The next day, Nan Yi presented Yi Ren with generous gifts for her return home to visit her family, and Lan Zhi was assigned to serve her personally. Unexpectedly, Xiao Xi came to the mansion and bid her farewell in advance.

Nan Yi held Xiao Xi's hand, her eyes filled with reluctance, "Why so soon? Now that I'm back, you might as well ask for a favor and stay in the capital instead of leaving."

The journey to the border is long and the return date is uncertain. On the battlefield, swords and spears are merciless and extremely dangerous. She is terrified that if she goes, the two of them will never see each other again.

"Look at what you're saying. I'm determined to become a great general and make a name for myself in history. What's the point of staying in the capital? To get married and have children? Forget it, my ambitions don't lie there."

If a female general were to be transferred back to the capital, it's obvious to anyone that her marriage would be on the agenda soon.

Given her status, her husband must be chosen by the emperor. Once the imperial decree is issued, regardless of whether she likes that person or not, she will be bound to him for life, sharing both honor and disgrace.

This is not what she wanted.

The battlefield, a place of clash and clashing, was her true home.

Nan Yi chuckled softly and sighed, "I understand you. Being able to persist in doing what you love most brings you lifelong joy. Xiao Xi, I am not as good as you."

If you can let go, you should take off your fine clothes and jewelry, put on armor and spears, and live a different life, doing more meaningful things, instead of wasting the rest of your life in the inner quarters, competing with a group of women for favor and scheming against each other.

Her desires, thoughts, and wishes were destined to be in vain from the moment she entered Tong Yilan's body.

Nan Yi held Xiao Xi's hand tightly, his voice solemn yet slightly pleading, "Xi Xi, you must protect yourself. Swords have no eyes. No matter what, I hope that two years from now, you can stand safely in front of me."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Xi understood her concerns, nodded silently, and then asked with a smile, "Why two years?"

Of course, it's your fourth uncle who's going to become emperor, and it's time for her to say goodbye to this world.

As a dying woman, she hoped to have the chance to say goodbye to her best friend in the world.

The sadder you are, the happier you should be.

Nan Yi deliberately hesitated for a moment, then tilted his head and said, "I feel like it, I can't really explain why, but you have to take good care of yourself."

Defeated by this reason, Xiao Xi shrugged, feigning helplessness, "Alright, two years from now, I will submit a memorial requesting to return to the capital to report on my duties."

"Okay, it's a deal."

"It's a deal."

The two smiled at each other and raised their hands in a clinking motion. They chatted for a long time about their private matters. Xiao Xi talked about her battlefield, her military camp, her soldiers, and the customs and culture of the border region. Her words were unrestrained and bold, and her spirits were high.

Xiao Xi was unfortunate because of her marriage, but she was also fortunate because, as a woman, she forged her own unique path to success in the feudal dynasty.

As they parted, they clasped hands tightly, both with slightly red eyes and a hint of tears in their eyes.

Nan Yi's voice choked slightly, "Xi Xi, take care, I'll wait for you to come back."

Xiao Xi's throat tightened, and he nodded heavily, "Yes, you too."

She was also worried about her friend, as the two were similar in temperament and personality, and Nan Yi's stubbornness was no less than her own.

In their daily interactions, she was playful and mischievous, and in some ways domineering. She herself did not allow Luo Heng to take a concubine, which led to their divorce. Yet Nan Yi endured the fact that Prince Yong had a whole harem of concubines and princesses.

She saw all her disappointment, bitterness, and frustration, but she was powerless to help.

Over the past decade or so, she rose from a lowly constable to a high-ranking official in the military, a feat inextricably linked to Nan Yi.

She's protecting her.

Xiao Xi left, his figure resolute yet desolate as he stepped out of the courtyard. Nan Yi followed Xiao Xi for a few steps, then stood at the bottom of the steps and waved.

It was dusk, and the spring chill was biting. The chrysanthemums in the courtyard were wilting from the cold. Nan Yi put down his hand, lost in thought. "Don't laugh at me lying drunk on the battlefield. How many have returned from ancient battles?"

Take care.

Standing behind Nan Yi, Lan Zhi watched General Xiao's figure disappear and said, "Master, let's go inside. It's cold outside, be careful not to catch a cold."

Nan Yi snapped out of her daze, looked away, and turned to go inside.

The divine physician arrived as promised. This old man, whom I hadn't seen for ten years, had snow-white hair and beard, but was in excellent spirits, with a ruddy complexion and brisk steps, displaying the demeanor of a divine physician with an air of otherworldly grace.

Upon seeing her, he couldn't help but sigh. After exchanging pleasantries, he took her pulse, though Nan Yi wondered if he could diagnose it.

She had a premonition about her lifespan, for no reason at all; she was just certain that she was indeed getting worse, and medicine was no longer effective.

She underestimated Doctor Wu. The old man placed two fingers on her pulse, his brows furrowed more and more, his expression changing repeatedly, before finally letting out a long sigh.

He slowly withdrew his hand. Nan Yi lowered her sleeve and ordered Lan Zhi to prepare tea for the Divine Physician. After he left, she asked softly, "Divine Physician, how many more years do you have?"

"You—" The martial arts physician's eyes widened in surprise, and his beard trembled. "How did you come to know what the imperial physician said?"

Nan shook her head, her expression indifferent, as if death was nothing more than eating and drinking to her.

"The imperial physicians couldn't diagnose it. You might not believe it, but more than ten years ago, I felt that there was something wrong with my body. Now, this feeling is becoming more and more obvious. Maybe one day I will close my eyes and never wake up again."

The Martial Divine Physician immediately retorted, "That's impossible. My medical skills, if not the best in the world, are definitely second best. Ten years ago, your body wasn't in such bad shape."

Nan smiled and looked at the white-haired old man in front of her. "I know it's not as serious as it is now. It's an incurable disease that can't be cured. So I want to ask Doctor Wu a favor. Don't tell the prince the true condition of my body. Even if you do, you won't be able to cure it. Otherwise, he might get angry and take your life."

It's an insult to a miracle doctor to say that a disease can't be cured, but he really couldn't cure her illness. He had said long ago that a miracle doctor can cure diseases, but not fate.

The girl's body was already damaged; all her internal organs were injured.

Wu Shense is a physician who has seen many life and death and has a detached attitude towards them. He cannot cure the illness. Prince Yong is second only to the emperor and above all others. If he is forced to treat the illness, it will be difficult for him.

He'd been in Beijing for over ten years; that was long enough.

"Alas, I can no longer stay in the capital. I will soon be traveling. Young lady, you should take care of yourself."

The Martial Divine Doctor packed his medical kit and prepared to leave. Nan Yi admired the old man's open-mindedness and straightforwardness; he was not burdened by fame or fortune and could leave as soon as he wanted.

She reached out and took out a purse, handing it to Doctor Wu. "This is just a small gift, nothing more. I hope you will enjoy good health and longevity, and that your medical skills will improve even further."

The Martial Divine Doctor smiled and glanced at Nan Yi, then calmly took the purse and took out a small brown porcelain bottle from his medical kit, placing it beside Nan Yi. "Treat minor illnesses, and maintain health if you're not sick."

Nan Yi picked it up curiously, pulled out the stopper, and saw four or five small yellow pills. "What kind of medicine is this?"

The Martial Divine Physician slung his medicine chest over his shoulder, turned around, and casually tossed out five words: "Nine-Turn Great Rejuvenation Pill."

"Hiss~" Nan Yi gasped softly; she hadn't given enough silver notes.