Feng Jiu’er followed the brother’s gaze toward the mountains behind for a moment, then nodded. “Not bad.”

“And I heard that your understanding of medicinal herbs has all come through self-study — these days really have been hard on all of you!”

Feng Jiu’er looked at everyone and gave them an approving smile.

Not far off, five maidservants approached, carrying food and drinks respectively.

Xiao Yingtao walked a circle around the herbs laid out on the ground, a satisfied smile remaining on her face the whole time.

She had just returned to Feng Jiu’er’s side when she saw the maidservants arriving with food.

“Brothers, everyone stop for a moment and rest — Miss Jiu’er is treating everyone to pastries and sweet soup.”

Several attendants brought over tables, and the maidservants set down what they carried.

A number of people went to fetch more things, returning with bowls and chopsticks, pots, baskets, and trays.

Soon, on a long table made from three tables pushed together, there were pastries, sweet soup, porridge, fruit, and more.

Xiao Yingtao helped portion out the food, then looked again at the brothers present and waved a hand. “Everyone, come over, don’t be shy!”

The brothers, who had already slowed their work at the sight of food, now made their way without hesitation toward the spread.

“Thank you, Miss Jiu’er.”

“Thank you, Miss Xiao.”

The brothers had been busy all afternoon and were already hungry, but it wasn’t yet time for the midday meal, so they had to keep working.

Being able to fill up a little and enjoy a few bites of pastry before lunch was something no one wanted to miss.

Feng Jiu’er, however, wasn’t in a hurry to eat. Looking at the herbs spread across the ground, her eyes gleamed with the shine of gold.

Indeed, no matter where you went, as long as you were willing to work hard, the heavens would surely look after you.

After chatting briefly with the brothers, Xiao Yingtao looked up and saw Feng Jiu’er standing by a row of hanging herbs. She set down the spoon in her hand and walked over.

Feng Jiu’er picked up a sprig of herb and held it to her nose, sniffing it.

Xiao Yingtao came to her side and smiled faintly. “How is it?”

“All good herbs, not bad.” Feng Jiu’er nodded and continued on.

“Good herbs, yes, but I asked around, and their sorting and extraction methods still leave something to be desired,” Xiao Yingtao said softly.

“As a result, the same herb sells for a lower price.”

“But it doesn’t matter — sorting, extraction, processing, these are exactly what our Tianji Hall brothers are best at.”

“Jiu’er, we’ve come at just the right time. Autumn is the harvest season, and I heard that brothers across the country are mostly busy gathering herbs right now.”

“From here on, we’re going to get busy.”

Xiao Yingtao picked up an herb that hadn’t fully dried, turned it over, and set it back down.

“Whether in Bei Mu Kingdom or the Feng Clan territory, as long as you’re willing to work hard, you’ll surely be able to survive.”

“Of course, if the Night Prince becomes Emperor someday and our Miss Jiu’er becomes a princess, the brothers will live even more comfortably, riding on Princess Jiu’er’s good fortune.”

“If you want to live with peace of mind, it’s still best to rely on your own efforts.” Feng Jiu’er turned back and glanced at Xiao Yingtao.

“Never think about taking shortcuts, even if you’re a princess by birth.”

“That’s true.” Xiao Yingtao knitted her brows and nodded.

“If our Miss Jiu’er only wanted to enjoy a life of comfort, she’d have plenty of chances to do so — why would she still be here suffering alongside everyone? Don’t you think?”

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“Don’t say such nonsense to me.” Feng Jiu’er said flatly. “Anyway, there’s one thing I can say for certain.”

“Only happiness earned through one’s own effort can never be taken away! Work hard, young ones.”

“Such an old soul!” Xiao Yingtao glanced at the person beside her. “You’re just a little girl yourself — talking like that?”

She knitted her brows and hurried to catch up. “The rose cakes look pretty good — want to try some?”

“Of course.” Feng Jiu’er set down the herb in her hand and walked toward the brothers.

“Rose petals — besides making pastries, they can also be used to make rouge, or tea. Both inside and out, they’re a good way to make money.”

“Flower tea?” Xiao Yingtao came to Feng Jiu’er’s side, walking alongside her. “Flowers can be made into tea too?”

“Why not?” Feng Jiu’er glanced sideways at Xiao Yingtao. “Just chrysanthemums alone come in many varieties.”

“And there’s rose, jasmine, honeysuckle, and so on — each has its own medicinal effects, generally used for beauty and nourishment.”

“Women in particular shouldn’t drink too much strong tea. That’s where flower tea comes in handy — besides its pleasant taste, it has good medicinal value too.”

Seeing the two young ladies approach, the brothers made space for them.

Feng Jiu’er stepped closer, picked up a wooden skewer, and speared a piece of rose cake.

“Miss Jiu’er, what were you two saying? Flower tea, made by steeping flowers?” a brother nearby asked.

“Yes.” Feng Jiu’er nodded, taking a bite of the pastry.

She swallowed the bite and continued, “It can be a single flower’s tea, or a blend of several flowers.”

“It can also be a blend of herbs and flowers — for example, chrysanthemum with goji berries, which not only clears heat and detoxifies, but also nourishes the liver and kidneys, replenishes essence, and brightens the eyes.”

“Miss Jiu’er, you’re truly impressive!” Another brother gave Feng Jiu’er a thumbs-up.

“No wonder they say Miss Jiu’er is a walking textbook, knowing everything — today I’ve truly seen it for myself.”

Feng Jiu’er looked at the brother who had spoken, the corner of her mouth curving up slightly. “Who said that? Quite the trendy phrase.”

The brother met Feng Jiu’er’s gaze, scratched his head, and said with a smile, “Everyone says it, so I picked it up.”

“Miss Jiu’er, please don’t take offense, I meant no harm.”

“Then did they say I’m a stingy person?” Feng Jiu’er, still looking at the brother, raised an eyebrow and asked.

“No.” The brother shook his head firmly.

“Then I’m not stingy! None of you need to be reserved around me.” Feng Jiu’er said with a smile, nodding. “Understood?”

“Understood.” All the brothers replied in unison.

Once everyone had quieted down, Feng Jiu’er continued, “I’ve studied medicine for some time now.”

“Perhaps my knowledge isn’t as rigorous as a textbook, but what I know can’t be written into just one textbook.”

“Whoever wants to learn, I’m willing to teach.”

“Great!” one brother shouted.

The others followed suit, shouting together: “Great!”

Feng Jiu’er looked around at everyone and waved a hand. “Quick, eat up. We still have plenty to keep us busy.”

“The Feng Clan territory is unfamiliar ground to everyone here. From now on, what kind of life we want will depend on all of us working together.”

“Right!” the brothers shouted in unison once more.

The new recruits to Longying had other lodgings; everyone present had come from Bei Mu Kingdom.