Feng Jiu’er frowned, turned her head, and craned her neck to look up at Di Wu Ya.

“Ninth Imperial Uncle, what do you mean by that? How was I just ‘playing’ in there? I was getting things done, you know!”

“I just finished blowing up Mao Linye’s drug factory and burning up his secret drugs.”

The man was really tall; craning her neck this way made Feng Jiu’er’s neck ache a little, so she gave up and looked ahead instead.

“We’ve now burned down three of Mao Linye’s factories — two hidden ones, one visible one. There’s no telling if he has any others.”

“These secret drugs absolutely must be utterly and completely destroyed — not a trace can be left behind. Oh, and any formulas too — none of that can survive either!”

“Ninth Imperial Uncle, once things are safe, put me down — Qiaomu and I still need to head back.”

“The formula for the secret drug is still in Mao Linye’s hands — we have to take it from him!”

Di Wu Ya pressed his hand against the small head in front of him and rubbed it gently. “As long as the man is dead, that’s enough.”

“No, no, no.” Feng Jiu’er shook her head, then turned again to look up at him.

“Mao Linye can’t die until I’ve secured the exact formula — who knows if he’s already passed it on to someone else.”

“This place, we absolutely must seize. Mao Linye has caused the deaths of so many people — he doesn’t deserve to keep living in this world.”

“But before that, we still need to destroy everything connected to the secret drug.”

“Ninth Imperial Uncle.” Feng Jiu’er reached up and touched the man’s chin. “Let me go back — I can’t come with you right now.”

Seeing that the man showed no sign of budging, she had no choice but to hold his face with both hands and straighten up on tiptoe.

But instead of lowering his head to meet her gesture, the man’s back seemed to straighten even further in that instant.

Feng Jiu’er was frustrated — Ninth Imperial Uncle really wasn’t willing to let her stay close to Mao Linye anymore, was he?

Otherwise, if she went to kiss him, he would naturally have to lower his head.

Di Wu Ya thought of the girl’s sweet, soft lips, and his throat moved almost imperceptibly.

The sky was poor, and he had assumed his small reaction wouldn’t be noticed.

“Heh.” Feng Jiu’er gave a dry laugh.

Clearly, she had seen it after all.

Feng Jiu’er stared at the man’s throat; the small hand cupping his face slid downward.

Her warm fingertip brushed lightly over Di Wu Ya’s Adam’s apple.

The chill that had filled the man’s body just moments ago vanished instantly.

Di Wu Ya cleared his throat and caught hold of Feng Jiu’er’s small hand.

He’d meant to push it away, but the moment he took hold of it, he abandoned that thought.

“Tomorrow, I’ll let you leave,” he murmured.

It seemed this was already the greatest concession he was willing to make.

Feng Jiu’er knew that not going back tonight might cause some trouble, but she nodded without hesitation regardless.

“Then how about I attend to Ninth Imperial Uncle tonight?”

“No need. Go back and rest well,” Di Wu Ya said, his voice a little hoarser than before.

His large hand came down, wrapping around her waist again, this time with even more force than before.

Feng Jiu’er’s waist ached from the pressure; she pouted and turned her body away, refusing to look at him.

“You don’t want me to attend to you, so what am I supposed to go back and do? Do you have any idea? If I don’t go back tonight, I’ll have to come up with yet another excuse.”

“Do you really think Mao Linye is that foolish? He—”

Feng Jiu’er sensed something was off and immediately stopped herself.

“Fine then. Tonight I’ll be good and obedient, wait for Ninth Imperial Uncle to come back all freshly washed. You take care out there.”

The chill in the man’s demeanor finally began to thaw somewhat; Feng Jiu’er pinched her own thigh and let out a long breath of relief.

Right — she really shouldn’t bring up other men in front of Ninth Imperial Uncle. Good or bad, he didn’t want to hear about it either way.

In her heart, in her eyes, on her lips — there could only ever be one person.

That would be the very Ninth Imperial Uncle whose handsome, striking looks provoked heaven’s jealousy, whose martial skill was unmatched by anyone — yet who, deep down, was petty and small-hearted.

Feng Jiu’er had only complained a little, when she noticed that Ninth Imperial Uncle’s embrace wasn’t just warming a little — it was starting to grow rather hot.

The warmth kept rising, and the arm around her waist held tighter still.

“Ninth Imperial Uncle.” Feng Jiu’er wrapped her arms around the man’s strong, powerful forearm, her slender fingers landing on his pulse.

Sure enough — even his heartbeat had turned irregular.

Feng Jiu’er blinked her lively eyes and called out again, “Ninth Imperial Uncle, these past few nights — have you been missing me terribly?”

Forgive her shamelessness, but Ninth Imperial Uncle’s heartbeat truly was behaving strangely — and it was a strangeness she knew all too well.

The man said nothing; all that answered her was rising heat and an even more erratic heartbeat.

He didn’t want to admit it — later he’d have things to attend to, and that was also an excuse to keep some distance from her.

Before their wedding, he found himself wanting to avoid being alone with her — yet whenever they were apart, he thought of her endlessly.

Di Wu Ya thought of nothing else; he only hoped that when he returned, he would see the little girl sleeping peacefully in his bed.

As long as she stayed calm, his self-control would hold up much better.

All of his self-restraint was for the sake of giving her the most beautiful memory — their first time together would certainly not be just once.

So he hoped that night, whenever it came, would be a wonderful one.

Clearly, now was not yet the time.

He hadn’t expected that this girl, instead of being grateful, would dare to tease him about it!

Di Wu Ya withdrew his hand from her soft, water-smooth little hands, raised it, and flicked a finger downward.

“Ow!” Her head flicked, Feng Jiu’er reached up and covered it with her hand.

“Ninth Imperial Uncle, what was that for? That hurt!”

“Brat!” Di Wu Ya’s warm breath fell over her.

Feng Jiu’er pouted her small red lips and said, “Fine, I’ll stop being a brat, I’ll behave, all right?”

“Right — Qiaomu, Long Shiyi, and Long Wu — have they met up with everyone yet? Where are we headed now?”

Feng Jiu’er had no idea where Di Wu Ya and the others were staying — did they return every night, or had they set up quarters in the town?

Just as she finished speaking, she caught the faint sound of horses’ hooves.

Feng Jiu’er looked up and, gazing into the distance, saw a group of riders on horseback.

Di Wu Ya did not respond to her question; he simply rode ahead.

Soon, the two groups met.

“Qiaomu, are you all right?” Feng Jiu’er asked, looking at Qiaomu.

At the same time, she spotted Gong Xinyue as well.

Seeing that they were both fine, she felt at ease.

“We’re fine,” Qiaomu replied.

She had wanted to ask something else, but after glancing at Di Wu Ya, she didn’t voice the question.

The Prince himself came to rescue Jiu’er in person — how could anything have happened to her?

“What are our plans now?” Qiaomu asked.

“Head back to the inn tomorrow,” Feng Jiu’er answered.

It wasn’t really an inn — it was a brothel — but even though she knew Ninth Imperial Uncle likely already knew where they were staying, Feng Jiu’er didn’t feel like spelling it out.

Qiaomu and Gong Xinyue nodded without further comment; not just the two of them, but nearly everyone’s gaze was fixed on Di Wu Ya.

“Your Highness, it’s about time,” Yu Jingfeng said, stepping forward and clasping his hands in a bow.

“Mm.” Di Wu Ya nodded, lowering his gaze. “Go on down — go back with them!”

“Oh.” Feng Jiu’er nodded.

She glanced back at him once, tugged at the hem of his robe, and slid down off the horse.