“What is it? Yanu? Do you have something you want to say?”

Yanu had followed Feng Jiu’er for so many years, yet it was truly rare to see him this hesitant and conflicted.

In truth, Feng Jiu’er’s memories of Yanu were most vivid only from this recent stretch of time. Before that, she had known there was such a person — someone who had always stayed by her side — but nothing more.

Her memories of those ten years were not particularly clear.

Yanu was silent for a moment, then finally closed the cabin door and stepped fully inside.

“What is going on? Has something happened?” Jiu’er set down the things she had been packing and looked at him.

Yanu kept his head bowed, walked to the bedside, and took over the task she had just abandoned — packing her luggage for her.

“Yanu?”

“Jiu’er, do you enjoy the life you have now?” he suddenly asked, yet he kept on packing, not lifting his head to look at her.

The life she had now? What did he mean?

Feng Jiu’er considered for a moment, then said: “Lately it has been a little hectic, but once we return to the imperial capital, things might…”

“Will returning there truly be fine?” Yanu turned his head and glanced at her.

Then he lowered his head again and continued packing.

His voice was very low, very quiet. If one did not listen attentively, one could easily miss what he was saying.

“You have far too many enemies in the imperial capital. How many people are always watching you — how many people wish at every moment to harm you?”

“Yanu, what has gotten into you today? Are you too tired lately?”

This was not something Feng Jiu’er did not know — what he said was the truth.

But since it was the truth, then face it with courage. It was not a matter of liking or not liking it — it was simply inescapable.

“If you could escape all of this, and live an entirely different kind of life — would you be willing?”

“What do you mean by an entirely different kind of life?” Why did everything Yanu was saying today feel so strange?

Yanu still kept his eyes on her, unblinking: “A life of… tranquility, serenity, ease, and peace.”

“No strife. No schemes. Many people who cherish you, many people who care for you — a life free of all worry and burden.”

“Who would not want a life like that?”

Jiu’er smiled a little, but paid his words no real heed.

“Yanu, the kind of life you speak of is nothing but wishful thinking. In this age of turmoil and conflict, it simply does not exist.”

Even the most ordinary common people could not manage it. Perhaps they need not scheme or strive against others.

But if the entire country’s economy fell into ruin, or if war suddenly broke out at any moment, then the lives of ordinary people would be just as weary and difficult.

And ordinary people certainly could not live free of worry and burden either. The things they worried about were many.

Such as: not having enough to eat, not having enough to wear, having a home too flimsy to withstand the cold, taxes that were far too heavy…

All in all, where could a life truly free of worry possibly be found?

“Yanu, are you truly worn out lately? Do not worry — we will arrive at the Feng Clan tomorrow. Once we are ashore, I will take you to have a proper meal, and I promise that once you have eaten, every last worry will be forgotten.”

She and Qiao Mu had already made plans to eat to their hearts’ content!

Yanu said nothing. He finished packing her luggage and said: “I will go and prepare something for you to eat.”

“Not too much — I need to save my appetite for tomorrow’s good food.”

On the ship every day it was nothing but fish and prawns, or dried rations and broth made from dried meat. She had truly grown tired of it.

Who knew what delicacies the Feng Clan had to offer. With all the silver taels and gold leaves they had brought, there ought to be more than enough — with some left over to spend lavishly.

The very thought of what wonderful things there might be to eat tomorrow filled her with excitement.

Yanu felt rather at a loss. Were this girl’s expectations really this modest?

A single good meal, and every worry could be completely forgotten?

Then, if there were an endless stream of good food to eat every single day — could every last worry be wiped away forever?

“It is still early tomorrow. Let me go and make you some warm soup.”

Jiu’er made no reply. She watched him leave, then took out her small notebook and went to find Qiao Mu and Xue Gu.

“Once we go ashore tomorrow, we need to split up into different groups — we cannot all travel together.”

Jiu’er handed out copies of the terrain map she had drawn to everyone: “As for this location, I do not know exactly where it is either. We will need to wait until we are ashore and ask around more carefully.”

Asking the local residents of the Feng Clan would yield better results than their own group guessing blindly.

“In three days’ time, we will meet outside the Feng Clan’s capital. Be sure to leave markers along the way — we do not want to lose one another.”

Jiu’er finished distributing the terrain maps, then looked at everyone: “Mu Mu and Jian Yi, each of you will lead one group. Qiao Mu and Xue Gu together, and bring Yanu with you.”

“Eleven and Long Yi will take charge of one group — they will bring along Zhao Yusheng…”

“I am afraid that young master will not be willing to part from you.” Qiao Mu teased.

“If he refuses, I will cut him down with a single sword stroke.” Jian Yi said coldly.

Feng Jiu’er rubbed her temples. If he had the ability, he was welcome to try cutting down the Ninth Imperial Uncle!

The Ninth Imperial Uncle was certainly not going to be willing to separate from her either. So in her plan, she and Jiu Qing were in the same group.

“Do not be so explosive — you will frighten the poor young child.” Feng Jiu’er gave him an exasperated look.

Xue Gu thought for a moment, then said: “Jiu’er, I think if that young master were to go with you…”

Jiu Qing’s gaze grew slightly cool. Xue Gu felt the pressure but still finished what she had to say: “The Feng Clan, by all accounts, is said to be an extraordinarily strange place. There may well be many encounters with esoteric and mystical arts.”

Jiu Qing actually began to think it over seriously.

Xue Gu let out a breath of relief — thankfully she had managed to bring this fellow around.

She continued: “The young master is truly a rare talent in this field. Having him stay by your side may well be greatly beneficial.”

“Then let him come along.” Jiu Qing decreed directly.

Yes — decreed.

Though he himself was unaware of it, the Ninth Imperial Uncle’s word was simply something one could not resist.

“All right then, he will travel with our group.” Jiu’er of course understood that in the Feng Clan, Zhao Yusheng would be an invaluable asset.

But with the Ninth Imperial Uncle in her group — and the Ninth Imperial Uncle being as ill-tempered as he was — if Zhao Yusheng managed to provoke him, even she would not be able to save that young man’s life.

The groups were assigned. Jiu’er exchanged a few more words with Qiao Mu, then returned to her own cabin.

Yanu had been waiting there long since, and waiting alongside him was a bowl of steaming hot soup.

“Did I not say you did not need to prepare anything for me?” Jiu’er said so, yet she walked over and lifted the bowl all the same.

Yanu had specially prepared it for her. If she did not eat it, it would hurt his feelings.

“Is it fresh fish soup?” Even though they had been eating fish day after day, Yanu’s cooking was truly exceptional. He could make the same fish taste entirely different each time.

“It smells wonderful.” Feng Jiu’er smiled brightly and drank more than half the bowl in one go.

But when she reached the last half of the bowl, she suddenly felt her vision blur, and her body grew light and weightless.

“Yanu?” An ordinary drug would have had absolutely no effect on her, yet this one…

She looked at Yanu, and even as her eyes fell shut, she still could not understand.

Yanu… why?