“It’s over now — don’t be afraid!” Xiao Yingtao, still supporting Qiao Mu, turned to look at Yanu. “This matter has nothing to do with you. You may come out now.”

Yanu looked at Xiao Yingtao, pressed her lips together, shook her head, and bowed low with her forehead to the ground. “Thank you all! Thank you!”

After three deep kowtows, her hoarse voice continued: “The Fort Master has not yet released Yanu. Yanu should wait a while longer. You have been too kind, Miss.”

Only then did Xiao Yingtao realize she had done something that perhaps wasn’t hers to do — yet seeing Yanu in such a pitiful state, she had been unable to stop herself from overstepping.

Just then, one of the brothers came rushing in from outside.

“The Fort Master commands that Yanu be released.” He looked at the jailer and gave the order.

“Yes.” The jailer looked at Yanu and waved his hand. “Did you hear? It’s the Fort Master himself who says you may go.”

Yanu gave a respectful bow, took a few steps out with the jailer, then suddenly stopped.

She knelt down once more and kowtowed three times — with a solid thud each time — before she finally followed the jailer out.

The brother who had come in looked at the three sitting on the ground, and his manner instantly turned respectful.

“Young misses, the Fort Master has sent me to ask whether there is anything you require?”

Feng Jiu’er, who had closed her eyes, withdrew the palm she had been resting against Qiao Mu’s back. Together with Xiao Yingtao, she helped Qiao Mu to her feet.

“Just see to it that we’re well fed and well rested. Have it sent to our quarters — we’re in need of a good rest.” Feng Jiu’er waved a hand and said.

“Of course, Miss Feng.” The brother gave a nod and received the command.

“I’m fine. I can walk on my own.” Qiao Mu withdrew her hand and gave a faint upward tug of her lips.

She stretched her back with a leisurely roll of her shoulders, let out a long breath, and gave Feng Jiu’er a light pat on the shoulder.

“Still — with your inner energy as a top-up, I’d say I came out ahead.”

“For me, this was nothing more than a minor task. Don’t give it another thought.” Feng Jiu’er was equally pleased.

No matter how one looked at it, having solved the case was something worth being happy about.

The dead cannot be brought back to life. What has already happened cannot be changed by anyone — all they could do was help in whatever way they were able.

The three women and one man returned to their guest quarters, and before long, the fort’s attendants brought them a fine evening meal.

The one who escorted Yanu in was the captain of the Nanmeng squad.

He looked at the group gathered around the table and clasped his hands respectfully with a bow.

“Miss Feng, the Fort Master asks whether you would like to be moved to a larger set of rooms?”

“No need.” Feng Jiu’er waved her hand. “Go ahead and set everything down. You needn’t wait on us.”

“Yes.” The Nanmeng captain gave a nod, then glanced back.

Several attendants carrying trays stepped forward and placed each prepared dish onto the table, one by one.

Standing to one side, the Nanmeng captain continued: “Miss Feng, please be assured — the Fort Master has issued instructions, asking the heads of each hall to look after your people with special care.”

“The Fort Master has said that beyond providing good food and drink, whatever requests your people may have, everyone in Nanman Fort will do their utmost to fulfill them.”

“The Fort Master’s intention is for everyone here to cooperate with Miss Feng as fully as possible, in hopes of reducing the time you must spend here.”

“Even the brothers you have outside the fort will be looked after. Miss Feng may focus on your matters without worry.”

Feng Jiu’er’s attention had been on the fragrant dishes before her, but the Nanmeng captain’s words were rather appealing, and she finally relented and looked over.

“Now that is well done!” She raised an eyebrow and curled the corner of her lips upward. “Then pass along my words to the Fort Master — I, Feng Jiu’er, am deeply grateful for his assistance.”

“Of course.” The Nanmeng captain looked at Feng Jiu’er and gave a respectful bow. “Then I’ll leave Miss Feng to your meal. Please, enjoy.”

The Nanmeng captain led his people out and pulled the door shut behind them.

“Jiu’er, I’m going to help myself.” After a full day’s work, Xiao Yingtao’s stomach was growling with hunger.

But just as her hand reached up with the chopsticks, Qiao Mu gave it a light smack.

Qiao Mu shot Xiao Yingtao a look, then produced a silver needle and tested it against every single dish.

“Sorry! That was careless of me.” Xiao Yingtao looked around at the others and scratched her head sheepishly.

“Qiao Mu did exactly right. One must always guard against others, and never forget that — no matter what the occasion.” Feng Jiu’er picked up her chopsticks and lifted a large prawn.

“There are even prawns. Tonight, I really must treat myself well.”

Just as she was about to bring the shell-on prawn to her lips to crack it open, someone clasped the hand holding her chopsticks.

Feng Jiu’er turned to glance at Jian Yi beside her, then on her own initiative, set down the unshelled prawn she had picked up.

“Jian Yi, thank you.” Feng Jiu’er picked up her bowl and scooped up the peeled prawn meat Jian Yi passed to her.

“The one who hates peeling shells most but loves eating prawns most — that can only be Jiu’er.” Xiao Yingtao said with a warm smile.

“What is there to worry about? The number of people who want to peel prawns for her is more than enough.” Qiao Mu raised an eyebrow and also picked up her chopsticks.

Xiao Yingtao noticed Feng Jiu’er’s hand stiffen slightly over the prawn meat in her bowl, and immediately reached out with her foot and gave Qiao Mu a kick.

Qiao Mu winced and shot her a look, then quickly shifted her gaze back to Feng Jiu’er.

Feng Jiu’er only froze for the briefest moment before snapping back, picked up the prawn meat, and placed it in her mouth.

“Very fresh. Excellent.” She shrugged, closed her eyes, and wore an expression of pure contentment.

“Xiao Yingtao, why did you kick me?” Qiao Mu withdrew her gaze from Feng Jiu’er and gave Xiao Yingtao a sidelong look.

“Jiu’er got over it long ago. Out with the old, in with the new. Isn’t that right, Jiu’er?”

Before Feng Jiu’er had a chance to respond, Qiao Mu continued: “Besides, look — Jian Yi isn’t much less handsome than the Ninth Prince.”

“Any children you have in the future will certainly be handsome boys and beautiful girls — I can guarantee it. Don’t worry at all.”

“Qiao Mu.” Feng Jiu’er looked at Qiao Mu and narrowed her eyes halfway. “Don’t push me into feeding you prawn shells.”

“Jiu’er, when will you give me a child?” Jian Yi asked with a quiet smile, and placed a second piece of peeled prawn into Feng Jiu’er’s bowl.

Feng Jiu’er turned to shoot him a glare, then looked down at the prawn meat in her bowl.

“If you want children, have Qiao Mu give you one — I can guarantee they won’t be unattractive either.”

She swept another glance at Qiao Mu, then turned back, picked up the prawn meat, and placed it in her mouth.

“I don’t have that kind of luck.” Qiao Mu shook her head and picked up a prawn herself. “Just so you know — when I eat prawns, I always peel my own shells.”

“I peel my own too.” Xiao Yingtao looked at everyone and smiled with easy contentment.

As long as Jiu’er was alright, so was she.

Her gaze drifted to Jian Yi, and Xiao Yingtao studied him for a good long while.

“Oh, by the way — the scar on Jian Yi’s face seems to be gone. How can it have healed so quickly? Jiu’er, did you invent some kind of scar-fading ointment again?”

“It’s the one you had left over from before.” Feng Jiu’er replied casually. “These past days have been absolutely relentless — how could I possibly have had the time to make something like that?”

“Xiao Yingtao’s scar could be taken care of, so Jian Yi’s was nothing remarkable.” Qiao Mu added, equally offhand.

Yet unexpectedly, the person beside her seemed to have the air suddenly press heavier around them.

Qiao Mu turned to look at Xiao Yingtao and asked quietly: “Still thinking about that?”

Xiao Yingtao pursed her lips and gave a nod. “It’s something I’ll never be able to forget, no matter how long I live.”