Warm medicine emits fragrance

The argument between Fan Liuer and Li Chenbi ended with Fan Liuer giving in.

Considering Li Chenbi's injury, Fan Liuer didn't bother arguing with him. If she got angry and made herself sick, he would only become more difficult to deal with.

"Okay, okay, I was wrong. From now on, I'll keep a close watch on any woman who appears near you—no, not just women, men too. I'll keep a close eye on them all. If anything seems amiss, I'll..." She raised her hand to slit her throat, her expression stern, "...kill them."

Li Chenbi was finally satisfied. With his uninjured hand, he pulled Fan Liuer into his arms. "Remember to be clean and swift when you strike, don't leave any hidden dangers."

"I understand, I understand."

"Are you just giving me the runaround?"

"I understand!" he gritted his teeth.

"Hmph, that's more like it."

The group arrived at the city gate, where heavy troops were stationed, and the traces of the war were still visible.

Fan Liuer looked out the window and saw a scene of utter devastation.

Although she had been marching with the army for so long, she had never been to a battlefield before. This was the first time she had experienced the devastation brought by war.

The city gate was breached, and wooden ladders for climbing the walls were still standing on the walls, along with traces of kerosene burning. The ground was covered in blood and arrows, enough to imagine how fierce the battle was.

She dared not look any longer, closed the window and sat down.

The guards knew that this was Li Chenbi's carriage, so they let it pass without questioning, and the procession headed into the city.

It was noisy outside, filled with the voices of the people, who were expressing their gratitude and welcoming the arrival of the rebel army.

Fan Liuer looked at Li Chenbi, whose face was expressionless and showed no reaction to the people's adoration.

Fan Liuer considered herself clear-headed, but Li Chenbi was even more so. Power was within his grasp; if he wanted, he could stand second only to the emperor and look down upon all living beings.

Who can resist being blinded by power? Even Fan Liuer herself couldn't.

Li Chenbi, however, could see through the true nature of power and was unwilling to get involved in those struggles.

It seems they are truly a match made in heaven, only they are blinded by their feelings for each other.

Thinking of this, the corners of her mouth turned up slightly.

"What are you thinking about, secretly enjoying yourself here all by yourself?" Li Chenbi looked at her, his indifferent expression gone.

"When can we go back to Xingzhou?" she asked.

"I estimate we'll have to wait until we get to Kyoto and things stabilize."

Fan Liuer nodded. Now that the last barrier has been breached, the rebel army will have no further obstacles, and it's only a matter of time before they enter the capital.

It should be soon.

The convoy stopped in front of the prefect's mansion, and Fan Liuer got out of the car with Li Chenbi.

There were already people waiting, and when they saw Li Chenbi, they said that the general invited him.

After settling Fan Liuer in, Li Chenbi went to see Yan Qi.

Fan Liuer was helping Chuixue pack her luggage in the bedroom.

Fan Liuer probably wouldn't be staying here for long, so she only took out some essentials and didn't open the rest of her luggage.

The luggage was quickly packed. Fan Liuer sat in the room, looking out the window at Li Qiuping, who was giving instructions to the servants. Her thoughts drifted away.

I wonder what Yan Qi wants to talk to Li Chenbi about. He's still injured, and they don't even let him rest.

Li Chenbi entered the study, where only Yan Qi was present.

Upon seeing Li Chenbi, Yan Qi stood up with a smile on his face. "You're here? How are your injuries? I was originally planning to let you rest, but I have a problem and I need your help to come up with an idea."

"The injuries are minor." Li Chenbi sat down at Yan Qi's gesture. "What trouble did the general encounter?"

"It's all because of Yanqiu. I don't know how he found out that you were going to leave in the future, but he made a scene here and told me that I have to keep you here no matter what."

Upon hearing this, Li Chenbi snorted coldly in his heart.

That old fox is testing him again.

Li Chenbi had told Yan Qi from the beginning that he had no interest in becoming an official and that he initially joined the rebel army only to borrow troops to find Fan Liuer.

Now that Yan Qi's great cause is about to be completed, he has fulfilled the deal he made with Yan Qi. Once everything is settled, he can retire gracefully.

"He's just being childish, General. Don't worry about him. Once we get to the capital, give him plenty of things to do, and he won't have time to cause trouble."

Yan Qi smiled again, "Actually, I don't want you to leave either. With your talent, it would be a real pity if you didn't stay in the capital. I also know that you don't like trouble and think that being an official involves too much work. So, you can become Yan Qiu's teacher and do your best to assist him."

"If you can't bear to leave your family, I will send someone to bring your mother and niece to Kyoto together."

"To be honest, given your merits in the army, it's a disservice to you to make you a teacher in Yanqiu. Since you don't like other positions, I will grant your mother the title of Lady of the Imperial Decree."

These words sounded like an attempt to persuade Li Chenbi to stay, but in reality, they were a statement of Yan Qi's attitude.

Yan Qi's apprehension towards Li Chenbi deepened, especially after Li Chenbi's decision to save Yan Qiu in the early morning, which further intensified Yan Qi's wariness of Li Chenbi.

Now he is even worried about letting Li Chenbi return to Xingzhou, fearing that history will repeat itself and that Li Chenbi will follow the path he once walked.

Therefore, he wanted to keep Li Chenbi under his surveillance, so as not to let the tiger return to the mountain.

Li Chenbi was fed up with these guesses and tests. Saving Yanqiu in the early morning was a subconscious act. If he had discovered it earlier, he would not have been able to save Yanqiu and cause himself so much trouble.

"I appreciate your kindness, General, but my mother is not in good health lately and cannot withstand the hardships of the journey. Besides, she is old and does not want to leave her homeland. I hope you can understand."

"As for Yanqiu, he is intelligent, but he is still a bit young. With your personal guidance, General, he will surely be able to solve your problems in the future."

Li Chenbi's words also revealed his attitude.

Yan Qi looked at him intently upon hearing this, but did not try to persuade him further. "Since you insist, then I will not try to persuade you anymore."

"But no matter what, you should stay in Kyoto for a while before you leave. I still have many things for you to handle."

"Of course, I will not go back on my word to the general."

"Okay, go and get some rest. You've worked hard these past few days."

Li Chenbi rose to take his leave and departed the study.

The moment he stepped out of the room, Yan Qi's smile vanished, and his eyes darkened.

Li Chenbi returned to the courtyard where he was staying. Instead of going into the house immediately, he waved to Li Qiuping, who was guarding outside the door.

Li Qiuping immediately stepped forward, "Master."

Li Chenbi said in a low voice, "The people in Kyoto can start making preparations."

He had long anticipated that Yan Qi would not let him go easily, so how could he sit idly by and wait for his death? He had already made arrangements before this expedition.

Once we arrive in Kyoto, we can proceed according to plan.