Dai Jinyan sat down, and only then did Feng Jiu’er let go of her hand. But Dai Jinyan turned around and held her hand instead.

“You’re called Jiu’er?” she asked.

“Mm.” Feng Jiu’er nodded. “Feng Jiu’er.”

“General Dai and my father will be meeting soon as well. We can talk properly again after that.”

“Good.”

Dai Jinyan released Feng Jiu’er’s hand.

Feng Jiu’er turned to look at the other two, smiled faintly, then turned and walked out.

“Miss Jiu’er.” Yu Jingfeng saw Feng Jiu’er come out, his face full of pleasant surprise.

“Big Yu.” Feng Jiu’er raised her eyes to look at the man who stood a full head taller than her.

“Have someone prepare breakfast, and change the tea as well. Is there any fruit?”

“There is.”

Yu Jingfeng nodded.

“Prepare more fruit, and things for washing up too. Everyone’s been sitting up all night, it can’t be comfortable.”

Feng Jiu’er glanced around at everyone.

“Tell the brothers to go rest. Just leave a few people behind.”

“Yes, Miss Jiu’er. I’ll go arrange it right away.”

Yu Jingfeng cupped his hands.

“Arrange things, then go rest yourself too. Your dark circles are quite heavy.”

Feng Jiu’er waved her hand.

“Got it.” Yu Jingfeng nodded and turned.

Feng Jiu’er also turned, lifted the curtain, and went back inside.

Inside the tent, there were only seven people. The Ninth Imperial Uncle, the three city lords, and each city lord’s personal guard.

Feng Jiu’er walked straight to Di Wu Ya and sat back down in his arms.

“Three elders.” Feng Jiu’er poured a cup of tea and lifted the teacup.

“I believe you’ve all met my husband. There may have been some unpleasantness before, but I hope that in the days ahead, there’s a chance for us to cooperate.”

“Everyone has the right to choose their own path. I, Jiu’er, have no right to change anything.”

“This cup of tea is for the fact that we can all gather here today. I’ll drink mine down — you may do as you please.”

Feng Jiu’er raised her cup and drained the tea inside.

Dai Jinyan composed herself, finally withdrawing her gaze from Feng Jiu’er.

Inside the tent, the sound of tea being poured rang out.

Dai Jinyan raised her teacup, looked at Feng Jiu’er, curved her lips slightly, tilted her head back, and drank the tea in one gulp.

“So alike. The more I look, the more alike you are.”

Her gaze on Feng Jiu’er was very intense, but Feng Jiu’er couldn’t quite explain what the feeling was.

No matter. There was plenty of time to understand it later.

On the other side, the sound of pouring tea rang out again.

Wang Yutang raised his cup and drank, saying nothing, not even sparing a glance at Feng Jiu’er and Di Wu Ya.

That air of detachment from worldly affairs, paired with his calculating mind, was truly hard to see through.

“Hmph!” Jia Jinshan snorted coldly. “Make me submit to some rebel faction from another country? I’d rather die!”

“Where do you get ‘rebel faction from another country’?” A deep, pleasant voice came from outside.

Yu Jingfeng lifted the curtain and respectfully waved a hand. “Night Prince, please!”

“Night Prince?” Dai Jinyan was the first to react, standing up.

She stared fixedly at the direction of the curtain, her body even trembling slightly.

This was something that had never appeared in her before — not as General Dai, not as City Lord Dai.

Dai Jinyan was normally composed, decisive, and reserved, yet today, again and again, she had surprised those who knew her well.

Jia Jinshan paid Dai Jinyan no mind, raising his eyes toward the curtain.

Wang Yutang glanced at Dai Jinyan, his gaze drifting outward.

At the curtain, Feng Li — his true appearance restored — strode in with long, vigorous steps.

“General Dai, it’s been a long time!” The moment Feng Li entered, he saw Dai Jinyan coming to greet him.

Dai Jinyan dropped to her knees with a thud.

“Night Prince, I never imagined it was really you. Are you well?”

“This prince is well.” Feng Li replied softly, waving a hand.

“General Dai, let’s sit and talk.”

Yu Jingfeng brought over a long bench and placed it beside the main seat.

Di Wu Ya took Feng Jiu’er’s hand and stood, stepping aside.

Feng Jiu’er rose onto her toes and poked the man’s nose bridge, the corners of her mouth full of delighted smiles.

“Yes, Night Prince.” Dai Jinyan stood, stepped back a few paces, and returned to her seat.

“Night Prince, please!” Yu Jingfeng returned to Feng Li’s side and waved a hand.

Feng Li stepped forward and took the main seat.

“Greetings, Night Prince!”

“Greetings, Night Prince!” Jia Jinshan and Wang Yutang came to the center of the hall and knelt down.

Feng Li flicked his sleeve and sat down.

“All of you, rise. Sit and talk.”

“Yes, Your Highness.” The two cupped their hands together in unison, stood, and returned to their seats.

Yu Jingfeng brought people in with food and washing supplies, and changed the tea.

Only after everyone inside had washed up did he lead the brothers and the washing supplies away.

Feng Li, seated in the main seat, glanced around at everyone and waved a hand.

“I hear you’ve all been sitting for over ten hours. Eat first, please.”

Feng Li waved his hand again, his gaze landing on Di Wu Ya.

“Wu Ya, please.”

Di Wu Ya nodded, saying softly, “Thank you, Father.”

“That rolls off your tongue quite smoothly now.”

Feng Jiu’er ladled him a bowl of porridge. “Eat quickly! You’ve gotten thinner.”

Di Wu Ya’s lips curved slightly as he took the bowl and offered Feng Jiu’er a spoonful.

“You eat first.”

Feng Jiu’er didn’t stand on ceremony and opened her mouth to drink it down.

She picked up a steamed bun, took a bite, and handed the rest to Di Wu Ya.

Di Wu Ya finished the other half, his expression full of contentment — a look the six people present had never seen on him before.

“Jiu’er’s husband is a rare talent indeed.” Dai Jinyan shook her head, sighing with admiration.

“Your Highness, please.”

“Please.” Feng Li cupped his hands and picked up a pair of chopsticks.

Feng Jiu’er swallowed what was in her mouth and looked at Dai Jinyan. “Thank you, General Dai.”

“He’s very good — I know that best of all!”

“Heh heh…” Dai Jinyan smiled, “This general really is hungry too. I won’t stand on ceremony!”

“Don’t!” Feng Jiu’er waved her hand lightly.

Jia Jinshan seemed to have something to say, and ate rather hurriedly.

This made the already rough-looking man appear rather like a barbarian who hadn’t had meat in his belly for a long time, finally getting to eat some.

Wang Yutang took a bite of bun, a sip of tea — gentle and refined as jade, yet it was easy to tell his mind ran deep.

The tent fell quiet, with only the faint sounds of eating.

Two quarter-hours later, the leftover food was cleared away and pastries were brought out.

Feng Li stood up and waved a hand. “You may all take your leave first.”

Take their leave? The three city lords’ expressions changed at once.

The prince hadn’t said a single word yet, and he was already sending them away?

Feng Li glanced at Di Wu Ya and Feng Jiu’er, then turned his gaze back to Jia Jinshan and Wang Yutang.

“This prince believes that whatever needs to be said, Wu Ya has already said.”

“Whatever thoughts you city lords have, give me your answer within three days.”

“Three days from now, we will take action. By then, whether you are friend or foe depends entirely on your own choice.”

Feng Li waved his hand and sat back down.

“Yu Jingfeng, see the guests out.”

“Yes.”

Yu Jingfeng received the order and walked in together with the Twelve Riders of the Flying Dragon.

The Twelve Riders of the Flying Dragon split into two groups, six standing on each side, guarding the entrance where the curtain hung.

Yu Jingfeng looked at the two city lords and waved a hand. “City Lords, please.”