Good news doesn't travel far, but bad news travels fast. The incident of the concubine's daughter losing her arm at the full moon banquet of General Wu's mansion became the talk of the town among the prominent families.

Unexpectedly, this matter was not over yet. Concubine Xiang from the General's Mansion was actually given a pearl by the Empress Dowager. Regardless of whether the Prince of Libei's actions would be criticized.

The fact that Consort Xiang was able to connect with the Prince of Libei and receive such treatment from him is enough to make her someone not to be underestimated.

While some people marveled at Xiang Yiniang's strong backbone, they also worried for Madam Wu, as it was not a good thing for the legitimate first wife to have a concubine in such a prominent position.

Even if you want to control a concubine, you have to consider the people behind her.

However, most of these people were happy to watch the show, since such a distressing thing wasn't happening in their own homes.

Even women who had been on good terms with Madam Wu had visited her.

It would have been better if we hadn't looked; the rumors only intensified once we did.

Some say that Madam Wu was vicious and cruel, harming her illegitimate daughter and even killing the concubines in the household.

Some say that General Wu disliked Madam Wu and temporarily handed over the power of managing the household to a concubine. Madam Wu was so angry that she vomited blood and asked a doctor to come to the mansion to treat her.

There are many conflicting opinions, and it's unclear what's true and what's false.

When Madam Wu woke up and heard the unsavory rumors about herself, she was so angry that she smashed half of the porcelain vase in the room, leaving shards all over the floor.

When General Wu learned of this, he halved Madam Wu's allowance as a form of punishment.

But that's a story for another time.

After Lu Qiqi had Aunt Xiang accept the pearl, she went back to find Song Yanqing.

Thinking that Song Yanqing was going against the plan and had caught her off guard, she quickened her pace and rushed into the commander's tent without waiting for someone to announce her arrival.

I had only taken a few steps into the tent when I saw a back covered in wounds.

"Who is so unruly?"

As soon as An heard the sound of the tent flap being lifted, he shouted angrily at the tent door.

When he saw that it was Lu Qiqi, he asked in confusion, "Village Chief?"

Upon hearing who it was, Song Yanqing paused in putting on her white undergarment, and her ears suddenly felt hot.

"Your Highness, please forgive me."

Lu Qiqi rushed in, and the two guards outside the tent failed to stop her in time, so they came to apologize.

An Yi said, "Go and receive twenty strokes of the cane as punishment. This is a one-time exception."

"yes!"

The punishment wasn't particularly severe, and the two guards breathed a sigh of relief. They accepted their punishment and left the camp.

Lu Qiqi wanted to explain for them, but then she remembered that military orders could not be disobeyed. This time it was her who broke in, but if it were someone else next time, wouldn't things be in chaos?

She felt she had wronged the two guards this time, so she prepared some medicine for them later as a way of making amends.

When she looked up again, Song Yanqing had already dressed and wrapped herself up tightly.

Lu Qiqi was a little puzzled. Song Yanqing's fever had just subsided. Even if he was sensitive to cold, there was no need for him to act like this in the bright sunshine outside.

Before she could figure it out, she heard Song Yanqing say, "Why did you come in such a hurry? What happened?"

This thought-provoking question left Lu Qiqi momentarily speechless, unsure of where to begin.

Meeting Song Yanqing's deep gaze, she remembered the important matter after a moment and stepped forward, "Why didn't you discuss the matter with me before giving the Eastern Pearl bestowed by the Empress Dowager to Consort Xiang?"

Song Yanqing thought something serious had happened, which was why she rushed back in such a hurry, and there was still a fine layer of sweat on her forehead.

Instead of replying directly, he ordered, "An Yi, bring a pot of cold tea."

"yes."

After An Yi left, only Lu Qiqi and Song Yanqing remained in the tent; no one knew where Nineteen had gone.

Song Yanqing walked to the low table, gestured for them to sit down, and the two sat down facing each other.

He said, “In matters within the Wu family’s inner quarters, simply giving gifts is not enough to make people hesitate; it is different when gifts are given to the emperor.”

As long as I remain the heir apparent, everyone will have to think twice before offending the Prince of Libei's residence.

Well, I have no way to repay this great kindness.

Lu Qiqi looked bitter as she buried her head in thinking about how to repay him.

Song Yanqing was somewhat bewildered; this was not what he had expected.

Now that the matter is resolved, shouldn't the young girl in front of me be overjoyed?

Why do you look so dejected, as if you've gotten yourself into big trouble instead of getting things done?

Lu Qiqi thought and thought, but she still couldn't understand what Song Yanqing, who held a high position and wielded great power, could possibly lack.

Since the man was right in front of her, she steeled herself and decided that she would fulfill his request as long as it was within her power.

She raised her head and looked at Song Yanqing again, explaining, "The imperial pearls are precious and cannot be returned at an equivalent price."

Fearing that Song Yanqing might think she was trying to renege on her debt, she quickly added, "What do you need? Or is there anything you haven't done yet? As long as it's within my power, I will do my best to help."

How am I going to repay such a huge favor?

I have no choice but to risk my life to do favors for others.

Song Yanqing met her earnest eyes and was momentarily stunned. He hadn't expected that this girl would rush over to return something she was afraid of owing him.

Thinking of this, he found the person in front of him to be incredibly adorable.

He couldn't laugh at this moment, otherwise, knowing Lu Qiqi as he did, she might start thinking about him in some unexpected way.

Thinking about it carefully, he has been living a life of luxury since birth and has never suffered any hardship.

Until his mother's death, he never felt that he was missing anything.

Now, all those who were once kind to him have changed their ways after he inherited the position of heir.

The fear and manipulation of those in power, the attempts to win over his childhood friends, and the helpless watching as they slaughtered each other.

If you really want to say what he lacks...

He once had trust and family affection, and he lost them both.

At this moment, all he wants is a sincere heart.

Sincerity is hard to find and even harder to come by. Thinking that the person in front of him was still naive about romance, he said, "May the world be at peace and there be no more war."

These words, spoken by him, instantly gained a profound meaning.

As a general, it is understandable that he would have such thoughts.

But this is not something I can accomplish by myself. Lu Qiqi smiled awkwardly and said, "This is a bit difficult for me alone. Why don't you find someone else?"

After saying that, she quickly explained, "I am not trying to renege on my debt. I will definitely return the six gifts and the silver equivalent of the pearls later."

Thinking of this, Lu Qiqi couldn't help but complain that even if the pearl cost tens of thousands of taels of gold, she could still find a way to earn it.

But with the addition of the words "Imperial Gift," it's no longer just a matter of her repaying the money.

Unexpectedly, Song Yanqing stood up and looked down at Lu Qiqi's head. Looking at her dark and shiny hair, he couldn't help but reach out and touch it.

Lu Qiqi felt a large hand on her head and was about to look up when she heard a deep, pleasant voice from above.

"No rush, we can figure these things out in detail later."