Seeing the color return to Zhao Xiaoxiao’s smile — the brightness she used to have — Feng Jiu’er and Qiao Mu both felt relieved.

Feng Jiu’er and Qiao Mu left Zhao Xiaoxiao’s courtyard and rejoined Jian Yi, Tuoba Keyan, and Zhao Yusheng before heading back toward their companions’ camp.

By the time they returned to camp, it was nearly the Hour of the Rat.

Qiao Mu had been holding words back for a long time. It was not until she and Feng Jiu’er had walked into the side chamber that she turned and looked at Jian Yi.

“Jian Yi, stand guard out here for a while. Jiu’er and I have things to talk about.”

Without waiting for Jian Yi to agree, Qiao Mu shut the door and left him outside.

When she saw that Jian Yi hadn’t kicked the door in, Qiao Mu finally felt at ease — for it was no small thing to keep the great Jian Yi barred on the other side of a door.

Feng Jiu’er heard the door close and glanced back.

Qiao Mu turned, walked over to her in quick strides, took her hand, and led her into the inner room.

She cast her eyes around in every direction, confirmed there was no one inside or out, and then dropped her voice as low as she could. “Jiu’er, are you suspecting that Keyan is the mole?”

Feng Jiu’er glanced at her, turned away, and began taking off her outer robe.

“Say what you have to say. Go on.”

“Are you suspecting that what happened to Xiaoxiao was all a staged performance — something Keyan arranged himself?” The more Qiao Mu thought about it, the more wrong it felt.

“What would his purpose be?” Feng Jiu’er asked softly.

“His purpose?” Qiao Mu frowned in thought. “I’ve been turning it over the whole way back, and I think the most likely reason is Xiaoxiao’s status.”

“Think about it — the old patriarch only has two children. Zhao Yusheng is always out running around. That leaves Xiaoxiao as the more important one staying behind in the stronghold.”

“Xiaoxiao is simple-minded and not yet fully mature. A young woman like her, if she married a steady and capable husband, the affairs of the stronghold would all end up in that husband’s hands.”

“In other words, if Zhao Yusheng were out of the picture, Xiaoxiao’s husband could very well take control of all of Zhao Family Stronghold.”

“If a prince is out of reach, being the prince consort isn’t too bad either — wouldn’t you say?”

Feng Jiu’er hung up her outer robe and turned to look at Qiao Mu.

“Your analysis is sound. If things really are as you say, then Keyan is absolutely a festering tumor to us.”

“Xiao Yingtao said it too — if Keyan recovers his memories, there’s nothing he wouldn’t do.” Qiao Mu let out a soft sigh and sat down.

She cast a glance at the teapot on the table, picked it up, and poured herself a cup.

“I never expected that he would truly betray us. After everything we’ve been through together, does he have not even a shred of feeling for us?”

The moment the words left her mouth, she raised the cup and drained it in one go.

A heavy clunk rang out as the cup was set down on the table.

“Qiao Mu, for now this is still only a suspicion. It’s possible things aren’t what they seem.” Feng Jiu’er said softly.

“Not what they seem?” Qiao Mu looked up at her. “If you ask me, it’s nine parts out of ten.”

“Jiu’er, think about it — why is it that we spent an entire night searching for Xiaoxiao without finding her, yet Keyan managed to rescue her from those people right on time?”

“Does he have foresight? I never knew before that his tracking ability was this strong. He must have recovered his memories.”

“He hates Bei Mu Nation — hates every last person in Bei Mu Nation. If he truly has his memories back, there’s no way he’d be content to stay here.”

Feng Jiu’er walked over, sat down beside Qiao Mu, and picked up a cup, pouring tea for herself.

Zhao Yusheng’s people had already brewed the tea and prepared the bath water for the room’s occupants before they had even returned.

Naturally, all of this was owed to Zhao Yusheng’s thoughtfulness.

Feng Jiu’er looked at the thin wisps of white steam rising from the teacup, picked it up, and gave it a gentle swirl.

“So then what do you think his next move will be?”

Qiao Mu looked at Feng Jiu’er, composed herself, and said evenly, “He certainly didn’t expect that the old patriarch would suddenly hand things over to Zhao Yusheng like that.”

“For now, we don’t need to worry about him making another move against Xiaoxiao. But if…” All of a sudden, Qiao Mu’s brow creased.

“Jiu’er, do you think he might go straight after our treasure? If that really is the case, then Xing Zizhou and Xiao Yingtao will be in trouble.”

“So no matter who this person turns out to be, we must root them out in time.” Feng Jiu’er drained her tea in one go and rose to her feet.

“Qiao Mu, go and notify everyone to come for a meeting. All twenty-odd people in our inner council — bring them here. I have something important to say.”

Qiao Mu nodded and stood up. “Keyan too?”

“Of course.” Feng Jiu’er nodded. “Do you remember what happened at the Southern Barbarian Fortress? I suspect the one who colluded with Chen Xiaoyi was one of our own people.”

“Those who knew from the very beginning that we were searching for the treasure were no more than twenty-some people. This time, I am going to pull this thorn out once and for all.”

She was no longer willing to put it off.

Whoever this festering tumor turned out to be, it needed to be removed sooner rather than later. She could not allow him another chance to harm the people she cared about.

Other matters could wait a while longer.

This one could not.

“Understood.” Qiao Mu nodded and turned to leave.

The hour was already late. The area before and behind Feng Jiu’er’s chamber had guards posted on all sides. Inside the modest hall, a good number of extra chairs had been brought in.

Over twenty people gathered around a single table — some standing, some seated — the room looking rather cramped.

“Xing Zizhou, tell everyone your plan. With this much gold, it must be handled properly before anything else.”

“Absolutely.” Xiao Yingtao nodded vigorously.

Before now, she hadn’t known the precise amount of gold, so she’d spoken carelessly about it.

Today, she and Xing Zizhou had spent the entire day counting with their companions and had only arrived at a rough figure. Xiao Yingtao immediately felt the weight of it.

Feng Jiu’er glanced at Xiao Yingtao, and the corner of her mouth curved faintly.

“Jiu’er.” Xing Zizhou spoke up from not far away. “I’ve already made arrangements for the specific details.”

“The most pressing issue now is how we safely transport everything out.”

“Transport it where?” Feng Jiu’er asked quietly.

“Through the southern gate of Yamu City and into the city.” Xing Zizhou looked at Feng Jiu’er, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly.

“Jiu’er, I have good news I have to tell you.”

“Good news?” Feng Jiu’er raised an eyebrow.

“Yes.” Xing Zizhou nodded. “Yi Nan has arrived. He’s in Yamu City right now.”

“Yi Nan is here?” Feng Jiu’er’s eyes went wide. “Has he made a full recovery?”

“Yes. Not only that, his martial arts have reached an even higher level than before.” Xing Zizhou nodded in reply.

Feng Jiu’er closed her eyes, drew a slow, deep breath, and gradually opened them again. “This truly is good news.”

“With Yi Nan here, things will be much easier to manage. Our people have long since infiltrated every city in Bei Mu Nation.”

“Now, we only need to get everything transported safely. What comes after that will be much more straightforward.”

“Good.” Feng Jiu’er nodded. “We made quite a commotion in the Black Gorge. Once the goods leave Zhao Family Stronghold, they’ll no longer be safe.”

“Lay out your plan. Let’s all think it through together.”