“Little sister, does the inn have any chrysanthemums? Sun-dried chrysanthemums.” Feng Jiu’er looked at the woman kneeling beside her.

“Chrysanthemums?” The woman looked up. “What does the young master need chrysanthemums for?”

“Dried chrysanthemum tea clears heat and detoxifies. If the inn doesn’t have any, go to a nearby herbal shop and look for some.”

Feng Jiu’er took out a small ingot of silver and set it on the table.

“Go yourself, and pick the finest quality. I trust your eye for it.”

The woman took the silver and asked softly, “Yes, Young Master, but if this one leaves, then here…”

“No need to attend to us for now. Go on.” Feng Jiu’er waved her hand.

The woman looked at her, then glanced at Xing Zizhou, whose gaze had remained fixed on the stage below the whole time, and finally stood up.

“Yes, Young Master, this one will go right away.” The woman curtsied and left.

Feng Jiu’er picked up her teacup and took a sip.

Xing Zizhou’s gaze remained on the stage, seeming quite absorbed in the song and dance performance below.

Xiao Yingtao knew Feng Jiu’er had deliberately sent the woman away, but she made a point of showing she was only interested in the food on the table.

“Second Young Master.” She looked up at Feng Jiu’er, her small face flushing slightly.

Feng Jiu’er looked at her and raised an eyebrow.

“Second Young Master, I’d like to eat…” Xiao Yingtao said carefully.

“Go ahead,” Feng Jiu’er replied casually.

Getting her answer, Xiao Yingtao picked up her chopsticks and began eating heartily.

Feng Jiu’er turned slightly, her gaze aligning with Xing Zizhou’s, and together they took in the performance on stage.

“This performance really is quite good!”

“Indeed.” Xing Zizhou’s lips curved up as he nodded. “No worse than what you’d see in the capital.”

On the surface, everything looked perfectly normal.

Those in the distance had no way of knowing that the conversation between Feng Jiu’er and Xing Zizhou was not really about the song and dance at all.

Though they appeared to be enjoying the performance, in truth their attention was on the people at the main table on the first floor, and they were also keeping careful watch on their surroundings at every moment.

“Go outside and find out how many men Old General Yuan brought with him. Xiao Yingtao and I will stay here,” Feng Jiu’er said in a low voice.

Xing Zizhou did not respond right away. Instead, he slowly withdrew his gaze and picked up the teacup in front of him.

“Eldest Young Master, allow this servant to refill your tea.” Xiao Yingtao stood and added a bit more tea to Xing Zizhou’s cup.

Xing Zizhou looked up and glanced at Feng Jiu’er.

Feng Jiu’er only gave him a look, and he asked no further questions.

Xing Zizhou took a sip of tea, set down the cup, and stood. “It’s about time. I’ll step out for a bit.”

“Elder Brother, you really are busy! You didn’t even finish watching the performance.” Feng Jiu’er said with a smile.

Xing Zizhou curved his lips slightly, bent to pick up his long sword, turned, and walked away.

After he left, Xiao Yingtao seemed to grow even bolder, eating with even greater relish.

“Second Young Master, what is the Eldest Young Master off to do? Now that he’s gone, and you’re full — can this servant eat a bit more?”

After Xing Zizhou left, two men dressed as guards approached the table where they sat.

Xiao Yingtao noticed it, and Feng Jiu’er could sense it too.

“You’re such a glutton, who could ever stop you?” Feng Jiu’er said lightly, as if making idle conversation.

“The Eldest Young Master could.” Xiao Yingtao said, mouth full of pastry, still not forgetting to glance toward the direction Xing Zizhou had gone.

“With him around, I wouldn’t dare eat too much.”

Just then, the two guards passed by. Perhaps noticing nothing amiss, they did not stop.

“Eat up, it’s good that you can eat.” Feng Jiu’er picked up the teapot and let out a sigh.

“Just don’t waste the food. During wartime, plenty of people still can’t get a hot meal.”