“Well said.” Feng Jiu’er’s lips curved up slightly. “Such a stubborn one, finally come around—wishing you success!”

“Thank you!” Feng Jiang gave Feng Jiu’er a faint smile and raised the teacup in his hand.

“Brother-in-law, wishing you success!” Xiao Yingtao raised her cup as well.

The three of them clinked their cups together and drained the tea inside in one go.

Across the courtyard rang out Xiao Yingtao’s giggling laughter.

Qiaomu raised an eyebrow now and then, but didn’t seem to take any of this to heart.

Feng Jiu’er had her own carriage; neither Feng Jiang nor Yang Sheng were accustomed to riding in carriages, and Jian Yi didn’t care either way.

In the end, the group set off without bringing along the carriages and coachmen Lei Shenbao had prepared.

Feng Jiu’er, Qiaomu, and Yue Qinchun—who had been cooped up at Dragon Shadow for many days—sat together in the carriage.

Jian Yi served as their coachman.

Feng Jiang and Yang Sheng rode on horseback, keeping watch on either side.

There was also another carriage carrying daily supplies, with the horse simply following along after Chasing the Moon—they didn’t even bother with a separate coachman for it.

Lei Teng Inn being short a few people was no great matter; tasks like these came when they came and people left when they wished, and no one would ask too many questions.

Feng Jiu’er and the others came and went without leaving a single trace behind.

Lijun City wasn’t nearly as prosperous as one might imagine.

Wealth tended to cluster in certain areas; the further southeast they traveled, the more desolate things grew.

After three days of travel, the group arrived at a stretch of forest and came to a halt.

By this point, Feng Jiu’er too was riding on horseback.

“Jiu’er.” Feng Jiang circled around at the front and returned to the group.

Yang Sheng was still making his way back.

Feng Jiang turned his horse around and looked into the distance. “Past those few mountains ahead lies the breeding farm Master Lei mentioned.”

“Taking this route would save us more than a day’s travel, but there are quite a few mountain bandits along the way.”

“Bandits are nothing to fear!” Qiaomu leapt down from the carriage in one motion.

After three days of travel, she felt as though her bones were about to come apart, and naturally wanted to arrive sooner rather than later.

Feng Jiang turned to look at Qiaomu, the corner of his mouth lifting, his expression softening. “If no one has any objections, we’ll go this way.”

Qiaomu glanced at him, deliberately looking elsewhere, and stretched.

“I certainly have no objections.” She said it lazily.

“Yang Sheng.” Feng Jiu’er looked at the returning Yang Sheng. “Do you know the situation inside? Roughly how many men are there?”

Yang Sheng came up beside Feng Jiang and cupped his hands toward Feng Jiu’er in salute.

“Doctor Long, according to our scouts, there are over a thousand bandits inside, though they’re fairly scattered, and there’s no shortage of infighting among them. The situation is relatively manageable.”

“It’s a shame Miss Qiao hasn’t fully recovered yet, or else—”

“Worry about beating me first.” Qiaomu looked at Yang Sheng, brow furrowing slightly.

Yang Sheng gave a faint smile and said nothing more.

Feng Jiu’er glanced once more at the distant mountain peaks before withdrawing her gaze.

“Then it’s settled. We move forward, but we won’t travel through the night—let’s find a place to camp and set out again first thing tomorrow.”

“All right.” Yang Sheng nodded. “I’ll go scout ahead. The rest of you follow behind.”

“Mm.” Feng Jiu’er nodded slightly.

Over the course of the journey, she’d come to realize this Yang Sheng was a rather decent person.

Skilled in martial arts, and good-natured too.

The only pity was that someone so loyal and righteous happened to be one of Lei Shenbao’s men.

If not for that, Feng Jiu’er wouldn’t have minded recruiting him herself.

Before nightfall, the six of them set up camp beside a small stream in the forest.

After three full days of starting and stopping, they hadn’t stayed at a single inn, all in the interest of saving time.

This was only the first task Lei Shenbao had set to test them, and Feng Jiu’er had no intention of wasting any more time than necessary.

The moment Yue Qinchun stepped out of the carriage, she was like a horse slipped free of its reins, unable to stay still.

Having finally escaped Dragon Shadow, and finally gotten to follow Jian Yi out on a mission, she could barely contain her excitement.

The weather had turned a bit chilly, but Yue Qinchun still went into the water with Yang Sheng to catch fish, and of course, Jian Yi joined in too.

Feng Jiu’er and Feng Jiang were in the tent discussing matters, and before they knew it, nearly an hour had passed.

When the two of them stepped out, not far away, by the campfire, two men and two women were grilling meat.

The autumn air was crisp and clear, and aside from the slight chill, everything about the grassy clearing in the forest felt pleasant.

“Jiu’er.” Jian Yi saw the two of them emerge and waved her over.

Feng Jiu’er came and sat down beside Jian Yi.

Jian Yi set down the grilled fish in her hand, stood, took off her outer robe, and draped it over Feng Jiu’er’s shoulders.

Watching the two of them, Yue Qinchun found the grilled fish in her own hands had suddenly lost its appeal.

She pressed her lips together, her expression dimming somewhat.

She’d told herself not to let it bother her, but her heart still felt uneasy.

Feng Jiu’er’s stomach growled, and she paid little attention to anything else.

Jian Yi was always like this, putting her first in everything—he was used to it, and so was she.

After grilling the fish a while longer, Jian Yi placed it on a lotus leaf and handed Feng Jiu’er a pair of chopsticks, cradling the whole fish in both hands.

“Jiu’er, eat up.”

“Have you eaten?” Feng Jiu’er looked at him and asked.

“Mm, I have.” Jian Yi nodded.

Feng Jiu’er knew at once that he was lying.

She drew up her legs, set a wooden board across her knees, and glanced at Jian Yi.

Jian Yi placed the grilled fish in his hand onto the board.

“Grill another one.” Feng Jiu’er tossed out the words and began tasting the fresh fish.

She was hungry, so hungry—she’d worry about everything else after filling her stomach.

Still, a fish this large was more than enough for half a portion to satisfy her; the other half she’d leave for the great hero Jian Yi.

Yang Sheng picked up his own grilled fish and touched it with the pad of his finger.

It still seemed a bit too hot, so he set the branch skewering the fish behind him and waved it around for a while.

Finally, he tested the temperature again with his fingertip before standing up.

“Miss Qiao.” Just as Feng Jiang turned to glance at Qiaomu, Yang Sheng had already come up behind her.

Qiaomu turned back to look. “What is it?”

“Miss Qiao, here. The temperature’s just right now.” Yang Sheng held out the fish in his hand.

“Thanks.” Qiaomu took the fish from him and held hers out in return. “Here, take this one in exchange.”

“You’re welcome.” Yang Sheng smiled, dimples appearing on his face.

His looks couldn’t compare to Feng Jiang’s disguised appearance, let alone Feng Jiang’s true face.

But Yang Sheng had that sunny, easygoing quality about him, with a smile that never seemed to leave his face, and it made people feel comfortable around him.

The two exchanged their grilled fish, and Yang Sheng returned to sit on Feng Jiang’s other side.

Feng Jiang watched Qiaomu, who had already started eating, then looked down at the fish in his own hands and tore off a piece of meat.

Watching the man on the ground eating without much appetite, the corner of Feng Jiu’er’s mouth curved upward.

Was her third imperial brother feeling the pressure now? If Yang Sheng were to pursue Qiaomu, how would he handle it?

“Jiu’er, the fish from this stream is really good—eat more.” Qiaomu licked her fingers.

“It really is good!” Feng Jiu’er nodded, lips curving up slightly.

It was only then that she noticed little Yue Qinchun’s mood didn’t seem quite right.

“Jian Yi.” Feng Jiu’er nudged Jian Yi with her elbow. “Go check on how Qinchun’s fish is coming along.”

“Mm.”

Jian Yi nodded, stood up, and walked over.