When Jian Yi woke, he found himself lying on a bed inside a military tent.

All around, it was quiet.

“Jiu’er.” Jian Yi spoke in a hoarse voice.

Feng Jiu’er, who had just stood up, turned and sat back down.

“You’re awake.” She picked up his hand, unable to hide the joy in her eyes.

“How long was I out?” Jian Yi propped himself up on his arms and sat up.

Feng Jiu’er said nothing, silently taking his pulse before letting go of his hand.

“Five days.”

Jian Yi looked around and asked, “Where are we?”

Feng Jiu’er turned, poured a cup of water, and brought it back.

“Wait a moment — I’ll bring you something to eat. Drink some water first.”

Jian Yi caught hold of Feng Jiu’er’s hand, brows knitting. “The war has started, hasn’t it?”

“Mm.” Feng Jiu’er knew there was no hiding it from him, and nodded. “Drink up.”

Jian Yi took the cup and drank the warm water in one go.

“I’m sorry! I made you worry.”

His voice was very quiet, but Feng Jiu’er still heard it.

She had already started walking outside; she paused but didn’t turn back.

“If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have had to suffer like this. We’re family — let’s not talk like outsiders from now on!”

Feng Jiu’er lifted the tent flap and walked out.

Jian Yi rubbed his brow, got out of bed, and pulled on his boots.

He walked to the window and looked outside.

Outside, everything was full of life, lush and green.

There were trees, grass, flowers, and not far off, two or three more tents.

When Feng Jiu’er came back in, Jian Yi was standing straight by the windowsill, hands clasped behind his back.

A light breeze blew in, stirring his dark hair and the hem of his robe.

His handsome profile carried a faint, tempting beauty.

His white robe fluttered gently in the wind, making him look like an immortal fallen from the heavens.

“Have some porridge, immortal brother.”

Feng Jiu’er teased him as she came to the low table and set down the tray.

Jian Yi turned, pulled out a chair, and sat.

“Go on and see to your work — I won’t be leaving.”

Because of him, she had already lost so much time; he felt he owed her for it.

“Being this obedient, really?” Feng Jiu’er sat down, resting her chin on her hands.

Jian Yi glanced up and said quietly, “Rest for half a day before you go.”

Feng Jiu’er shook her head and reached back to rub her shoulder.

“I’m about to atrophy from all this lying around — it’s time I got out and moved my muscles a bit.”

“Go do what needs doing. I’ll try not to hold you back.”

Jian Yi waved a hand, lowered his head, and drank his porridge.

Feng Jiu’er stood and stretched.

“Looks like you’ve recovered well — you’re even talking like a normal person again.”

“All right, I’m off. Nothing much else to say — don’t go anywhere. Once I’ve killed her, I’ll come back and find you.”

Feng Jiu’er said it lightly, but the exhaustion between her brows couldn’t be hidden.

“Mm, go on.” Jian Yi finished off a bowl of porridge and picked up the long spoon.

“Good! See you later!” Feng Jiu’er waved and left.

When Jian Yi looked up, she was already out of sight.

But he remembered clearly how, day and night without rest or fatigue, she had looked after him and tended to his treatment.

The moment Feng Jiu’er left the tent, her pace quickened considerably.

It had already been three full days since the fighting had broken out, and she had no idea how things currently stood.

She leapt onto a white horse and rode off.

The two women who had readied everything only caught sight of the dust rising in the distance by the time they came out to follow.

They didn’t dare delay either, mounting up and riding after her.

Feng Jiu’er rode west the whole way — that was the region under her charge.

The one currently in charge of the western battlefront was Zhao Yusheng.

In under two hours, she arrived at the war camp and, led by her fellow soldiers, walked into the command tent.

“Zhao Yusheng, how are things?”