Alone? Hadn’t she brought her two good sisters along precisely to avoid being alone with him?

Feng Jiu’er frowned at his retreating back and let go of Xiao Yingtao’s and Huo Baixue’s hands.

Before she could catch up to refuse, someone arrived just in time.

“Crown Prince Brother.”

Hearing Feng Qingyin’s voice, Feng Jiu’er unconsciously let out a breath of relief—with her here, she certainly wouldn’t allow the Crown Prince to dine alone with her.

“Crown Prince Brother.” Calling out again, Feng Qingyin swept past Feng Jiu’er and hurried toward Zhan Yuheng.

In the courtyard of the main hall, two tables had been set close together, both piled with fruit and pastries.

Just as Zhan Yuheng was about to sit down at one of the tables, Feng Qingyin, supported by Linglong, settled herself into the seat beside him.

“Crown Prince Brother, you’ve prepared so much food for me. I was so drowsy I nearly missed sharing this meal with you.”

Knowing perfectly well that this place hadn’t been prepared for her, Feng Qingyin still sat herself down without the slightest hesitation, looking entirely at ease.

Zhan Yuheng turned his head to glance at her, then waved his hand.

Seeing this, Qingyun strode over.

“Crown Prince, what are your orders?”

“Prepare another table. This one wishes to dine alone with General Feng,” Zhan Yuheng said in a deep voice.

Even with Feng Qingyin now present, he still made sure to emphasize the word “alone.”

“Um.” Feng Jiu’er walked over with a touch of urgency. “Crown Prince, where do you intend to seat my two sisters for the meal?”

“This is your territory, Crown Prince, so I’m a bit uneasy—could you let them join us as well?”

Zhan Yuheng looked at Feng Jiu’er, a trace of hurt visible in his eyes.

“Jiu’er, is this you being wary of me?”

Feng Jiu’er met his gaze, shook her head, then nodded.

“It’s better to be cautious. After all, if my sisters were hurt, it would be even harder on me than being hurt myself. Please understand, Crown Prince.”

Zhan Yuheng furrowed his brow and waved his hand once more.

“Go arrange it then, and arrange it properly.”

“Yes.” Qingyun nodded and went to carry out the order.

Feng Jiu’er didn’t know what counted as “proper.” She had already voiced her concerns and didn’t want to push further, so she quietly waited.

Soon enough, the other tables and chairs were all set up.

Blankets were spread over the tables, with fruit and pastries arranged on top, looking no different from the original two tables.

Suddenly, Zhan Yuheng stepped forward and took hold of Feng Jiu’er’s hand.

Feng Jiu’er, not understanding what was happening, hadn’t even reacted before she found herself being led toward the other two tables.

Qingyun came over and, seeing Xiao Yingtao and Huo Baixue standing there slightly stunned, waved his hand.

“The two young ladies, please, this way!”

“Oh.” Xiao Yingtao nodded and glanced over at Feng Qingyin, who was sitting nearby.

How could she have guessed the Crown Prince would arrange things this way?

With an extra table added on this side, and two tables on the other—did that mean the other side was meant for her and Baixue?

Glared at by Feng Qingyin, Xiao Yingtao felt even less inclined to go over there.

When Feng Jiu’er saw the maids setting things up this way, she had originally assumed that of the three tables on this side, the Crown Prince would sit in the middle with her and Feng Qingyin on either side.

But instead, her hand was suddenly taken by the Crown Prince, who led her toward the other side.

Shaking off Zhan Yuheng’s hand, Feng Jiu’er found herself standing beside one of the tables.

“Jiu’er, please.” Zhan Yuheng waved his hand and personally bent down to pull out the chair for Feng Jiu’er.

Feng Jiu’er pressed her lips together and raised her eyes to look at Xiao Yingtao and Huo Baixue, who were now roughly two zhang away.

Following her gaze across to the other side, Zhan Yuheng’s brow creased slightly.

Picking up on his look, Qingyun, who was standing guard beside Xiao Yingtao and Huo Baixue, waved his hand again.

“The two young ladies, please, this way!”

Glancing at Feng Jiu’er, Xiao Yingtao raised an eyebrow and sat herself down generously beside Feng Qingyin.

Seeing Xiao Yingtao sit down, Huo Baixue didn’t mind either and settled down at the other table.

“Jiu’er, please.” Zhan Yuheng came to stand beside Feng Jiu’er.

Just as he reached out his large hand to touch her, Feng Jiu’er pulled out the wooden chair and sat down.

Zhan Yuheng’s lips curved up slightly as he reached out and ruffled her hair, then took his seat beside her.

“Jiu’er, I wonder if you like the pastries here?”

Across from them, Feng Qingyin’s face had turned dark with fury, yet Zhan Yuheng didn’t even spare her a single glance.

That murderous glare was something Feng Jiu’er couldn’t ignore no matter how hard she tried.

She glanced briefly at the other side, then turned to look at Zhan Yuheng, frowning slightly.

“Heng Brother, what exactly are you trying to do? Do you think she doesn’t hate me enough already? If the two of you want to fight, leave me out of it—I’d still like to live a few more years.”

Feng Jiu’er glared at Zhan Yuheng, raised her hand, and vigorously wiped at the back of her hand where he had just touched her.

She kept her voice as low as possible, assuming Feng Qingyin couldn’t hear—if she really could hear, she’d already be over here trying to kill someone.

Just as Feng Jiu’er was complaining, someone suddenly appeared on the bench beside her.

Zhan Yuheng squeezed in next to Feng Jiu’er, holding her small hand with one palm while wrapping his other arm around behind her, nearly pulling her into his embrace.

He moved too fast, too suddenly—Feng Jiu’er had no idea what was happening before she found herself restrained.

Glancing up, she abruptly stood.

Her movement was forceful enough that it nearly knocked over the table in front of her.

But Zhan Yuheng showed no intention of letting her leave, and with another pull, he restrained Feng Jiu’er once again.

Feng Jiu’er glared at him, wanting to rise again.

Although her strength couldn’t match his, when it came to actual combat, he was absolutely no match for her.

Zhan Yuheng held Feng Jiu’er tightly with both arms, lowering his head to murmur, “Jiu’er, what did you just call me?”

As if catching the faint scent of blood, Feng Jiu’er’s heart softened for a moment, and she held back the urge to strike.

That blow Jian Yi had landed on him wasn’t simple at all—she had noticed it back when she watched him wield his sword.

If Qiao Mu hadn’t already been injured and forced to fight off opponents for several days straight, she might never have lost to an already wounded Zhan Yuheng.

“Let go of me, or I won’t hold back.” Feng Jiu’er struggled forcefully, trying her best to avoid the area near his heart.

“Jiu’er, what did you just call me?” Zhan Yuheng’s eyes were deep and dark, holding only Feng Jiu’er within them.

In that moment, he gave the impression that, aside from the woman in his eyes, nothing else in this world mattered anymore.

Feng Qingyin clenched her teeth hard and abruptly stood up, heading toward Zhan Yuheng and Feng Jiu’er.

Feng Jiu’er’s attention remained fixed on Zhan Yuheng, completely unaware that Feng Qingyin was approaching.

Seeing this, Xiao Yingtao and Huo Baixue also stood up one after another and walked forward.

Linglong hurried over anxiously, shielding Feng Qingyin from behind.

“What are you doing? Let go of me.” Feng Jiu’er frowned deeply.

She had no idea that, in her moment of complaint, she had accidentally called out “Heng Brother.”

And it was because of that single “Heng Brother” that Zhan Yuheng had reacted as if he’d gone mad.

He wanted to return to the past, to when she had always followed behind him calling him “Heng Brother”—he wanted that so badly, so very badly.