By the time Feng Jiu’er had composed herself and went back outside, Qiao Mu was no longer there.

She looked around and let out a quiet sigh.

It turned out that some things were beyond one’s control. Better not to think of them — the moment she did, her thoughts fell into disorder.

She hoped she had not frightened the woman. She would explain later. She was not in the mood for it right now.

Feng Jiu’er lifted her gaze into the sun and stretched leisurely, her complexion returning to its natural colour. She curved her lips slightly and stepped off in another direction.

Jian Yi followed close behind her, standing guard at close range.

Coming to a stop before another thatched cottage, Feng Jiu’er asked quietly: “Mother, Xue Gu — may I come in?”

“Come in.” Long Feiyan’s voice carried out from inside the cottage.

Feng Jiu’er glanced back at Jian Yi, and the two of them walked in together.

Long Feiyan and Xue Gu were seated at the table. When Feng Jiu’er entered, she went straight to the table and took out the map prints from her breast, laying them on the surface.

“Mother, you have also seen these two prints before. One is the phoenix mark map from my body, the other was traced from the pattern on the Ninth Prince.”

“You are saying the dragon-soaring print is a pattern that appeared on Di Wuya’s body?” That piece of news was genuinely somewhat beyond Long Feiyan’s expectation.

“Yes.” Feng Jiu’er nodded.

Long Feiyan glanced at Xue Gu. Xue Gu also looked back at her. Both of their expressions shifted to varying degrees.

Feng Jiu’er had not noticed any of this. She placed the two prints together, stood up, unfastened the jade pendant at her waist, and sat back down.

The jade pendant was placed over the two map prints, and a certain area became visible — it appeared to show a stretch of mountain range.

“Mother, when Father was leaving, he told me that this stretch of mountain range is most likely to be found in the Black Ravine.”

“The Black Ravine is very close to here. My plan is to find the treasure first, and then bring in the descendants of Zhao Yu before planning the march north.”

“The young master of the Zhao Yu descendants is one of our people. Even if the old master does not agree to let the brothers leave, I am still confident I can persuade him.”

“But the prerequisite is that we must have enough wealth.”

“The Zhao Yu descendants?” Long Feiyan’s brow pressed together lightly.

“The Black Ravine is plagued with mountain bandits. The Zhao Yu descendants are the most formidable of them.” Xue Gu said softly.

“When we entered the Black Pool, we had dealings with these people before. The young master of the Zhao Yu descendants helped us greatly.”

“Yes.” Feng Jiu’er nodded again. “Among our brothers, we now have at least five thousand who are from Zhao Family Fort. Their young master’s name is Zhao Yusheng.”

“Some time ago I went again to the territory of the Zhao Yu descendants and saw with my own eyes how many people they still have.”

“Over a hundred years ago, Zhao Yu submitted, yet was wiped out — even today they have a deep aversion to surrender.”

“But in truth, not only Zhao Yusheng and many of the younger brothers are unwilling to spend their whole lives hidden in the mountains — even the old master himself has such a desire.”

“To keep the clan safe, the old master refused to let Zhao Yusheng leave, but in the end he conceded, and even let him bring brothers to support me.”

“So I plan to go to the Zhao Yu territory once more after we find the treasure.”

Following Long Feiyan’s gaze, Feng Jiu’er turned to look at Jian Yi.

She gave him a brief smile, then turned back and met Long Feiyan’s eyes.

“Mother, do not worry. Anyone else might betray me — this fellow cannot.”

“A person willing to die for you is worthy of trust.” Xue Gu did not disagree with what Feng Jiu’er said.

She felt a measure of relief just seeing Jian Yi standing here alive, even with his face in such a state of injury.

“Yes.” Long Feiyan withdrew her gaze from Jian Yi. “We must find the treasure, but the matter of these two prints should be known by as few people as possible.”

“I have already sent word to Zhao Yusheng. I believe they will be able to arrive before long.” Xue Gu said.

Feng Jiu’er looked at Xue Gu and asked quietly: “What place is this exactly?”

“Once we left Phoenix City, we entered the Black Ravine here.” Xue Gu looked at Feng Jiu’er and replied plainly. “Has Jiu’er’s condition improved?”

“There is nothing wrong with me. A day or two of rest will do.” Feng Jiu’er met her gaze. “How have our brothers been settled?”

“Qiao Mu had Zhao Yusheng take them away. Xing Zizhou and Xiao Yingtao assisted. They should all be safe by now.”

“I saw with my own eyes those people leave Phoenix City. Their target is the imperial capital — for now they have no time to deal with us.”

“Jiu’er, your wedding…”

“Xue Gu, I know it all. I do not wish to speak of those matters now — planning our own affairs properly is what matters.” Feng Jiu’er cut off Xue Gu’s words.

“Yes.” Xue Gu looked at her and gave a satisfied nod. “It is good that you have sorted it through. Since your bodies still need time to recover, rest here another two or three days.”

“Other matters I will arrange in advance.”

“I also have some people nearby.” Long Feiyan’s voice came. “When Qing Ye returns, arrange things together with her.”

“Over these two days, Jiu’er and I will draft a route for finding the treasure. It would be best to have a fairly detailed map of the terrain of the Black Ravine.”

“Once we contact Zhao Yusheng, that should not be difficult.” Feng Jiu’er’s gaze fell once more on the two map prints.

As though remembering something, she reached to touch her waist, then stood up.

“Messenger birds — let me see if I can find them. Mother, Xue Gu, you continue speaking. I will step out for a moment.”

“All right.” Long Feiyan nodded in reply.

Feng Jiu’er nodded, and as she turned, a small whistle appeared in her hand.

Jian Yi said not a single word, turned, and followed her steps.

Not far from the thatched cottage stretched a forest with no end in sight.

Feng Jiu’er walked toward the forest, blowing on the whistle as she went.

Before long, a lively little bird came fluttering toward her.

Seeing her own messenger bird, the corners of Feng Jiu’er’s mouth lifted, and her expression brightened with pleasure.

In the sunlight, a slight-framed young woman looked up at the sky, a faint smile touching her lips.

Warm sunlight fell across her flawless little face, making her complexion look still more translucent — fair skin tinged with a faint blush of rose.

She lifted her small hand gently, and a bird alighted on the back of it.

Sun, green grass, beautiful woman, bird — like a painting scroll, beautiful enough to make one lose one’s heart to it.

“I follow you wherever you go, so it was not for nothing that I raised you.” Feng Jiu’er carried the small bird back with her, a touch of satisfaction on her face.

Jian Yi watched her, a faint curve on his lips, and turned to follow.

Arriving before her own small thatched cottage, Feng Jiu’er looked back.

“Jian Yi, wherever is there writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone — quickly get some ready for me. I need to send a message to Zhao Yusheng.”

She dropped the words and stepped inside.

Thinking of the treasure they were soon to unearth, Feng Jiu’er felt a particular rush of excitement.

Only wealth and power were permanent. Everything else — joy or sorrow — would in the end become the past.

Even though thinking of it would certainly still bring unhappiness, Feng Jiu’er was gradually coming to accept this truth.

To grieve deeply and then feel pain and sorrow was inevitable. She should face it with open eyes rather than working so hard to conceal her own emotions.

For Mother’s sake, for the Long family’s sake — Jiu’er, you must grow strong.