“Miss Feng, would you not rest a while longer?” The fortress master set down his teacup and asked softly.

“Time does not wait, and neither does evidence — does it not?” Feng Jiu’er’s voice continued.

“Quite so, quite so.” The fortress master nodded, and also rose.

He was more anxious about this than anyone — he simply did not wish to neglect his father’s savior, that was all.

“Fortress master, I may not even be able to help. With all your many duties, there is no need for you to accompany me the whole way.”

Feng Jiu’er bowed to the fortress master with clasped hands, then shifted her gaze to the tall, dark, and stocky Captain Nanmen.

“If he does not mind, I would simply have Captain Nanmen show me the way. I only hope to contribute what little I can.”

“Whatever the outcome, the fact that we could sit down and share a meal today is a connection in itself — I hope to be of some help.”

“Miss Feng, you are far too courteous!” The fortress master looked at Feng Jiu’er with a faint smile. “Today, you saved my father — that makes you a benefactor to Jia himself.”

“Never mind that you only wish to find a stretch of mountain range within my territory. Even if you wanted a share of Nanman Fortress itself, I would gladly oblige.”

Feng Jiu’er looked at the fortress master and smiled lightly.

“Fortress master, just remember your promise — that is all I ask. Even if I leave, who knows? Perhaps someday I will return.”

“Very well.” The fortress master nodded with evident pleasure. “Then I will be here waiting for you to come back. Jia keeps his word — from now on, I will defer to you in all things.”

“Excellent.” Feng Jiu’er was in good spirits as well. She glanced at the small servant nearby. “Pour me half a cup of wine — in honor of the fortress master’s promise, I will make an exception and drink a toast with him.”

“Yes.” The small servant nodded and hurried over, exchanging Feng Jiu’er’s cup for a small wine cup and filling it halfway.

“Wonderful.” The fortress master was more than happy to oblige.

With a wave of his hand, the concubine at his side immediately half-knelt and poured his cup to the brim.

Feng Jiu’er picked up her wine cup; the fortress master picked up his as well.

“Come — to whatever partnership may one day lie ahead between us, a toast!” Feng Jiu’er raised her wine cup, her voice ringing out with vigor.

“Excellent.” The fortress master raised his cup. “I believe we will certainly have the chance to work together.”

With half a cup of wine drained, Feng Jiu’er and her companions left the main hall. Captain Nanmen took the lead to show the way.

“Miss Feng, our men are currently unsealing the stone formation at the main gate — the fortress master said this is to make it easier for your companions to come and go.”

“For what you did in saving our old fortress master, I too am deeply grateful. Please allow me to pay my respects.”

The moment he finished speaking, Captain Nanmen dropped to one knee.

After bowing his head respectfully, he rose.

“There is no need for that. It is good that the misunderstanding has been cleared up. I am a physician — even for an ordinary person, I would not stand by and let them die.”

Feng Jiu’er waved a hand, then turned to look at Long Feiyan and Zhao Yusheng.

“Zhao Yusheng, take my mother back first. You are both responsible for the safety of our brothers. I will have someone come out to update you on the situation inside.”

Zhao Yusheng nodded, and left together with Long Feiyan.

Under Captain Nanmen’s lead, Feng Jiu’er, Jian Yi, and Xiao Yingtao returned to the cave dwelling where Old Liang’s family had resided.

“Miss Feng has been authorized by the fortress master to investigate this case — please open the room.” Captain Nanmen said to the brothers standing guard at the door.

The guard on duty nodded, turned, and went over to open one of the side room doors, then went in to light several candles inside.

“Miss Feng, this is Old Liang’s room — please, be at ease.” Captain Nanmen gestured with a hand and withdrew to the doorway.

Feng Jiu’er nodded, and walked inside together with Xiao Yingtao.

Jian Yi also stepped into the room.

The room was not particularly large, but it was neat and tidy.

Feng Jiu’er walked a full circuit around the room, then made her way toward the bedside.

“Xiao Yingtao, did you find anything just now?”

“Nothing.” Xiao Yingtao, walking over, shook her head. “The servant’s account did not seem particularly suspicious — though it is also possible she is simply very well concealed.”

“The three other servants who share her room — I went there and found no one.”

“Four small rooms, four beds — all quite plain. Nothing unusual for now.”

Xiao Yingtao came to Feng Jiu’er’s side and asked quietly: “Jiu’er, do you suspect the servant did this?”

“I am not sure.” Feng Jiu’er shook her head and carefully lifted the slightly disheveled bedding.

“Everything here is far too clean — whether it has always been this way, or whether someone came through afterward, I cannot say for certain yet.”

Feng Jiu’er sifted through for a while without finding anything suspicious, then stood, turned, and looked toward Captain Nanmen, who was standing at the doorway.

“Captain Nanmen, how many households are there in this courtyard in total?”

“Miss Feng, if you do not mind, you may simply call me Nan.” Captain Nanmen gave a respectful nod. “Besides Old Liang’s family, there are two other families in this courtyard.”

“They are Elder Chen’s family and Elder Wu’s family. All three elders were meritorious contributors to the founding of Nanman Fortress, and the fortress master had them settled in the same courtyard.”

“In addition there are four small servants — specifically assigned to attend to these three households. One servant for each family, and the remaining one manages the kitchen.”

“Miss Feng, would you like me to bring them all here for questioning?”

“Not yet.” Feng Jiu’er shook her head. “Let us look at the rest of the rooms first, and then we will see. The matter in the rear hall must also be dealt with promptly.”

Feng Jiu’er was eager to determine what poison this was — and the body could not wait — but she was worried the scene might be disturbed again, so she had to come here first.

A pity — she went through several more rooms and found not a thing.

Leaving the final room, Feng Jiu’er turned to look at Captain Nanmen, who had been following close behind.

“Is there one kitchen shared by the whole courtyard?”

“Yes.” Captain Nanmen nodded. “Miss Feng, would you like to visit the kitchen?”

Feng Jiu’er did not answer. Instead, she stepped into the courtyard, looked all around, and asked softly: “Where is everyone else?”

She had now entered the area twice, and besides that one servant, the only people she had seen were the brothers standing guard.

Captain Nanmen looked at her, then bowed his head respectfully once more. “To preserve the scene, from the moment the incident was discovered this morning, the fortress master had everyone removed from the area.”

“Except for the servant assigned to Old Liang’s family, everyone else has been arranged into another courtyard. The servant who remained has also been kept under watch.”

“In that case, let us go to the rear hall first.” Feng Jiu’er nodded and said softly.

“Yes, Miss Feng — please, after you.” Captain Nanmen gestured with a hand.

Feng Jiu’er turned back to look at Xiao Yingtao. “Bring the medicine chest — come with me.”

“No problem.” Xiao Yingtao nodded and fell into step.

In the rear hall, Da Liang had not left after bringing his eldest son over.

When the group arrived together, the entire courtyard was still as stone save for the occasional drifting leaf.

There is no greater sorrow in this world than for the white-haired to send away the black-haired.

Entering the hall, a bed had been placed in the center, upon which a body lay.

A man sat beside it, staring unblinking into white emptiness, like a sculpture.

Even as people entered, the man showed not the slightest reaction.