Feng Jiu’er was in high spirits. She had just remembered that Jian Yi did not yet have a lady in his life, and happened to think that Huo Baixue was quite a fine match.
She would be the first to admit that her words had perhaps come out at a rather inopportune moment.
“Many thanks, General Huo, for your assistance.” Jian Yi looked at Huo Baixue and gave a light nod, apparently not picking up on Feng Jiu’er’s meaning at all.
“There is no need for thanks — we are all on the same side.” Huo Baixue cupped her hands toward Jian Yi in salute.
Her gaze shifted, and she looked back at Feng Jiu’er.
Throughout all of this, Feng Jiu’er’s true intention seemed to have gone unnoticed by both of those present.
“Jiu’er, I didn’t know Jian Yi had woken up. I brought you a bit of supper — please eat first. What can Jian Yi have? I’ll have someone prepare something for him.”
Feng Jiu’er’s lips curved faintly, and she turned to look back at Jian Yi.
“He can’t take any food yet — I’ll make him a bit of thin congee a little later.”
Catching something in Jian Yi’s eyes, Feng Jiu’er leaned in close and asked quietly, “What is it?”
Even now that he was awake, tonight was still not a time for her to be careless.
“I have something I need to say to you.” Jian Yi gave a light cough, his voice no longer quite as hoarse as before.
Feng Jiu’er blinked, and before she had a chance to turn away, Huo Baixue’s voice reached her from behind.
“Jiu’er, I’ll head out then. If you need anything, come find me.”
“Baixue, have you eaten yet?” Feng Jiu’er turned to meet Huo Baixue’s gaze.
“Yes.” Huo Baixue nodded.
“Now that Jian Yi is awake, we should also discuss the matter of returning to Yamu City. Give me a quarter of an hour — I’ll grab a quick bite and then come find you.” Feng Jiu’er said.
“Very well.” Huo Baixue nodded and turned to leave. “I’ll wait for you at my tent.”
“I’ll be there soon.” With that, Feng Jiu’er turned back and looked at Jian Yi.
“What is it? Are you feeling unwell somewhere?”
Jian Yi shook his head, then glanced up at the tent flap falling closed, before drawing his gaze back and lowering his eyes.
Seeing that a faint flush had crept across his face, Feng Jiu’er could not help but smile.
“Jian Yi, are you embarrassed?”
“I don’t want women in my room,” Jian Yi said quietly.
Just as she had suspected — she had read Jian Yi’s meaning exactly.
He had never liked women coming close to him. And given the state he was in now, that was even more the case.
Feng Jiu’er stood at the edge of the bathing tub and deliberately rose up on her tiptoes to peer inside.
But Jian Yi raised his palm and blocked her line of sight.
“What is it?” She tilted her head and met his gaze, smiling and blinking up at him.
Jian Yi gave her a sideways glance, then reached out his long arm and pressed it down on her shoulder, pushing her to sit on the chair next to the tub.
“Sit down and talk,” he said, his voice carrying a low undercurrent.
“It should be fine — I told the physicians and the brothers there was no need to take off—”
“Aren’t you going to eat?” Jian Yi cut Feng Jiu’er off mid-sentence.
His arm was still pressed over Feng Jiu’er’s head, though he was not looking at her.
Seeing Jian Yi like this, Feng Jiu’er could not bring herself to tease him any further.
To think that something like this would matter to Jian Yi — she had overlooked it.
But of course it did. A man of such extraordinary ability, and yet constantly in need of someone else’s care — it was perfectly natural that Jian Yi would feel unsettled by it.
She reached up with both hands, took hold of his palm, and gently returned it to the water.
“Don’t take your arm out anymore. If the wound doesn’t stay submerged, won’t all this medicinal water have gone to waste?”
“Don’t think too much. The hardest part is already over — just let yourself rest properly for a few days. There will be plenty of things to keep you busy after this.”
She gave Jian Yi a smile, rose, and turned toward the entrance.
“I’m going to eat a proper meal — I’m absolutely starving.”
Feng Jiu’er found a seat at the table from which she could see Jian Yi, sat down, and promptly picked up a bowl of rice, taking hold of her chopsticks.
“There’s red-braised pork today — delicious!”
“Jian Yi, this dish is so good. I wonder what it even is.”
“The chicken is excellent too — though it still doesn’t compare to what you roast over the fire.”
“Jian Yi, there’s fish broth — it smells wonderfully sweet. What a pity you can’t have any.”
Feng Jiu’er ate her meal and kept up a stream of cheerful chatter, her voice carrying genuine laughter.
Yes — she truly was that happy.
So much had happened in just a single day, and there had been a moment when she thought she might not be able to hold on any longer. Yet seeing Jian Yi awake, she felt as though every last bit of her strength had come rushing back.
If she could, Feng Jiu’er would have set out for home that very moment.
Jian Yi watched the little figure not far from him, not saying a word, simply watching her in quiet contentment.
In less than a quarter of an hour, Feng Jiu’er was on her feet again.
She casually stacked everything Huo Baixue had brought onto the tray, took out her handkerchief, and wiped her mouth and hands.
She glanced up at Jian Yi, then walked over to him.
Reaching his side, she leaned down and tested the water temperature with her hand, then picked up a nearby towel and carefully dabbed away the perspiration on Jian Yi’s face.
“Keep soaking for a while longer. I’m going out to discuss things with Baixue. We have been away for too long — we cannot afford to wait any further. We must return at once.”
“For now, what matters most to you is rest. That way, when we set out, the journey will not be nearly as hard on you.”
“Don’t think too much. And don’t keep telling yourself you’re a burden — you are the finest swordsman among us. There is still so much ahead that will depend on you.”
Setting down the towel, Feng Jiu’er came around behind Jian Yi, wrapped both hands around his head, and gently let it rest against the rim of the tub.
Her slender fingers found the acupoints on his head and began to press and knead in slow, gentle circles. Feng Jiu’er’s voice, soft as ever, drifted out once more.
“Close your eyes. Rest for a while.”
“Jiu’er — thank you.”
Jian Yi slowly closed his eyes, his breathing gradually steadying.
Feng Jiu’er said nothing more, quietly working her fingers over his acupoints.
Under her care, his breathing eased into a slow and even rhythm.
Feng Jiu’er leaned over for a look, pressed the acupoints a moment longer, and then gently let him go.
Moving as quietly as she could, she went over and picked up the tray, glanced back once, then turned and stepped out.
Lifting the tent flap, just as the soldier keeping watch outside was about to call out to her, Feng Jiu’er raised her index finger to her lips and made a small silencing gesture.
“I’m going to General Huo’s tent to discuss something. If there are any changes with my companion, please come and let me know.” She kept her voice as low as she could.
“Of course, Miss Jiu’er.” The guard’s response was barely more than a breath.
Feng Jiu’er nodded, took the tray, and walked away.
A soldier further off came forward and took the things from her hands, then led her to the entrance of Huo Baixue’s tent.
“Please,” the soldier said, gesturing with a wave.
“Thank you.” Feng Jiu’er nodded, lifted the flap, and stepped inside.
Huo Baixue was seated at a desk, with a military officer standing at her side.
Seeing Feng Jiu’er enter, Huo Baixue rose and gave a wave of her hand.
“Come, Jiu’er — sit here.”
“Of course.” Feng Jiu’er nodded and walked over.
Coming to sit across from Huo Baixue, she gave a slight nod to the military officer beside her.
“Miss Jiu’er, my name is Dugu Yezhou. I am the deputy general on this campaign.”
“General Dugu, greetings.” Feng Jiu’er clasped her hands toward Dugu Yezhou and took her seat.
Huo Baixue poured a cup of hot tea for Feng Jiu’er before sitting down herself.
“Jiu’er, tell me exactly what has been happening at Yamu City — all the details.”