After a long farewell, Zhenzhu finally left, leaving behind only the large hall and the single tub. The young man slowly undressed and stepped into the herbal bath. His entire body submerged, with only his neck and head above the water. The initial sensation was one of comfort, the mild scent of herbs relaxing him. Yong Saiweihao closed his eyes slowly. However, it wasn’t long before he felt the chilling cold spreading through his tendons, bones, muscles, blood vessels, and every fiber of his being. He could feel the energy channels and energy points in his body reacting to the herbs, which stimulated them. As time passed, the cold did not lessen; instead, it grew more intense. It was colder than being in a heavy snowstorm in winter without clothes. Yet, Yong Saiweihao bit his lip, refusing to utter a single sound. He felt as though his bones and body were turning into ice. At a certain point, the cold turned into a pain that racked his entire body, as if the ice was about to shatter. His consciousness started to drift slowly into a void of darkness. For a moment, he managed to pull himself back from that vast, dark emptiness. Yong Saiweihao tried to bite his own arm to use the pain to bring himself back to consciousness. However, the pain couldn’t overcome the freezing cold that caused his body to ache. Endurance is the only way to get through this. He didn’t know how much time had passed, but eventually, the icy chill began to subside, replaced by warmth. However, the warmth soon turned into an intense heat. The water outside remained at a normal temperature, but inside his body, it felt as though it was being consumed by fire. His body fluids seemed to be boiling and sweat poured down his hairline and handsome face. Yet, Yong Saiweihao gritted his teeth and held on. His large hands were gripping the edge of the wooden tub so tightly that a small cracking sound emerged from the pressure. His face and body turned red, and it felt as though his internal organs were being boiled in hot water. Time passed incredibly slowly, as if punishing him for his arrogance. When the heat subsided, Yong Saiweihao was already feeling exhausted. But the grueling ordeal was far from over. The young man began to feel a corrosive force in the herbal water, as if tens of thousands or millions of ants were biting his skin and internal organs. His blood vessels, tendons, bones, and heart felt like a gourmet feast for them. Crack! The high-quality wooden edge of the tub was squeezed until it cracked even more. Yet, the young man’s torment did not end there. As the corrosion lessened, the cold and heat alternated continuously, seemingly without end. For a moment, the young man wanted to close his eyes and fall into an eternal slumber. However, the clear face of a certain woman, looking at him with hope, pulled his faint consciousness back. Through all the torment, it felt as though the herbs were destroying every part of his body and then rebuilding it over and over again. He didn’t know how many cycles had passed or how much time had elapsed. His remaining consciousness was about to slip away when suddenly his body felt inexplicably light. The various torments gradually eased, and his body relaxed. Yong Saiweihao felt as if he had a new, more perfect body. His outer skin peeled slightly, and he saw that the once dark green herbal water had turned pitch black. His sensory perception, which had been lost, was now keen once more. The young man examined his body and found that his once-damaged energy channels were now perfect, perhaps even better than before. Every energy point in his body was flawless. The young man noticed the light streaming through the window cracks. Was it morning already? Had the night been this long? "Mmm... good. The treatment is complete. Go get him out," Yong Saiweihao heard the distinctive hoarse voice of Elder Yao Guo. Shortly after, several guards entered with a new set of clothes. Yong Saiweihao slowly rose from the herbal tub, his body was quite weary from the severe ordeal. He put on the clothes the guards handed him, his face impassive, though his lips were still pale. One of the guards glanced at the nearly split edge of the tub, amazed. Despite the extreme torture, the young master hadn’t uttered a single word. This was indeed the Young Master Zhao they had known since childhood. Yong Saiweihao walked outside and was met with the concerned gazes of everyone, including Zhao Yangshi, Li Si, Wenlang, and Zhenzhu. They had all waited outside all night with worry. He could see the stress in everyone’s eyes. Elder Yao Guo nodded slightly before walking over to check the young man’s pulse. "Mmm, it’s good." "The treatment is complete. I will need my payment now," she did not want to stay in the capital any longer. Spending over two months here was already the longest she had stayed in another place. "Elder, is Hao’er’s body fully recovered? Will there be any side effects?" "He’s good, even better than before. The only side effect is slight peeling of the skin. I stake my reputation as the Divine Physician on it," she replied irritably. He asked her such question, did he not trust her skills? "Thank you very much, Elder. Little Zhu..." Zhao Yangshi nodded at Zhenzhu. The reputation of the Divine Physician was not to be taken lightly. If she said so, Zhao Yangshi believed her. Zhenzhu reached into her sleeve and pulled out a familiar small wooden box, handing it to Elder Yao Guo. The great physician opened it, nodded in satisfaction. "Well then, I’ll take my leave." With that, Elder Yao Guo’s entourage departed, leaving Zhenzhu and the Zhao family looking at each other in amazement. This elder’s personality was truly weird, but since she had successfully treated Yong Saiweihao, it was acceptable. "Brother Hao, how are you?" Zhenzhu quickly walked up to the pale young man standing before her and took his hand to check his pulse. When she found that his body was fine, and his energy channels were perfect, she breathed a sigh of relief. He’s finally healed. That’s wonderful. "I’m healed. Thank you," he smiled at her with a pale face, but his eyes were bright. After soaking in the hundred and nine herbs bath, Yong Saiweihao experienced the side effect, which was peeling skin. However, after drinking the herbal medicine prescribed by the royal physician, the side effects disappeared in less than a month. His skin became slightly more radiant, prompting Zhenzhu to often compare her skin tone with his. Whenever she raised her arm to compare, she would frown in displeasure. Why was his skin more beautiful than hers? He was a man; his skin shouldn’t be that radiant. She was a woman and didn’t even have such beautiful skin complexion. Was it overshadowing her beauty? "Heh-heh, don’t worry. Once I return to the camp and train the soldiers, I’ll get tanned again." "But right now, you are more beautiful than I am." "No matter how ugly you become, I only like you, Zhu’er." "Brother Hao! Are you saying I’m ugly?" She wasn’t a beauty capable of bringing down a kingdom. A man like him, a renowned young general, could easily find a woman more beautiful than her to be his wife. No way. He’s hers. Just wait and see; any woman who tries to get close to him will get chased away by her, using a wooden stick. "You are already beautiful." "Oh, that’s better," Zhenzhu nodded in satisfaction. "Heh-heh," the young man looked at the pouting woman with affection. "Oh, Brother Hao, in a couple of days, I’ll be returning to Fengfu City. I’ve been away from home for a long time and don’t know how things are there." She should return to see her parents. With three children, each traveling across the land, she did not know how the couple were doing. "Hmm, how long will you be gone?" "I’m not sure yet, but it won’t be long. I still have to come back to take care of the coffee plantation. Or will Brother Hao take care of it for me?" In Fengfu City, she still had Xin Xi and her mother to help manage the plantation, but here, there was no one to look after it. Yong Saiweihao had his military duties, how could he have time to look after the coffee plantation? "Zhu’er must come back to take care of it yourself." "Hmph, half of the plantation belongs to you." "Then I’ll give it all to Zhu’er, but with one condition..." "What condition?" Zhenzhu raised an eyebrow at him. "Marry me," the young man said with a calm expression and a determined gaze. That was enough to make the young woman speechless. She could only watch as Yong Saiweihao slit his own finger, letting the blood slowly drip, then brushed his hand over the small leaves of the Zhanchang vine. Yet, his eyes never left her face. "Uh... I need to go tell Baihu. Excuse me," she said, then ran back to her own manor immediately, leaving behind a faint smell of blood and the cheerful laughter of the young man. After returning from the coffee plantation, Zhenzhu prepared to head back to Fengfu City. She wandered through the market, carefully selecting gifts for her workers and parents. While she was choosing jewelry for Peipei and her mother, she sensed someone watching her. However, when she tried to locate the source, she saw nothing. Maybe she was just being paranoid. Shaking off the feeling, Zhenzhu continued shopping. Once she had all the things she wanted, Zhenzhu mounted her horse, ready to leave. As she rode out of the city gates, she saw a familiar figure on horseback, also ready to depart. "Brother Hao, why are you here?" "I’m going to Fengfu City." "What?... Why?" Zhenzhu asked, confused. He had recovered from his injuries and would soon return to work under the emperor’s orders. Why was he going to Fengfu City? Wasn’t the general supposed to work? "I want to go with you." "..." Hearing that, she had no words to stop him. Thus, they journeyed to Fengfu City together, with a pair of eyes watching them with fury, filled with the flames of jealousy. Luluo watched the man and woman riding off into the distance. After having her guards investigate Yong Saiweihao for some time, she learned that this woman was the one causing him to distance himself from her. What did that woman have that she didn’t? Her beauty was not particularly more striking than other women. Her family background was quite ordinary, with her father being just a low-ranking noble, offering no benefits to Yong Saiweihao’s career. What did that young general see in He Zhenzhu? She, a princess, had far more to offer than a common woman like that. She was just a merchant with no status. "Princess, what should we do next?" "Return to the palace," she said, her voice tinged with anger. A month ago, she had petitioned her father about Yong Saiweihao, hoping he would grant a royal marriage. However, her father had disappointed her, saying that Yong Saiweihao did not want to marry into the royal family and that he already had someone he loved. That day, she was shocked. The Young General usually stayed within the military camp, mostly interacting with men and rarely attending social events. How could he have met a woman he fancied before her? If she had met him first, would he have liked her instead? Luluo felt a burning restlessness. She investigated further and found out there was one woman who was closer to him than anyone else: Lady He Zhenzhu, daughter of Master He Lei. That woman had been helping the military since the war was still ongoing and had significantly aided them. She was admired by soldiers, royal physicians, generals, and even her own father. But Luluo was not ready to give up. If it were her, she could also help the military. Just planting vegetables, how hard could that be? She had many servants and court ladies who would follow her orders. Luluo regretted not having the chance to make achievements known to Yong Saiweihao like He Zhenzhu did. However, it was not too late. The man she desired, no other woman would take from her! Luluo lifted a cloth to wrap around her head and face to avoid people’s gaze. Leaving the royal palace each time was no easy task. She turned back toward the palace with an unsettled heart. Zhenzhu and Yong Saiweihao traveled leisurely for several days until they finally reached Fengfu City. Outside the city walls, both sides of the road were filled with vegetable gardens, orchards, herb gardens, and mulberry fields. These were the famous products that provided significant employment and income to the townspeople. As they got closer to the city, the number of shops increased. Prosperity extended beyond the city limits, with soldiers patrolling regularly. Even the low-ranking soldiers patrolling for security were blue-tier spirit energy cultivator, and some even at the dark blue-tier. This made the young general’s eyes light up, recognizing them as elite soldiers. "Hmph. Don’t even think about stealing the soldiers in my city. You should train on your own." Look at him staring at those soldiers, as if a young man were looking at a naked woman, his eyes shining that brightly. Most of these soldiers were descendants or residents of Fengfu. After passing the military service exams, they received special privileges from the Fengfu City Farmers Association, allowing them to buy spirit plants at very low prices. They also gain many benefits offered by the Governor and her father, such as free combat and martial arts training from renowned teachers, or the ability to purchase certain items like books and weapons at reduced prices. Additionally, they and their families received free medical care from government physicians, and their children could attend city schools at very low costs. These were the benefits provided by the Governor and Master He Lei to ensure that soldiers and government officials of Fengfu City could effectively protect and serve the people. Thus, military, law enforcement, and government official positions in Fengfu City were highly coveted by most young people. Besides a good standard of living, they also received numerous special privileges. "Can’t you spare a few?" the young man teased. "No, I can’t. How can you just take someone else’s people so easily?" Her father and the Governor had worked hard to hire skilled teachers to train these soldiers. How could some ill-mannered general just come and snatch them away? "What a pity. If I can’t have the soldiers, can I have the daughter of Master He?" The young man said with a straight face. At first, Zhenzhu was about to shake her head, but upon considering his words, she lowered her head in embarrassment. What a shameless man. "Let’s go," Zhenzhu immediately spurred her horse forward. As Zhenzhu’s entourage reached the He family’s vegetable and fruit store, they saw that the shops had expanded to accommodate many customers. The quantity of vegetables and fruits for sale each day had increased, including new kinds of fruit and vegetables. Moreover, they came with rich and pure spirit energy. Yet, it still wasn’t enough to meet the demands of Fengfu City’s residents. With more spirit energy cultivators in Fengfu, the demand for spirit plants naturally grew. Zhenzhu looked into the vegetable and fruit shop, recognizing some of the workers and not knowing others. The most familiar faces were the twins Feng Yi and Feng Xian, who managed the workers for a smooth process. Zhenzhu nodded in satisfaction and continued riding to her own weaving factory. At her weaving factory, she found the workers performing their tasks diligently under the supervision of Madam Yu Qu and her assistant, Yu Ning. With the expertise of this mother-daughter duo, the silk produced was of exceptionally high quality. Madam Yu Qu never allowed a single substandard piece of fabric to leave the factory, which greatly enhanced the reputation of Fu Zhenzhu fabric shop. Zhenzhu returned home in the late afternoon to find her mother grinding Yuchong fruits in front of the house, assisted by Peipei. When Madam Wang looked up and saw that the guest entering the house was in fact her daughter, she dropped her tools and embraced the daughter she missed. "Zhu’er, you’re back. Are you very tired? Where is Baihu?" The mother’s eyes brimmed with tears. The last time her daughter left, it was to find Baihu. Although Zhenzhu had written frequently to assure her that everything was fine and Baihu was safe, a mother’s heart always missed her children. Her children had all grown up. Her two sons were traveling across the martial world, and her daughter was in the army. How could a father and mother not be concerned? “Mother, I’m not tired. Baihu is safe.” Suddenly, the little tiger appeared before Madam Wang. Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩•𝗳𝗂𝗋𝖾•𝕟𝕖𝕥 “Why is he so small now?” The last time she saw Baihu, he was much larger, much bigger than Zhenzhu. But why was he smaller than before? “It’s a long story, Mother. I’ll tell you everything later. Where is Father?” “Your father is planting a new type of herb in the garden.” He Lei loved planting various herbs. Whenever Master Tiao brought a new herb, he would love it and try his best to grow it successfully. Last month, Master Tiao got rare herb seeds from another region, which were known to be very difficult to cultivate. He Lei had been trying to grow them for over a month, but every time the roots rotted and died. “Oh, Mother, this time Young General Zhao and his guards have come here with me. He was injured in the war and just recovered, so he has come to rest here.” Zhenzhu gestured toward Yong Saiweihao and the group of guards standing behind him. “Oh. Please, Young General, have a seat. Peipei, why haven’t you brought tea and snacks for our guests? Hurry up.” Madam Wang called out to Peipei. She had been so focused on her daughter that she hadn’t noticed there was the distinguished guest visiting her house. “He Furen, no need to be overly courteous. I’ve just come with Zhu’er to relax in Fengfu. I’ve heard that the city has become much more prosperous than before. Seeing it with my own eyes, it truly lives up to the rumors. I’d love to get some advice from the Governor and Master He if there’s an opportunity.” "General, you are too polite. I’ll have a servant fetch Master He. Please wait a moment.” "No need, Furen. Let Master He continue his work. I’ll be here for several days, so we will get to talk soon. I must trouble you in the meantime, He Furen." Yong Saiweihao smiled like a well-mannered young noble, though his words made one furrow their brow. What did he mean by staying here for several days? Did he mean staying at the He Manor? If that was the case, it would be impossible to refuse. He Lei was just a minor noble, and although their roles were different—He Lei being a civil noble and Yong Saiweihao a military one—when a higher-ranking noble visits, proper hospitality is expected. However, shouldn’t this young man stay at the Governor Manor? Nonetheless, Yong Saiweihao smiled at Madam Wang, prompting Zhenzhu to inwardly criticize. With such shamelessness, it seemed impossible to send him to the Governor Manor now. She waved her hand to summon the servants to prepare the guest residence for him and his guards. 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