“Father.” Yue Qinchun came over to Yue Jianfei and Tang Xiaohua with a cheerful smile.

Yue Jianfei gave a nod and settled Tang Xiaohua into the seat beside the low table on one side.

“Jiu’er won’t let you hug her — she surely has her reasons. Don’t be upset.”

He gently stroked his wife’s back, then raised his eyes to look at Yue Qinchun.

“Qinchun, go back and rest for now. I have some matters to discuss with the Gate Master and the others.”

“Miss Qinchun, allow me to escort you back to rest.” Feng Yinan, who had followed them in, looked at Yue Qinchun and said softly.

Yue Qinchun had been reluctant to leave, but after turning back to look at Feng Yinan, she gave a nod.

“Very well then — thank you, Elder Brother Feng.”

The young girl turned and left without another word.

Tang Xiaohua watched her daughter go, and half-narrowed her eyes.

Only after Yue Qinchun had passed through the doorway did she withdraw her gaze and look at Feng Jiu’er.

“Jiu’er, who is this Elder Brother Feng?”

“A good person.” Feng Jiu’er met the mother’s gaze. “Someone from my Heavenly Mechanism Hall. Don’t worry — he’s a very fine person.”

“So that means…” Tang Xiaohua knitted her brow.

“Perhaps. You’d best ask her yourself.” Feng Jiu’er gave Tang Xiaohua a meaningful look.

“Yinan is wonderful!” Qiao Mu added quietly. “He treats Qinchun very well.”

“Is this settled, then?” Tang Xiaohua’s brow creased even tighter, and she could hardly believe her own ears.

“Not yet.” Qiao Mu pressed her lips together and shook her head.

“Nothing happens that quickly. Besides, Qinchun is still a child — it’s hard to say whether she truly understands her own heart or not.”

“But rest assured — Yinan’s heart is very simple and uncomplicated.”

“If it were your own daughter, would you be at ease?” Tang Xiaohua swept her gaze between Feng Jiu’er and Qiao Mu.

“I haven’t given birth yet — how would I know?” Qiao Mu replied without much concern.

Feng Jiang sat down at her side and regarded her with doting eyes.

“Are you tired? Shall I give you a massage?” Qiao Mu withdrew her gaze and looked at her man.

“Not tired.” Feng Jiang took the hand Qiao Mu extended and wrapped it in his palm.

“Cold? Your hand is a little cool.”

Feng Jiang rubbed Qiao Mu’s hand between his palms, then brought his other large hand to her face and touched it gently.

“Not cold.”

Qiao Mu had barely shaken her head before a cloak was already draped over her shoulders.

“I’m truly not cold.” Qiao Mu took the young man’s hands as they came to rest before her.

“Wear it — it’ll keep you warm.” Feng Jiang personally tied the cloak’s cord for her, then settled back down.

Qiao Mu looked at the man who had sat back down, and the corners of her lips rose slightly.

“Qiao Mu.” Tang Xiaohua, thoroughly fed second-hand affection until she could take no more, finally broke.

“Is this the one you mentioned…”

“Yes.” Before Tang Xiaohua could finish, Qiao Mu looked at her and nodded. “My future husband.”

Tang Xiaohua widened her eyes and shifted her gaze to Feng Jiang.

“Not bad at all! Fine build, fine looks — your taste is excellent!”

“Likewise.” Qiao Mu tilted her chin with a small flush of pride. “Elder Brother Yue is right here — could you try not to keep staring at another woman’s man?”

“A fine-looking man is meant to be appreciated. What else would he look so handsome for?”

Tang Xiaohua looked at Feng Jiang a while longer, and then her brow suddenly drew together.

“Qiao Mu, why does your husband look so familiar to me?”

“Does he?” Qiao Mu smiled faintly and reached out to touch her man’s face.

“Sister Hua, do you think I don’t know what you’re up to?”

“What would I be up to?” Tang Xiaohua furrowed her brow and shifted her gaze to Yue Jianfei.

“My own husband is no lesser man — I have no need to… no need to keep my eyes fixed on someone else’s husband.”

“Besides, there is also Jiu’er’s husband here — a man like a banished immortal. I certainly would not keep staring at your man.”

Despite those words, Tang Xiaohua’s gaze had not moved from Feng Jiang at all.

Once Xiao Yingtao and the others had left the side chamber and closed the door behind them, Tang Xiaohua looked back over her shoulder.

Seeing that only a handful of people remained in the chamber, she turned her head forward again, eyes fixed on Feng Jiang.

“Could you be the one I’m thinking of — the one from my memory…”

“Yes.” Feng Jiu’er looked at Tang Xiaohua, the corners of her lips curving upward.

“Sister Hua, do you truly know my imperial elder brother?”

Feng Jiu’er’s words had explained everything to those present.

The matter of her identity as a princess was something she had already been candid with Tang Xiaohua about.

“Jiu’er, this can’t be right?” Tang Xiaohua’s eyes went wide. “He is truly an imperial prince? Which prince is he?”

“And more to the point — how did you end up together with a son of Feng Qiongcang? Wasn’t Feng Qiongcang trying to kill you?”

“Without Third Imperial Brother taking us in at the time, we most likely would never have escaped.” Feng Jiu’er glanced at Feng Jiang and pressed her rosy lips together lightly.

“Oh?” Tang Xiaohua’s brow arched. “Among Feng Qiongcang’s sons, there is actually one with loyalty and honor?”

“Of course.” Qiao Mu possessively took Feng Jiang’s hand in hers. “If he were not a good man, how could I have set my eyes on him?”

Feng Jiang appeared to be in a fine mood.

The moment he had walked through the door, the woman had introduced him to others as her future husband. She had asked whether he was tired, and had even taken the initiative to reach for his hand.

Even though he was effectively the subject of the conversation himself, the whole exchange felt as though it had nothing to do with him.

In this moment, only Qiao Mu existed in Feng Jiang’s eyes.

“All right — can the two of you save the tender whispers for when you return to your own room?” Feng Jiu’er looked at the pair of them — Qiao Mu and Feng Jiang — and shook her head.

Tang Xiaohua drew her gaze away and accepted the cup of tea her husband passed to her.

So much information at once — she truly had no idea what Feng Jiu’er’s plans were.

Not daring to say too much, she could only listen and follow instructions.

Feng Jiang and Qiao Mu, hand in hand, glanced at Feng Jiu’er, and quieted down.

Feng Jiu’er swept her gaze across everyone present, and her eyes settled on Yue Jianfei.

“Elder Brother Yue, have you told A’Jiu about my father’s situation?”

“Yes.” Yue Jianfei met Feng Jiu’er’s gaze and nodded.

“A’Jiu.” Feng Jiu’er withdrew her gaze and turned to the man at her side.

“How are you planning to arrange things?”

“Jiu’er, we have received another piece of news as well.” Feng Jiang’s expression grew somewhat grave.

Feng Jiu’er turned back to look at him, and her own brow furrowed slightly.

Something was off about Third Imperial Brother’s expression.

“Troops have appeared in the northern area of Yongshan City, near the Song River. They are suspected to be First Imperial Brother’s men.” Feng Jiang said quietly.

“And there is also the plains city in the eastern sector — it has launched an offensive against Yongshan City as well.”

“According to word from Duan Wucheng’s side, the situation in the east can still hold for the time being. What concerns him most is the army coming from the north.”

“Our final decision is this: the Prince will go to Peach Blossom Island, I will lead troops back to support Yongshan City, and you and Xiao Qiao and Elder Yue will remain here to deal with Lei Shenbao.”

The moment Feng Jiang finished speaking, Feng Jiu’er withdrew her gaze and looked at Di Wuya.

Di Wuya reached out with his large hand and gently ruffled her hair.

“If you remain here, do you have confidence you can handle it?”

“Of course.” Feng Jiu’er gave a nod. “Once we’ve dealt with Lei Shenbao, we’ll head straight to Yongshan City.”

“Only, you…”

Feng Jiu’er pressed her lips together and continued, “How many people are you planning to bring?”

He always placed her matters above everything else — this she knew.

And so, even though she was moved, she said nothing more.