Li Guangwen had been a bit unhappy these past two days.

His second daughter had been running out every day recently, leaving no time to accompany him in playing chess.

He sat by the tea table near the window, a chessboard placed on the table. Holding a teacup in one hand and grasping a chess piece in the other, he entertained himself.

The door to the private room was wide open for coolness. Chi Can signaled for Taosheng to remain outside the door and stepped inside.

Li Guangwen had just finished placing a white piece and was holding a black piece, uncertain where to place it. Chi Can plopped down across from him and joined in the deep contemplation.

“Where do you think it should go?” Li Guangwen asked without lifting his head.

“I can’t figure it out yet either. Let me think some more.”

“Here.” Li Guangwen placed the black piece down.

Chi Can clapped his hands: “Right, right! Placing it there is brilliant!”

Li Guangwen felt pleased being praised and smiled: “I think so too.”

He looked up and froze: “You, you’re that young fellow from the other day—”

The one who came to testify for Zhaozhao?

“This junior is Chi Can.”

“Ah.” Li Guangwen nodded with reserved dignity.

Could this young fellow be interested in Zhaozhao? However, he was the son of that princess who kept male favorites. Those imperial family members loved their debauchery, not to mention this fellow was so handsome.

No, no, it wouldn’t be suitable for Zhaozhao to be with someone like this.

With this thought, Li Guangwen’s attitude became even more distant.

“Where should the white piece go?” Chi Can naturally pick up the white piece, frowning in contemplation.

His chess skills were quite good; he just played rather slowly.

Li Guangwen’s attention was immediately drawn away as he toyed with the black piece in his hand: “Can’t you see? Right now, the white pieces have the advantage.”

“Is that so? I haven’t noticed yet. It seems Uncle Li’s chess skills are indeed superior.”

Taosheng at the door: “…” Young Master, you’re going all out to marry a wife. This servant never noticed this before!

The two were evenly matched in chess skills, continuing to play until dark when Li Guangwen returned home satisfied.

As soon as he arrived at the residence, he headed straight for Yahe Courtyard.

Lady He said worriedly, “Zhaozhao seems to have encountered some troubling matter. She didn’t eat much at dinner.”

“Is that so? I’ll go check on her.” Li Guangwen headed toward the West Side Courtyard.

Seeing Li Guangwen approach, Qiao Zhao was somewhat surprised: “Father has come?”

She took the fragrant tea A’Zhu offered and handed it to Li Guangwen: “Has Father come to play chess with me?”

At the mention of chess, Li Guangwen revealed a satisfied smile: “No chess today—I’ve been playing most of the day. Sigh, I’ve never been so thoroughly entertained before.”

“So Father has met an evenly matched opponent?” Qiao Zhao smiled faintly.

After becoming Li Zhao, she hadn’t done much for her parents, but at least she shouldn’t let them worry about her. She could still manage this bit of emotional concealment.

“Exactly! I’ve never met someone so compatible in chess playing. You know this person, too.”

“I know him, too?” Qiao Zhao suddenly had an ominous premonition.

“It’s that young fellow who came forward to testify for you when Count Changchun’s residence came causing trouble. Mm, that young fellow is quite well-mannered. Though born into the Eldest Princess’s residence, he’s very humble, addressing me as ‘Uncle Li’ throughout.”

Qiao Zhao’s mouth twitched.

Humble? Well-mannered?

Miss Qiao looked at Li Guangwen with mixed feelings of amusement and exasperation.

Father dear, that well-mannered young fellow in your heart practically wants to keep your daughter as a mistress, yet here you are looking completely satisfied.

“So Father quite likes Young Master Chi?” Qiao Zhao asked tentatively.

She needed some mental preparation—she couldn’t let Father dear sell her off one day without her knowing.

Li Guangwen nodded: “Mm, as a chess companion, I’m quite fond of him. However—”

At this point, Li Guangwen looked deeply at Qiao Zhao and said seriously, “However, if he wants to marry you, I’m not pleased about it. That’s a separate matter entirely.”

Qiao Zhao’s feelings toward Li Guangwen were now purely of admiration.

Such a father—she was convinced.

Li Guangwen reached out to ruffle the top of Qiao Zhao’s head: “Zhaozhao, your mother said you ate little at dinner. Did you encounter something unpleasant when you went out?”

“Mm, I was indeed somewhat unhappy.” Qiao Zhao suddenly didn’t want to pretend in front of Li Guangwen anymore.

The person before her was her father, after all.

Li Guangwen used his large hand to mess up the young lady’s hair, his tone gentle: “Whoever made you unhappy, we simply won’t associate with them anymore.”

“I understand, Father. I feel much better now.”

“That’s good. Then I’ll return to my room.” As night had fallen, it naturally wasn’t appropriate for Li Guangwen to linger long in his daughter’s quarters.

Not long after Li Guangwen left, a maid brought a food box: “Third Miss, the Master and Mistress have ordered this servant to bring you a late-night snack.”

The late-night snack was a bowl of rock sugar bird’s nest soup. Qiao Zhao picked up the spoon and ate it mouthful by mouthful, the sweetness traveling from her throat to her stomach.

She suddenly covered her face, letting tears seep through the gaps between her fingers.

Another sleepless night. The next morning dawned bright and clear as usual, and Qiao Zhao took a carriage to the Marquis Guanjun’s residence.

“It’s still early.” Knowing his good friend’s feelings for the young lady before him, Shao Mingyuan felt it increasingly inappropriate for the two of them to be alone together for too long.

Qiao Zhao, however, remained perfectly composed: “Perfect timing to administer acupuncture and prepare medicine for General Shao.”

Shao Mingyuan hesitated for a moment, then said: “Miss Li, actually I have subordinates skilled in acupuncture. I wonder if Miss Li would be willing to teach the acupuncture steps for expelling cold poison to my subordinates, so they could administer the needles for me in the future?”

Qiao Zhao glanced at Shao Mingyuan coolly, withdrew her gaze, and took out a silver needle, saying calmly: “Of course, that’s not convenient. Acupuncture techniques cannot be transmitted to others.”

“Then—”

“General Shao, please remove your upper garment.”

Shao Mingyuan silently removed his shirt.

“Lie down.”

Keenly sensing that the young lady before him was somewhat displeased, the young general wisely lay down properly.

A silver needle deftly penetrated his skin, and Shao Mingyuan’s eyelashes trembled slightly.

Qiao Zhao looked up at him: “Does it hurt?”

“No.”

Another silver needle went in, and Shao Mingyuan’s body tensed slightly.

“This time it hurt, didn’t it?” Miss Qiao asked with a gentle expression.

Shao Mingyuan pressed his lips together.

Why did he have the illusion that Miss Li was doing this on purpose? During the previous two acupuncture sessions, he had felt absolutely nothing.

After giving someone a small punishment, Qiao Zhao stopped teasing him and earnestly inserted the remaining needles. Then, with calm eyes and brows, she asked: “Is General Shao interested in acupuncture techniques?”

“Uh, it’s just that having Miss Li come over every day is too troublesome for you.”

Qiao Zhao glanced at him sideways.

This person was being dishonest again.

The day before yesterday, he had made her run back and forth three times in one day, the last time being a complete deception, yet he hadn’t thought it troublesome for her then?

Could it be—

Thinking of a certain possibility, Miss Qiao’s expression darkened slightly.

Her elder brother’s situation was still unknown, and she was already worried sick. Now this bastard wanted to add to her troubles. Having learned of Chi Can’s feelings, was he now going to help with matchmaking?

Qiao Zhao stared intently at Shao Mingyuan, growing more annoyed the more she thought about it.

Matchmaking his wife with his good friend—only this fool in the world would do such a thing!

Shao Mingyuan felt his heart race under Qiao Zhao’s gaze and coughed lightly: “Miss Li?”

Qiao Zhao calmly extended her hand, placing it on his well-defined abdominal muscles.