Her tone was somewhat strange, causing Shao Mingyuan to momentarily forget to react. It wasn’t until the soft fingertips unique to a young maiden fell upon his collar that he awoke as if from a dream.

“I’ll do it myself—no, let Chen Guang do it.” Realizing that the two of them were alone in the room, Shao Mingyuan hurried to the door and opened it.

Chen Guang stumbled in with a rush.

Shao Mingyuan’s eyebrow twitched, and he forcibly suppressed the urge to kick this eavesdropping scoundrel back out, saying indifferently: “Help me undress.”

Half an hour later, Qiao Zhao put away her silver needles and wrote out a prescription, handing it to a nearby guard: “General Shao’s recent emotional fluctuations are too severe, which is detrimental to his recovery. I’ve prescribed to calm the mind and settle the qi. General Shao, remember to have this prescription filled and drink the medicine.”

Her tone was gentle and earnestly instructive, causing Shao Mingyuan to feel momentarily dazed. It seemed as though the girl before him was not a young lady who hadn’t yet come of age, but a mature and wise young woman.

“Does General Shao understand?”

Shao Mingyuan came back to his senses and nodded: “I understand.”

Qiao Zhao stood up: “Then I’ll head back now.”

“Very well, thank you for your trouble today, Miss Li.”

Shao Mingyuan wanted to rise, but was stopped by Qiao Zhao: “General Shao need not be so formal. Your proper rest and recovery are better than anything else for a physician.”

Shao Mingyuan looked at the young girl’s serious expression and inexplicably felt like laughing.

Qiao Zhao walked to the door and turned back: “General Shao, see you tomorrow.”

Shao Mingyuan was stunned, then said, “See you tomorrow.”

Even after Qiao Zhao had left, he was still pondering: Miss Li’s attitude toward him seemed somewhat different from before.

The incident of Shao Mingyuan coughing up blood and fainting did not spread, but what lay on Jiang Yuanchao’s desk was intelligence about Qiao Zhao entering and leaving Marquis Guanjun’s residence twice in one day.

Jiang Yuanchao tapped the desk with his finger, one tap at a time.

In the South, Miss Li had met Young Master Chi Can from Princess Changrong’s residence, Crown Prince Yang Houcheng from Marquis Liuxing’s residence, Crown Prince Zhu Yàn from Marquis Taining’s residence. Upon returning to the capital, she had met Marquis Guanjun Shao Mingyuan and Young Master Qiao Mo from the Qiao family.

What was so special about this girl that could make these people regard her differently?

Thinking of this, Jiang Yuanchao smiled ruefully.

Miss Li had also met him, and hadn’t he inexplicably devoted part of his attention to her as well?

Perhaps some people were born to be more dazzling than others, like the blazing sun, attracting people’s gazes.

For example—

Another graceful figure slowly emerged in his mind.

Since becoming engaged to his sworn sister, he had rarely thought of that person—not because he had forgotten, but because he seemed to have lost even the right to miss her.

A knock came at the door: “Sir—”

“Come in.” Jiang Yuanchao withdrew his thoughts, his expression calm and unruffled.

A subordinate entered: “Sir, there’s movement at the Minister of Justice’s residence. Minister Kou’s eldest son Kou Bohai personally went to the Marquis Guanjun’s residence.”

“Kou Bohai went to the Marquis Guanjun’s residence?” Jiang Yuanchao’s eyes flashed. “So this must be about Young Master Qiao being secretly harmed by Kou Bohai’s wife, Lady Shen. Very well, I understand. Continue monitoring, and report immediately if there are any developments.”

As the subordinate reached the door, Jiang Yuanchao spoke: “Have Jiang He come see me.”

Soon, Jiang He trotted in: “Sir, you wanted to see me?”

Jiang Yuanchao was silent for a while, then said, “Continue monitoring Miss Li.”

“Eh? Didn’t you say we wouldn’t monitor Miss Li anymore?”

“Too much talk!” Jiang Yuanchao’s face darkened.

Wasn’t he allowed to regret his decision?

Yes, he had changed his mind.

Originally, it was out of personal interest that he had paid extra attention to that little girl, but now, this little girl was weaving a web that was ensnaring many key figures.

He had a premonition that Miss Li was not as simple as she appeared on the surface.

Since it was related to official business, he could certainly change his mind.

For some unknown reason, Jiang Yuanchao suddenly very much wanted to know the little girl’s reaction when she discovered the Jinlin Guards were watching her again.

Perhaps she would point at his nose and curse him out.

“Why aren’t you going yet?”

“This subordinate will go immediately!” Jiang He secretly pursed his lips.

They say people are in high spirits during happy events, so why had his superior’s temperament become increasingly unpredictable since getting engaged?

But then again, Miss Jiang’s temperament wasn’t something an ordinary man could handle. His superior was doing quite well—if it were him, he’d have lost it completely.

“If Miss Li discovers us again—”

Jiang He straightened his back: “Sir, rest assured. This subordinate has recently worked hard to improve my stealth skills. If Miss Li discovers me again, you can punish this subordinate to scrub toilets!”

“Hehe, go on then.” Jiang Yuanchao chuckled, his mood inexplicably improving.

Wasn’t it inevitable that this fool would be discovered by Miss Li? It seemed there would be someone to do toilet-scrubbing duty in the future.

Shao Mingyuan obediently took the medicine according to Qiao Zhao’s instructions. After sleeping through the night, a guard came to report: “General, the eldest master from the Minister of Justice’s residence has come.”

“Where is he?”

“Drinking tea in the front hall.”

“When did he arrive?”

“About two quarters of an hour ago. We thought you were resting, so we didn’t disturb you.”

Although the eldest master was technically the General’s uncle, nothing was more important than the General’s health.

Waiting a bit wouldn’t hurt anyone. Even if the General blamed them, he’d accept the punishment.

“Please escort Master Kou to the reception hall.”

Shao Mingyuan dressed in his outer robe and tidied himself so that no trace of illness showed, then walked over.

Kou Bohai was already waiting impatiently.

What did Marquis Guanjun mean by this? He was an elder after all—how could he be left cooling his heels like this?

Recently, the household had been in chaos. The investigation into the poison’s source had made no progress, and the white silk handkerchief left by that “female ghost” on the stormy night had become the family’s heart disease.

Before coming, his father had instructed him: if Marquis Guanjun remained warm and respectful as before, then there would be no need to mention Lady Mao’s poisoning in front of him—just privately have Qiao Mo identify the handwriting on the white silk handkerchief.

If Marquis Guanjun’s attitude was cold, it would prove he knew about Qiao Mo’s ordeal at the Minister’s residence. In that case, they should reveal everything about Lady Mao to prevent deeper misunderstandings.

From the current situation, it seemed Marquis Guanjun truly knew something, which was why he had insisted on taking Qiao Mo away.

There were no maids in the hall—even the tea had been served by guards. Several tall, imposing guards stood in the hall, making Kou Bohai increasingly restless.

Surely Marquis Guanjun wouldn’t harm him for Qiao Mo’s sake? He was his uncle!

But then again, he’d heard that Marquis Guanjun killed without blinking in the Northern Territories. With such a person, who knew if his violent nature might erupt—

Kou Bohai raised his sleeve to wipe away sweat when he heard footsteps. The guards immediately straightened and lowered their heads, saying in unison: “General!”

Shao Mingyuan entered wearing white robes, his tone indifferent: “I apologize for keeping Uncle waiting. Mingyuan had some matters to attend to and couldn’t get away.”

“No problem, no problem at all.” Kou Bohai couldn’t help but stand up.

Shao Mingyuan walked over and nodded calmly: “Uncle, please sit. May I ask what brings you here today?”