General, you should rest now; the lady is even more ruthless.

Shen Luo looked at their clasped hands; his palms were icy cold, while the warmth from Qi Qi's hands kept flowing into him.

"I..." He was momentarily speechless.

Many people have praised him.

The emperor called him a pillar of the state, the ministers called him a leader of the nation, and the people called him a savior of the world.

Everyone took it for granted that he was a perfect person, and he got used to playing that role.

But Qiqi said today: He has let himself down.

"I have not let myself down."

Shen Luo shook his head, trying to banish those chaotic thoughts.

He tried to pull his hand away, but Jiang Qiqi noticed his movement and gripped his hand even tighter.

She looked directly into Shen Luo's eyes, her gaze sharp, even somewhat aggressive, as she asked:

"Then answer me, why are you unwilling to cure the poison in your body?"

Shen Luo paused for a moment.

Jiang Qiqi continued speaking.

"According to you, the imperial advisor said he looked forward to his next encounter with you before he left. If this poison is so potent that it brought you to the brink of death in less than two years, why would he feed it to you in the first place?"

Shen Luo was surprised that she had noticed such a small detail.

He didn't speak, nor could he think of any reason to explain, which was considered an admission of guilt.

"So," Jiang Qiqi asked tentatively, "you don't want revenge anymore?"

"Or are you confident that you can avenge this blood feud in a short time?"

These were the only two answers she could think of.

Shen Luo's expression told her that her guess was correct.

Almost the instant she finished speaking, Shen Luo's face turned pale.

She deduced his secret, which he had kept hidden for so long, based on just one sentence.

If it weren't for the fact that only she knew about this, Shen Luo would almost suspect who told her.

“That’s right. I started planning this a year ago. If all goes well, it should be successful in a little over three months.”

Seeing that he could no longer hide it, Shen Luo finally revealed the truth.

Or rather, even if he didn't say it, Qiqi would soon be able to guess it herself.

Jiang Qiqi was very curious: "Who is this plan targeting? The Imperial Advisor?"

Shen Luo nodded: "I guess so."

"Since that great battle, the Northern Ming National Preceptor has suddenly vanished as if he had evaporated from the face of the earth. The Northern Ming Emperor searched for him with all the power of the country, but to no avail. However, a year ago, the Sixteenth Prince suddenly sent a message saying that there was something unusual happening in the palace."

"After making inquiries from various sources over this period of time, Sixteen finally found out. It seems that someone had seen a person who looked very much like the Imperial Preceptor at the foot of Chu Wang Mountain, which is located at the border of Beiming and Nanyue."

Jiang Qiqi recalled the maps she had seen.

"The Chu King Mountain stretches for thousands of miles, with steep and precipitous terrain. Isn't this little clue far too few?"

However, it is clear that neither the people of Beiming nor Shen Luo would find it too few.

"Over the past year, Twelve and Sixteen have taken turns leading people to search the mountains, and have already eliminated 80% of the areas."

Jiang Qiqi: "......"

With this kind of perseverance, you will succeed in whatever you do.

"So you want to find the Imperial Preceptor and kill him before Beiming does?"

Shen Luo nodded: "Kill him, to pay tribute to the hundreds of thousands of heroic souls buried in the desolate river."

Jiang Qiqi: "......"

It sounds strange, but... hundreds of thousands of heroic souls for just one sacrifice?

......

Shen Luo seemed to have thought of something. He grasped Jiang Qiqi's hand in return, a hint of unease on his face.

"Seven Seven, the Northern Ming has been in great turmoil these past few years. With the death of the Grand Preceptor, they certainly won't have any more thoughts of war. Originally, I planned to return to Huangchuan after completing the mission and end my life, to reunite with Grandpa and Eleven."

He observed her expression and carefully chose his words: "All things considered, six months is neither a long nor a short time, enough for me to finish these things."

Jiang Qiqi couldn't listen anymore. She shook off his hand and stood up abruptly.

"Shen Luo, what about me?"

Shen Luo was speechless for a moment.

This is what has been bothering him the whole time.

He had planned everything perfectly, and everything was running smoothly. He was on the verge of success, but it seemed as if fate was deliberately working against him, and this very person was brought into his life.

Over the years, his life had been black and white, and he had become accustomed to it, even believing that this was how the world should be.

But suddenly a splash of color appeared.

She was like a skilled painter, turning the world into a riot of colors; yet she was also like an unreasonable, mischievous child, dragging him along as they rolled around in an overturned bucket of paint.

But now, Jiang Qiqi's face was icy cold.

"Shen Luo, what do you take me for? A tool to kill time when you're bored? Or a toy that you can throw away after you're done with me?"

She doesn't understand.

"Qiqi," Shen Luo said anxiously, "it's not what you think."

He explained, "I know you like money. I've already had Sixteen inventory all the assets of the General's Mansion. In a few days, all of these will be transferred to you, so that even if I'm gone, you'll still have money to rely on."

Jiang Qiqi sneered: "Heh, so General Shen thinks I'm a beggar?"

"Qiqi, you know that's not what I meant."

Shen Luo was at a loss. He was like a poor little dog that had been soaked by the rain, and he could only back down again and again in order not to get the clothes of the person he liked wet.

He let out a long sigh and lowered his head:

"Qiqi, I admit that I used to want to shorten my life, but after meeting you, I no longer have that thought."

Jiang Qiqi's expression softened slightly.

"Perhaps this poison, just as you said, won't kill me for now, but it certainly won't give me a lifespan like a normal person."

Shen Luo was very somber; he dared not look into her eyes, afraid that he would lose control of his emotions.

"I know that money and other material possessions are useless, but Qiqi, that's all I have. I don't have a healthy body, so I can't give you a lifelong promise. I can only make up for it with these insignificant material things..."

"That's enough, Shen Luo."

Jiang Qiqi resumed her usual tone, calm and gentle.

She said, "I want everything, including material possessions and you."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Everyone in the general's mansion noticed that their lady seemed unusually busy these past few days.

Previously, due to the matter of the Northern Ming Hidden Guards, Shen Luo's investigation of the Prime Minister's residence was interrupted for a few days.

Fortunately, after many twists and turns, the evidence against Jiang Qianzhong still ended up in their hands.

Shen Luo's poisoning was severe this time, and Jiang Qiqi refused to let him investigate personally anymore, so she took Twelve and Sixteen around every day.

And he gave the two of them a death order.

"Once evidence is found, we should convict Lü Jicai according to the law and with due due respect."

"If you can't find any evidence, you'll fabricate false evidence and then convict Lü Jicai according to the law."

After several encounters, Twelve-Six had figured out Madam's temperament.

She is determined to achieve whatever she sets her mind to, no matter what means she uses.

"Yes!" Sixteen replied excitedly, "Please rest assured, Madam, I'm an expert at giving false testimony!"

Twelve quietly leaned closer: "You can commit perjury? How come I didn't know that?"

Sixteen chuckled in response: "Remember that roast goose that went missing from the cafeteria a few nights ago?"

Twelve nodded blankly: "Of course I remember, I ate it, because the bones were under my bed. Why are you asking this? Are you going to scold me too?"

Xiang'er scolded him for this, and he had tinnitus all day.

Sixteen said modestly:

"To be honest, that was false testimony I gave. Actually, it was me and Nineteen who ate it and then threw it under your bed."

twelve:"?"

......

In the morning, Jiang Qiqi fabricated false evidence against Lü Jicai, and in the afternoon, she came to the "Floating Life Teahouse" again.

She walked around twice but didn't see Cheng Zixian:

Only Qi Yu stood behind the counter, holding a pen, writing characters stroke by stroke.

"What are you doing? Where is Cheng Zixian?"

Qi Yu recognized his master's voice and immediately put down his pen and looked up.

"Master, you've arrived. Brother Cheng just went out. His wound hasn't healed yet, so he went to the clinic next door to have his dressing changed."

"I see." Jiang Qiqi nodded, her gaze falling on the paper in front of Qi Yu.

What are you writing?

Qi Yu scratched his head sheepishly: "I was copying down customers' names."

He has been learning to keep accounts from Cheng Zixian these past few days, but because he knows too few characters, he still can't write down the names of many customers.

He is now working hard to learn to read.

Jiang Qiqi looked down and saw that Qi Yu's handwriting was much better than hers, even though they were both beginners.

She only practices calligraphy on a whim, which is why her handwriting still looks like a dog's scribbles.

She covered her mouth and coughed lightly: "It's very well written."

Qi Yu didn't notice the unnaturalness in her tone and grinned.

"By the way, did Tang Yiqing come today?" Jiang Qiqi had come to Cheng Zixian to ask this question.

Qi Yu thought for a moment and shook her head: "No, not just today, I haven't seen Master Tang in the last few days."

Jiang Qiqi frowned slightly: "I see."

Tang Yiqing was someone she trusted, and his medical skills were superb. If he examined Shen Luo's poison, he might be able to find a way to detoxify or alleviate the symptoms.

Although Qi Yu didn't know what his master wanted to do, he knew that his master really wanted to find Master Tang.

"Come here." He beckoned to a waiter who was doing odd jobs next to him and whispered a few words in his ear.

Jiang Qiqi saw the waiter nod a few times, then ran out without looking back.

Qi Yu looked at Jiang Qiqi: "Master, rest assured, I have already sent people to keep an eye on the hotel where Prince Gong Yuan is staying. If Master Tang appears there, we will know immediately."

Jiang Qiqi nodded in satisfaction and gave him a thumbs-up in appreciation.

"As expected of my subordinate Jiang Qiqi, he can really learn by analogy."

Now she could publish a book titled: "If You Can't Lead a Team, You'll Just Work Yourself to Death."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Shen Luo lay straight on the bed, looking utterly dejected.

"19. Xiang'er, you don't need to watch over me anymore, I'm fine now."

These two people have been following him around all day, keeping him in bed the whole time except for necessary activities.

"No way!" they both said in unison.

"General, please don't push yourself. Miss said you're very weak right now, so the two of us have to take care of you closely."

Shen Luo: "!"

Where did the rumor come from?

Nineteen chimed in, "Master, Madam is only doing this for your own good. Please listen to her and don't act like a child."

Shen Luo: "Who? Me? Throwing a childish tantrum?"

He laughed in exasperation, unwilling to waste any more words with them:

"Nineteen, you've really gotten bold lately, daring to lecture your master like this!"

Nineteen flinched for a moment, then remembered that he had the "Imperial Sword" in his hand, and his courage grew again.

"Master, this is Madam's order, I have no choice."

He shrugged and made a helpless expression.

"Madam," Shen Luo feigned anger, "between me and you, whose opinion do you listen to!"

"Shen Luo, whose orders do you want him to listen to?"

A woman's displeased voice could be heard from outside.

Jiang Qiqi returned with Twelve Sixteen, who was carrying large and small bags.

Shen Luohu shuddered, and immediately regretted it.

Although Qiqi said she wouldn't hold it against him anymore last night, she was clearly still angry. She slept in the corner all night with two pillows between them.

Although he threw the pillow away after she fell asleep, he still didn't dare to be too outrageous, acting furtively.

In the end, he only dared to pitifully hold onto one little finger.

I was hoping to behave well today and get leniency, but things didn't go as planned.

He had been holding back all day, but the moment he opened his mouth, he ran right into the line of fire again.

......

Shen Luo took a breath, and then immediately performed a dramatic face-changing act, just like in Sichuan opera!

"Qiqi, you're back..."

His innocent smile was completely different from how he had scolded Nineteen earlier.

"What did you do today? Are you tired?"

Jiang Qiqi raised an eyebrow, completely unmoved by his act:

"I'm not tired, after all... Twelve and Sixteen are quite obedient to me."

Sixteen silently gave the lady a thumbs up from behind.

She's probably the only one in the world who dares to be so sarcastic and disrespectful to her master.

Shen Luo's smile remained unchanged: "It's only right that you obey."

Perhaps realizing his expression was too obsequious, he toned it down a bit, straightened his face, and gave instructions to the group.

"From now on, what Madam says is the same as what I say. Even if there is a conflict between our orders, Madam's words shall take precedence! Do you all understand?"

Sixteen winked at him and gave him a polite smile.

Nineteen pursed his lips, and when he saw his master glaring at him, he subtly hid behind his wife.

Only Twelve answered him blankly and loudly: "Yes, Master!"

"Ahem." Shen Luo awkwardly touched his nose and started a new topic.

"Qiqi, it seems you brought back quite a lot of things. What are they?"

Jiang Qiqi didn't even glance at him this time, and directed Twelve and Sixteen to take out the things they bought.

"Twelve, sixteen, nineteen, this is the new Osmanthus Wine from Guixiangfang in the south of the city. One pot each for the three of you."

"Thank you, Madam." The group happily accepted the gifts.

"Xiang'er, this is the new moisturizing cream from Xu Gongpu in the north of the city. You and Xiang'er each get one jar."

Xiang'er replied sweetly, "Thank you, Miss."

"In addition, each of you will be given twenty taels of silver as compensation for your hard work during this period."

"Yes, thank you, Madam!"

"Miss is the best!"

"Madam is so magnanimous! May Madam live forever!"

......