“Miss Feng, this trip was my own request — it has nothing to do with the Fort Master.” The Fort Master’s wife said softly.

“I also consulted the physician. The physician said my baby is very stable, and as long as I am careful, going out is perfectly fine.”

“These past three months, I have nearly been cooped up sick inside the fort. When I heard that Miss Feng was coming, I implored the Fort Master to bring me out.”

“Already three months along?” Feng Jiu’er glanced at the Fort Master’s wife’s abdomen, and even her voice became considerably gentler.

“Yes.” The wife pressed her lips together and nodded softly. “Miss Feng, both the Fort Master and I will follow your instructions entirely.”

“I hadn’t expected…” The Fort Master’s wife lowered her head with a touch of shyness.

She now, compared to when Feng Jiu’er had last seen her, not only looked younger in appearance but had become considerably more youthful in her manner and bearing as well.

The Fort Master’s wife was young by nature; it was only that at an age when she should not have been bearing so much, she had endured what an ordinary woman could not.

All of this had made her silent and withdrawn, causing her to appear far older than her actual years.

Fortunately, the Fort Master had found his way back, and only then could the Fort Master’s wife begin to truly live.

When life is happy, a person appears younger — and this is something that cannot be disguised.

“Yes, yes.” The Fort Master once again clasped his wife’s hand, his face full of tender affection. “Who would have thought — just a handful of times and she was already with child.”

“Little Sister Feng, you are not only formidable in commanding armies and fighting battles, but also a divine physician. With you here in the Black Canyon, everyone is certain to live well.”

“But, Little Sister Feng, you were absolutely right — I was careless and did not think it through. I should not have let my wife sit on horseback.”

Without waiting for Feng Jiu’er to respond, the Fort Master turned to glance at Captain Nanmen.

“Quickly, quickly — go prepare a carriage. My wife will ride the carriage back.”

“But this…” Captain Nanmen was in something of a predicament. “Fort Master, if I go and come back, it may take half an hour.”

“Would that have Miss Feng and her people waiting here for half an hour?”

“This…” The Fort Master furrowed his brow. “But Little Sister Feng said that my wife should not be sitting on horseback.”

“You go make the arrangements first, and I…”

“Fort Master, we have a carriage. If the Fort Master’s wife doesn’t mind, she is welcome to use ours.” Feng Jiu’er interrupted softly.

“A full three months along — the baby is relatively stable, but even so, caution is always best.”

“Good, then I will have to trouble Little Sister Feng. Oh my — I truly hadn’t expected that in coming here, we would end up troubling Little Sister Feng as well.”

“It is nothing at all — why should the Fort Master stand on ceremony?” Feng Jiu’er turned to glance at Jian Yi. “Go have someone clear out a carriage.”

Jian Yi nodded, but rather than turning back himself, he turned to look at Qiao Mu.

“I’ll go.” Qiao Mu nodded, turned, and headed toward the brothers behind them.

With Jian Yi as a personal bodyguard present, Qiao Mu was at ease, so at ordinary times, doing a little more herself was simply not an issue.

Very shortly, Qiao Mu brought a carriage over.

The Fort Master helped his wife up into the carriage.

The two processions, in full and imposing number, set off together in the direction of Nanman Fort.

Feng Jiu’er stayed at Nanman Fort for two days, settled the relevant matters, and then departed.

Half a month later, Feng Jiu’er led a host of brothers to establish a nation in the Black Canyon, with Zhao Family Village designated as the capital.

The National Guardian Army was divided into two parts: one part was the reorganized Long Family Army, and the other part was the original Zhao Family Army.

Feng Jiu’er was the Supreme Commander of both armies. There were two Deputy Commanders: one was Long Feiyan, who commanded the Long Family Army, and the other was Zhao Yusheng, who commanded the Zhao Family Army.

After the victory banquet, Feng Jiu’er brought Jian Yi along and returned to her own quarters.

To be precise, it was Jian Yi who followed Feng Jiu’er back to her quarters.

At the victory banquet, Feng Jiu’er had made an exception and drunk three cups of wine. Jian Yi would certainly need to stay close by her side at all times to guard against any unexpected incident.

When the two returned to the courtyard, a maidservant came rushing over.

“Miss Jiu’er, General Qiao and the others are in the hall and have been waiting for half an hour.”

“Mm.” Feng Jiu’er nodded and waved a hand. “Have someone stand guard outside.”

“Yes, Miss Jiu’er.” The maidservant nodded in acknowledgment, turned, and left.

Feng Jiu’er looked up at the brilliantly lit hall and continued walking forward, seemingly unsurprised by what the maidservant had said.

When Feng Jiu’er and Jian Yi walked into the hall, everyone sitting and waiting inside rose to their feet.

“Jiu’er, you’re back?” Xiao Yingtao was the first of anyone to stand and stepped forward to greet her.

Feng Jiu’er had drunk wine tonight, and her little face was quite flushed, but her spirits appeared to be quite good.

She swept her gaze over the people present and continued forward, taking a seat at the head position.

“You sit too.” Feng Jiu’er looked up at Xiao Yingtao and said softly.

Xiao Yingtao pressed her lips together and settled into the seat beside her: “Jiu’er, there are some things I want to speak clearly with you about.”

Feng Jiu’er looked at everyone present and raised a brow: “It seems that the one wanting to speak clearly with me is not only Xiao Yingtao.”

“I have things to say as well.” Qiao Mu’s voice was somewhat low and heavy, and her expression did not look good.

Ever since after the evening meal, when she had received the letter Feng Jiu’er had personally drafted, her heart had been weighed down.

Not only her — the several people present had all come because of this very matter.

“Is it because of the letters?” Feng Jiu’er looked at Qiao Mu and asked softly.

Qiao Mu’s crescent-shaped brows furrowed lightly, and she said nothing.

Xiao Yingtao pressed her lips together, and the words that had reached her mouth were swallowed back down.

Feng Jiu’er looked up at Jian Yi: “Jian Yi, have you opened and read the letter I sent you?”

Jian Yi picked up the teapot beside him and poured himself a cup of tea.

Watching his unhurried and leisurely manner, Feng Jiu’er was certain he had not yet read the letter she had given him.

She drew a deep breath and swept her gaze over the people present once more: “Are none of you willing to listen to me anymore?”

“Jiu’er, whatever arrangements you make, I will obey.” Zhao Yusheng looked at her, his reply carrying a measure of gravity.

“Same for me.” Xing Zizhou nodded.

Zhao Zhuosheng set down his cup, stood, and clasped his hands in a bow to Feng Jiu’er.

“Jiu’er, I have no objections.” He withdrew his gaze from Feng Jiu’er, looked at everyone, clasped his hands in another bow, and said: “I’ll take my leave first — you talk amongst yourselves.”

“Zhao Zhuosheng, since you’ve come all this way, stay a little longer.” Feng Jiu’er let out a faint sigh and turned to glance at him.

Xiao Yingtao immediately poured her a cup of tea and said softly: “Jiu’er, regarding the matter of the letters, I haven’t said a single word to anyone.”

She passed the tea to Feng Jiu’er and explained in a low voice: “We didn’t come here by prior arrangement, and after coming inside, no one brought up this matter either.”

“But, as things appear now, everyone seems to have questions about the letters they received.”

Feng Jiu’er accepted the cup and looked up at Xiao Yingtao: “Then you should have guessed why I chose to assign tasks to each person separately.”

Xiao Yingtao met Feng Jiu’er’s gaze, shook her head, then nodded.

“Of course — for everyone’s safety.”