Passing through the tree-lined path, two roads appeared ahead.

Jian Yi pulled the reins, slowing the carriage.

Gong Xinyue, gripping the curtain, turned her head to look at Feng Jiu’er.

“Jiu’er, straight ahead is South Mountain Quiet Convent. Let’s go there first — once we’re inside, there’s a path leading to the inns as well.”

“All right.” Feng Jiu’er nodded.

Jian Yi pulled on the reins, speeding the carriage forward without turning onto the branching path.

Soon, the four large characters “South Mountain Quiet Convent” appeared ahead. Beneath the large plaque, quite a few commoners stood trading goods, and here and there one could faintly make out shaven-headed women dressed as nuns.

“Jiu’er, they’re purchasing medicinal herbs.” Gong Xinyue tossed out the remark, stood, and pointed to one side.

“Jian Yi, let’s park the carriage over there.”

“All right.” Jian Yi nodded and turned the horse’s head.

Their carriage pulled onto a patch of grass, where two other carriages and a dozen or so horses were already gathered.

On the grass, a young stable hand had just placed a pile of dry hay into a trough between two horses when he turned around. He looked carefully at the approaching carriage, wiped his hands on the cloth tied around his waist, raised the corners of his mouth, and stepped forward to greet them.

“Honored guests, are you here to choose an inn?”

The stable hand had seen much in his time — those who came by carriage were usually not there to buy herbs, so they were most likely tourists.

“If you’d like to choose an inn, please follow me — it’s very spacious inside, and carriages can go in as well.” The stable hand gestured toward Jian Yi and Gong Xinyue.

Gong Xinyue jumped down from the carriage, facing the young man.

“We’re just passing tourists — we heard about the story of South Mountain Villa, and that’s why we chose to come here.”

“But it’s still early, we’re not in a hurry to check in. We just want to go in and look around for now.”

“Is it all right to leave the carriage here?”

“That’s fine, that’s fine.” The stable hand nodded vigorously.

He bowed with a smile, then stepped over to take the reins from Jian Yi’s hands.

“Honored guests, please go on in and enjoy yourselves. Don’t be fooled — this may look like a medicine farm, but really, there’s everything here for food, drink, and entertainment.”

The stable hand untied a small token from his waist and offered it up with both hands to Jian Yi.

“Coachman, sir, please take this. Whenever you’re ready to leave, you can use this token to reclaim your carriage.”

The stable hand glanced at Jian Yi, his face flushing slightly.

Even the coachman is this good-looking — this must really be a household of means. Tsk tsk, this coachman really is handsome. This is the first time I’ve seen such a handsome coachman.

Jian Yi took the token without a word.

The stable hand nodded and turned, tying the other token to the horse. He gently stroked the horse, then hurried around to stand beside Gong Xinyue.

“Miss, you’re all set — please go enjoy yourselves with peace of mind.”

“If there’s anything you don’t understand, you can ask our colleagues inside, or come back and find me.”

“Mm.” Gong Xinyue nodded and turned to head back.

Jian Yi got down from the carriage, turned, and extended his hand toward Feng Jiu’er.

Feng Jiu’er took his hand and stepped down from the carriage. Qiao Mu followed close behind her.

Long Shiyi and a few brothers appeared on the road they’d come from. Feng Jiu’er’s gaze swept over them but didn’t linger.

The stable hand respectfully saw the group off, then turned back to attend to Long Shiyi and the other “young masters” still on horseback.

“There aren’t as many people here as before,” Gong Xinyue said, walking ahead and glancing at the trading area.

“Might be because of the war, but thankfully, this war didn’t last too long — it hasn’t affected the common people too badly.”

Gong Xinyue turned back to look at Feng Jiu’er, admiration in her eyes. She admired Feng Jiu’er, was grateful to her, and also admired Feng Jiu’er’s man and Qiao Mu’s man.

They really are good people, both of them.

“Jiu’er, this way.” Before they got too close to the crowd, Gong Xinyue turned onto another path.

“This path leads into South Mountain Quiet Convent. I don’t know what’s inside, only that there’s a road from there leading to the inns.”

“Sister, you’re finally here.” Not far off, a small, adorable girl came running toward them.

Hearing the voice, Gong Xinyue looked up.

“Xing’er, why are you here?”

Gong Xing’er, looking overjoyed, ran up and threw her arms around Gong Xinyue.

“Sister, I finally see you, sister, Xing’er missed you so much!”

Gong Xinyue patted the little one’s back and gave a light cough.

“Xing’er, it’s been a while, and you’ve gotten even stronger.”

Gong Xing’er giggled and let go of Gong Xinyue.

“Sister, sorry!” She looked up at Gong Xinyue, her brows curving. “Did I squeeze you too tight?”

“Mm.” Gong Xinyue nodded.

Before she could say anything more, Gong Xing’er tossed out another “Sorry!” and, poking her head out from Gong Xinyue’s embrace, looked toward the others behind her.

“Are you Jiu’er and Sister Qiao? And, and…”

Her eyes landed on Jian Yi, and she froze completely, stunned.

“Wow.” Gong Xinyue swallowed hard. “So it’s true, Dragon Shadow really is full of handsome men, just like sister said.”

“Even the coachman is this good-looking? Sister, I like this coachman. Can I marry him?”

Konk! Gong Xing’er’s head was smacked, hard.

“Ow.” Gong Xing’er clutched her head, looking up. “Sister, what was that for?”

“Stop embarrassing yourself!” Gong Xinyue shot her a glare, took her hand, and pulled her around.

“Jiu’er, this is my cousin. She lost her parents young, and her personality’s always been like this — no sense of boundaries.”

Gong Xinyue lowered her eyes, staring at Gong Xing’er.

“Jiu’er — is that a name you get to just say?” she scolded quietly.

“None of that.” Feng Jiu’er’s lips curved slightly as she stepped forward.

“Xing’er, hello! From now on, just call me Jiu’er.”

She extended her hand toward Gong Xing’er.

Gong Xing’er looked up, glanced smugly at her sister, and the moment she withdrew her gaze, threw herself at Feng Jiu’er.

Feng Jiu’er, caught off guard, gave a light cough before steadying herself.

“Jiu’er.” Gong Xing’er held onto her, her pink lips nearly pressed against Feng Jiu’er’s ear.

“You’re so pretty, I know you deliberately made yourself look plain, didn’t you? Sister said you’re the most beautiful woman under heaven, I really like you.”

Feng Jiu’er blinked, then, recovering, gently embraced her back, patting her small hand against her back.

“Xing’er, your sister said you’re strong — I’ve really felt it now.”

Hearing Feng Jiu’er’s words, the smile on Gong Xing’er’s face vanished instantly.

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” She immediately let go of Feng Jiu’er.

“Jiu’er, I’m sorry! I’ve been waiting here for you two days. Seeing you, I just got so excited!”

“I’m sorry! Did I hurt you?”

Gong Xing’er took hold of one of Feng Jiu’er’s hands, examining it from side to side.

“Where does it hurt? I brought medicinal liniment — let me rub it for you?”