With those words, the Fort Mistress composed herself and lowered her gaze.

The Fort Master glanced at his wife beside him, and the guilt in his eyes was plain to see.

Feng Jiu’er looked at them both and continued: “In truth, even if the two of you went two years without conceiving a child, that was no sign that you could never have one for the rest of your lives.”

“Fort Master, if you think back — in those two years, were there not very few nights when you and Madam could truly rest together in peace?”

The Fort Master withdrew his gaze from his wife and looked at Feng Jiu’er.

He let out a quiet sigh and nodded. “It was my fault. All of it was my fault.”

“It is not too late to make amends now — do you not still have several decades together ahead of you?” Feng Jiu’er pressed her lips together and said.

Had the Fort Mistress truly been unable to bear it, she would have left long ago. The fact that she hadn’t meant she was unwilling to part. Being able to witness the Fort Master’s remorse — for the Fort Mistress, that was not without its worth.

“Whether man or woman, certain things must be done with restraint. Fort Master, I trust you take my meaning?”

Feng Jiu’er looked at the Fort Master and gave a light raise of her brow.

“In those two years that followed, you spent your days wandering freely among all manner of beauties, heedless of what your body could sustain.”

“To be straightforward — the Fort Master’s body has no disease. But you should know that you are only twenty-nine now, and yet your body already carries the age of a forty-year-old.”

“Perhaps this is heaven’s way of settling the account.”

“The age of my body?” The Fort Master’s brow creased lightly.

“Yes.” Feng Jiu’er gave a nod. “Fort Master, your body is in a very depleted state. Affairs between men and women must be set aside for now.”

“Continue taking my medicine, and for two months, you must abstain from such relations entirely. If fate allows us to meet again, I will examine you once more.”

“At the back of the prescription, I have written out my daily recommendations for you — everything from food and drink, to exercise, to rest. It is all written out plainly.”

“If you still wish to have a child, you must begin living according to my recommendations starting tomorrow.”

“I do — I do want one.” The Fort Master gave a vigorous nod. “It’s something I’ve dreamed of. I’ll listen to everything. Everything Little Sister Feng says, I’ll follow.”

Barely had the words left his mouth before the Fort Master broke into a slightly abashed, foolish grin.

“Forgive me! All these years of desperately wanting to become a father have made me a little wild. I’ve been improper — truly, I apologize!”

“Yes.” Feng Jiu’er gave a nod. “Two months after stopping the medicine, Fort Master may try with Madam for a child — though still with restraint.”

“If I haven’t returned by then, simply maintain the routines I’ve outlined.”

“Of course, these are only my recommendations. I cannot guarantee that you will truly become a father.”

“Good.” The Fort Master smiled and nodded. “Meeting Little Sister Feng was itself a matter of fate. Starting tomorrow, I will follow the regimen with strict discipline.”

“Then that is well.” Feng Jiu’er gave a nod, rose from the table, stepped forward, and clasped her hands in a bow to the Fort Master.

“I hope the Fort Master’s wish comes true. I hope Madam’s wish comes true as well. We take our leave here.”

The Fort Master stood, extending a large hand.

With the parting now at hand, the reluctance in his heart was genuine — and yet the woman before him was no ordinary person. What means did he have to keep her?

The Fort Master drew in a deep breath, raised his head, and forced the tears threatening to gather in his eyes back down.

After a long moment, he finally lowered his gaze and looked at Feng Jiu’er.

“Since Little Sister Feng has decided to leave tonight, I have no grounds to detain you any further. I hope that we will have the chance to work together again.”

“Of course.” Feng Jiu’er smiled faintly and clasped her hands once more in farewell.

“Captain Nan.” The Fort Master glanced toward the outside and called out quietly.

The Nanmeng captain, who had been standing guard outside, heard him, turned, and strode in.

“Fort Master, what are your orders?”

“Go with me and see Little Sister Feng off. Little Sister Feng, don’t take it to heart — I truly cannot bear the sight of farewells. Let Captain Nan escort you out. I ought to get some rest as well.” The Fort Master looked at Feng Jiu’er, his expression grave.

“All banquets must come to an end, Fort Master. Farewell!” Feng Jiu’er gave the Fort Master a faint, gentle smile, then turned and left.

This Fort Master was, in his way, someone who valued loyalty and feeling. She could only hope that in the days ahead, he would truly treat the Fort Mistress better.

The Nanmeng captain escorted Feng Jiu’er and her company out of Nanman Fort before turning back.

Outside Nanman Fort, a good number of tents were still pitched and waiting.

All told, only a few days had passed — and yet it felt as though a great deal had been lived through.

In order to be sharp and full of spirit for the journey ahead tomorrow, everyone was seizing the night to rest well.

The following morning, according to the plan laid out beforehand, the party divided into two groups and set off through the mountain ravines.

Long Feiyan and Snow Lady led one group; all the younger members followed Feng Jiu’er’s group.

Feng Jiu’er led her company in a grand, sweeping march through Black Canyon. There was hardly anyone capable of standing in their way.

Throughout Black Canyon, mountain strongholds large and small appeared one after another in endless succession, populated by all manner of people — it was truly an eye-opening experience.

After leaving the rather sizable Qingshan Stronghold, the party continued south.

It took them over a month — close to two — before they finally arrived in the vicinity of the next formidable force: the Black Pool Gang.

By repute, the Black Pool Gang occupied a long stretch of mountain ranges bordering the Black Pool — very long stretches. If one truly intended to search them slowly and methodically, one could walk for a solid month without covering it all.

The Black Pool Gang bordered the Zhao Family Stronghold. Deep within those mountain ranges, traveling continually east-northeast, one could enter the Zhao Family Stronghold’s territory.

After passing through the final stretch of mountain forest, the party came to a halt.

Feng Jiu’er was at the head, surveying the distance, then raised her hand in a signal.

Behind her, Qiao Mu spurred her horse and turned back toward the rest of the party.

Before long, the brothers dismounted one by one and began setting up camp.

Yet unexpectedly, one of the brothers spotted something in the distance — a column of riders was drawing near.

“Miss Jiu’er.” The brother set down what he was carrying, turned, and called back to the group. “Trouble — there’s a party approaching.”

Word passed from one to the next, and before long the news reached Feng Jiu’er’s ears.

She pulled on the reins and rode in the direction the party was approaching from.

Jian Yi, Zhao Yusheng, and Tuoba Keyan all spurred their horses and followed.

No one could have anticipated that the approaching party — which had sent everyone into a tense state of alert — would have Zhao Xiaoxiao walking at its head.

Having recognized his own sister, Zhao Yusheng glanced back at Feng Jiu’er.

“It’s Xiaoxiao — and the brothers from our Zhao Family Stronghold.”

Zhao Yusheng offered Feng Jiu’er a reassuring look, then urged his horse forward to meet them.

On the open ground ahead, the terrain rose and fell in gentle waves, and everyone could clearly see that the approaching party was considerable in number.

Qiao Mu, who had just ridden over, looked at Feng Jiu’er and laughed: “Jiu’er, your luck is truly remarkable!”

“Zhao Yusheng came along and brought several thousand in fighting strength. Now Zhao Xiaoxiao arrives as well — that column must number at least three thousand.”

“Win over the young master and young miss of the Zhao Family Stronghold’s elders, and when the time comes, you’ll be able to do as you please in the Zhao Family Stronghold.”

Feng Jiu’er gave Qiao Mu a sidelong glance, and the corners of her lips lifted with a trace of pleased amusement.

“Let me be clear — it’s because I am capable enough that they are willing to follow. That is why.”

Feng Jiu’er had never denied the favor heaven had bestowed upon her. Otherwise, how could she have come to meet this fine company of brothers?

How fortunate it is that they are here!