The surrounding guards were tense, poised to strike. An Jiu did not doubt that any suspicious move on her part would result in instant death.

The woman on horseback couldn’t help glancing back repeatedly.

Hua Rongtian lowered his gaze to the tearful woman, his suspicions deepening. However, as she was his bride by imperial decree, he could only keep his doubts to himself. Having escaped danger, he realized how careless he’d been to blurt out her identity earlier. If this woman was truly loyal to the emperor, His Majesty would soon learn that the Hua family had secretly infiltrated the Crane-Controlling Army.

He, Hua Rongtian, had never made such a foolish mistake in his life.

Would he now have to silence his wife?

As An Jiu watched them depart, she murmured, “Even reborn, she’s still tremblingly stupid…”

Only Mei Jiu would rush out to shield someone just because he was her “husband.”

Only three people knew her name: Mo Sigui, Chu Dingjiang, and Mei Jiu. An Jiu was a name Mei Jiu had phonetically translated. Moreover, what stranger would cry like that upon seeing her, let alone call out her name?

Having experienced rebirth herself, An Jiu easily guessed what had happened.

Hua Rongtian had once sought a marriage alliance with the Mei family, though it fell through. Seeing Mei Jiu marry him now, An Jiu almost believed in fate. However, times have changed. This wasn’t a willing alliance but a forced one. Whether this fate was good or bad remained to be seen.

Given Mei Jiu’s foolishly kind nature, An Jiu believed it would be a fortunate match.

Amidst the bloody streets, she smiled and turned away.

Back at the Crane-Controlling Army headquarters, Mo Sigui had already arrived.

As a renowned physician, Mo Sigui received special treatment. A guide awaited him, and he was immediately given a private residence without needing to undergo the usual registration. The house was clean and tranquil, furnished with high-quality items. From craftsmanship to materials, everything was exquisite. It had bedrooms, a study, a medicine room, and more. He was even assigned two personal maids.

Mo Sigui, with his many eccentricities, disliked having people he didn’t approve of hovering around. He dismissed the two maids.

Zhu Pianpian, after fighting for two days and nights in the Octagonal Tower, was carried to Mo Sigui’s residence, covered in blood.

“Doctor Mo,” Zhu Pianpian weakly tugged at Mo Sigui’s sleeve, sobbing, “Will I… will I live?”

Mo Sigui sipped his tea leisurely, engrossed in the last volume of medical texts left by Elder Qi. Without looking at her, he said, “When you’re done resting, go take a bath and change. Don’t dirty my place.”

Zhu Pianpian pouted, crawling off the couch. She rubbed her bruised face resentfully, “I must have revenge on Chu Dingjiang!”

Mo Sigui finally looked up, suddenly finding Zhu Pianpian quite agreeable. “There’s a jar of jade beauty cream on the shelf. Use it, and your face will be clear in three days. Also, if you don’t mind, stay and help me out.”

“Doctor Mo, you’re so kind!” Zhu Pianpian, knowing Mo Sigui had a grudge against Chu Dingjiang, added indignantly, “Unlike that heartless Chu Dingjiang!”

“Tch,” Mo Sigui frowned, “Don’t compare me to that scum.”

“I misspoke,” Zhu Pianpian apologized.

“Which scum?” a voice asked from the rafters.

Mo Sigui and Zhu Pianpian looked up to see An Jiu crouching on a beam.

Zhu Pianpian realized her mistake—this was Chu Dingjiang’s lover! She stood, taking the jade cream. “Since Doctor Mo has a guest, I’ll take my leave.”

“Except for my bedroom, stay wherever you like,” Mo Sigui said.

“Thank you, Doctor,” Zhu Pianpian pocketed the jar and left swiftly, showing no signs of her previous near-death state.

Mo Sigui turned to An Jiu, “Your timing is perfect. The medicines to reconstruct your body are ready. When do you want to start?”

Changing the subject, An Jiu didn’t pursue the question of who was “scum.” “Anytime is fine.”

“Good. Let’s begin after dinner,” Mo Sigui suggested. “Shall we eat out? I’ve heard the restaurants here are quite good.”

“Sure,” An Jiu agreed, always happy for good food.

Mo Sigui waved his hand, “Let me finish this volume first.”

An Jiu nodded, gracefully leaping down from the beam to play with the two tiger cubs.

She couldn’t continue practicing the Meridian-Breaking Palm or use her spiritual power, so after reporting to the Lamp-Lighting Tower, she had little to do.

By evening, Mo Sigui finally finished the medical text.

In truth, reading and memorizing the entire volume didn’t require so much time. But as this was the last remaining volume of Elder Qi’s writings—the rest having been burned—Mo Sigui felt a twinge of regret after his initial decisiveness.

Sitting before the fire pit, he hesitated momentarily before deciding to keep this volume.

To others, Elder Qi’s writings were extraordinary, but to Mo Sigui, they were more of a memento.

Elder Qi’s life’s work represented the pinnacle of medical knowledge in their world. While still valuable to Mo Sigui, he never intended to limit himself to merely inheriting Elder Qi’s legacy. He aimed to build upon that foundation, reaching greater heights.

Mo Sigui put away the text and went out to dinner with An Jiu.

The Crane-Controlling Army compound had its teahouses and restaurants, so they didn’t need to leave.

As the lanterns lit up, the streets bustled with people. Unlike the outside world, despite the crowds, there was an eerie silence. Even An Jiu’s footsteps, without internal energy, stood out conspicuously. The strange atmosphere made one wonder if they had entered the netherworld.

During dinner, Mo Sigui said, “There’s a library in the compound. With your token, you can borrow books. You should study breathing techniques. While you can’t completely internalize your breath like internal cultivators, at least you won’t draw so much attention!”

“How do you know all this?” An Jiu asked, puzzled. She knew nothing about this place, and Mo Sigui had just arrived. How did he seem so well-informed?

Mo Sigui pulled out a small booklet. “The guide gave me this. It explains everything clearly. Didn’t you get one?”

An Jiu shook her head.

“Oh?” Mo Sigui realized the guide had given him special treatment, frowning, “I hate unknowingly owing favors!”

“Mo Sigui,” An Jiu took the booklet to look through, “Do you know that gloating over advantages is extremely shameful behavior?”

“Tch.”

“Do you know that gloating in front of someone who didn’t receive those advantages is asking for death?”

“Tch tch.”

…

After dinner, they returned to the residence.

As An Jiu paced to digest her meal, she watched Mo Sigui prepare herbs. The pungent smell indicated potent medicinal properties.

“Mo Sigui,” An Jiu stood across from him, speaking softly, “I saw Mei Jiu.”

Mo Sigui’s hand trembled, and he looked up in shock. “What did you say?”