Chi Can propped one hand on the armrest of his chair, lazily saying, “Tingquan, I want to go too.”

The little cabbage he had picked up—from now on, he would keep a tight watch over her. Whoever dared compete with him for her, he would fight them to the death.

“Shixi—” Shao Mingyuan felt a headache coming on.

Taking one person along was already troublesome enough, and now he wanted to bring another? That place was the imperial prison—did they think it was a market street for casual strolling?

Chi Can’s face turned cold: “What, planning to burn bridges after crossing the river? Who do you think I came running over here so early in the morning for?”

What was most infuriating was that Shao Mingyuan was willing to take Li Zhao along, but didn’t want to take him. Did this fellow even know who he was closer to?

“Fine, we’ll all go together tomorrow.” Shao Mingyuan knew Chi Can’s temperament all too well and reluctantly agreed, then looked toward Yang Houcheng.

Yang Houcheng quickly waved his hands: “Don’t look at me, I’m not going.”

He was different from these little companions of his—he was still normal!

Having settled the matter of tomorrow’s prison visit, Chi Can finally stood up: “It’s time to head back. Third Miss Li, let me escort you.”

Shao Mingyuan was startled, then looked toward Qiao Zhao.

Qiao Zhao smiled: “There’s no need to trouble Big Brother Chi. We’re not going the same way. Big Brother Chi should go with Big Brother Yang.”

Yang Houcheng blinked.

No, wait—he still had things to say to Shao Mingyuan!

“I’m not in a hurry to return to the residence. I can take a detour.” Chi Can said flatly.

Shao Mingyuan’s eyes already showed obvious surprise.

Qiao Zhao couldn’t help but press her palm to her forehead.

She truly hadn’t expected that after Chi Can broke through that layer of pretense, he would adopt such a domineering and persistent style.

“There’s no need. I brought along my maid and coachman.”

Chi Can stepped forward and reached out to grasp Qiao Zhao’s sleeve: “Be good, let’s go.”

Shao Mingyuan watched coldly, slowly understanding what was happening.

So Shixi liked Miss Li.

He should have guessed it earlier, but had overlooked it because of Shixi’s contradictory words that one time.

The young general lowered his eyelids, his gaze falling on his distinct finger joints. His fingernails showed a faint blue-white tinge, and the pain of the silver needles piercing seemed still before his eyes. Yet because of the young lady’s gentle soothing words, he couldn’t recall what kind of pain it had been—he only remembered those calm yet tender words:

“It will hurt a little, please bear with it…”

“This time it won’t hurt…”

Shao Mingyuan thought he would probably never forget these two sentences for the rest of his life, because this was the first time someone had spoken to him this way—and probably the last time as well.

Qiao Zhao calmly raised her hand to withdraw her sleeve, seriously saying to Chi Can: “Big Brother Chi, in this world, I only listen to one man’s words.”

“Who?” Chi Can asked.

Shao Mingyuan and Yang Houcheng also looked toward Qiao Zhao.

“My father.” Miss Qiao said flatly, then bowed slightly to Chi Can before lifting her feet to leave.

Chi Can stood in place for a long time without moving.

Yang Houcheng couldn’t help but push him: “Shixi, are you alright?”

This was Shixi being rejected by Miss Li once again, wasn’t it? Would he go mad?

Chi Can’s eyes flickered, and he reached up to stroke his chin, murmuring: “That makes some sense.”

Saying this, he didn’t bid farewell to Shao Mingyuan and the other, walking outside at an unhurried pace.

Yang Houcheng scratched his head, saying to the silent Shao Mingyuan: “Shixi couldn’t have been shocked senseless, could he?”

Shao Mingyuan didn’t respond.

Yang Houcheng sighed.

What was wrong with everyone today? Had they all gone stupid?

“Tingquan, Shixi was possessed today.”

“Hmm?”

“He confessed to Miss Li, and right in front of me!”

Shao Mingyuan’s expression remained calm: “Is that so? Rarely has Shixi finally met a young lady he likes. That’s quite good.”

“Huh? Am I the only one who thinks Miss Li is too young?”

Shao Mingyuan smiled: “She’ll grow up.”

He had never felt that Miss Li was young; he even felt that compared to Miss Li, his good friend Chi Can was the childish one.

“You two do think alike.” Yang Houcheng shook his head and left.

Shao Mingyuan sat by the window, looking at the lush trees outside, belatedly thinking: It seems I forgot to ask Yang Er whether Miss Li agreed or refused.

He turned and entered his study, taking out the prescription Qiao Zhao had written earlier, then carefully retrieved that family letter from the redwood case.

The prescription and family letter lay side by side—one still seemed to carry the scent of ink, while the other bore the traces of time.

Shao Mingyuan extended his slender fingers, slowly stroking the elegant characters on the family letter, then settling on the prescription.

Even if it were imitation, could it be imitated so similarly?

He suddenly recalled that day when the sunlight was bright and pleasant, sitting under the grape arbor in the back courtyard of Chunfeng Tavern. The young lady had asked him to bring paper and brush, and after merely glancing at the plain-looking personal guard, had drawn the guard’s portrait in one fluid motion.

At that time she had said: “What others can’t do after seeing someone once and being unable to forget—I actually can.”

If Miss Li could paint someone lifelike after seeing them once, then it wouldn’t be strange if she could write exactly like someone else after seeing their handwriting, would it?

She truly was a special young lady.

Shao Mingyuan’s smile suddenly froze as he realized his attention to that young lady was perhaps too much. He silently put away the family letter and prescription, stood up, and left the study.

After leaving Marquis Guanjun’s residence, Chi Can didn’t return to the Eldest Princess’s residence, but walked in the opposite direction.

“Young Master, aren’t we going the wrong way?” his servant Taosheng reminded him.

Chi Can shot him a look: “Stop being nosy!”

Taosheng quickly covered his mouth and shook his head.

“About today’s events—not a single word to anyone else.”

“Young Master, rest assured, this servant will keep his mouth sealed. I won’t say anything even if beaten to death!” Heavens, their young master’s heart had awakened to love! But since he couldn’t tell anyone, he was going to suffocate from keeping it in!

Chi Can stopped.

Taosheng looked up: “The Hanlin Academy?”

He glanced at his young master in surprise, thinking: Why has the young master come to a place like this?

Chi Can lifted his foot and kicked Taosheng: “Go find out what time the officials of the Hanlin Academy usually leave work.”

“Yes.” Taosheng ran over to inquire with the gatekeeper, and soon returned: “Young Master, I found out!”

“What time?”

Taosheng had run urgently and wiped away sweat: “Oh, the gatekeeper said those officials leave work whenever they want to leave work.”

Chi Can’s face darkened.

This was allowed?

“Never mind, go directly ask what time Scholar Li, who lives in Xingzi Alley, usually leaves work.”

Taosheng stood without moving.

“What?” Chi Can’s handsome eyes lifted slightly.

“Young Master, this… this isn’t appropriate, is it?” You’re interested in someone’s daughter, yet you come looking for her father like this—aren’t you afraid of getting your legs broken?

“Just go when I tell you to go. Say another word and I’ll break your legs and sell you off!”

Hearing this, Taosheng hurried over to ask, quickly returning: “I found out! Scholar Li has already left work and is currently drinking tea at Five Flavors Teahouse.”

Chi Can: “…” The future father-in-law was quite willful in his official duties.

“Let’s go to Five Flavors Teahouse.”

During hot weather, teahouses were always packed. When Chi Can walked in, the main hall fell quiet.

He calmly told the approaching server: “Take me to a private room on the second floor.” After climbing the stairs, he directly slipped the servant a piece of broken silver: “Tell me, Scholar Li’s room.”