“Mother and General Yao set off tomorrow. Why don’t we hold a joint wedding banquet tonight?” Feng Jiu’er sat up from Di Wu Ya’s embrace and looked around at everyone.

“That’s a great idea!” Xiao Yingtao gave Feng Jiu’er a thumbs up.

She would be leaving soon too, to go see her mother again—so before she left, whatever brought the most joy, that’s what they’d do.

“I’ll take charge of decorating the bridal chamber. How many people are joining? Sign up quickly.” Xiao Yingtao looked around at everyone, full of excitement.

“We’re signing up!” Leng Xuepiao was the first to raise her hand.

Yu Jingfeng grinned like a child and raised his hand too.

“We want to sign up!” His other hand took hold of Leng Xuepiao’s small hand.

“We’re signing up too.” Long Yi rubbed Gong Xinyue’s head and raised his hand.

“Mother, can we sign up?” Yue Qinchun looked carefully at Tang Xiaohua, pressing her lips together.

Tang Xiaohua glanced at her and shook her head. “Can’t you show a little restraint?”

“I’m going to marry Brother Yinan sooner or later anyway, I don’t know what restraint is.” Yue Qinchun raised her hand. “Jiu’er, we want to sign up too.”

“That’s three pairs—any more?” Feng Jiu’er looked toward Zhao Yusheng.

Zhao Yusheng met her gaze, raised the cup in his hand, and stood.

“Xiaoxiao wrote to say she’s getting married. I have to go back.”

He held up his wine cup, looked at the soon-to-be-married couples, and nodded. “Congratulations! Congratulations to all of you.”

“Thank you!” Long Yi, Yu Jingfeng, and Feng Yinan raised their cups at the same time.

Zhao Yusheng drank down the wine in his cup and sat back down on the bench.

Feng Jiu’er looked at Duan Liuyang, who had stayed quiet the whole time, and asked softly, “What are your plans, Liuyang? Going back with Zhao Yusheng, or staying?”

“I want to go back with him.” Duan Liuyang gathered her courage and lifted her head.

Zhao Yusheng turned to look at her, the corner of his mouth lifting. “You’re sure you want to come back with me? It’s a long way back—I’m worried you won’t be able to bear it.”

“I’m not afraid.” Duan Liuyang shook her head, raised her cup, closed her eyes, and drank the wine down.

“Then it’s settled. From now on, wherever you go, I go.”

She didn’t dare look at Zhao Yusheng again, afraid of being turned down.

Feng Jiu’er knew that Zhao Yusheng held no romantic feelings for Duan Liuyang, but since he’d agreed, she felt at ease too.

“Yang Sheng, what do you say?”

“Princess Jiu’er, we’d like to sign up too.” Yang Sheng stood and cupped his hands.

“Just call me Jiu’er, no need to be so formal.” Feng Jiu’er’s mouth curved up lightly, and she waved a hand.

“Xing’er and Xiaotian aren’t of age yet, so your matter can wait for later.”

“Then it’s decided—tonight we’ll hold a joint wedding banquet, and everyone here will be a witness to the marriages.”

“From now on, whoever is unfaithful in marriage will be exiled to the frontier! Let’s start the meal.”

“Yes!” the newly betrothed answered as one.

Feng Jiu’er looked at everyone gathered together, so many of them now paired up, and felt very pleased.

It was just a pity that their own Great Swordsman Jian Yi still had no interest at all in romance—though at least he had their father to keep him company, so he wouldn’t be too lonely.

After a whole day and night of celebration, some matters simply couldn’t be avoided any longer.

The afternoon after the joint wedding banquet, Feng Jiu’er was summoned to the Feng Luan Hall.

This place had seen almost no one set foot in it since Feng Qiongcang had left.

“Father, I don’t want to be Emperor. Let Third Brother do it.” Feng Jiu’er started passing the buck the moment she walked in the door.

“Third Brother, you know I’m not cut out to rule a country—just do me a favor and take this position off my hands.”

Feng Jiu’er didn’t want to be Emperor; all she wanted was to roam the world in freedom with her man.

Once she became Emperor, she’d never be able to escape it for the rest of her life—wasn’t that as good as asking for her life?