“Shut up!” Jiang Tang shouted coldly, his piercing gaze seeming capable of devouring people alive.

Qiao Zhao remained composed as she sat there, even picking up her teacup to take another two sips.

“Little girl, you can drink tea carelessly, but you cannot speak carelessly.”

Qiao Zhao set down the teacup, pushed it toward Jiang Tang, and turned her head with a smile. “Grand Commander, good medicine tastes bitter but benefits the illness; honest words sound harsh but benefit one’s conduct.”

Jiang Tang suddenly leaned forward, his terrifying presence enveloping the young girl before him.

The atmosphere instantly became tense, like drawn swords and nocked arrows.

Qiao Zhao raised her eyes and met his gaze calmly.

After a long while, Jiang Tang straightened his body and slowly began to speak. “Little girl, why should I believe you? Even the best imperial physicians wouldn’t say that the poison in my body will kill me within three years if not removed. How do I know you’re not just talking nonsense?”

Qiao Zhao smiled. “Of course, the best imperial physicians wouldn’t say that.”

Meeting Jiang Tang’s slightly puzzled gaze, the young girl blinked, suddenly showing the playfulness of her age. “Because they don’t dare to.”

The pills were harmful—those imperial physicians weren’t unaware of this fact. It was just that the current emperor believed in them unquestioningly, so who would be foolish enough to speak carelessly?

Jiang Tang was speechless.

However, the girl across from him became serious again. “Of course, the more important reason is that they cannot deduce it.”

“Those experienced grand physicians cannot deduce it, but you, a little girl, can?”

“I can.”

“Why?” Jiang Tang found the little girl increasingly interesting.

Could she see that he only had three years to live? Or was she just talking nonsense to escape her current troubles?

If it were the latter, he wouldn’t show mercy just because his opponent was young.

“Because I am Physician Li’s disciple.”

Upon hearing Qiao Zhao’s words, Jiang Tang raised his eyebrows, suddenly feeling somewhat disappointed. He said coolly, “You are not.”

Qiao Zhao waited for Jiang Tang to continue.

Jiang Tang smiled. “Little girl, tell me, what is this place?”

“The Jinlin Guards’ headquarters.”

“And what am I?”

“The Commander of the Jinlin Guards.”

“Since you’re not confused, little girl, then let me tell you—after you and my daughter had that conflict last time, I had people investigate your entire life story from childhood to now. Before you were kidnapped and sold, you had no contact whatsoever with Physician Li.” Jiang Tang looked deeply at Qiao Zhao. “Little girl, don’t tell me you learned your medical skills from Physician Li on the way back from the south. If medical skills could be learned so easily, then divine physicians would be everywhere in this world.”

Qiao Zhao listened to Jiang Tang’s words without any change in expression, then said coolly, “Before Physician Li left the capital this time, he left me all the medical books containing his lifetime’s learning.”

Jiang Tang scoffed. “How long has it been since Physician Li left the capital? The medical books containing his lifetime’s learning would be difficult to even flip through once.”

“Others are not me, and others wouldn’t run to the Grand Commander to say such things. Surely the Grand Commander doesn’t think I came here today just to quarrel with your daughter?”

“Then what exactly is your purpose?”

“To make a deal with the Grand Commander.”

“What deal?”

“I’ll give you pills to neutralize the poison, and you find a way to rescue Young Master Qiao.”

“Young Master Qiao?”

“Yes, Young Master Qiao Mo from the former Left Vice Censor-in-Chief’s family.”

“Impossible!” Jiang Tang suddenly stood up, his face dark as ink. “Little girl, if you’re tired of living, I can grant your wish right now!”

Qiao Zhao said unhurriedly, “Three years.”

Jiang Tang felt extremely irritated and angrily said, “Little girl, don’t take me for a fool. Just because you randomly say three years, does that make it true? How can you prove it?”

“Does the Grand Commander experience a dull ache three inches below the heart every day at the hour of mao, causing breathing difficulties and inability to maintain normal routines?”

Jiang Tang was stunned.

He used to habitually get up at the hour of mao to practice martial arts, but this habit he had maintained for decades had stopped because recently, whenever he moved, he would experience breathing difficulties and heart-wrenching pain.

This little girl had guessed correctly?

Jiang Tang narrowed his eyes, looking at Qiao Zhao with a more serious expression.

He didn’t believe a little girl would have the opportunity to know about his physical condition, especially since he hadn’t even told his daughter about this symptom, let alone anyone else.

Meeting Jiang Tang’s gaze, Qiao Zhao continued, “Every day at the hour of zi, the Grand Commander’s legs convulse, lasting about a quarter hour, with no medical remedy.”

“You!” Jiang Tang couldn’t help but stand up again, staring straight at Qiao Zhao, his heart churning with waves of emotion.

If the morning martial arts practice could easily be discovered by interested parties since he had stopped, then how could the nighttime leg convulsions be leaked?

This was impossible!

If even such matters could be known by outsiders, then he needn’t continue sitting in his position as Commander of the Jinlin Guards!

Jiang Tang’s heart was filled with shock and suspicion. After remaining silent for a long time, Qiao Zhao said calmly, “Why must the Grand Commander think so complicatedly and refuse to believe the simplest reason?”

“The simplest reason?” Jiang Tang murmured.

“Yes, the simplest reason—because I understand medical arts, medical arts inherited from Physician Li.” Speaking to this point, Qiao Zhao sighed. “Of course, if the Grand Commander still doesn’t believe and wants me to prove it, then I have no other way—I can only wait three years.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Tang was both angry and amused. He slapped the table and said, “Little girl, you certainly have some nerve!”

“I’m just telling the truth.”

“Very well, I’ll believe you for now.”

Everyone fears death, and someone of Jiang Tang’s status and position feared it especially.

He was still in his prime, holding a high position and great power. Even the six ministry ministers had to be polite and respectful when they saw him. To think such good days could only last three more years—who would be willing to accept that? Never mind that this little girl spoke so convincingly; even if she couldn’t explain things clearly, he would still investigate carefully.

Qiao Zhao curved her lips in a smile. “The Grand Commander’s willingness to believe shows responsibility toward himself and his family.”

Jiang Tang shook his head.

This little girl wasn’t polite, typical of pushing one’s luck.

Jiang Tang changed the subject. “However, asking me to rescue Qiao Mo is very difficult to handle.”

As he spoke, he glanced at Qiao Zhao meaningfully. “At least, there’s no other good method.”

“What method?” The deeper meaning in Jiang Tang’s words didn’t cause any change in Qiao Zhao’s expression as she followed his lead and asked.

Jiang Tang suddenly flipped his wrist, and a gleaming dagger appeared in his hand. Before Qiao Zhao could react, he pressed it against her throat.

The hair-cutting sharp dagger emanated wisps of cold air. The person holding the dagger was even colder than the blade itself, yet the young girl with the dagger at her throat remained composed, looking calmly at Jiang Tang.

“What is the Grand Commander’s meaning?”

Jiang Tang chuckled softly. “Little girl, you’re still too naive. Why should I go through the trouble of rescuing Young Master Qiao? Since you have medical skills at hand, isn’t it enough for me to have you at hand?”

“Is the Grand Commander threatening me with my life to force me to cure your poison?” Qiao Zhao asked calmly.

“Why not?” Jiang Tang asked in return.

Qiao Zhao suddenly leaned forward. Jiang Tang hurriedly pulled the dagger back, but the sharp blade had already cut through her skin.

Blood immediately flowed from the young girl’s slender, pale neck.