Chi Can frowned: “Good that there isn’t. Stay away from him in the future.”

“Of course.” Qiao Zhao replied without hesitation.

Chi Can hadn’t seen Qiao Zhao so obedient in a long time. Hearing her say this, soft light flowed in his eyes, and his smile was brilliant: “That’s good then.”

Jiang Yuanchao’s departure was just a minor episode. Though it stirred some ripples in everyone’s hearts, as the ship continued south, it was gradually cast aside.

Spending entire days on the ship, even the most beautiful river scenery became tiresome. Yang Houcheng leaned against the railing in boredom, gazing ahead: “What’s the next place? We should be reaching Bao Ling soon, right?”

Shao Mingyuan walked over and placed both hands on the railing, saying lightly: “The next town is Taishui.”

“Taishui?” Yang Houcheng turned his head toward Qiao Zhao: “Miss Li, do you remember? That’s where we met Physician Li back then—”

“Yang Er!” Chi Can gave a low warning: “Are you stupid? Why bring up sensitive topics?”

Yang Houcheng realized he had misspoken and blinked awkwardly.

Qiao Zhao had originally been reading. Hearing this, she put down her medical book and walked to the three men’s side, gazing at the faintly visible wharf: “Yes, it was Brother Yang who brought Grandfather Li over to treat my illness then.”

“Miss Li, I didn’t mean to bring it up—” Yang Houcheng looked apologetic.

Qiao Zhao smiled: “Brother Yang needn’t mind. Even if you didn’t mention it, I would remember.”

She leaned against the railing and gazed into the distance, letting the river breeze blow her robes. At her nose tip was the faint scent of autumn river water mixed with sandalwood.

“The passenger ship will dock at Taishui wharf for half a day, won’t it?”

“Yes, to replenish supplies.” Yang Houcheng said.

Qiao Zhao turned her head toward Shao Mingyuan: “General Shao, please accompany me into the city.”

“Alright.”

Chi Can looked deeply at the two and pressed his thin lips into a fine line.

He so wanted to cover Third Miss Li’s eyes, to forbid her from looking at others, not even close friends.

But he knew that if he did this, she definitely wouldn’t like it. Why was winning someone’s affection so difficult?

Chi Can’s heart was filled with bitterness.

Yang Houcheng secretly glanced at Chi Can and cleared his throat: “Miss Li, what are you going into the city for? You know, we’re under the Empress Dowager’s orders to protect you, so we need to know your whereabouts.”

Shao Mingyuan glanced at Yang Houcheng.

At this time, with the emperor far away, his friend was talking nonsense.

Yang Houcheng remained unperturbed: “Let’s all go together.”

Otherwise, when Shao Mingyuan and Miss Li left, leaving him alone to face Chi Can’s cold expression would be too terrifying – Chi Can would pester him to play chess!

“I need to find someone. Too many people wouldn’t be good.” Qiao Zhao said frankly.

“How about the three of you go?”

Qiao Zhao glanced at Chi Can and sighed: “But Brother Chi’s appearance is too outstanding – it would easily attract attention.”

“Then he could—”

“Yang Er, you needn’t say more.” Chi Can interrupted Yang Houcheng’s words and reached out to pat Shao Mingyuan’s shoulder: “Take good care of Miss Li. Don’t let us be questioned by the Empress Dowager.”

Having said this, he left and went to the deck at the other end of the cabin to get some air.

“General Shao, Brother Yang, I’ll go in and tidy up.”

After Qiao Zhao also left, Yang Houcheng murmured: “Shixi seems unhappy.”

“Mm.”

“Miss Li seems not to care whether Shixi is happy or not.”

Shao Mingyuan couldn’t answer this.

Most of the time, he didn’t understand what Miss Li was thinking.

“Come on, let’s go see Shixi. He better not get depressed and jump into the river.” Though Yang Houcheng was joking, he was somewhat worried in his heart.

No matter what, their brotherhood shouldn’t be damaged.

Chi Can stood at the stern, watching the drooping willows on both banks being left behind bit by bit, lost in thought. Hearing footsteps behind him, he didn’t turn around.

He could tell those footsteps weren’t Third Miss Li’s.

That was right – she couldn’t wait to stay far away from him, so why would she come looking for him?

“Shixi, when we reach Taishui later, let’s go have a good meal?”

“Not going.”

“Why not? Haven’t you had enough of the three meals a day on this ship?”

Chi Can turned around, his eyes deep and heavy as he looked at Shao Mingyuan: “Tingquan, who is Miss Li going to find?”

“She hasn’t mentioned it. I only just learned about it, too.”

Chi Can looked toward Yang Houcheng: “Yang Er, let’s go drink together later. Right now, I want to speak with Tingquan first.”

“Alright, you two chat. I’ll go in and change clothes. Finally getting to enter a city – I should dress up properly.”

Yang Houcheng walked away quickly, leaving the space to the two men.

The stern was very quiet.

Chi Can glanced at his composed friend and asked directly: “Tingquan, what are your thoughts about Miss Li?”

Well, knowing yourself and your enemy ensures victory. If his friend had intentions, he would have to work even harder.

Withdraw? Don’t be ridiculous. In his life, he had made three life-and-death brothers, and he could yield anything to them except his wife.

He had taken a fancy to Third Miss Li and would do everything in his power to win her. Even if Third Miss Li ultimately chose someone else, he wouldn’t accept fate before even trying.

Because he was clear that losing wasn’t frightening, regret was.

Shao Mingyuan was slightly stunned, then shook his head: “No thoughts.”

If asked whether he was moved by Miss Li, he couldn’t deny it. But if this was what Chi Can meant by his question, he could give his friend a clear answer to put his mind at ease.

“Really?” Chi Can felt somewhat relieved.

He wasn’t stupid – he could see that Third Miss Li treated Shao Mingyuan differently. But he understood his friend. If Shao Mingyuan said he wouldn’t make a move, then he wouldn’t.

In any case, having one less person coveting his cabbage was something to be happy about.

Shao Mingyuan smiled: “Really. You can rest assured.”

Chi Can coughed and said with a straight face, “I was just asking casually. Alright, go quickly. The ship is about to dock. We’ll wait for you at Taishui’s most famous restaurant.”

Before long, the ship docked.

Taishui was a small city. The streets within were very clean, lined with unknown flowering trees that were blooming this season.

The dream-like Jiangnan was nothing more than this.

The man was tall and handsome, the young lady slender and graceful. Walking side by side on such streets, they became a scenic view in others’ eyes.

“Who is Miss Li looking for?”

Shao Mingyuan was much taller than Qiao Zhao. When she spoke to him, she had to tilt her head up: “I’m looking for a coroner.”

“A coroner?”

“Yes. Grandfather Li said he was the best coroner in the world.”

In her youth, Grandfather Li had brought her to visit this coroner. It was then that she witnessed many things that physicians would never encounter or dare to encounter in their lifetimes.

Shao Mingyuan’s steps paused as he stopped, his calm gaze rippling: “When did Physician Li tell Miss Li this?”

Qiao Zhao was stunned by the question.

It seemed like… she had let something slip!

But there was still room for salvage.

Miss Qiao said with an unchanged expression: “Before leaving the capital.”

Shao Mingyuan looked down at the young lady. From his angle, he could see her thick, fan-like eyelashes trembling lightly. His voice was softer than he had imagined: “I see… I’m somewhat puzzled why Physician Li would mention a coroner to Miss Li.”