Led by the shop owner, several people walked together into the largest fabric shop in Phoenix City.

Taking in the dazzling array of cloth and textiles, Feng Jiu’er felt her mood lift considerably.

After a moment, she lowered her gaze to Jian Yi and asked softly, “Jian Yi, which bolt do you like?”

“Whichever you pick, I’ll like.” Jian Yi’s answer was clean and simple.

Feng Jiu’er looked at him and furrowed her brow slightly.

“I still need to pick something for Ninth Imperial Uncle — just choose for yourself. I don’t know your taste anyway.”

“Then I won’t bother making any.” Jian Yi’s voice came again.

Feng Jiu’er stared at the back of Jian Yi’s head, her brow gently creasing.

This fellow — if it weren’t for the fact that he had just recovered from a serious illness…

Forget it. For something like this, he probably genuinely didn’t have a clue.

Pushing the wheelchair forward a few more steps, Feng Jiu’er’s gaze fixed on a particular bolt of fabric.

“What about this one? The one in the middle — what do you think?”

“Fine.” Jian Yi didn’t even pause to think before giving a nod.

Feng Jiu’er was certain this fellow didn’t even know which bolt she was pointing at.

“I only bring you here to have clothes made once a year — can’t you take it even a little seriously?” Feng Jiu’er complained.

Jian Yi turned his head and met her gaze, giving a small nod.

“You say it’s good, then it’s good. This is actually the first time I’ve ever had clothes made for the New Year — I don’t know much about it.”

Meeting the innocent, wide-eyed gaze of the extraordinarily handsome Jian Yi, Feng Jiu’er didn’t doubt a single word he said.

“Alright.” She pressed her lips together and said, “But if what comes out looks terrible, you still have to wear it — no wasting.”

Honestly, this was also her first time having clothes made for the New Year. Was it not?

But that was the sort of thing no one would believe, so she might as well keep it to herself.

Fortunately, she had made quite a few outfits before and had at least a little experience.

“I don’t know about it either.” Mu Mu took two steps forward and said bluntly, without the slightest hint of embarrassment.

Feng Jiu’er glanced back, her brow creasing again.

“Does General Mu mean he wants me to pick for him as well?”

“Mm.” Mu Mu met Feng Jiu’er’s gaze and gave a small nod.

Xiao Yingtao had been quite excited — so many people celebrating the New Year together, and tonight there was even a lantern festival. How could she not be excited?

But seeing Feng Jiu’er in a difficult spot, she had no choice but to rein in her own feelings and walk over.

“Feng Jiu’er has a discerning eye — just let her choose and you can’t go wrong.” Xiao Yingtao gave Feng Jiu’er a meaningful look and said softly.

Feng Jiu’er stared at the girl, then glanced at Mu Mu, and finally gave a nod.

“Alright then. Would you like to ask the shop owner to set up a place for you both to have some tea and chat? That way you won’t be standing around here affecting my judgment.”

The shop owner had been hovering close by on either side. Upon hearing Feng Jiu’er’s words, he stepped forward immediately.

“If General Mu and this young gentleman find themselves at loose ends, this humble one can prepare a place for tea.”

“It’s on the second floor — you can see Phoenix City’s main street from there. What do you say?”

Turning his attention back to Jian Yi, the shop owner suddenly realized something and added, “Though I don’t know whether this young gentleman would find it… convenient.”

“He’s perfectly fine.” Feng Jiu’er immediately gave a firm nod of agreement.

Ninth Imperial Uncle, Mu Mu, Jian Yi, and herself — two sets each would already be eight outfits. How long would this take?

On top of that, she had been thinking that since she rarely had free time, she wanted to have several extra sets made for Jian Yi, that man with no family and no companion. But time was short.

For a single garment, even after the main fabric was chosen, there were still all manner of complementary materials. It was no simple task at all.

With that thought, Feng Jiu’er decided she would absolutely need Xiao Yingtao’s help to get through all of this.

The words had barely fallen when Feng Jiu’er reached over to support Jian Yi’s arm.

Jian Yi rose almost entirely under his own power, barely leaning on the girl at all.

Feng Jiu’er steadied the person beside her and turned her gaze toward Mu Mu.

“General Mu, after you. I have no idea how long I’ll be busy. Waiting upstairs is better than standing around down here.”

“With so many fine-looking men in the shop, any woman who walks in later will hardly be able to pay attention to the fabric — isn’t that right?”

Knowing perfectly well he was being shooed away, Mu Mu gave the faintest curve of his lips, shifted his gaze, and looked toward the shop owner.

“General Mu, this way please! We’ll have the finest tea prepared for you shortly.” The shop owner bowed deeply and gestured with great deference.

Mu Mu gave a nod and stepped forward.

Jian Yi lightly caught Feng Jiu’er by the arm, then let go of her small arm.

“I can go up myself. You’re the one who insisted I sit in the wheelchair.”

Feng Jiu’er glanced at Jian Yi, then looked toward the staircase inside.

“Fine — just be careful on your own. Don’t push yourself!”

“Mm.” Jian Yi gave a nod and walked forward.

With the two fine-looking men gone, the atmosphere in the shop grew more lively.

Qiao Mu strolled around the shop and came to stand before Feng Jiu’er and Xiao Yingtao.

“Feng Jiu’er, help me pick a few sets too — I don’t know where to begin.”

Feng Jiu’er had just been about to discuss something with Xiao Yingtao when she heard Qiao Mu’s words. She turned to look at the woman who stood half a head taller than herself.

“What? I genuinely don’t know.” Qiao Mu said with deliberate seriousness.

Feng Jiu’er stared at her, half-narrowing her eyes, and said flatly, “You can leave now.”

“People kept saying you value men over friends — and it really is true.” Qiao Mu shook her head and gave a light sigh.

“Go on then, tell me — in what way have I valued men over friends?” Feng Jiu’er had absolutely no idea what to do with this woman who always loved to mimic her way of speaking.

She tossed out that single line, turned around, and began selecting fabrics.

“I’ll leave aside Ninth Prince — but why can you pick for Jian Yi, pick for Mu Mu, and yet you can’t pick for me?”

Qiao Mu came to stand beside her, her gaze also falling to the fabric.

“As for Jian Yi, did you choose not to hear what he said?” Feng Jiu’er raised an eyebrow without turning her head.

“He’s never chosen fabric for New Year clothes before, and neither have I — in the past, I…”

Before Qiao Mu could finish her sentence, Xiao Yingtao, standing on Feng Jiu’er’s other side, spoke up: “Feng Jiu’er, I think this bolt is wonderful — Jian Yi would look so handsome in it.”

“Let’s make him several extra sets, shall we? He’s an orphan. This may well be the first New Year he’s ever spent with family — we can’t let him feel short-changed.”

“Agreed.” Feng Jiu’er gave a nod, her gaze settling on the fabric Xiao Yingtao had mentioned.

Qiao Mu blinked at the two of them. The words she had been about to say remained unsaid.

She had only been teasing Feng Jiu’er, but the moment she heard the word “orphan,” the mood for jokes vanished entirely.

Composing herself, she said quietly, “Then make him several extra sets.”

The words had barely left her mouth when Qiao Mu felt two different pairs of eyes settle on her. She turned to look.

Glancing between the two women now watching her, her graceful arched brows drew together slightly. “What? Did I say something wrong?”

“Jian Yi risked his life and came back from the brink of death for everyone’s sake. This time, I’ll cover the silver for his clothing. Feng Jiu’er, that tightfisted boss of a shopkeeper she always is — she’d probably cut corners too.”

Where Qiao Mu was concerned, she was absolutely not going after Feng Jiu’er for a bit of money.

Calling Feng Jiu’er stingy — she wasn’t wrong at all.

Still, Qiao Mu knew full well how many people Feng Jiu’er had to provide for. She would worry on Feng Jiu’er’s behalf, but she would never complain about her.