Hong Fang had also been a deeply scheming man, and when he was young, he rose rapidly through the ranks, with a beloved wife at his side. Over the years, everything had been smooth sailing for him.

According to Hong Fang's original plan, once Crown Prince Hong took the throne, he would become a minister second only to the emperor, waiting for his enfeoffment. Even his elder brother, Heir Hong, would have to bow before him.

But who could have known that in his middle years, Ye Lingyue would come out of nowhere and throw all his well-laid plans into disarray.

Ever since the Crown Prince was deposed and he was stripped of his position as Grand Protector, Hong Fang had become somewhat more extreme in his actions. When he tried to sideline Nie Fengxing, he never imagined that he would one day actually have to seek Nie Fengxing's help.

He had assumed that this would be a perfect opportunity to achieve great things. Yet, he could never have foreseen that after the anomaly in Black Valley, several small-scale beast uprisings had occurred on Xixia Plain.

Among the beasts participating in the uprisings were even some ninth-grade Demon Beasts. Because of Nie Fengxing's lack of combat experience and the absence of the assistance from the Tiger Wolf Army, the generals under Hong Fang suffered heavy losses.

In just over a month, Qi City had already lost four to five thousand soldiers.

Left with no choice, Hong Fang discussed it with the Fourth Prince, deciding to reinstate Nie Fengxing.

Yet, after Hong Fang issued the command, Nie Fengxing replied directly, claiming that he was recently indisposed and unable to rush to Qi City.

Upon receiving this news, Hong Fang almost fainted with frustration.

Nobody would believe that Nie Fengxing, a man who could devour ten pounds of beef and an entire jar of strong liquor in one meal, could suddenly fall ill.

But given the pressing need for manpower, and the fact that it was he who had offended Nie Fengxing, Hong Fang had no choice but to swallow his pride, personally taking Elixir Pills to visit Nie Fengxing in the city where he was stationed.

As soon as he entered Nie Fengxing's tent, he smelled a strong scent of medicine and saw Tiger Wolf General Nie Fengxing indeed lying on his bed.

"General Nie, on behalf of the Fourth Prince and the staff of Qi City, I have come to see you," said Hong Fang as he looked at Nie Fengxing, who indeed seemed unwell, making him uncertain.

"It's troubling Great General to come all this way. I have caught a cold and cannot personally go to Qi City. Please forgive me on behalf of the Fourth Prince and Great General," Nie Fengxing said, deliberately coughing a few times for effect.

In fact, Nie Fengxing had recently caught a "sickness," but it was not a physical illness; it was a "heart sickness."

This matter had to do with Ye Huang.

Ever since Princess Ye's visit, Ye Huang had been acting very strangely.

He used the excuse of having developed rubella to resign from his position as Nie Fengxing's eunuch.

Having grown accustomed to another person's presence in his tent, Nie Fengxing found it hard to eat or sleep without Ye Huang around.

Moreover, aside from discussing official matters, Ye Huang refused to see Nie Fengxing privately.

Several times, she would walk away as soon as she saw Nie Fengxing.

Over time, Nie Fengxing became depressed. Coupled with Hong Fang seeking him out at this critical juncture, he simply feigned illness.

Once he was "sick," he became stubbornly uncooperative.

This was a trick he had learned when he was a Princely Heir; whenever that Old Bastard at home wanted to punish him, he would simply pretend to be ill, alarming all the womenfolk in the Marquis Mansion to tears, praying to the ancestors, leaving the Old Bastard without any recourse against him.

Nie Fengxing used the excuse that all the firemen in the Tiger Wolf Army's camp were clumsy men, persuading Ye Huang to personally prepare his medicine and take care of him.

At first, Ye Huang refused, but when she saw a fireman ruin a pot of medicine, she reluctantly agreed.

Little did she know that as soon as she had agreed to take care of Nie Fengxing, he rewarded that very fireman generously.

Being able to see Princess Ye every day, General Nie Fengxing's "heart disease" would have long been "cured" of its "illness".

Yet, to enjoy the perks, he simply decided to keep feigning illness till the end.

"General, it's time for your medicine."

Just like the days before, Ye Huangyu brought the medicine to the tent, only to discover that Hong Fang was also inside.

Ye Huangyu hurriedly bowed his head, Princess Ye had given him Elixir Pills, which after taking for a while, their efficacy was gradually wearing off.

The rash on his face, though still present, was no longer as conspicuous as before.

"Princess Ye, you're here, come over." The moment General Nie Fengxing saw his beloved, he intensified his coughing, as if he were afflicted with tuberculosis.

Hong Fang watched on, frowning continuously.

As a Martial Artist, how could General Nie Fengxing's physique be so frail?

Ye Huangyu had no choice but to brace himself and brought the medicine bowl to General Nie Fengxing's side.

"It's hot." General Nie Fengxing pursed his lips, sounding exactly like a child unwilling to take his medicine.

Listening to this, Hong Fang's brow furrowed into a knot.

Ye Huangyu then patiently blew upon the medicine a few times.

Seeing how intimately they interacted, Hong Fang's frown deepened even more, cursing inwardly that General Nie Fengxing and his Deputy General were simply too shameless, openly flirting with one another.

At this moment, Hong Fang's gaze inadvertently fell onto Ye Huangyu's earlobe.

Pale and tender earlobes, rosy and delicate as pearls, they seemed even more exquisite than that of a woman's.

Looking at his skin, although not the fairest, it was extremely smooth, without a visible pore, and with long eyelashes that, from the side, resembled a Feather Fan, made him stand out all the more in a military camp where only rough men dwelled.

One could imagine that without the unsightly rash on his face, this Deputy General of the Tiger Wolf Army would definitely be quite handsome.

If it were Hong Fang himself, having spent over thirty years with most of his life in the military camp, facing vulgar soldiers every day, suddenly seeing such a delicate subordinate would undoubtedly stir his heart.

Hong Fang thought to himself, no wonder General Nie Fengxing got involved with this Deputy General.

Little did he know that Hong Fang's scrutinizing look was caught in the eyes of General Nie Fengxing and had just angered our Tiger Wolf General.

This feeling was like a child discovering that his favorite toy had caught the attention of other mischievous children.

General Nie Fengxing harrumphed loudly, bringing Hong Fang back to his senses.

"I've heard that the area around the plains has been restless lately. The Great General is a person with many concerns, and since the illness has been visited, it would be best to return to Qi City early to attend to military affairs," General Nie Fengxing outright issued an eviction order.

Under normal circumstances, if anybody dare speak to Hong Fang in such a manner, Hong Fang would burst into rage.

But today, as Hong Fang needed something from General Nie Fengxing, he could only swallow his resentment.

"General Nie, it was also my earlier mismanagement. How can the security of the Xixia Plain go without a pillar of the country like General Nie. In recent times, the frontline has suffered heavy casualties, surely General Nie doesn't wish to see his old comrades-in-arms die in vain. I'm here this time hoping General Nie would join us in Qi City to discuss the plans to quell the beast chaos." Hong Fang spoke with such earnestness, and when he reached an emotional part, tears filled his tiger eyes, truly appearing to be someone deeply concerned for his country and its people.