After Jiang Shiran finished speaking, she grew angrier thinking about it. She drew the whip wrapped around her waist to strike at Qiao Zhao, but was stopped by Jiang Tang: “Ran Ran, stay calm. Father will get justice for you.”

Still considering Jiang Yuanchao’s presence and fearing that being too crude and barbaric would displease him, Jiang Shiran put away her whip and said aggrievedly: “Mm.”

Jiang Tang looked at Qiao Zhao with a cold laugh: “If Miss Li can’t give a reasonable explanation, don’t blame me for being impolite.”

Qiao Zhao remained composed: “If the Grand Commander wants to know what I rely on, could we speak privately?”

“Father, don’t listen to her nonsense. What leverage could a little girl like her have? Where does she get the audacity to speak privately with you?” Jiang Shiran now saw Qiao Zhao as a thorn in her eye and flesh, wishing she could destroy her.

Jiang Tang comfortingly patted Jiang Shiran and glanced at Jiang Yuanchao: “Thirteen, keep Ran Ran company for a chat. Miss Li, come with me.”

Qiao Zhao silently followed behind Jiang Tang. Jiang Yuanchao wanted to speak but hesitated.

Jiang Shiran stamped her foot: “Thirteenth Brother, you’re still looking at her! Do you like her?”

“No.” Jiang Yuanchao felt overwhelmed. “Ran Ran, we’re already engaged. Don’t say such things anymore—it’s not good for anyone.”

“Being engaged and whether you like someone else are two different things.” Jiang Shiran felt terrible, tears in her eyes.

Just thinking about Thirteenth Brother giving any other woman a second glance made her want to dismember that person into eight pieces.

“For me, they’re the same thing.” Jiang Yuanchao’s smile carried a trace of weariness. “Ran Ran, stop making trouble. Since I’m engaged to you, I’ll spend my whole life with you properly.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

Only then did Jiang Shiran break into a smile through her tears.

In another room, Jiang Tang sat down and pointed to another chair: “Sit.”

Qiao Zhao complied and sat down.

“Miss Li may speak now. What exactly do you rely on that allows you to sit across from me with such composure after striking my daughter?”

Had the Jinlin Guards’ headquarters become a street teahouse where a little girl could come and go as she pleased, with such a calm attitude?

Thinking this, Jiang Tang picked up his teacup and took a sip, his unhurried tone carrying a strong warning: “Little girl, even if you bring up Marquis Guanjun today, it won’t help.”

Qiao Zhao also picked up her teacup and took a sip, then casually set it down.

Jiang Tang’s temple twitched.

Originally, he had been furious, but after meeting this little girl, the calmer she was, the more his fury was suppressed by curiosity.

Could it be fearlessness born of ignorance, like a newborn calf not fearing tigers?

Regardless, such a little girl truly earned his admiration. But since she dared strike his daughter today, he must teach her a lesson no matter what!

Qiao Zhao finally spoke, her tone very calm: “Grand Commander, I’m wondering—why do you give Marquis Guanjun such face?”

Jiang Tang was startled, then his expression darkened: “Miss Li, you’re still young. These matters are not for you to ask about, nor is there any need for you to get involved.”

“No, no, I’m not being curious—I’m just analyzing this matter.” Qiao Zhao said unhurriedly.

Jiang Tang’s curiosity was increasingly aroused, and then his heart jumped in alarm.

He had always been curious about why Marquis Guanjun would treat a minor reviser’s daughter so specially, but now he was discovering this little girl’s remarkable qualities.

Setting aside everything else, this little girl was an expert at manipulating emotions. In just the blink of an eye, she had made him, who originally planned to swiftly get justice for his beloved daughter, develop the patience to listen to her speak out of curiosity.

He, the dignified Jinlin Guards Commander, was actually being led by a little girl’s emotional manipulation, yet he didn’t mind.

“Let’s hear it.”

“I think the Grand Commander gives Marquis Guanjun face to pave a better path for Miss Jiang in the future. For example,” Qiao Zhao looked deeply at Jiang Tang. “For example, if you were to step down from this position due to health or other reasons, when Miss Jiang encounters trouble, Marquis Guanjun could provide some protection.”

“What does this little girl mean?” Jiang Tang never expected a little girl to say such things. Sharp killing intent suddenly erupted in his eyes.

His stepping down from this position?

Indeed, those who sat in his position throughout all dynasties were the emperor’s confidants. If a new emperor ascended the throne, replacing him would be inevitable. However, the current emperor was in his prime—who knew when a new emperor would ascend the throne? His befriending of Marquis Guanjun was merely preparing for a rainy day.

However, what did the little girl mean by “stepping down due to health reasons”?

The more Jiang Tang thought about this phrase, the more alarmed he became.

Recently, he had gradually been transferring his duties to Thirteen for handling. Everyone thought it was to cultivate his future son-in-law, and while this was indeed one reason, the more important reason that couldn’t be told to outsiders was: his health was getting worse and worse.

But how could a little girl know this reason?

Jiang Tang straightened his posture, his expression becoming serious: “Miss Li, speak plainly.”

Qiao Zhao smiled: “I just think that no matter who the Grand Commander has looked after Miss Jiang, it’s not as good as looking after her yourself. So, the Grand Commander must take good care of his health.”

Since Jiang Tang cared most about his daughter, she would use what he cared about most to move him.

At this moment, Jiang Tang no longer regarded the young woman before him as an ordinary little girl. He sneered: “If Miss Li is only reminding me of this, then I have no interest in continuing this conversation.”

Qiao Zhao lowered her eyes and smiled, touching the pouch tied at her waist: “Then what about elixir poisoning?”

“What did you say?” Jiang Tang abruptly stood up, his eyes fixed intently on Qiao Zhao.

Qiao Zhao remained as calm as before, not even standing up. Half-tilting her head up, she smiled: “Does the Grand Commander understand elixir poisoning?”

The current emperor’s pursuit of immortality had reached the point of obsession. He had been summoning famous Taoist priests from across the realm to refine elixirs in the palace for twenty years. Those elixirs that the world saw as miraculous medicines were actually poisonous.

She had no opportunity to meet Emperor Mingkang and didn’t know about him, but she had coincidentally seen Jinlin Guards Commander Jiang Tang when she was still Qiao Zhao.

That was at her wedding, when the palace suddenly sent an edict commanding Shao Mingyuan to immediately set out for war. When everyone’s attention was drawn to the sudden imperial decree, she quietly lifted a corner of her bridal veil and saw Shao Mingyuan’s departing figure as he left with the eunuch after receiving the edict.

At that time, the entire hall fell silent. The one who stayed behind to make small talk and break the silence was Jinlin Guards Commander Jiang Tang.

The Jiang Tang of that time already had elixir poisoning in his body, and now it was even more severe. When her grandmother sought justice for her at that time, she had originally planned to resolve it using this leverage, but it went unused due to Shao Mingyuan’s intervention.

“Little girl, your courage is too great!” Jiang Tang said coldly.

Whenever the Taoist priests in the palace refined immortal elixirs, His Majesty would bestow them upon him as imperial favor. This little girl dared mention elixir poisoning?

Qiao Zhao was completely unaffected, extending three pale fingers: “Three years. If the Grand Commander doesn’t eliminate the elixir poison in his body, he won’t live past three years!”