Glancing once at the departing figure, Feng Jiu’er turned back to look at Ye Luocha and gave a small clasped-hands bow.

“Then, Elder Ye, we’ll head off first.” Don’t you dare follow us!

She couldn’t bring herself to say the second part out loud, but it was truly what she felt in her heart.

That Ye Luocha wanted to make clothes for the Ninth Imperial Uncle and Mu Mu was her own business—let her go do it herself.

Feng Jiu’er had no intention of wasting such a wonderful stretch of time going shopping with Ye Luocha—what a waste that would be!

“Mm.” Ye Luocha gave a flat nod—not exactly warm, but at least not cold enough to make anyone uncomfortable.

Feng Jiu’er bowed once more and turned to leave.

Once she’d left the main hall, she let out a deep breath of relief.

If they no longer intended to make a move against her, she hoped she could coexist with them.

Regardless, they were family to the Ninth Imperial Uncle and Mu Mu, and Feng Jiu’er certainly had no intention of deliberately causing trouble for the two brothers.

Feng Jiu’er caught up to Mu Mu, and once the two had reached the main road, they slowed their pace.

“Why’s your face so pale?” Mu Mu turned to look at the woman beside him and asked.

“Pale?” Feng Jiu’er met Mu Mu’s gaze, and with a touch of mischief, patted her own cheeks. “Better now?”

“This young lady’s natural beauty—no matter how much sun, it never tans. Jealous?”

“I don’t want to be treated specially,” Mu Mu said, glancing at Feng Jiu’er and quickening his pace.

Watching Mu Mu’s retreating figure, Feng Jiu’er was startled for a moment before hurrying forward again.

“Mu Mu, what do you mean by that?” Was he walking this fast on purpose, not realizing her stamina wasn’t up to it?

“What you can say to him, you can say to me too.” Mu Mu really couldn’t stand watching this girl act so unconcerned in front of him.

If she had something on her mind, she could tell him, just like before.

Feng Jiu’er hurried to catch up with Mu Mu’s pace, her brow furrowing slightly.

“What do you mean, things you can say to him but not to me? Who’s ‘him’—do you mean the Ninth Imperial Uncle?”

Mu Mu said nothing, but his expression seemed to grow even darker.

Feng Jiu’er found her answer on his face and let out a faint sigh.

“There’s nothing I’ve said to him that I haven’t said to you—truly, there isn’t.”

Of course, there were some things that were exceptions—after all, her relationship with the Ninth Imperial Uncle wasn’t the same as her relationship with Mu Mu.

Feng Jiu’er frowned again, as if something had just occurred to her. “Do you all think I’m afraid of Ye Luocha?”

“To be honest, I am a little afraid of her and Emperor Ji—not exactly afraid, maybe it’s because they’re elders, and I just feel a bit uneasy around them.”

Feng Jiu’er hadn’t expected that after saying all that, Mu Mu would seem even angrier.

Was it because he knew she was lying that he was upset? But what could she do—was she supposed to say that Ye Luocha and Emperor Ji had once nearly killed her?

That wasn’t something she could say, and besides, it had happened so long ago that bringing it up now wouldn’t mean much.

Feng Jiu’er kept chasing after Mu Mu’s pace, practically jogging.

After a long stretch, she found even her breathing growing ragged.

Perhaps sensing how hard she was struggling to keep up, Mu Mu gradually slowed his pace.

“Good thing you have a bit of conscience left,” Feng Jiu’er said, slowing down and catching her breath.

Mu Mu, however, paid her no attention, his gaze fixed ahead, his steps moving forward as if there was no one beside him at all.

Feng Jiu’er glanced around to make sure no one was following, then lowered her voice, speaking with some urgency.

“Mu Mu, I think I roughly understand why you’re upset, but I promise you—what I’ve told you about this matter is exactly the same as what I’ve told the Ninth Imperial Uncle.”

“Believe me or not, I’ve done my best.”

Feng Jiu’er had already suspected that the Ninth Imperial Uncle had uncovered something—otherwise, things wouldn’t have been so calm for her these past days.

Their wanting to kill her hadn’t been a joke.

But she truly didn’t want to confess everything in front of the two brothers, for fear of putting them in a difficult position.

Now, with her being the one whose life had been threatened, did she really have to worry about so much, weighing the feelings of these two as well? Wasn’t that asking too much of herself?

Suddenly, Mu Mu came to a stop.

Feng Jiu’er stopped as well, looking up at him.

Mu Mu lowered his gaze, his manner noticeably gentler now.

“Is it really the same for both of us?”

Meeting his gaze, Feng Jiu’er blinked before nodding. “Truly the same.”

“Are you worried I won’t think of you as a friend anymore? General Mu, since when have you become so suspicious?”

“With a friend as good as you, how could I not treasure it just a little? Sigh…”

She glanced at him once more, raised an eyebrow slightly, and turned to walk on ahead.

She could understand what Mu Mu meant too—if she kept everything from him, then they wouldn’t really count as friends.

But she had her own considerations, and she hoped he could understand.

Feng Jiu’er walked several steps ahead before Mu Mu caught up.

“Come on, let’s go get those clothes made.” Turning to look at the woman beside him, Mu Mu’s expression had returned to its usual gentleness.

At least, in front of Feng Jiu’er, he was never cold.

Feng Jiu’er shot him a look and raised an eyebrow. “All right then, today everyone’s expenses go on your account.”

“That’s what Elder Ye said herself, so I won’t be polite about it.”

“Why be polite? It’s the least you deserve.” Mu Mu returned Feng Jiu’er a faint smile.

The two continued on without saying anything more.

After Feng Jiu’er had left, Xiao Yingtao had been restless, pacing back and forth in their own courtyard.

Seeing Feng Jiu’er and Mu Mu come through the gate, she rushed forward like an arrow.

Met with a glare from Feng Jiu’er, Xiao Yingtao quickly put away the worry on her face.

“Jiu’er, back so soon? Weren’t you going to get clothes made? The weather’s so nice, we were all planning to go out for a walk.”

“Call everyone to come along—if it’s just me and Mu Mu going, what’s the fun in that?” Feng Jiu’er said with a smile.

Walking into the courtyard, Mu Mu reached out and rubbed Feng Jiu’er’s head.

Feng Jiu’er glanced up at him and raised an eyebrow. “Am I wrong? Going shopping with you men, I might as well go alone.”

“You can’t give us a single opinion on anything, can you?”

“If you need one, I can give you one,” Mu Mu said with a smile, releasing her.

“What a shame! I don’t need one.” Feng Jiu’er shook her head without hesitation.

Turning her gaze to Xiao Yingtao, she continued, “Weren’t you going to call the others? Go on then.”

“Go now?” Xiao Yingtao asked softly.

“Of course.” Feng Jiu’er nodded, glancing up at the sky. “Not too cold, not too hot, and no sun—perfect weather for shopping.”

“Then I’ll go back and call Qiao Mu.” Xiao Yingtao turned to head back.

“Just call your man—you don’t need me,” Qiao Mu said, stepping out from inside.

Xiao Yingtao, who had just turned, shot Qiao Mu a glare and walked off in another direction.

“I’m not going with him—I’m going to call Xiaoxiao.”

The words had barely left Xiao Yingtao’s mouth when Xing Zizhou was already drawing near.

“All right, I’ll go with you to find Xiaoxiao, and Zhao Yusheng too.”

Hearing Xing Zizhou’s words, Xiao Yingtao paused for a moment but kept walking, not stopping.