Chen Hai didn’t understand Xie Junlin’s hopeful anticipation, and cheerfully recounted what had happened.
“It was the young lady the Great General has secretly liked for several years who saved him!”
“I heard the young lady appeared at the Xiao residence’s entrance around noon today. When she arrived, the Great General was unconscious, and everyone else was too afraid to approach him. But that young lady wasn’t afraid, as if she knew for certain the Great General wouldn’t harm her.”
“She walked up to the Great General. His eyes were bloodshot as he roared and was about to attack her, but she just reached out and touched his forehead with her finger, and suddenly the Great General calmed down.”
“After that, the Great General held her as if she were some precious treasure, then leaned on her shoulder and slept for a while. When he woke up again, he was completely awake and normal!”
Xie Junlin silently watched Chen Hai.
Thinking of how he had secretly wanted to find a Miracle Doctor to treat Ling Zhao just moments ago, he suddenly felt rather ridiculous.
He had thought it was some Miracle Doctor who cured Ling Zhao, but instead, it turned out to be that elusive thing called love?
Over the past year since Ling Zhao fell ill, he and Old General Xiao had consulted countless physicians, all of whom were helpless against Ling Zhao’s strange illness. Even the Successor of the Ghost Doctor couldn’t cure him.
Now suddenly a young lady appears, needing no medicine, no acupuncture, just a touch and an embrace to make Ling Zhao recover?
When medical skills fail, resort to metaphysics, is that it?
Xie Junlin looked Chen Hai up and down. “Who told you this… story? How credible is it?”
Seeing the Emperor’s reaction, Chen Hai grinned happily.
He said, “Your Majesty, when this old servant first heard about it, I also thought it sounded rather unbelievable. But I’ve confirmed it – this matter is true. The Old General has personally gone to the government office to Register the marriage between the Great General and that young lady. I heard the Great General is holding his Wedding ceremony tonight!”
Xie Junlin slowly put down his teacup and frowned. “The Wedding ceremony is tonight? Why such haste and urgency?”
Chen Hai said, “This old servant heard it seems to be for a Luck bringer?”
Xie Junlin leaned back in his chair, thoughtful.
Was she really the young lady Ling Zhao had admired for several years? If he had admired her for years, she should be the treasure of his heart. How could he bear to treat her so hastily and unfairly?
Calling it a Luck bringer…
But hadn’t Ling Zhao already regained consciousness? Why the need for such a rushed Luck bringer ceremony?
A glint of interest flashed in Xie Junlin’s eyes.
It seemed he needed to go see what kind of young lady this was.
Not only could she make Ling Zhao recover without medicine, but she also made the usually women-averse Ling Zhao so impatient that he couldn’t wait even one more day.
“Help me change clothes. Accompany me to the Xiao residence to have some wedding wine.”
…
Song Residence.
The elegant and extraordinary Successor of the Ghost Doctor, Song Suihuan, was still unaware of the changes at the Xiao family. She was still waiting for the Old General to come and end his own life.
After preparing a bottle of medicine, she asked her maid, “Has that old scoundrel Xiao Zhen come to die yet?”
The maid shook her head. “He hasn’t come, Miss.”
Song Suihuan’s delicate brows slightly furrowed.
“That day I said I would only give him ten days to consider. If he doesn’t end his life after ten days, I will completely abandon treating Xiao Lingzhao. Today is the final day—”
Song Suihuan murmured, “Doesn’t he want to save his son anymore?”The maid was also puzzled. “Logically speaking, it shouldn’t be like this. Xiao Zhen has lost four sons and two daughters. Xiao Lingzhao is Xiao Zhen’s child born in his old age, his only remaining bloodline, and such a prodigious talent. He wouldn’t just stand by and watch Xiao Lingzhao die before his eyes…”
Just as she said this, the maid suddenly added, “Earlier, our informant reported that a young and beautiful woman in black appeared at the Xiao family’s doorstep today. After the Xiao family welcomed her inside, no one came out again. Could it be…”
The maid cautiously glanced at Song Suihuan. “Could it be that the Xiao family has found someone who can save Xiao Lingzhao?”
Song Suihuan wiped her fingertips, her brow filled with arrogance.
“Impossible. In this world, besides me, no one else can save Xiao Lingzhao.”
“The Strange Power within him is different from ordinary internal energy. That force is not only rooted in his meridians but has also merged with his flesh and blood. Trying to use the method of abolishing internal energy to free him won’t work.”
“Only I, using the Ghost Physician Sect’s acupuncture techniques, can eradicate the power within him. If that old scoundrel Xiao Zhen wants to save his son, he has no choice but to kneel before me and take his own life, begging me to intervene.”
Upon hearing this, the maid immediately flattered her.
“That’s true. The old Ghost Physician only took you as his disciple. No one in the world is more skilled than you, young mistress. The Xiao family couldn’t possibly find another way to save Xiao Lingzhao. That old scoundrel Xiao Zhen will surely come to kneel before you and end his life by evening. He must pay with his life for our master’s death!”
Song Suihuan’s brows relaxed.
She was waiting for Xiao Zhen to die before her eyes.
Once that old scoundrel Xiao Zhen was dead, she would have avenged her father who suffered death by a thousand cuts. Then there would be no patricidal enmity between her and Xiao Lingzhao, and she would step in to save him.
Although by then Xiao Lingzhao would become a cripple, she wouldn’t mind.
A cripple would be better—he wouldn’t have to risk his life on the battlefield anymore. He could stay home peacefully with her, bearing children and growing old together in love…
Thinking of Xiao Lingzhao’s handsome, rugged face, ripples stirred in Song Suihuan’s heart.
That man who grew up with her, that dazzling God of War who drove countless women in the capital and borderlands wild with admiration, belonged to her.
He would definitely be hers.
…
While Song Suihuan was coveting Xiao Lingzhao, he had already put on his bright red wedding robes and was about to marry another girl.
He felt no melancholy or sorrow. The reflection in the mirror showed laughter at the corners of his eyes and brows. Marrying the girl who had saved him and his father filled his heart with nothing but joy.
As he adjusted his sleeves, he asked his personal guard Xiao Yun, “Has the auspicious hour not arrived yet?”
Xiao Yun glanced at him silently, somewhat amused. “Young General, you’ve already asked me four times. Are you that impatient? Should I knock you out and wake you up when the auspicious hour comes?”
Xiao Lingzhao’s fingers paused slightly.
He didn’t remember asking four times?
But he couldn’t be blamed for his anxiety. Earlier, when he was close to Miss Shen, the power within him had temporarily quieted down. Now that they were in separate courtyards putting on their wedding attire, having been apart for less than three quarters of an hour, the power within him was already showing signs of stirring again.
This feeling of being on the verge of losing control at any moment was utterly terrible.
He wanted to see his Miss Shen.
How could a madman who might lose control at any moment stay away from his calming medicine for too long?
He turned and walked toward the door. “I’m going to check on Yuan Wei.”Xiao Yun immediately reached out to stop him. “Young General, please don’t! You cannot enter the bride’s room before the wedding ceremony—it’s the rule.”
Xiao Lingzhao looked up at Xiao Yun. “I’m not going in. I’m just waiting for her at the door.”
He brushed aside Xiao Yun’s hand and strode toward Shen Yuanwei’s courtyard, holding the large red silk wedding flower himself.
Just as he arrived at Shen Yuanwei’s door, he heard the Wedding Matchmaker inside reciting auspicious phrases—
“With the first comb, may your marriage last a lifetime, surrounded by children and grandchildren.”
“With the second comb, may you enjoy endless wealth and honor.”
“With the third comb, may you grow old together with white hair, leaning on each other.”
The words lingered in his ears, and a smile touched Xiao Lingzhao’s dark eyes.
Surrounded by children and grandchildren.
Growing old together with his wife.
How wonderful it would be.
If it could truly be like this—if he could fill this quiet General’s Residence with the joyful laughter of children everywhere—it would be the greatest happiness of his life.
He was just about to lean against the wall and quietly wait for his wife to finish dressing when suddenly a maid hurried into the courtyard.
“Young General, Young General! The Emperor has come to drink your wedding wine! The Old General and Old Madam are receiving him in the main hall and request your immediate presence!”