Seeing that face of Feng Qiongcang’s — no matter the era — always stirred a sense of unease in Jiu’er’s heart.

But by the time she walked over, she had already tucked that unease well out of sight.

Now, seated before Lu Qihong, the young woman’s expression was calm and composed.

“You’re Zhen Jiu’er?”

“Yes.” Jiu’er gave a faint smile, not a ripple of emotion showing in her eyes.

“Very good. Truly different from an ordinary young girl.” Lu Qihong was smiling too, but his smile ran far deeper and more complicated than the one on Jiu’er’s face.

“Did Third Mister want something from me?” A moment ago, she had been the one summoned over by Lu Qihong’s assistant.

That assistant, if she remembered correctly, was named Zhou Xuan.

“Nothing much. I just heard you’re A’Jiu’s doctor, and wanted to know how he’s doing these days.”

Lu Qihong waved a hand.

Zhou Xuan, standing off to the side, immediately had someone bring over a breakfast for Jiu’er.

After thanking him, Jiu’er glanced at Zhou Xuan.

Lu Qihong nodded, and Zhou Xuan withdrew.

Only then did Jiu’er lower her voice and say, “Young Master Jiu’s leg… isn’t doing very well.”

“Is that so?” Lu Qihong raised an eyebrow. “Funny, I heard that when A’Jiu carried you, he walked faster than an ordinary person.”

And that’s supposed to be “not doing well”?

This little girl actually dared to hide things from him!

Jiu’er lowered her voice again, as though afraid of being overheard. “Third Mister, you’re Young Master Jiu’s older brother, so I won’t hide it from you, but please, don’t let this get out.”

She paused, then continued, “Young Master Jiu’s leg… actually still hasn’t fully healed. But recently there have been too many assassins trying to get to him, so in front of everyone, he’s deliberately putting on an act as though he’s recovered, hoping to scare off whoever’s lurking about.”

“In truth, his leg really isn’t well. Every time we get back, I have to give him a massage and acupuncture treatment for several hours just to ease his pain.”

As she ate, Jiu’er kept talking quietly. “Third Mister, since you’re his older brother — please, whatever you do, don’t let this get out.”

After finishing her breakfast, Jiu’er left, having shown all due respect to Lu Qihong.

She treated Lu Feifan the same way — as though there were nothing between them at all, simply the ordinary manner of treating a member of one’s employer’s family.

After Zhen Jiu’er left, Lu Qihong found an excuse to send Lu Feifan away.

He looked at Zhou Xuan.

Zhou Xuan immediately understood what he meant and said quietly, “Third Master, I don’t think this Zhen Jiu’er seems all that special.”

“Is that so?” A cold sneer flickered through Lu Qihong’s eyes.

Zhou Xuan didn’t understand. “Third Master, do you think… Zhen Jiu’er was lying?”

“Perhaps I would believe what she said,” a flash of killing intent passed through Lu Qihong’s eyes and vanished just as quickly, “if I didn’t already know her.”

Zhou Xuan’s confusion only deepened.

Third Master knew Zhen Jiu’er?

But he had been at Third Master’s side for so long, and Zhen Jiu’er had never once appeared in Third Master’s life.

Knew her? Where could that have come from?

……After Jiu’er returned to her own tent, she began packing up her things.

Before long, Qiaoqiao came by.

“Jiu’er, are you moving out?”

Qiaoqiao thought for a moment, then her eyes suddenly lit up. “Jiu’er, are you moving in with Young Master Jiu?”

Jiu’er didn’t answer, only nodded.

Qiaoqiao’s face lit up in a besotted grin. “Jiu’er, so you and Young Master Jiu really are together? I didn’t believe it at first — I thought people were just gossiping — but it turns out it’s real.”

“Come on, tell me, how did you manage to win over Young Master Jiu? Such an outstanding man… my goodness, how could he fall for a little thing like you? It’s honestly amazing!”

Jiu’er suddenly stopped what she was doing and turned to stare at her face. “Qiaoqiao, do you really not remember me? Are you Qiao Mu, or are you Xiao Yingtao?”