Feng Jiu’er led several brothers from the former Heavenly Mechanism Hall who were skilled in medicine, and within three days, trained up several disciples.

Apart from one highly skilled brother who stayed behind to guard the Dragon Shadow pharmacy—the first branch store in Yue City—everyone else was arranged to follow along and leave.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

Tang Xiaohua knew Feng Jiu’er was very busy and didn’t want to bother her by visiting every day.

On the evening before Feng Jiu’er’s departure, Tang Xiaohua arrived early and waited in front of the Dragon Shadow pharmacy.

Seated in the carriage was not only her, but also her daughter, Yue Qinchun.

“Mother, I really want to go to Lì City with them. Mother, can you please put in a word for me?”

“Haven’t I already?” Tang Xiaohua raised an eyebrow and glanced at the person beside her.

“That young man only has eyes for Jiu’er. There’s no use in you going.”

“I don’t mind that.” Yue Qinchun looked at the pharmacy’s entrance, where people were still coming and going.

“Besides, Jiu’er already has a husband. Brother Jian Yi is always alone.”

“Mother, please let me go. I really want to follow them.”

Tang Xiaohua looked at the head beside her and shook her own.

“You say you want to go learn medicine from Jiu’er—I don’t have much objection to that. Anyone with eyes can see Jian Yi has feelings for Jiu’er.”

“Forget about you—even someone as outstanding as Qiao Mu couldn’t catch Jian Yi’s eye. What good would it do you to go?”

“Mother, just think of it as me going to see the world.” Yue Qinchun turned back and wrapped her arm around Tang Xiaohua’s.

“Once I get tired of it, I’ll come back.”

“You think just anyone can follow Jiu’er around?” Tang Xiaohua raised an eyebrow.

“I’m going to study medicine, Mother, I’m going to study medicine, all right?” Yue Qinchun met Tang Xiaohua’s gaze, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly.

“Once I’ve learned what I need, I’ll come back and properly serve Father and Mother.”

“All right, we’ll talk about it more later.” Tang Xiaohua nodded helplessly.

“Thank you, Mother.” Yue Qinchun leaned against Tang Xiaohua’s shoulder, very affectionately.

Tang Xiaohua glanced outside and shifted her position.

Yue Qinchun immediately sat up straight, hands gripping the window sill, practically leaning her entire body out to look outside.

Tang Xiaohua could only shake her head and sigh softly—once a daughter grows up, there’s no holding her back!

“Mother, they’re coming out.” Yue Qinchun said excitedly.

“I know.” Tang Xiaohua casually tossed out the words and stood up.

Yue Qinchun took one more look outside, then also stood and followed Tang Xiaohua off the carriage.

Feng Jiu’er walked out the front door and saw the carriage not far away, along with the people standing in front of it.

She curved her lips slightly and stepped forward to greet them.

“Sister Hua, have you been waiting long?”

“Three days.” Tang Xiaohua said bluntly.

“Knowing you didn’t have time, I had dinner prepared at my place. Come, let’s go over together.”

“All right.” Feng Jiu’er nodded, then turned to look at those who had followed her. “Long Shiyi, go to the Yue residence tonight—let your leader know.”

“Yes, Miss Jiu’er.” Long Shiyi nodded and turned to leave.

Soon, a carriage and horses arrived.

“Jiu’er, you’ve worked hard all day—just ride in the carriage.” Xiao Yingtao said with a smile.

“All right.” Feng Jiu’er nodded.

Feng Jiu’er, Qiao Mu, and Xiao Yingtao boarded the carriage.

On the other side, Tang Xiaohua and Yue Qinchun also returned to their own carriage.

The two carriages set off, with everyone else riding behind on horseback.

“Has there been any word from Yi Nan?” Inside the carriage, Feng Jiu’er leaned back against the specially made cushion.

“There should be news tomorrow—he usually sends a letter back every five days.” Xiao Yingtao answered softly.

“Don’t worry, Jiu’er. Yi Nan has always been good at handling small animals, so having him track the poison trail is the best fit there could be.”

“To get a foothold in the Feng Clan, we’ll need a thorough understanding of poisons.” Qiao Mu uncorked her water pouch and took a drink.

She looked ahead, her gaze unfocused, lost in thought.

“Jiu’er.” Xiao Yingtao glanced at her, then returned her gaze to Feng Jiu’er.

“Do you think the woman who took Prince Ye away might also be one of his admirers?”

“She clearly knows Feng Qiongcang is searching everywhere for Prince Ye, yet she dared to brazenly bring him back into the Feng Clan—this person can’t be simple.”

Xiao Yingtao’s words made Feng Jiu’er think of someone.

“I remember there’s a woman named Han Ying by Feng Qiongcang’s side—she’s clearly had her eye on my father for some time now, more than just a day or two.”

“I remember this person too.” Qiao Mu withdrew her gaze and furrowed her brow.

“Skilled in martial arts, vicious at heart—though, in the end, she belongs to Feng Qiongcang.”

“It doesn’t matter—let’s just have Sister Hua look into one more person.” Feng Jiu’er took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.

Could Father really be in Lì City? She hoped so, so much. She couldn’t wait to see him again!

The carriage fell quiet for a while, then came to a stop.

As Feng Jiu’er, Qiao Mu, and Xiao Yingtao got off the carriage, Tang Xiaohua and Yue Qinchun were already standing beside it.

Even Yue Xingchen had come striding out to greet them at the gate of the Yue residence.

The evening banquet was arranged in a quiet little courtyard within the Yue residence—besides Feng Jiu’er’s people, only Tang Xiaohua and her son and daughter were present.

The moon had already risen high, and it was getting late.

Everyone gathered around a large round table, the table laden with wine and dishes.

“Let’s begin. A’Jiu has matters to attend to and couldn’t make it.”

When Miss Jiu’er called him “A’Jiu,” who could possibly object?

If not “A’Jiu,” then she could only call him “Sect Leader”—she certainly couldn’t keep saying “Your Highness” all day, every day; that would only invite unnecessary trouble.

“Good, everyone, please don’t stand on ceremony!”

After a whole day of exhaustion, no one held back, and within less than half an hour, everyone was nearly full.

The maidservants cleared away the leftover dishes, brought out tea snacks and fine wine, and withdrew once more.

Long Shiyi patted his rounded, full belly and stood up.

“Miss Jiu’er, I’ll go keep watch outside. Take your time chatting.”

“Mm.” Feng Jiu’er nodded.

Long Shiyi turned and walked off some distance.

“Sister Hua, how much do you know about the situation in Lì City?” Feng Jiu’er picked up her teacup and blew on the tea foam.

A sip of refreshing tea went down, cutting through the greasiness from the meal—it felt, all in all, quite good.

“The city lord of Lì City is Lei Shenbao—everyone calls him ‘Black Panther.’ He’s wealthy and overbearing, with eight wives at home, and from what I hear, quite the lecher.”

Tang Xiaohua said this, then glanced sideways at Yue Qinchun.

Yue Qinchun immediately stood up and went to pour another cup of tea for Feng Jiu’er.

“To be honest, we’re not well acquainted with Lei Shenbao, and it seems my husband doesn’t think too highly of him either.” Tang Xiaohua continued.

“A while back, in the black market area southeast of Yue City, a batch of venomous creatures went missing, and the matter nearly got pinned on my husband.”

“What happened after that, I never bothered to find out—it wasn’t my concern.”

“But I heard that in the end, it was Black Panther who took over the breeding operation for the venomous creatures from the black market—seems he’s quite close with Feng Qiongcang.”

Only Tang Xiaohua would dare address the Emperor by his given name so directly.

When she said that name, even her own son and daughter couldn’t help but glance at her.

Indeed, Sister Hua was Sister Hua—clear in her loves and hatreds.