Qiao Zhao looked at Binglu expressionlessly.

Binglu scratched her head: “Strange, it clearly said ‘may all your wishes come true’ before.”

The little maid gently tapped the birdcage as she spoke: “May all your wishes come true, may all your wishes come true.”

The myna tilted its head and stared at Binglu: “May all your wishes come true.”

Binglu excitedly lifted the birdcage closer to Qiao Zhao: “Miss, you heard it, right? ‘May all your wishes come true! ‘

The myna stared at Qiao Zhao: “Wife, wife.”

Qiao Zhao: “…”

Binglu stared in amazement, thought for a moment, then clapped her hands: “I know! This bird treats people differently based on who they are!”

“Just hang it under the eaves for now,” Qiao Zhao said indifferently.

What was Shao Mingyuan’s intention in sending her a myna that called out “wife”?

That night, Qiao Zhao lay in bed staring blankly at the silver hooks on the canopy, unable to sleep. In her mind, fragments of her time with Physician Li flashed by like a passing parade.

During the day at Marquis Guanjun’s residence, she had been too overwhelmed with grief and forgot to ask Shao Mingyuan about the specific circumstances. She didn’t believe that such a godlike figure as Grandpa Li could have such bad luck. No, tomorrow she must find Shao Mingyuan and ask for all the details.

Qiao Zhao sat up, hugged her thin blanket in the silent night for a moment, then got out of bed to pour water.

A’Zhu, who was resting in the outer room, heard the movement and came in, saying hurriedly: “Miss, let me do it.”

“No need, go back to sleep.” Qiao Zhao stopped A’Zhu, poured herself a cup of warm water, and sat holding it in a chair.

With her petite frame, rather than sitting in the chair, she seemed to curl up entirely within it, her bare feet exposed—a casualness A’Zhu had never seen before.

A’Zhu stood there without moving.

Qiao Zhao took a sip of water, looked up at A’Zhu, sighed, and pointed to a nearby chair: “Sit.”

A’Zhu quietly walked over and sat down, peacefully keeping Qiao Zhao company.

“A’Zhu, Physician Li has met with disaster.” After finishing the cup of water, Qiao Zhao spoke.

A’Zhu’s whole body trembled as she looked at Qiao Zhao in surprise.

Qiao Zhao turned her head to look at her, her smile more bitter than tears: “Very unexpected, isn’t it?”

“Miss—”

Qiao Zhao lowered her eyes to stare at the blue and white porcelain cup in her hands. Against the backdrop of that blue-green color, her hands gripping the cup appeared whiter than white jade: “Even now, it feels like a dream that I dare not believe.”

She curled up entirely in the chair, her face pale as she spoke these words, her hands trembling slightly, tears glistening in her eyes but not falling.

In this particularly quiet night, A’Zhu suddenly realized that the Miss she had always thought omnipotent was still an underage young girl.

A’Zhu couldn’t help but stand up, walk to Qiao Zhao’s side, and reach out to embrace her shoulders.

She knew this action overstepped boundaries, but at this moment, she only wanted to give her such an embrace.

Qiao Zhao’s body stiffened for a moment, then relaxed as she buried her head in A’Zhu’s embrace and remained silent for a long time.

A’Zhu felt her clothing become somewhat damp, but didn’t move a muscle.

After a long while, Qiao Zhao stood up. Though her face was wet, her expression was calm: “A’Zhu, go to sleep. I’m going out for some fresh air.”

A’Zhu was uneasy about Qiao Zhao going out alone and silently followed behind her.

Qiao Zhao walked outside.

The summer night sky was vast and distant, with stars like dreams, comforting the hearts of countless insomniacs. The birdcage hanging under the eaves swayed gently in the night breeze.

Qiao Zhao walked over quietly.

The myna in the cage was asleep, its two feet clinging to the cage wall, its beak holding onto a bamboo bar that formed part of the cage. Since its entire body was pressed against one side of the cage, the birdcage was slightly tilted, making one feel it might slide down at any moment.

This comical sleeping position made Qiao Zhao couldn’t help but curve her lips slightly, reaching out to gently touch the myna’s head.

The myna immediately woke up, its entire body sliding to the bottom of the cage, then struggling to jump back onto the perch, its round little eyes staring at the person who had disturbed its slumber.

“Sorry.”

The myna stared at Qiao Zhao for a while, then opened its beak: “Wife, smile for your master.”

Qiao Zhao: “…”

So what exactly was Shao Mingyuan’s intention in sending her such a myna?

Miss Qiao silently returned to her room and lay down on the bed, falling into a drowsy sleep.

A’Zhu gently covered her with the blanket and quietly withdrew.

The night passed quickly. Qiao Zhao didn’t wake up on time as usual. A’Zhu tiptoed in and saw her flushed red cheeks, her heart panicking.

“Miss—” A’Zhu placed her hand on Qiao Zhao’s forehead, and the shocking heat made her hand tremble violently.

“Miss, please wake up.” A’Zhu gently shook Qiao Zhao. Seeing she wouldn’t wake, she hurried to report to Lady He.

Upon hearing this, Lady He became frantic and immediately ordered someone to fetch the most reputable physician in the Capital to examine Qiao Zhao.

“Doctor, how is my daughter?”

The physician stood up, stroking his beard: “Your daughter has excessive worry and melancholy fire disturbing her spirit. I’ll prescribe a herbal decoction for her. With good rest after taking it, there shouldn’t be any major problems. The key is still to maintain an open heart and worry less.”

Lady He nodded repeatedly. After the physician went to the adjacent room to write the prescription, she held Qiao Zhao’s burning hot hand and quietly wiped away tears: “You silly girl, what are you worrying about at such a young age? When your mother was your age, she didn’t even know how to write the character for ‘worry’…”

Lady He kept watch until nearly noon before Qiao Zhao opened her eyes.

“Zhaozhao, you’re finally awake. Are you feeling better?”

“Mother, what time is it?” The confusion in Qiao Zhao’s eyes quickly faded as she asked softly.

She only felt dizzy and stuffy chest.

“It’s almost noon. You must be hungry, right? Mother had someone prepare poria and lotus seed congee for you. Mother will feed you a bowl.”

“Noon?” Qiao Zhao fully woke up. “I slept until this time?”

“Indeed. The medicine the doctor prescribed was fed to you while you were unconscious, which worried Mother terribly.” Lady He held Qiao Zhao and sighed. “Zhaozhao, tell Mother what’s making you so unhappy?”

“Mother, I’m hungry,” Qiao Zhao said softly.

How could she tell her mother about those matters?

Lady He was indeed distracted by Qiao Zhao’s words and urged, “Quickly bring the congee over.”

A’Zhu had already prepared the poria and lotus seed congee. Lady He reached out to take it: “I’ll feed you.”

“Mother, I can do it myself.” Qiao Zhao reached for the bowl.

Lady He glared at her: “Stay put and behave.”

Qiao Zhao said no more and obediently ate a bowl of congee, then tried to get up.

“What are you trying to do instead of lying down properly?” Lady He held her down.

“Mother, I need to go to Marquis Guanjun’s residence.”

Lady He’s mouth fell open: “Zhaozhao, what are you going to Marquis Guanjun’s residence for when you’re sick?”

“Didn’t Grandpa Li leave me his prescription to treat Master Qiao’s face? I need to go every day.”

Qiao Zhao had been using this excuse for her visits to Marquis Guanjun’s residence. The Li family respected Physician Li greatly, so naturally they had no objections.

Having received someone’s legacy, she naturally had to fulfill their request—this was basic human decency.

Today, however, Lady He refused, saying firmly: “Usually Mother indulges you, but not today. Today you’re not going anywhere. You’ll stay home and rest properly.”