“The Princess speaks correctly.” The young man nodded. “This is a portrait of our Lady Consort Chu, from the Kingdom of Ximu.”

“Over a decade ago, a certain feudal lord committed a crime. In order to spare himself from the Emperor’s wrath, he took the little princess away with him.”

“Later, the feudal lord died, and from then on the little princess vanished. At the time she went missing, it was in the Kingdom of Beimu.”

“Lady Consort Chu once showed great kindness to my master. In the years after my master retired early from office, he has traveled from kingdom to kingdom, always hoping that one day he might bring the princess home.”

The courtyard gate was gently pushed open from outside.

Feng Jiu’er, who had just entered, had overheard the young man’s words clearly from outside the door.

“May I take a look at the portrait?” Feng Jiu’er walked straight over to Xiao Yingtao’s side.

Seeing her return, Xiao Yingtao secretly let out a breath of relief.

A moment ago she had been both startled and tense, nearly unable to keep her footing.

“Please, take a look!” The young man held the portrait out with both hands.

Feng Jiu’er took the portrait and studied it carefully.

Xiao Yingtao watched the portrait cautiously as well, her fingers interlaced and gripping tighter and tighter.

After a moment, Feng Jiu’er handed the portrait back.

“Your Lady Consort Chu does resemble Xiaoxiao somewhat, but there are many people in this world who look alike, aren’t there?”

The young man took back the portrait and said, “Lady Consort Chu told us the little princess has a red, heart-shaped birthmark on her chest…”

Hearing this, Xiao Yingtao instinctively grasped at her collar.

“I… don’t have one.” She stammered out the words.

Feng Jiu’er cleared her throat lightly and waved a hand. “Since it isn’t her, please leave. Don’t disturb our lives any further.”

The young man noticed Xiao Yingtao’s discomfort and seemed about to say more.

But the old man stood up instead. “Let’s go.”

“My lord…” The young man frowned.

The old man looked at Feng Jiu’er and Xiao Yingtao, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. “Forgive us for the disturbance, ladies.”

“The Feng Clan territory is in great turmoil right now. Unless it’s absolutely necessary, the two of you would do well not to wander about too much.”

“My surname is Wei. I usually stay at the Fenglan Inn. It was fate that brought us together — should you ever need help, feel free to come find me.”

“Let’s go.” The old man turned and glanced back at the young man.

The young man gave a slight nod, reluctantly pulling his gaze away from Xiao Yingtao, and followed after the old man.

As they left, they even thoughtfully closed the door behind them for the two inside.

“Jiu’er.” At the sound of the door closing, Xiao Yingtao finally could no longer stand steady, and grabbed hold of Feng Jiu’er’s arm.

Feng Jiu’er took her hand and led her into the house.

In the inner room, Xiao Yingtao pulled open her collar, leaned her head down, and looked at the still surface of the water in the basin.

Xiao Yingtao touched the red, heart-shaped birthmark over her chest and asked quietly, “Jiu’er, do you think it’s just a coincidence?”

“They said Lady Consort Chu’s little princess has one too… like this?”

“Jiu’er, is this shaped like a heart?” Xiao Yingtao turned to look at the person behind her. “Help me see — is it, or isn’t it?”

Feng Jiu’er pressed her lips together, reached out, and pulled Xiao Yingtao into her arms.

“Don’t be afraid! I will definitely help you get to the bottom of this.”

Xiao Yingtao took a deep breath, let it out slowly, and nodded. “Mm.”

Once Feng Jiu’er saw that her emotions had settled somewhat, she let her go.

“Don’t think about it too much.” She smiled and ruffled Xiao Yingtao’s hair.

The corner of Xiao Yingtao’s mouth lifted, and she laughed.

“With all of you here, I’m not afraid! Still… Lady Consort Chu and I do look so alike — it might really be true.”

“She sounds so gentle, so kind. If she really is my mother, that would be wonderful!”