The two pairs of eyes met, and the room fell quiet for a moment before Feng Jiu’er pushed Jian Yi’s palm away once more.

“It was them — that much is true. And also the Ninth Imperial Uncle’s birth mother. She did not die — she is that disfigured nun.”

“Not only that, but the Ninth Imperial Uncle’s birth mother is also the greatest enemy of our Long family. And so…”

Feng Jiu’er pressed her lips together, stood up, and turned her back to Jian Yi.

“So he will not come back. Everything begins anew.”

She casually pulled off the robe Jian Yi had draped over her, hung it up, and took one of her own robes from nearby and put it on.

“You lie down and rest a while. I am going to see what medicinal herbs Mother has gathered — if she does not have what I need, I will have to go and look.”

“Your injuries are not serious. Do not worry.”

“Jiu’er.” Jian Yi stood and took Feng Jiu’er’s hand.

Feng Jiu’er was pulled and could only turn her head to look at him.

“What are you doing? I thought I told you not to…”

“Let me marry you — will that be all right?” Jian Yi looked at Feng Jiu’er and interrupted her gently.

Feng Jiu’er stared at his eyes and narrowed hers.

“Jian Yi — do you not have a brain?”

She tugged hard, but could not free herself from Jian Yi’s grip.

“I do. Jiu’er, I know what I am saying. I want to take care of you for the rest of my life.” Jian Yi said quietly.

“I failed to marry someone, and my heart feels a little unwell — that does not mean I have gone so mad with wanting to be married that I will accept just anyone.” Feng Jiu’er looked at Jian Yi and pressed her brow together slightly.

“Jian Yi, I know you treat me well and you want me to be happy. But I do not only find happiness through marriage.”

She lowered her head, tugged at Jian Yi’s hand again, and failing to free it, could only lift her gaze and glare at him.

“Jian Yi…”

“Jiu’er, I am serious! I have already said I like you — why can I not marry you?” Jian Yi gave Feng Jiu’er no chance to speak.

“I know I am not equal to him, but I will…”

“Stop always thinking that marrying your benefactress is how you repay her kindness!” Feng Jiu’er yanked her hand with force and broke free from Jian Yi’s hold.

She did not hurry to leave, but instead raised her gaze and looked with great seriousness at the large figure before her.

“Jian Yi, hear me out. Marriage is not a trifling matter. Do not mix it with a debt of gratitude.”

“If you were to marry me with a heart set on repaying a kindness, that would do neither you nor me any good — do you understand?”

Jian Yi looked at Feng Jiu’er steadily, his eyes full of bewilderment.

Feng Jiu’er pressed her lips lightly and continued: “Take the time when you believed Feng Qingyin was your life-saving benefactress — you had an impulse to marry her then too, didn’t you?”

Jian Yi composed himself and gave a small nod, then shook his head.

“Jiu’er, I promise you, what I felt toward Feng Qingyin at that time was truly only gratitude, nothing more…”

“Then can you be certain that what you feel toward me now is more than gratitude? Is there love? Love is not merely liking someone — have you actually sorted that out?”

Feng Jiu’er cut across Jian Yi’s words in a firm voice. She was afraid that if she did not speak plainly, this fellow would never understand.

He was a good fellow — tall, handsome, highly skilled in martial arts — but unfortunately, his head was missing a screw.

Jian Yi was caught off guard by the question, and for a moment could not find any words.

He looked at Feng Jiu’er for a long while before saying softly: “But I very much wish to remain by your side forever. Even if you do not marry me, I will not leave.”

Feng Jiu’er looked at the man who now seemed even a little careful with his words, and the corners of her mouth rose slightly.

“If you wish to stay, then stay. I cannot stop the top assassin of the Bei Mu nation from doing what he pleases anyway.”

“But you should be prepared — it is quite possible that at some point I will meet someone suitable and wish to marry. You had better be able to handle that.”

“I guarantee that no such person will ever have the chance to appear!” Jian Yi raised an eyebrow, the thin line of his lips curving upward. “By that point, you will have no choice but to marry me.”

“You have no pride at all over being chosen only by default?” Feng Jiu’er shot him a white-eyed glance and turned to head outside.

“As long as it is you, I am very proud!” Jian Yi smiled and followed.

Feng Jiu’er turned back to glare at him, wrinkling her brow: “Did I not tell you to stay in bed? Do you no longer want those two legs?”

“I do, but I said I would stand guard over you from now on. Wherever you go, I go.”

Feng Jiu’er knew it would not be easy to talk this fellow round, and could only turn and continue walking out.

“I am going to the privy. Are you following me in there too?”

“Yes.” Jian Yi nodded and followed.

Feng Jiu’er walked out with a look of exasperation, and saw Qiao Mu, Xue Gu, and Tuoba Keyan coming toward them.

Seeing the small figure emerging from the thatched cottage, the gloom that had darkened Qiao Mu’s face these past few days finally recovered a little sunlight.

“You — you wretch, you gave me a scare. Do you know that?”

Qiao Mu came up to Feng Jiu’er and gave her a shove.

Feng Jiu’er toppled like a little doll, completely unable to stand her ground, and stepped back two paces before Jian Yi caught her.

Qiao Mu immediately creased her brow and went forward to take Feng Jiu’er’s hand.

“Where are you hurt? I only assumed you were all right because your colour was good — where are you hurt?”

Feng Jiu’er looked up at the fellow who was practically about to scoop her up in his arms, and raised her eyelids with some effort.

“Of course I am hurt. How could I have been knocked off a cliff without injury? To fall from such a height and survive, and then take a palm from you on top of it…”

“Jiu’er, how are you?” Qiao Mu looked at Feng Jiu’er’s condition, deeply anxious.

“I did not put much force into it. I was just so excited to see you alive.”

While Qiao Mu made to scoop Feng Jiu’er up, Feng Jiu’er pushed at her hands and steadied herself on her feet.

“I am all right. However, since I did catch your palm, I need to rest properly. Go and help me with what I need to do.”

“What do you need? Tell me — how are you, really?” Qiao Mu frowned, unable to clearly read Feng Jiu’er’s condition.

“Very well.” Feng Jiu’er raised an eyebrow, took Qiao Mu’s hand, and walked forward a few steps.

She stopped in front of the battered old table and let go of Qiao Mu, studying the medicinal herbs on the table carefully for a moment.

“I urgently need some medicinal ingredients right now. Go and look through the forest in a while. By the way, when will Xiao Yingtao and the others arrive? I also urgently need my medicine chest.”

“I happened to forget my needle case when I was sleeping — now I have no tools to treat either Jian Yi or my mother.”

“Your mother?” Qiao Mu looked at the top of her head and pressed her brow together.

She quickly made sense of it, seized Feng Jiu’er’s arm, and turned her to face her.

Feng Jiu’er glared at her and pulled her own hand back.

“Miss Qiao, even though I am unrivaled in martial arts and sturdily built, I am still a patient — could you not be a little gentler with me?”

“I am sorry. I…” Qiao Mu pressed her brow, then suddenly grew serious. “What is your situation exactly? Are you injured anywhere?”

Qiao Mu had barely extended her hands when her expression immediately softened.

She gently took hold of Feng Jiu’er’s shoulders, her touch uncommonly tender.

“Tell me honestly — where exactly are you hurt?”