Jiang Tang glanced at Jiang Yuanchao.

Jiang Yuanchao’s heart tightened, and he withdrew his gaze.

“I’ll have someone escort Miss Li back to her residence.”

“There’s no need to trouble the Grand Commander. I have a coachman.”

Seeing that her father was just letting Qiao Zhao leave like this, Jiang Shiran became extremely anxious. “Father, how can you just let her go? She hit me—have you forgotten?”

“Enough, Ran Ran, stop making a fuss.”

Jiang Shiran opened her eyes wide in disbelief. “Father, you’re letting the person who hit me go just like that, yet you say I’m making a fuss? You—you must be bewitched too! Fine, if none of you will teach her a lesson, then I’ll do it myself!”

After speaking, Jiang Shiran turned and ran outside. Jiang Tang said coolly, “Shisan, stop Ran Ran.”

Though Jiang Yuanchao was puzzled in his heart, his movements were quick. He grabbed hold of Jiang Shiran.

Jiang Shiran struggled desperately. “Let go! If I don’t properly teach that little slut a lesson today, I won’t be able to vent this anger!”

“Shut up!” Jiang Tang shouted coldly.

“Father, you’re yelling at me? You’re yelling at me for the person who hit your daughter? She must be a fox spirit who bewitched you in the blink of an eye—”

Jiang Tang’s face darkened. “Ran Ran, you’re not young anymore. What kind of nonsense are you spouting?”

It seemed he had spoiled his daughter too much for her to say such ridiculous things.

Knowing his daughter had a stubborn temper, Jiang Tang patiently explained, “Miss Li came to see me about important matters. Ran Ran, you should have less contact with her in the future.”

“Father, she’s the one who came looking for trouble, and she’s the one who hit me, yet you say this? What important matters could a little girl have? You’re favoring her!”

“Ran Ran, I’m not joking with you!” Jiang Tang suddenly felt his chest constrict, his face instantly turning deathly pale as he clutched his chest, swaying unsteadily.

Jiang Shiran was shocked. “Father, what’s wrong?”

Jiang Yuanchao quickly supported Jiang Tang. “Adoptive Father?”

Jiang Tang couldn’t speak. Supported by Jiang Yuanchao, he slowly sat down, taking quite a while to catch his breath.

Jiang Shiran knelt before Jiang Tang, already in tears. “Father, what’s wrong with you?”

“It’s nothing, just a bit dizzy. Probably didn’t sleep well last night.” Jiang Tang stroked his daughter’s hair, speaking earnestly, “Ran Ran, you are my only daughter. You must remember that I would never harm you.”

“Yes, I know.”

“So temporarily set aside your conflict with Miss Li, understand?”

Jiang Shiran bit her lip and hesitated for a long while before nodding reluctantly. “I understand. I’ll listen to you.”

Jiang Tang showed a gratified smile. “Ran Ran, you go back first. Your Brother Shisan and I still have matters to handle.”

“Alright then.” Jiang Shiran felt this day had been extremely frustrating, but since her father was unwell, she couldn’t continue being willful. She left dejectedly.

With no one else in the room, Jiang Tang glanced at Jiang Yuanchao and said coolly, “Shisan, you’ve greatly disappointed me.”

Jiang Yuanchao immediately knelt on one knee. “It’s Shisan’s fault.”

“Get up. You’re about to start a family—don’t kneel at every turn.”

Jiang Yuanchao silently stood up.

“Do you know what I’m referring to?”

“Please instruct me, Adoptive Father.”

“You treat Miss Li differently. Why?” He didn’t believe just any little girl could gain entry here.

Though Jiang Tang’s tone was calm, Jiang Yuanchao’s heart sank.

Though he didn’t know why his adoptive father had let Miss Li go, he knew that once whatever had made his adoptive father compromise was gone, it would be time for his adoptive father to settle accounts.

Thinking this, Jiang Yuanchao replied frankly, “In response to Adoptive Father, Shisan felt that Miss Li’s abilities don’t match her background and experiences, which made me somewhat curious.”

“No other reason?”

“Of course not. Adoptive Father, Shisan, was rescued and raised by you. Don’t you trust Shisan?”

Only then did Jiang Tang smile. “I naturally trust you, but as your adoptive father and as a man, I must remind you of certain things first, lest you make mistakes in the future.”

“Please rest assured, Adoptive Father. Shisan absolutely won’t.”

“Good. Then go back first. Ran Ran was wronged today—spend more time with her.”

After Jiang Yuanchao left, Jiang Tang took out the white porcelain bottle Qiao Zhao had left behind, poured out a pill, and stared at it for a long time. He called in a Jinlin Guard who was standing outside the door and said coolly, “Eat this.”

“Yes.” The Jinlin Guard, who entered, swallowed the pill without hesitation.

“How do you feel?” Jiang Tang asked.

“Uh, reporting to the Grand Commander, I don’t seem to feel anything particular.”

Jiang Tang said nothing, picking up a cup of tea to drink slowly.

About a quarter hour later, the Jinlin Guard’s complexion looked somewhat unwell.

“What’s wrong?” Jiang Tang’s tone was somewhat stern.

Could that girl be so bold as to openly poison him?

The Jinlin Guard couldn’t bear it any longer and clutched his stomach. “Grand Commander, this subordinate—subordinate-this subordinate needs to go to the privy—”

“Go!”

After waiting a while longer, the Jinlin Guard ran back, looking surprisingly refreshed and clear-headed.

Jiang Tang was silent for a moment before asking, “How do you feel?”

The Jinlin Guard was stunned. Did he need to report his privy experience to the Grand Commander too?

“How do you feel?” Jiang Tang frowned impatiently.

The Jinlin Guard dared not hesitate any longer and said loudly, “Very refreshing! I feel my whole body has lightened, with a sort of—”

“Enough.” Jiang Tang waved his hand. “You may go.”

The room was left with only Jiang Tang deep in thought, while the Jinlin Guard hurriedly ran off.

After Qiao Zhao came out, Chen Guang approached her.

“Return to the residence.” Qiao Zhao hastily dropped this sentence and walked quickly forward.

Chen Guang sensed something was wrong and hurried to catch up. “Third Miss—”

Before he finished speaking, he caught sight of the handkerchief wrapped around Qiao Zhao’s neck, with bloodstains faintly visible.

Looking down, Chen Guang was greatly alarmed. “Third Miss, you’re injured? Who did this? I’ll go find them!”

“Don’t go. We’ll talk when we get back to the residence.”

“But you—”

“I injured myself. Let’s go back first!” Qiao Zhao’s voice had already grown hoarse.

Though the wound on her neck wasn’t deep, she wasn’t made of iron—she would feel pain too.

“Alright.” Chen Guang gritted his teeth and glared fiercely at the black-painted gates of the Jinlin Guards before jumping onto the carriage. “Third Miss, please hold on tight.”

A low response came from inside the carriage.

The carriage raced along the wide bluestone streets.

The wound had stopped bleeding, leaving only a burning pain. Qiao Zhao fumbled in her pouch for some ointment and casually applied it. Though her complexion grew increasingly pale, she revealed a faint smile.

Fortunately, this step hadn’t been taken wrongly. As long as she could rescue her brother first, everything else would be manageable.

She closed her eyes and leaned against the carriage, unable to help wondering: could she hope that when her brother saw what she had given him, he might lower his guard a little?

Perhaps he would try to trust her.

Qiao Zhao smiled self-mockingly.

Choosing to show her brother those things when he was imprisoned was already the best timing.

Her brother should understand that, having handed over the account books and fallen into prison, he no longer had anything worth coveting. If even under these circumstances her brother still wouldn’t trust her, then she probably had no chance of becoming his sister again.

The carriage suddenly stopped, and Chen Guang called from outside, “Third Miss, we’ve arrived.”

Qiao Zhao bent down to lift the carriage curtain and couldn’t help but freeze.