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

Although the summer solstice is still two days away, the northwest region, which rarely receives significant rainfall, is already as hot as Beijing, with temperatures much higher.

The area surrounding Longcheng is a small desert, where Jiang Qiqi and Zheng Lin'er are currently riding horses.

There was no other reason than that it was too hot for the horses to run.

Jiang Qiqi felt that the grooms needed to reflect on whether they hadn't worked hard enough and why they hadn't invented coffee for the horses.

The sun hangs high in the sky, casting its light equally on every corner.

"Miss, I'm a little hot, how about you?" Zheng Lin'er's face was flushed red.

"I'm fine." Jiang Qiqi was used to enduring all kinds of extreme sensations, and she didn't care about temperature changes.

What she really wanted to say was: It would be strange if we weren't hot.

The other people I saw on the street were either wearing short-sleeved jackets or were completely shirtless.

Only the two of them wore a thick long gown that covered them from head to toe.

They're like two idiots.

No one told her that the sun was so scorching in ancient times.

......

"Lin'er, there seems to be someone ahead." While strolling around, Jiang Qiqi spotted a small black dot in the distance.

The two men spurred their horses to gallop a few steps and found an old man lying on the ground, his face pale.

"Old man, old man," Zheng Lin'er tried to wake him.

Jiang Qiqi felt his pulse; it was somewhat weak.

But thankfully, my heart is still beating.

"Lin'er, bring us the blood ginseng pills we brought. Pour some water on his lips and feed him the medicine."

Jiang Qiqi calmly arranged, "Pat his back a few times to help him exhale the stagnant air, then put him on horseback and we'll take him to the city."

"Yes, Miss." Zheng Lin'er did as her mistress instructed.

When the old man was lifted up, something fell to the ground.

Jiang Qiqi picked it up and saw that it was a packet of medicine.

He casually stuffed it into his bundle.

……

At noon, Jiang Qiqi and Zheng Lin'er, who had been drowsy from being in the sun all morning, finally led their listless horses into Longcheng.

"Lin'er, take him to the clinic first, I'll be there in a bit."

The elderly man is of advanced age and has been unconscious for an unknown period of time. If he doesn't receive immediate treatment, he may really lose his life.

"Yes, ma'am."

After watching Lin'er walk away, Jiang Qiqi led her horse and continued walking into the city.

As she entered the city gate, she made a point of glancing at the wall next to her.

The notice about the exorbitantly priced drugs that I mentioned earlier has been torn down, and a new notice has been posted.

The price of medicine has changed to ten coins per dose.

Although it's still not cheap, most people can afford it.

Perhaps because medicine sales have started, the streets are no longer deserted, and people are walking around.

Jiang Qiqi began asking if anyone knew where the General Zhenguo was staying.

Although she acted well in front of Lin'er, she was actually already at her breaking point.

This body has been weak for more than ten years, and it is impossible for it to recover to normal in just one or two months of conditioning.

She had to take medication several times to persevere, and now she needs to find a safe place to rest for a while.

She also happened to have something to give to Shen Luo.

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.

Following these inquiries, Jiang Qiqi arrived at the governor's mansion.

Incidentally, I must say that the General Who Protects the Nation is indeed renowned; everyone in the Southern Yue Kingdom knows him.

Strangely enough, in her past life she had visited more cities than she had eaten salt, and no matter where she went, her heart was always calm and undisturbed.

Now, she was in another unfamiliar city, but the thought that Shen Luo was here also gave her a strange sense of familiarity.

Perhaps, once she sheds the guise of a spy, she is no longer filled with suspicion.

Perhaps, after spending so much time with Shen Luo, she had unknowingly come to regard him as a friend.

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.

Jiang Qiqi led the horse to its destination, only to discover that... it had to queue.

When the people of Longcheng heard that the General Zhenguo had come to quell the rebellion, they all turned into fanatical fans.

No wonder everyone was so used to her asking for directions earlier; they just pointed her out like muscle memory.

Those with mild cases of the plague could simply grab a handful of medicine, put it in their mouths, and take it out. Those with severe cases were instructed to take a closer look at their families and then tell them about it when they got home. As for people who usually hid away for fear of the plague, they suddenly seemed to have gained a golden body that was immune to all diseases.

Everyone in Longcheng who was able to move, regardless of age or gender, rushed over, hoping to catch a glimpse of the majestic God of War of Mount Heng.

The scene was certainly bustling, if not completely packed with people.

"General, cough cough, it's good that you're here, cough cough. Our little problem is nothing to them, cough cough cough cough. They can solve it with a flick of their finger." The old man with the cane said, his cough trembling.

Jiang Qiqi was really afraid that he would fall apart at any moment.

“My son, cough cough, you must learn from the General Zhenguo, grow up to protect your country and become a great hero,” a man said to his infant son.

I understand the desire for one's son to succeed.

"It's too far from here. I'm afraid we won't be able to see the General. Let's squeeze forward a bit more," the two young men said.

That's so rude... Let's not even talk about crowding.

"Smack!!!" Xiangmu slapped it.

"It is said that this General Zhenguo was appointed to his post at the age of fifteen in a time of crisis. His first battle was against Qi Ji, the ever-victorious general of the Northern Ming. At that time, the Northern Ming had won thirteen consecutive battles and captured thirteen cities in our Southern Yue, and their morale was at its peak. When they suddenly saw that Southern Yue had sent such a greenhorn as general, they laughed their heads off and ridiculed us, saying that Southern Yue had no one to rely on and that we were now struggling on our deathbed..."

There were even storytellers who moved their tables here to tell their stories.

However, at first glance, the largest group consists of young women.

"I heard the general likes flowers, so I specially put one in my hair." The woman touched the flower in her hair and smiled shyly.

"I heard the general likes snacks, so I brought some homemade pastries." The second woman tightened her grip on the basket she was carrying, smiling shyly.

"I heard the general likes fighting, so I plan to challenge him later." Woman C looked at the challenge letter she was holding and smiled shyly.

……

Jiang Qiqi knew that the title of General Zhenguo was very prestigious, but she never expected it to be this prestigious.

"Young lady, are you also here to see the General Who Protects the Nation?"

Just as Jiang Qiqi was pondering whether being too famous was an advantage or a disadvantage, a girl struck up a conversation with her.

"Me? I guess I count as one too," Jiang Qiqi said.

Whether she sees me or not isn't important; the main thing is that she's about to leave and wants to go inside and lie down for a while.

"It's okay, don't be shy." The girl glanced at Jiang Qiqi and led her and her horse to a tree nearby.

Several girls were chatting and laughing under the tree, and they greeted them warmly when they saw them arrive.

"Someone new is here."

"welcome."

Jiang Qiqi inexplicably felt like she had been pulled into a WeChat group in modern times.

The girls gathered together, discussing the matter animatedly.

"I read in the storybook that the General Who Guards the Nation is eight feet tall, handsome, elegant, and imposing. He is a brilliant strategist, invincible wherever he goes, striking fear into the hearts of his enemies. At home, he dotes on his wife, showering her with affection and tenderness. No matter when or where, he spoils her with just one word: 'pampering'!"

Jiang Qiqi (cow and calf cat with open mouth): "Huh?"

“Oh, that’s more than that,” another girl interjected. “The general proposed to his wife in front of the entire army. It’s said that he was holding the head of an enemy general he had just cut off when he proposed! How enviable!”

What's there to envy... Wait, this plot seems a bit familiar.

“And I’ve heard,” a girl said in a low voice, leaning closer, “that the General has great stamina, and his wife has suffered a lot in bed. The candles in the room are often lit all night long.”

"Oh my, why are you still listening to this? Aren't you ashamed?"

A group of young girls were laughing and whispering together, having a great time.

Aside from the central figure in the discussion—Jiang Qiqi.

No, she is now a pampered, obedient, enviable, and hardworking general's wife.