Mo Bai personally went out and held back the curtain, allowing Qiao Mu to enter without difficulty.

“How is the Ninth Prince?” she asked, looking at Feng Jiu’er in a hushed voice.

Feng Jiu’er shook her head and withdrew her hands from Di Wu Ya’s back.

She leaned forward and carefully caught the man as he slumped, guiding him to lie flat on the bed.

“What is the situation outside?” Feng Jiu’er stepped down from the bed and pulled a blanket over Di Wu Ya.

At this moment, Mo Bai came in from outside. Seeing the state of things on the bed, he hurried over.

“Has Yu Jingfeng finished the preparations?” Feng Jiu’er asked, looking back at him.

“Instructions have been passed along.” Mo Bai replied with a nod.

Feng Jiu’er composed herself, drew her gaze away from Di Wu Ya, and turned to sit on the low chair beside the bed.

“The medicinal bath is to draw out the poison. The toxin in His Highness the Crown Prince’s body has already taken deep root in his organs — he will need to soak for at least three days and three nights without interruption. Does Yu Jingfeng have sufficient medicinal ingredients?”

“I was at His Highness the Crown Prince’s side and yet failed to notice he had been poisoned. Jiu’er — I am sorry.” Barely had the words left his mouth before Mo Bai knelt.

Feng Jiu’er looked at him, her brow lightly furrowed.

“You are indeed at fault — but the person you have wronged is His Highness the Crown Prince, not me. Rise.”

Mo Bai took a deep breath and stood.

“For His Highness the Crown Prince being poisoned this time, my guilt is beyond absolution. I can only hope…”

“Not hope!” Feng Jiu’er cut off Mo Bai’s words. “He must — he must recover!”

“Mo Bai, I have no doubts about your medical skill. You are His Highness the Crown Prince’s man — I am also in no position to doubt your character.”

“Bear in mind that there is always someone more skilled — encountering a master of poison like this, you need not blame yourself.”

“These three days and three nights are critical. Even if we have to flee for our lives, His Highness the Crown Prince’s medicinal bath cannot be interrupted.”

“Understood.” Mo Bai nodded, gathering his resolve. “Yu Jingfeng says the medicinal ingredients should be sufficient for two days.”

“One of the ingredients is not enough to last three days, and he has already sent men out to find more.”

“The matter of the medicinal ingredients — follow up on that together with Yu Jingfeng.” Feng Jiu’er gave a measured nod.

“In addition to the medicinal bath, there is also the medicine to be taken orally — neither can be dispensed with.”

She glanced sideways at the man on the bed and let out a quiet sigh. “The prescription — I only worked it out within these last two days.”

“His Highness the Crown Prince’s condition is even more serious than I had imagined. Mo Bai — you are a physician, so you understand this as well.”

“Whether he can pull through ultimately depends on him. I too can only do my best.”

Mo Bai glanced at Di Wu Ya, his expression unreadable.

After a brief silence in the tent, his gaze returned to Feng Jiu’er.

“Jiu’er, I will explain His Highness the Crown Prince’s condition truthfully to the old master — you do not need to carry too great a burden on your mind.”

“Moreover, the old master has long been well aware of one fact — if even you cannot save His Highness the Crown Prince’s life, no one else could either.”

“Jiu’er, I will go have a meal prepared for you and check on how Yu Jingfeng’s preparations are coming along.”

“Good.” Feng Jiu’er nodded. “The medicinal bath — it must be ready as soon as possible.”

“Understood.” Mo Bai nodded and turned to leave.

While the two had been speaking, Qiao Mu had gone over and poured herself a cup of tea.

She drank it, set the cup down, and turned to look at Feng Jiu’er.

“It remains to be seen whether this place can hold out for three days and three nights.”

“What is happening?” Feng Jiu’er rose to her feet and asked in a low voice.

“It is said the military camp has been hit with sudden attacks on both sides — on one side, Zhan Yuheng’s forces, and on the other, an unidentified group.” Qiao Mu replied quietly.

“News of the Ninth Prince’s grave injuries spread through the camp very quickly — it appears to have been the deliberate work of someone with that intention.”

“The Ninth Prince is the soldiers’ god. Once he fell, their morale collapsed dramatically — the situation is far from encouraging.”

“Miss Jiu’er.” Yu Jingfeng’s voice came from outside.

“Come in.” Feng Jiu’er glanced up.

Yu Jingfeng lifted the curtain and four men carried in a large bathing tub, followed by two more carrying a folding screen.

Right after, Mo Bai also came in with one of the men, who carried a meal in his hands.

“Miss Jiu’er.” Yu Jingfeng came before Feng Jiu’er and stopped.

“Once the medicinal bath begins, the water must be changed every two hours and cannot be interrupted for these three days. Has Mo Bai explained all of this clearly to you?” Feng Jiu’er asked.

“Clearly.” Yu Jingfeng nodded. “If the men have not found the missing ingredient by tomorrow, I will personally enter the city to look for it.”

“Good.” Feng Jiu’er gave a brief nod. “Go then — be gentle.”

“Yes.” Yu Jingfeng clasped his hands respectfully and continued forward.

Two of the men set the folding screen in front of the bed. Feng Jiu’er did not go behind it — with Yu Jingfeng there, she was able to set her mind at ease.

“Miss Jiu’er, the meal is ready.” One of the men set the food on the table and turned to look at Feng Jiu’er.

“Good.” Feng Jiu’er gave a small wave. “You have worked hard.”

The man clasped his hands respectfully and turned to leave.

Feng Jiu’er turned and looked at Qiao Mu. “Come, let us eat together. I will tend to your wounds afterward — you look very pale.”

“You are not much better.” Qiao Mu, without ceremony, walked over and sat down at the table before Feng Jiu’er could.

After a whole day of turmoil, she had barely even had a chance to eat — just the one sip of tea a short while ago.

With a moment to sit down for a meal, how could she pass it up?

Feng Jiu’er also sat down, but her thoughts remained with what lay behind the screen.

Qiao Mu ate a few bites of meat, looked up at Feng Jiu’er, and started to say something — then swallowed it back.

Before long, Yu Jingfeng’s voice came from within.

“Miss Jiu’er, I have followed your instructions and have His Highness the Crown Prince soaking in the medicinal water. What are your further instructions?”

“None for now.” Feng Jiu’er turned her head. “The other men stand guard outside. Too many people inside the tent is not suitable — Official Yu alone may stay.”

“Yes.”

“Yes, Miss Jiu’er.”

The men responded with respectful voices, came out from behind the screen, and left the tent.

The tent grew quiet.

Aside from the unconscious Di Wu Ya and Yu Jingfeng attending him, only the two women eating outside the screen remained.

“Jiu’er — there is still no news of Lady Xue for the time being. I wonder if she…”

Qiao Mu did not wish to bring up what would pain Feng Jiu’er — but these were things Jiu’er would certainly want to know.

“No news is not necessarily bad news. I trust in my mother’s arrangements.” Feng Jiu’er said calmly.

Qiao Mu glanced at her, then quickly lowered her head again.

“Qiao Mu.” Feng Jiu’er looked up at her. “I am fine. Whatever else there is to say — let us at least get through this before saying it.”

Qiao Mu met her gaze and nodded. “All right — no matter what, I am still here beside you.”

“Thank you.” Feng Jiu’er pressed her lips together. “But you must promise me — not until the very last moment, you must never give up.”

“I cannot bear to lose anyone else. Do you understand?”

“I do.” Qiao Mu also pressed her lips together gently.

She reached out a blood-stained hand and patted Feng Jiu’er on the shoulder. “The same goes for you.”