The townsfolk didn’t want to disturb the Prince’s good mood, so as Zhan Qingcheng and Feng Jiu’er passed by, they could only nod with smiles.

Feng Jiu’er’s thoughts, however, were caught up in the smiles on the people’s faces and the prosperity all around them.

She had originally thought the war would leave all of Phoenix City in decline for some time, yet to her surprise, everyone had bounced back so quickly.

Tomorrow was New Year’s Eve, the day of grand reunion, and every household had hung lanterns and decorations — nothing about it looked like a city that had just finished fighting a war.

At some point, Zhan Qingcheng had successfully captured Feng Jiu’er’s small hand, and the two walked on hand in hand.

“Ninth Imperial Uncle, you really are amazing!” Thinking of how difficult the fighting had been, Feng Jiu’er turned to look at the man beside her.

“If it weren’t for you, the people wouldn’t be living such happy lives.”

“If there’s never another war from now on, the people will surely live even better lives. Everyone settling down, living peacefully, leading an ordinary life — that’s a kind of happiness too.”

Zhan Qingcheng looked at the woman beside him, only smiling faintly, still saying nothing more.

Not far away, standing on the second floor of an inn, Ye Luosha heard Feng Jiu’er’s words and clenched her fists tightly.

“So it really is her!” She let out a cold huff and turned to walk back inside.

Elder Shi sighed softly and followed her into the room.

Feng Jiu’er, in good spirits, hadn’t noticed anything happening above the inn.

Zhan Qingcheng’s gaze had barely left Feng Jiu’er the entire time — he paid no attention to anything else.

Xiao Yingtao, having settled Jian Yi, came riding over with Qiao Mu.

Zhao Xiaoxiao had been begging Zhao Yusheng to take her out for a walk, and so the two siblings had also come along.

Watching the pair walking hand in hand down the main street, Qiao Mu pulled on her reins and stopped.

“I think I’ll skip it, in case I end up earning the Ninth Prince’s disdain.”

Xiao Yingtao pulled her reins as well and stopped too.

“Why would the Ninth Prince look down on you? He’s not that kind of person.”

Turning her gaze, Xiao Yingtao looked at Feng Jiu’er not far off and waved.

“Jiu’er, Qiao Mu’s here! Qiao Mu’s come to get you.”

The moment Xiao Yingtao’s voice fell, Feng Jiu’er slipped free of Zhan Qingcheng’s hand and strode forward.

Glancing at the Ninth Prince, Qiao Mu coughed abruptly and lowered her head.

Xiao Yingtao, not noticing the shift in Zhan Qingcheng’s mood, dismounted and went over to Feng Jiu’er.

“Jiu’er, I really didn’t expect Phoenix City to be this beautiful.”

Taking Feng Jiu’er’s hand, Xiao Yingtao had no idea she had just unwittingly taken the place of a certain someone, putting herself in danger.

“Qiao Mu said tomorrow, on New Year’s Eve, there’ll be a lantern festival in Phoenix City — it’s set up three li outside.”

“Qiao Mu just came back from there. She said a lot of the brothers and townsfolk are busy preparing, and tomorrow’s bound to be lively.”

Hearing Xiao Yingtao’s words, Feng Jiu’er felt pleased.

After going through battle after battle, she knew just how important it was for the people to have a stable, peaceful life.

Still, Feng Jiu’er didn’t show quite the same excitement that Xiao Yingtao did.

Looking up at Qiao Mu, who had walked over, she raised a faint smile and said, “Has everyone been well these past few days?”

“Thanks to your blessing, very well indeed!” Qiao Mu laughed, looking a little awkward.

She gave a light cough, her gaze falling on the man standing behind Feng Jiu’er.

“The Ninth Prince has been waiting for you for several days now — you’d better keep him good company.”

As Feng Jiu’er turned around, Zhan Qingcheng’s expression eased considerably.

“Ninth Imperial Uncle, I’d like to go see the lantern festival too. Will you come with me?”

“Mm.” Zhan Qingcheng nodded, offering only a single word.

Seeing his expression wasn’t the best, Feng Jiu’er could only turn and head back.

“Zhuifeng, Zhuiyue.” She glanced behind Zhan Qingcheng and called out softly.

Zhuifeng and Zhuiyue came galloping over together, inseparable as always.

Before Zhan Qingcheng could say anything, Feng Jiu’er took hold of Zhuiyue’s reins and leapt up onto the horse.

“Ninth Imperial Uncle, Zhuiyue and I crossed paths just before we reached the Zhao family stronghold — it turns out he’d been searching for me the whole time, and thankfully never gave up.”

“Perfect timing. You can ride behind and see whether it’s gotten any rustier these past while.”

The words had barely left her mouth before she pulled the reins and rode on ahead.

Zhan Qingcheng still said nothing, leaping onto his own horse and riding forward.

It was as if the person who had just appeared before his eyes had never existed at all.

With more and more people nearby, Feng Jiu’er didn’t want to share a horse with Zhan Qingcheng anymore, and this had been her only option.

Whatever the case, the man was Ninth Imperial Uncle — it was better to keep things low-key.

Xiao Yingtao turned to look at Qiao Mu, frowning slightly in confusion.

“Qiao Mu, why are you acting today like you’re watching the Ninth Prince’s every mood before doing anything?”

“Tell me, who would dare not read his mood before acting?” Qiao Mu raised an eyebrow and turned to mount her horse.

Xiao Yingtao frowned slightly and nodded.

“Now that I think about it, that’s true.”

Without asking any further, she too mounted her horse and followed after Qiao Mu.

Not until Zhan Qingcheng had ridden past her did Zhao Xiaoxiao finally tear her eyes away from him.

Watching the person beside her turn their horse around, she too turned her own mount, changing direction.

“Eldest Brother, the Ninth Prince really is handsome, don’t you think?”

Zhao Yusheng glanced at her and said in a deep voice, “Don’t go getting any ideas!”

Regarding this fickle younger sister of his, Zhao Yusheng felt more than a little exasperated.

She hadn’t always been like this — now it seemed she fell for whoever caught her eye.

First it had been Yanu, then later Jian Yi, and now apparently this little troublemaker had set her sights on the Ninth Prince.

Had he known it would come to this, perhaps he shouldn’t have brought her along at all.

“Eldest Brother, what are you talking about? I only said the Ninth Prince is good-looking. The one I actually like is still Jian Yi.”

“Someone as cold as the Ninth Prince — how could I possibly like him?”

“He’s so formidable, I wouldn’t even dare think about it. Jian Yi suits me better. Eldest Brother, I’m going back to look after Jian Yi — you can follow along yourself or not.”

Zhao Yusheng glanced sideways at her, and Zhao Xiaoxiao met his gaze in return, continuing, “I’m telling the truth.”

“Don’t assume your little sister falls for whoever she meets — I’m not that kind of person!”

Aside from the man in white, she’d only really fallen for one man in her life — how could she be that kind of person?

Raising an eyebrow lightly, Zhao Xiaoxiao rode her horse back the way they had come.

Zhao Yusheng watched her for a moment before kicking his horse’s flanks and catching up.

“Jian Yi isn’t an easy man to win over either. I think you should give up that idea.”

Saying the Ninth Prince was cold — wasn’t Jian Yi cold too? Jian Yi was only ever warm toward Jiu’er.

“That’s none of your business!” Zhao Xiaoxiao met Zhao Yusheng’s gaze, biting her lip. “So what if it’s not easy? Does that mean I should just give up?”

“If I like someone, I won’t give up! Eldest Brother, if you keep thinking that way, you’ll regret it one day.”

“I… what would I have to regret?” Zhao Yusheng frowned slightly and looked away.

Zhao Xiaoxiao shot the person beside her a glance and snorted coldly. “You know your own business best!”

Tossing out that line, she rode on, picking up her horse’s pace.