Qiao Mu shot her a sideways glance, and Feng Jiu’er shook her head. “It’s nothing.”

“Good thing the old patriarch left quickly. If he’d seen that wide-eyed expression of yours, he might have taken back what he just said.”

Feng Jiu’er swept a glance at Qiao Mu, then shifted her gaze to Zhao Yusheng.

“Zhao Yusheng, is your father saying that from now on, everything in Zhao Family Stronghold is for you and your sworn brother to decide?”

Zhao Yusheng turned his gaze away with a somewhat blank expression. He looked at Feng Jiu’er for a moment before nodding.

“Yes, that’s what my father meant.”

Still, neither Feng Jiu’er nor Zhao Yusheng had expected Zhao Qingshan to yield so easily.

Zhao Yusheng drew a deep breath and finally accepted the reality of it.

He stood up, walked to Zhao Zhuosheng’s side, and looked at everyone present.

“We left in such a hurry last night that I hadn’t made introductions yet. This is my sworn brother, Zhao Zhuosheng. He is two years older than me.”

Zhao Zhuosheng looked out at everyone, picked up a cup of wine, and rose to his feet.

“Zhao Zhuosheng is here. Allow me to offer everyone a toast first.”

In appearance, Zhao Zhuosheng was different from Zhao Yusheng, yet he was equally handsome and bright-looking.

Most importantly, the impression he gave was a good one. At first glance, at least, he did not seem like a sinister person.

Feng Jiu’er picked up the wine jug, poured herself a cup, and stood up.

“Come. Once we drink this cup, consider us properly acquainted.”

“Very well.” Zhao Zhuosheng nodded and raised his cup.

Seated across from him, Feng Jiu’er, Qiao Mu, Jian Yi, and Tuoba Keyan all rose to their feet and lifted their cups.

Among the young people present, all except Zhao Yusheng drank and sat back down.

“Jiu’er, don’t worry. My sworn brother and I have always thought alike since we were young. We even sneaked out of the stronghold together more than once,” Zhao Yusheng said softly.

“Not long ago, bandits were causing trouble in the eastern and western parts of Zhao Family Stronghold. My sworn brother led troops to hold the line there for several months. He only just returned.”

Zhao Zhuosheng looked at Feng Jiu’er and nodded. “My sworn brother told me a great deal about your affairs last night. Miss Feng, I admire your courage and resolve.”

The moment the words left his mouth, Zhao Zhuosheng refilled his cup, raised it toward Feng Jiu’er, and drained it in one go.

He set down the cup and looked up at Zhao Yusheng, the corner of his mouth curving slightly.

“Our foster father sent me here for no other reason than to support my sworn brother. In other words, as Miss Feng has said, this matter is settled.”

“However, I believe it would be best if both parties reach a mutual understanding first. You should draw up a proper proposal and present it to our foster father for his review.”

“But of course.” Feng Jiu’er nodded in response. “So long as the old patriarch agrees, I will handle everything properly and to his satisfaction.”

“Zhao Yusheng, since your sworn brother has no objections either, I’d like to walk through Zhao Family Stronghold before drawing up the plan going forward.”

“That’s no problem.” Zhao Yusheng nodded in agreement.

“Then let’s not delay. We’ll take Miss Feng on a tour first and discuss from there.” Zhao Zhuosheng set down his cup and stood.

“From here on, let’s all just call each other by name.” Feng Jiu’er smiled and nodded. “These are Qiao Mu, Jian Yi, and Keyan.”

Zhao Zhuosheng nodded, his gaze settling on Qiao Mu as a faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “Miss Qiao, we had the pleasure of meeting last night.”

Qiao Mu met his gaze and gave a nod, but offered no reply.

Zhao Yusheng glanced at Tuoba Keyan, then looked back at Zhao Zhuosheng. “Sworn brother, head out first and get ready. I still have a few things to take care of.”

“It won’t take long — just a quarter of an hour.”

“Alright.” Zhao Zhuosheng nodded, cupped his hands in a salute toward Feng Jiu’er and Qiao Mu, and turned to leave.

Once he had left the main hall, Zhao Yusheng strode over to Tuoba Keyan.

“Tuoba Keyan, just what did you say to my sister? I told you to give her more time to think things over, didn’t I?”

“Do you have any idea how my sister has been living since that day? Ever since then, even her smiles look forced. Do you know that?”

Anger flaring, Zhao Yusheng seized Tuoba Keyan by the collar and yanked him up.

“My parents have long had their suspicions, but the rest of us have kept our mouths shut about it. Now that you’ve stirred everything up like this, are you trying to let the whole world know what happened that night?”

“I’m sorry!” Tuoba Keyan met Zhao Yusheng’s eyes. “I didn’t want to let her down, and I couldn’t bear to see her hiding away and suffering alone.”

“Sorry?” Zhao Yusheng shoved him hard. Tuoba Keyan stumbled back half a step. “You think sorry is enough?”

“I simply don’t understand — with your inner strength being what it is, how could you not control yourself? You… you hurt her, and now you come to me with an apology?”

Zhao Yusheng was about to press forward when Qiao Mu stepped in, placing herself between the two men.

“Zhao Yusheng, killing him now won’t change anything.”

Zhao Yusheng looked at Qiao Mu, let out a cold snort, and looked away.

“If Xiaoxiao truly liked him, that would be one thing. But unfortunately…” He glanced sidelong at Jian Yi, and the bitterness in his chest deepened.

“Zhao Yusheng, feelings can change. You haven’t asked Xiaoxiao yourself — how do you know she can’t come to accept Keyan?” Qiao Mu said gently.

“Whoever abducted Xiaoxiao, we still haven’t found them. I know you’re not in a good place right now, but placing all the blame on Keyan won’t solve anything.”

“Right now, what matters most is what Xiaoxiao herself wants, isn’t it?”

“If there’s time today, Jiu’er and I will go and see Xiaoxiao, and we’ll go from there. What do you think?”

Zhao Yusheng drew a slow breath, looked at Qiao Mu, then turned to glance at Feng Jiu’er.

“Then I’ll leave her in your care. I’m afraid this girl won’t open up to anyone but the two of you.”

Feng Jiu’er walked over and gave Zhao Yusheng a firm pat on the shoulder.

“Tonight, I’ll find time to go see her. Once I’ve gotten the full picture, we’ll take it from there. I said it before — your sister is my sister too, isn’t she?”

“No matter where the people from that night have fled, I will drag them out and give Xiaoxiao the justice she deserves.”

Before she turned to leave, Feng Jiu’er glanced back at Tuoba Keyan.

No one could say exactly what that final look of hers meant.

However furious he was, Zhao Yusheng could only rein in his anger and follow Feng Jiu’er out.

As she left, Jian Yi and Qiao Mu fell into step behind her.

Tuoba Keyan’s gaze trailed after Feng Jiu’er as she walked away. He did not follow immediately.

It was only when Qiao Mu looked back that he finally moved and went after them.

The old patriarch had handed things over to Zhao Yusheng. Just as Zhao Zhuosheng had said, it seemed the matter was settled.

Good news had come far too quickly. Feng Jiu’er did not feel entirely at ease in her heart, yet she accepted the development soon enough.

The old patriarch had governed Zhao Family Stronghold for decades. He would not play games with something like this.

Whatever his reasons for believing in her, beyond gratitude, the only thing Feng Jiu’er could do was to work hard — harder, and harder still.

Zhao Yusheng and Zhao Zhuosheng led everyone to tour the most important parts of Zhao Family Stronghold.

By the time the group returned to the main stronghold, the sky had long since darkened.