Since coming to this era and putting on the beautiful appearance of Feng Jiu’er, the hearts she had captivated numbered far more than one or two.

So the liking Zhao Yusheng spoke of was not necessarily love at all.

When the day came and the right woman appeared for him, he would surely understand that for himself.

Whether Zhao Yusheng’s feelings had grown from watching her grieve and taking pity on her, Feng Jiu’er did not know.

But she was still grateful for him.

She was grateful for everyone who, in her hardest moments, had chosen to stay by her side and pour their efforts into what they shared.

Zhao Yusheng raised his eyes to the faint smile on Feng Jiu’er’s face, the corner of his own mouth curving slightly upward, and said nothing in his own defense.

Qiao Mu glanced at the two people beside her, then finally arched a brow and said lightly, “I don’t understand either of you. Anyway, it’s none of my business.”

“Once we find the treasure, I’m going to buy a few handsome men, keep them around to look at. That sounds perfectly pleasant to me.”

Feng Jiu’er gave her a glance and said dryly, “What’s the problem with that? Just make sure you can handle it.”

“All right — let’s get back to the matter at hand. Let’s see whether there’s anything special in here.”

Jian Yi, who had left, returned very shortly.

The four of them inside the tent studied the maps for a long while and arrived at some conclusions, but in the end, they were still unable to unravel the secret the two charts held.

Early the next morning, Feng Yan Dong stood outside the tent holding a newly arrived letter.

“Miss Jiu’er, Miss Jiu’er — are you awake?”

Jian Yi, seated in a corner with his eyes closed in quiet rest, heard the voice, rose, and walked out.

Zhao Yusheng, also seated with his eyes closed, let his eyelids flicker — and opened them.

Jian Yi pulled back half the curtain and looked at Feng Yan Dong outside.

Feng Yan Dong held out the letter in his hand.

“Please give this to Miss Jiu’er. It’s a letter from General Long.”

“Very well.” Jian Yi nodded, took the letter, and let the curtain fall.

As he turned back, Zhao Yusheng had already risen.

But, uncertain about the state of the person still in bed, he had not yet turned around.

Jian Yi, with no such hesitation, went directly to the bedside.

Qiao Mu shifted onto her side, turning her back to everyone, and went back to sleep.

Feng Jiu’er heard the sounds and rubbed her eyes, sitting up in bed.

She looked at Jian Yi walking toward her, her voice still rough with sleep. “Is it a letter from my mother?”

“Yes.” Jian Yi came to her side and held the letter out.

Feng Jiu’er swung her legs over the edge of the bed, took the letter, and opened it.

The envelope bore a special seal she had designed herself — if it had been opened beforehand, she would be able to tell immediately.

She checked her custom seal with a glance, then carefully tore it open.

Feng Jiu’er opened the letter and read it intently. Her eyes went wide.

“What is it?” Jian Yi read her expression and asked quietly.

“Jiu’er, what happened?” Zhao Yusheng had just turned around, and he strode quickly toward her.

The voices of the two men roused Qiao Mu from the inner side of the bed.

She coughed lightly, tugged at her clothes, and sat up.

“My mother — she knows. She knows the secret of the jade pendant.” Feng Jiu’er’s expression lit up. She stood and walked to the table.

She reached the table, and the two charts and the jade pendant were already in her hands.

Feng Jiu’er set the two charts down, visibly more animated than usual.

When Jian Yi and Zhao Yusheng came over, Feng Jiu’er had opened her needle case and was taking out a silver needle.

“Jiu’er, what are you doing?” Jian Yi’s hand closed around her forearm.

Stopped from what she intended, Feng Jiu’er looked up and frowned.

“Let go.” Her voice came out sharp and commanding.

“What are you doing?” Jian Yi showed no intention of releasing her arm.

“I need a drop of blood. My mother said one drop is all it takes.” Feng Jiu’er’s voice had grown slightly hushed.

She was already too impatient to wait any longer — she needed to know where the treasure was.

“Use mine then.” Jian Yi said, his brow tightening.

“Are you a Dragon Girl?” Feng Jiu’er gave him a look and pulled her arm free.

Jian Yi, being decidedly not a Dragon Girl, had no choice but to watch helplessly as Feng Jiu’er pressed the needle into her own fingertip.

Feng Jiu’er’s brow pinched slightly. She put the needle down, and with her other hand, squeezed the pricked finger.

At her fingertip, a bright red bead of blood welled up. She immediately picked up the jade pendant and held it beneath her finger.

The four people gathered around the table all stared at the jade pendant without blinking.

Feng Jiu’er let her blood fall into a tiny hollow in the jade pendant. The blood flowed inward along that hollow until, deep inside, it bloomed open.

Feng Jiu’er, still holding the jade pendant, drew a long breath and steadied herself before setting it back down on top of the two charts.

“Zhao Yusheng — bring the lantern over here, quickly.” She waved her hand.

“Right.” Zhao Yusheng went and retrieved the single lantern inside the tent.

“Hold it directly above the jade pendant, quickly!” Feng Jiu’er’s words came out nearly as a shout.

The closer they drew to the truth, the more her excitement mounted.

Zhao Yusheng did as Feng Jiu’er said and held the lantern directly above the jade pendant.

The mountain range projected by the jade pendant’s reflection onto the map grew far more vivid. Now everyone could clearly see one spot that seemed to emit a faint luminescence.

Feng Jiu’er drew a deep breath and waved her hand again.

“Jian Yi — the terrain map. Quickly — where’s our terrain map?”

Jian Yi reached to his waist without hesitation and drew out the enlarged terrain map, setting it on the table.

Feng Jiu’er looked back and forth between the projected mountain range and the enlarged terrain map several times, then extended her hand and pressed her injured fingertip onto the enlarged terrain map.

“Right here. It must be here. There’s no mistake.” She picked up the enlarged terrain map and turned to look at Jian Yi and Zhao Yusheng.

“We found it — we…” As Feng Jiu’er turned to look at Qiao Mu, Qiao Mu covered her mouth with a hand.

Feng Jiu’er closed her eyes and drew a slow, deep breath, then opened them again and nodded to Qiao Mu.

She turned and glanced toward the outside of the tent, then said under her breath, “Dawn has come. Let’s go find that treasure.”

With those words she turned back, pressed the terrain map into Jian Yi’s hands, and cleared the table of the copied charts and the jade pendant.

Feng Jiu’er truly had not thought there would ever be a moment when she felt as thrilled and reckless as a child.

But at the thought of the treasure nearly in their grasp — of her brothers feasting and living well — she was so beside herself with excitement that all dignity slipped away entirely.

“Are you planning to go now?” Zhao Yusheng frowned slightly and asked in a low voice.

Feng Jiu’er gathered her things and turned to look at him. “Yes. Better not to linger.”

“Good. Strike fast, settle it clean — and we can all get a decent night’s sleep.” Qiao Mu gave a nod of agreement.

Feng Jiu’er looked at Zhao Yusheng and frowned slightly. “Zhao Yusheng, if you have something to say, say it.”

Zhao Yusheng smoothed the crease from his brow and shook his head. “Nothing. We have more than enough brothers — no need to be overly cautious right now.”

“Good, it’s decided then.” Feng Jiu’er nodded. “My mother’s group should arrive tonight.”

“As long as your people from Zhao Family Stronghold don’t attack us, even if there is a traitor, it won’t matter.”

“Of course they won’t.” Zhao Yusheng shook his head as he replied.

The four of them straightened their clothing and walked out of the tent.