Chapter 39

The four of them ate and chatted in a relaxed and cheerful atmosphere. Although Duan Yue was usually stern with his soldiers, he was particularly fond of Jiang Ye. From time to time, he would tease the boy, provoking Jiang Ye to get angry and wrestle with him. This gave Jiang Bai a clear picture of how Duan Yue managed her younger brother.

Duan Jing watched both sides carefully, wanting Duan Yue to stop and avoid playing such rough games with a child in front of his family sister, while simultaneously feeling an urge to cover Jiang Bai's eyes and convince her that everything was just an illusion. In the end, he decided to just keep eating, telling himself that what the eye doesn't see, the heart doesn't grieve over.

After the meal, Jiang Ye pulled Duan Yue, Duan Jing, and Jiang Bai out into the courtyard to admire the moon. High up in the dark night sky hung a bright moon, casting a clear, cold moonlight over the four figures and tracing them with a faint silver glow.

"Look, a shooting star!" Jiang Ye exclaimed, spotting a meteor streak across the sky and pointing for everyone to see.

"So many meteors," Duan Jing muttered, instinctively wanting to find someone to divine whether this portended good or ill fortune.

"Quick, make a wish!" Jiang Ye remembered his sister telling him that making a wish upon a shooting star makes it more likely to come true.

"Huh?" Duan Yue and Duan Jing both looked momentarily stunned.

"Hurry up, brothers, or the shooting star will pass by!" Jiang Ye urged, unwilling to let such a rare opportunity slip past the two Duan brothers.

Without further ado, the two men followed Jiang Ye's example, closing their eyes and pressing their hands together to make a wish.

"Xingzhi, why make a wish upon a shooting star?" Duan Yue asked out of curiosity once the wishes were made.

"My sister told me that making a wish upon a shooting star at night will make it come true," Jiang Ye replied. Surprised that Duan Yue and the others were unaware of this lore, he patiently explained the concept to them in detail.

Duan Yue and Duan Jing did not think much of it, assuming it was simply one of Jiang Bai's playful tricks to amuse children. "So, what did Xingzhi wish for?"

"I hope to go back to school as soon as possible." Jiang Ye had not attended the academy for three months. Although he had been happy to spend so much time clinging to his sister during this period, he deeply longed to return to his studies.

Both Duan Jing and Duan Yue fell silent. The fact that Jiang Ye was unable to study was directly tied to them.

After a brief silence, a thoughtful gleam flashed in Duan Jing's eyes, and he spoke up, "Jiang Bai, I have a proposal. I wonder what you think of it."

Jiang Bai was momentarily startled, sensing that the matter undoubtedly concerned Jiang Ye. "Please go ahead, Military Advisor."

Duan Jing adopted a serious expression. "We have several advisors among us who are exceptionally well-read; one of them is even a renowned scholar from the capital. Winter is fast approaching, and once winter sets in, neither the army nor these scholars will have many pressing duties. If Doctor Jiang does not mind, Jiang Ye could study under their tutelage."

Hearing this, a flash of pleasant surprise lit up Jiang Bai's eyes, though it was quickly followed by a hint of hesitation. "This... would that not be imposing too much upon them?"

Duan Yue heartily agreed with Duan Jing's suggestion and waved a hand dismissively. "It is no trouble at all. Doctor Jiang possesses supreme medical skills and has saved the lives of our soldiers on numerous occasions; you rightfully deserve special treatment. However, the army is indeed impoverished and unable to accord you special privileges, which has wronged you instead. Being able to solve this problem for Doctor Jiang today is something I am only too glad to do."

"Indeed," Duan Jing continued. "Aside from anything else, given that all three of us brothers have been saved by you, I would personally love to teach Xingzhi myself. It is simply that I lack the aptitude for teaching and cannot instruct him personally, so having him study under our advisors is the least we can do to help out. I ask that Doctor Jiang please not refuse."

Even Duan Yue cast a sidelong glance at Duan Jing upon hearing these words. When had this younger brother of his ever spoken with such honeyed persuasion? Today was truly an eye-opener.

Hearing the brothers' words, Jiang Bai felt a mixture of gratitude and unease. She was well aware that Duan Jing had been looking for a way to repay her due to her personal care for him, while Duan Yue's generous nature meant he paid little heed to such matters and would naturally consent. Yet, arranging for Jiang Ye's education was ultimately a major decision. After pondering for a moment, she said slowly, "I am deeply grateful for the immense kindness of the General and the Military Advisor. However, Xingzhi is still young and somewhat mischievous; I am afraid he will only cause you trouble."

Duan Yue laughed heartily. "Doctor Jiang need not worry. Those advisors of ours are thoroughly idle and are fretting precisely because they have no one to entertain them. Xingzhi is a charming and clever child; sending him over will give them something to teach and keep them occupied."

Seeing that both Duan Yue and Duan Jing remained firm, Jiang Bai's lingering concerns gradually melted away. She nodded and said solemnly, "Since the General and the Military Advisor are so gracious, Jiang Bai would be ungrateful to refuse. However, should Xingzhi behave foolishly or lack understanding in any way, I ask that everyone please bear with him."

Duan Yue waved his hand and smiled, "Rest assured, Doctor Jiang. They all know Xingzhi is your brother, so naturally they will take good care of him. Besides, I will keep an eye on the boy myself to ensure he suffers no grievances whatsoever."

***

Jiang Bai felt greatly reassured upon hearing this and hurriedly rose to make a deep bow to Duan Yue and Duan Jing. "Thank you, General!"

Duan Jing quickly stepped forward to help Jiang Bai up. "Doctor Jiang need not be so formal. Between us, such empty courtesies are unnecessary."

After sitting a while longer, Duan Yue and Duan Jing rose to take their leave. Before departing, Duan Jing instructed Jiang Bai, "Tomorrow at dawn, I will send someone to escort Xingzhi. You need not worry, Doctor Jiang; I will arrange everything properly on my end."

Jiang Bai did not immediately go back inside. She stood outside the doorway, watching Duan Yue and Duan Jing's receding figures, her heart a tangled web of complex emotions. With a soft sigh, she and Jiang Ye retreated to their respective rooms.

She had never expected Duan Jing and her companions to help arrange for advisors to tutor Jiang Ye. To be honest, because of these recent accidents, she had originally intended to wait until winter passed before taking Jiang Ye and leaving this army behind. She could not tell whether the military forces were simply too weak or whether her and her brother's horoscopes clashed with theirs, but accidents had occurred with alarming frequency ever since they arrived.

No, she could not make the decision of whether to leave entirely on her own. Jiang Bai walked over to find Jiang Ye. When she entered, Jiang Ye was sitting on the edge of the bed, holding the book she had given him. Seeing her come in, he looked up and said, "Sister, you're here."

Jiang Bai acknowledged him with a hum, walked over to sit beside him, and let her gaze fall upon the jade pendant at his waist. "What are you reading?"

"The book you gave me," Jiang Ye replied, casting her a puzzled look before closing the volume and setting it gently aside. "Sister, you look like you have something on your mind."

Jiang Bai smoothed down his hair without a word. Watching her expression, Jiang Ye understood that she was deep in thought. Remaining silent, he propped his head up to let her stroke his hair, hoping to help his sister clear her thoughts.

"Xingzhi, do you want to stay here?" Jiang Bai asked.

Her hand was a bit heavy today, and the top of his head ached slightly. Jiang Ye gently lifted Jiang Bai's hand away from his hair and said softly, "Why does Sister ask this? Has something happened?"

Jiang Bai did not answer his question directly. "Sister is asking Xingzhi. I want to know what is in your heart."

Jiang Ye nodded. "Xingzhi rather likes it here. Brother Duan is good, and Brother Duan Jing is also good. Moreover, it is very likely they are our relatives! Sister, I asked around; one of their family's collateral branches did indeed move away years ago, and our family is very likely descended from that branch."

"So Xingzhi wants to stay?" Jiang Bai felt even more conflicted.

"Not necessarily. If Sister no longer wishes to stay here, then we will leave." Jiang Ye was not about to let some illusory kinship interfere with Jiang Bai's decision. For him, wherever his sister was, that was home.

Hearing this brought Jiang Bai a great deal of comfort, though the furrow between her brows did not disperse. She gently patted the back of Jiang Ye's hand and murmured, "Xingzhi, Sister is unsure whether we should remain. Ever since I arrived, mishaps have plagued this place—Brother Duan Jing was injured, the grain supplies were burned, and Colonel Duan fell unconscious. I can't help wondering if we are bringing bad luck to this place."

Jiang Ye shook his head, a trace of disagreement flashing in his eyes. "What is Sister talking about? What bad luck or curses? If things keep going wrong here, it is far more accurate to say it's simply because the army was just recently established. This military force is far too young—so young that before they attacked our city, absolutely no one had ever heard of the Red-Eyed Army. Because it is so new, problems are bound to arise."

"Then tell me, would it be better for us to leave? This place is not entirely secure," Jiang Bai conceded, agreeing with his assessment. The reason she had been willing to join this army in the first place was that they had refrained from looting or slaughtering the city upon entry, leading her to mistakenly believe their military discipline was strict. Furthermore, Ping City was bound to fall into their hands; rather than dragging Jiang Ye away to wander and figure out how to survive elsewhere, it was better to lean against a tall tree for shade.

"It is indeed not entirely secure. But if we leave, where could we possibly go now? The outside world is in utter chaos; for the two of us, finding a safe haven would likely be even harder." Confusion clouded Jiang Ye's eyes. Although he was exceptionally intelligent and possessed his own insights on many matters, he was still a ten-year-old child after all, and when faced with uncertainty, panic would inevitably well up inside him.

Seeing his expression, Jiang Bai felt a pang of heartache. This army was weak, yet for the present, they had no choice but to rely on it. However, if another person akin to Jiang Hui were to appear, Duan Yue and Duan Jing might not necessarily be able to handle them. She worried whether an even stronger force might arrive, and whether this city would once again face devastation.

Jiang Bai fell silent for a moment, her gaze drifting toward the night scenery outside the window as a myriad of thoughts churned within her. She knew all too well how harsh the outside world was, but staying here did not seem like a long-term solution either. Unless this army underwent a complete reformation, it would eventually march toward its own destruction.

Still, she did not need to dwell on these worries for the next few months. She tried her best to comfort Jiang Ye. "Xingzhi, Sister is also pondering this question. Perhaps we can wait a little longer and see if things improve. If it truly proves unfeasible, we will make other plans then."

Jiang Ye nodded and squeezed Jiang Bai's hand tightly. "Sister, whatever decision you make, Xingzhi will support you."

Looking at her younger brother, who always stood by her, Jiang Bai felt her mood settle considerably. "Very well. Once Sister makes up her mind, I will tell Xingzhi right away."

***

Jiang Ye grabbed Jiang Bai's hand and began acting coquettishly, unwilling to let go. "Sister, I am growing up. In the future, you can discuss anything directly with me."

"Alright, from now on our household will let Xingzhi call the shots, how about that?" Jiang Bai tapped him lightly on the nose.

"Xingzhi and Sister will decide together." Jiang Ye flashed the smile Jiang Bai loved best—sweet and obedient.

Early the next morning, Duan Jing sent someone to fetch Jiang Ye. Jiang Bai personally escorted him to the doorway, watching as he left with the messenger, her heart filled with a mixture of reluctance and anticipation.

She stood at the entrance for a long time without returning inside. Only after Jiang Ye's figure vanished from sight did she turn back indoors and set about her own tasks.

"Doctor Jiang is here. Quickly, come and check on Ziyang's injuries!" Duan Yue called out as he welcomed Jiang Bai.

When Jiang Bai stepped into the room, she saw Duan Qi—who had regained consciousness two days prior—lying on the bed. Although his complexion remained somewhat pale, his spirit was visibly much better than before. She offered a gentle greeting and walked over to the bedside, placing her fingers on Duan Qi's pulse to assess it for a moment before nodding.

"Colonel Duan's injuries are recovering nicely. His pulse is steady, and his vital energy is gradually returning," Jiang Bai said as she withdrew her hand and turned to Duan Yue. "However, having suffered severe blood loss previously, his body remains weak and still requires a period of recuperation. The medicinal decoction prescribed by Doctor Chen and myself must be continued without interruption."

Hearing this, Duan Yue let out a sigh of relief, a gratifying smile touching his face. "Many thanks, Military Doctor Jiang. If not for your timely intervention, Duan Qi might have..."

Jiang Bai waved a hand, cutting him off. "The General need not be so polite. Saving lives and healing the wounded is an apothecary's duty. Besides, Colonel Duan is young and possesses extraordinary talent; it would truly be a pity if his life were cut short here."

Duan Yue nodded, a complex glint flashing in his eyes. He glanced between Duan Qi lying on the bed and the doorway, recalling how Duan Jing had immediately slipped away the moment he heard Jiang Bai was arriving. He seemed to have something on the tip of his tongue, but ultimately swallowed his words.

Sensing Duan Yue's hesitation, Jiang Bai felt a slight stir of curiosity, though she chose not to probe. This kind of dynamic had started ever since she began personally tending to Duan Jing; luckily, she was not the excessively curious sort, or else she would have tried to get to the bottom of it long ago.

Paying it no mind, Jiang Bai turned and retrieved several packets of medicine from her medical box, handing them to Duan Yue. "These are freshly prepared medicines. Take them three times a day after meals. Furthermore, Colonel Duan's wounds still require regular dressing changes. I will come by every three days."

Accepting the medicine, Duan Yue nodded solemnly. "I leave it in your capable hands, Doctor Jiang."

"Where is the Military Advisor? Why haven't I seen him?" Jiang Bai asked, finding it somewhat odd that he was out so early.

"Ah, the army has some rather urgent matters to attend to," Duan Yue replied vaguely, at a loss for how to explain the truth.

"This is an ointment prepared specifically for the Military Advisor. Have him dissolve it in boiled water every morning on an empty stomach and drink it," Jiang Bai said, extracting a jar of ointment from her kit. Ever since she had foraged suitable medicinal herbs from the mountains last time, she had concocted this body-nourishing ointment for him to drink, determined to nurse Duan Jing back to health until he was plump and ruddy.

"Understood, I will instruct Zhongxuan to take it." Duan Yue accepted the precious Jiang Bai-handcrafted medicinal ointment.

Without lingering further, Jiang Bai departed to discuss medical techniques with Chen Chen.

"Brother, is there something wrong with this Doctor Jiang?" Duan Qi asked, watching Duan Yue with a puzzled expression as he struggled to prop his upper body up, seemingly intent on sitting.

Duan Yue strode forward quickly and gently pressed down on his shoulders. "Why are you being so reckless? You have such severe injuries on your body, what are you trying to sit up for?"

"It doesn't hurt," Duan Qi said. To be honest, he found it quite strange that wounds this severe lacked any major pain.