“Xiaohua.” Yue Jianfei took Tang Xiaohua’s hand.

“Go back.” Tang Xiaohua stepped out of his embrace and turned to face him.

“Go back and wait for news. Our Yue Family Army cannot be left unattended.”

“Yes.” Feng Jiu’er nodded again. “And it’s not only Brother Yue — Long Yi must return immediately as well.”

“Qiao Mu is here with us. Brother Yue must be with the Yue Family Army. The Longqi Army should still be led by Long Yi.”

“Once we’ve determined the route of attack, we’ll send word right away.”

Feng Jiu’er looked at the map — three positions encircling the outer mountain range.

“The distance between our three forces isn’t great right now. At most, half a day’s travel to regroup. There’s no need to converge at this moment.”

“To the west of Lei Family Town lies the broad Song River. It’s not easy for Lei Shenbao’s forces to withdraw either, and besides, he won’t be willing to give up the prize of Li City.”

“What concerns me now is the situation on Feng Qiongcang’s side. So we must eliminate Lei Shenbao quickly and return to Yongshan City.”

“Let’s settle it here then. Pack up and set out now.” Tang Xiaohua stood.

“Xiaohua.” Yue Jianfei took Tang Xiaohua’s hand again.

“I’m not a child. Stop worrying.” Tang Xiaohua gave him a look and pulled her hand free.

“Go back and look after our brothers. I rather hope Chen Hong really is in there.”

Yue Jianfei stood, looking down at his wife, and nodded.

“You must be careful. All these years — I’ve made things hard for you.”

“Hard? What’s hard about it?” Tang Xiaohua shot her man a glance. “If it weren’t for me holding you back, you’d have gone after her long ago.”

“I know. Go on.” Tang Xiaohua waved him off.

“Oh — take that little girl Qin Chun with you. She’s of no use here.”

“Yes, my dear. Understood.” Yue Jianfei nodded.

“I’m sorry to trouble you, Brother Yue — I need to borrow your wife.” Feng Jiu’er said with a slight press of her lips.

“What are you saying?” Tang Xiaohua shot Feng Jiu’er a glance. “He’s hardly as devoted as you all make him out to be.”

“With me away, won’t he be all the more carefree?”

Tang Xiaohua shook her head, turned, and headed out.

“I’m going to check on my daughter first. If there’s anything else, tell me on the road.”

“Alright.” Feng Jiu’er watched Tang Xiaohua’s retreating figure and replied softly.

“Xiaohua.” Yue Jianfei called out once more and sat back down where he was.

“Brother Yue, just keep at it. Our Hua-jie is all tough talk and soft heart.” Feng Jiu’er looked back at Yue Jianfei.

“I know.” Yue Jianfei nodded. “I was wrong. I will make it up to her properly.”

“Jiu’er, let’s continue.”

“Right.” Feng Jiu’er nodded.

The others inside continued deliberating the assault. Tang Xiaohua walked over and pushed open the door to Yue Qinchun’s room.

“Mother, what brings you here?” Yue Qinchun, who had been sitting at the small table beside the bed, looked up, then immediately stood and came forward.

“Your father is taking you back in a little while. I came to check on you.” Tang Xiaohua walked straight in and sat down at the table.

“Back?” Yue Qinchun’s eyes went wide as she stared at her mother.

“Mother, back where with Father? It’s fine here — I don’t want to leave.”

“Is it because of Jian Yi, or because of Feng Yinan?” Tang Xiaohua, picking up the teapot, looked up at Yue Qinchun.

Yue Qinchun blinked her round eyes and found herself unable to say a word.

Tang Xiaohua poured herself a cup of tea and looked up again at the girl before her.

“Qinchun, you’re not yet sixteen. I regret letting you leave in the first place.”

“Look at yourself. What exactly have you been doing all this time?”

Yue Qinchun pressed her lips together and still said nothing.

Tang Xiaohua knew she had guessed correctly.

Jiu’er was run ragged as it was. She had no time to look after the girl. Managing her safety alone was already no small feat.

What’s more, now that she knew Feng Jiu’er’s true identity and understood how heavy their mission was, she could not allow her own daughter to stay and become a distraction.

Tang Xiaohua took a sip of tea and set the cup down.

“Come. Let’s go.” She rose. “We’re at war right now — lives are at stake. You cannot stay any longer.”

“Mother.” Yue Qinchun frowned.

Before she could say another word, Tang Xiaohua had already come to her side and taken her hand.

“Qinchun, I have always thought of you as a sensible girl. Why must you be so difficult?”

“Jiu’er has to fight a war, and she still has to look after you on top of that. Tell me — haven’t you been causing them trouble all along?”

Tang Xiaohua glanced down at the booklet in Yue Qinchun’s other hand and furrowed her brow.

“What is that? Let me see.”

The girl beside her didn’t move. Tang Xiaohua looked up.

“Qinchun, I’m speaking to you. Did you not hear me?”

“Mother.” Yue Qinchun stamped her foot in a fluster.

But she still had no intention of defying Tang Xiaohua. She held out the small booklet.

“Feng-gege gave it to me. He wrote it himself.”

“Feng-gege can communicate with small animals, and these past few days he’s been teaching me their language.”

Tang Xiaohua took the booklet and flipped it open, a small frown crossing her face.

What on earth was this — she genuinely couldn’t make sense of it.

But looking at the page dense with symbols, she could tell that whoever wrote it had put real effort into it.

“Mother, can I stay a little longer?” Yue Qinchun looked at her mother, pressing her lips together softly.

“I know I can’t help much in the fighting, and I know Jiu’er definitely won’t give me any assignments, but I’m not just sitting around doing nothing.”

“When brothers are injured, I can help them bandage wounds, apply medicine, and brew remedies.”

“Mother, I haven’t had the chance to practice my martial skills these days, but I’ve learned a great deal about medicinal herbs and emergency care.”

“When I have time, I read the medical texts Jiu’er gave me, or study the language of small animals with Feng Yinan.”

“Mother, Feng-gege says Jiu’er will inevitably have dealings with venomous creatures and poisons one day. He says if I learn this, maybe I can be of help in the future.”

“I know Jiu’er will become someone remarkable. Mother, I want to be like Feng-gege and the others — I want to follow Jiu’er and do great things.”

Tang Xiaohua set the booklet down and looked back at Yue Qinchun.

“I don’t need you to do great things. Do you understand?”

“Mm.” Yue Qinchun nodded. “But Mother, I don’t want to just sit in the inner chambers forever, waiting to be married off and have children.”

“Mother, I want to be like you — a woman of remarkable mettle.”

“Women should have their own pursuits. We can’t always rely on men. Mother, isn’t that what you taught me?”

“But you’re still young.” Tang Xiaohua’s brow creased.

She reached out and touched Yue Qinchun’s brow.

“Qinchun, you are my daughter. How could I bear to watch you suffer?”

“Jian Yi’s heart belongs to Jiu’er — you won’t get him. And as for the Feng-gege you speak of, I haven’t gotten a clear read on him yet. I’m not at ease.”

“Be good. For now, stay by your father’s side. We’ll talk again once this battle is over.”