Warm medicine emits fragrance

Yet this same man suddenly appeared at the prefect's residence in the early hours of the morning, forcibly rousing him from his bed, just to make him go find a woman.

Liu Qing had heard that Li Chenbi had caused a scene at home for a woman, disregarding ethics and norms. This incident became one of the pieces of evidence that Li Chenxin later used to remove him from the family genealogy.

The reason given was that he disrespected his parents and elder brothers.

But the woman's appearance was too coincidental, and Liu Qing assumed it was just a performance by Li Chenbi to prepare for his next move.

Unexpectedly, this woman really did exist.

The man sat there all morning, and his expression never improved; in the servants' reports, it grew uglier with each visit.

Even this seasoned veteran, who had seen it all, felt a little apprehensive.

Thinking about the news I just heard, I couldn't help but sigh.

"There's no news yet..." he said hesitantly.

As he spoke, Li Chenbi looked at him, and after he finished speaking, Li Chenbi took a deep breath.

His heart tightened, and sure enough, before Li Chenbi had even finished exhaling, he raised his hand and swung it at the cups on the table.

The crackling sound made Liu Qing's heart clench with pain.

That was his favorite tea set, one he rarely took out to use. Had he known this killing god would be so irritable today, he wouldn't have taken it out.

After someone else swept away the debris on the ground, he spoke slowly, "Don't worry, as long as the person hasn't left the city, we'll definitely find them."

"I've already sent men to guard the city gates; I guarantee they won't let anyone out."

"I will also intensify my search in the city. If Li Chenxin's people come to ask, I will say that my concubine has run away."

After saying that, he sighed to himself again.

Where did he get a concubine? He's been henpecked for decades. I'll have to explain to his wife first, or he'll suffer the consequences.

"According to the scouts, the rebel army will arrive outside the city no later than three days from now. I guarantee that I will send you home before the rebel army arrives."

Liu Qing thought that finding a woman was a simple matter. Most of the people in Xingzhou City had fled, and most of the shops outside were closed. Even if they searched house to house, they could still find her.

As long as that woman doesn't leave the city.

The gatekeepers have already reported that since the city gates opened, they have not seen any lone women leaving the city.

This person must still be in the city.

Li Chenbi thought so too. Although he still couldn't understand why Fan Liuer ran away, he knew she wasn't a brainless person.

In this day and age, the dangers for a woman traveling alone out of the city are no less than those for staying inside.

She wouldn't rashly run out of the city.

He had thoroughly investigated Fan Liuer's background and origins. She had no relatives or friends here and didn't know anyone. She rarely even left the mansion, let alone had anyone to meet her.

Even if she runs, she can't get very far.

But why did she run away?

This problem had been troubling Li Chenbi all morning. He couldn't figure it out, and whenever he thought about it, he couldn't suppress his anger.

As noon approached, the fever symptoms began to flare up.

He had to rush back to take his medicine.

Interrupting Liu Qing, he waved his hand behind him. Li Qiuping immediately stepped forward and pushed him away from the prefect's residence.

Liu Qing watched Li Chenbi leave through the back door and had just breathed a sigh of relief when a servant came to report that Li Chenxin had arrived.

He suddenly felt a headache.

These two brothers are such a handful.

One is so shrewd it's frightening, the other is so stupid it's annoying.

Thinking about what would happen to Li Chenxin, I silently mourned for her in my heart.

Of all people to be jealous of, why does he have to be jealous of his own brother? If he had such a capable brother, he would have already clung to his brother's leg and slept soundly.

At the same time, he sighed inwardly, thinking that Li Chenbi was truly ruthless. He would not let anyone who offended him off easily, regardless of whether they were related by blood or not.

Ever since Liu Qing went to the Li residence to see Li Chenxin that day, Li Chenxin has been going to the prefect's residence every day to inquire when reinforcements will arrive, how to deploy them next, and what he needs to do.

Liu Qing gets a headache just looking at him now.

This man was not only stupid, but also ambitious and stubborn. He thought he was smarter than the prefect who came from a proper imperial examination background, and would refute him from time to time.

He also had a particular fondness for taking credit, always making Liu Qing do the thankless and arduous tasks.

If Liu Qing hadn't known that it was all just a prank, he would have kicked him out long ago.

Is there such a cheap thing in the world? Letting others do all the work and reaping all the benefits?

Liu Qing himself wanted such a bargain.

But the rebels hadn't arrived yet, and the plan wasn't fully completed, so the prefect could only continue to appease him.

When he saw Li Chenxin in the lobby, he forced a smile.

"Nephew Shen Xin, you've arrived! Have you had lunch yet?"

Upon hearing this address, Li Chenxin's expression darkened, and a hint of disdain flashed in her eyes.

He's destined to be the emperor's brother-in-law; how dare a mere prefect try to claim kinship with him?

"My lord, it would be best not to jeopardize our relationship."

Liu Qing was speechless for a moment after being choked by his words before continuing to laugh, "Yes, yes, I was so happy to see you that I forgot the rules."

"Come, come, sit here and try my treasured tea."

Li Chenxin wasn't there to chat idly. His face showed his impatience. "I won't drink the tea. I came here today to ask when the reinforcements will arrive. At most, the rebels will be at the city gates in four days."

Liu Qing invited Li Chenxin to take the seat of honor, saying, "Prince Rong has already sent me a message that reinforcements are expected to arrive at midnight on the third day, and they will definitely arrive before the rebels."

Upon hearing this, Li Chenxin still showed some concern.

Liu Qing comforted him, "You can rest assured. Xingzhou Prefecture is such a coveted prize, how could the imperial court ignore it and let the rebels pick it up for nothing?"

"I've heard..." Liu Qing leaned closer to Li Chenxin and whispered, "Xingzhou has been chosen to become the next capital. If the capital falls, then..."

He didn't finish his sentence; Li Chenxin understood without him needing to say anything more.

These words excited Li Chenxin. If Liu Qing's words came true, it would be a great thing.

Although he has emptied the Li family's coffers, they still have a lot of shops and land, which they can use to make another fortune.

Liu Qing was right. Xingzhou was such a coveted prize; how could the imperial court easily hand it over to someone else?

Feeling at ease, he didn't linger at the prefect's residence and left in high spirits.

After seeing him off, Liu Qing spat at his retreating figure.

"idiot!"

The imperial court is currently preoccupied with its own problems, and the border army is about to invade the capital. Prince Rong has been defeated and has lost his will to fight. Who can possibly care about Xingzhou?

Li Chenbi forged several letters from Prince Rong and sent them to Li Chenxin, who then believed that everything was under Prince Rong's control.

"Sigh!" He sighed and exclaimed, "These people are so stupid, they can even pick the wrong person to suck up to."

However, he also had to thank Li Chenxin. If Li Chenxin had been a little more clear-headed, he, an outsider, wouldn't have had the chance to cling to Li Chenbi's coattails.