“Jiu’er, everything’s ready.”

Xiao Yingtao stepped forward, glanced at Jian Yi, then looked back to Feng Jiu’er.

“Jiu’er, Jian Yi will wake up. Chen Hong is dead — at least Jian Yi is still alive. As long as he’s alive, there’s a chance.”

“Go eat something first. Don’t wear yourself out.”

“In a moment.”

Feng Jiu’er picked up a silver needle, glancing at the open medical text.

“Ninth Imperial Uncle, please eat first.”

Feng Jiu’er still didn’t turn around, holding the needle as she searched for acupoints on Jian Yi’s body.

Aside from being a bit pale, her eyes remained bright, showing no sign of exhaustion.

Di Wu Ya hadn’t left since he’d walked in that day.

He too had expended a great deal of true qi for Jian Yi’s sake.

Yu Jingfeng had brought in Di Wu Ya’s documents and letters, so that whenever Feng Jiu’er had no need of him, he could handle matters in the meantime.

Across a full ten hours, Feng Jiu’er had been the busiest of all.

She hadn’t let anyone else lay a hand on Jian Yi’s treatment, not even now.

Hearing the little girl call for him, Di Wu Ya slowly opened his eyes.

He stood, went to wash his hands in the basin, and stepped over to stand behind Feng Jiu’er.

“Girl, let’s eat together.”

Di Wu Ya’s calm voice fell over the top of Feng Jiu’er’s head.

“Almost done!”

Feng Jiu’er inserted a needle into Jian Yi.

She wasn’t leaving, and Di Wu Ya stood his ground too, not moving.

Feng Jiu’er took Jian Yi’s pulse, and sensing the man still standing behind her, she turned to meet Di Wu Ya’s gaze.

“Ninth Imperial Uncle, go on ahead — I’ll be quick.”

“I’ll wait.”

Di Wu Ya’s tone wasn’t loud, but his words allowed no argument.

Feng Jiu’er’s crescent brows knit slightly; she said nothing more and turned to pick up her medical text.

“Jiu’er, you really should eat something first — Jian Yi would be heartbroken if he knew you were like this.”

Xiao Yingtao let out a faint sigh.

Many times, she wished she could help, but her medical skill compared to Jiu’er’s was like heaven compared to earth — she couldn’t gamble with Jian Yi’s life either.

Even if Xiao Yingtao offered to help, Feng Jiu’er wouldn’t agree.

She was determined to save Jian Yi, no matter how much it delayed her own plans — she had to pull him back from death’s grasp.

“Soon — just half a stick of incense more.”

Feng Jiu’er continued the acupuncture on Jian Yi.

Xiao Yingtao sighed faintly again and turned to look at Di Wu Ya.

“My lord, why don’t you eat first? The morning meal was prepared for you and Jiu’er.”

“I’ll wait another half stick of incense.”

Di Wu Ya replied softly.

“Mm.”

Xiao Yingtao nodded and turned to head outside.

“The bath water is all ready. Let it cool another half hour and it should be about right. When the time comes, I’ll come in and let you know.”

Xiao Yingtao’s eyes grew a little moist — she could see that there hadn’t been much change in Jian Yi’s condition.

If he stayed this weak much longer, the consequences would be unthinkable.

Xiao Yingtao walked a little further, then stopped and turned to look at the people by the bed.

“Zhao Yusheng sent word back — the amount of sulfur is even greater than he expected. He and the brothers are still digging.”

“They estimate at least half of what Tianya Peak had, maybe more.”

“Also, everything for the westward journey this afternoon is ready — should we delay the departure, or send part of the group ahead first?”

Just now, seeing Jian Yi like this, Xiao Yingtao’s chest had grown tight, and she’d nearly forgotten these important matters.

“Jiu’er.”

She called out again, “Word came back from Li City — the herb cultivation was a great success.”

“The brother in charge said it should take about a month before enough herbs are gathered.”

“They’ll be sent over in batches. However much arrives, we’ll make that much antidote. Barring any accidents, there should be enough time.”

Feng Jiu’er said nothing, whether because her hands were occupied or because she hadn’t yet thought of a strategy.

Xiao Yingtao fell quiet, standing off to the side, waiting patiently.

After a while, Feng Jiu’er closed up her needle case and turned around.

She looked at Di Wu Ya, then at Xiao Yingtao, and said, “I need to wait for Jian Yi to wake up. Xiao Yingtao, you stay behind.”

“Ninth Imperial Uncle.”

She raised her eyes to Di Wu Ya. “I must save Jian Yi. You go ahead and lead the army westward — is that alright?”

“Mm.”

Di Wu Ya nodded slightly, his long arm reaching out to wrap around Feng Jiu’er’s waist.

“Eat!”

He tossed out the single word and pulled the girl in his arms forward.

Feng Jiu’er was grateful for his understanding; she pressed her lips together lightly and looked toward Xiao Yingtao.

“Xiao Yingtao, tell everyone the departure time doesn’t change. Let Yu Jingfeng handle the arrangements.”

“Alright.”

Xiao Yingtao nodded. “Jiu’er, eat slowly — I’ll take care of things.”

“Mm.”

Feng Jiu’er responded softly.

Everything proceeded as originally planned, and Di Wu Ya truly did leave, taking the army with him.

Before he left, he and Feng Jiu’er worked together once more to channel healing energy into Jian Yi.

By the second night, there was finally a slight improvement in Jian Yi’s complexion.

But he still showed no sign at all of waking.

Feng Jiu’er worried over him so much that she moved into his chamber to stay.

In the blink of an eye, three days passed, and Xiao Yingtao received the herbs sent over from Li City.

The people of Tianji Hall immediately began preparing the antidote.

With tens of thousands of soldiers’ lives hanging in the balance, no one dared to be careless.

Zhao Yusheng stayed behind, mainly to oversee the sulfur mining.

Early on the seventh day, Feng Jiu’er, still asleep, felt some stirring beside her.

She seemed to sense something and abruptly opened her eyes, sitting up.

What met her gaze were a pair of eyes as clear and lovely as a spring pool. Feng Jiu’er took hold of his hand.

“Jian Yi, you’re awake?”

Feng Jiu’er had finished sorting things out the night before, sat down by the bed, and had fallen asleep sitting there.

The man merely opened his eyes and looked at her, saying nothing, without any movement at all.

Feng Jiu’er shook his hand, her brow furrowing lightly: “Jian Yi, it’s me, Jiu’er.”

Could this be a dream too?

Feng Jiu’er, thinking of the dreams she’d had these past days, withdrew one hand and pinched herself hard.

The pain cleared her head a little, and it confirmed for her that this wasn’t a dream.

Just as Feng Jiu’er came to her senses, Jian Yi reached out a hand and gently stroked the cheek she’d just pinched red.

“Jiu’er.”

The hoarse voice reached Feng Jiu’er’s ears.

Feng Jiu’er pressed her lips together, and tears instantly slid from the corners of her eyes.

She knew all too well — if Jian Yi hadn’t woken up now, he might never have woken at all.

Feng Jiu’er was so grateful that he had woken up.

Days upon days of exhaustion and fear had kept Feng Jiu’er’s nerves stretched taut.

Jian Yi’s single word, “Jiu’er,” passed through her ears, into her blood, spreading through every limb.

He was awake — there was hope, real hope now.

Feng Jiu’er bit down hard on her lip, trying not to cry out loud, but in the end she collapsed forward, weeping silently.

The heavy stone in her heart finally settled, and all her strength seemed to drain away at once.

Jian Yi was still here — they could still do so many, many things together in the future.

Thankfully, he’d come back! “Jiu’er.”

Jian Yi watched the woman lost in anguish and pushed himself up slightly, gently stroking her head.

“What’s wrong?

Don’t cry! I’m… fine now.”