“Me?”

Feng Jiu’er furrowed her brow but didn’t open her eyes.

“Don’t say you’re afraid of nothing — like that Feng Jiang.”

Qiao Mu said with a dismissive scoff. “Oh wait, no — he said there is something he fears.”

“Oh? What did my Third Imperial Brother say he’s afraid of?”

Feng Jiu’er lifted the corners of her mouth in a pleased smile and asked, “I genuinely didn’t know there was still something he feared.”

“It isn’t snakes or insects he’s afraid of.” Qiao Mu’s voice dropped low, accompanied by a cool, scornful huff. “He said he’s afraid of women — women like me.”

“Hmph! As if he were some sort of irresistible catch.”

“At least this young lady, Qiao Mu, is the most beautiful young chieftain in living memory. I refuse to be toppled by a single word from Feng Jiang.”

Feng Jiu’er’s smile deepened, and thinking over what might have unfolded in the forest just now, she felt her mood lift even further.

Why did she feel like Qiao Mu and her Third Imperial Brother were becoming better and better suited to each other?

Was it really possible neither of them could sense it?

“How long has your mountain stronghold been established?”

Feng Jiu’er suppressed her amusement and asked softly.

“Why are you asking that?”

Qiao Mu’s low voice came in reply.

“No particular reason. Just curious — how many female young chieftains has your stronghold ever had?”

Feng Jiu’er still couldn’t quite contain her delight, the corners of her mouth curving ever so slightly upward.

“Just me.”

Qiao Mu replied flatly.

“So, you are the most beautiful.”

Feng Jiu’er finally couldn’t hold it in and laughed aloud.

“Feng Jiu’er!”

Qiao Mu turned her head and glared at the person beside her. “Are you saying I’m not good-looking?”

“Sitting next to someone as strikingly beautiful as you and holding my own — and that’s still not enough for you?”

“Not at all — you’re very good-looking too, truly!”

Feng Jiu’er gently patted Qiao Mu on the shoulder.

“My Third Imperial Brother isn’t actually afraid of you specifically — he’s afraid of women in general. I’ve talked with him before about finding a wife and starting a family, and he once said the only thing he truly fears is women. Perhaps that’s also why he’s never had a girlfriend.”

“A girlfriend?”

Qiao Mu gave Feng Jiu’er a sidelong look. “What’s a girlfriend?”

“A girlfriend is a romantic partner — someone you’re in love with. Two people who have feelings for each other, in a relationship before marriage.”

Feng Jiu’er explained softly. “If you became my Third Imperial Brother’s girlfriend, you’d be my sister-in-law one day. How wonderful would that be!”

Qiao Mu gave Feng Jiu’er a dismissive glance and looked away.

“Even if no one wanted this young lady, Qiao Mu, I still wouldn’t become your sister-in-law.”

“How could no one want you?”

Feng Jiu’er said with a smile. “If no one else wants you, can’t I want you?”

“Don’t get smug about it! I am absolutely going to find a husband more handsome than your man.”

With a cool huff, Qiao Mu closed her eyes again.

Feng Jiu’er smiled faintly and leaned back against the tree trunk once more, eyes closing to rest.

“My Third Imperial Brother is more handsome than the Ninth Imperial Uncle, you know. Why not consider it?”

For the sake of sending her Third Imperial Brother on his way, Feng Jiu’er was giving it everything she had.

She didn’t want Third Imperial Brother to stay and suffer — anything Feng Jiang did was surely going to reach Feng Qiongcang’s ears.

Yet just as those words left her lips, a cold gust swept past, and Feng Jiu’er couldn’t help but let out a yawn.

“The sun’s already out. Shouldn’t it be a little warmer? Qiao Mu, let me lean on you — I’m a bit cold.”

Watching the little one drooping with weariness against Qiao Mu’s shoulder, Zhan Qingcheng — who had been heading over — changed direction and walked toward Mu Mu and Long Yi instead.

Qiao Mu didn’t respond. Whether she had fallen asleep was anyone’s guess.

Drifting in that drowsy state, Feng Jiu’er slipped into a dream.

In the dream, her man had come back — but he seemed to be angry again.

Even in her dreams she feared him, yet thought of him at every waking moment. Feng Jiu’er could not help but admit to herself: she was truly done for in this lifetime.

The fragrance of roasting meat roused her from sleep. Feng Jiu’er pressed a hand to her quietly rumbling belly and slowly opened her eyes.

“I knew you’d wake up.” Feng Jiang looked at the girl leaning against the great tree trunk, his face carrying an easy smile.

Qiao Mu opened her eyes at almost the same moment. The two of them sat shoulder to shoulder against the tree, and the first thing that came into view was Feng Jiang’s smiling face.

Qiao Mu shot Feng Jiang a glance, then swung her long legs forward and rose to her feet.

Feng Jiu’er blinked once in mild surprise, then stood up a half-beat later.

“Brother, where did you find a whole sheep? It smells incredible!”

Feng Jiu’er could hardly wait to go over and hack off a piece to gnaw on.

Qiao Mu was no less tempted, but thinking back on Feng Jiang’s words, she felt a stubborn resistance rise up in her. Even so, reason quickly prevailed — at a time like this, nothing mattered more than filling one’s stomach.

“Brother, I want leg meat.”

Feng Jiu’er came up to Feng Jiang with undisguised delight.

She tossed that remark out, then turned her head to look over at Jian Yi not far away.

“Oh right, Jian Yi — what do you have over there?”

“Snake broth.”

Jian Yi replied softly.

“Snake broth? Did I hear that right?”

Feng Jiu’er’s eyes went wide as she stepped forward and sat down in front of Jian Yi.

Jian Yi added a piece of firewood to the fire, his expression calm and unruffled — nothing like the look he should have worn at the mere mention of snakes.

“Jiu’er, didn’t you say Jian Yi was afraid of snakes?”

Qiao Mu narrowed her eyes slightly at Feng Jiu’er.

At being spoken about, Jian Yi merely glanced at the two women before him and then looked away again.

“Right — isn’t Jian Yi afraid of snakes?”

Feng Jiu’er couldn’t work it out either. What exactly was going on?

“Xue Gu said snake broth not only stimulates circulation and nourishes the vital energy, but also benefits one’s complexion — and you happen to like that sort of thing.”

Jian Yi stood up and lifted the lid of the pot, glancing over at Feng Jiu’er.

“Long Eleven caught them. Since you like it, have more.”

“Of course I like it.” Feng Jiu’er nodded eagerly. “Is it ready? I’m hungry.”

“Mm.” Jian Yi inclined his head and personally ladled a bowl for Feng Jiu’er.

“Jian Yi, I’ll have a bowl as well.”

Qiao Mu was hardly about to stand on ceremony.

This snake broth had plenty of benefits, and the flavor was wonderful besides — it was one of her favorites.

Gazing at the pieces of snake meat in her bowl, Qiao Mu’s mind drifted back to what had happened in the cave that day. She looked over at Jian Yi with a hint of amusement.

“Sir Jian Yi has grown quite a bit — progress is remarkable!”

Others might not understand what Feng Jiu’er meant, but Jian Yi certainly did.

“They’re only small things. Nothing worth fearing.”

“There are plenty more small things in the forest ahead. Eat up, everyone — we move out soon.”

As Feng Jiang rose to his feet, he didn’t forget to glance over at Qiao Mu.

Qiao Mu knew precisely what he meant. She turned and sent him a look sharp as a blade.

“You’d do well to learn from Jian Yi. Otherwise, I’m afraid things of real importance could be put at risk.”

If Qiao Mu froze up like this in a critical moment, wouldn’t that put Jiu’er in danger? Everyone at Jiu’er’s side ought to be without weakness — Feng Jiang’s concern wasn’t entirely without reason.

Qiao Mu stepped forward and snatched the short blade from Feng Jiang’s hand.

“Say another word out of turn, and don’t blame me for being impolite.”

She shot him a glare, then took the blade and carved a piece of meat from the roasted sheep with swift, precise, and practiced ease.

That fast, decisive technique was clearly a warning aimed squarely at Feng Jiang.

Feng Jiu’er cleared her throat softly, picked up her bowl of snake broth, and turned to walk back.

“Qiao Mu, aren’t you going to have the snake broth? It’s all ready.”

After signaling Feng Jiang with her eyes, Feng Jiu’er let the smile return to her face.

Who would have thought that even a formidable figure like young Miss Qiao had a weakness? It was certainly more than she had ever anticipated.

But Third Imperial Brother had better not touch Qiao Mu’s sore spot — or he’d meet a very gruesome end.