Perhaps the medicine administered had taken effect, as Yupi's spirits seemed significantly better upon waking. The inflammation around her wound had not recurred.
Feng Yinwan's anxious heart finally relaxed.
After several days, Yupi's wound showed signs of scabbing. Feng Yinwan replaced the dressing with a lighter gauze, nodding in satisfaction.
"Rest for a few more days, and once you've recovered, apply the Jade Muscle Dew. It will ensure no scars are left."
Yupi nodded, but hesitated before speaking.
"Miss, this servant isn't afraid of scars. That immortal medicine is already precious and hard to find..."
Upon hearing this, Feng Yinwan waved her hand. "Nothing is more precious than your health. Don't worry, there are five bottles!"
Fearing they might run out of Jade Muscle Dew, she had prepared for this in the past few days. After a thorough "beating" of her bracelet, using every trick in the book, she had finally gathered five bottles!
Five bottles should be enough.
Yupi looked astonished. "Five bottles? Miss, where did you find so much?"
She vaguely recalled that at their secret auction in Jiangzhou last time, Miss had only bought one bottle for a hundred taels of gold...
Not realizing this at all, Feng Yinwan was taken aback. Her expression flickered for a moment before she finally spoke.
"Ahem... I have a friend..."
"Friend?"
Yupi's round eyes were filled with confusion. "Miss has friends in Jinzhou?"
Feng Yinwan forced herself to continue fabricating. "Yes, we even met yesterday. It left after giving me the Jade Muscle Dew and then it left."
She was telling the truth; after the bracelet had been "forced" to dispense the Jade Muscle Dew yesterday, it hadn't bothered with her since!
Yupi was still a bit puzzled, but before she could ask further, Feng Yinwan interrupted.
"Alright, that's not important. Just use it with peace of mind. If it's not enough, I'll go get more..."
Before she could finish, her wrist suddenly tightened. Feng Yinwan gasped, faintly sensing the bracelet cursing her.
[You're acting all high and mighty, look at what you've done to me! Doesn't the bracelet feel pain! You ungrateful woman! You have no heart!]
The bracelet continued its tirade, while Yupi looked at her with concern.
"Miss, are you alright?"
Feng Yinwan gritted her teeth, putting her hand behind her back and banging it against a pillar. "I'm fine."
With a crisp "ding," the bracelet fell silent. Feng Yinwan's lips curved into a wicked smile.
Little brat, I'll knock some sense into you!
Yupi wanted to ask a few more questions, but a commotion outside drew their attention. She looked up to see Xu Yunxiao carrying several bags of items. Feng Yinwan's beautiful eyes flashed, and suddenly her wrist didn't hurt anymore.
Her happiness had returned!
"Wangfei, I passed by the East Market. There are freshly slaughtered pork ribs today, perfect for sweet and sour ribs."
It had to be said, Xu Yunxiao's care for them these past few days had been impeccable, especially when it came to food!
Yupi was injured and couldn't move much, and Feng Yinwan's culinary skills were practically nonexistent. This led to Xu Yunxiao, a mere参领 (cānlǐng - an official title), having to rush back every day to cook for them, and... he seemed to be enjoying it!
Feng Yinwan swore that she had resisted at first, but Xu Yunxiao's cooking was like a cheat code, making her shamelessness grow with every meal.
For instance, she could now skillfully hold out her bowl and wait for food.
"Brother Xu's cooking is truly exceptional. It's a shame he's not working at the Four Seas Cloud Banquet."
Xu Yunxiao, having served in the Beijing military camp, naturally knew what kind of establishment the Four Seas Cloud Banquet was. He immediately waved his hand.
"Wangfei, please don't tease me. These are just a few home-style dishes, they can't possibly grace a grand stage."
He paused, then scratched his head somewhat sheepishly. "But I won't hide it from Wangfei, I do have a dream..."
Although it was embarrassing for a man of his stature to admit he wanted to hold a ladle instead of a sword, it was undeniable that he really did!
Feng Yinwan looked at his conflicted expression and couldn't help but chuckle.
"That's easy to arrange! Based on my years of discerning taste, your cooking is definitely good enough for the Four Seas Cloud Banquet!"
"Prince Yun gifted me shares in the Four Seas Cloud Banquet, so if you want to go, it's just a matter of a word. Then Yupi and I will go..."
She stopped abruptly before she could utter the word "cheer them on." She had almost forgotten they were no longer in the capital.
The thought immediately cast a somber mood.
They had left the capital several days ago. Their departure that night was sudden, and they hadn't seen Ye Tingyun or Noble Consort Li. After the news spread, she wondered how they would react...
Xu Yunxiao hadn't asked any questions when Song Qing'an brought them, but seeing Yupi these past two days made it clear that things were not simple.
Noticing her unease, he awkwardly rubbed his nose and pushed the sweet and sour ribs towards Feng Yinwan.
"Wangfei, please eat. They won't be as delicious when they're cold."
Feng Yinwan nodded, forcing a smile. "Mm."
After lunch, someone from the military camp came to summon Xu Yunxiao away. He didn't return until the next day.
This was not Xu Yunxiao's usual behavior, and Feng Yinwan felt a growing sense of unease. She was somewhat distracted while changing Yupi's dressing.
Seeing this, Yupi spoke, "Miss, shall I accompany you to the military camp to have a look?"
Xu Yunxiao lived alone and had no servants at home. Feng Yinwan nodded but asked her to stay behind.
"I'll go myself. Your wound hasn't healed yet, you shouldn't move around too much."
Feng Yinwan only knew the general direction of the military camp. She made her way there by asking for directions. As she approached, she was stopped by the guards.
"Who goes there! Daring to trespass into the military camp!"
Feng Yinwan paused and cupped her hands. "I am looking for Cānlǐng Xu."
The guard glanced at her, his spear still lowered. "Who are you, and why are you looking for Cānlǐng Xu?"
Feng Yinwan pondered for a moment and claimed to be an old friend of Xu Yunxiao. Dressed in men's attire, her voice was clear and melodious, so the guard didn't suspect anything.
"Please wait here for a moment. I'll send someone to inform him."
A guard next to him immediately ran inside. In a short while, Xu Yunxiao emerged. From a distance, he initially didn't recognize Feng Yinwan. As she drew closer, he realized it was her and looked surprised.
"Wangfei?"
He mouthed the word and then signaled for the guards to withdraw. After they had moved away, he spoke again. "Why has Wangfei come to the military camp? Is it about Miss Yupi..."
Seeing him, Feng Yinwan was relieved and shook her head.
"You didn't return yesterday after you left. Yupi and I were worried something had happened, so we came to check."
Upon hearing this, Xu Yunxiao looked embarrassed.
"Ah, I see. This is my fault. There was something urgent in the camp last night, so I didn't return, and I forgot to inform Wangfei."
Feng Yinwan waved her hand, but before she could say "I won't disturb you," a man in military doctor's attire hurried out from a nearby tent.
"Not good, Cānlǐng Xu! General Li's condition has worsened again!"