The two of them stayed at the Royal Academy for over half a month. During the day, each attended to her own duties. Qian Wanyu met with the Death Spirit Masters who had long lain low in her room at the Royal Academy's Ice Hall, while Jian Tongyao returned to the Situ Household to watch over Situ Hongying or chat with Bai Rou, who was nearing childbirth, sharing every scrap of knowledge about pregnancy she had picked up over the years.
At night, they gathered again to share the people and events they had encountered that day. Their days were busy and fulfilling.
That day, Jian Tongyao had just arrived at the Situ Household when she saw Yong Xing rush into the main hall, his face full of excitement. "He's awake! The old master is awake!"
Everyone made their way to the secret chamber. Situ Hongying sat in a bathing tub taller than a person. The cloudiness in his eyes was less pronounced than before, with a trace of clarity returning.
"Old master."
"Dean."
Jian Tongyao walked at the rear. She watched her elderly master open his mouth to say something, only to squeeze out a single word after a long struggle: "Good."
Situ Hao approached excitedly. "Old master, do you still recognize me? And Rou'er?"
Bai Rou supported her lower back, watching him from a moderate distance. "Old master, look who's come to see you."
She stepped aside to let Jian Tongyao approach.
The Chubby Old Man's eyes immediately widened at the sight of her. Veins bulged on the hands gripping the wooden tub as he tried to pull himself upright. Hoarse, rasping sounds came from his throat, and he grew terribly excited.
"Old man, I kept telling you to lose weight, but you wouldn't listen. Look at you