Having become a wealthy landowner overnight, Feng Jiu’er, tired as she was, did not sleep for very long.

She had slept roughly two hours before waking herself up with her own laughter.

Feng Jiu’er sat up in bed, took one look at the man sitting in her room, and the smile that had been curving her lips dropped away.

“Jian Yi, you may be a man, but could you at least stop coming and going from my private chambers at will?”

Feng Jiu’er shot Jian Yi a look and stood up, took her robe, and draped it over her shoulders.

“No.” Jian Yi withdrew his gaze from her, picked up the teapot, and poured himself a cup of tea.

Feng Jiu’er looked at him, unable to voice her grievances.

She drew in a deep breath, sat down, and reached for her tall boots to pull them on.

“Zhao Yusheng says he’s arranged a banquet for you and his father today.” Jian Yi’s voice drifted over.

“When?” The moment Feng Jiu’er heard this, she immediately looked up at him.

Every trace of complaint that had been on her face moments ago evaporated like smoke.

“Noon meal is fine, evening meal is also fine — he said to let you decide.” Jian Yi replied softly.

“Noon meal — go tell him quickly, I can head over right now.” Feng Jiu’er pulled her tall boots on in no time and stood up.

Seeing that Jian Yi was still sitting, she furrowed her brows slightly.

Jian Yi met her gaze and reached for the teacup in front of him.

Feng Jiu’er’s crescent brows creased, and she stepped forward in two strides, snatching the cup from him: “Drink it when you get back — we’re in a hurry!”

The words barely out, she raised Jian Yi’s cup and drained it in one go.

While she was certainly wealthy now, winning over Zhao Family Stronghold was still no simple matter.

Jian Yi ruffled her hair, then rose and walked out.

Feng Jiu’er set down the cup, turned around, and went to sit at the dressing table by the bed.

Jian Yi had only just stepped out when Qiao Mu and Xiao Yingtao came walking in.

“Jiu’er, you’re up this early too?” Xiao Yingtao went over and took the comb from Feng Jiu’er’s hand.

“You two — up this early yourselves?” Feng Jiu’er looked at the two of them through the mirror.

“Yes.” Xiao Yingtao gave a nod. “There hasn’t been time yet to count the gold — how could I sleep soundly?”

“Jiu’er, you have to understand, that’s all gold — gold beyond counting.”

Qiao Mu covered her mouth with a yawn and went back to find a chair to sit in: “I was woken up.”

“Well, now that you’re both awake — you and Xiao Yingtao take charge of tallying the count. I need to go somewhere with Zhao Yusheng.” Feng Jiu’er said softly.

“That sort of thing isn’t suited to me. I’ll go with you — just leave Xing Zizhou here.” Qiao Mu’s voice sounded.

“Besides counting, there’s also the matter of what to do with it — we can’t just keep it on us forever. Don’t worry — Xing Zizhou will figure something out.”

Feng Jiu’er looked at Xiao Yingtao through the mirror.

Xiao Yingtao met her gaze and pressed her lips together: “He said he’d think of something.”

“Good — I’ll leave that matter to the two of you then.” Feng Jiu’er gave a nod.

“Yes.” Xiao Yingtao nodded with a face full of delight. “Jiu’er, I’ve never seen so much gold before — there’s so much of it.”

“You’ve said that several hundred times already.” Feng Jiu’er raised an eyebrow.

“It’s not just me saying it — why are you only blaming me?” Xiao Yingtao bit her lip and continued combing Feng Jiu’er’s hair.

“You’re going to meet the Old Master today — you should probably dress more properly. At least make some effort with your appearance.”

“When have I ever been improperly dressed?” Feng Jiu’er raised an eyebrow.

Xiao Yingtao looked at her, gave a light cough, and let the corners of her mouth lift: “Almost… never properly dressed.”

“Xiao Yingtao.” Feng Jiu’er fixed her eyes on Xiao Yingtao, her gaze half-narrowed. “If I’m not properly dressed, that’s your problem too — haven’t you always been the one attending to me?”

“Yes, yes, it’s my problem.” Xiao Yingtao nodded vigorously. “Today, I’m going to make Jiu’er look absolutely beautiful.”

Feng Jiu’er’s crescent brow arched, and she gave no further reply to Xiao Yingtao’s words.

This time, Xiao Yingtao truly put every bit of effort into dressing Feng Jiu’er up.

Had Feng Jiu’er not kept hurrying her along, perhaps even this amount of time would not have been enough.

By the time both of them stood and Xiao Yingtao helped Feng Jiu’er into her outer garment, when the two turned around together, Qiao Mu was sitting there in her chair, eyes drooping with drowsiness.

Xiao Yingtao looked at her and gave a soft cough.

Qiao Mu immediately opened both eyes wide and stood: “Are we ready to go? Let’s go.”

Xiao Yingtao glanced at her, then at Feng Jiu’er, took one in each hand, and led all three to stand before the dressing table.

“Look at yourself — you’re sure you want to go out like that?” She furrowed her brows and turned to look at Qiao Mu.

When Qiao Mu saw herself in the mirror, her expression barely changed — but when her gaze fell on Feng Jiu’er reflected there, her eyes went wide.

Xiao Yingtao looked at her and raised an eyebrow.

“You’re not unattractive to begin with, but you pay so little attention to your own appearance. Do you really think, going out like this alongside Jiu’er, anyone would be willing to give you a second glance?”

“I… it doesn’t matter.” Qiao Mu swallowed, and said softly. “We’re not going over there to…”

Before she could finish, Xiao Yingtao shook her head, pulled her over, and made her sit down.

“Jiu’er, have someone bring in a basin of water. I’ll do her up a bit — otherwise she’ll be sulking later when no one notices her.”

“Alright.” Feng Jiu’er gave a nod, turned, and walked out.

Qiao Mu had initially been somewhat resistant, but after taking a more honest look at herself in the mirror, she sat down — and staying seated, she stayed seated.

Xiao Yingtao fussed over Qiao Mu for well over a quarter of an hour before finally releasing her from the dressing table.

Before the noon meal, Zhao Yusheng led Feng Jiu’er, Qiao Mu, Jian Yi, Tuoba Keyan, and the four Feng Yan brothers toward the Zhao Family Stronghold’s main compound.

The whole way there was nearly all open plains, and Feng Jiu’er found herself liking this place more and more.

Not just Zhao Family Stronghold — the entire Black Gorge was quite something.

Green mountains, clear waters — were it not for the mountain bandits at every turn, this would certainly be a fine place to enjoy life.

The place Zhao Yusheng had requested from the Old Master was near the Qingzhou Valley, a bit of a distance from the main compound.

This gave Feng Jiu’er more opportunity to take in the full view of Zhao Family Stronghold as they traveled.

Zhao Yusheng looked at the joy on Feng Jiu’er’s face and asked softly: “Jiu’er, are you fairly satisfied with this place?”

As Feng Jiu’er turned her head, the smile at her lips could not be hidden: “Satisfied — truly satisfied.”

Though satisfaction was one thing, whether she could actually win it over was another matter entirely.

She could only hope that today would not be a wasted trip.

Feng Jiu’er withdrew her gaze, looked ahead for a moment, then turned back to look at Zhao Yusheng.

“Zhao Yusheng — your father, what is his attitude toward this?”

Zhao Yusheng composed himself and shook his head: “I’m not sure either. The feeling I get is that he’s still not particularly receptive for now.”

“But the fact that he agreed to meet with you — perhaps something may change. Jiu’er, don’t worry. No matter what, I…”

“No need to make any promises to me.” Feng Jiu’er gave a faint smile and turned her gaze forward, quickening her horse’s pace.

“What you’ve already done is more than enough. As for what remains — I’ll handle it.”

Whatever happened, this stretch of land was not something she would give up.

One day was not enough — then a month. A month was not enough — then a year. She would make the Old Master see her in a completely new light, no matter what it took.

Zhao Yusheng looked at Feng Jiu’er’s retreating figure, drew in a deep breath, pulled his reins, and rode after her.