“What exactly is going on?” Qiao Mu frowned and stopped in her tracks.

Feng Jiang lowered his eyes and rubbed her brow, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly.

“I heard they made our favorite chestnut-flavored tangyuan. Did you get to eat some?”

Qiao Mu knew things weren’t going smoothly, but she didn’t press him further. He would tell her eventually, one way or another.

That was fair enough — the war had begun, and they’d long since prepared themselves for the worst.

Once everyone had gathered, they sat around two tables to eat tangyuan together.

In this moment of reunion, no one asked too many questions. They ate the little rice balls that symbolized togetherness, laughing and chatting.

After the meal, Feng Jiang led everyone into his own chambers.

In the main hall of his quarters, Feng Jiang and Qiao Mu sat in the seats of honor, while Feng Jiu’er and the others took their places on either side.

The weather was truly cold; many of the group clutched hot water bottles.

Feng Jiu’er shrank into herself a little and looked toward Feng Jiang. “Third Brother, is there trouble at the north city gate?”

“The area outside the gate is blocked.” Feng Jiang set down his teacup.

“Is the enemy army trying to make a comeback so soon?” Xiao Yingtao’s brow furrowed.

“No.” Feng Jiang shook his head. “What’s blocking the gate is a crowd of the old, weak, sick, and disabled.”

“Feng Rui truly lives up to being the most ruthless general in the Feng Clan — that he’d think of such a vicious scheme.”

“The people outside the gate are all crying injustice, saying that if Night Prince and the Third Prince hadn’t rebelled to seize the throne, they wouldn’t have ended up in such a state.” Yang Sheng stood up.

He clenched his fists so tightly the veins on his hands bulged with anger.

“General Feng Rui is the thief crying ‘stop thief.’ It’s clearly him who drove the common people to this state, yet he wants to pin the blame on Night Prince!”

Feng Jiang composed himself and raised his eyes.

“I inspected the area myself today. Outside the city, apart from a few hundred wounded enemy soldiers, there are at least a thousand innocent civilians.”

“It seems Feng Rui has no intention of caring whether these people live or die.”

“Jiu’er, what’s your take on this?”

“What’s your take on it?” Feng Jiu’er stared at Feng Jiang without blinking, turning the question back on him.

“We handle it.” Feng Jiang withdrew his gaze and gently rubbed Qiao Mu’s shoulder.

“If he won’t handle it, I can’t just let it go either.”

Qiao Mu leaned into Feng Jiang’s embrace and said nothing.

But it was as though she were saying she would support whatever decision he made.

Feng Jiang held the woman in his arms a little closer, his expression brightening.

“Mm.” Feng Jiu’er gave Feng Jiang an affirming nod. “There’s no time to lose. Let’s go now.”

“Go now? What if it’s one of Feng Rui’s schemes? Our brothers would be in danger.” Xiao Yingtao’s brow knitted tight.

“There’s no ‘what if.'” Feng Jiu’er shook her head. “It’s certainly one of Feng Rui’s schemes.”

“Which is exactly why we need to go find some help first.”

“Where would we even look? Who would we ask?” Xiao Yingtao blinked her round eyes and asked.

Feng Jiu’er stood up and looked toward Yue Qinchun.

“Qinchun, you and the others stay behind and look after Qiao Mu. As for the rest of you brothers — if you’re fit enough, come with me now.”

“Jiu’er, where are you going?” Qiao Mu stood and asked.

Feng Jiang rose as well, steadying her.

“Going to take a turn through the village — hoping we can find people willing to help.” Feng Jiu’er raised her eyes. “Did the people outside the gate only appear today?”

“Mm.” Feng Jiang nodded. “Around noon, roughly.”

“Good thing it hasn’t been long.” Feng Jiu’er let out a light breath.

“I plan to bring some townsfolk out of the city to deliver food to the people. Naturally, our own people will disguise themselves and go along too, to keep them safe.”

“The abandoned soldiers Feng Rui threw out there — many of them were probably conscripted in a hurry from within the city. His own real troops, he’d never give up so easily!”

“That’s a good plan.” Xiao Yingtao stood and slapped the table.

“Let’s go. We’ll find that group of sisters.”