“Very well, then.” Lei Shenbao clapped his hands together happily, his gaze landing on Feng Jiu’er.

“Doctor Long, what do you think?”

“The Black Lands — that’s south of Yue City?” Feng Jiu’er looked at Lei Shenbao, brow furrowing slightly.

“Correct.” Lei Shenbao nodded. “Most of my poisonous creatures are kept in the area southeast of Yue City, which also borders Li City.”

“You won’t need to pass through Yue City to get there — head straight in the direction of Li Tan. Once you’re past Li City, you’ll be in the Black Lands.”

“Riding hard from here, it should take about three days to arrive.”

“And what would Master Lei have us do once we’re there?” Feng Jiu’er asked.

“I received word by carrier pigeon that my poisonous creatures have been dying off for no clear reason these past few days. I haven’t been able to trace the cause yet,” Lei Shenbao said with a faint sigh.

“It’s not a particularly serious situation, but I happen to have other matters to attend to right now, so I’m stretched too thin to handle it myself.”

“My lord, it’s because of Mister Bao that you’ve ended up at odds with the Duan family,” Lei Shenbao’s chief general, Sun Yishi, put in.

“No,” Lei Shenbao said, shaking his head. “Lang Yu was insufferably arrogant. Even without the matter involving Lei, this war was bound to come sooner or later.”

“That may be so, but if it weren’t for Mister Bao’s situation, my lord would surely have dealt with the poison matter first.”

“Those creatures belong to His Majesty — they shouldn’t be neglected,” Sun Yishi went on.

“Shi, you talk too much,” Lei Shenbao’s voice dropped a notch.

“I already said it’s not too serious. With Lei and Doctor Long’s combined effort, it can be handled — what are you so anxious about?”

Lei Shenbao shot Sun Yishi a displeased glance, then turned his gaze back to Feng Jiang and Feng Jiu’er.

“Doctor Long, what do you think?”

“If there’s money to be made, I have no objections,” Feng Jiu’er said, meeting his eyes with a faint smile.

“Master Lei, I’ll say this upfront — I only want to earn my keep. I have no wish to get tangled up in your affairs, nor do I wish to become one of your people.”

“That’s easy enough,” Lei Shenbao said, his thick brows lifting. “Doctor Long, name your price, whatever it may be.”

“All right.” Feng Jiu’er raised her teacup, lifting it toward Lei Shenbao in a toast.

“If the work satisfies Master Lei, my fee is five hundred taels of silver a day. If it doesn’t satisfy you, I won’t take a single coin.”

Lei Shenbao smiled, nodded, and raised his own cup in return.

“Good, it’s settled!”

The two of them drank, downing the tea in their cups, and set them down at nearly the same moment.

“Actually, I’m rather curious about Doctor Long — what sort of man could it be, who managed to marry a woman like you?” Lei Shenbao said with a smile.

“Master Lei, are you curious about me, or about my husband?” Feng Jiu’er’s lips curved slightly.

“Unfortunately, my husband isn’t with the Feng clan at the moment, otherwise I would gladly introduce him to Master Lei.”

“We’re both just people scraping by to make a living. We can’t claim any great abilities, but we’ve never been afraid of hardship or toil.”

“Good.” Lei Shenbao slapped the table once more.

“If Doctor Long doesn’t mind, why not stay tonight for a meal? We could drink to our hearts’ content.”

“I won’t, thank you.” Feng Jiu’er shook her head. “First, Qiao still hasn’t woken, and it’s time for me to go give her acupuncture. Second, I never drink.”

“Master Lei, my apologies!”

“It’s nothing,” Lei Shenbao said, waving a hand. “Those destined for great things ought to stay clear-headed at all times.”

“I do hope the two of you can set out within the next two days. Would that work with your schedules?”

“It makes no difference to me, it’s up to Doctor Long,” Feng Jiang said flatly.

“As long as Qiao’s condition is stable, I can leave anytime as well,” Feng Jiu’er replied.

“Good.” Lei Shenbao nodded with a smile. “Doctor Long really is someone who values loyalty and affection.”

“Likewise, likewise.” Feng Jiu’er poured herself a cup of tea, stood up, and raised her cup once more toward Lei Shenbao.

She drank the tea in her cup and said, “If Master Lei has no other special instructions, this humble woman will take her leave now.”

“It’s just that I’m not at ease with Qiao’s condition still being unstable.”

“Very well.” Lei Shenbao nodded and waved a hand. “Shi, see them off!”

Feng Jiu’er and Feng Jiang left Lei Shenbao’s residence and returned to Bao Manor.

In the afternoon, Jian Yi sat on the rooftop of the east wing of Bao Manor.

Sunlight poured down, casting his shadow into the courtyard below.

After giving Qiao Mu another round of acupuncture, Feng Jiu’er packed up her needle case and washed her hands in a basin.

“We’ve only known him for a day, and Lei Shenbao’s already arranging work for me — how strange!” she said, picking up a handkerchief to dry her hands.

“Jiu’er, do you really believe he wants to hire you?” Xiao Yingtao asked, bringing in a plate of small pastries.

“Do you believe it?” Feng Jiu’er set down the handkerchief and picked up a pastry, popping it into her mouth.

“I don’t,” Xiao Yingtao said, shaking her head.

Feng Jiu’er bit into the pastry, her gaze shifting to Feng Jiang.

“Mister Bao, what do you make of this?”

Feng Jiang reached out a hand and felt Qiao Mu’s forehead, then withdrew it.

“It’s definitely a test. Lei Shenbao seems easygoing on the surface, but he has a great many tricks up his sleeve — not someone easy to deal with.”

“What do you think we should do?” Feng Jiu’er took the plate from Xiao Yingtao’s hands and came to stand behind Feng Jiang.

Feng Jiang stood up and turned to face her.

Feng Jiu’er picked up a pastry and pushed it into his mouth.

Feng Jiang swallowed the pastry and said, “Take it one step at a time.”

“How many men did Feng Qiongcang give you when he sent you here?” Feng Jiu’er asked, handing Feng Jiang another pastry.

“You eat it,” Feng Jiang said, shaking his head. “None at all! Though I do have several dozen men lying in wait within a two-mile radius.”

Feng Jiu’er shot Feng Jiang a sidelong glance and turned to head back. “Feng Qiongcang made it plain he’s leaving you to fend for yourself — what kind of father is that?”

She returned to the table and sat down beside Xiao Yingtao.

“Whatever happens, we’ll have to go on this trip regardless. Make whatever preparations you need — I’ll arrange for backup as well.”

“Lei Shenbao’s poison-breeding grounds aren’t limited to just one site.” Feng Jiang turned to look at Qiao Mu on the bed. “I was hoping to wait until she wakes before leaving.”

“Don’t worry, she’s sure to wake up tonight.” Feng Jiu’er glanced toward the bed.

“Really?” Feng Jiang turned back to meet Feng Jiu’er’s eyes, joy unmistakable in them.

“Don’t you trust my medical skill by now?” Feng Jiu’er withdrew her gaze and grabbed another pastry.

“Whatever needs preparing, prepare it ahead of time. I also need to make a trip back to Dragon Shadow. Tonight, Qiao Mu will be left in your care.”

“I’ll leave Xiao Yingtao behind. The situation isn’t serious — she can handle it.”

“Jiu’er, don’t you need me to come back with you?” Xiao Yingtao asked, mouth still full of pastry.

“Qiao Mu needs you more. Jian Yi and I will make a quick trip — we won’t be gone long,” Feng Jiu’er said, shaking her head.

“All right.” Xiao Yingtao nodded. “Come back soon. This place gives me the creeps, I don’t feel comfortable staying here at all.”

With several people burned alive not long ago, Bao Manor had indeed felt rather grim these past few days.

But whether Xiao Yingtao, who’d seen enough of life and death, was actually frightened — only she herself could say.

“If you’re missing someone, you can go back and see him. No need to make so many excuses,” Feng Jiu’er said, flicking Xiao Yingtao on the forehead.

“Has there been any word from Yinan? Where in Li City is he right now?”