The winter morning mist lay thick, and from within it came the sound of powerful footsteps. "General!" The patrolling guards stopped, saluted him, and watched as the man, still clad only in his undergarments with his heavy outer coat draped over his arm, ran past without sparing them a glance.

"The General is up early," they murmured in admiration before continuing on their way. He jogged swiftly all the way into the office, Chang Yuncheng letting out a breath—a close call, a very close call.

Thank heavens he hadn't returned too late; if the sun had been high in the sky, it would have been disastrous... But just as he exhaled in relief, he heard someone behind him call out, "General!" He turned to see four or five officers standing at the doorway, their expressions oddly strained.

"Is there urgent military business that requires my immediate investigation?" Chang Yuncheng asked upon hearing their words. The officers nodded, clearly unaccustomed to lying.

"Come in," Chang Yuncheng said, noticing their eyes darting towards the clothes on his arm. He subconsciously tried to shield his back.

"You all take a seat for a moment. I ran a few laps and worked up a sweat; I'll quickly wash up, and then we'll leave right away..." Watching Chang Yuncheng retreat inside, the men outside exchanged glances.

"Ran a few laps..." one muttered under his breath, "I wonder if he was running on the ground or on a woman..." The man next to him quickly kicked him as a warning to keep his voice down. His orderly had already prepared the water.

Chang Yuncheng quickly shed his clothes and doused himself, feeling an unprecedented sense of refreshment. He couldn't help but hum a little tune he'd picked up from somewhere.

As he dried off, a faint soreness on his shoulder caught his attention. He looked down to see a bright red bite mark.

It was from that woman... In that moment of intimate closeness, of honeyed affection, at the peak of sheer ecstasy...

The thought flashed through his mind, and instantly, the woman’s panting moans echoed in his ears. Before his eyes materialized the soft, alluring white body pressed beneath him, and with his every movement, dark ink-black hair and pale, tender breasts swayed, creating a heart-stopping wave of desire.

Chang Yuncheng’s lower abdomen instantly tightened, his blood surging violently. He grabbed the nearby bucket of cold water and poured it over himself.

They say the long night is endless—what nonsense! How could it be long?

It was never long enough! When the sunlight finally pierced the room, A'ru, stationed outside, hesitated before pushing the door open.

Her eyes immediately fell upon Qi Yue, still sprawled asleep on the heated brick bed. The room was still thick with the lingering, intoxicating scent of their lovemaking.

A'ru couldn't help but blush and lower her gaze, but then she noticed the disarray of clothes tossed on the floor, some of them torn, betraying the desperate urgency of that moment. Blushing again, A'ru finally raised her head and saw that Qi Yue was only half-covered by the quilt, the other half having slipped to the ground, exposing a shoulder mottled with deep purple bruises.

Were all of these... marks from that kind of activity?

It was so rough. Her face flushed, and she carefully pulled the quilt back over her.

"What time is it?" Qi Yue asked drowsily. A'ru jumped in surprise.

"Still early," she quickly replied. "The hot water is ready; would you like to wash up before sleeping again?" Qi Yue tried to sit up but felt utterly drained, reaching out to rub her lower back.

"That scoundrel..." she mumbled, "He's absolutely mad..." Endless and unrestrained... Don't men who have been celibate for a long time finish quickly?

Lies! A'ru quickly reached out to gently massage her.

Silence hung in the room for a moment. "What if the Madam still refuses to let you into the family?" A'ru suddenly whispered.

Qi Yue turned toward the window, glancing at her. "Then I won't enter the family," she chuckled.

"I'll simply take a son-in-law into my own home." A'ru burst out laughing and playfully swatted her shoulder. "Ow ow ow!" Qi Yue cried out in mock pain.

"A'ru, don't worry about me," she said, sitting up with a smile, looking at A'ru. "I won't let myself be unhappy, nor will I make him suffer any more.

Life is short, and fate is fleeting; when we have our time, we cherish it fully." As she sat up, the quilt slid further down, revealing her bare upper body. A'ru noticed the marks on her front as well and quickly averted her gaze, rising to fetch some clothes.

"Mistress, you and the Heir must be well together. As long as you two are united, you can overcome any difficulty," A'ru said.

Qi Yue reached out and pinched her cheek. "I'm older than you; I know," she said with a smile.

A'ru shot her a playfully annoyed look and dodged away. "Hurry up and get dressed, you disrespectful old woman," she teased.

Just as she finished dressing, they heard a commotion outside. "To Songshan Fortress?" Qi Yue asked, looking at the few military doctors and two officers who had been ushered in.

"Yes, a detachment over there suffered a bandit ambush, and we require the military doctors' assistance," one officer stated with a grim face. "Very well," Qi Yue agreed immediately.

"I'll pack up right away." The two officers exchanged a look, clearly surprised. She actually agreed to go?

Could she bear to leave this place? Never mind that; even if they couldn't secure the woman’s heart for their brother, they could at least preserve some semblance of face.

Watching the woman and the military doctors ride out of the fortress gate, the two officers let out a collective sigh of relief. Meanwhile, through another gate, Chang Yuncheng and his four or five officers led a contingent out of the fortress as well.

Hopefully, this interlude would be enough time for Commandant Lu to convince the Garrison Commander. "What exactly are you trying to say?" The Garrison Commander finally slammed his hand on the table, looking at Lü Baoshan, the Defense Commandant of Pengshan Fortress, who had been sitting there for half the day already.

The burly man looked utterly aggrieved, which was an uncomfortable sight to behold. "The commendations have been submitted; there is a procedure that must follow, and it won't come down that quickly.

You're an old hand; surely you know the rules?" the Garrison Commander said irritably. "No, no, no, my lord, I'm not here to ask about that," Lü Baoshan quickly insisted, gritting his teeth as he stood up.

"My lord, please recall the General of Martial Valor immediately, or lives will be lost!" Lives! The Garrison Commander was startled.

The life of the General of Martial Valor was extremely valuable. "What is going on?

What did you mean by that nonsensical official document you wrote last time?" he demanded. "Why would lives be lost?" Since the door had been opened, Lü Baoshan poured everything out in one go.

"My lord, I admire the General's martial skill and strategy, and he treats his men well, but what he did this time was utterly dishonorable!" he finished, his voice laced with a mix of sadness, grievance, and heartbreak—he couldn't quite place the feeling himself. He looked up at the Garrison Commander, only to see his expression unchanged, still holding a slight smile.

Lü Baoshan froze momentarily. "Ah, this." The Garrison Commander chuckled, relieved.

"I thought it was some great matter. Why are you rough old men concerning yourselves with someone else's private affairs?" Lü Baoshan's eyes widened, and he stood up.

"My lord, this is not a great matter?" he exclaimed. "Enough.

Whose woman is she from Jianghai? Even if she is Jianghai's woman, she was gifted by the General.

And perhaps she was one of the General's former concubines," the Garrison Commander said with a hint of disdain. Wealthy families keep beautiful concubines not only for their own pleasure but also to gift to friends or bestow as rewards.

What is all this fuss from a group of country bumpkins who have never seen the world? Lü Baoshan stared, dumbfounded for a long moment.

"But... even if she was once the General's woman, once she was given to Jianghai, she belongs to Jianghai.

He still shouldn't... shouldn't have gone near her while she was away," he stammered.

"It's just a woman, what's the big deal? Does the General lack women?

We can just send Jianghai another ten or eight later," the Garrison Commander waved his hand dismissively, tinged with impatience. "So the Garrison Commander won't intervene?" Lü Baoshan challenged, eyes wide.

The Garrison Commander snorted and took a sip of tea. "If you won't intervene, I will," Lü Baoshan retorted firmly.

"They won't get away with acting recklessly right under my nose!" "Why are you so foolish?" The Garrison Commander put down his teacup, exasperated. "People would be thanking you for gifting women, but you go and stir up trouble!

You have nothing better to do! I'm telling you, stop worrying.

Once the Young Master's Young Madam arrives, even if you offered women, you'd have no chance..." As soon as he finished speaking, a loud shout erupted from outside. "My lord, my lord, they've arrived, they've arrived!" Arrived?

The Young Master's Young Madam has arrived? The Garrison Commander quickly stood up, just as a gate runner burst in, not even having time to salute before someone shoved him aside from behind.

It was an old man, looking aggressively determined. "Where is Chang Yuncheng?" he roared.

"Tell him to get out here and face me!" The Garrison Commander was startled. Who was this?

So audacious? Before he could ask, a throng of people, dusty and travel-worn, surged in.

Fortunately, he recognized some of them. " (Canjiang Daren - Brigade Commander)!" The Garrison Commander's legs weakened instinctively, and he almost sank to his knees in welcome.

It wasn't just the Brigade Commander; several high-ranking officials, all below the level of the Provincial Commander (Zongbing) on the Northwest Line, had arrived. What in the world was happening?

Why had they all descended upon him suddenly? The Garrison Commander was stunned, unsure whom to greet first.

But these newcomers paid no heed to his courtesies; they clustered around the old man who had rushed in first, all beaming with joy. "Lord Zhou, Lord Zhou, please, sit down, sit down.

Tell us what's wrong after you've rested," the Brigade Commander personally reached out to support the old man, his demeanor as deferential as if serving his own father. "I don't have time to sit!

Get Chang Yuncheng out here to see me now!" Zhou Maochun shouted impatiently, unceremoniously shaking off the Brigade Commander’s hand. At this point, the Brigade Commander and the others finally spared a glance for the Garrison Commander.

"General of Martial Valor, where is Chang Yuncheng? Hurry and summon him to meet Lord Zhou," he said with grave seriousness.

Who was this Lord Zhou? The Garrison Commander was bewildered but dared not ask.

He quickly relayed Chang Yuncheng's whereabouts. Upon hearing this, Zhou Maochun turned and started to leave.

"Is my master also there?" a seemingly unremarkable young man stopped Zhou Maochun. His attitude was far less reverent than the Brigade Commander's, yet Zhou Maochun didn't shrug off his hand.

"And his wife? Is she at Pengshan Fortress too?" Zhou Maochun turned back to ask.

The Brigade Commander immediately turned back to the Garrison Commander. His wife?

"The Young Master's Madam kept saying she would come, but she hasn't arrived yet," the Garrison Commander hastily reported. "What are you talking about?

My master arrived long ago..." the young man countered, his eyes wide. The Garrison Commander was now utterly confused.

He asked about the Young Master's wife, but who was this 'master'? What was their connection?

"The Young Master's wife is their master—the owner of the Hall of the Thousand Talents of Yongqing Prefecture, the Divine Doctor Madam Qi..." the Brigade Commander quickly explained. What what?

The Garrison Commander was completely bewildered and couldn't process it for a moment. What was said?

Who was who? Why did it sound like he didn't understand a single word?

But comprehension dawned quickly when someone he recognized rushed in from outside. Another wave of commotion erupted outside.

"Master, Master, you’ve finally arrived!" Hu San bounded in three steps at a time. The moment he spotted a familiar face, he threw himself forward, tears streaming down his face.

"Master, you've finally arrived..." The two disciples he sent to spread the word behind him couldn't help but chuckle. "Senior Brother already cried once when he saw us.

We'll meet him one by one later and see how many more times he can cry," they told the others. Liu Pucheng smiled reassuringly, comforting Hu San.

Zhou Maochun had no time for these domestic matters. "Is Madam Qi at Pengshan Fortress?" he called out.

"Yes, yes," Hu San nodded repeatedly. Without another word, Zhou Maochun turned and left.

As he departed, everyone quickly followed. The hall, which had been filled with a chaotic group of people arriving, emptied out just as messily.

The Garrison Commander stood rooted to the spot, feeling as if he had just woken from a dream. He heard the sound of chattering teeth—it was Lü Baoshan, who had been in a daze for a long time behind him.

"M-M-M-My Lord... M-Madam Q-Qi...

she is..." he stuttered. Before he could finish, the Garrison Commander slapped his thigh with a sharp crack.

"My dearest maternal uncle!" he yelled, charging outward. "This is going to kill me!"

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