After breakfast, Ye Luosha truly did bring people with her.

More than a dozen maidservants arrived carrying a total of three sets of ceremonial robes, displaying them on either side of the great hall in groups of four, each group holding one set.

Several manservants carried in two large chests and set them down in the middle of the hall.

Word had come early that Ye Luosha was on her way, so Feng Jiu’er, Xiao Yingtao, and Qiao Mu were already seated in the hall, sipping tea.

Taking in the grand display before her, Feng Jiu’er gave a faint curl of her lips, rose, and stepped forward to meet Ye Luosha.

“Jiu’er.” Before Feng Jiu’er could say a word, Ye Luosha called out gently.

Her manner was so warm and approachable — something Feng Jiu’er had never seen from her before.

“Whatever misunderstanding there may have been before, tomorrow is your wedding day with Wu Ya. I hope you can let go of past grievances and accept my apology.”

Ye Luosha looked at Feng Jiu’er and folded her hands in a respectful gesture.

Feng Jiu’er gave a dismissive wave. “So long as Senior Ye does not hold things against a junior like myself, what would I have to take issue with?”

Ye Luosha lowered her hands, and her voice continued: “I hope it will be so. From now on we are one family — a harmonious household will also set Wu Ya’s mind at ease when he tends to affairs.”

Feng Jiu’er could not see through Ye Luosha’s sincerity, but she simply smiled and gave a small nod, then turned to look at one of the ceremonial robes.

“Senior Ye, were these robes made for me?”

“Of course.” Ye Luosha inclined her head and stepped up beside the robes. “These several sets of ceremonial robes — I already commissioned them on the last night of the twelfth month.”

“But as it turned out, that very night such an incident occurred, and it was fortunately Jiu’er who saved Mu’er’s life.”

“Mu’er is my lifeblood — you must know that. You saved him; my gratitude is boundless. What happened that night — we wronged you.”

Feng Jiu’er met Ye Luosha’s gaze and gave a slight furrow of her brow. “Why is Senior Ye so certain it wasn’t me? Has that assassin been found?”

“Not yet.” Ye Luosha replied quietly. “That night we did indeed see someone who looked very much like you — but thinking back later, the fighting style was not quite the same either.”

“Besides, Jiu’er worked so hard to save Mu’er — how could the person who harmed him possibly be you?”

Feng Jiu’er pressed her lips together and said no more.

“Very well — all the things you have brought, I accept. You have matters to attend to; please go ahead. I will certainly not embarrass you in front of others tomorrow.”

The change in Ye Luosha was something Feng Jiu’er could not fully absorb all at once.

She would not say she disbelieved it, yet she could not possibly be without any suspicion at all.

Feng Jiu’er had long since decided: so long as Ye Luosha and Emperor Ji treated her decently on the surface, that was sufficient — she harbored no greater hopes than that.

If every time they met a conflict arose and she was made things difficult, the only one suffering would be her own man.

Ye Luosha understood Feng Jiu’er’s polite dismissal well enough. She looked back at Feng Jiu’er and offered a faint smile.

“Very well then — try on these few sets of robes later and choose the one you like best.”

Her gaze shifted to the two chests in the middle of the hall.

“These small tokens are a gesture of goodwill from myself and the Second Prince. You are marrying Wu Ya, which makes you family of our Di household — a small expression of good intentions; no thanks needed.”

“However, I must make one thing clear in advance.” Ye Luosha withdrew her gaze and looked at Feng Jiu’er once more.

“Please speak.” Feng Jiu’er gestured lightly.

“It concerns Mu’er.” Ye Luosha’s voice rang out. “In the future, as his sister-in-law, you must be clear about what you should and should not do.”

Feng Jiu’er returned her gaze steadily and replied in a quiet voice: “I have always been clear about such distinctions. Going forward, I will be even more mindful.”

“Very good.” Ye Luosha gave a small nod, glanced around at the people in the hall, and said: “If Jiu’er needs my maids to help her change into the robes, I can leave them here.”

“If not, I’ll take them with me.”

“No need — thank you.” Feng Jiu’er shook her head, gave a light wave, and said: “Senior Ye, I’ll see you out.”

“Very well.” Ye Luosha gave a flick of her sleeves, turned, and began to leave. “Oh, by the way — tomorrow is your wedding day with Wu Ya. By custom it is best you do not see each other today.”

“If there is anything you are unsure about, have someone come and report it to me, and I will come in person.”

“Very well.” Feng Jiu’er looked at Ye Luosha’s retreating figure and gave a small nod.

Ye Luosha gave a wave of her hand, and her people followed her out; the maidservants who had been holding the ceremonial robes handed them over to the maids in Feng Jiu’er’s courtyard.

Once Ye Luosha was some distance away, Xiao Yingtao and Qiao Mu received the robes from the maids’ hands.

“All of you go and tend to your duties outside — there’s nothing for you here.” Xiao Yingtao looked at the maids and said gently.

“Yes.” The maids inclined their heads in unison and withdrew.

As the doors were closed, Xiao Yingtao carried the robes back inside.

By now, Feng Jiu’er had already returned to the main seat and was sipping her tea.

Qiao Mu had also sat back in her own place, and the splendid ceremonial robes were set carelessly aside next to her.

Xiao Yingtao came over and set the robes on the table beside her own seat, then turned and went back into the center of the hall.

“I wonder what gifts Ye Luosha sent you?” Xiao Yingtao, brimming with curiosity, opened one of the chests.

“Jiu’er.” She looked up at the person sitting in the main seat. “It’s jewels — and they look like they’re worth quite a lot.”

She opened the second chest, and Xiao Yingtao seemed even more delighted.

“Jewels again — Ye Luosha is truly wealthy; what a lavish hand she has. Jiu’er, since it’s here for the taking, we might as well take it, right? Surely you aren’t thinking of sending it back?”

“Of course not.” Feng Jiu’er lifted her teacup and took a quiet sip, as if Ye Luosha had never set foot there at all.

“You truly believe Ye Luosha has accepted you?” Qiao Mu looked at Feng Jiu’er, her brow furrowed tightly. “Jiu’er, don’t forget—”

“I haven’t forgotten.” Feng Jiu’er cut Qiao Mu off. “But what else can I do besides accept the situation?”

“As Xiao Yingtao says — since it’s here for the taking, we take it. The contents of these two chests converted to silver will let me recruit soldiers and horses again.”

“I would never give up on the people of Zhao Manor, but to bring them to heel I must have funds — otherwise who would be willing to lay down their life for you of their own accord?”

She glanced at Qiao Mu again and lifted the corners of her mouth slightly.

“Of course, you are the exception — much like how other brides require a betrothal gift, and yet you give freely without being asked, contributing both coin and person. I am truly too grateful for words!”

Qiao Mu looked at Feng Jiu’er and rolled her eyes.

“That is a completely different matter. Can you not be a little more serious?”

“Qiao Mu, I know what you’re worried about.” Xiao Yingtao held a string of pearls and looked at Qiao Mu.

“But Jiu’er has her own reasoning too. What if we think of everything here as brothers-in-arms, as fine warhorses — would that make it a little easier to accept?”

“I never said I wouldn’t take what Ye Luosha sends to our door.” Qiao Mu swept Xiao Yingtao with a glance. “I only fear she isn’t as friendly as she appears on the surface.”

“She was never friendly — not once.” Feng Jiu’er pressed her lips softly. “But since I chose to come back, I can only endure all of this.”

“Qiao Mu, I know you mean well. I will be careful — more careful than ever — so please don’t worry too much.”

“Tomorrow is my wedding day — a great occasion that comes but once in a lifetime, and what’s more, I am marrying a man I love and who loves me in return.”

“That is something to be joyful about. I hope that the people I care about can share in that joy with me.”