“Truly?” The Empress, who had just been looking at her teacup, immediately shifted her gaze to Feng Jiu’er.

“Mm.” Feng Jiu’er nodded without hesitation. “I guarantee you’ll be satisfied.”

“Very well then.” Only then did the Empress lift her cup and take a sip of tea.

Feng Jiu’er stood, stepped back twice, knelt, and bowed her head to the ground three times.

Today, the Empress had taken an enormous risk — this debt of gratitude wasn’t something a few words could repay.

What moved Feng Jiu’er even more was that the Empress had clearly, more or less, guessed their identities — at the very least, she knew who her father was — yet she had seen through it and said nothing.

“Empress, please remember our agreement, and please take good care of yourself.”

The Empress finished the tea in her cup at her own unhurried pace, then set the quilt down gently.

“To be honest, I truly hate to part with you.”

She stood, went over, and took Feng Jiu’er’s hands, helping her up.

“Back then, I never even had the chance to have a proper conversation with you. I never imagined that when we met again, you would be the one to save me.”

“I… saved you?” Feng Jiu’er frowned.

So the Empress really had guessed her identity.

“Mm.” The Empress stroked Feng Jiu’er’s head gently. “It was you who pulled me out of the darkness at the bottom of the lake and let me see the light again.”

“When do you plan to leave?” the Empress asked again.

“Tonight.” Feng Jiu’er took hold of the Empress’s wrist, then let go.

She untied a cloth pouch from her waist and set it on the table.

“There are some good medicines here — from my own private collection. I’ve written down their uses and dosages.”

“Empress.” Feng Jiu’er turned her head, meeting the Empress’s gaze.

“Please, take care of yourself! I need to go now.”

“Go on.” The Empress picked up the pouch and waved a hand.

Feng Jiu’er stood, but the Empress did not raise her eyes.

Feng Jiu’er looked at her for a moment without blinking, then, saying nothing more, turned and left.

Just as she pushed the door open, the Empress looked up — her eyes brimming with tears.

Three days later, the six of them finally reunited with their brothers in Wutong Town.

But by this time, the imperial decree had already reached Wutong Town and the surrounding cities as well.

On the very day everyone gathered, the gates of Xixi City, where Wutong Town was located, were sealed shut, allowing no one in or out.

The two leading the brothers in waiting at Wutong Town were Zhao Yusheng and Duan Liuyang.

Zhao Yusheng was no longer Zhao Yusheng — he had become Steward He of Wutong Town.

The original Steward He had died unexpectedly while away on business, so Zhao Yusheng had taken over his identity and estate.

Zhao Yusheng, having “survived a brush with death,” looked the same as before, but his temperament had changed drastically.

Duan Liuyang, disguised as a physician, claimed that his brain had been damaged in the accident.

Once it was confirmed that the master of the house had gone mad, Steward He’s wives and concubines took whatever valuables they could and left, and the servants scattered as well.

The He residence, in an instant, became a place no one dared, or even wished, to approach.

Feng Jiu’er and the others only entered the He residence after nightfall.

Brothers kept watch in the shadows all around — the place was both safe and quiet.

Hearing the brothers’ report, Zhao Yusheng and Duan Liuyang stood at once and walked out through the hall doors.

Meeting again, everyone was overjoyed.

“Come in first, the meal is ready,” Duan Liuyang said, waving a hand.

Everyone nodded, walking together into the main hall.

In the side hall, Duan Liuyang had prepared the meal in advance.

Along with Zhao Yusheng and Duan Liuyang, eight people sat together to eat.

After the meal, everyone moved to the inner side chamber.

“Night Prince, I am Zhao Yusheng.” Zhao Yusheng came before Feng Li and clasped his hands in greeting.

“Mm.” Feng Li nodded lightly.

“Night Prince, this humble woman is Duan Liuyang.” Duan Liuyang stood beside Zhao Yusheng, speaking softly.

Even though everyone wore human-skin masks, Zhao Yusheng and Duan Liuyang could still recognize Jian Yi and Xing Zizhou, and so the one remaining had to be the Night Prince.

“Please, all of you sit. These past days must have been hard on you,” Feng Li said, waving a hand.

“Yes.” Zhao Yusheng clasped his hands again.

“Thank you, Your Highness.” Duan Liuyang bowed.

The two of them turned almost in unison and sat down in the chairs across from the group.

“Zhao Yusheng, any news of Third Brother?” Feng Jiu’er asked after taking a sip of tea.

“Mm.” Zhao Yusheng nodded. “We’ve made contact. No brothers were hurt.”

“However…” Zhao Yusheng pressed his lips together. “As of today, the gates of Xixi City have been closed. No one is allowed in or out.”

“It’s an imperial decree from the capital — it seems Feng Qiongcang intends to search every city, one by one, until everyone is found.”

“The gates are sealed?” Qiao Mu frowned.

“Yes, sealed.” Duan Liuyang nodded lightly. “No entry, no exit.”

“If it goes on like this, the entire economy of the Feng Clan will be badly affected. Feng Qiongcang has truly lost his mind,” Xing Zizhou sighed.

His gaze had just landed on Feng Li, and he quickly, somewhat awkwardly, withdrew it.

“Let’s take it one step at a time. Everyone’s traveled three days and three nights — you’re all exhausted.” Feng Jiu’er stood and went over to massage Feng Li’s shoulders.

“Zhao Yusheng, are the rooms ready? I want a bubble bath.”

“Jiu’er, I’ve prepared one for you.” Duan Liuyang stood as well.

“I’ve arranged two rooms for you and the Night Prince, with bathwater and flower petals all ready, and of course, that’s not all…”

Duan Liuyang turned, went over, and opened a cabinet.

She took out a box from inside and walked toward Feng Jiu’er.

“Jiu’er, this is your favorite jasmine scent. I wasn’t sure what the Night Prince likes, so I prepared an orchid fragrance for him.”

“Jian Yi likes jasmine too, Xiao Yingtao and Brother Xing like rose scent, and Sister Qiao Mu likes the scent of fresh grass.”

Duan Liuyang made her way around, handing everyone a bar of handmade soap.

“These past days, I had nothing else to do, so I followed the method Jiu’er taught before and made some soap.”

“Brother Zhao and I have both tried it — it’s decent. Give it a try.”

Feng Li looked at the small object in his hand, looking rather puzzled.

Feng Jiu’er smiled faintly and explained, “Father, this soap feels very refreshing to bathe with.”

“Orchid — can you get used to the scent?”

Feng Li held the soap up to his nose, sniffed it, and nodded.

“Good, then.” Feng Jiu’er took his large hand. “Come on, let’s go wash up. Early to bed tonight.”

“After washing with this little thing, you’ll feel very comfortable — try it and see.”

“Mm.” Feng Li nodded lightly.

“Jiu’er, Night Prince, let me show you the way first.” Duan Liuyang said with a smile, walking ahead.

“All right.” Feng Jiu’er took Feng Li’s hand and followed Duan Liuyang’s footsteps.

“Everyone else, head off early and get some rest — we’ll figure out a way forward soon enough.”

“I’m going for a bubble bath too.” Xiao Yingtao stood, glancing at Qiao Mu.

“Mm.” Qiao Mu stood as well.

Feng Jiu’er left, and Jian Yi could hardly stay behind either.

In the end, only Zhao Yusheng and Xing Zizhou remained.

“Not tired?” Zhao Yusheng looked up at Xing Zizhou.

“Still holding up.” Xing Zizhou stood and walked over. “Break down the situation for me.”