When Feng Jiu’er finished reading through the medicine-making plan that Xiao Yingtao had brought, Xing Zichou was still feeding Xiao Yingtao soup.

“Slowly! And there’s no rush.”

Xing Zichou reminded her every so often, yet his hands never dared to slow down even a little.

Beside the two of them, Leng Xuepiao was also drinking soup with her head lowered.

Feng Jiu’er glanced down at the chicken soup, leaned forward, closed her eyes, and took a sniff.

“It smells pretty good!”

She held the bowl in one hand and the spoon in the other, scooping the soup into her mouth spoonful by spoonful.

It really was good! In the end, she tilted her head back and drank down the last bit of soup in the bowl.

“Rong’er’s skills keep getting better and better,” Feng Jiu’er said, setting down the bowl with a light sigh.

“With her helping Yinan and Qinchun, our Dragon Shadow will definitely have a place in the culinary world in the future.”

Feng Yinan and Yue Qinchun had begun studying cuisine after being prompted by Tang Xiaohua, with Feng Jiu’er’s approval.

Food is the foundation of the people — that saying would never go out of style.

“Jiu’er, do you want more?” Xing Zichou set down the bowl and looked toward Feng Jiu’er.

“I’ve had enough.” Feng Jiu’er glanced at Xiao Yingtao, who had pulled the basket over, and curved her lips slightly.

“Leave the rest for your precious wife.”

“I haven’t had enough, I still want more.” Xiao Yingtao stared at the soup in the ladle, swallowing hard.

Xing Zichou gave her a doting look, took out the ladle, and poured out all the remaining soup.

Not wanting to intrude, Feng Jiu’er simply took the papers and sat down beside Leng Xuepiao.

“Xuepiao, I think these parts need some changes.”

“Go ahead,” Leng Xuepiao said, wiping her mouth.

Feng Jiu’er pointed out several spots that needed revision, though none of the changes were substantial.

They wanted to produce the finest medicine, so everything had to be refined to perfection.

“Alright, understood.” Leng Xuepiao folded up the papers she had just marked.

“Xiao Yingtao, is there anything else you need to ask?”

“Nothing else.” Xiao Yingtao shook her head with a smile. “With you here, I’m at ease!”

“Miss Jiu’er.” A guard hurried in from the front courtyard.

Feng Jiu’er turned to look at him. “What is it?”

“Miss Jiu’er.” The guard cupped his hands toward her. “The family of City Lord Wang of Liuchuan City has arrived.”

Wang Yutang had not left Liuchuan City — Feng Li had not yet stripped him of his position as city lord.

Or rather, he was waiting for the right opportunity.

“Wang Yutang didn’t come himself?” Feng Jiu’er stood up.

“He did not.” The guard shook his head and waved his hand. “It’s Wang Yutang’s parents, along with his wife and children.”

“Mm.” Feng Jiu’er followed the guard forward.

“Xuepiao, you go on ahead, I’ll go take a look.” Before Xiao Yingtao even finished speaking, she was already following behind Feng Jiu’er.

Xing Zichou glanced at the things on the table.

Leng Xuepiao stood up and raised her eyes to look at him. “Brother Xing, go on ahead, I’ll clean up here.”

“Alright.” Xing Zichou nodded lightly. “Thank you for the trouble.”

The front courtyard, the main hall.

The five members of the Wang family knelt in the hall.

“Wang Tangzhuang pays respects to the Night Prince, may the Night Prince live ten thousand years!” the Wang family’s elderly patriarch said, bowing with cupped hands.

“Long live the Night Prince, ten thousand years!” the rest of the family echoed as they paid their respects.

“Rise and speak!” Feng Li, seated in the main seat, waved his hand.

“Thank you, Night Prince.” The Wang family spoke in unison.

Madam Wang and the elderly madam helped Wang Tangzhuang up, one on each side, while the Wang family’s eldest young master stood up behind them.

“Grant them seats.” The Night Prince glanced at Yang Sheng not far away.

“Yes, Night Prince.” Yang Sheng cupped his hands to accept the order and stepped toward the Wang family.

“Please, this way!”

Just as the four members of the Wang family had settled into their seats, Feng Jiu’er and Xiao Yingtao entered.

The two of them walked in almost the same rhythm, glancing together at the Wang family seated on the left side of the main hall, and stopped as they approached the main seat.

“Greetings, Night Prince!” Xiao Yingtao bowed.

“Greetings, Father.” Feng Jiu’er cupped her hands.

“Please, sit,” Feng Li said, nodding lightly.

“Thank you, Night Prince.”

“Thank you, Father.”

The two women were similar in height and build, and dressed alike, so that they looked like sisters.

Just as Feng Jiu’er settled into her seat on the right, the Wang family stood up again.

The four of them walked a few steps toward Feng Jiu’er and knelt down together.

“Long live the Princess, ten thousand years,” Wang Tangzhuang called out.

“Long live the Princess, ten thousand years,” the rest echoed as they bowed.

“Rise.” Feng Jiu’er stood and waved her hand. “The Wang family’s elder is still hale and hearty, in good spirits!”

“Thank you, Princess.” Wang Tangzhuang cupped his hands and was helped up by his family.

“This old body isn’t what it used to be,” he said, looking at Feng Jiu’er and shaking his head. “My legs have no strength — I need someone to support me just to walk.”

“When a person grows old, they become useless.”

“Your legs — I can treat them,” Feng Jiu’er said softly.

“But you’ve come to see my father today, haven’t you? Since that’s the case, let’s sit and talk first — there will still be time for me to look at your legs later.”

“Yes, Princess.” Wang Tangzhuang turned and bowed to Feng Li before heading back to his seat.

Everyone settled back into their seats once more.

“Ah!” Wang Tangzhuang let out a light sigh. “Night Prince, this old body isn’t just useless with age — even my mind isn’t sharp anymore.”

“To be honest, the reason I’ve come this time is to plead on behalf of my son.”

“Do you mean Wang Yutang, the city lord?” Feng Jiu’er asked softly.

“Yes, yes.” Wang Tangzhuang’s gaze shifted to Feng Jiu’er.

“My son is guilty of a crime — he never truly submitted from the heart, he is the Emperor’s… he is Feng Qiongcang’s man.”

“So, you’re saying you want us to let him return to Feng Qiongcang’s side?” Feng Jiu’er frowned slightly.

“Surely you also know that the Feng Clan rightfully belongs to my father and me?”

“Back then, Feng Qiongcang murdered his father and usurped the throne. Today, my father’s and my goal is very clear.”

“That’s not it.” Wang Tangzhuang shook his head and sighed again.

“To be honest with you.” His gaze kept shifting between Feng Li and Feng Jiu’er.

“Today, my son received an imperial decree — it’s… Feng Qiongcang has ordered the entire Wang family to take our own lives.”

“He’s placing all the blame for the loss of the Black Pool ley line on my son, and wants to wipe out our entire family.”

Wang Tangzhuang, overcome with agitation, coughed heavily several times.

The two women of the Wang family were quietly sobbing.

“Though I, Wang Tangzhuang, am no great figure, I did once render service to the Feng Clan.”

“That’s right, back then it was Feng Qiongcang who granted us favor, but over all these years, whatever debt of gratitude we owed has already been repaid.”

“How could he be so cruel-hearted as to issue such a vicious decree?”

“That’s right, how old are Xi’er, Chun’er, and Xiaomei even?” the elderly madam wept bitterly. “We…”

“Our deaths would mean nothing, but the children — the children are innocent!”

The elderly madam stood, walked forward a few steps, and prostrated herself on the ground.

“Night Prince, Princess, I beg you, please save our Wang family.”

“Though my husband and my son have both served as city lord in succession, our family has never been greedy or grasping — we truly don’t deserve to end up like this.”

“Night Prince, Princess, I beg you!”