“Madam is alive, thank heavens! Thank heavens!” The maid pressed her palms together, gazing toward the window with a devout expression.

Feng Jiang stroked Qiao Mu’s face with one hand while holding her hand with the other, continuing to channel true qi into her.

He wanted to give her everything he had; as long as she was alright, he’d willingly trade his own life for hers.

Feng Jiu’er took a deep breath and set down Qiao Mu’s hand.

“Keep channeling your energy into her, otherwise her pulse could stop again at any moment.”

“Qiao Mu’s condition doesn’t allow for a natural delivery right now. I’m going to cut her stomach open and take the child out.”

“Jiu’er, save the mother.” Feng Jiang forced the words out.

His gaze returned to Qiao Mu’s face, and tears slid down again.

“Qiao, I know you love our child dearly, I do too, but I cannot lose you, I can’t do it.”

His sorrow affected everyone present; the maids couldn’t hold back their sobs.

Feng Jiu’er, however, remained remarkably composed—though what no one else knew was that a silver needle had been pierced into her thigh the entire time.

Whenever she felt sorrow, whenever tears threatened to fall, she twisted the needle.

The pain kept her clear-headed, kept her calm.

“I can’t guarantee whether the child will survive once taken out, but if the child isn’t taken out, Qiao Mu will certainly lose her life.”

“Chunhua, Xiahua, let’s begin.” Feng Jiu’er glanced back.

“Yes, Miss Jiu’er.” The two maids answered in unison.

“If you’re afraid it’ll affect my work—whether Madam survives depends on you two as well, understand?” Feng Jiu’er poured some medicine into the basin of hot water.

“Wash your hands clean, go hold Madam’s legs steady.”

“Yes.” This time, the two maids’ response came out especially loud.

“Jian Yi, nine o’clock direction, two steps forward, extend your palm, lend Third Imperial Brother a hand.”

Jian Yi understood Feng Jiu’er’s nine o’clock direction; he stepped forward and pressed his broad palm against Feng Jiang’s shoulder.

The two maids held Qiao Mu steady while Feng Jiu’er personally disinfected her.

“What comes next is the most critical part. Without anesthesia, Qiao Mu is likely to feel pain.”

Feng Jiu’er set down the disinfecting cloth, picked up the specially made scalpel, and returned to the bedside.

“It’s actually good that she’s woken up. Third Imperial Brother, you need to work hard to keep her stable. Leave everything else to me.”

The moment the words left her mouth, Feng Jiu’er brought the silver blade down.

The room fell so silent one could have heard a pin drop.

Feng Jiu’er’s hands moved swiftly, but Qiao Mu was still jolted awake by the pain.

“Ahh…” Her voice was hoarse but still carried some strength.

“Qiao.” Feng Jiang gently stroked her head. “Qiao, it’s me, I’m back.”

“I’m sorry! I’ve only just come back now.”

Qiao Mu forced herself through the searing pain and slowly opened her eyes. “Feng Jiang, you… you’re back.”

“Yes, I’m back.” Feng Jiang’s eyes grew misty.

Qiao Mu seemed to sense something and tried to sit up.

Feng Jiang stopped her movement without even needing to use force.

“Jiu’er is here, don’t be afraid! If it hurts, cry out. I’m sorry, I’m truly sorry…”

Qiao Mu bit down hard on her lip, but upon hearing the words “Jiu’er,” her body relaxed.

“Our… ahh… child, is…”

The wound was already open; Feng Jiu’er and one of the maids were busy at work.

Feng Jiu’er was in a state of intense focus, unable to spare attention for anything else.

The two maids watched a scene they would never forget in their lives, their mouths hanging open, unable to close.

The atmosphere in the room was extremely tense; Feng Jiang kept offering encouragement, and Qiao Mu truly could only bear to cry out occasionally.

Suddenly, a “waah” sounded out, and a loud, clear cry rang through the room.

Everyone’s clenched hearts loosened, if only a little.