Feng Jiu’er took out a small bottle and shook it in front of Feng Li.

“Only — you’ll have to endure a little discomfort.”

She glanced back over her shoulder, set down the medicine bottle, turned, and went to pour a cup of water.

“After you take this medicine, some red rashes will appear on your body — very similar to a certain skin condition found among commoners.”

“Even if a physician comes to examine you, he’ll only think Father has caught that same illness.”

Feng Jiu’er handed the teacup to Feng Li, picked up the medicine bottle, and unscrewed it.

“Most importantly, that particular condition is contagious, person to person.”

“If Father has caught a contagious disease, you naturally can’t receive anyone — and trust your daughter’s medical skill, even the Imperial Physicians won’t be able to tell the difference.”

“This rash will itch a little, but my medicine will only change the color of your skin — it won’t itch at all. If anyone asks, just say it itches.”

“The only downside is that the skin will be red and swollen — not pretty to look at!”

“Here.” Feng Jiu’er handed the medicine to Feng Li.

Feng Li took it, put it in his mouth, and swallowed it down with a sip of water.

Feng Jiu’er patted his shoulder. “The medicine lasts exactly fifteen days, don’t worry! Your face will be fine — it’s just the body and limbs.”

“No matter.” Feng Li touched Feng Jiu’er’s cheek. “Lucky I have you — otherwise your father wouldn’t have the face to go see your mother.”

Feng Jiu’er glared at him. “Is that all you can think about — going to see Mother? You haven’t even taken care of me for very long, and already you’re thinking of facing her?”

“Father, I’ve heard quite a few city lords and officials don’t truly submit to Feng Qiongcang, and yet you alone still do.”

“Before, it was for my sake. Now I’m no longer afraid of Feng Qiongcang myself, and yet you’re still the same as before.”

“Jiu’er.” Feng Li frowned at once. “Do you know what you’re saying?”

Feng Jiu’er drew her arm back out of his grasp.

“I know what I’m saying!” She turned and tightened the cap on the medicine bottle.

“But…” Feng Jiu’er shrugged, “I don’t have any plans of my own right now — I just want to take you away.”

“Anyway, if you don’t go, I won’t go either. If we’re going to see Mother, we go together!”

The room fell quiet, and Feng Jiu’er felt a flicker of regret at her own careless words.

She turned to face Feng Li, lips pursed.

“Father, I know you’ve devoted your whole heart to the common people. But it’s not us who want to start a war — it’s Feng Qiongcang who won’t let us be.”

“Never mind.” Feng Jiu’er let out a soft sigh. “We’ll talk about this another time.”

“If you’re still unwilling, there’s nothing more we can do.”

“The pill I just gave you was both a tonic and an antidote. No matter what medicine any physician who comes prescribes for you, don’t take it — understood?”

“Mm.” Feng Li took Feng Jiu’er’s hand.

“Jiu’er.” He raised his eyes to meet hers. “Your uncle and I share the same father and mother. Back then I promised Mother that we brothers would never turn on each other—”

“Father, you kept your word. He couldn’t!” Feng Jiu’er cut him off.

“Still, I haven’t had time to learn much about the affairs of the Feng Clan — let’s discuss it once we’re safe.”

“As a daughter of the Feng Clan, I have a duty to see my own people live good lives.”

“If I find that Feng Qiongcang has no regard for the people’s suffering, I won’t let him carry on unchecked either.”

“All right!” Feng Li patted the back of Feng Jiu’er’s hand gently. “Everything, once things have settled, we’ll discuss then.”

“Is Wuya still at the Black Pool ley line right now?”

“Mm.” Feng Jiu’er thought of her own man, pressed her lips together, and nodded.

Feng Li let go of her and went to sit behind the desk.

“Take two letters with you — one for Yue Jianfei, Lord of Yuecheng, and one for Dai Jinyan, Lord of Yicheng.”

“Once they receive these letters, they’ll know what to do.”

Feng Jiu’er froze for a moment, then stepped closer.

“Elder Brother Yue has long since allied with us. Right now Wuya is facing off against Liuchuan City, Yicheng (Wing City), and Yicheng (Ease City), all three at once.”

“Third Imperial Brother also said that Dai Jinyan, Lord of Yicheng, is one of your old subordinates, Father — if this letter gets through, can this war be avoided?”

Hearing Feng Jiu’er’s words, Feng Li crumpled the first sheet of paper to ash and set his brush to a fresh one.

“Lord Dai is my person. If she can persuade the other two cities, the battle can be avoided.”

“This Wuya — giving up even the throne to follow you — he really is someone worth entrusting your whole life to.”

Feng Jiu’er leaned over the desk, looking at the letter.

“Who he is, I’ve known for a long time. Either way, in this life, it’s him or no one.”

Feng Li’s mouth curved, and he said nothing more.

Soon, he picked up the finished letter.

“I’ll take it.” Feng Jiu’er took the letter, blowing on it to dry the ink even as she skimmed the contents.

Feng Li looked at her and said softly, “Father is sorry you all have had to suffer for this.”

“Don’t say things like that!” Feng Jiu’er set the letter down.

“Father is a son of the Feng line, the Son of Heaven — you belong at the very top, that’s how it should be.”

“I know — before, it was for my sake. Now, it’s for the sake of those loyal old subordinates of yours.”

“Like He Zhongnan today — if he hadn’t said his days were numbered, Father surely wouldn’t have agreed to let him stay, would he?”

“I understand!” She tucked the letter into her waistband and looked up at Feng Li.

“Jiu’er isn’t a child anymore. I hold command over a great army now too.”

“Father, remember our agreement!”

“Mm.” Feng Li waved a hand. “Go now — the farther from the Night Prince’s manor, the better!”

Feng Jiu’er leaned over the desk, hugged Feng Li around the neck, then let go of him.

“Father, remember to take care of yourself. Farewell!”

Feng Jiu’er waved, turned, and with a single leap, vanished from the room.

As expected, about a quarter hour later, Han Ying herself arrived at Yanxiang Residence, bringing an Imperial Physician with her.

He Zhongnan couldn’t hold her back, and with time running short, could only give the order to let her through.

Han Ying, dressed all in red, strode imposingly into the hall, heading straight for Feng Li’s bedchamber.

By then, only faint candlelight remained in Feng Li’s room.

“Night Princess, this humble one already told you — the Night Prince isn’t well and has long since retired for the night,” He Zhongnan sighed softly.

In the dim light, through the curtain, one could see the figure on the couch sit up at the sound of someone entering.

He Zhongnan turned and knelt on the ground.

“Night Prince, the Night Princess, she…”

Feng Li coughed lightly. “It’s nothing.”

“This King is unwell — go find the physician first.”

“Husband, what’s wrong?” Han Ying strode over and threw back the bed curtain.

Feng Li covered his mouth, coughing again. As his hand rose to cover his lips, it revealed an arm mottled all over in red.

“You…” Han Ying was so startled she let the curtain fall back into place.

“Cough, cough…” Feng Li kept coughing.

“Night Prince, the Night Princess has brought the Imperial Physician — you should let him examine you,” He Zhongnan pleaded.

The physician was startled by Han Ying’s sudden movement. He drew a deep breath, came back to himself, and knelt. “Greetings, Night Prince.”

The physician looked up at Han Ying. “Night Princess, what are the Night Prince’s symptoms?”

Han Ying frowned, turned, and threw back the bed curtain once more.

Everyone’s eyes fell upon the figure on the couch.