The Jinlin Guards directly blocked all the various people who wanted to go up the mountain.

“My daughter is still up there! Why can’t I go up?” He Shi stepped forward and puffed out her chest.

“Except for the Jinlin Guards, no one is allowed up the mountain,” Jiang Shiyi said coldly.

“Are you being unreasonable?” He Shi angrily put her hands on her hips to question him.

Jiang Shiyi waved his hand expressionlessly, “Up the mountain.”

When had the Jinlin Guards ever relied on reasoning to do their work? This woman was simply unreasonable.

“Master, look at these people—” He Shi was furious and tugged at Li Guangwen’s sleeve.

Jiang Yuanchao walked over, “Madam Li, don’t be anxious. We’re also following orders from above. I guarantee to deliver Miss Li to your side safe and sound.”

“Thank you.” Li Guangwen perfunctorily thanked him and pulled He Shi away, “Let’s go wait in the pavilion over there.”

On the other side of the road, a larger and more comfortable pavilion had been newly built. He Shi had paid for it out of her pocket, and the couple came here to report for duty every day as soon as they opened their eyes.

Chi Can stood motionless by the roadside. Yang Houcheng put his hand on his shoulder, “Shixi, let’s also go wait in the pavilion. Standing here, we’ll get heatstroke in a while.”

“What do you think happened when we heard the temple bells that night?”

Yang Houcheng scratched his head, “I don’t know. Later, when we asked Shao Zhi, didn’t he say anything?”

Chi Can’s gaze deepened as he looked toward Dafu Temple, “The fact that he said nothing at all is the problem.”

Although he had the capital to be willful, he had even more self-awareness. The fact that the Jinlin Guards wouldn’t allow anyone up the mountain today was enough to show that something major had happened on the mountain. Though he was dying to see Li San immediately, he wouldn’t act rashly at this time.

Zhu Yàn was right—if he wanted to fight for what he wanted, he had to first keep his composure and grow enough to control his destiny.

Li San, you must wait for me.

“Captain, are we not going up the mountain?” Several personal guards surrounded Shao Zhi to ask.

Shao Zhi turned and walked toward the roadside, saying as he walked, “Didn’t you hear what the Jinlin Guards said? Orders from above only allow Jinlin Guard personnel up the mountain.”

“Why should that be? All the news from the mountain was sent out by our general, and now that the road is clear, we still can’t go up to escort our general down?” someone said indignantly.

Shao Zhi raised his hand and slapped that person, “Don’t talk nonsense! Do you want to cause trouble for our general?”

The Jinlin Guards were the emperor’s confidants. The more critical the times these were, the more low-key the general should be. If they fought for momentary glory for the general and ended up causing the emperor to mark the general in his little black book, that would be more loss than a gain.

“Go wait over there. Our general will be able to come down soon.”

Nearly a hundred Jinlin Guards, led by Jiang Yuanchao and Jiang Shiyi, arrived at Dafu Temple.

Shao Mingyuan had already sent word of the murder cases at Shuying Nunnery and Dafu Temple through carrier pigeons. Jiang Yuanchao’s mission was to investigate the cases thoroughly, while Jiang Shiyi was responsible for escorting Master Wumei down the mountain.

“Miss Li, let’s go.” After settling Master Wumei properly, Jiang Shiyi came before Qiao Zhao.

Qiao Zhao bowed slightly to Shao Mingyuan, “General Shao, I’ll descend the mountain first. Chen Guang isn’t suitable for mountain paths right now, so let him rest in the temple for the time being.”

She had been trapped on the mountain for so long and had surely worried the Li family parents and relatives.

“Miss Li, take care.” Watching the young woman’s gradually receding figure, Shao Mingyuan felt somewhat envious.

Having people worry about and miss you was truly wonderful.

“Lord Marquis?” Jiang Yuanchao raised an eyebrow.

Shao Mingyuan withdrew his gaze and said without revealing his emotions, “Commander Jiang, shall we go inside for a detailed discussion?”

“Good.” Jiang Yuanchao smiled and looked back at Jiang Shiyi’s retreating figure from afar.

What was his adoptive father thinking? Could it be that to eliminate any possibility between him and Miss Li, he wanted Jiang Shiyi to interfere?

Thinking of this possibility, Jiang Yuanchao smiled wryly.

He didn’t think Miss Li was the type of girl who would fall for a “beauty trap.” Well, he was already looking forward to seeing Jiang Shiyi hit a wall.

Qiao Zhao felt for the first time that the mountain path down was so long. Fortunately, Binglu kept chattering beside her, making the time pass more easily.

“Miss, when will Chen Guang be able to come down the mountain?”

“Hmm?”

The little maid’s face reddened, “He’s your coachman, miss. If he doesn’t return to the residence, how will you go out in the future?”

Jiang Shiyi, walking not far away, turned his head and asked coldly, “Does Miss Li need a coachman?”

His adoptive father had instructed that any reasonable needs Miss Li had, he should try his best to satisfy them.

“What business is it of yours?” Binglu rolled her eyes.

Was this Jinlin Guard okay in the head? Did he want to compete with Chen Guang for the coachman position?

Qiao Zhao also felt somewhat strange. Perhaps she and the Jinlin Guards were incompatible by fate. Previously, Jiang Yuanchao had inexplicably targeted her, a young lady, nearly causing her to expose her identity. Now, another Jiang Shiyi appeared. Although he always kept a cold face, he seemed to be appearing before her more and more frequently.

“No need. I have a coachman,” Qiao Zhao said calmly.

“Oh.” Jiang Shiyi gave a brief response.

That was perfect—he didn’t need to find a coachman for her. He hoped Miss Li would continue to be so worry-free.

Speaking of which, why was his adoptive father assigning him such boring tasks? He was better at interrogation than Jiang Shisan. Whips dipped in salt water and such were his strengths.

They descended the mountain in silence. Qiao Zhao looked around, and before she could find Li Guangwen and the others, she was embraced by He Shi who rushed over, “My Zhaozhao! Mother finally waited for you to return! Wuu wuu wuu…”

“Madam, you’re blocking the way,” Jiang Shiyi reminded coldly.

Binglu quietly pursed her lips and muttered, “Never seen someone so good at spoiling the mood.”

Jiang Shiyi looked at Binglu expressionlessly.

Binglu inexplicably felt her scalp tingle and didn’t dare speak anymore.

“Mother, let’s talk more when we get home.” Qiao Zhao had no interest in being watched by crowds and spoke up to remind her.

“Right, right, let’s go home. Your grandmother hasn’t been eating or sleeping well these days and has been hoping for your return.” He Shi took Qiao Zhao’s arm and walked toward Li Guangwen.

“Miss Li, Miss Jiang is quite worried about you and would like to invite you to visit the Jiang Residence.” Jiang Shiyi took out an invitation and handed it over.

Qiao Zhao reached out to accept it, “Please thank Miss Jiang for me.”

Seeing that Qiao Zhao had accepted the invitation, He Shi became anxious and pinched Qiao Zhao’s arm, “Zhaozhao, you look so pale! Quickly come home with Mother and have a physician take a good look at you.”

After saying this, He Shi didn’t wait for any reaction from Jiang Shiyi and pulled Qiao Zhao onto the carriage parked by the roadside.

Li Guangwen awkwardly touched his nose.

He was still waiting for his daughter to rush into his arms and cry tears of joy, but she was pulled onto the carriage by his wife without even calling him “Father.” How disappointing!

Watching the carriage gradually disappear into the distance, Yang Houcheng nudged Chi Can in confusion, “Shixi, why didn’t you go up just now?”

Chi Can gave him a look, “What would be the point of going over at that time? I’m not stupid!”

If it had just been Li San, that would be one thing, but now her parents were there too. He was a well-behaved and proper young gentleman after all.