As soon as they landed and met up with their allies, the group set off westward without delay.

Inside the carriage, the ally who had come to meet them said, “Miss Jiu’er, the fighting has stopped for now, but our army and the armies of the Three Cities are still in a standoff. They say that unless the Night Prince comes to negotiate with them in person, there’s nothing to discuss.”

“On one hand, the prince has been reorganizing the recaptured cities; on the other, he’s been locked in a battle of wits with the lords of the Three Cities. I’ve met all three city lords myself. The lord of Liuchuan City is silent and reserved—doesn’t say a word, and no one knows what he’s thinking. Yí Cheng and Yì Cheng are said to be sister cities, but in truth, the two lords don’t get along at all—our attempts to negotiate with them have been, frankly, a waste of time.”

“Sigh,” the man sighed softly. “Miss Jiu’er, I think if you and the Night Prince hadn’t come back soon, the prince would have gone to war already.”

The man speaking was one of the leaders under the Feilong Shi’er Qi, someone Feng Jiu’er recognized.

“Mm,” Feng Jiu’er nodded lightly, closing her eyes. “I’ll rest my eyes for a moment—go ahead and tell me everything that’s happened in detail.”

“Yes, Miss Jiu’er.” The leader cupped his hands and glanced at the two men seated on either side. Feng Jiang and Feng Li still wore their human-skin masks, and the man who’d boarded the carriage had only recognized Feng Jiu’er. He didn’t ask further and continued recounting everything that had happened over this period, in the army and in every city.

Di Wuya’s army was currently facing off against the armies of the three western cities in the western part of Pingyuan City. Feng Jiu’er and the others had come ashore where the eastern part of Pingyuan City bordered Yongshan City, and now needed to cross the entire city to join the main army.

The group traveled for five days and five nights, switching horses several times, and finally, at dawn on the sixth day, arrived at Heyuan County, where the army was stationed. The moment they entered Heyuan County, the roads on either side were lined almost entirely with soldiers in matching uniforms. Everyone showed great warmth at the return of Feng Jiu’er and the others.

Feng Jiu’er took her horse, Zhuiyue, from one of the men, leapt onto its back, and galloped forward. Long Yi, who had come to welcome them, followed close behind.

“Miss Jiu’er, the prince is in the middle of final negotiations with the lords of the Three Cities. Both sides have been at a standstill all night with no results. Miss Jiu’er, are you heading to the camp to find the prince?”

Zhuiyue ran swiftly, and Long Yi struggled to keep up, even his words coming out strained, afraid the person ahead wouldn’t hear him.

“Yes.” Feng Jiu’er’s cheerful voice carried back to him. “Take me there—let’s see who dares bully my husband!”

“Got it.” The corner of Long Yi’s mouth lifted as he snapped the reins. “Hyah!”

With Long Yi leading the way, in less than an hour, Feng Jiu’er arrived at the military camp. At last, she stood outside the largest tent.

Feng Jiu’er leapt down from her horse and, without a thought for Zhuiyue, let it go free and ran alone toward the tent.

“Miss Jiu’er,” the soldiers standing guard outside called out in unison. Soldiers from the Three Cities were present too, but seeing only a delicate-looking woman, none of them said anything.

Feng Jiu’er strode forward and lifted the curtain. That devastatingly handsome face appeared before her eyes. Feng Jiu’er stopped in her tracks, pressing her lips together, her eyes growing a little damp.

Seated in the seat of honor, Di Wuya released his teacup and stood.

“Husband.” Feng Jiu’er called out softly and leapt forward. In two or three steps, she crossed the several yards of open space and threw herself into Di Wuya’s arms.

Though no one said it aloud, Feng Jiu’er knew this whole time had been hard on this man. If she hadn’t sent word saying that among the Three Cities were still many of her father’s former subordinates, he would have gone to war long ago, wouldn’t he?

Di Wuya swept his sleeve aside and wrapped Feng Jiu’er’s small frame entirely in his embrace. He didn’t want anyone else to see his wife looking so captivating.

“Husband, Jiu’er missed you.” Feng Jiu’er hugged him back tightly.

“You’ve been through a lot,” Di Wuya said, gently stroking her small head.

During this time, Di Wuya had wanted countless times to go meet his little girl himself, but had been unable to, forced to stay behind. Going, was for her sake; staying, was also for her sake. That feeling of helplessness was something no one who hadn’t experienced it could ever understand.

“Who’s this?” Down in the tent, the most formidable-looking man stood up.

Feng Jiu’er nuzzled against Di Wuya a moment longer before letting go and turning around. She took his hand, and together, they sat down on the couch.

“This must be the lord of Yì Cheng, Lord Jia, is that right?” Feng Jiu’er asked, looking at the man who had stood up.

“That’s me!” The man studied Feng Jiu’er. “Who are you? Do you even understand the situation right now? How dare a mere woman just walk in like this?”

“Lord Jia, don’t underestimate women so much,” another voice spoke up flatly from within the tent—the only other woman present besides Feng Jiu’er.

“You must be General Dai Jinyan, the lord of Yí Cheng?” Feng Jiu’er stood and bowed respectfully to her.

“You know me?” Dai Jinyan looked at Feng Jiu’er, raising an eyebrow.

“Mm,” Feng Jiu’er nodded. “My father has mentioned you before. Father said that General Dai, back in her day, was a match for any man—a model for me to learn from.”

“Who is your father?” Dai Jinyan couldn’t take her eyes off Feng Jiu’er, studying her more and more intently.

Feng Jiu’er smiled faintly, glancing at the three of them. “My father is the current Night Prince, Feng Li. I am his true daughter, and the Feng woman of this generation.” She stood again and bowed. “I ask for your guidance, honored elders!”

“You’re the Night Prince’s daughter?” Dai Jinyan, her suspicion confirmed, stood up in excitement.

“Little girl, what are you saying? You’re the Feng woman? Are you joking with me?” Jia Jinshan slammed his heavy fist onto the table. “Such arrogant words! How dare you say such a thing—aren’t you afraid of losing your head?”

Dai Jinyan steadied herself against the table and walked toward the seat of honor. “Are you really the Night Prince’s daughter? Really?” The more she looked, the more she felt that the shape of Feng Jiu’er’s brows resembled Feng Li’s. But she couldn’t quite believe it—after all these years without a word of this, how could she dare believe it now?

Feng Jiu’er left Di Wuya’s embrace and walked over, taking Dai Jinyan’s hand. “General Dai, I really am my father’s daughter. He’s already on his way here—I believe he’ll arrive very soon.” Holding her hand, she looked up at Jia Jinshan. “Lord Jia, this is simply the truth. There’s no reason for me to hide it. Not only am I the Feng woman, but my father is also the Feng man of his generation. Back then, Feng Qiongcang hid me away in the Kingdom of Beimu to threaten my father. Now, I’ve returned.”

Feng Jiu’er turned to the other man who had remained silent this whole time, nodding slightly. “You must be Lord Wang Yutang, the lord of Liuchuan City, is that right?”

“That’s right,” Wang Yutang said, nodding gently.

“Lord Wang truly lives up to his reputation for gentle refinement—it’s just as they say, better to see for oneself than to hear it a hundred times.” Feng Jiu’er smiled faintly, then helped Dai Jinyan back to her seat. “General Dai, please sit. My father will be here soon.”