Feng Jiu’er glanced at Jian Yi, her brow creasing, and went back to placing needles.

“Why don’t you like her? Did she mistreat you?”

Having been here for so many days, Jian Yi being a strikingly handsome man — whether he had truly been taken advantage of, Feng Jiu’er could not say for certain.

But she could tell that Zhao Xiaoxiao was not the kind of person who would exploit someone in a vulnerable moment.

“No.” Jian Yi shook his head. “It’s simply that I have no feelings for her — nothing more.”

“Whether you like her or not, she did save your life. How you intend to repay her is something you need to think over carefully yourself — I won’t get involved.” Feng Jiu’er said quietly.

“I said my life belongs to you. You are already involved by necessity.” Jian Yi only opened his eyes for a brief moment, then closed them again.

Feng Jiu’er had just taken a silver needle in hand and turned back around — and looking at Jian Yi’s face, guileless and clear as plain water, she found herself wondering if she had heard him correctly.

Their lovable champion Jian Yi, with an expression of pure, harmless innocence, had just said something thoroughly unreasonable. Was he quite all right?

Her brow furrowed lightly. Feng Jiu’er drew a slow breath and went back to placing needles.

“Very well — since you like me being involved, I’ll see it through to the end. I’ll find you someone plain-looking in the future, and let you regret turning Miss Zhao down today.”

“That won’t do.” A voice tinged with something very close to amusement rang out. “If she’s not as beautiful as you, I won’t marry her.”

“How many people have you seen who are more beautiful than me?” Feng Jiu’er swept a glance at Jian Yi, her graceful brows arching faintly.

Not that she was overly confident — but Feng Jiu’er’s face truly was beautiful, so beautiful that she had grown fond of it herself.

To find herself reborn into such a stunning woman of such exalted standing — she had no idea how many lifetimes of good deeds it must have taken.

“If I can’t find one, I won’t marry.”

Jian Yi spoke with complete sincerity, with not the slightest air of jest.

Feng Jiu’er gave him another look and turned to fetch another needle. “Then you had best prepare yourself for life as a monk.”

Jian Yi curved his lips slightly and said nothing more.

Feng Jiu’er went on placing needles, and aside from the occasional faint smile, said nothing further either.

……

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

Even Zhao Qingshan had not expected that Feng Jiu’er would truly be able to bring the man back.

At the time, if not for seeing that Jian Yi was on the verge of death, no amount of pleading from Zhao Xiaoxiao would have made him agree to let her bring someone to recover in her own bedchamber.

Not only had a man who had seemingly been beyond saving pulled through — over the past few days he had recovered at a remarkable pace.

The very day Jian Yi woke up, before nightfall, Zhao Yusheng had arranged separate lodgings for him.

Feng Jiu’er and Xiao Yingtao moved into two separate rooms within the same wing as Jian Yi, making it easier to look after him.

Over those three days, Zhao Xiaoxiao had been perpetually busy — anything that had to do with Jian Yi, she wanted to handle herself.

But with Feng Jiu’er and Xiao Yingtao there, there was not much she could actually help with.

That evening, under Zhao Xiaoxiao’s persistent coaxing, Zhao Yusheng brought her in to share a meal with Jian Yi, Feng Jiu’er, and Xiao Yingtao for the first time.

Knowing that tonight she would be dining with the handsome man she had brought back — and who was now very much alive — Zhao Xiaoxiao had taken special care with her appearance.

It was a cold winter night, and the evening meal had been arranged in the side chamber.

Zhao Xiaoxiao wore her favorite outfit, and had her maidservant braid her hair into small plaits — she looked even more lively and spirited than usual.

Jian Yi, with no particular interest in his own appearance, had thrown on a plain white robe — yet it was enough to make the heart of anyone who saw him skip a beat.

Of course, those whose hearts skipped a beat did not include Feng Jiu’er or Xiao Yingtao.

“Feng Jiu’er.” The moment she came through the door, Zhao Xiaoxiao’s eyes were drawn to Jian Yi — and to avoid the awkwardness of staring, she forced herself to glance at Feng Jiu’er.

“Xiaoxiao, you’re here.” Feng Jiu’er, who had been sitting beside Jian Yi, stood up.

After several days in each other’s company, they were not exactly close — but they had become considerably more at ease with one another.

“Yes.” Zhao Xiaoxiao smiled and nodded, then glanced at Xiao Yingtao as well. “Xiao Yingtao, I’m here.”

Xiao Yingtao set down her book and stood up too.

“Xiaoxiao, is today your birthday?” She looked at the young woman before her, dressed in bright and cheerful colors, and asked with a smile.

Hearing Xiao Yingtao’s words, Zhao Xiaoxiao immediately stopped in her tracks and looked down at her own outfit.

“What — does it not look good?”

“Not at all — it looks wonderful.” Feng Jiu’er slanted a glance at Xiao Yingtao, then replied quietly to Zhao Xiaoxiao.

Xiao Yingtao raised her brows and nodded as well.

“Yes, it looks wonderful — and not just the outfit. Xiaoxiao’s whole look today is lovely, which is exactly why I assumed it might be your birthday.”

At the compliment, Zhao Xiaoxiao looked up to steal a glance at Jian Yi, her cheeks flushing faintly.

“No — my birthday hasn’t come yet.”

Feng Jiu’er stepped toward Zhao Xiaoxiao and gestured with her hand.

“The evening meal is all ready and waiting. We were only holding off for you and your brother.”

“Yes.” Zhao Xiaoxiao nodded, her gaze sweeping over to Jian Yi once more.

But Jian Yi, book in hand, seemed utterly removed from the scene unfolding around him and did not look up.

Feng Jiu’er drew her gaze away from Jian Yi and looked at Zhao Xiaoxiao with a smile.

“Xiaoxiao, please — you must be hungry too.”

“Of course.” Even without Jian Yi having properly looked at her yet, Zhao Xiaoxiao was in fine spirits.

As the three young women made their way toward the side chamber, Jian Yi finally closed his book and rose to his feet.

“Brother Zhao.” He gave Zhao Yusheng a cupped-fist salute and stepped forward.

Zhao Yusheng met his gaze and nodded.

“You look in considerably better color again today.”

“It’s all thanks to Feng Jiu’er.” Jian Yi replied quietly.

“Indeed.” Zhao Yusheng gave a nod and walked alongside him toward the side chamber.

But just then, the guard stationed outside came hurrying in.

“Young Master.” The brother called out in a low voice, then stepped back and bowed respectfully. “The Old Master and the Madam are here — and in good health!”

As Zhao Yusheng turned around, he saw his own parents stride in.

“We heard that Feng Jiu’er and her companions are leaving tomorrow, so your father and I made a special trip over. We’re not intruding, are we?” Madam Zhao asked gently.

Hearing that something was happening outside, Feng Jiu’er turned and came back. She arrived at Jian Yi’s side, and together they looked at the Old Master and Madam who had entered.

“Old Master — Madam!” they greeted.

“Feng Jiu’er has done us a great kindness. There’s no need to stand on ceremony.” Madam Zhao looked at Feng Jiu’er and smiled warmly.

“We hope we haven’t presumed too much in coming without notice — might we be imposing?”

“Not at all.” Feng Jiu’er curved her lips lightly and shook her head. “It is we who have been imposing on the Old Master and Madam all this time.”

“If the Old Master and Madam have not yet dined, shall we all share a simple meal together this evening?”

Her gaze settled on Zhao Qingshan, and she kept her smile in place. “These past days, we have caused quite a disruption. We are truly sorry for that!”

“Feng Jiu’er, please don’t say such a thing.” Madam Zhao gave Zhao Qingshan a gentle tug at his sleeve.

Zhao Qingshan gave a light cough and said mildly, “Have the meal prepared. My wife and I will stay to dine.”

Thanks to Feng Jiu’er’s treatments and therapeutic massage, Madam Zhao no longer suffered from breathlessness, and her complexion grew rosier with each passing day.

Perhaps that was precisely why Zhao Qingshan was willing to come — and even willing to stay for the meal.