Lakeside.

A cool breeze was blowing, but Zhao Zhan felt hot all over.

Zhao Cheng's words struck a chord with him. He wanted to lie and refute, but Zhao Cheng's earnest tone made him unwilling to lie.

A pot of wine, a few words.

Zhao Cheng's goal was to help Zhao Zhan resolve his inner conflict.

"Yes! I have thought about it!"

Zhao Zhan stood up, clenching his fists, and said, "But life and the order of seniority are given by our parents. Even if I wanted to, I couldn't change it. You are the eldest brother, and I am the youngest brother. This is an unchangeable fact!"

Zhao Cheng nodded and said, "Since you know it can't be changed, then don't think about it anymore."

"Big brother..."

"Fourth brother, remember this: you can earn your own share of the family business through your own abilities, and that will truly belong to you. But if you identify with your Zhao family identity and are willing to fight alongside your brothers, then you must abide by the rules."

Zhao Cheng walked up to Zhao Zhan and placed his hand on his shoulder, saying, "What are the rules? The rules are that I am the eldest son of the Zhao family, your elder brother, and the heir of the Zhao family. What I am willing to give you is yours. What I am not willing to give you, you cannot take away."

Zhao Zhan trembled all over and said through gritted teeth, "Big brother, I... I'm not the kind of person you think I am."

Zhao Cheng said, "I didn't expect you to be that kind of person. I'm just being upfront. You're married now, no longer a child. Consider these words from your older brother as my explanation for your coming-of-age ceremony."

"drink wine!"

The two brothers drank it all in one gulp.

Zhao Cheng poured a full glass of wine, sat down, and asked, "How did Miao Donglin find you?"

Hearing Zhao Cheng change the subject, Zhao Zhan knew that his elder brother's instruction of him had come to an end. He composed himself and said, "He is a talented person. After learning about his reputation, I took the initiative to seek him out."

Zhao Cheng sneered and said, "This person is indeed a talent; he played a trick to lure the enemy into a trap."

Zhao Zhan frowned slightly and asked doubtfully, "Does Brother think that his coming to me was a scheme he orchestrated?"

"It's just a guess."

"impossible."

Zhao Zhan shook his head and said, "I investigated his background before I looked for him. He is skilled in both literature and martial arts. He was the most outstanding junior in the Miao family when he was young. He just left because he didn't want to do business."

Zhao Cheng said, "The position of Director of the Imperial Secretariat is very important, and the identity of Zhao Huan's son is even more important. I am just reminding you to be more careful in hiring people in the future."

"Brother, I know that personnel management is your strength, but I'm not bad either. I know what kind of team I need to build."

Hearing the obvious resentment in Zhao Zhan's words, Zhao Cheng simply smiled, picked up his wine glass, and said, "Do you know how a person can improve faster?"

Zhao Zhan remained silent, waiting for his elder brother to continue.

"I made a mistake." Zhao Cheng finished his drink.

...

On the official road southeast of Changsui City, three carriages sped along, the dust from their rear wheels swirling in the air along with falling yellow leaves.

"Giddy up! Giddy up!!"

The carriage curtain was pulled back, and Miao Shaohua leaned out, shouting, "Faster! Faster!"

"Shopkeeper, this is the only speed we can go. Any faster and the horse will die!"

"If anything happens to Song'er, you'll be the one who dies!"

Miao Shaohua shouted angrily, then turned back to Miao Rusong's side and tightly grasped Miao Rusong's hand.

"Song'er, hang in there. There's a clinic in another hour. You'll be alright."

"Mother, I feel so bad..."

Miao Rusong's face turned pale, his voice became weak and feeble, and his eyes gradually became vacant.

"Song'er, don't scare your mother!"

Miao Shaohua hugged Miao Rusong tightly, both angry and anxious, and shouted, "Damn the Imperial Prison! What did they do to you?!"

A maidservant standing nearby said, "Miss, the young master looks like he's been poisoned."

"Poisoning?"

Miao Shaohua thought for a moment and said, "No! Since the General released Song'er, he wouldn't poison him. He's not that kind of despicable person."

"But judging from your appearance, young master, I'm afraid..."

Miao Shaohua suddenly glared at the maid.

The maid bit her lip and continued, "Miss, what I mean is that the young master's injuries are too severe. Even if he can make it back, the doctors in our area may not be able to cure him. Why don't we return to Changsui and ask the general to find Master Minghua? She is a divine physician and will surely be able to cure the young master."

"Back to Changsui?"

Miao Shaohua shook her head and said decisively, "We finally managed to take Song'er away from Changsui. Going back might cause unforeseen problems, so it's not advisable."

"Can……"

"Stop talking!"

Miao Shaohua interrupted the maid and continued, "It's true that Shi Minghua is a divine doctor, but divine doctor is just a title. Is there no exaggeration in it? Our Jiangcheng is not lacking in doctors with excellent medical skills. Although their reputation is not as great as Shi Minghua's, their medical skills are not necessarily much worse than hers."

"Here, hold Song'er tighter, so he doesn't bounce too much!"

"yes……"

The maid stopped trying to persuade him, placed Miao Rusong's head on her lap, supported his waist with her hands, and took good care of him.

Miao Shaohua peeked out from behind the carriage curtain, but didn't see the afterimages that had caught up with the carriage and stopped half a mile ahead.

"Mr. Miao, stop the car!"

A deep, resonant voice came from behind.

Miao Shaohua frowned. The voice didn't sound like someone was speaking into her ear; rather, it came out through the vibration of internal energy.

Miao Shaohua instantly realized that a martial arts master had arrived.

She hesitated for a moment.

"Miao Shaohua, if you want to save your son, stop the car!"

Upon hearing this, Miao Shaohua immediately shouted, "Stop the car!"

The carriage stopped, and a blurry figure approached it from afar.

Miao Shaohua peeked out and saw a man wearing a half-mask standing in front of her.

"Master Baidong!"

Miao Shaohua exclaimed in surprise, "I thought you wouldn't show your face after escaping from the palace!"

"Saving lives is the priority."

Master Baidong climbed into the carriage to check on Miao Rusong's injuries.

Seeing Master Baidong's serious expression, Miao Shaohua breathed a sigh of relief.

Shi Minghua is a divine physician, but the medical skills of the Hundred Caves Immortal are also extremely superb. He earned his title of Immortal by saving lives and healing the wounded in the Hundred Caves of Nanzhou.

“Strange, Song’er’s injuries are not serious,” said Master Baidong.

Miao Shaohua climbed into the carriage and asked in confusion, "Why is Song'er looking like this?"

"He's been poisoned."

Hearing Master Baidong's decisive tone, Miao Shaohua and her maid exchanged a glance and no longer had any doubts.

Miao Shaohua asked in confusion, "Since the General released Song'er, why did he then..."

"Hahaha!!"

Master Baidong suddenly laughed and said, "It seems Zhao Cheng doesn't trust you at all! I was careless; it turns out this was a trap."

With that, Master Baidong stepped out of the carriage, looked around, and shouted, "What are you hiding for? Come out!"

Zhao Cheng, Zhao Hu, and Yang Taozhi emerged from the woods beside the official road.

Zhao Cheng smiled and said, "Master Baidong, we meet again."