Panel 1: Thin morning light enters Madam Wei's sickroom through paper screens; she lies propped against pillows, frail face calm. Panel 2: Wei kneels beside the bed and opens the lacquered box, revealing the pale jade pill on white silk.

Panel 1: Madam Wei looks at Wei's face with complete trust, her hollow cheeks and tired eyes fully visible, one hand around the cup he offers. Panel 2: She swallows the jade pill with warm water while Wei supports the cup with both hands.

Panel 1: Color returns faintly to Madam Wei's fingertips against the quilt. Panel 2: Her wrist, thin but warmer, rests in Wei's palm. Panel 3: Her chest rises in a deeper breath than before, lifting the blanket smoothly.

Panel 1: Madam Wei's cheeks fill with gentle color; the hollows soften, and her eyes clear. Her white hair begins to darken in soft strands near the temples. Panel 2: Wei remains kneeling, hands still hovering near the cup, tears gathering

Panel 1: By midday, Madam Wei sits upright on the edge of the bed, restored face visible, silver-streaked black hair softer around her face, indigo robes fitting properly. Panel 2: The polished bamboo cane leans unused against the bedpost,

Madam Wei walks through the inner courtyard in restored form, upright and steady, one hand brushing the flowering branch near the walkway. Wei walks half a step behind with both hands ready but not touching her. Afternoon light lies across

Panel 1: Evening at a low family table: rice, greens, river fish, pickled vegetables, and two small cups of warm rice wine. Madam Wei sits upright in restored form across from Wei. Panel 2: Their cups touch lightly above the lacquered dishe

Panel 1: Madam Wei smiles warmly across the table, eyes bright, hands folded around the wine cup. Panel 2: Wei covers his face with one sleeve as tears spill openly, shoulders bent over the feast dishes.

Madam Wei leans across the low table and wipes Wei's tears with the edge of her sleeve. Wei's eyes are red, face uncovered and vulnerable. The feast remains between them, untouched for the moment, candles burning low.

Panel 1: Late night: Madam Wei sleeps peacefully in bed, restored face relaxed, no coughing cloth nearby. Panel 2: Wei sits outside the half-open screen door in the dark corridor, knees drawn under him, listening to her steady breathing.

Panel 1: Dawn: Madam Wei lies in bed with restored features peaceful, silver-streaked black hair spread against the pillow, her chest at the end of a quiet exhale. Panel 2: Wei's hand reaches toward the quilt and stops, fingers trembling as

A small calm column of pale light rises from Madam Wei's chest as she lies still, face peaceful and unburdened. Wei kneels beside the bed, both hands on the floor, head bowed as tears fall. The room is still, washed by early dawn.

Panel 1: Still kneeling and weeping, Wei opens the front of his outer robe at the lower abdomen and places his hands in a precise formal cultivator gathering posture over his dantian. Panel 2: The calm pale spirit column curves gently away

Wei sits cross-legged on the sickroom floor beside Madam Wei's bed, eyes closed, tear tracks wet on his face. The pale column has been absorbed into his lower abdomen; only a faint circular residue of light remains around his hands. Madam W