"Since you, King Grant, have agreed, I must hurry back and report to our clan chief."
At that moment, King Grant ordered someone to take Yun Mei away, then stopped James Grant.
"I can agree to your request, but you must exchange it for Woodfield."
"What?"
James Grant's face changed instantly, filled with anger. Woodfield was a flat, fertile area at the border between the Grant Domain and Jiang Territory, suitable for growing grain. Years ago, it had been struck by thunderfire and burned, but now the soil was rich. The Jiang Family quickly claimed Woodfield for themselves, even encroaching on part of the Grant Domain.
Previously, King Grant had tried to negotiate with the Jiang Family, but since King Jiang was bedridden and the family was in the midst of succession, the new King Jiang, after inheriting the title, was approached directly by King Grant. However, the response was that this was an old dispute from the previous generation, so he could not make a decision, as his father had already passed away.
After several failed negotiations, King Grant was deeply frustrated, but this time was an opportunity.
"Go back and tell King Jiang, we don't need Woodfield entirely for the Grant Family. We'll rotate usage every three years. It's been over three years since your previous king passed away, so the timing is just right. Go and report this to King Jiang."
Burning with anger, James Grant left the palace. As the envoy, he was supposed to stay for a few days and enjoy the Grant Family's hospitality, but now he wanted to leave immediately. He glanced back at the palace gates, his face twisted with resentment as he walked away.
"King Grant, if you do this, I'm afraid..."
At that moment, a woman entered the house, nursing a baby in her arms. She was gentle and beautiful—Queen Grant, King Grant's wife—and the child she held was Yuna Ji.
"I'm just taking back what rightfully belongs to the Grant Family. It's nothing much. Besides, the Jiang Family has dumped a huge problem on us this time."
King Grant looked out of the house, worry clouding his face.
"That man just now was really handsome."
Lucille Xing said happily, while Joseph Qiao sighed beside her. Just then, a woman in her thirties led Yvonne May over. She was from the May Family, Matron Nora.
"Clan Mistress, look, that's a Ninefeather Bird. Isn't it beautiful?"
As Matron Nora spoke, Yvonne May—who had seemed dazed—suddenly widened her eyes, climbed over the fence, and walked over, delighted to see the two Ninefeather Birds.
"So beautiful."
"I raised them myself."
Lucille Xing walked over, saying proudly.
But now Joseph Qiao was studying Yvonne May—not for her beauty, but because she bore the May surname.
At that moment, a soldier came out and summoned Matron Nora inside. She instructed Yvonne May not to wander off.
"Can I touch it?"
Yvonne May looked longingly at Lucille Xing, who was already friendly with the Ninefeather Birds, hoping she could touch one too.
"You can touch the female, but not the male. Look at my hands."
Lucille Xing held out her hands, which were covered in tiny holes—some red and swollen, some scabbed over. As she spoke, she patted the male bird's head, and it immediately glared and pecked at her.
Lucille Xing cried out, and Yvonne May burst into laughter. She hadn't laughed in a long time, but now she seemed to forget her troubles, her mood lifted.
"Don't learn from her—she's an idiot."
Joseph Qiao said from the side. Yvonne May looked gently at the female bird, stroking it softly, her face lit with a smile.
"If only things could stay like this forever—if only time could stop."
There was a hint of desolation in Yvonne May's voice, and her eyes brimmed with sorrow.
"Yvonne May, with your surname, aren't you from the May Domain? How did you end up here in the Grant Domain?"
Lucille Xing asked, and for a moment, the sadness in Yvonne May's eyes deepened.
"Idiot, if you're free, go clean up. I did it last time."
Joseph Qiao quickly pulled Lucille Xing away. Yvonne May shook her head.
"Home... is gone."
It took Yvonne May a long time to squeeze out those words.
"Oh, that's nothing. Wherever feels comfortable is home, haha."
Yvonne May stared in surprise at Lucille Xing, who was a bit younger than herself, and finally smiled again.
As the sun was setting, Matron Nora came out from the palace gates. When Yvonne May saw the expression on Matron Nora's face, her own relaxed smile vanished.
Noticing the sadness on Yvonne May's face, she quickly forced a smile.
"It's fine, Clan Mistress. We can stay here. You can enjoy the privileges of a tribal chief."
"Matron Nora, what else is there? Tell me—I’m not a child anymore. I’m nearly an adult."
Matron Nora glanced at Lucille Xing and Joseph Qiao nearby.
"It's fine, go ahead. They're my friends."
"King Grant said that the May Family can never recover now. The Jiang Family will never truly help us."
Matron Nora spoke painfully, revealing the situation.
"I see."
Yvonne May replied calmly, then looked off into the distance.
"It's nice here. Peaceful. It should be comfortable to live in."
For several days, Yvonne May didn’t return to her own quarters. Instead, she stayed with Lucille Xing, much to Joseph Qiao’s helplessness.
Every morning, the three of them would feed the birds. The two Ninefeather Birds regained their vitality and seemed to have adapted to the place; their eyes were no longer fearful.
"Let me take you for a walk around the streets later."
Lucille Xing spoke, and Yvonne May nodded, sitting beside the female bird. Joseph Qiao went to the open space beside the palace to begin his daily practice.
At that moment, Queen Grant emerged from the palace gates, carrying Yuna Grant. Several women followed her as she approached the place where the Ninefeather Birds were kept.
"Look, Yuna, these are Ninefeather Birds."
Queen Grant crouched down, holding Yuna Grant. Lucille Xing glanced over; the baby in her arms stared wide-eyed at the Ninefeather Birds, drooling adorably.
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"Are you two tired?"
Queen Grant asked. Lucille Xing immediately shook her head.
"It’s nothing—much better than before, haha."
Yvonne May shook her head as well. She liked Queen Grant very much—she was gentle, and many in the Grant Family had received her care. On the day Yvonne May arrived, it was Queen Grant who arranged her comfortable lodgings.
Suddenly, the two Ninefeather Birds flapped their wings and flew over. Queen Grant was startled, and Lucille Xing quickly reached out to catch them, but bumped into Yvonne May, who was also reaching out.
But something strange happened—the birds landed in front of Queen Grant, craned their necks toward Yuna Grant, and the baby’s chubby hand reached out to touch them. Yuna Grant giggled, her face breaking into a smile.
"You little rascals, how dare you scare me!"
Lucille Xing angrily grabbed the birds by their necks and pulled them back. Yvonne May laughed as well.
"I’ve heard these birds are intelligent! They can understand human speech. Yuna is truly lucky—those birds did something extraordinary."
At that moment, Yvonne May noticed the birds seemed to be looking at something green and solid made of grass on Yuna Grant’s animal hide wrap.
"Maybe I’m just overthinking it."
After Joseph Qiao returned, Lucille Xing dragged Yvonne May, accompanied by Matron Nora, to the market. The two spent the entire day playing and only returned at nightfall.