Xiao Yongjia was startled and turned to see Gao Qiao’s furious expression as he strode after her.

“What do you want to do?”

Her delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly as she stared at him.

Gao Qiao had caught up behind her, originally full of rage, but the moment he met her frowning gaze, his anger immediately disappeared.

“A’Ling, I…”

Stammering, he stopped again.

Xiao Yongjia raised her eyebrows.

“Nothing? If there’s nothing, I’ll go first.”

She turned and reached to open the door, suddenly feeling her waist tighten.

Gao Qiao had embraced her from behind, his arms holding her tight.

A distant yet familiar feeling suddenly washed over Xiao Yongjia.

She stared at the door before her.

“What are you doing? At our age, let go…”

But her husband didn’t release her.

She heard him say softly behind her: “A’Ling, I’ve been thinking often lately about when we first married… I miss those days very much… I want you to stay with me…”

“Please stay, won’t you…”

Xiao Yongjia slowly closed her eyes.

The room was extremely quiet.

Gao Qiao picked up his wife, carried her to the bed, and gently set her down.

He raised his hand and gently caressed her face, his movements infinitely tender.

“A’Ling, you’re still so beautiful, exactly the same as you were then…”

“But I’ve grown so old…”

She suddenly heard her husband’s sigh beside her ear.

She opened her eyes and saw him looking down at her with melancholy eyes and a wistful expression.

She raised her hand, her fingertips gently touching his weathered brow, then suddenly hooked her arm around his neck, pulling his head down toward her.

…

After their intimate reunion, Xiao Yongjia’s face was flushed, her starry eyes half-closed, seeming half-asleep as she lay docilely in her husband’s arms.

After a moment, feeling a hand slowly wandering over her body again, she didn’t open her eyes but simply swatted the hand away, turned over, and lay face-down on the pillow with her back to Gao Qiao, mumbling: “Enough! Don’t be endless… Do you think you’re still only twenty?”

Gao Qiao had been a lonely, deprived widower for so long, and finally being able to be intimate again, facing his goddess-like beautiful wife, he wanted nothing more than to shower her with love until she was completely satisfied and submissive to him forever. Naturally he had exerted all his strength, feeling quite proud that his vigor was undiminished from his youth. Having just caught his breath and touching her fragrant, warm, jade-like skin, he couldn’t help but be aroused again.

He had indeed exerted too much effort earlier and was somewhat exhausted now, but he thought he could manage one more round. Just as he was about to try again, Xiao Yongjia interrupted him this way.

Seeing her back turned to him with what seemed like disdain in her tone, he couldn’t help wondering if he hadn’t satisfied her earlier.

How could he endure this? His face burning with embarrassment, he immediately turned her back around forcibly, wanting to battle another three hundred rounds, but saw her open her eyes with an ambiguous smile: “Old fool, do you really not care about your old back? Don’t complain to me tomorrow morning if you can’t get out of bed…”

Gao Qiao’s face turned red as he pressed down on her, muttering: “Don’t underestimate me…”

Xiao Yongjia pushed him off her body.

“Enough! Save some energy. It’s not the first time.”

Xiao Yongjia sat up, retrieved her clothes and put them on, then picked up his and threw them at him.

Gao Qiao lay on his back, watching her dress and cover herself, and could only give up. Instead, he reached out to stroke her beautiful hair hanging down her back, coaxing: “A’Ling, lie back down and sleep with me a while longer.”

Xiao Yongjia lay back down.

Gao Qiao embraced his wife in his arms again, feeling an unprecedented sense of complete satisfaction, and couldn’t help sighing.

“A’Ling, in the future, when I can free myself from these court affairs, I’ll become a farmer. Will you despise me for being old and useless?”

Xiao Yongjia closed her eyes without speaking.

“A’Ling?”

Gao Qiao nudged her.

Xiao Yongjia didn’t open her eyes, only saying: “You’re already old and useless now. Am I despising you?”

Gao Qiao was stunned, then smiled bitterly. After a moment of silence, he said: “A’Ling, I know I’m useless… Knowing Xu Mi secretly harmed His Majesty, yet I can’t touch him to avenge your brother…”

“Lu Guang has been growing distant from me, and now with the new emperor’s enthronement, if my predictions are correct, he’ll surely reconcile with the Xu family and join forces against me.”

“That’s one thing, but what worries me more are civil affairs. The two lakes just suffered drought, and now Wu region has flooding. Last year’s harvest was already poor, so the court reduced field taxes. This year will certainly be worse than last. People’s livelihoods are difficult, and the court’s finances are stretched thin. I really can’t raise extra money to fight another suppression war…”

Xiao Yongjia opened her eyes and poked him with her finger.

“You’re such a boring person. You can’t even take a joke.”

“Jingshen, I also hope you can be freed soon. If you become a farmer, I’ll be a farmer’s wife. Then we’ll be a farmer couple together, and neither should despise the other.”

Gao Qiao looked down and saw his wife’s beautiful eyes gazing at him, and couldn’t help smiling.

Thinking of how they had wasted years together, he felt both regretful and deeply moved.

“A’Ling, from now on I’ll spend as much time with you as possible. If you’re dissatisfied with me in any way, just tell me directly. Don’t brood and abandon me like before.”

Xiao Yongjia said nothing more, only extending her arms to embrace her husband’s waist.

Gao Qiao felt his wife’s tender affection, and holding her with their skin touching seemed even more stirring than when they were young. He couldn’t help being intimate with her again for a while, when he suddenly remembered his niece’s visit tonight and his wife’s strange attitude, so he casually said: “About our niece’s matter, are you still angry? I really didn’t expect it. She was so well-behaved and learned as a child, and even nearly got stung by poisonous bees trying to save A’Mi. How did she become so extreme in her actions when she grew up? Fortunately Li Mu was unharmed then, and I can see she’s truly repentant and came to confess on her own initiative. Don’t blame her anymore.”

Xiao Yongjia was lost in thought for a moment.

“It’s naturally good that our niece can take initiative to confess to you. But why didn’t she come earlier and chose this timing? Let me tell you, I watched this child grow up. I’m not saying she’s bad, but I feel her thoughts aren’t that simple. Moreover, she’s now become empress.”

Gao Qiao laughed and shook his head: “You’re still the same as before, always overthinking. In her position, she should plan accordingly. If she’s reformed and will wholeheartedly assist His Majesty in the future, becoming a model for the realm, that would also be an honor for our Gao clan.”

Xiao Yongjia said: “It never hurts to be more cautious.”

“Yes, yes, I understand.”

“There’s another matter. Prince Xin’an is close to the Celestial Master Sect. When the new emperor ascended, even people from the Celestial Master Sect came to pay tribute. When I went to Jingkou before, a female incense master from the Celestial Master Sect deliberately provoked me. I detest those people! Not to mention they nearly harmed A’Mi in revenge against Li Mu! Don’t let the Celestial Master Sect people stay in Jiankang!”

Gao Qiao quickly embraced his wife and nodded: “I know. The Celestial Master Sect caused public resentment in Jingkou last year, making quite a mess. The Jingkou magistrate once reported to the court. The sect leader was questioned by His Majesty, submitted a confession, actively punished several disciples, and promised to restrain his followers from further offenses. At that time Prince Xin’an also interceded, so the matter passed. The Celestial Master Sect has many believers among the people. I know Prince Xin’an probably wants to use the sect to govern the people, but without proper restraint, it might become a source of chaos instead. I’ve always opposed it. Don’t worry, I’ll remind Prince Xin’an and won’t let those people stay.”

Xiao Yongjia hummed in agreement and slowly closed her eyes in her husband’s arms.

…

Late at night, Jiankang’s south gate had long been closed. The gate commander, knowing there was nothing happening, went to the duty room to sleep. Deep in dreams, he was awakened by his subordinate, who said a group of night travelers had arrived on horseback, knocking to enter the city.

The gate commander frowned: “Who is it? Tell them to wait outside and enter when day breaks!”

“They say it’s Lu Jianzhi, Governor of Jiaozhou.”

The gate commander was startled.

Lu Jianzhi, the eldest son of the Lu family, had been famous throughout Jiankang a few years ago – his name was thunderous. He also knew that he had previously lost to the then-unknown poor military officer Li Mu in the Double Ninth competition, then went to the southwest as governor, and it had been nearly a year now.

During this year, Jiankang had seen dramatic changes and personnel shifts, and Lu Jianzhi’s once-glorious name had gradually faded from memory.

Unexpectedly, tonight he had suddenly returned.

During this year, under the contrast of the rival Gao and Xu families’ performances, the Lu clan had seemed quiet, but they were still a prestigious noble house. How dare the gate commander neglect them? He quickly got up, hurriedly dressed, personally went to the gate, and ordered it opened.

Lu Jianzhi cupped his hands to the gate commander: “Sorry to disturb you late at night.”

When he had left Jiankang for Jiaozhou last year, the gate commander had also been present.

Now by the torchlight at the gate, he glanced at the man outside. He seemed much thinner than his previous impression, but his smile remained the same, without any airs of a noble family’s son. The commander quickly made way, stepped aside, and bowed: “Governor Lu speaks too seriously. Traveling all night must have been hard. Please enter the city quickly.”

Lu Jianzhi nodded and led several followers on horseback into the city.

The gate commander watched those figures gradually disappear into the night, sighed, and muttered to himself: “There’s war in the north, and here… I’m afraid there’ll be trouble too…”

…

Lu Jianzhi didn’t hear the gate commander’s almost prophetic sigh born from years of dutiful intuition.

He rode into the city, traveling on streets lined with residences on both sides. Fearing the hoofbeats would be too loud and startle people, causing them to open windows and peer out, he lightened his horse’s pace, ordered his followers to do likewise, and slowly proceeded through Jiankang’s streets toward the Lu residence.

The familiar streetscape stirred inevitable emotions.

Things remain the same, but people have changed – roughly this was it.

Passing the intersection leading to the Gao residence, he turned to look, unconsciously pausing, then suppressed the indescribable emotions rising in his heart and continued forward.

This trip, he had returned at his father’s summons.

He seemed to have an inexplicable connection with southwestern Jiaozhou.

Previously he had gone there to quell rebellions and help the neighboring Prince Linyu stabilize the political situation.

Later, after losing face to Li Mu, his father had sent him there as governor.

When he first arrived, he was quite dejected, and contracting fever, he fell seriously ill.

Later, he finally pulled himself together from his depression.

Things gradually became manageable. Prince Linyu was very grateful to him, and he also won considerable affection from the local people – it was said this young governor from a Jiankang noble family would often carry his ancient qin and climb to the peak of the small mountain behind the governor’s residence when free, playing alone to the empty valley. The qin music would drift through the forest, often making woodcutters stop their axes to listen. Thus he even earned the elegant nickname “Governor Boya.”

Just when he sometimes had the strange thought that he could spend the rest of his life like this, he suddenly learned his father wanted him to return to the capital.

He had a premonition that his father must have some matter.

The Lu residence was not far ahead.

Lu Jianzhi quickened his pace, reached the main gate, dismounted, and knocked.

The household, seeing him return in the middle of the night, rushed to report.

His mother and younger brother Lu Huanzhi rose to greet him with great joy.

Lu Jianzhi had barely exchanged a few words with his mother and brother when a servant came to report that his father was in the study and wanted to see him.

Lu Jianzhi comforted his mother who was weeping at seeing him so thin, asked Lu Huanzhi to escort her to rest, and hurried to the study himself.

Lu Guang sat upright behind the lamplight with a serious expression.

Lu Jianzhi knelt before his father, respectfully performed the full ceremony, then knelt beside him and said: “This past year, your son hasn’t been able to serve his parents filially. Please forgive me.”

Lu Guang’s gaze swept over him: “I heard you were ill before. How is your health?”

“Fully recovered long ago. Thank you for your concern.”

Lu Guang nodded slightly.

Lu Jianzhi waited a moment, and seeing his father didn’t speak again, asked: “Father summoned your son home – do you have instructions?”

“Your wings have grown hard. Now my instructions probably won’t matter to you.”

Lu Guang glanced at his son and said coldly.

Lu Jianzhi knew his father was referring to his previous defiance regarding marriage arrangements, so he prostrated again and kowtowed: “Your son was disobedient. Please forgive me. As I said in my letter, except for this one matter that I beg you not to force me on, in all other things, your son dare not disobey.”

Lu Guang snorted, his expression extremely ugly: “The Gao family has humiliated our Lu family to this extent, and even now, are you still pining for that Gao family daughter? A real man should have no shortage of wives! She’s just one woman! Jianzhi, you disappoint me greatly!”

“This has nothing to do with her. She’s already married, and I’ve long given up my former feelings. I simply think that with my own mediocre accomplishments, having no career, how can I start a family? Please be lenient, Father!”

Lu Guang stared at his kowtowing son for a long while, then said coldly: “I didn’t call you back for marriage matters.”

Lu Jianzhi slowly straightened up.

“You should know about court affairs even in Jiaozhou. Prince Dongyang became emperor and naturally relies on Gao Qiao. The Gao family will only become more powerful in the future. Some days ago, Xu Mi approached me to discuss an important matter.”

He stared at his son.

“Xu Mi proposed that our two families, the Xu and Lu clans, unite to send troops north to attack Yuzhou. If we win this battle, our Lu family’s former humiliation can be wiped clean. If we press our advantage and take Luoyang as well, restoring the Eastern Capital, it would be an unprecedented achievement! Even if Gao Qiao holds the emperor in his hands, he won’t be able to cover the sky with one hand anymore!”

Lu Jianzhi was surprised: “Father, northern expedition serves the people’s will, and I’m naturally willing to lead troops in battle. But raising armies is a major matter, especially such large-scale cross-river warfare requires caution. Without thorough preparation and knowing ourselves and our enemies, I fear that if we encounter setbacks, not only would we fail to bring glory to our Lu family, but we’d damage our foundation. It would be difficult to rise again in the future.”

“Moreover…”

He hesitated.

“Xu Mi is two-faced – how can we trust him?”

“Outrageous!”

Lu Guang flew into a rage, slammed the table, and the lamp flame jumped with his palm wind.

“Since I called you back, I’ve already considered everything thoroughly. Just follow my orders! As the eldest son of our Lu family, your previous poor judgment and impulsive actions brought shame to our Lu family, which I won’t dwell on anymore. Now facing this crucial matter of family rise and fall, you shrink back again, showing no responsibility. Jianzhi, are you worthy of being the eldest son of our Lu family?”

Lu Jianzhi quickly kowtowed repeatedly: “Please calm your anger, Father. Your son has absolutely no intention of retreating and dare not question you.”

Lu Guang slowly exhaled, his expression finally softening somewhat. He said: “Do you think I haven’t considered what you’ve thought about?”

“The Xijin want to attack Chang’an. Chang’an is the crucial capital for Beixia’s hold on Longxi. To respond, the Jie people must go all out. Once both sides engage, they won’t be able to attend to other places. This once-in-a-millennium opportunity is Heaven’s timing.”

“Past Jing-Xiang, taking Nanyang opens the way to Yuzhou, with unobstructed military supply lines – this is geographical advantage.”

“Xu Mi now hates Gao Qiao to the bone and actively seeks cooperation with me. His desire for victory exceeds even mine – how would he interfere from within? His Xu family has 200,000 troops, our Lu family has 100,000. Combined, that’s 300,000 – even more than when Gao Qiao led northern expeditions.”

“Heaven’s timing, geographical advantage, and human harmony – we have all three for this battle. Even if Gao Qiao wanted to interfere, he’d have no way. How dare you speak of losing?”

Lu Jianzhi lowered his head: “Your son doesn’t dare.”

Lu Guang said: “My mind is made up! Prepare well. When the time comes, march north!”

“While Li Mu’s foundation is still unstable. You must win this battle! Do you remember?”

Lu Jianzhi kowtowed: “Your son respectfully follows Father’s command and will spare no effort without slack!”

Only then did Lu Guang show satisfaction and nod: “You must be tired from the journey. Go rest. After you’ve recovered, meeting with military officials won’t be too late. Sending troops also requires waiting for the right moment – it can’t be accomplished overnight.”

…

Lu Jianzhi left his father’s study and returned to his former quarters.

He hadn’t brought much luggage back – just one large trunk containing some clothes and a qin case.

His mother had already had everything prepared and personally waited. Seeing her son finally return, after much nagging and reminding him to obey his father and not disappoint him again, and seeing her son nod in agreement, she finally left satisfied.

The moon rose to mid-heaven, drum sounds echoing through the night.

Though Lu Jianzhi was tired from traveling all night, he was heavy with worry – how could he sleep?

He hadn’t expected his father to summon him back for this purpose. Joining with Xu Mi to send troops north.

His father’s analysis was indeed correct.

Heaven’s timing, geographical advantage, and human harmony – they had all three.

Being able to raise troops for northern expedition to reclaim Han territories was also what he aspired to. He, Lu Jianzhi, certainly wasn’t lacking in courage to take responsibility.

But what disturbed him was his father’s and Xu Mi’s purpose for this expedition.

Their sole purpose was to use northern expedition to suppress Gao Qiao and elevate their own power while the new emperor had just established his reign.

Before him, his father didn’t even try to hide this.

Regarding Minister Gao, Lu Jianzhi was confident. Even knowing the Xu and Lu families’ northern expedition purposes, given his character, he would never stoop to secret sabotage.

But precisely this expedition purpose made Lu Jianzhi extremely worried.

Two families temporarily united by profit, harboring the goal of suppressing another family, leading a joint army north – could they really remain focused and achieve their wishes?

He paced the room for a long time, unable to dispel his concerns. Unconsciously, he walked to the qin, opened the case, took out the hidden musical score, and by candlelight, his fingertips gently touched the elegant handwriting recording the music. Lost in thought, the door was pushed open.

He turned to see Lu Huanzhi enter, quickly put the score back in the case, and turned around.

“So late, why aren’t you sleeping, younger brother?”

Lu Huanzhi walked over.

“Elder brother, when you were in the study earlier, I was hiding outside and heard everything you and Father said!”

His face showed excited anticipation.

“Elder brother! This opportunity is as Father said – once in a millennium! You must grasp it well! This time trample that Li Mu underfoot and vindicate our Lu family, and more importantly, vindicate yourself!”

Lu Jianzhi remained silent.

“Elder brother, you still can’t forget the Gao family young lady, and I think she must feel the same about you…”

“Don’t talk nonsense!” Lu Jianzhi’s face darkened.

“I’m not talking nonsense!” Lu Huanzhi said.

“Do you think I don’t know? What you were just looking at was the musical score the Gao family young lady gave you! When you were ill in Jiaozhou before, I knew it was heartache. Third sister and I discussed having her ask the Gao family young lady for help! She was so thoughtful, specially writing musical scores for you. Though not a letter, it’s better than correspondence. This shows she still has feelings for you. What is that Li Mu? A poor military man who not only reclaims wasteland in a place like Yi Cheng but makes the Gao family young lady suffer with him.”

“Why should he get to marry the Gao family young lady?”

The more he spoke, the more agitated he became.

“Elder brother, you must win this battle! When we take Luoyang, who in the court will dare look down on our Lu family?”

“Maybe someday Li Mu will die, and the Gao family young lady can marry back and become my sister-in-law!”

“Huanzhi! Shut up!”

Lu Jianzhi shouted sternly.

“The Gao family young lady’s musical score was to encourage me to pull myself together – where’s the old affection you speak of? If you dare spread nonsense outside and ruin her reputation, I won’t spare you when I find out!”

Lu Huanzhi had previously harbored some feelings for Luoshen but knew she didn’t regard him and, respecting his elder brother greatly, had never thought to compete with him.

But her marrying another man was unacceptable to him, so naturally he hated Li Mu to the bone.

He had never seen his elder brother scold him so harshly and didn’t dare continue shouting. Reluctantly suppressing his jealousy, he said: “Don’t worry, elder brother. How could I be so thoughtless?”

Only then did Lu Jianzhi’s expression soften: “I’ll do my best in the war. Don’t worry. It’s late – go sleep.”

Lu Huanzhi glanced unwillingly at the qin case he had hastily covered and responded, then turned and left.

…

Jiang Tao’s efficiency greatly satisfied Luoshen.

After speaking about it that day, in just half a month, he had delivered over a dozen brand-new spinning wheels and looms. He said the rest were still being made and however many were needed could be produced over time.

Luoshen was very pleased, gave him money, and asked him to purchase lots of hemp materials from the Chou Chi people.

Though the Chou Chi people’s lifestyle was becoming Sinicized, daily wear of silk and cotton or fine hemp clothing was still limited to nobles and upper classes, while most common people still preferred animal hides, and women weren’t skilled at spinning and weaving. But paying them to gather raw materials, they would surely be willing.

Jiang Tao agreed, saying he would accompany the governor to Chou Chi tomorrow on business and would handle the lady’s matter then.

In Yi Cheng’s summer wilderness, wild hemp could be seen everywhere. Luoshen consulted the seamstress among her servants who was expert in textiles and learned that after harvesting and processing these through beating and refining, they could be spun into thread for clothing. She called the city’s women together and explained her plan. Everyone was willing, so after daily work, they all went outside the city to gather raw materials.

Today was the day Li Mu would return from Chou Chi.

Including today’s daytime, they had actually only been apart three days.

Luoshen had slept alone for two nights and already missed him terribly, even becoming somewhat absent-minded while teaching children in the school that morning.

By afternoon, she couldn’t bear it anymore. She had the cook make a large pot of cool drinks to distribute to the servant women and maids who were collectively learning to beat hemp and spin thread under the seamstress’s guidance. Taking the remainder, using the excuse of bringing it to the city guard soldiers, she rode with A’Ju in a small carriage. The wheels rolled over roads now packed flat and wide, creaking as they reached the city gate.

The soldiers saw the governor’s wife personally come to visit and even bring cool drinks. All were grateful, though initially somewhat restrained and not daring to partake.

Luoshen personally ladled a bowl and handed it to a young soldier.

The soldier’s face reddened as he accepted it and drank it all in one gulp.

Luoshen smiled and told the others to help themselves too.

Only then did the soldiers rush over with whooshes, thanking her in unison and competing to partake.

Luoshen climbed the city wall and stood on top, eagerly watching the direction of the road Li Mu would return by.

“Young lady, let’s go back! The sun is blazing! If Li Langjun knew, he’d be heartbroken.”

A’Ju beside her tried earnestly to persuade.

Luoshen watched for a while without seeing Li Mu return. With A’Ju nagging beside her annoyingly, she was listless when she suddenly saw A’Yu running back from the distance, waving vigorously at her as if something had happened, so she hurried down.

“Madam, just now when I was gathering hemp outside, I saw an unconscious sister lying in the wild! She didn’t respond when called and seemed nearly dead!”

Among the refugees seeking shelter in Yi Cheng, quite a few fell ill, were seriously injured, or collapsed from exhaustion after arriving.

The woman A’Yu mentioned should also be a refugee seeking shelter. She must have encountered misfortune on the road, leaving her alone, and collapsed before reaching the city.

A’Yu was probably thinking of her and her deceased mother’s ordeal and looked anxiously at Luoshen.

Luoshen called a nearby soldier, took a water jar, had A’Yu lead the way, and hurried over together.

Hemp in the nearby wilderness had been mostly harvested, so A’Yu had gone quite far, several li out.

“Madam! She’s right there!”

A’Yu ran quickly over and pointed out the spot to Luoshen.

Drawing closer, Luoshen saw a woman in ragged common clothing lying in the wilderness. Her figure was thin, she seemed injured, her long hair was disheveled, her eyes tightly closed, and half her exposed face was withered and gray – she appeared to be a woman in her twenties.

Luoshen hurried over, crouched beside her, pushed and called several times.

The woman didn’t move at all, completely unresponsive. Her skin was burning hot to the touch – clearly running a high fever. She quickly brought the water jar, put the spout to the woman’s cracked lips, and slowly fed her a few sips. Seeing her eyelids flutter and calling again when she still didn’t open her eyes, she had the soldier carry her into the city to A’Yu’s home and summoned the military doctor to examine her.

The military doctor hurried over upon hearing the news, examined her, and said she had a high fever. He selected several herbs.

Looking at the wounds on the woman’s back, he said they were from whipping, quite old, never properly healed, with festering wounds. Combined with the hot weather, this caused her to faint.

The woman seemed to have wounds on her front as well.

Though she was thin and looked almost like a man, he couldn’t casually examine her. He only left wound medicine, saying to clean the wounds and apply medicine.

Whether she could be saved depended on Heaven’s will.

The military doctor was very busy and left after treatment.

It was still a life after all. Luoshen quickly had A’Ju boil medicine and fetched water with A’Yu to personally clean the woman’s arm and leg wounds. Seeing her skin under the clothes was smooth and delicate, she lifted the clothing to clean her back.

When it came to chest and abdomen, the woman who had been lying with eyes closed as if unconscious suddenly moved, turned her face, pressed her hands to her clothing front, and said in a hoarse, unclear voice: “Thank you, madam… I’m fine here…”

Luoshen was relieved to see her finally awake. After cleaning the other wounds and carefully applying medicine to her hands, feet, and back with her fingers, she wanted to ask about her background but saw she remained very weak, lying there with eyes still tightly closed and motionless. She temporarily held off, only saying softly to A’Yu: “You look after her first. After I return, I’ll have food sent over. If she has any problems, come find me again.”

A’Yu nodded in agreement.

Luoshen washed her hands clean with clear water, stood up, and rubbed her slightly aching back. From the corner of her eye, she caught sight of someone standing at the door. Turning, she saw Li Mu had returned at some point and was leaning there, smiling as he watched her, but hadn’t made a sound.

“Langjun!”

Luoshen was so delighted she nearly jumped up, turned and flew toward him.