The Lady of the House did not know what was happening and stood up in alarm.

Zhao Qingshan turned to glance at her, then returned his gaze to Zhao Xiaoxiao.

“Xiaoxiao, come here.” He commanded in a low voice.

Zhao Xiaoxiao cast a brief downward glance at Tuoba Keyan, then, head lowered, stepped toward her father and mother.

She came to stand behind the Lady of the House and stopped.

The Lady of the House took her cold little hand and had her sit down beside her: “Go — bring the young miss a blanket.”

“Yes.” A maid gave a nod, turned, and walked out.

Tuoba Keyan remained kneeling in the center of the floor, bent forward in a bow.

Zhao Qingshan fixed his eyes on him, and his voice remained low and measured: “My daughter — I am capable of raising her myself.”

“If you and Xiaoxiao are truly of one heart and mind, I won’t oppose this marriage.”

Tuoba Keyan straightened, clasped his hands toward Zhao Qingshan: “Many thanks to the Old Master for his blessing!”

“There is no need to thank me in haste. In this matter, the most important thing is still Xiaoxiao’s own wishes, and naturally, you must also show me your sincerity.”

With those words said, Zhao Qingshan waved his hand.

“Have a seat — the matter between you and Xiaoxiao, we’ll speak of it later.”

“Thank you, Old Master.” Tuoba Keyan clasped his hands, rose to his feet, turned, and followed a maid to take a seat at an open spot.

Feng Jiu’er had been watching the scene unfolding in the hall the whole time, and had not spoken a single word on Tuoba Keyan’s behalf.

Only when Tuoba Keyan was seated did she withdraw her gaze.

“Father, shall we have the meal first?” Zhao Yusheng stood and looked at Zhao Qingshan, making the suggestion softly.

“Very well.” Zhao Qingshan gave a nod and waved his hand.

Throughout the noon meal, the main hall remained quiet. From beginning to end, Feng Jiu’er said barely a few words.

Once the meal was over, the steward led the maids in to clear the table. Tea and refreshments were set out, and they all withdrew.

Zhao Yusheng stood and came to the center of the hall, looking at Zhao Qingshan.

“Father.” He clasped his hands and called out softly.

“Miss Feng — did you not have something to say?” Zhao Qingshan swept a glance at Feng Jiu’er and asked in a mild tone.

“Yes.” Feng Jiu’er stood, clasped her hands in greeting, then sat back down. “Zhao Yusheng, for this matter, let me speak to the Old Master directly.”

Zhao Yusheng turned to look at her, gave a nod, and returned to his seat.

Feng Jiu’er picked up her teacup, took a gentle sip, and said softly: “To be candid with you, Old Master — I have come this time to speak with you about a partnership.”

“Go ahead.” Zhao Qingshan replied mildly.

Not only was his voice indifferent, but his expression was the same, giving off an air of utter disregard. Facing that, Feng Jiu’er felt no small amount of pressure.

She knew that the Old Master had been willing to see her this time because Zhao Yusheng had put in considerable effort.

Feng Jiu’er curved her lips faintly and did not lose heart.

She lifted a cup of tea and raised it toward Zhao Qingshan: “Old Master, I hope to work together with Zhao Family Stronghold to reclaim the entirety of Black Gorge.”

“Reclaim the entirety of Black Gorge?” Zhao Qingshan met Feng Jiu’er’s gaze, his brows creasing slightly.

“Yes.” Feng Jiu’er smiled and raised her cup once more, tilted her head back, and drained every drop of tea in it.

She lowered her head, met Zhao Qingshan’s gaze with steady composure, sat back down unhurriedly, and set the teacup down with bold ease.

“We spent over two months in Black Gorge and found the treasure — has Zhao Yusheng mentioned this to the Old Master?” Feng Jiu’er asked softly.

Zhao Qingshan cast a sideways glance at Zhao Yusheng, and his voice carried a trace of coldness.

“That boy has long since become your person — Miss Feng, why ask what you already know?”

“I trust Zhao Yusheng, and I trust the Old Master as well.” Feng Jiu’er smiled faintly.

“Zhao Family Stronghold is full of talented people, and with great numbers of soldiers. If Zhao Yusheng had betrayed us, the treasure would never have been mine to find in the first place — wouldn’t you say so, Old Master?”

“That is certainly so.” Zhao Qingshan replied in a low voice.

Feng Jiu’er looked at him with the same respect she would show her own elders.

“And yet with the Old Master’s wisdom, how could you possibly not have known what we were doing?”

“Not only did you not stop us — you even agreed to let Xiaoxiao bring troops to assist us. To help us enter Black Pond Clan smoothly, you ceded territory and paid silver.”

“Old Master, every single thing you have done, Jiu’er has kept close to heart.”

At that, Feng Jiu’er picked up the teapot and poured herself a cup, then stood.

“When word came that we had found the treasure, you showed no intention of seizing it — you even agreed to let your sworn son lead troops to escort us back.”

“The kindness the Old Master has shown Jiu’er, Jiu’er will not forget as long as she lives. And so — with tea standing in for wine — I offer my thanks.”

Feng Jiu’er gave the Old Master a respectful bow, raised the cup with both hands, and drained it in one go.

She lowered her head and set the cup down, then continued: “However, there is one point on which you may have misunderstood, Old Master.”

“Zhao Yusheng is not my person. Everyone who has come with me today — they are all my brothers.”

“We have faced life and death together, and it is for the sake of a belief we all share.”

As Feng Jiu’er spoke, she did not forget to turn and look back.

Past Qiao Mu and Jian Yi, her gaze landed on Tuoba Keyan, and her brows gave a faint knit: “We are all brothers — sharing life and death — every one of them an exceptional brother worth having.”

Feng Jiu’er curved her lips faintly, withdrew her gaze, and looked back at the Old Master.

“Who would willingly stand beneath another, when they could be their own master? My goal is to reclaim Black Gorge and establish a territory of our own.”

The Old Master had just reached for his cup when he furrowed his brows: “For someone not yet grown, your ambitions are quite large.”

“Father, Jiu’er truly has the capability.” Zhao Yusheng stood and said softly.

Zhao Qingshan shot Zhao Yusheng a glance and set down the cup in his hand: “That point I do believe as well.”

Feng Jiu’er looked at the Old Master, and gave a blink: “Then the Old Master means — you are willing to work with me?”

Zhao Qingshan closed his eyes and drew in a deep breath.

“All I want is for my people to live well. Everything else — the two of you can discuss it.”

With that, he stood.

“That boy Zhao Yusheng has plenty of schemes, but lacks steadiness — in that regard, my sworn son surpasses him.”

“The matters of Zhao Family Stronghold can be left to the two of you going forward. My one condition is this: no matter what happens, the lives of the people come before all else.”

“If the two of you cannot do that, tell me now — my health is fine, and I can still hold on for many more years.”

“The two of you think it over carefully — give me your answer in three days!”

Zhao Qingshan swept his robes aside and stepped forward: “Elder Feng, come — let us go have a drink.”

“With pleasure.” Elder Feng smiled and rose to his feet.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone present, Zhao Qingshan led Elder Feng away, and even the remaining elders took their leave as well.

The Lady of the House glanced at Zhao Yusheng, then took Zhao Xiaoxiao’s hand and followed the others out.

Zhao Qingshan’s change had come so suddenly that Feng Jiu’er could not quite take it in.

“Jiu’er.” Qiao Mu looked at the person beside her and furrowed her brows. “Jiu’er.”

Feng Jiu’er had been staring at the hall’s entrance the whole time, until Qiao Mu’s voice pulled her back to her senses.

She withdrew her gaze and looked at Qiao Mu: “What — why are you calling for me?”