Jian Yi’s blunt candor left both Qiao Mu and Xiao Yingtao wide-eyed with astonishment.

The two of them only froze for a brief moment before laughter once again filled every corner of the small guest room.

Feng Jiu’er stared at Jian Yi, and after quite a while, finally came back to herself.

“Jian Yi, are you a degenerate? Had I known you were like this, I never should have kept you by my side all this time.”

“If someone likes a person and doesn’t think about such things — isn’t that rather abnormal?”

Jian Yi looked at Feng Jiu’er, his expression growing somewhat serious.

“And besides, you cannot stop me.”

Feng Jiu’er met that gaze of his, absorbed his words, and found herself completely at a loss for a reply.

Seeing this, Qiao Mu and Xiao Yingtao needed no discussion at all — both went quiet at the same moment, eyes fixed on Jian Yi.

How could they ever have imagined that Jian Yi, the most guileless person in the world, would say something like that?

From the look in Qiao Mu and Xiao Yingtao’s eyes, it was clear they were waiting to watch the drama unfold.

Feng Jiu’er drew in several deep breaths, and in the end, she was not done in by Jian Yi.

“Degenerate!”

She gave a cold snort, pulled her chair, and shifted it a little further from Jian Yi.

“Rest assured — I don’t think about it every single day.”

Jian Yi offered Feng Jiu’er a faint smile, picked up a prawn, and resumed peeling the shell.

Qiao Mu and Xiao Yingtao looked at Jian Yi, then looked at Feng Jiu’er — their movements an exact mirror of each other.

Only when neither said anything further did Qiao Mu raise an eyebrow and say with a smile: “Incredible. Truly incredible.”

“Qiao Mu, what didn’t you expect?”

Xiao Yingtao played coy as she asked.

“I didn’t expect that in the end, our Jiu’er would be completely undone by Jian Yi.”

Qiao Mu shook her head in mock lamentation.

“Yes indeed.”

Xiao Yingtao nodded. “Jian Yi being this straightforward — I didn’t see that coming either.”

No sooner had Xiao Yingtao finished than she and Qiao Mu exchanged a glance, and the two burst into laughter all over again.

Throughout the entire evening meal, the small guest room rang with laughter. In the end, even Feng Jiu’er was coaxed into a smile.

It seemed as though everyone had not laughed this freely, this openly, in a very long time.

With the Fort Master’s full cooperation, two days later Feng Jiu’er’s people had already combed through every remaining area.

Even though they still hadn’t found what they were looking for, not one of the brothers showed the slightest trace of fatigue.

Everyone had long since steeled themselves for the task of searching the entirety of Black Canyon — if they hadn’t found it yet, they would simply press on.

Over those same two days, the Fort Master had also dealt with all the matters concerning the poisoning and killing within the fort.

Chen Xiaoyi had ruthlessly killed all eleven members of the Liang family, and she certainly could not be allowed to live.

In order to console the three Liang brothers, the Fort Master also offered them compensation.

Perhaps no amount of power or wealth could ever bring back one’s family — but life had to go on, and whether one could accept it or not, one could only learn to accept it, slowly.

That evening, the Fort Master hosted a farewell banquet in honor of Feng Jiu’er and her company. Everyone ate and drank with easy contentment.

After the wine had gone around three times, all who needed to leave had departed. Feng Jiu’er, however, stayed behind.

Since Feng Jiu’er wasn’t leaving, Jian Yi naturally wouldn’t be the first to go either. Qiao Mu and Zhao Yusheng also remained.

For once, the Fort Master had broken from habit and not invited a single beauty to join the table. Beside him sat only the Fort Mistress.

Feng Jiu’er glanced at the Nanmeng captain who had stayed, then waved her hand. “Captain Nan, take everyone out first. I’d like a few words with the Fort Master.”

The Nanmeng captain gave a nod, turned, and swept a glance at the steward and the remaining attendants.

The Fort Master held Feng Jiu’er in high regard, and everyone treated her with respect in kind.

Not only the steward and attendants — even the Fort Mistress rose to her feet.

Seeing this, Feng Jiu’er immediately stood and clasped her hands toward the Fort Mistress in a bow.

“Madam, please don’t misunderstand. If Madam doesn’t mind, I hope you will stay.”

The Fort Mistress looked at Feng Jiu’er, gave a nod, and sat back down.

She waved a hand, and the attendants behind her gave a respectful bow and withdrew.

Once the Nanmeng captain had led the others out, Feng Jiu’er retrieved two prescription slips from her sleeve and walked toward the Fort Master.

The Fort Master, seeing her approach, stood to receive her.

“Fort Master, there’s no need to stand — you’ve had quite a bit to drink tonight.”

Feng Jiu’er smiled and stopped a short distance from him.

“Ha ha ha…” The Fort Master chuckled and settled back down. “It’s only because I couldn’t bear to see Little Sister Feng leave that I had a few extra cups, that’s all.”

“Don’t worry — since Little Sister Feng has told me to drink less, I will. Less from now on.”

Feng Jiu’er changed direction and made her way to the Fort Mistress’s side, extending the prescription slips she carried.

The Fort Mistress accepted them and read through them attentively.

Feng Jiu’er turned back, meeting the Fort Master’s gaze, and pressed her lips together lightly.

“Fort Master, what I’m about to say may not be to your liking — but I must say it regardless.”

“Think nothing of it. Whatever Little Sister Feng has to say, I’m willing to hear it. Come, come, let us sit and talk.”

The Fort Master smiled and waved a hand.

Feng Jiu’er gave a nod, turned, walked back to her own seat, and sat down.

“Fort Master, I’ve just given Madam two prescription slips — one for you and one for Madam. Each one is clearly marked with ‘male’ and ‘female.'”

“A prescription? I have one too?”

The Fort Master looked at Feng Jiu’er, his thick brows furrowing slightly.

“Yes.” Feng Jiu’er gave a nod. “Fort Master, do you recall that last night when I examined Madam, I also took your pulse?”

“Of course I remember.” The Fort Master nodded. “Did Little Sister Feng not say that Madam and I are both in good health?”

“Having no illness is being in good health. These prescriptions I’ve given are for strengthening the body — not for treating any disease.”

Feng Jiu’er said softly.

“Madam is not old — she has just turned twenty-five. Bearing children is absolutely not a problem for her.”

“It’s only that she has spent her days in quiet sorrow, carrying far too much — and it is that which has left her body weakened.”

“If she follows my prescription, brewing and drinking one bowl every seven days for two consecutive months, that will suffice. And of course, her mood must be kept light and easy.”

Feng Jiu’er gave the Fort Mistress a reassuring glance, then turned her gaze back to the Fort Master.

“As for you, Fort Master — what I have to say is something you generally won’t enjoy hearing. But you should know that all these years of failing to become a father is a responsibility that falls mainly on you yourself.”

“From a physician’s standpoint, we do not place any credence in the compatibility of birth dates and horoscopes.”

The Fort Master’s smile was somewhat strained — it was unclear whether he was laughing at his own foolishness or whether he simply wasn’t pleased to hear such words.

Feng Jiu’er looked at the Fort Master but made no effort to guess his thoughts. Since she had already chosen to involve herself, she would see the matter through to the end before leaving.

She gave a quiet cough and continued: “I made inquiries. In the year the Fort Master was married, Nanman Fort was under attack from outside enemies, and battles large and small persisted for two full years.”

“Based on what I’ve been able to gather, you and Madam were deeply devoted to each other in the early days of your marriage.”