"possible?"

The rain was slightly cool, and a chilly wind blew into the hall. Xiao Ji stroked his teacup, his tall and imposing figure leaning back in his chair, clearly adept at focusing on the essentials.

"yes."

Jing Xiuming did not hide anything and told him frankly: "According to the treatment in the ancient books, I am only 40% sure of success. It depends on whether the general is willing to give it a try."

A 40% chance of success might not be worth considering for an ordinary person, or it might require careful thought, but for Xiao Ji, it was enough.

"If you fail, what will happen to my arm? What are your conditions for treating my injury?"

Xiao Ji sipped his tea calmly. It seemed like he was just asking a procedural question, as if the injured person wasn't him and he didn't care whether he could heal them or not.

Jing Xiuming was initially surprised by Xiao Ji's calmness, but then felt that it was to be expected. Because of his sister, he had learned a lot about the reputation and deeds of General Qingyan.

However, Xiao Ji's next two sentences made Jing Xiuming finish his tea with a knowing smile, put the teacup back on the tea tray, and begin to speak:

"If the treatment fails, nothing will happen, but the general will suffer some pain during the treatment. As for the conditions... I do have one condition, concerning my sister."

Xiao Ji narrowed his eyes dangerously, a murderous intent surfacing.

The change in his previously peaceful aura revealed both his inherent ruthlessness and cunning towards enemies, as well as his underlying concerns.

This concern stemmed from Shang Changge. He didn't know much about the people around the little rascal, but he did know a little about them, and he didn't want the little rascal to be caught in the middle and put in a difficult position.

"Someone, see the guest out."

Xiao Ji spoke coldly, showing no mercy.

The woman he loves can belong to only two people: herself and him. He will never allow a third person to exist.

There's no rush to find another way to treat the arm injury. Even if there's no cure, it doesn't matter. He can still protect his princess and ensure the stability of the Qingyan border.

"yes!"

The deadly shouts were like thunderous drums. The two men took a large, synchronized step forward, ready to lift Jing Xiuming up from the left and right and throw him away.

Jing Xiuming sensed their intentions and spoke before he could be sent away:

"My condition is that the general must continue to treat my sister well as he has for the past ten years, and he must never let her down."

...

The hall fell eerily quiet, and even the synchronized movements of the Soul-Chasing Spear, which was about to pounce and throw people out, froze.

What is that?

What was that novel I just read?

The hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, with only the patter of raindrops from the eaves and threshold, and the incessant patter of the rain.

Xiao Ji didn't reply. His fingers tapped rhythmically on the table, as if he was thinking and examining something.

Jing Xiu knew that his uncharacteristic explanation would be hard to believe, so he slowly began to speak:

"From now on, I will no longer pester my sister. I have thought it through and let it go, for two reasons."

"Firstly, after the incident, the elder sister of the Wen family had no feelings for me anymore and clearly rejected me, keeping everything very separate from me."

After my sister and the general developed feelings for each other, no matter what I did or how I acted, I couldn't shake their relationship. On the contrary, it only made my sister dislike me more and more.

As he spoke, Xiu Ming picked up his teacup, took a sip, and lowered his eyelids, his eyes filled with loneliness and desolation.

Master is right.

Some things, once done wrong, are done wrong; when it comes to matters of the heart, once missed, they're missed forever, with no chance of getting them back.

From the moment he mistook Wen Wanyi for his sister and nearly became the murderer who poisoned her, and from the moment he avoided his sister like the plague and repeatedly rejected her feelings for him, it was destined that he and his sister would never be together.

While Jing Xiuming was lost in his thoughts, Xiao Ji ordered the two assassins, Zhui Hun and Duo Ming, to retreat, and then gestured for a servant to bring a pot of fresh tea.

The sound of a servant bringing up a teapot filled with fresh tea was just enough to pull Jing Xiuming back to his senses and allow him to continue speaking.