“It’s been so long since I’ve seen this much good food.” Xiao Yingtao felt as though she’d been starving for several lifetimes.

She picked up a piece, and Xing Zizhou doted on her by adding another piece to her bowl.

Xiao Yingtao would never refuse — she believed that anyone who turned down food, especially on an empty stomach, deserved heaven’s punishment.

On Qiao Mu’s side, she hadn’t started eating yet when the man beside her placed a piece of meat in her bowl.

She glanced at him sideways, lowered her head, and began eating without a word.

These past few days, she hadn’t gone out to fight at all, staying by his side the entire time.

But the woman who was usually carefree and spoke without a filter had gone many days without saying much at all.

No matter what Feng Jiang said, she hadn’t responded with a single word.

Feng Jiang knew his little lady was still angry.

Of course! She had every right to be angry.

Di Wuya sat there, still carrying his noble air, the kind that made people feel an involuntary urge to serve him.

Well, Feng Jiu’er didn’t quite know how she’d developed such a servile streak — but somehow, being by his side, it had just happened naturally over time.

Everyone was famished, and they ate quietly, no one saying much.

Feng Jiu’er glanced now and then at Feng Jiang seated across from her, and at his little lady who had stayed silent for days, sighing softly.

Qiao Mu truly loved Third Imperial Brother deeply — his departure, and the injuries he’d suffered, had struck her hard.

Once everyone had eaten their fill, they quickly dispersed.

With stomachs full, who wouldn’t want a good wash and a proper rest?

Feng Jiu’er and Di Wuya discussed a few matters, then left the room, heading the other way.

Feng Jiang’s condition was stable, and Qiao Mu had chosen to stay with Xiao Yingtao, not accompanying Feng Jiang at this time.

Feng Jiu’er arrived at Feng Jiang’s room and knocked gently on the door.

“Third Brother, I’m coming in.”

“Come in,” Feng Jiang’s gentle voice sounded from within.

Feng Jiu’er pushed open the door and stepped inside.

Not far from the large bed, a tall figure sat by a table.

He set down the book in his hand and looked up at the one who had entered.

“Jiu’er, you’re looking for me for something?”

Feng Jiang moved to stand, but Feng Jiu’er waved a hand.

“Stay seated. I’ll come to you.”

Feng Jiu’er pulled up a chair and sat beside Feng Jiang.

She glanced at his palm, and he understood, extending it and placing it on the table before her.

Feng Jiu’er’s long fingers came down, landing on his pulse.

After a moment, she withdrew her fingers.

“Today’s condition is good. It seems you’ve been well cared for.”

“Jiu’er, Qiao Mu is still angry. Do you have any advice?” Feng Jiang looked at Feng Jiu’er, seeking help.

“So you still know to come to me for advice?” Feng Jiu’er glanced at him. “Here I thought you didn’t care at all.”

“Jiu’er, you know how could I possibly not care?” Feng Jiang grew anxious, and for a moment, a trace of his old self showed through.

Feng Jiu’er looked at the grown man before her, the corner of her mouth lifting slightly.

The Third Imperial Brother she knew was candid, sincere, not one for scheming, and though his days weren’t always perfect, he always managed a bright smile.

But after being apart for some time, that ever-smiling Third Imperial Brother was gone, replaced by this quiet, reticent version of him.

Feng Jiu’er knew that the reason Third Imperial Brother had become like this had much to do with her.

If Third Imperial Brother hadn’t defied Feng Qiongcang and helped them escape, Feng Qiongcang wouldn’t have abandoned him to his fate, leaving him to endure such suffering.

The more one experienced, the more one matured.

Seeing Third Imperial Brother again, he had grown mature and steady, but it also broke her heart a little.

Fortunately, heaven had let him meet, come to know, and fall in love with Qiao Mu — only then did Feng Jiu’er see, in the depths of his eyes, a longing for life again.

So, no matter what, she had to make sure this couple got back on good terms soon.

“You say nothing at all, so I really thought you didn’t care.” Feng Jiu’er shook her head, feigning indifference.

“Jiu’er.” Feng Jiang took hold of her small hand. “I care. I truly care.”

“But…” He let go of her hand and sighed softly. “I’ve said everything I should say, and she still won’t pay me any mind.”

“Leaving without a word on our wedding day — that was my mistake.”

“Jiu’er, tell me, what should I do now for Qiao Mu to forgive me?”

“Do you really think you’ve done everything you could?” Feng Jiu’er stared into his eyes and asked in return.

Feng Jiang met her gaze, and in the end, shook his head.

“Since you know you haven’t tried your best, why aren’t you working harder to make up for it?”

She sighed softly again, her tone growing rather cool.

“If you truly don’t care that much about Qiao Mu, then forget it. Qiao Mu is my good sister, and I won’t allow anyone to wrong her.”

“I do care.” Feng Jiang clenched his fists anxiously. “Jiu’er, don’t you know what kind of man your Third Brother is?”

“If I didn’t truly love Qiao Mu, would I have agreed to marry her?”

“Jiu’er, I’m serious, but I don’t know what to do. Jiu’er, you have to help me.”

Feng Jiu’er furrowed her brow and glanced at him.

“Do you truly love Qiao Mu, truly promise to give her the happiness she wants?”

Feng Jiang raised several fingers, facing forward, his expression utterly earnest.

“The one I love most in this life is Qiao Mu. I’m willing to give up everything in exchange for her happiness!”

Feng Jiu’er looked at his solemn vow and nodded with a smile.

Well, she had always known his true feelings.

“Mm.” She seemed satisfied now. “You’ve said everything you needed to say, but you haven’t done anything, have you?”

“Girls hate being deceived most of all, especially someone with Qiao Mu’s temperament. The fact that she hasn’t stormed off in anger is already showing you plenty of face.”

“Jiu’er, then what should I do?” Feng Jiang seemed to glimpse a ray of hope.

Qiao Mu loved him — that was why she gave him face. Why couldn’t he see how fortunate he was?

“So as long as it makes Qiao Mu stop being angry, you’re willing to do anything?” Feng Jiu’er asked flatly.

“Of course.” Feng Jiang nodded vigorously. “I’d climb a mountain of blades, dive into a sea of fire.”

“It won’t come to that.” Feng Jiu’er extended a slender, pale finger and crooked it.

“I have an idea. Listen carefully.”

Feng Jiang leaned forward, lowering his head, trying to get as close as possible to Feng Jiu’er’s small head.

Qiao Mu had washed up and gone nowhere else, sleeping soundly through the entire morning.

In truth, she hadn’t slept well at all — though her body lay in bed, her heart had already run off to the room next door.

She wasn’t the sentimental type, but this time, she truly had no good reason to easily forgive this man.

If she forgave him too readily, would he, in the future, still recklessly throw himself into danger and leave her again over some other matter?

Qiao Mu sat up, got out of bed, stretched, and went to pick up the cloak hanging nearby, draping it over herself.

She had no idea when Xiao Yingtao had left.

Having lain there so long her limbs felt as if they were atrophying, no matter her mood, she wanted to go out for a walk.

Outside, the occasional sound of firecrackers reminded her that today was the seventh day of the new year.

There were probably quite a few people out on the streets — going out for a walk was certainly better than staying cooped up in bed!