The mountaintop.
Tuoba Yan pointed to the sky, "When it gets dark, I'm going home. You just watch the sky here then, you've definitely never seen anything like it."
"Seen what?" A Jiu sat on a rock, took out her water pouch, and handed it to Tuoba Yan.
Tuoba Yan took a small sip and returned it to A Jiu, "You'll know when the time comes."
"Boom!"
A muffled thunderous sound came from afar. A Jiu quickly stood up and looked towards the source of the sound.
It was too far away to see anything but a column of thick smoke rising, instantly filling the air with the scent of burning oil.
Tuoba Yan instinctively squeezed Jiu'er’s shoulder, "Don't worry, Nanming City will definitely hold."
A Jiu froze for a few seconds, her mind filled with images of displaced refugees and their journey so far.
"I hope so," A Jiu murmured, turning to go down the mountain, "I just remembered something important."
Tuoba Yan watched her small figure bobbing up and down on the mountain path.
This was A Jiu's first time at the military doctor's tent. Although she was a citizen under King Qiming's jurisdiction, she decided to be a traitor this time.
"Doctor Meng, what can I do for you?"
Meng Hao stepped forward to salute.
"Military Doctor Meng, I'm going to tell you a prescription, and you must remember it well."
A Jiu knew that the illness was caused by deliberate harm. If it could be cured, it would add another wall of protection for the people of Nanming City.
Meng Hao quickly led A Jiu to a secluded spot, "Miss Meng, please tell me, I will definitely remember it."
She explained the dosage of snake venom according to the severity of the patients' conditions and also taught Meng Hao the technique of auricular acupuncture.
"Auricular acupuncture? Yesterday, when I saw you giving acupuncture in the cave, I felt it was novel," Meng Hao excitedly took out a medical book from his robe and found a blank space to jot down notes.
"For the water, you need to prepare a water缸. This water cannot be casually drunk; it is for treating illnesses and saving lives."
"Okay, I've noted it down."
After A Jiu had delivered all the spiritual spring water and poured it into the water缸, she called Meng Hao over and gestured for him to keep it a secret. "This is an important substance for strengthening the body after treatment, and it's different from ordinary water." A Jiu thought for a moment to emphasize its preciousness and the need to avoid wasting it, "It's all distilled by me using the finest century-old lingzhi and ginseng."
"Ah... This... so precious." Indeed, Meng Hao was dumbfounded.
Meng Hao rubbed his hands and smacked his lips, circling the water缸 several times. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
" Fierce Female Doctor, the Prince has a reward. You will surely be satisfied with this reward this time." Eunuch Zhou arrived, his belly shaking merrily.
"It's not going to be needles again, is it?" A Jiu showed no joy.
Eunuch Zhou waved his hand, and a person behind him carried a tray covered with yellow silk. Eunuch Zhou lifted the cover.
A Jiu's mouth immediately split into a grin, her smile unrestrained, "Oh, a reward of gold! This... this is good, this is practical."
"A total of fifty taels of gold. Considering it's convenient for Doctor Meng to use, half of it is in small gold pieces, and the other half is in ingots of five taels each. Please accept it."
A Jiu quickly took it, feeling a little embarrassed, how could she be so greedy?
However, thinking of the scene of her mother's joy when she brought it back, A Jiu scratched her hand and accepted it, looking at the piles of gleaming gold, she couldn't help but lick her lips.
"Don't just be happy, quickly express your gratitude." Eunuch Zhou was beaming. Last time she refused the Ice Soul Needles, and this time he had finally completed his mission.
"Thank you, Prince, for your generous reward." A Jiu knew when to stop.
"By the way, Miss Jiu, the Prince has an oral message." Eunuch Zhou cupped his hands, "The carriage back to the city is ready. If there's any further need for Miss Jiu in the future, please come whenever summoned."
"Alright, that's no problem at all." A Jiu bit a piece of gold.
"Please, your grandmother Wang Shi, I will send someone to relay the message right away." Eunuch Zhou bowed respectfully and gestured.
A Jiu looked at the sky; it was mid-afternoon. She would only be able to get back to the city when it was dark. There was no time to waste; she had to hurry back to make her mother happy.
A Jiu got into the carriage and waited for half an incense stick's time before Wang Shi was escorted to her.
"Oh, and Eunuch Zhou, please tell that elder brother named Tuoba Yan, the one from the Inspector's office, that I have returned to the city."
A Jiu hadn't forgotten. Since he didn't want her to escort him, so be it.
Besides, the so-called grand gift was now meaningless; he wouldn't be coming back.
"All right, I'll send someone to do that." As soon as Eunuch Zhou finished speaking, he suddenly pointed at the sky in surprise, "Yo, a扫把星."