While Zhenzhu made her way to the coffee plantation, Yong Saiweihao was sitting with an expressionless face in the guest hall. The Third Princess, Luluo, sat across from him, her eyes sparkling with a smile. She admired this man greatly, so he was a perfect match for the title of emperor’s son-in-law. Her father had mentioned that Zhao Yong Saiweihao had been a bit under the weather, which was why he hadn’t attended recent court meetings. She had waited for him at every meeting in the throne hall but had never seen him. It turned out he had been ill. She admired his flawless form. If she married into the Zhao family, how many women in the capital would be frustrated and envy her? She wanted to be that fortunate woman. After thoroughly observing the capital, she concluded there was no woman more suitable for him than herself. Yong Saiweihao moved uncomfortably. “Does the Third Princess have any orders for me?” “Young General Zhao, we are not strangers. You are close to Taizi, who is like an older brother to me. Don’t speak so distantly. Just call me Luluo,” she said, smiling gracefully, trying to maintain her most elegant demeanor when she was before him. Yet, under his sharp gaze, her heart often fluttered, and she had to look down. “How could I dare to regard myself as the Princess’s brother? I wouldn’t dare.” “Brother Hao...” the Third Princess sadly said. “Please, Princess, address me as General Zhao or Master Zhao.” “You...” Luluo felt a pang of hurt. Why was he so distant? “Princess... please just say what you came for.” He felt tired of all the women approaching him . In the past, many ladies had pursued him in a similar fashion, which was why he had fled to the military camp, rarely returning to the capital. Yet now, shortly after his return, another woman had come to his manor? “You’re so unkind. I only heard from Father that you were a little unwell, so I came to visit. I even brought a lot of nourishing food for you.” “Thank you, Princess. How could I dare to accept it?” “Why not? I brought it for you, so you must accept it!” Luluo couldn’t hold back her usual behavior any longer. If she was in the palace, she would be stomping her feet and throwing things at her court ladies to vent her frustration. Why was this man so distant? She was a princess, the daughter of the current emperor. If he married her, what position or title could she not bestow upon him? Despite the indifference in his eyes, she felt an increasing desire to conquer him. This man must belong to her. Her father had indulged her since she was young; if she merely asked, this man would become an emperor’s son-in-law. With this thought, her anger subsided somewhat. However, this man was so cold and distant. When she asked him something, he only replied with a flat expression, showing no interest or enthusiasm. Yet his handsome face made her heart race. What other man was as valiant, dignified, and capable as he was? If it wasn’t him, she wouldn’t marry anyone else. “Third Princess, I must apologize for my rudeness. The physician will be coming soon to check on me. I’m sorry I cannot entertain you properly.” His words meant he was sending the guest off. Luluo could only force a smile. Very well, she would leave for now, but next time she would come as the Young Furen of the Zhao family! “In that case, please take care of yourself, Master Zhao.” “Thank you, Your Highness.” Yong Saiweihao eagerly stood to see her out, more enthusiastic than usual. After the high-status guest left, he heaved a deep sigh. Being around one woman could be so exhausting. His thoughts drifted to the bright, cheerful face and radiant eyes of another woman, and his gaze softened. Unlike the princess, being with her was comfortable and not nearly as tiring. He decided he would have to refuse the emperor directly. When his father returned, Yong Saiweihao would discuss this matter clearly to avoid future complications. What the young man didn’t know was that his father knew his duty more than he realized. As the Third Princess left the Zhao Manor, she headed straight to her father’s palace to express her wishes. However, upon arrival, the guards informed her that her father was discussing state affairs with a noble and she was not allowed to enter. Frustrated, Luluo stomped away. In the imperial study, Shi Gaoyan looked slightly stern as he addressed his old friend. “Brother Yangshi, won’t you reconsider? I thought we would become family.” The Emperor gazed at the man who was his most trusted noble and friend. "It’s not that I don’t wish to be a part of your family, Your Majesty, but my good-for-nothing son already has someone he cares for, Your Majesty." He and his son were very close. How could he not know what Yong Saiweihao was thinking? It was better to cut off any potential issues before they arose. If he let His Majesty assume things, it could cause problems in his son’s future marriage. Yong Saiweihao already had someone he loved. How could he become the emperor’s favorite son-in-law? That girl, Zhenzhu, wasn’t any less aggressive. Her personality was very similar to his own daughter’s. "Sigh, it seems I won’t have the fortune to become your family, Brother Yangshi." Shi Gaoyan sighed. When they were in the private quarters of the palace, the emperor and this noble were just like friends. Even though Zhao Yangshi commanded the most soldiers among all the city generals, the emperor trusted this Zhao general more than anyone else. When he had the chance, he hoped to form a family bond. But it seemed heaven didn’t recognize his earnest intentions. Well, if that was the case, he couldn’t force it. "Thank you, Your Majesty," Zhao Yangshi inwardly sighed in relief, thinking that the emperor would insist on a royal marriage decree. It seemed his words still carried some weight with the emperor. "How is Hao’er doing, Brother Yangshi?" The emperor had watched young Yong Saiweihao grow up and was quite worried when he heard that this nephew had been injured and had lost his energy channels. "Currently, Elder Yao Guo from the God of Remedy Sect is treating him, Your Majesty." "Hmm, Elder Yao Guo, the famed Divine Physician?” This great physician was once very famous in the martial world, but wasn’t she secluded herself for a long time? There was a rumor that she was so arrogant, but now she came all the way here to treat Yong Saiweihao? "It just so happens that we had something she wanted and were able to negotiate, Your Majesty." "Oh, the golden Jianghe flower that the townsfolk have been talking about?" The emperor had thought it was just a rumor. He hadn’t expected it to be true. "Yes, it was just a coincidence, Your Majesty." Zhao Yangshi didn’t elaborate on how they obtained it, and the emperor didn’t press further. "Good, Hao’er has a great physician treating him, which puts my mind at ease." Yong Saiweihao was Taizi’s friend, practically raised together. The emperor naturally cared for him almost as much as his own son. Initially, he had intended to send the royal physicians to treat him, but Zhao Yangshi had refused. "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your concern." "Brother Yangshi, how is little Si’er doing? Is she well?" Shi Gaoyan inquired, still hopeful that if the elder brother was not a possibility, perhaps the younger sister could still be an emperor’s daughter-in-law. "Cough, cough, cough. She is still her usual self, playing around as always, Your Majesty," Zhao Yangshi said. Darn it! Does this man only want other people’s children?! Go find someone else! He wouldn’t give his daughter away! Near the end of May, the weather was starting to get hotter. The sides of the road were lined with green leaves, and the meadows were lush green. Zhenzhu rode her horse toward the city gates ahead. Over the past two months, she had taken to spending a lot of time in the coffee plantation, so much so that Yong Saiweihao had to personally come and fetch her frequently. However, since he was currently in a critical stage of his treatment, Elder Yao Guo did not permit him to leave the manor often to prevent any unforeseen incidents. For almost two months, Yong Saiweihao had been taking medicine prescribed by Elder Yao Guo every day to adjust his body. Now, the young man could feel his energy channels slowly healing. Today, Elder Yao Guo mentioned that he would take the final herbal medicine and soak in a bath with one hundred and nine types of herbs to completely restore his energy channels. If successful, he would be restored to his former self or perhaps even better. However, if unsuccessful, he would become disabled, unable to cultivate spirit energy anymore. Nevertheless, Yong Saiweihao wasn’t too worried. If he couldn’t cultivate spirit energy as before, he could still serve as a military strategist for the Yan army, contributing to others. Zhenzhu rode her horse toward the gates of the Zhao Manor, then jumped off and ran inside with familiarity. The guards at the gate did not stop her, even smiling at her warmly. She did not notice the two peddlers who were secretly watching her. As soon as Zhenzhu disappeared behind Zhao Manor’s gates, the peddlers hurried away. “Hurry and report to the Third Princess,” they whispered to each other before heading straight toward the royal palace. They were court ladies from the Third Princess’s palace. The Third Princess admired the Young General immensely, almost to the point of obsession. Therefore, she had them thoroughly investigate everything about him. They discovered that a certain woman had the privilege of freely entering and exiting the Zhao Manor. Sometimes she stayed for up to two days, and sometimes she seemed to disappear in the manor. The people in Zhao Manor were very familiar with her. Moreover, sometimes she and the Young General rode out of the city together. That alone was enough to conclude that if she wasn’t a close relative, she must be someone the Young General favored. “Can you be the one to tell her? My arm is still bruised from the last time. It’s your turn,” one of the two court ladies said. “Can’t we go together? I’m still not healed from the last time either.” “Sigh, let’s go,” both women sighed for their upcoming fate. Once she entered, Zhenzhu headed straight for Yong Saiweihao’s residence. She saw him sitting in a pavillion with Shi Wenlang. The two men were calmly playing chess. Meanwhile, in the main house, the servants were bustling about, preparing the herbal bath as instructed by Elder Yao Guo. “Greetings, Brother Lang.” “Brother Hao, why aren’t you getting ready? Elder Yao Guo will be here soon.” Why is he still sitting, playing chess so casually ? “A’Zhu, you complain more every day,” Wenlang smiled indulgently. “I’m just worried about Brother Hao.” “Mmm, I’ll finish this move and then go,” Yong Saiweihao said. “Hurry up, then. I’ll go check if the servants are ready,” she said and headed toward the main house, where the servants were busily preparing the large bathtub and several items, including towels, warm water, and several kinds of herbs as instructed by the great physician. Today was an important day for their young master, and they couldn’t afford to be careless. “Lady Zhu, everything has been prepared. You need not worry.” They were confident that this lady would soon become the Young Furen of the household, so they treated her well, hoping to eventually be promoted to first-ranking servants. “Oh, excellent. You all work very efficiently,” Zhenzhu responded with a satisfied smile. If she didn’t have urgent matters to attend to, she would have handled everything herself. After everything was ready, Zhenzhu eagerly awaited the arrival of the elder and her followers. Today was the final treatment, and Brother Hao would be healed! She trusted the elder’s skills and believed in Yong Saiweihao’s strength to pull through. Not long after, Elder Yao Guo arrived with a variety of herbs carried by servants. Zhenzhu had learned from Tian Dengzuo that these herbs were extremely rare and expensive. Elder Yao Guo had spent her entire life collecting them. If not for her, no one else could treat Yong Saiweihao’s condition. Hearing this reassured Zhenzhu. Yong Saiweihao and Wenlang walked out from the back house, soon joined by Zhao Yangshi and Li Si. Everyone was excited about this final step of the treatment. Today would determine the success of their efforts over the past two months. “Greetings, Elder Yao Guo.” “Greetings, Elder Yao Guo.” “Greetings, Elder Yao Guo.” “Immerse all the herbs in the water... Hm...” Yao Guo looked at the prepared tub of water. “Why does this water have spirit energy?” She was quite surprised. The water in the tub was a spiritual energized water? The spiritual energized water could only be achieved through the transfer of spirit energy from a spirit energy cultivator. Typically, a cultivator could only create a bowl of such water a day. How could there be this much gold-tier spiritual energized water? How did the Zhao family manage to gather that many gold-tier spirit energy cultivators? “Is it unusable? I’ll have the servants change it immediately,” Zhenzhu exclaimed. She had thought that using spiritual energized water would make the treatment process easier for Brother Hao. She didn’t expect it to be unusable. She had gone to great lengths to explain to others that this spiritual energized water was provided by Baihu. When everyone saw that it was a semi-divine beast, no one questioned it. “It’s usable!” Yao Guo exclaimed. How could such a valuable resource be unusable? “Quick, soak the herbs in the water!” She ordered her servants. The servants hurriedly immersed all the prepared herbs into the water as their mistress instructed. Yao Guo then looked at Yong Saiweihao and said, “You must soak in this hundred and nine-herb bath all night. Do not stand up, do not sleep, and do not interrupt the process. Otherwise, all treatment will be in vain. This herbal bath has hot, cold, and corrosive properties. At times, you will feel bone-chilling cold, then burning heat as if in hellfire, and at other times, your body will feel like it’s being eaten by all insects in this realm. But you must endure. Do not leave the bath until the sun is high in the sky.” Elder Yao Guo explained. The damaged energy channels required repairing and reconstruction, a process that defied natural order must come at a significant price. If he could endure it, his energy channels would be stronger and more stable than before. Upon hearing Elder Yao Guo’s words, the one who had to be in the tub did not waver, but those who did not have to undergo it turned pale. Why must it be so torturous? Is this truly a method of healing? Zhenzhu glanced immediately at Yong Saiweihao. When she looked up, the young man was already looking at her. One was filled with fear and worry about whether he could endure such torment, while the other smiled gently, reassuring her. “Soak immediately after sunset. Everyone else, leave,” Yao Guo said. With that, everyone left the main house, waiting outside to offer their support, which was all they could do at this moment. “Be strong, Big Brother,” Li Si said, hugging her brother. “Hang in there, my son,” Zhao Yangshi said, patting his son’s shoulder lightly. “Don’t walk out of here naked. You’ll give the servants nightmares,” Wenlang encouraged with a joke. After offering their words of encouragement, everyone left the place, except for Zhenzhu, who hesitated to leave. “Brother Hao, be strong. If it becomes unbearable, it’s okay. If the treatment fails, I’ll be by your side to protect you.” She wouldn’t leave him, even if he became worthless and could no longer cultivate spirit energy. She herself was a high-tier spirit energy cultivator. Why couldn’t she protect her own man? The young woman hugged his waist, resting her head against his broad chest with a heavy heart. Thɪs chapter is updatᴇd by 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝⟡𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕥⟡𝕟𝕖𝕥 “Mmm, thank you. Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. Wait for me outside.” “Yes, I’ll be right outside. If it becomes too much, shout for me, and I’ll come running.” “Mmm,” the young man was unable to resist bending down to kiss her hair softly. Read ‘Rebirth: This Farmgirl Has Spirit Fish Scales’ before anyone else with more Chapters at https://www.jinovel.com/en