Jian Yi and Feng Jiu’er both got down from the carriage, and the driver walked over, beaming.

“Master, Madam, will you still need the carriage these next two days?”

“If you need anything, just have the young miss go across the street to the tea stall and say so. This humble one will be sure to come running.”

Feng Jiu’er’s gaze settled on the driver, and she nodded lightly.

Xiao Yingtao immediately pulled out some loose silver and pressed it into the driver’s hand.

“If we need you, we’ll be sure to find you.”

“Thank you, Madam. Thank you, miss.” The driver bowed and hurried off, climbing back onto the carriage. “This humble one will go help with the luggage.”

Xiao Yingtao took Feng Jiu’er’s arm and walked toward the inn.

Soon, a young attendant came forward to greet them.

“Madam, is there anything I can help you with?”

“We’d like to stay — two adjoining rooms,” Feng Jiu’er said softly.

“Right this way, please!” The attendant waved them in quickly.

The group followed the attendant from the first floor up to the second, finally settling on a large suite near the direction of the Yuelai Inn.

After paying, the attendant left, and the driver set down the luggage before also taking his leave.

Xiao Yingtao closed the door, and when she turned around, she saw Feng Jiu’er and Jian Yi standing by the window.

She walked over to the low table, poured a cup of tea, sniffed it near her nose, then raised the cup and drank it down.

“Master, Madam, would you like some tea?”

No sooner had she spoken than Xiao Yingtao, cup in hand, came up behind Feng Jiu’er.

“Madam.” She held the tea out with both hands, bowing slightly. “Please, have some tea.”

Feng Jiu’er turned, glanced at her, and took the cup.

“I’m going out for a moment.” Jian Yi turned and headed for the door.

Feng Jiu’er didn’t ask further — whenever Jian Yi went out like this, it was always to make sure the place was safe.

He did this everywhere they went; even Xiao Yingtao had grown used to it.

“Go get the luggage sorted,” Feng Jiu’er said, turning her gaze back to Xiao Yingtao.

“Yes, Madam.” Xiao Yingtao nodded and turned toward the inner room.

With Jian Yi outside the room and Xiao Yingtao inside it, Feng Jiu’er could finally attend to her own affairs in peace.

She wasn’t in any hurry to do anything just yet. Instead, holding her teacup, she turned once more to look toward the Yuelai Inn.

As luck would have it, at that very moment, a troop of soldiers arrived not far off.

At the head of the formation, seated on horseback, was none other than Feng Rui — one of the Feng Clan generals Feng Jiu’er despised most.

Feng Jiu’er’s dislike of this man wasn’t simply because he’d been her first enemy since the fighting began north of Songjiang.

The main reason was Feng Rui’s character — he truly was ruthless and cruel, no ordinary kind of vicious.

Feng Rui sat tall and proud on his horse, seeming to relish being the center of attention.

Along the street, besides the troops following him, there were also many onlookers — whether drawn by curiosity or something else, it was hard to say.

Even those not among his followers stopped whatever they were doing wherever Feng Rui passed, looking up at him.

“Move aside! Out of the way!”

“Quick, move! General Feng is coming, move!”

On the street, only the shouts of the soldiers flanking Feng Rui rang out.

Feng Rui, his face cold, rode straight for the Yuelai Inn.

The people at the inn seemed to have received word in advance and had been waiting at the entrance for some time.

Only now did Feng Jiu’er notice that the entrance, which had been full of foot traffic just moments before, now held only a group of heavily made-up women.

The woman standing at the very front, seeing him approach, hurriedly waved the handkerchief in her hand and stepped forward to greet him.

“General Feng, we’ve finally been waiting for you. This humble one thought you might not come today.”

“Please, come in! The finest food and wine have all been prepared for you.”