Feng Yan set down his cup and waved his hand. “This prince doesn’t want to argue with you any further.”

“If Noble Consort Ya has no other business, please leave.”

His mood had already been bad, and now it seemed even worse.

Feng Yan couldn’t imagine himself facing Feng Jiu’er, or Feng Jiang, head-on in battle.

If possible, he wished this war would end here.

“Let’s go to war!” Consort Ya rapped the table. “Second Prince, I’ll say it plainly — that childish temper of yours needs to change.”

“If we lose this battle, what the Feng dynasty will face — I think you understand better than I do.”

“I admit I deliberately targeted the Empress, but she deserved it — a mere ten thousand taels can’t make up for anything.”

“Now isn’t the time to go to war.” Feng Yan shook his head. “Does Noble Consort Ya not understand our army’s situation?”

“A few casualties, and the Second Prince wants to keep avoiding it for how long?” Consort Ya scoffed coldly.

She glanced back and clapped her hands.

A soldier strode in from outside and knelt in the hall. “Greetings to the Second Prince, greetings to Noble Consort Ya.”

“Rise.” Consort Ya waved her hand and looked up at Feng Yan.

“Second Prince, this is our Gao family’s chief strategist. Since we’re now in the same boat, we should plan properly.”

“Feng Jiu’er has falsely claimed the identity of a Feng daughter — her death would be no loss! And the Feng Clan no longer has a Third Prince.”

“From now on, the Feng Clan will belong to you and the Eldest Prince — I don’t understand what you have to hesitate about.”

Feng Yan had no heart for it, yet he had no choice but to heed Consort Ya’s opinion, summon his officials, and discuss the battle plan.

On Feng Jiu’er’s side, the fifth batch of gunpowder arrived in time, resolving their urgent need.

More than ten hours after the battle began, the Empress’s army appeared on the left side of the battle zone, launching a surprise strike on the enemy’s left flank.

When the soldiers saw reinforcements arrive, their morale soared.

On the fourth day of fighting, the situation shifted — Feng Jiu’er turned the tables and gained the upper hand.

Ever since Consort Ya became involved in the war effort, Feng Yan rarely spoke.

He shut himself away on the battlefield, gone for five days and five nights straight.

On the sixth day, as the sun rose, the two siblings met for the first time.

Sitting astride his horse, Feng Yan’s eyes were dull and lifeless, his expression utterly worn down.

Feng Jiu’er looked at the man across from her — amid the unfamiliarity, a trace of heartache crept in.

She didn’t know what the Second Prince had gone through these past days to leave him now looking like a lone wolf cast out from its pack.

“Second Imperial Brother, it’s been a long time!” Feng Jiu’er pressed her lips together and said.

“No need to say more. Even in death, I won’t betray Father Emperor!” Feng Yan’s voice was hoarse and low.

His words sounded like a declaration of resolve, yet also like he was trying to convince himself — others might not have noticed, but Feng Jiu’er did.

Was Second Imperial Brother unable to understand what she and Third Imperial Brother were doing now, unable to be like them?

“I never asked you to betray anyone.” Feng Jiu’er answered softly. “Everyone here on this battlefield is fighting for a belief in their heart.”

“Second Imperial Brother and your soldiers are fighting for the Emperor, for the Feng Clan’s wholeness and unity.”

“I, and all my brothers, are also fighting for the Feng Clan. The difference is, we will no longer acknowledge a man who murdered his father to seize the throne as emperor.”

“Father Emperor did not kill the Retired Emperor.” Feng Yan said in a low, sharp voice.

“Whether he did or didn’t isn’t for you to decide, nor for me.” Feng Jiu’er’s lips curved slightly.

“Doesn’t Second Imperial Brother know our father’s temperament? Do you really think he’d throw the Feng Clan into such turmoil for his own selfish gain?”