"Speak if you have something to say, and get out if it's not important."
The two gossiping men inside the military tent were finally driven out by their beloved prince.
Meanwhile, Ye Qingcheng had learned a great deal from Physician Wen. She recognized all the herbs from modern society. Perhaps because this was a fictional world, many herbs differed slightly from their modern counterparts, but fortunately, the methods of treatment and their uses were the same.
Physician Wen was indeed the top medical expert in this world, explaining things in great detail and with remarkable clarity. With his guidance and her own modern medical knowledge, Ye Qingcheng could proudly declare that there were no more intractable illnesses in this world that she could not cure.
Physician Wen knew, of course, that this "boy" was a woman in disguise. Although the Wen family's medical arts were passed down to males, and to sons' wives, he regrettably had no sons. He wondered what kind of status she held with the prince. It wasn't impossible to take her as a godson, hahaha.
Physician Wen was clearly lost in his own world, smiling with a hint of mischief.
Ye Qingcheng looked at the old prankster, her confidence in her learning wavering.
"Tell me, little Ye, are you married yet?"
"Old sir, I am married. My wife's legs were injured in an accident many years ago, requiring her to use a wheelchair. I cannot be someone who abandons his wife and child." Although that "wife" was taller than her, ate more than her, and was quite annoying.
"What a pity, what a pity," Physician Wen said with a face full of regret.
"Why is it a pity?" Ye Qingcheng asked, puzzled.
"You have extraordinary talent. My skills are unmatched, and I have no successor. It is a pity."
"No way, old man, are you still prejudiced against women?"
"This old man is certainly not prejudiced against women. It's just that our Wen family's medical arts and prescriptions have always been passed down only to our own kin. You are neither my daughter nor my daughter-in-law."
Ye Qingcheng suddenly grinned mischievously, "I have a way to become your daughter-in-law." Her grin gradually turned into a triumphant smirk, like a wily little fox.
"What, are you going to have your husband become my son?" Physician Wen asked with suspicion.
"Yes. If you want me to become your family, this is the only way. Do you intend to go and harm some young girl to bear you a child now?" Ye Qingcheng looked at him with disdain.
"Hey, you little rascal, speaking such disrespectful words!" He raised his hand to strike.
Ye Qingcheng nimbly dodged to the side, avoiding his grasp.
"Just joking, just joking."
"You imp!" Physician Wen said helplessly, his tone filled with indulgence.
"Then in that case, I'll go negotiate right now." She was in a hurry, afraid of being delayed. Of course, she was going to find the "Living Yama," Xiao Wangye, to negotiate.
"Hey, are you going to find him now? Is he in the army? Hey, don't run so fast, answer me first, is he in our military camp?"
Really, this girl.
Meanwhile, Ye Qingcheng had already reached Xiao Wangye's tent. As usual, she lifted the curtain and walked in without knocking.
"Xiao Wangye, I need to discuss something with you." "Um, are you discussing something? Then perhaps I should wait until you're done before I come in." It was a bit awkward. The tent was full of men, and it was clear they were discussing important matters.
Indeed, seated inside were the leading generals of the current campaign. Besides Zhou Hu and Deng Dabiao, there were also their four capable assistants.
Regarding Ye Qingcheng, the "uninvited guest," everyone seemed unsurprised. They all became spectators, watching their prince's expression with amusement.
Very good, he still had that arrogant demeanor.
"No need, we have finished our discussion. You can all leave."
Upon hearing this, the crowd knew the prince was abandoning his brothers for his beloved. They all tactfully rose and took their leave.
Zhou Hu and Deng Dabiao exchanged a knowing glance, their eyes conveying "We have something to discuss later."
"Speak, what is it?" Xiao Wangye asked proactively after everyone had left.
"Didn't you ask me to develop an antidote earlier? What benefits haven't you promised me yet?"
"What do you want?"
"I want to apprentice under Physician Wen!" Ye Qingcheng's voice was filled with excitement.
Xiao Wangye looked at her as if she were an idiot.
Ye Qingcheng explained, "It's because the Wen family's house rules only allow him to teach his own family. Old Master Wen has no children, so he wants to take you as a godson, which would make me his daughter-in-law!" Her voice was as pleasant as tinkling bells.
"Then why don't you just become his goddaughter?"
"If I were his goddaughter, you would gain a father-in-law!" Ye Qingcheng said mischievously.
"Developing an antidote is your innate duty as a physician. It is not enough to be a bargaining chip for me," he rejected her without mercy.
Ye Qingcheng finally realized that perhaps because Xiao Wangye's attitude towards her had softened in the past few days, she had become unintentionally presumptuous. But deep down, he was still the ruthless regent king who killed without blinking and held absolute power over life and death.
Ye Qingcheng's entire demeanor deflated, her dejection visible. She felt dejected. "Oh, I understand." She then walked out.
Seeing her so crestfallen, Xiao Wangye was about to blurt out the word "But," but then he wondered why he felt guilty seeing her expression. Before he could detain her, she had already walked out.
It seemed he had angered her again.
Borderland, Nomadic Tribes
To better control the nomads, the barbarians captured their old, weak, women, and children as hostages. Anyone who resisted or disobeyed was killed. They even committed acts worse than beasts.
The scene before him became increasingly blurred, and he heard the faint cries of women and children. His hands were numb, and the bloodstains on his legs had scabbed over, yet many small wounds continued to bleed.
Where am I? Is this the underworld? Are there so many wronged spirits in the underworld?
The boy's frail body was still trembling slightly. His faint breaths proved that the boy was still alive. The boy's name was Le Hu, the very boy saved by Zhou Hu.
He suddenly opened his eyes, and what met his gaze was a familiar place—the very place where he had been imprisoned in his previous life. Why had he returned? He was already dead. He had poisoned himself after causing Zhou Hu's death.
He slowly got up, his head throbbing intensely. He realized it was two months before he was sent as a spy to poison Zhou Hu.
Could it be that heaven had heard his confession and given him another chance to be a good person?
Le Hu cried, exacerbating the pain of the wounds all over his body. But this was proof that he had been reborn and was alive again.
He would no longer do anything to harm Zhou Hu. He had to find a way to inform Zhou Hu of General Ah Mu's strategy. He had to protect Zhou Hu and punish himself.