“Coming back now?” Gong Xinyue frowned. “But we still haven’t found out when they’ll launch their attack.”
“I think it’ll be within the next two days. If the brothers can’t make it back in time, just let them disperse first.” Feng Jiu’er picked up her chopsticks.
“Noble Consort Ya is set on eliminating me. She won’t wait long — but no matter how arrogant she is, she’ll still know her limits.”
“If there are only two days left, our people probably can’t handle it.” Xing Zizhou put down his bowl and chopsticks.
Feng Jiu’er nodded and picked up a bun with her chopsticks.
“I’ll go find Sister Hua and Brother Yue later to discuss it. I hope we’ll make it in time.”
“What’s going on?” Xiao Yingtao looked up at Feng Jiu’er.
“Her Majesty the Empress sent a letter. By my reckoning, she’ll arrive in three or four days.” Feng Jiu’er sighed softly.
“It’s not easy for her either — both sides of her hand are flesh.”
“Her Majesty the Empress is so loyal!” Xiao Yingtao gave a thumbs up. “Still, there’s nothing to be done — if it weren’t for Feng Qiongcang, none of this would have happened.”
“Jiu’er, don’t overthink it. Her Majesty the Empress has her own plans.”
“Mn.” Feng Jiu’er nodded and raised the bowl in her hand.
“Everyone’s worked hard during this time. I’ll drink this bowl of soup first, as a toast.”
“Bottoms up!” Xiao Yingtao raised her bowl too.
Some raised cups, others raised bowls, and the camp rang with laughter it hadn’t heard in a long while.
Inside the city, in the side chamber of a residence, several portraits lay on the table.
“Fourth Imperial Uncle, Third Imperial Brother, Fourth Imperial Sister — why did you all have to do this?”
Feng Yan glanced at the portraits, lifted the teapot, and took a large gulp of tea.
He recalled the scene of drinking and laughing with Feng Jiang on the eaves of a roof, and the sorrow in his eyes deepened.
“Third Imperial Brother, where are you now?” Feng Yan lowered his eyes and picked up Feng Jiang’s portrait.
“Mother Consort wrote to say you’re about to become a father, and told me to go easy on you — but where are you now?”
“Why must the four of us siblings meet on the battlefield? Third Imperial Brother, tell me, why is this happening?”
In the side chamber, Feng Yan was alone; his personal guard stood watch outside.
If he hadn’t been in the military camp where drinking was forbidden, Feng Yan would have wanted to drink himself into oblivion today.
Leading troops into battle wasn’t new to him, but fighting against his own kin was.
On the battlefield, he had seen many familiar faces, yet still had to keep swinging his blade.
Feng Yan didn’t have the courage to defy the imperial edict — he simply couldn’t accept the current situation.
“Noble Consort, are you looking for the Second Prince?” A guard’s voice came from outside the chamber.
Hearing this, Feng Yan set down the teapot, picked up the letter on the table, and turned toward the candlestand.
“Noble Consort, the Second Prince is about to rest.” The guard tried to stop her.
Consort Ya shot him a look, shoved him aside, and kicked the door open.
As she stepped through the doorway, the letter on the candlestand hadn’t yet fully burned away.
“What are you doing?” The Second Prince returned behind the table and sat down.
Consort Ya glanced at the flame on the candlestand, then walked straight toward the Second Prince.
“Heh.” She swept a disdainful glance over the portraits on the table, then turned and sat down in the chair beside it.
“The Second Prince has never liked me. Is it because you’re angry I disturbed your mother consort’s shop, or because you’re secretly planning a rebellion?”
“Noble Consort Ya, mind your words!” The Second Prince took up a cup, poured himself some tea carelessly, and didn’t bother to look up.
“This consort didn’t mean to dislike you either — I’ve simply been busy with important matters and couldn’t get away.”
“Busy with important matters?” Consort Ya’s gaze swept over the portraits, her tone turning a shade darker.
“The Third Prince has betrayed the Emperor. Have you also begun to waver?”