted.

“Keep you company? I don’t have that kind of leisure. Your Highness, please don’t joke with me.”

“I am not joking.” Zhan Yuheng curved his lips again and looked away into the distance.

Watching the bitter smile at the corner of his mouth, Feng Jiu’er pressed her lips together and found herself at a loss for words.

Her own affairs were too numerous to count. How could she possibly spare any attention for someone else’s feelings?

“Your Highness, I’ll speak plainly — if you ask me to keep you company the whole time, you might as well take your troops and attack right now. Your word may not count for much anyway.”

“Join me for the evening meal every day — surely that wouldn’t be too much to ask?” Zhan Yuheng’s hand reached out, then dropped back down to his side.

Looking at her increasingly slender frame, he still felt a twinge of ache in his heart — and yet, he now had no opportunity even to show her that tenderness.

Zhan Yuheng knitted his brow, drew his gaze back, and said evenly, “I am tired as well. It is time I rested properly for a few days.”

Feng Jiu’er stared at Zhan Yuheng in a moment of disbelief. In truth, she had just been saying that out of frustration. How could she dare gamble with her brothers’ lives?

Even if His Highness the Crown Prince truly demanded that she accompany him every day, she had no wish for war to break out right now.

“You mean that?” Feng Jiu’er furrowed her crescent brows for a moment and asked softly.

“I said I’d keep you company for the meal — just the meal. I won’t agree to anything beyond that. If it suits you, I’ll come by this evening for the evening meal.”

“It’s a deal.” Zhan Yuheng glanced at her and gave a light nod.

“It’s a deal.” With those parting words, Feng Jiu’er turned her horse. “Your Highness — farewell.”

Zhan Yuheng turned his horse as well, and in his line of sight, only Feng Jiu’er’s slight figure remained.

He stared in the same direction, unblinking, long after Feng Jiu’er had completely disappeared from view — still without any reaction.

Qing Yun, standing guard not far away, took in this sight and felt heaviness settle in his heart.

His Highness the Crown Prince simply could not let go. He truly found himself wondering — was His Highness’s real reason for entering the city to let Feng Qingyin come in to recuperate?

Feng Jiu’er left, and Xiao Yingtao, Xing Zizhou, and Huo Baixue all followed after her together.

“Jiu’er, was it really all right for us to just leave like that?” Xiao Yingtao’s voice rose.

“Feng Qingyin was clearly feigning illness from the very start. I truly don’t know what scheme she has in mind.”

“Never mind all that — the Crown Prince said as long as I go to join him for the evening meal each day, he’ll stay.” Feng Jiu’er replied quietly.

“I’m not sure what use it is, having him stay. But still — it’s better than him leaving Feng Qingyin here alone.”

“Join him for the evening meal?” Xiao Yingtao’s crescent brows drew together at once. “Jiu’er, aren’t you worried he might have other designs?”

“And what other designs do you think he could have?” Feng Jiu’er glanced at her and raised an eyebrow lightly.

“I don’t know either.” Xiao Yingtao shook her head, the worry on her face only deepening.

Watching her expression, Feng Jiu’er curved her lips faintly.

“Come on. It’s not as if he said I had to come alone.”

She tossed those words out and looked back at Xing Zizhou.

“Xing Zizhou.”

“Yes.” Xing Zizhou, who had been following behind, caught up at once.

“When will there be word on the matter I asked you to investigate?” Feng Jiu’er’s voice rose once more.

“There are only six and a half days left. If there is truly no news from the Ninth Imperial Uncle’s side, we’ll need to think of another way.”

“Wait a little longer — there should be word within two days.”

“Mm.” Feng Jiu’er nodded. “Baixue, the matter of settling the residents of Mo City — I am placing it entirely in your and City Lord Huo’s hands. Handle it with care.”

“Yes, Jiu’er.” Huo Baixue on horseback dipped her head in acknowledgment.

“Xiao Yingtao, have Zhao Yusheng make absolutely sure the city gates are held — no one enters or exits without my order.” Feng Jiu’er continued.

“Not just the city gates — every checkpoint along the city walls must be watched closely, in case anyone tries to slip in.”

“All right, I understand. Leave it to me, Jiu’er.” Xiao Yingtao nodded.

Feng Jiu’er gave a nod in return, spurred her horse to a faster pace, and the three followed close behind her.

A dozen or so highly skilled guards still trailed at the rear, every one of them riding tall, alert and sharp-eyed.

Returning to the area near the city gates, everyone threw themselves back into their duties — as though nothing of this morning had taken place at all.