Seeing Little Long’s progress, Feng Jiu’er felt a measure of comfort.

At least there was still hope of saving him.

Over the following hour, Feng Jiu’er continued treating Little Long’s legs with needles, medicine, and massage.

An hour later, Little Long actually managed to stand.

Though he still couldn’t walk, he stood upright, leaning on a bamboo cane, on his own two feet.

Word spread quickly through the estate that a living bodhisattva had arrived.

Feng Jiu’er had said they would wake Duan Wucheng once the Third Prince returned, and the steward didn’t press the matter further.

He and the woman led Feng Jiu’er to see several more children with special conditions throughout the estate.

Feng Jiu’er treated each of them in turn, and though none recovered instantly, she gave them all a glimpse of hope.

As dusk fell, the steward had just led Feng Jiu’er and the others back to the front hall when his son, Xiao Liu, followed Feng Jiang in through the gate.

At dinnertime, Duan Wucheng, looking much better, returned to the hall and knelt before Feng Jiang.

“Third Prince, my apologies! I neglected my duties today.”

Beside him, Duan Liuyang knelt as well.

In the hall, besides Feng Jiang at the head seat, there was also Feng Jiu’er and her man, Di Wuya, along with the others.

Jian Yi, Qiao Mu, Xiao Yingtao, Xing Zizhou, Zhao Yusheng, Feng Yinan, and Yue Qinchun were all present.

“Sit, let’s talk.” Feng Jiang waved a hand.

“Yes, Third Prince.” Duan Wucheng stood.

He and Duan Liuyang took their seats not far away.

“Bring the dishes.” Duan Wucheng, having just sat down, turned and waved at the steward.

At that moment, two maidservants entered the hall.

When the Third Prince had decided to stay, the steward had selected five maids to bring back to the estate for convenient attendance.

“Yes.” The steward nodded and led the maids away.

Soon, a meal was set before each person at the table, and the steward led the maids out.

Feng Jiu’er wasn’t in a hurry to eat. She glanced at Duan Wucheng, then let her gaze fall on Yue Qinchun, seated at the table beside her.

“Lord Duan, do you find this girl’s face familiar?”

Duan Wucheng studied Yue Qinchun carefully for a moment.

“Could it… could it be that she’s the precious daughter of Lord Yue Jianfei of Yue City?”

“Years ago, Lord Yue helped Yongshan City drive off invaders. I paid a visit to the Yue estate and saw their youngest daughter—it looked just like…”

Yue Qinchun spoke up as well, saying she had met Duan Wucheng when she was ten years old.

“Uncle Duan, I am Yue Qinchun.” Yue Qinchun looked at Duan Wucheng and replied softly.

“It really is you.” Duan Wucheng, agitated, tried to stand.

“Lord Duan, your health hasn’t fully recovered yet. Please, remain seated while we talk.” Feng Jiu’er reminded him.

“Right, she is indeed Yue Jianfei’s youngest daughter, Yue Qinchun. Lady Yue and I are sworn sisters, very close.”

“I’d like to say—if the one taking over Yongshan City were my sworn sister’s daughter, would Lord Duan have any objections?”

“Are you saying, Miss Long, that you intend to take over Yongshan City?” Duan Wucheng looked at the young woman before him with some surprise.

Duan Wucheng had heard from the steward about Feng Jiu’er’s medical skill, but governing a city required far more than that alone.

“Yes.” Feng Jiu’er answered without the slightest hesitation.

“This…” Duan Wucheng frowned, then finally turned his gaze to Feng Jiang.

“Third Prince, what do you think?”

“You needn’t doubt Jiu’er’s abilities.” Feng Jiang replied softly.

“Not only is she a doctor of exceptional skill, her martial arts far surpass even yours.”

“Jiu’er is kind-hearted and benevolent. She would never abandon the common people for her own gain.”

“…for her own gain.”

Duan Wucheng took a deep breath and slowly let it out.

“Since the Third Prince has said as much, I have nothing left to object to.”

“Third Prince, Miss Long, as you both know, my Duan estate is hardly a grand place.”

“And we’ve also taken in many orphans in the back courtyard, so there’s truly no fine accommodations to spare.”

“If you’re willing, I could arrange for you to stay at Xiaoke’s place…”

“That won’t be necessary.” Feng Jiu’er shook her head. “Our people have already found lodging within the city, not far from here.”

“Lord Duan, you should stay and rest. With war imminent, we won’t trouble ourselves over such small matters.”

“Lord, bad news! Lord!” The steward came rushing in from outside.

He ran into the hall and knelt down.

“Lord, the soldiers sent word—Lei Shenbao has already begun attacking the city.”

Duan Wucheng stood up anxiously and gave the order: “Quick! No matter what, they must hold the line.”

“I’ll bring troops to support them right away. Go, quickly!”

“Yes, my lord.” The steward cupped his hands and turned to leave.

“Lord Duan, have you ever heard of Dragon Shadow?” Feng Jiu’er stood as well.

“Dragon Shadow?” Duan Wucheng turned to look at Feng Jiu’er.

“Yes.” Feng Jiu’er nodded. “Dragon Shadow—an organization that rose up in the Feng Clan a few months ago.”

“My husband is the leader of Dragon Shadow, and I am the deputy leader.”

“Since Lord Duan has no objection to my taking over as Yongshan City’s lord, please have someone open the south and west gates at once.”

“Our people are already in position, waiting only for our command.”

Duan Wucheng hesitated once more, looking to Feng Jiang.

“Since you’ve already stepped down, you should follow her command.”

“Yes.” Duan Wucheng’s gaze returned to Feng Jiu’er. “City Lord Long, from now on, you are the city lord of Yongshan.”

“Someone, come here.” Duan Wucheng called out toward the doorway.

The steward, who had just left, returned to the hall.

“My lord.” He looked at Duan Wucheng and cupped his hands. “What are your orders?”

“Quickly pass word down—fully open the south and west gates. Have Little Liu personally handle it, no mistakes allowed!”

“Yes.” The steward cupped his hands and left once more.

Once the steward had gone, Feng Jiu’er sat back down.

“Lord Duan, how are things on the east side? How much longer can your men hold?” Feng Jiu’er looked at Duan Wucheng and waved a hand.

Duan Wucheng sat down and replied, “According to our scouts, Lei Shenbao’s troops at the gates yesterday numbered around fifteen thousand.”

“Langyu was imprisoned by Lei Shenbao long ago. I knew Lei Shenbao wouldn’t release him easily, so I began preparing early.”

“Right now, eight thousand soldiers guard the east gate, with another five thousand nearby who could arrive within about two hours.”

“Going by the situation, if Lei Shenbao can’t break through within two days, he’ll definitely send reinforcements.”

“Once his reinforcements arrive, I’m afraid our men won’t be able to hold out much longer.”

“Yongshan City only has just over ten thousand troops?” Feng Jiu’er frowned.

“Not only that.” Duan Wucheng shook his head. “There are also three thousand currently making gunpowder deep in the mountains.”

“Our south borders Yue City, which I’m fairly at ease about, so we only stationed two thousand there.”

“The west borders Pingyuan City, and right now eight thousand guard the west. I’m worried the lord of Li City might be colluding with Pingyuan City’s lord.”

“The north gate, near the Song River, still has over ten thousand troops.”

“I wonder if the Third Prince and Miss Long know that along the entire Song River, the narrowest crossing point is right here in our Yongshan City.”