Feng Jiang felt none of the joy of becoming a father for the first time; he didn’t even glance at the infant, his entire attention fixed on Qiao Mu.

“Qiao, the child is fine! Qiao…”

Before Qiao Mu could even get a word out, her head tilted to one side, and she fainted.

Even having lost consciousness, the corners of her mouth still carried a faint smile.

“Qiao, hold on a little longer, nothing will happen to you, don’t be afraid! Nothing will happen.”

Feng Jiang’s face had also turned pale; he didn’t hesitate for a moment to give Qiao Mu every bit of true qi he had.

If not for the boost of true qi from Jian Yi, perhaps he wouldn’t have been able to hold out this long either.

“Don’t be afraid! I’ll always be by your side, wherever you go, I’ll follow. Don’t be afraid!”

Feng Jiang pressed his face close to Qiao Mu’s, his whole body trembling.

She had fainted, her eyes closed once more.

Feng Jiu’er didn’t need to say anything—Feng Jiang already knew the situation was far from optimistic.

Cutting someone open was already a matter that endangered life, and doing so while his wife was so weak—how could Feng Jiang not be afraid?

But he trusted Feng Jiu’er, knew this was absolutely the best method available.

Feng Jiu’er was teaching the maids how to clear the infant’s nasal passages, and while keeping him warm, her hands moved through the stitching with practiced fluidity.

Only she understood clearly just how much blood Qiao Mu had lost—the bleeding had to be stopped immediately.

Stitch, stop the bleeding, bandage the wound, apply acupuncture, keep stopping the bleeding.

About half an hour later, Qiao Mu’s wound finally stopped seeping blood.

By the time Xiao Yingtao arrived, Feng Jiu’er was still applying needles to Qiao Mu.

“Jiu’er, how’s Qiao Mu doing?” She didn’t even glance at the infant, coming straight to the bedside.

Looking at Qiao Mu’s utterly colorless face, Xiao Yingtao covered her mouth, tears rolling down in large drops.

“What can I do?” She quickly composed herself.

Feng Jiu’er told her the medicinal formula and the preparation process, and Xiao Yingtao hurried off.

Outside, a good number of people had gathered; the moment Xiao Yingtao stepped out, everyone grew anxious.

“What can we do?”

“If there’s anything we can help with, just say so.”

“There are medicinal herbs here, Xiao Yingtao, see if any of these will work?”

Inside the room, Feng Jiu’er continued to work busily.

A maid carried the cleaned infant over to the bedside.

“Madam, it’s a boy, very healthy! Madam, wake up quickly, Madam, the young master is looking for his mother.”

“Put the young master beside Qiao Mu.” Feng Jiu’er glanced up. “Third Imperial Brother, don’t be afraid! Qiao Mu will definitely pull through.”

“In a quarter hour, withdraw your true qi, understand?”

Feng Jiang sat up, having no thoughts to spare for the infant. “Jiu’er, a quarter hour, is that alright?”

His face wasn’t just pale—the corners of his lips had begun to crack.

The battle within Fenglai City had continued on until now; not just Feng Jiang, but everyone’s stamina was far diminished from before.

“Xiahua, have someone prepare nourishing medicinal soup for the master and Jian Yi.” Feng Jiu’er ordered softly.

“Yes.” Xiahua bowed and hurried off.

“When I say stop, we stop. If we continue, Qiao Mu won’t be able to take it either.” Feng Jiu’er’s words were meant as a warning to Feng Jiang.

“Master, let Madam see the young master. Everyone says mother and child share a bond of the heart—Madam will surely be able to sense it,” Chunhua said in a low voice.

Feng Jiang turned to the side, and Chunhua placed the swaddled infant between him and Qiao Mu.

Though the infant was born premature, his weight fell within the normal range.

When Feng Jiu’er had carried him out earlier, she had already given him a simple examination.

Thankfully, the child was healthy and showed no signs of oxygen deprivation.

“Qiao Mu, the little one looks so much like you, so incredibly strong—wake up quickly, otherwise what will we do when he gets hungry?” Feng Jiu’er’s voice choked.

“Don’t worry about the little guy not bonding with his mother—if he dares not to be close to you, I’ll be the first one who won’t forgive him.”