Long Shiyi didn’t dare move so much as an inch, eyeing sideways the short blade at his throat. “Miss Jiu’er, spare me!”

“His Highness sent word telling us to keep you here. He said you must rest properly first.”

“You know how stubborn your temper is—how could it be easy for us? So, we could only find you something to do…”

“Find me a pile of useless documents?” Feng Jiu’er’s brows knitted. “How is His Highness doing right now? Tell me the truth!”

“His Highness truly isn’t injured.” Long Shiyi blinked, giving a light cough. “Not seriously injured, anyway.”

“The First Prince’s main forces are attacking His Highness. The fighting is fierce, but the tide has already begun to turn.”

“Miss Jiu’er, please don’t worry! If His Highness’s life were in danger, I would have rushed to the front line myself—how could I possibly have had time to come intercept you?”

Feng Jiu’er took a deep breath and withdrew the short blade.

“Prepare a meal for me and send it to my tent.”

She stood and strode toward the entrance. “Lead the way!”

“Yes.” Long Shiyi scrambled ahead of her.

Feng Jiu’er followed Long Shiyi back to her own tent and found Jian Yi already eating inside.

Jian Yi merely glanced up at her, said nothing, and continued eating.

Chasing after Feng Jiu’er’s horse, Zhuiyue, had worn out two of Jian Yi’s mounts.

He had been the first to catch up with Feng Jiu’er, even before Long Shiyi.

But for two full days, he hadn’t said a single word to her.

“You’ve eaten your fill, and your face still looks that sour?” Feng Jiu’er arched a brow and sat down across from him.

Jian Yi kept eating and ignored her.

Long Shiyi walked in, took in the scene, and immediately turned to leave. “I’ll have more food prepared. Also, arrange a place for Jian Yi to rest.”

In the blink of an eye, only Feng Jiu’er and Jian Yi remained in the tent.

Jian Yi stayed silent, not even making a sound as he ate.

Feng Jiu’er picked up a clean pair of chopsticks, and just as Jian Yi reached for a piece of food, she beat him to it and snatched it away.

Jian Yi paused, then changed targets, picking up another piece and putting it in his mouth without a word.

Feng Jiu’er ate the piece she’d taken and said quietly, “Still angry?”

“I’m not one to talk, but for a grown man, aren’t you being awfully petty? Don’t be angry anymore!” She placed a piece of meat in his bowl.

“You’re a great hero—a great man has a great heart. Don’t hold it against a little woman like me, all right?”

“It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have raised a thousand-li horse like Zhuiyue that you couldn’t catch.”

“Where’s the stable?” Jian Yi looked up and asked.

Feng Jiu’er met his gaze and blinked.

“I don’t know either.” Still, since Jian Yi was speaking again, that meant he wasn’t angry anymore.

If Jian Yi wasn’t angry, she could eat in peace.

Feng Jiu’er took a bowl and handed it to him. “Give me a bowl of rice, a full bowl.”

Jian Yi took the bowl, filled it, and handed it back without ceremony.

By the looks of it, he was still a little annoyed.

“Take me to the stable. I want to pick a horse.” He said this and went back to eating.

“All right.” Feng Jiu’er nodded. “Once I’ve eaten, I’ll go with you.”

She’d decided that rushing off to the war zone alone wasn’t wise—better to wait until the army arrived.

When Long Shiyi came back in, the mood in the tent had clearly lightened.

“Come, come, there’s stewed meat, eat slowly.”

“You eat too.” Feng Jiu’er glanced up. “After dinner, take us to the stable—Jian Yi wants to pick a horse.”

“Also, where’s the medical camp? Take me there afterward.”

Seeing Long Shiyi fall silent, Feng Jiu’er looked up at him again.

“Don’t worry! I won’t leave before the army arrives.”