Help! The cunning and treacherous minister and I were reborn together!

The next day, Xiao Zong ordered Dou Zhao to guard the camp, while he himself led Pu Hong into the city.

Worried that the people from the Court of State Ceremonial might cause trouble, Zhao Xuanguang got up early to greet everyone. After exchanging pleasantries, he met up with Xiao Zong and they went to the General's Mansion together.

Along the way, she would occasionally glance sideways to observe the man beside Xiao Zong.

He peeked again and was caught red-handed by Xiao Zong, who raised an eyebrow and asked, "General Zhao, are you interested in my people?"

The woman said sheepishly, "I was just curious, wondering if this young master was the doctor you mentioned yesterday?"

Xiao Zong glanced at Pu Hong, who shrugged and said: I didn't say a word, don't try to accuse me of having any dealings with the Zhao family!

The man withdrew his gaze, slowly hummed in agreement, and then suddenly became more talkative.

“He has lived in the southern border region since childhood. He is not only proficient in medicine, but also has studied the art of Gu poison. With his treatment, I believe my uncle’s illness will be cured soon.”

Zhao Xuanguang forced a smile, "Thank you for your kind words."

Upon arriving at the general's residence, everyone covered their faces with veils and entered General Zhao's bedroom.

Black cloth was hung on all the doors and windows inside, and only a lamp stand stood at the foot of the bed, with a dim yellow gauze lampshade on it.

As if in the dark, everyone stumbled and stepped on each other, unable to see clearly the people around them, let alone make out the appearance of the patient on the bed.

Xiao Zong walked to the foot of the bed, picked up the lamp stand with one hand, and went straight to the bedside.

Seeing this, Zhao Xuanguang hurriedly stopped him, saying, "Father's illness cannot be exposed to the light!"

The two men each held one end of the lamp stand, restraining each other.

The man's expression was cold. "Doctor, take my pulse!"

Pu Hong sighed softly, walked to the bedside in the dark, knelt on the bed and groped around until he finally found an arm.

He felt the pulse and clicked his tongue. The young general had gone to great lengths to deceive everyone, even finding the Corpse-Rotting Gu.

The person afflicted by the poison is not General Zhao's age; he's probably only in his early thirties!

The stench of decay in the room grew stronger and stronger. The civil officials couldn't stand it and rushed out one after another. Their retching could be heard even through the doors and windows.

Xiao Zong frowned and urged, "You've been taking my pulse for so long, have you figured anything out?"

Pu Hong rubbed his nose. "I've been bewitched."

"Can you solve it?"

"That would require asking General Zhao whether he wishes me to remove the curse."

Zhao Xuanguang was taken aback. The word "of course" stuck in his throat, and he couldn't say it no matter what.

None of the three people present were fools; they all knew that the person lying on the bed was not General Zhao at all.

“No wonder you said your father’s illness couldn’t be exposed to the light,” Xiao Zong threw down the lamp stand heavily and scoffed, “It certainly can’t be exposed to the light!”

Zhao Xuanguang hesitated for a long time, then said embarrassedly, "Xiao Zong, for the sake of our many years of friendship..."

"Stop!"

Xiao Zong stood with his hands behind his back, his narrow eyes slightly lowered, his rugged profile appearing unapproachable in the darkness.

"Friendship is friendship, and state affairs are state affairs; they should not be confused. If you were not involved in Zhao You's treason, I might still be able to ask His Majesty to spare your life. But if you conspired with your father, you can be executed without even needing permission!"

Zhao Xuanguang's heart skipped a beat, and his tone softened:

"As you know, my aunt is determined to have the eldest grandson of the emperor ascend the throne to make up for the regret she felt about the crown prince. A while ago, my father received a letter from my aunt saying that all her influence in the capital had been eliminated, and she and the eldest grandson of the emperor were left isolated and helpless."

The Zhao family, wielding military power, has always been feared by His Majesty. If my aunt falls from grace, the Zhao family's demise will be imminent. My father agreed to my aunt's request to escort a woman named Jiang Xin to Wuyou Valley to find Prince Qujian of the Southern Frontier and help him secure his throne. I felt this was too reckless and tried to dissuade him several times, only to be punished by his military law.”

Her smile was bleak, and despite their disregard for her scars, she slowly rolled up her sleeves.

"If I wanted to live, I could have easily returned to the capital to plead my case with these old injuries. The reason I'm staying here is just to see if there's any chance of a turnaround."

Xiao Zong, having adjusted to the darkness, saw her movement and slightly looked away.

"Let's go out first."

As he stepped out of the gate, the pale-faced civil officials surrounded him, bombarding him with questions: "Is Zhao You inside?"

The man pondered, "It's too dark to see clearly, but there is indeed a man who has been poisoned."

Everyone was so anxious they were scratching their heads. Should they still go to the southern border? Did they really have to wait until the people inside recovered?

Xiao Zong remained unmoved, waiting for Pu Hong to prepare the prescription and hand it to Zhao Xuanguang so she could get the medicine according to the prescription.

Then, his gaze swept across everyone's faces, and he said in a deep voice, "You have all traveled a long way with the army and do not look well. Please rest here for a while!"

After saying that, he strode away.

His colleagues surrounded Xiao Jianye, demanding an explanation. "What does Commander Xiao mean by looking down on us civil officials?"

"Could he have fallen for a honey trap and joined forces with the Zhao family? I can see it; the way that Zhao girl looks at your brother is quite unusual!"

"Oh, I remember now. During the Battle of Pingchuan, His Majesty appointed Xiao Zong as the military commander. At that time, Zhao Xuanguang was almost shot and killed by the rebels, and Xiao Zong shielded her from an arrow, which became a popular story. Back then, many people said that the two of them would become a couple, but who knew..."

Someone picked up where he left off, saying, "Who knew our commander didn't love the female general, but instead married a delicate and beautiful woman."

As the group got more and more excited, Xiao Jianye irritably let out an "Ah!" and the group instantly fell silent, staring at him as if he were a madman.

Xiao Jianye chuckled dryly, "Well, I'll go ask my brother and see what he's up to."

Stepping into the inner room, Zhao Xuanguang casually tossed the prescription aside. Listening to his confidant's vivid report, he smiled brightly: "They really said that?"

"Hmm!" The general slammed his fist into his palm. "It's a pity Commander Xiao wasn't here, otherwise we could have seen his reaction."

Zhao Xuanguang slowly leaned back in his chair. "What's so difficult about that? Tonight, prepare some wine and dishes, and say that the general has taken his medicine and is feeling much better. I intend to host a banquet to express my gratitude. I don't believe they'll dare to refuse this time!"

"People speak the truth when they're drunk. After three shots of strong liquor, he'll tell you everything!"

The general became more and more smug as he spoke: "In my humble opinion, there is no need to test him. Today, Lord Xiao knew that the person on the bed was not the general, yet he still helped us to cover it up. Doesn't that prove that he cares about you?"

Zhao Xuanguang stroked his armor, smiling nonchalantly. Xiao Zong was not one to be sentimental; his attitude today was completely different from yesterday's, but it was just two acts he was putting on.

This young man's entanglement with the imperial concubines has already aroused His Majesty's suspicion. Regardless of whether the trip to the southern border is successful or not, His Majesty cannot let him live.

He put on a righteous facade in front of his subordinates and acted hypocritically towards her, all in order to cooperate with Zhao's army and save his own life.

She knew he wasn't close to his family, but she never expected that after his beloved died, he would even abandon his pregnant wife. So ruthless! Truly, no man is without poison!

Fine, he values ​​his life, and she doesn't want to go back to the capital. Let's shake hands and make peace, each getting what we need. Isn't that wonderful?