Zhào Yùshēng stared at Feng Jiu’er without blinking, and for a long while, he could not say a single word.

It was not until the convoy turned onto another road and his mount changed direction that Zhào Yùshēng came back to himself.

“Jiu’er is right. Perhaps — no, I can say with certainty — my father, and my grandfather as well, were never men content to accept things as they are.”

“It is not that they did not wish to leave. They only feared that history would repeat itself and bring harm to our clansmen.”

Feng Jiu’er turned her head to look at Zhào Yùshēng and gave a small nod.

“The decision is yours to weigh. I can only offer you my counsel — I cannot promise you too much.”

Thinking back over these recent days, Feng Jiu’er felt a measure of weariness settle in her heart. But she could not give up. Only when her own forces were strong enough could she protect the people she wished to protect.

Zhào Yùshēng appeared to be deep in thought. He gave a nod and withdrew his gaze.

The convoy moved in a great procession through the mountain ravines, and it was a full hour before they returned to the mountain stronghold.

Upon learning that Zhào Yùshēng had returned, Madam Zhao waited anxiously at the entrance of the stronghold. Seeing the convoy come into view, she rode her horse forward to meet them.

“Mother.” Zhào Yùshēng also spurred his horse and quickly came before Madam Zhao.

Seeing that he seemed to want to speak but held back, Madam Zhao smiled and waved her hand gently. “It is enough that you have come back. Whatever you wish to say, say it when we are home.”

Zhào Yùshēng pressed his lips lightly together and gave a nod.

Lifting her gaze toward the approaching Feng Jiu’er, Madam Zhao raised the corners of her mouth ever so slightly and said nothing more.

She turned her horse around and rode alongside her son.

Glancing back to see Feng Jiu’er following behind, Zhào Yùshēng felt at ease.

He brought his gaze back to his mother, and the corners of his mouth lifted gently.

“Mother, how have things been in the stronghold while I was away?”

“The same as ever. Nothing out of the ordinary.” Madam Zhao’s gentle voice drifted through the air.

Zhào Yùshēng’s absence had given her time to think many things through. One cannot force what is not meant to be — and she no longer wished to force anything.

“I see.” Zhào Yùshēng gave a light nod. “No news is good news.”

The group returned to the stronghold together. Many recognized their Young Mistress returning with them, though no one dared to ask questions.

When Madam Zhao led Zhào Yùshēng and the two young women through the doors, the old chieftain was already seated in the head chair, with Elder Feng and Zhào Xiǎo sitting on either side of him.

Catching sight of Zhào Yùshēng, Zhào Xiǎo pursed her lips and rose to her feet.

Before Zhào Yùshēng had the chance to say a word, Zhào Xiǎo shot him a sharp glare, then turned and walked out.

Zhào Yùshēng had intended to check on his younger sister, but the moment his eyes met Zhào Qīngshān’s gaze, he knew he would not have the leisure for that — at least not yet.

“Kneel!” Zhào Qīngshān looked at Zhào Yùshēng and commanded in a cold voice.

“My lord.” Madam Zhao’s brow furrowed slightly.

She had barely turned around before Zhào Yùshēng was already on his knees.

“Father.” He called out in a low, solemn voice.

“You still remember I am your father?” Zhào Qīngshān let out a cold snort. Gripping his long whip, he rose from his seat and descended the hall.

“My lord.” Madam Zhao stepped forward and placed herself between them. “It is enough that he has come back. It is enough.”

Zhào Qīngshān cast a sweeping glare at his wife and cracked the whip hard against the floor.

“Since you have returned, do not think of leaving again! Elder Feng has already identified a young woman of our clan for you. The wedding will take place tonight.”

Without so much as another glance at Zhào Yùshēng, Zhào Qīngshān threw down the whip and turned to walk away.

“Come — restrain the Young Master. No matter what it takes, see that he is sent to the bridal chamber tonight.”

He had taken the trouble of bringing back some woman called Bai Jiu’er, and in the end, not only had there been no wedding, but she had spirited his son away. Zhào Qīngshān had long since given up holding any hope for Feng Jiu’er.

Zhào Qīngshān’s words made Feng Jiu’er involuntarily cough softly, though she quickly pressed her lips together and made herself invisible.

This was the second time she had entered the stronghold and the second time she had heard talk of Zhào Yùshēng taking a wife. She was starting to genuinely wonder whether this sort of thing happened more than twice.

“No!” Zhào Yùshēng lifted his gaze to Zhào Qīngshān’s retreating back. “I will not take a wife. I did not return this time intending to stay long.”

“Father — I do not wish to spend my entire life buried in these mountains. And tell me — have you lived your entire life without regret?”

“Insolent!” Zhào Qīngshān spun around in a sweep of his robes and fixed Zhào Yùshēng with a furious glare.

Drawing a deep breath, he waved his hand and looked to the men on either side. “Are you deaf?”

The men looked at Zhào Qīngshān and shook their heads vigorously — then, catching themselves, nodded instead. “Yes, my lord.”

All six of them knew perfectly well they were no match for Zhào Yùshēng, but they had no choice but to steel themselves and step forward.

Two men seized Zhào Yùshēng. With a single shake of his arms, he threw them off effortlessly.

“Father — our hearts have never truly been here. Why do we continue to imprison ourselves within these walls?” Zhào Yùshēng held Zhào Qīngshān’s gaze and spoke in a measured, firm voice. “With the abilities we possess, we could achieve great things beyond this stronghold. Why should we let a single misstep doom every generation that follows to never leaving again?”

“Silence!” Zhào Qīngshān trembled with fury, his clenched fists white at the knuckles, the veins standing out sharply.

“No — I will speak.” Zhào Yùshēng’s voice was no quieter than his father’s. “I refuse to believe that Father has never once thought of leaving.”

“Not only you — Grandfather as well. He must have—”

“Silence!” Zhào Qīngshān drew a long, seething breath and expelled it with force. His rage seemed on the verge of scorching the very air around him.

“No!” Zhào Yùshēng’s expression remained unyielding.

Zhào Qīngshān met his gaze, the furrow between his brows deepening. “If you dare to—”

“Stop!” Madam Zhao, seeing the situation turning dangerous, rushed forward at once.

She seized Zhào Qīngshān’s robe with one hand while the other pressed against her own chest.

“My lord.” She forced out the two words, breathing deeply. “My lord — please. Do not — do not force him anymore. Please!”

Madam Zhao feared that Zhào Qīngshān would say something that could not be taken back, and so she clutched his robe tightly and would not let go.

“Mother.” Sensing something was wrong, Zhào Yùshēng immediately rose and went to support Madam Zhao.

“Mother, do not distress yourself. Come — let us go and rest for a moment.”

Madam Zhao’s face had gone pale, and Zhào Qīngshān’s heart seized with alarm. He glanced at one of the men nearby and gave a quiet wave of his hand.

“Fetch Old Zhào — have him come and look at Madam.”

“Yes, my lord.” The man bowed his head, turned, and left. The remaining men turned and followed suit.

Zhào Yùshēng and Zhào Qīngshān together helped Madam Zhao to the long bench, where she sat down.

Before Zhào Yùshēng could say a word, Feng Jiu’er had already appeared behind them.

“Allow me to examine Madam Zhao.” Feng Jiu’er said softly.

Zhào Qīngshān turned to look and frowned.

Were it not for Feng Jiu’er, Zhào Yùshēng would never have left in the first place.

Now that Zhào Yùshēng had brought Feng Jiu’er back with him, the fact that Zhào Qīngshān did not drive her away outright was already considerable face he was giving his son.

“Father — Jiu’er’s medical skill is exceptional. Let her take a look at Mother.” Zhào Yùshēng took Feng Jiu’er’s hand and guided her to stand before Madam Zhao.

Seeing his wife’s pallid complexion, Zhào Qīngshān did not interfere.

Feng Jiu’er asked no further questions. She lifted Madam Zhao’s hand and laid her long fingers across the pulse point at her wrist.

“Something is wrong!” Suddenly, Zhào Xiǎo came running in from outside. “Something is wrong! Father — it is terrible — someone help!”