“It’s not too serious, but you shouldn’t move around carelessly now.” Feng Jiu’er set down Yue Qinchun’s foot.

“It’s fine, Jiu’er, I’ll just carry her.” Feng Yinan said.

“Mm.” Feng Jiu’er nodded.

Yue Qinchun pressed her lips together and spoke again. “Jiu’er, I’m sorry! I’ve caused you all so much trouble.”

“Stop blaming yourself. From now on, you can’t act alone when we’re out, understood?” Feng Jiu’er looked at Yue Qinchun with some sternness.

Thankfully nothing had happened to her—otherwise she wouldn’t have known how to explain it to Sister Hua.

Feng Jiu’er could probably guess why this girl had gone to the pool in the middle of the night.

Earlier today, she’d noticed the girl by the pool, supposedly catching fish but really just staring at Jian Yi the whole time.

She couldn’t sleep, and had gone back to that spot to relive the day’s moments, hadn’t she?

“I understand.” Yue Qinchun lowered her head and nodded.

“Jiu’er, take them back first, I’ll go deal with those people.” Feng Jiang knew his woman valued loyalty and righteousness deeply.

Since the bandits had wronged one of their own, they deserved to be punished accordingly.

“Alright, take care of yourself!” Feng Jiu’er nodded in response.

Just a few dozen men—her third brother wouldn’t suffer any losses against them.

“I’m going too.” Qiao Mu looked back into the depths of the forest.

“Why don’t we head out first?” Feng Yinan glanced back.

“There are a lot of bees over there right now, and those little fellows only listen to me—now’s not the time to go in.”

Feng Jiu’er finally understood why the wails and howls had kept echoing from within.

She looked at Feng Yinan, the corners of her mouth curving up slightly.

“Since Yinan has already gotten revenge for Qinchun, let’s just head back.”

“Qiao Mu, let’s go, if Yinan says it’s fine, then it’s fine.”

Qiao Mu turned back and sighed softly. “Let’s go.”

That Feng Yinan could communicate with animals was something Feng Jiu’er knew, and Qiao Mu knew too.

What’s more, Qiao Mu, who had once been chased by bees, was still terrified of the little creatures to this day.

Once decided, everyone turned to head out, except Yang Sheng, who stayed behind.

“Should I carry Miss Yue on my back? I can do it.”

Yue Qinchun blinked, very much wanting to shake her head.

Fortunately, before she could say anything, Feng Yinan’s voice came down.

“No need, but thanks!” Feng Yinan dropped that line and strode forward after the others.

Yang Sheng, seeing there was no issue, said nothing more and followed along.

He only wanted to help out with things for everyone, with no other intentions.

On the way back, Jian Yi gave up his horse and sat behind Feng Jiu’er.

Feng Yinan carried Yue Qinchun onto a horse, one hand holding the reins, the other wrapped around her waist.

“Miss Yue, I meant no offense, please don’t mind it.”

Yue Qinchun leaned back, looking up at him.

“May I ask, what is your name?”

“Feng Yinan.” Feng Yinan said a few words and pulled the reins.

The horse carried the two of them forward, not slow in pace.

“Brother Feng, thank you!” Yue Qinchun gently gripped Feng Yinan’s arm.

“No need to be so polite, we’re all one family.” Feng Yinan said softly.

Feng Yinan treasured this big family of the Tianji Hall greatly. To him, family mattered a great deal.

“Family”—such a simple word, yet it warmed the heart of young Yue Qinchun.

Unconsciously, she tightened her grip on the firm arm she was holding.

After several horses had passed, the two squirrels and a short wild horse, laden with bundles, followed along behind.

Riding swiftly, before long, everyone returned to the campsite.

The sky wasn’t yet too dark, and Feng Jiu’er had no intention of moving to another location.

If the bandits dared to come, all the better—she wanted to have a good talk with these shameless men herself.

Feng Yinan carried Yue Qinchun into the women’s tent.

Yang Sheng fetched a basin of water, and Qiao Mu wiped her foot clean.

Feng Jiu’er massaged it a few times, applied medicine, and bandaged it.

As Feng Jiu’er was leaving, Feng Yinan came over and handed Yue Qinchun a water pouch.

Seeing how good everyone was being to her, Yue Qinchun felt even more guilty.

“I’m sorry!” The words came out hoarse.

Everyone in the tent turned to look at this young girl.

Yue Qinchun was not yet sixteen, and tonight’s events had truly frightened her.

“Ah, it’s fine!” Qiao Mu sat down on the blanket beside her and took off her boots.

“Really, it’s fine, as long as you’re okay. Once your foot heals tomorrow, sis will take you to get revenge.”

“Yinan, Yang Sheng, you two head out first, get some good rest. Whatever needs discussing can wait until we’re back on the road tomorrow.” Feng Jiu’er sat down too.

“Alright.” Yang Sheng nodded and turned to leave.

Feng Yinan nodded as well. “Then I’ll head out, get some good rest.”

The two men left, and only the three women remained in the tent.

Qiao Mu gave Yue Qinchun a smile and lay down.

“Little one, sleep, it’s nothing major, just stick close to us from now on.”

“Mm.” Yue Qinchun glanced at Qiao Mu and wiped her nose.

Feng Jiu’er looked at her and nodded.

Yue Qinchun lay down, and Feng Jiu’er lay down as well.

“Don’t be afraid! We’re here.” Feng Jiu’er would be lying if she said she wasn’t worried at all.

She had promised Sister Hua that she would take good care of this girl.

“Jiu’er, I understand.” Yue Qinchun nodded, turning to face away from the other two.

“Anyway, thank you both, I won’t run off recklessly anymore.”

Qiao Mu looked at her small frame and frowned. “You’d better not run off.”

“Mm.” Yue Qinchun nodded again.

Thinking of Feng Yinan, Yue Qinchun laced her fingers together.

She thought of him descending from above, thought of him carrying her as he ran, thought of him holding her tightly as the horse galloped forward.

Her heart pounded rapidly, not the slightest trace of sleepiness left.

Feng Jiu’er kept watching Yue Qinchun’s back, knowing she wasn’t asleep.

After a while, she spoke softly. “Qinchun, why did you go to the pool alone?”

If the girl had been frightened, she bore some responsibility too. If she’d known Hero Jian Yi was so oblivious to romance, perhaps she shouldn’t have brought the little one along.

Yue Qinchun turned over to meet Feng Jiu’er’s gaze.

Just as Feng Jiu’er was about to say something more, she laced her fingers together and bit her lip.

“Jiu’er, that… Brother Feng, has he… married yet?”

Qiao Mu, who had been about to fall asleep, instead heard something rather scandalous.

“Little sister Qinchun, don’t tell me you’ve fallen for Yinan?” She blinked, the corners of her mouth curving up slightly.

“Well, it’s not bad if you like Yinan, he’s better than Jian Yi anyway—that guy’s way too cold, he’s got no warmth for anyone except Jiu’er.”

“In my opinion, you should go for Yinan. Sure, he’s not as handsome as Jian Yi, but he’s super friendly, and he’s got a kind heart.”

“You haven’t seen him with animals—trust your sister Qiao Mu, this man can be relied on.”

Feng Jiu’er couldn’t help but burst out laughing at the woman who had said all that in one breath, her gaze landing on Qinchun.

If Qinchun and Yinan got together, she’d feel at ease too!

Yinan was a good man, little Qinchun was a good girl, and the more she looked at them, the better matched they seemed.

But whether it worked out or not depended on the two of them—the decision wasn’t hers to make.