Feng Jiu’er and the others stood near the exit.

Xiao Yingtao watched the dejected commoners filing out and stepped in front of one of them.

“Big Brother, aren’t you all afraid of the war?”

The man raised his eyes. What met him was a sweet, lovely young face, and he let out a soft sigh, his expression easing slightly.

“Afraid? Of course we’re afraid. But no matter what, someone has to stand up.”

“If everyone shrinks back, won’t that just give the enemy an opening?”

“Lord Duan isn’t young anymore, yet he still toils day and night for us commoners. He’s like a second father to us. How could we just look away?”

“The Duan family’s eldest young master died in Li City. The lord must be heartbroken—he blames himself for not protecting him.”

“Lei Shenbao killed the Duan family’s eldest son and still wants to take this city. Who among us would ever agree to that?”

“Little miss, are you all from out of town?” The man glanced at the group accompanying Xiao Yingtao.

“Whose sons and daughters are you? You’re all so handsome and pretty.”

“By the way, if you want to leave, you can go speak with the officials inside directly.”

“A few years back, Lei Shenbao attacked us too, but I was too young to fight then.”

“This year, no matter what, I’m going to do my part.”

The man shook his head and walked off.

“If you want to leave, ask the officials for help. The lord said they’ll arrange for outsiders to leave.”

“Otherwise, if Lei Shenbao really breaks through, it’ll be bad for everyone!”

Leaving the training camp, Feng Jiu’er and the others returned once more to the Duan estate.

The steward had been guarding the front gate the whole time, and when he finally saw them appear, he hurried over.

“D-doctor, you’re finally back! Where is the Third Prince?”

“Apologies! Our household has never had extra hands to spare, and now with the training camp underway, even the soldiers have gone to help, so there’s truly no one free.”

“Young master, young ladies, I’m terribly sorry! This lowly servant still doesn’t know your esteemed name, doctor.”

“My surname is Long.” Feng Jiu’er replied softly. “How is your lord doing now?”

“The lord has eaten and taken his medicine. His breathing has improved a great deal.” The steward let out a breath of relief.

“It was only after the Second Miss threatened to take her own life that the lord finally agreed to rest.”

“By the way, Miss Long, where did the Third Prince go? Before falling asleep, the lord kept reminding me to take good care of all of you.”

“I sent my men out to search, but they found no trace of the Third Prince.”

“Miss Long, I’m so sorry! Truly sorry!”

The steward made to kneel, but Feng Jiu’er caught his arm.

“It’s fine. Besides, the Third Prince isn’t a petty man—you needn’t blame yourself over this.”

“Miss Long, thank you!” The bowing steward looked up at Feng Jiu’er.

“Miss Long, I’ve already prepared rooms for you. Please come in and rest first, and I’ll go inform the lord.”

“The lord said that once you returned, I must be sure to wake him.”

“No rush.” Feng Jiu’er shook her head and let go of the steward’s arm.

“The Third Prince will be back before nightfall. There’s no hurry to wake Lord Duan until then.”

“I’ve heard the Duan estate has taken in many orphans, some abandoned due to illness. I wonder if I might go see them now?”

“Of course.” The steward nodded quickly. “These children are pitiable too, losing their parents so young.”

“Why does Yongshan City have so many orphans?” Feng Jiu’er’s brows furrowed slightly.

“It’s not only Yongshan City, really.” The steward sighed softly.

“…My lord is compassionate—he can’t bear to see anyone abandoned.”

“Some of the children he picked up himself, some were entrusted to him by dying parents, and others were simply left at the Duan estate’s gate.”

“These children aren’t all from Yongshan City either. Several of them used to speak with accents from other places before they gradually picked up ours.”

“My lord is just too kind-hearted. It’s as if anyone can take advantage of him, sigh…”

“Then your lord truly is benevolent!” Feng Jiu’er’s lips curved slightly as she stepped forward.

“Let’s go. Take me in to see them. Whatever I can help with, I might as well do it—I’m idle until the Third Prince returns anyway.”

They had been there for the better part of a day, and Feng Jiu’er still hadn’t heard a single bad word said about Duan Wucheng.

Children were always the easiest to catch in a lie, and Feng Jiu’er wanted to confirm Duan Wucheng’s character once more.

Besides, she truly had nothing else to do—she might as well see if there was anything she could do to help the orphans.

“Miss Long, I’ll take you there now.” The steward nodded and turned, walking ahead of the group.

Passing by the main residence, Feng Jiu’er noticed a house not far off—newer and far more handsome than the others.

It was Duan Langyu’s residence.

Feng Jiu’er’s gaze merely flicked toward it before she looked away.

Given Lei Shenbao’s methods, even if she hadn’t killed Duan Langyu beforehand, he wouldn’t have escaped death regardless.

In fact, before his death, who knew how many of Yongshan City’s soldiers would have been sacrificed because of him.

This murderer was dead, and Feng Jiu’er felt not a shred of pity for it.

Not paying it much mind, the steward continued leading the way, bringing Feng Jiu’er, Jian Yi, Qiao Mu, and Xiao Yingtao into a courtyard residence.

Qiao Mu had been here before, though she hadn’t lingered long.

In the courtyard, a middle-aged woman heard the footsteps and turned to look.

“Steward.” She frowned and stood, walking over to greet them.

“Steward, who are these…”

The woman looked at the handsome man and beautiful women before her, unable to tear her eyes away.

“They are the lord’s honored guests.” The steward didn’t bother mentioning the Third Prince’s visit.

He turned to Feng Jiu’er and waved a hand. “This is Miss Long, a doctor. She wants to come in and check on the children, see if there’s anything she can help with.”

“Miss Long, greetings!” The woman wiped her hands on the cloth tied at her waist and bowed slightly toward Feng Jiu’er.

“No need for such courtesy.” Feng Jiu’er looked at her and nodded lightly.

“I heard Lord Duan has taken in many orphans. I only wished to come see how things are.”

“Of course, thank you!” The woman nodded and turned to look back at the house.

“Some of these children have eye conditions, some can’t speak, and a few have trouble walking.”

“Minor illnesses, we can still find a doctor to treat. But these serious conditions—I’m afraid they’ll follow the children their whole lives. So pitiable!”

“Were they born this way, or injured later in life?” Feng Jiu’er asked.

“Both, I suppose.” The woman waved a hand. “Doctor Long, would you be willing to go in and look at Little Long?”

“Little Long?” Feng Jiu’er’s brows furrowed slightly.

“Mm.” The woman looked back at her. “Little Long is six years old now and has never been able to walk, yet his legs look perfectly normal.”

“That child loves to smile so much. It’s such a shame—with such fine legs, he simply can’t stand.”

“We’ve been searching for doctors for Little Long all this time. Over a dozen physicians have examined his legs by now, but none of them could help.”

“Doctor Long, would you be willing to take a look? If you can’t help, that’s all right too.”

“This boy, Little Long—he’s very cheerful. He won’t be upset either way.”