Feng Jiu’er nodded, looking at the four men seated across from her.
“Yan Dong, Yan Nan, Yan Xi, Yan Bei — I wonder if you’ve grown accustomed to those names yet?”
“Many thanks to Miss Jiu’er for bestowing our names upon us.” Feng Yan Dong cupped his hands toward Feng Jiu’er in a respectful gesture.
“Miss Jiu’er, I am also very fond of the name Yan Nan.” Feng Yan Nan said with a warm smile.
Feng Yan Xi rose to his feet, bowed to Feng Jiu’er, then sat back down.
“Yan Xi has been an orphan since childhood, going by nothing more than a childhood nickname all these years.”
“To now be recognized by Miss Jiu’er, to be given a family name and a proper name, without any disdain for my origins, to be treated as a brother — Yan Xi is deeply grateful.”
“Miss Jiu’er, whatever task you have for us, please do not hesitate to ask. Even if it were to cost Yan Xi his life, he would have no regrets.”
“Yan Xi, what are you doing?” Feng Yan Nan shot Feng Yan Xi a glare. “Why would Miss Jiu’er ever want your life?”
“Miss Jiu’er has also said that from now on, we are all brothers — there is no need for so much long-winded talk.”
“Yan Nan has made quite an improvement — that deserves a word of praise.” Feng Jiu’er looked at Feng Yan Nan, the corners of her lips curving up slightly.
“Many thanks, Miss Jiu’er.” Feng Yan Nan returned the gesture with a proud bow of his hands.
Feng Yan Xi looked at Feng Jiu’er, visibly anxious.
“Miss Jiu’er, Yan Xi will say this just this once and never ramble on again — from here on out, we stand and fall together, sharing both fortune and hardship.”
“Very well.” Feng Jiu’er gave Feng Yan Xi a nod of acknowledgment. “This is not the time for drinking and merrymaking. Once the treasure is found, we shall drink to our hearts’ content.”
“Exactly.” Feng Yan Bei also nodded, his face alight with excitement. “Once the treasure is found, we shall drink together!”
Feng Jiu’er looked at everyone and gave a faint, satisfied nod.
“Yan Dong and Yan Nan are from my Tianji Hall. Yan Xi is from Qingfeng Stronghold. Yan Bei is the successor of Zhao Yu. But from now on, we are all one family — no distinctions between us.”
“Each of you is an elite who has risen above the rest, brothers worthy of pride. You must never disappoint me, and you must never disappoint your brothers.”
“Yes, Miss Jiu’er.” Feng Yan Dong, Feng Yan Nan, Feng Yan Xi, and Feng Yan Bei cupped their hands simultaneously and replied in one voice.
Qiao Mu looked at them, her expression grave.
“Selecting the four of you from among so many brothers is a testament to your exceptional abilities. From this point forward, you answer directly to Jiu’er.”
“Beyond carrying out Jiu’er’s instructions, your most important duty is to guard over and protect her. Is that understood?”
After all that had happened, Qiao Mu felt it was of paramount importance to arrange a few personal bodyguards for Feng Jiu’er.
Feng Yan Dong, Feng Yan Nan, Feng Yan Xi, and Feng Yan Bei were the four most capable brothers who had been selected previously.
Had it not been for Feng Jiu’er feeling that having several men follow her around at all times would be inconvenient, Qiao Mu would have long since arranged for these four to guard her closely.
After this incident, Qiao Mu raised the matter again, and this time Feng Jiu’er did not object.
Safety came first. If one lost one’s life, everything else would be in vain.
“Yes, General Qiao.” The four men cupped their hands again in unison and replied.
“Good.” Feng Jiu’er looked at them and waved her hand. “There is truly no need for such formality among us.”
“Tomorrow, Yan Dong will assist Xing Zizhou. Yan Bei will handle communications between our side and Zhao Yusheng. Yan Nan and Yan Xi will remain by my side.”
“Today, Qiao Mu walked a circuit through the surrounding area and discovered that quite a few valuable medicinal herbs grow nearby.”
“Over the next two or three days, I, Qiao Mu, Xiao Yingtao, Yan Nan, and Yan Xi will be responsible for gathering herbs.”
“Although we are not going to battle right now, the Black Valley has long been notorious for its mountain bandits. If we are to establish ourselves here, skirmishes both large and small will be unavoidable.”
“Therefore, our supply of medicinal herbs must be well-stocked.”
Feng Jiu’er shifted her gaze and looked again at Xiao Yingtao.
“Xiao Yingtao, some of the medicinal ingredients I just mentioned are generally difficult to come by. In a moment, compile them all into a list and have Keyan go into the city tomorrow to purchase them.”
“Understood, I will.” Xiao Yingtao nodded.
“Keyan, tomorrow enter the city in staggered groups. Most importantly, keep our brothers safe — bear that in mind.” Feng Jiu’er reminded once more.
“The news that I am still alive must not be leaked to anyone. Everyone must remember to remind the brothers under their watch. Everything waits until after we find the treasure.”
Tuoba Keyan gave a nod, and the others all nodded as well.
Feng Jiu’er finished giving all her instructions, and everyone gradually departed the tent as the night grew late.
The three women washed up at a nearby stream, then returned to the tent, sharing a single cotton quilt as they lay down to rest.
“Qiao Mu, what herbs did you say were growing beneath that small hill to the west? Let’s head there first tomorrow.”
“I never expected that Mother casually picked a spot, yet you managed to find so many valuable medicinal herbs here.”
“With two or three days to rest and recover, let us gather as much as we can. The herbs should last us a good long while.”
Before Qiao Mu could even respond, Feng Jiu’er sat up.
She turned to look at the two women beside her, the faintest curve tugging at her lips.
“I want to go right now — I am not sleepy anyway, and just lying here is a waste of time.”
Just as Feng Jiu’er was about to stand up, Qiao Mu gripped her arm and gently pulled her back.
“It is the middle of the night and you refuse to rest — do you think your body is made of iron?”
Unable to argue with Qiao Mu, Feng Jiu’er had no choice but to sit back down beside her.
“I truly am not tired. I have already slept for three whole days and nights — how could I possibly sleep any more?”
“Jiu’er, General Long said your internal injuries have not yet fully healed, and told you to take your medicine and get proper rest. Have you forgotten?” Xiao Yingtao said softly.
“I know my own body. There is really nothing wrong. I just do not want to waste time.” Feng Jiu’er glanced at Xiao Yingtao and replied quietly.
Meeting Feng Jiu’er’s gaze, Xiao Yingtao felt a pang in her heart.
Not wanting Feng Jiu’er to see her feelings, she lowered her head and looked away.
“Sleep!” Qiao Mu pulled Feng Jiu’er back again. “If you do not rest properly, where will you find the strength to get anything done? Is that not the very principle you taught us?”
“Going around all day acting like someone’s parents, full of endless nagging and advice — and now that it applies to yourself, you have forgotten every word.”
“Qiao Mu, I…”
“What do you mean ‘I’?” Qiao Mu cut Feng Jiu’er off.
“When you had no parents, you envied those who did. Now that you have them, you let your thoughts wander to other things.”
Qiao Mu glanced at Feng Jiu’er, her voice dropping lower: “Lie down before you say another word!”
Seeing there was no way to refuse, Feng Jiu’er had no choice but to comply and lie down obediently.
Qiao Mu looked at the woman with her back turned toward her, her own heart aching a little.
“No matter how much you fill your days with busyness, there will always be moments when everything goes quiet.”
“You women always say that when something is troubling you, it helps to speak it out loud — or to have a good cry. Why must you keep it all bottled up inside?”
Qiao Mu’s words made Xiao Yingtao stifle a laugh, and even Feng Jiu’er turned to look back at her.
“Does Young Miss Qiao mean to say that she is not a woman herself?” Feng Jiu’er was instantly amused by Qiao Mu.
The moment the words left her mouth, she immediately scooted back.
“Xiao Yingtao, how can we possibly share a bed with a man? Should we not throw Young Master Qiao out first before we say anything else?”