Jian Yi withdrew his gaze and looked up at the stars.

“I want to be the teacher of your and Ninth Prince’s child, and teach them swordsmanship.”

Feng Jiu’er pressed her lips together and nodded. “I couldn’t ask for more.”

“But has Hero Jian Yi ever thought about finding himself a wife soon too, and having a child?”

“If you have a son, I’ll have a daughter…”

“I’ll marry your daughter.” Jian Yi turned his head, cutting off Feng Jiu’er’s words.

Feng Jiu’er narrowed her eyes and knocked him on the head once.

“Couldn’t get anywhere with me, so now you want to take advantage of my daughter?”

“Yes.” Jian Yi nodded, looking back up at the night sky.

Feng Jiu’er looked at his deep, dark eyes, and finally took a deep breath and nodded.

“Then you’d better hurry up. My daughter is sure to be in high demand.”

Jian Yi kept staring unblinking at the sky, paying Feng Jiu’er no mind.

“Jiu’er.” Xiao Yingtao came running over. “Found Jian Yi?”

Feng Jiu’er sat up and turned to look at her.

“How’s it going? Is the meat done?”

“It’s done.” Xiao Yingtao stopped and waved her hand. “Come quick! Big Yu’s here too.”

“He even brought Long Shiyi and the others along. I was worried the meat wouldn’t be enough.”

Feng Jiu’er gave Jian Yi a push and stood up.

“Let’s go, time to eat meat!”

“Xue Piao and Xiao Tian are both back too. Big Yu’s grinning like an idiot, it’s hilarious.” Xiao Yingtao pulled Feng Jiu’er along, hurrying back.

“Still, it’s good this way — with Xue Piao here, we get to see how Big Yu shows off.”

When Feng Jiu’er looked back, their own Hero Jian Yi had followed along too.

That Jian Yi being able to fit into this big family of theirs was the best possible outcome.

Things being as they were now — quite good!

In the open space between several tents, a great bonfire blazed.

A group of young people sang and danced, the atmosphere lively and bustling.

This was a scene that simply never appeared when Miss Jiu’er wasn’t around.

Soldiers with nothing to do all gathered around one after another, and the celebrating crowd kept growing larger.

Deep in the night, quiet and still, inside Liuchuan City, at an inn not far from the city gate.

Wang Yutang handed a letter to a man in black. The man in black leapt through the window and vanished into the night.

As he emerged from the alley, two people were already waiting at its mouth.

Also dressed in night-travel garb, Qiao Mu and Feng Jiang had been waiting there for some time.

“Hand over the letter!” Qiao Mu said coldly.

“Never!” The man in black frowned and drew a long sword from behind his back.

In the night, the blade gleamed silver.

But he never even got the chance to make a move.

Feng Jiang flicked his wrist, and a silver needle from his palm struck the man in the neck.

With a thud, the man in black collapsed to the ground.

Qiao Mu and Feng Jiang exchanged a glance and stepped forward together.

Half an hour later, the letter the two had seized appeared at Di Wu Ya’s army camp.

“Wang Yutang is Feng Qiongcang’s man. No wonder he never spoke up.” Feng Jiu’er handed the letter over to Feng Li.

“Third Brother, has anything unusual come up on Jia Jinshan’s end?”

“Jia Jinshan is currently staying in Liuchuan City too. These past two days, it seems he doesn’t intend to go back yet. No other news has come through for now.”

Feng Li poured a cup of tea and handed it to Qiao Mu.

Qiao Mu took the tea and drank a mouthful.

“It’s fortunate the Night Prince had us keep watch on Wang Yutang. If this letter had gone out, Feng Qiongcang would soon have known we’ve returned.”

“Jiu’er, what comes next is up to you.”

“Mm.” Feng Jiu’er nodded lightly and turned to look at Feng Li.

“Father, then as you wish, I’ll send the letter back to Feng Qiongcang’s lackeys by the river.”

“Good.” Feng Li nodded lightly. “Wu Ya, how is the plan to seal off the riverside coming along?”

“It should achieve the intended effect within three days.” Di Wu Ya replied softly.

“Good.” Feng Li shifted his gaze again. “Little Jiang, you must handle the matters concerning Jia Jinshan and Wang Yutang with care.”

“Fourth Imperial Uncle, I understand.” Feng Jiang stood and cupped his hands.

“The brothers are all arranged. Qiao Mu and I will stay in Liuchuan City these coming days.”

“Mm.” Feng Li waved his hand. “Sit down.”

Feng Jiang nodded and sat back down.

The meeting lasted over an hour before ending.

The next day, toward evening.

Feng Jiu’er and Feng Li had just prepared to eat when Jian Yi lifted the curtain and walked in.

“Night Prince, Jiu’er, Jia Jinshan is here.”

“Let him in.” Feng Jiu’er raised her eyes. “Bring him in, and come eat too.”

Jian Yi nodded and turned to go back out.

Soon, he returned together with Jia Jinshan.

“City Lord Jia, what brings you here?” Feng Jiu’er, having eaten a few mouthfuls, wiped her mouth and stood up.

“Come, come, please sit!” She went out to greet him, waving her hand.

Then she looked toward Jian Yi.

“Jian Yi, go sit with my father and eat. Let me talk with City Lord Jia.”

Jian Yi said nothing and turned to walk toward Feng Li.

Jia Jinshan glanced at Feng Li, who was eating leisurely at the inner table, shook his head, and walked toward where Feng Jiu’er had indicated, sitting down.

“Am I interrupting the Night Prince and the Princess’s meal?”

“Mm.” Feng Jiu’er sat across from him and poured a cup of tea.

“No matter, I’m already full.” She raised her eyes and lifted the teacup in her hand slightly.

“City Lord Jia, help yourself to tea if you’d like. We don’t stand much on ceremony here — you’re welcome anytime.”

Jia Jinshan glanced again at the table further inside, shook his head once more, and withdrew his gaze.

“Princess, I’ve come this time to discuss peace terms.”

“Good, go ahead!” Feng Jiu’er set down her cup and waved her hand.

Jia Jinshan frowned and asked, “Is there no need to discuss this with the Night Prince?”

Feng Jiu’er glanced back, then withdrew her gaze, her lips curving slightly. “Didn’t City Lord Jia hear what my father said?”

“My husband’s intentions are my intentions. As the Princess, there are matters I too can decide.”

“City Lord Jia, if you have something to say, feel free to speak plainly.”

Jia Jinshan sighed lightly and said, “I’ve thought it through. I don’t wish to stand against the Night Prince.”

“But is the Night Prince’s intent now to stand against the Emperor?”

“The Night Prince is a son of the Feng line, and you, Princess, are a daughter of the Feng line. Are the two of you planning to seize the throne?”

“Princess, look at me — already up in years, with elders above and young ones below. How could I withstand such upheaval?”

“Back when I came south from Fenglai City, it was to find myself a stable life. I…”

“If City Lord Jia only wants a stable life, that’s not difficult at all.” Feng Jiu’er cut off Jia Jinshan’s words.

“What this Princess fears is that City Lord Jia’s thinking isn’t quite so simple — or rather, that what you want may exceed what I’m willing to give.”

“It wouldn’t.” Jia Jinshan smiled, somewhat forced.

Feng Jiu’er had come to understand — of the three, this City Lord Jia Jinshan was the one with the biggest appetite.

His submission, his sincerity, wasn’t very substantial.

If not for General Dai’s genuine submission, and Wang Yutang ignoring him entirely, Jia Jinshan wouldn’t have chosen to come today either.

“Tell me, then — what do you want?” Feng Jiu’er waved her hand generously.

“City Lord Jia, this Princess is speaking with you sincerely. If we make things clear between us now, there’ll be less trouble later, don’t you agree?”