Feng Jiu’er and Jian Yi followed the brothers over and saw, outside the tents in the middle, a shelter had been set up.

The top of the shelter was made of linen cloth, which blocked the sunlight quite well. At each of the four corners stood a large pillar, looking rather sturdy.

Under the shade, Xing Zichou and Xiao Yingtao sat close together, while Qiao Mu and Tuoba Keyan each sat separately. In the middle, two or three seats had been left open.

Counting the time, it was probably past one o’clock already. Feng Jiu’er hadn’t expected that these few fellows were still waiting.

“Go prepare some food and bring it over.” Feng Jiu’er glanced at the brother beside her and said softly.

“Yes.” The brother nodded and turned to leave.

“Jiu’er.” Seeing Feng Jiu’er approach, Xiao Yingtao stood up.

She turned her head to glare at the man still gripping her hand, then yanked her hand away forcefully.

“Let go! Or I won’t be polite about it!”

“Alright.” Xing Zichou blinked and released her small hand. “Don’t be angry! I’ll do whatever you say.”

“What’s wrong?” Feng Jiu’er came over and sat down in the empty seat.

Jian Yi said nothing, sat down, took two empty cups, and poured two cups of tea.

“Jiu’er, Xing Zichou is bullying me!” Xiao Yingtao went over and sat down beside Feng Jiu’er.

“If it came to blows right now, he wouldn’t even be a match for you. How is that bullying?” Feng Jiu’er raised an eyebrow and said.

“Who would lay a hand on a sick person?” Xiao Yingtao glanced at Xing Zichou and shrugged.

Although there was no one sitting between the two of them, there was at least the distance of one seat, which made Xiao Yingtao considerably more relaxed.

“Xing Zichou, how are you feeling now?” Feng Jiu’er looked at Xing Zichou and asked softly.

“Very good!” Xing Zichou looked at Feng Jiu’er and nodded, but quickly his gaze fell back onto Xiao Yingtao.

Seeing him in such good spirits, Feng Jiu’er stopped worrying.

“Jiu’er, what’s the situation over at the north gate?” Qiao Mu took a sip of tea and asked softly.

“Not bad. The surrender letter came in time, so the casualties weren’t too severe.” Feng Jiu’er glanced at Qiao Mu and took the tea Jian Yi handed her.

“The City Lord of Nanmeng refused to yield even unto death, so I killed him. The one who sent the surrender letter was his eldest son, Nanmeng Zhuo.”

“For now, he seems to have sincerity, but everyone still mustn’t be careless.”

“Mm.” Qiao Mu nodded.

“As for the outsider who infiltrated Crow Wood City earlier, my people have lost track of them. I suspect word of the Crow Wood City affair may have already reached the Crown Prince’s ears.”

“I wouldn’t rule out the Crown Prince approaching the Nanmeng family directly — after all, the Nanmeng family owes a debt of gratitude to Nanmeng Rong.” Feng Jiu’er continued.

“If they absolutely had to choose, choosing the Crown Prince would always be better than choosing some nobody.”

“Who says our Jiu’er is a nobody?” Xiao Yingtao said in a low voice.

“Compared to the Crown Prince, that’s simply the truth.” Qiao Mu sighed softly.

Xiao Yingtao pressed her lips together, unable to refute that for a moment.

Between the Crown Prince and Jiu’er, she would certainly choose Jiu’er. But others who didn’t know Jiu’er would naturally choose the Crown Prince if given the choice.

Jiu’er’s worry wasn’t entirely without reason.

The two brothers brought the midday meal over, set it on the table, and stepped back to the side.

“Go back and rest for a while. If anything comes up, I’ll come give instructions myself.” Feng Jiu’er turned to look at the brothers and waved her hand.

After all this trouble, everyone was tired. It was enough to have brothers taking turns on watch outside — she wasn’t some pampered young lady who needed constant attendance.

“Yes, Miss Jiu’er.”

“Understood, Miss Jiu’er.”

After the two brothers responded, they turned and left.

“Jiu’er, so what should we do now?” Xiao Yingtao asked softly.

“Right now…” Feng Jiu’er glanced at everyone. “Let’s eat first. I’m hungry.”

Everyone seated there, even Tuoba Keyan, had followed Feng Jiu’er for some time now.

Eating — such a simple, clear statement — no one could fail to understand.

Looking around, everyone had already picked up their bowls and chopsticks. Xiao Yingtao nodded too and picked up a bowl of rice.

“Xiao Yingtao, my hand can’t move.” Xing Zichou glanced at his arm, wrapped up tightly by the little girl, and looked at Xiao Yingtao pitifully.

Meeting Xing Zichou’s gaze, Xiao Yingtao frowned and turned to look at Feng Jiu’er.

“What do you mean by that look? You want me to go wait on him?” Feng Jiu’er looked at Xiao Yingtao and raised an eyebrow.

“Besides, even if I were willing, Xing Zichou wouldn’t want that either.”

“By the way, what has he eaten since he woke up? Surely he hasn’t gone the whole time with an empty stomach?”

“That’s right.” Xiao Yingtao blinked and nodded. “What’s wrong with an empty stomach?”

“If the fever doesn’t come back, there’s no problem. But if the fever returns, the situation will be much more dangerous.” Feng Jiu’er replied softly.

Sure enough, the moment she said this, the little girl immediately grew tense.

Feng Jiu’er gave Xing Zichou a look that said “remember to treat me to a meal,” and her voice rang out again: “At a time like this, it’s best to feed him some porridge.”

Glancing at the porridge on the table, Feng Jiu’er’s gaze fell back onto Xiao Yingtao.

“The brothers even thought to prepare porridge. Why don’t you bring him some, so he doesn’t deliberately make himself sick just to get your attention.”

“Normally it wouldn’t matter, but he’s only just walked back from the gates of death — go on, look after him a little. It’s not as if it’ll cost you a piece of flesh.”

Looking at Feng Jiu’er, Xing Zichou was truly overflowing with gratitude.

To have such a considerate master — following her for a lifetime, heart and soul, would be worth it.

Xiao Yingtao had no idea at all about the silent exchange between Xing Zichou and Feng Jiu’er.

She glanced once more at that face, still somewhat pale, and reluctantly picked up a bowl of porridge, returning to sit beside him.

“Eat.” The one who had just sat down, worried about the fever returning and things becoming more dangerous, immediately scooped up a spoonful of porridge and held it out.

Xing Zichou opened his mouth with a delighted expression and gently took in the porridge Xiao Yingtao offered him.

“Jiu’er, would you say this counts as a blessing in disguise?” After a few mouthfuls of porridge, Xing Zichou asked with a touch of smugness.

Xiao Yingtao had just scooped up another spoonful when she looked at Xing Zichou and frowned.

“Xiao Yingtao, don’t be angry! I’m just joking.” Sensing the little girl’s anger, Xing Zichou immediately hid the smugness on his face.

“Don’t be angry! It’s because I’m so happy that I’m talking nonsense. You know I really do like you.”

Xiao Yingtao could never have imagined that this fellow would say such a thing in front of so many people.

She bit her lip, her small face suddenly burning hot.

Clearing her throat, she set the porridge bowl and spoon down in front of Xing Zichou and turned to return to Feng Jiu’er’s side.

“So much talking — feed yourself!”

Looking at Xiao Yingtao’s flushed little face, Xing Zichou obediently nodded.

“Alright.”

He leaned forward himself, picked up the small spoon she had just been using, scooped up some porridge, and put it in his mouth.

“Xiao Yingtao, the porridge is sweet. You should try it too.”

Getting no response, Xing Zichou still kept his eyes fixed unblinkingly on Xiao Yingtao, doing nothing but scooping porridge.

“Eat more meat, don’t get too thin.”

“Your face is all rosy — it’s very pretty!”

“Eat some vegetables too, don’t just focus on the rice.”