Aiyili looked at the young couple before her. Zhou Hu's expression seemed genuine, and the happiness and shyness in her younger sibling's eyes clearly indicated they were deeply in love.
A couple in love exist in a world where only each other matters; they are oblivious to others.
"I will certainly not hinder you. A'hu, Sister is very happy that you have found someone who loves you. I also hope that you two can walk this path together, not fearing what others may say," Aiyili said, taking Lehu's hand and holding it in hers. She then turned to Zhou Hu, "General Zhou, I don't care if this is a momentary whim or you're just seeking novelty. Since you have already involved Lehu, you must treat her well."
"A'hu, this child was timid but kind since she was young. Years ago, she didn't even dare to shoot a rabbit when she went hunting with Father," Aiyili said, stroking Lehu's hand and reminiscing about the good times she shared with her family.
"If someone can love A'hu in my stead and protect her, then Sister will naturally not object."
Aiyili took Zhou Hu's hand and placed it on Lehu's, saying solemnly to Zhou Hu, "General Zhou, my only family, my only sibling, I entrust to your care and love."
"I will definitely not betray him, nor fail him," Zhou Hu's steady voice spoke a promise he had upheld his entire life.
Meanwhile, on the right side of the military camp, Ye Qingcheng and Physician Wen were conducting their consultations.
"Master, all diagnoses are complete. Apart from a few elders with heart conditions, the rest are merely suffering from common colds and fevers; a single dose of medicine will cure them. However, the children used as medicinal ingredients, if not properly recuperated, their bodies have already been damaged, and their lifespans are likely not long." Ye Qingcheng thought to herself, "What's the difference between this and human experimentation in modern society?"
"Have you still not found any trace of the shaman?" Physician Wen asked Ye Qingcheng while taking a child's pulse. The child whose pulse was being taken was a girl of ten.
"No, Xiao Wangye has dispatched his hidden guards to investigate, but they have not found any useful information."
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say they had vanished into thin air. That night, Li Yi rescued people, and the shaman's appearance was not seen even after winning the battle. Interrogating several captured barbarian soldiers revealed they knew nothing. When questioned about the injured children, they all said they had never seen the shaman's face; he always wore a mask, and each time it was different.
"I know one thing about him that never changes," a young boy said timidly.
Ye Qingcheng looked towards the back of the crowd, where a thin, small arm was raised, trembling slightly, betraying the owner's timidity.
"Good child, what do you know? Come forward and tell Grandpa," Physician Wen's heart softened at the sight of such an obedient child.
The little boy walked out from behind the crowd. He was small and thin, not tall, and a little dark-skinned.
"He always wears black clothes, and he always smells very fragrant. Several times, I have smelled the scent of blood."
"Ding, if the host can make Xiao Wangye apologize again, you will receive a clue about the shaman," San San's voice sounded in Ye Qingcheng's mind.
"What? Apologize again? What do I have to do to make him apologize to me?" Now that most matters were resolved, what could be done to deliberately make someone err?
"That is for the clever you to figure out. Upon completing the apology count, you will receive generous rewards," San San tempted Ye Qingcheng.
"Since I'm on this boat, I can only try my best." She felt helpless.
After two consecutive days of consultations, Physician Wen and Ye Qingcheng collaborated to prescribe medicine for these children, which would generally be suitable for their physical conditions for the next five years. The battlefield was also cleared. Xiao Wangye had driven the barbarians back to their homeland, and the herders could safely return to their homes.
To thank Xiao Wangye for saving them, the herders gifted the Regent a necklace made from a wolf's tooth, an item symbolizing their god.
Ye Qingcheng would remember that scene forever. Prince Xiao, with a frosty expression, sat in the center, with a blazing bonfire beside him. Those around the bonfire were warmed by its heat, but obviously not Prince Xiao.
The herders circled around, performing their unique ethnic prayer dance, also a plea to the gods to bless their God of War.
After the prayer, the necklace was placed around Xiao Wangye's neck.
Ye Qingcheng teased him from beside him, "Xiao Wangye, you look like a virtuous woman who has been wronged in that get-up." Xiao Wangye looked at her dotingly. To others, they appeared like a perfect painting, a couple no one could intrude upon.
The memory ended, and Ye Qingcheng couldn't help but chuckle.
"What are you laughing at? Is my acupoint so funny?"
"No, I was just recalling that night when you were surrounded."
As per their nightly routine, Ye Qingcheng personally administered acupuncture to Xiao Wangye.
Xiao Wangye: ...
"Alright, I won't tease you anymore. I'll be back in half an hour."
"Wait, you..."
"Hmm? Do you have any other questions?" she asked, perplexed.
Strange, why did I want to stop her? "It's nothing." He reverted to his icy demeanor.
"Oh, right. Today, when I went with Master to consult those children, I received some good news." Ye Qingcheng recounted the children's information to Xiao Wangye.
"You can start by investigating places he wouldn't expect, such as perfumeries and herbal stores. Cosmetics shops are also possible," Ye Qingcheng mused, her imagination running wild. Perhaps he wouldn't even consider them for camouflage.
Without waiting for Xiao Wangye's reply, she left.
Leaving Prince Xiao alone in the candlelight.
Half an hour later, Ye Qingcheng entered with a bowl of herbal soup, her expression stern. She asked Xiao Wangye, "I heard that during your recent battle, you steeped your medicinal bath for less than an hour?" Her tone was filled with palpable anger.
"Uh... I was very busy during that time." King Xiao hadn't expected anyone to inform Ye Qingcheng. Everyone had been busy then, with no time to pay attention to the duration.
Ye Qingcheng placed the soup bowl down heavily on the ground, causing some of the water to splash out.
Xiao Wangye's shoulders twitched. He realized she was genuinely angry.
Despite her anger, she carefully pulled out the silver needles, sterilizing each one before returning them to the cloth bag. She didn't speak a single word to Xiao Wangye throughout the process. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
Xiao Wangye had no choice but to massage the acupoints himself. He glanced at her sideways, but she still didn't spare him a glance.
"Qingcheng, are you really angry?" San San asked.
"Of course, I'm angry. The original treatment plan was to conclude during this period, allowing for rehabilitation and training upon returning to the capital. Now, because of his actions, the time will be extended. Who knows what kind of monsters and ghosts will appear by the time we return to the capital." Her tone was filled with disappointment and exasperation.
She vigorously wiped the silver needles, frost emanating from their tips, making them look chilling.