A husband found in the village? I bought a regent for a penny!

"That's too late."

The old doctor stared at Gu Xixi with his empty eyes, "Adding the last rare ingredient requires readjusting the entire prescription's proportions, plus the processing time."

"You only have one chance at most."

He handed over a prescription slip with only three words on it.

"Firefly Flower?" Gu Xixi asked in confusion, "How come I've never heard of this medicinal herb before?"

The old doctor said, "Don't even mention you, I've only ever seen a description of this flower in my master's notes in my entire life."

In addition to the name, the medicine label also included a hand-drawn illustration of the plant.

It's clear that the old doctor had made preparations long ago.

The old doctor said gravely, "I've been hesitant about whether or not to tell you."

"Firstly, this flower is rare and hard to come by."

"Secondly, the Firefly Bone Flower was just the most promising option I had to choose from among the last few options due to the urgency of the situation. Even if you are lucky enough to find it, you may not succeed."

He sighed heavily. "I don't know whether it's better for you to give up hope from the beginning, or to cling to a vague hope that will ultimately lead to disappointment."

Gu Xixi folded the medicine slip and carefully put it into her sleeve. "Thank you for informing me, Master."

"I prefer to take the initiative and fight until the very last moment rather than sit and wait for death."

She paused, then smiled broadly, "I only ask that I have no regrets."

That same day, Gu Xixi went to Qingtian County and sent two letters, one to Yunling County and the other to the Northwest Army Camp.

She also visited every pharmacy in Qingtian County, and finally went to find Madam Meng.

Madam Meng did not ask Gu Xixi what she intended to do with the medicine, but directly agreed to use her connections to help keep an eye out.

"Don't worry, as soon as I get any news, I'll immediately send a servant to your home to inform you."

Gu Xixi sincerely cupped her hands in thanks, "Thank you."

"However, please keep this a secret, Sister Meng, and don't let anyone know that I'm the one looking for medicine."

Having been ambushed and killed by the previous magistrate, Mu Nanzhao had already been suspected by others.

Gu Xixi and Mu Nanzhao were already bound together.

If someone with malicious intent deduces from her purchase of medicinal herbs that someone has been poisoned, or even what kind of poison it is, then Mu Nanzhao's true identity will no longer be able to be concealed.

Madam Meng nodded and said seriously, "Don't worry."

After dinner, Gu Xixi, as usual, stayed in her room and busied herself for a while.

When she stopped and reached for water, she found the kettle was empty, so she got up and walked outside.

Just then, Mu Nanzhao also came out carrying a kettle, and the two met at the kitchen door.

Gu Xixi asked with a smile, "Why aren't you asleep yet? It's so late."

Mu Nanzhao smiled slightly, "You weren't asleep either, were you?"

The two entered the kitchen one after the other. The fire had already gone out, but there was a pot of water on the small stove that Aunt Zhang had boiled before going to bed, and it was still warm.

Gu Xixi picked up the jar, poured the water into Mu Nanzhao's kettle first, and then filled it up for herself.

"Drink less so late, or you'll wake up frequently at night and it will affect your sleep."

"Frequent nighttime awakenings?" Mu Nanzhao's face was full of disdain.

"I have never experienced anything like this since I can remember."

Gu Xixi turned around and glared at him speechlessly.

Why does getting up at night automatically bring up issues of male dignity?

It was too cold, and she was about to leave with her water bottle when Mu Nanzhao suddenly blurted out, "I want to eat roasted buns."

Gu Xixi looked at him as if she didn't recognize him, "It's almost midnight now."

"How can you say such a thing so matter-of-factly?"

Mu Nanzhao said calmly, "I'm hungry."

Gu Xixi nodded. Very good, even more confident than before.

After a short while, the small stove was relit.

Gu Xixi and Mu Nanzhao each sat on a small stool next to them.

Two white steamed buns were baked on the edge of the oven.

Gu Xixi muttered softly, "Getting a year older for the New Year, why are you becoming more willful?"

Mu Nanzhao held a piece of paper between his fingers and handed it to Gu Xixi without even looking at it.

"You promised to do something for me, so this baked bun will be a way of fulfilling that promise."

Gu Xixi was startled, and her heart sank suddenly.

He knew his time was running out, so he redeemed the code early?

Thinking of this, Gu Xixi felt a sudden lump in her throat.

She forcefully pushed Mu Nanzhao's hand back, "The opportunity to ask me to help you is precious, don't waste it on such trivial matters!"

Gu Xixi had already discussed with the old doctor that since Mu Nanzhao had chosen to conceal his illness, Gu Xixi would not expose him.

To avoid arousing Mu Nanzhao's suspicion, Gu Xixi quickly stood up and went to the cupboard to find some side dishes to eat with her meal.

"Stir-fried dried radish and soybean and minced meat sauce are both good to eat with steamed buns."

Mu Nanzhao waved the note in his hand and asked, "Are you sure you don't want it?"

"What if one day I ask you to give me a large sum of money?"

Gu Xixi replied, "That depends on how much you need. We'll see."

Mu Nanzhao smiled and said, "What if someone steals this note? Would you help them out this time?"

Gu Xixi scoffed, "Am I that kind of pedantic person?"

"He can steal, but I can also refuse to comply."

Break the baked bun in half, spread it with diced meat sauce, and take a bite. It's crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, with a savory and tempting flavor.

Then, the crunchy dried radish added to the texture, and the two of them finished eating in no time.

Gu Xixi wiped her hands, took out a safety buckle, and handed it to Mu Nanzhao.

"I appreciate your kind words, but they're useless. I'll return the item to its rightful owner."

Mu Nanzhao did not refuse.

Their fingers accidentally touched, and Gu Xixi felt that his hand was colder than before.

This was also one of the signs of his deteriorating health.

She suppressed her sadness and said with a smile, "In a few days, the permafrost will begin to thaw, and I will go to help the Northwest Army reclaim wasteland."

Mu Nanzhao asked in surprise, "So early?"

Gu Xixi nodded, "Although it's still early before planting."

"But so much land needs to be reclaimed, divided, and some of it needs to be improved with fertilizer and water."

"I have to go and see for them and make the arrangements."

In addition, we also need to look for the Firefly Bone Flower.

It is said that the Firefly Flower only grows in the harsh, cold season of Northwest China.

Besides casting a wide net to find medicine merchants and inquiring with merchants in the Western Regions, there are two other options.

Searching for traces in the northwestern wilderness is the last resort.

"I'll go with you." Mu Nanzhao regretted saying it as soon as it left his mouth.

Gu Xixi has her own future to pursue, while he is now in a crippled state and could die at any moment.

What is there for him to be reluctant about? Why must he go with her?

Mu Nanzhao silently gazed at the fire in the stove.

The firelight flickered on his face, and Gu Xixi could see a sense of brokenness in it.

"Okay."

She laughed and patted him on the shoulder. "I know you. You're probably just using me as an excuse to find the General and your good brother General Meng again."

Mu Nanzhao met her gaze, a faint smile playing on his lips. "You guessed right."

Indeed, his schemes have never ceased to this day.

But is it too late?

He once vowed that as long as he lived, he would never give up.

But at this moment, looking at Gu Xixi's smiling face, he had for the first time the thought of "whether it was worth it".