Feng Jiu’er and the others followed the little boy into a farmhouse.

The boy leading the way was Little Tiger, the same one who had brought food home for his grandparents earlier and come back seeking help.

“Commandery Princess, please come in!” The little boy turned and waved.

Feng Jiu’er and Xiao Yingtao walked in one after the other, entering the thatched-roof house.

The house wasn’t large, quite simple, but tidy, showing that the boy was diligent.

“Commandery Princess, this is my grandfather’s room.” The little boy led them into a room.

The room’s only window was shut, and the air inside felt somewhat stifling.

Feng Jiu’er glanced around the room and said, “Little Tiger, go open the window.”

Her voice made the person on the bed cough lightly, but he didn’t open his eyes.

Little Tiger looked at his grandfather, then turned his gaze back to Feng Jiu’er.

“Commandery Princess, my grandfather caught a chill. If we open the window, won’t the cold air coming in make his condition worse?”

“Even so, the window can’t stay shut all the time.” Xiao Yingtao went over and moved a small table aside.

“Go on, it needs airing out two or three times a day, each time for about the time it takes an incense stick to burn.”

“Yes, General.” Little Tiger nodded and stepped over, standing on a low stool to open the window.

He jumped down from the stool and turned to look at the two women by the bed.

“Commandery Princess, is there anything I need to do?”

“Could you prepare some hot water?” Xiao Yingtao turned to look at him.

“All right, I’ll go right away.” Little Tiger nodded and headed out.

A woman standing outside the door said, “Little Tiger, let Auntie Mei go. You stay here and keep watch.”

“Thank you, Auntie Mei.” Little Tiger nodded.

By this time, Feng Jiu’er had already sat down in the chair by the bed, taking the old man’s pulse.

With the window open, fresh air came in, seeming to carry with it a bit of life.

The old man on the bed weakly opened his eyes, then closed them again.

“Grandfather.” The little boy went over, standing at the foot of the bed.

“It’s the Commandery Princess, she’s come to bring us grain, and she’s treating you too.”

“Grandfather, how are you feeling now? Can you speak?”

“Little Tiger, did you bring the grain back? Go make some congee for your grandfather,” Feng Jiu’er said, glancing over.

“I brought it back, Commandery Princess, I’ll go right now.” Little Tiger nodded and turned again.

As he headed out, Feng Jiu’er looked up and outside.

“Those of you with things to tend to, go on ahead, I’ll visit each household one by one. The room is small, and too many people isn’t good for the patient.”

“All right!”

“Yes, Commandery Princess.”

The villagers gathered outside the door nodded and left.

In the end, only one woman remained.

“Commandery Princess, I’m Little Tiger’s aunt by marriage. Thank you all so much, I’ll go help Little Tiger now.”

“Mm.” Feng Jiu’er nodded slightly, her attention returning to the old man.

The woman glanced inside once more, then turned and left.

Xiao Yingtao opened the medicine chest and looked back at Feng Jiu’er.

“Just an ordinary chill, is that right?”

“Mm.” Feng Jiu’er nodded. “There’s also fairly severe malnutrition. Prepare two days’ worth of medicine for him first.”

“Got it.” Xiao Yingtao turned, reaching her hands into the medicine chest.

“Jiu’er, we didn’t bring a small amount of medicine with us, but from the looks of things, it still won’t be enough.”

“Prepare what we have for now. If it’s not enough, we’ll bring more tomorrow.” Feng Jiu’er opened her needle case, pinching a silver needle between her fingers.

Xiao Yingtao said nothing further, beginning to gather the medicine, essentially in silent agreement.

After several silver needles were applied, the old man’s consciousness gradually cleared.

“Thank you, thank you… all of you, truly… thank you!”