Yu Jingfeng glanced at Di Wu Ya, looking very anxious.

He shifted his gaze, landing on Feng Jiu’er: “Miss Jiu’er, you… how did you know the Prince likes to eat peaches?”

Feng Jiu’er held the peach, raising her eyes to look at Yu Jingfeng.

At the same moment, even Di Wuyou shot Yu Jingfeng a sidelong glance.

Yu Jingfeng took a deep breath and, very uncomfortably, lowered his head.

Only then did Feng Jiu’er react, realizing that the man beside her needed her attention.

Well, since he was so handsome, and had even given up an entire empire for her sake, she should properly look after him.

Feng Jiu’er set down the peach and picked up the grapes she hadn’t finished eating, plucking one off.

She skillfully peeled the grape skin and offered the flesh to Di Wu Ya.

Di Wu Ya looked at Feng Jiu’er, his expression finally softening.

Feng Jiu’er leaned closer and placed the grape flesh in Di Wu Ya’s mouth.

She looked at him, lightly pressing her pink lips together, and asked, “Ninth Imperial Uncle, don’t you think Yu Jingfeng has especially loved lying lately?”

Feng Jiu’er’s words nearly choked Yu Jingfeng to death.

He forcefully thumped his own chest twice before managing to swallow the fruit flesh stuck in his throat.

“Miss Jiu’er, I didn’t—”

“How did he deceive my Jiu’er?” Di Wu Ya’s tone was full of doting indulgence.

Everyone present silently prayed for Yu Jingfeng — after all, he’d dared to deceive even their lord’s beloved.

Yu Jingfeng stared at Feng Jiu’er without blinking; let alone arguing back, he didn’t even dare to speak.

Feng Jiu’er, however, was unhurried, feeding Di Wu Ya another piece of grape flesh.

“Ninth Imperial Uncle, think about it — you clearly like grapes, yet Yu Jingfeng said you liked peaches. If he wasn’t lying, then he simply didn’t investigate properly.”

“And another thing—” Feng Jiu’er deliberately paused, peeling off another grape.

Yu Jingfeng grew more and more nervous, so nervous that the banana in his hand had its flesh squeezed right out.

The poor banana, its flesh squeezed out, fell to the ground.

Everyone knew that as long as Miss Jiu’er gently called out “Ninth Imperial Uncle,” their lord would probably be willing to pluck even the stars from the sky for her.

Yu Jingfeng wanted to protest his innocence — hadn’t he only said the Prince liked peaches because he’d had no other choice? Otherwise, how would Miss Jiu’er have remembered that the Prince needed her attention?

Unfortunately, everyone also knew that in front of the Prince, Miss Jiu’er’s words were as good as imperial decree — there was no right or wrong to it.

Feng Jiu’er’s single phrase “and another thing” made Yu Jingfeng even more tense.

She handed Di Wu Ya a third piece of fruit flesh and continued, “And another thing — Yu Jingfeng said women here have no status at all. I don’t quite see it that way, do you?”

“Ninth Imperial Uncle, didn’t those women just now stare at other men without even blinking?”

“If them ogling other women’s men counts as being unfaithful to their own men, then why doesn’t the government lock them all up?”

Feng Jiu’er shook her head, withdrawing her gaze from Di Wu Ya, and turned back to pick up the bunch of grapes.

“I hate most of all when women secretly peek at my man — and of course, I also dislike liars.”

Feng Jiu’er pinched a grape between her fingers, raising her eyes to meet Yu Jingfeng’s gaze.

“Yu Jingfeng, are you certain you didn’t ask around incorrectly? Is it really so unfair toward women here?”

“Or is it that you think I’m not gentle enough with Ninth Imperial Uncle, and said this on purpose?” Feng Jiu’er’s question startled the grown man so badly that he barely managed to steady his breath before daring to glance at Di Wu Ya.

Instead, what he received was Di Wu Ya’s sharp, piercing gaze. Yu Jingfeng immediately withdrew his eyes and lowered his head.

“Miss Jiu’er, this matter of gathering information has always been handled by Long Shiyi. I merely reported what was told to me truthfully.”

“As for whether it’s accurate or not, only Long Shiyi would know.”

Long Shiyi had just stood up to ladle himself a bowl of soup. Hearing Yu Jingfeng’s words, he glanced over at him, then sat back down.

“Lord Yu, what are you talking about? I don’t quite understand what you two—”

Yu Jingfeng coughed loudly, cutting off Long Shiyi’s words.

Long Shiyi turned his head to look at Feng Jiu’er, furrowing his brow slightly, a faint smile on his lips.

“Right, Miss Jiu’er, all the information was gathered by me — but whether it’s actually true, I don’t know either.”

“This is the first time we’ve come ashore here. Many things still need to be confirmed.”

“So you’re saying that this country’s severe gender inequality hasn’t been confirmed yet?” Feng Jiu’er glanced at Yu Jingfeng and asked gently.

“No.” Yu Jingfeng shook his head, then nodded, then shook his head again. “Not yet, Miss Jiu’er. Should I go find out right now?”

“No need.” Feng Jiu’er fed Di Wu Ya another piece of grape flesh. “After drifting at sea for so long, everyone should have a proper meal first.”

“Once we’re full, we’ll go find my father.”

Feng Jiu’er stood up, ladled herself a bowl of soup, and returned to Di Wu Ya’s side.

“Ninth Imperial Uncle, if I don’t like it here, can Yu Jingfeng find us a better country? I prefer places where men and women are equal.”

“Alright.” Di Wu Ya nodded in indulgent response.

The corner of Feng Jiu’er’s mouth curved into a sweet smile. She leaned in and fed Di Wu Ya a spoonful of soup.

She turned and glanced around at everyone, her gaze landing on Yu Jingfeng: “Everyone, eat up. Don’t waste time.”

“Yes.” Yu Jingfeng nodded, secretly letting out a breath of relief.

Though he still felt somewhat fearful, he steeled himself and sat down anyway.

“Miss Jiu’er, from here to Prince Ye’s city, it takes three days and three nights riding at full speed.”

“Should we send word ahead to Prince Ye, to let him know the good news that you’re coming to find him?”

“No need.” Feng Jiu’er shook her head. “I want to give my father a surprise.”

“By the way, has there been any news of my father during this time?”

Yu Jingfeng looked at Feng Jiu’er and shook his head: “Not for now. Since Miss Jiu’er said earlier you wanted to surprise Prince Ye, I haven’t sent word ahead to the brothers.”

“But before we came ashore, I already sent them a message. According to the plan, some brothers should be coming to meet us around this time.”

“Good.” Feng Jiu’er nodded and waved a hand. “Everyone eat. Once we’re full, we’ll set off. I’m already a little impatient to see my father.”

“Yes.” The Feilong Shi’er Qi nodded in unison.

Watching how intimate Feng Jiu’er and Di Wu Ya were together, everyone felt cheerful, especially Yu Jingfeng.

As long as the Prince was happy, the sun would shine — this was a fact all the brothers understood well.

Everyone ate their fill, then took along some fruit and pastries and left the inn.

Just as when they’d entered, Feng Jiu’er walked out of the inn with a tender, affectionate look, her arm linked through Di Wu Ya’s.

The moment they all stepped onto the street, they saw a man riding swiftly toward them on horseback.

Before the horse had even fully stopped, the man dismounted and knelt before Di Wu Ya and Feng Jiu’er.

“My lord, it’s bad — Prince Ye, he… something has happened to him.”