“My lord!” The young man reached out a large hand.

He was too late to stop it—Elder Wei had already swallowed the pill.

“What did you give my lord?” the man glared at Feng Jiu’er.

Feng Jiu’er pressed her lips together and said nothing.

“It doesn’t matter.” Elder Wei laughed heartily. “If I can’t find the princess, I never intended to return to my country anyway.”

His gaze fell on Xiao Yingtao, his tone growing gentler. “I only hope the heavens are willing to favor me. Thank you!”

Xiao Yingtao looked at the old man, feeling a pang of sadness in her heart.

But she didn’t know what to say—after all, she herself didn’t even know whether she truly was the one he sought.

Elder Wei, still smiling, turned his gaze to Feng Jiu’er.

“Miss Fangfang, how many people need to leave the city? I’ll arrange it as soon as possible.”

“Good!” Feng Jiu’er stood up and cupped her hands. “Not many—just three hundred people. I must trouble Elder Wei to make the trip.”

“No trouble at all.” Elder Wei stood up as well.

Under his arrangement, before dawn broke, not only did the three hundred soldiers leave the city, but Feng Jiu’er and her companions also got out safely.

The four of them, disguised as Elder Wei’s attendants, passed through the checkpoint without incident and entered Liaodu City, which bordered the Yongdong Three Cities.

The great battle for the Yongdong Three Cities had already dragged on for several months. At this point, no troops were stationed in Liaodu City—it could practically be called an empty city.

Along the entire way, one could say there was hardly a soul in sight.

The group didn’t stop until they reached a small town at the very eastern edge.

Elder Wei had brought Feng Jiu’er’s people out, while leaving his own men behind in Fenglai City.

His sincerity was, indeed, quite moving.

By nightfall, everyone had settled into a residence.

After discussing matters with Xing Zizhou, Feng Jiu’er brought Xiao Yingtao to knock on the door of Elder Wei’s chamber.

The one who opened the door was the man who had always followed Elder Wei—the only person he had brought along.

“Something wrong?” the man asked.

Feng Jiu’er shook the medicine bottle in her hand. “The antidote. May we come in?”

The man took the bottle, turned, and went back inside.

Feng Jiu’er and Xiao Yingtao stepped forward and entered the chamber.

Inside, Elder Wei was sipping tea.

Without thinking much of it, the man handed the medicine to Elder Wei. “My lord, Miss Fangfang says this is the antidote.”

“Good.” Elder Wei twisted open the bottle and took out the pill.

He put the pill in his mouth, took a sip of tea, and raised his eyes.

“Please, have a seat, ladies!”

Feng Jiu’er and Xiao Yingtao did not sit down. Instead, they stood before Elder Wei and bowed deeply together.

“Thank you for your help, Elder Wei!” they said in unison.

“You’re welcome!” Elder Wei laughed, pleased. “Miss Fangfang, you haven’t forgotten your earlier promise, have you?”

“Of course not.” Feng Jiu’er turned her head and gently patted Xiao Yingtao’s shoulder.

Xiao Yingtao pressed her lips together, took a deep breath, and met Elder Wei’s gaze.

“I’m an orphan. I was adopted in the Kingdom of Bei Mu when I was seven. I do have the birthmark you spoke of, Elder Wei, but…”

Seeing that Xiao Yingtao’s voice was starting to catch, Feng Jiu’er took her hand.

“When Xiao Xiao was rescued, she had suffered a head injury. She has no memories from before she was seven.”

“Elder Wei, your arrival has taken us both by surprise. But right now, I am Xiao Xiao’s family, and I intend to take responsibility for her affairs.”

Before Feng Jiu’er had even finished speaking, Elder Wei had already risen to his feet in excitement.

“You’re saying—the birthmark on her chest…”

He reached out his hand, but didn’t dare go any further.

“Yes, Elder Wei.” Xiao Yingtao nodded. “However, I won’t be going back with you for now.”

“At least…not until the Feng Clan’s civil war has settled.”