Feng Jiu’er and Xiao Yingtao treated the sick villagers one by one, and before they knew it, half a day had passed.

They carried themselves without any airs at all, and gradually the villagers grew close and familiar with them.

As the three of them stepped out of the last villager’s house, the farmwife Xiao Fang, who had been waiting outside for some time, came forward to greet them.

“Princess, Miss, Young Master, it’s getting late — why don’t you eat something first?”

“Er Niu’s family’s Pang Ya caught a fish, and Madam Niu made fish porridge, along with sweet potatoes and steamed buns.”

“If you don’t mind, you could come over to Er Niu’s house. Princess, what do you think?”

Xiao Fang was not the only one who had come to invite them — several others stood outside as well.

“Yes, go eat something first — you’ve all worked hard today,” another farmwife chimed in.

“Sister Ya’s fish is huge, and their porridge smells so good,” said a little girl of three or four, licking her lips.

Xiao Yingtao couldn’t decide and looked to Feng Jiu’er.

Feng Jiu’er nodded lightly and started walking forward.

“Alright, thank you!”

“Thank us for what?” The corners of farmwife Xiao Fang’s mouth lifted as she turned and walked alongside Feng Jiu’er.

“It’s our good fortune to have met you, Princess.”

Feng Jiu’er said nothing, though her expression was pleased.

It seemed the people here didn’t dislike her as much as she’d expected.

War was unavoidable, and she wouldn’t go soft on the people of Feng Qiongcang — but in the end, these were all pitiable commoners.

The three of them were invited to Er Niu’s house, where Madam Niu and Pang Ya had already been waiting by the door.

Mother and daughter hurried forward the moment they saw the group approaching.

“Princess, you’re here.” Madam Niu smiled and cupped her hands in greeting.

Her movements were a little stiff, but the respect in her eyes was genuine.

“You must be Madam Niu?” Feng Jiu’er looked at the woman before her and nodded slightly.

“Yes, yes.” Madam Niu nodded eagerly.

She waved a hand and continued, “Princess, Generals, please, come in!”

“You’ve already gone to enough trouble on our account — there’s no need to stand on ceremony,” Feng Jiu’er said as she stepped into the courtyard.

In the courtyard, a little girl ran back and forth carrying a tray toward the door.

She walked step by step, very carefully, afraid of spilling what she carried.

Seeing this, Madam Niu hurried over.

“Here, let me.” Madam Niu took the tray and waved a hand. “Go bring out the sweet potatoes and the tea.”

“Okay.” The little girl nodded lightly and turned back inside.

Madam Niu turned back, set down the tray, and said softly, “Princess, Generals, please sit!”

Xiao Yingtao found a seat and sat down; Feng Jiu’er and Jian Yi sat down as well.

As Madam Niu lifted the lid off the pot, she swallowed involuntarily.

She looked a little embarrassed, glanced up at the people seated at the table, then quickly lowered her head again.

“This is the fish Pang Ya caught today. Along with the fragrant rice the Princess sent over, it’s been made into porridge.”

“The three of you have worked hard all this time and must be tired too — please, have some fish porridge to fill your stomachs.”

Madam Niu served a bowl of porridge to each of them — Feng Jiu’er, Xiao Yingtao, and Jian Yi.

The little girl stood by the table holding sweet potatoes, blinking her big, bright eyes shyly at the three guests.

“What are you standing there for? Give the Princess and the Generals some sweet potato — it tastes best while it’s hot.”

By the time Madam Niu finished speaking, her gaze had returned to the three guests.

The little girl set down her basket and brought a sweet potato over to Feng Jiu’er.

“Sister Princess, please eat. It’s — it’s really good.”

Feng Jiu’er rubbed the little girl’s head and took the sweet potato from her hands.

“I heard you’re the one who caught the fish. I never expected someone so young to have such a talent.”