After sailing for over ten days, autumn’s chill grew thicker. With the river waters crystal clear, the large ship finally docked at Jia Feng’s pier.

Qiao Zhao stood at the bow, gazing at Jia Feng City through the morning mist, her mood particularly complex.

“Zhaozhao, let’s disembark.” Shao Mingyuan stood beside her and gently reminded her.

Qiao Zhao came back to her senses and nodded to Shao Mingyuan: “Mm.”

Jia Feng—she had finally returned.

“Should we greet the local authorities?” Yang Houcheng walked over to consult with Shao Mingyuan.

“No, let’s settle down at the Qiao family home in Xingzi Alley first before anything else.” Shao Mingyuan glanced at the Jinwu Guards behind Yang Houcheng and said quietly: “They—”

Unlike him, Yang Houcheng and the others had come along under the pretext of protecting Qiao Zhao on her journey to the South Sea. With this mid-journey stop, some among them would inevitably feel dissatisfied.

Yang Houcheng grinned: “Don’t worry, I picked these people myself—they’re reliable. Besides, Shixi and I have no less face with the Empress Dowager than the Ninth Princess. Even if the Empress Dowager finds out, she’ll at most scold us for being playful, but won’t blame us. Isn’t that right, Shixi?”

Chi Can stood not far away, nodded lightly, and said with slight impatience: “Let’s go. What are we standing around here for?”

As soon as the group left, an ordinary-looking man went to report to the Jinlin Guards’ base: “Fifth Master, Miss Li’s party has disembarked at our Jia Feng pier.”

A man sitting in a reclining chair had a book covering his face. Hearing this, he removed the book, revealing his face.

This was a very distinctive face with a slightly curved nose tip and deep-set eyes. But when he opened his eyes, it was like being stared at by a venomous snake, making one inexplicably feel uneasy.

His voice was as cold as his temperament: “Disembarked at Jia Feng? What are they up to? Go find out whether those people are temporarily getting off the ship or have other plans.”

“Yes.”

After his subordinate left, Jiang Wu stood up and casually paced around the courtyard.

Although their Jinlin Guards had well-informed networks, they weren’t omniscient enough to know the background of every person who came to Jia Feng. The reason they paid special attention to Miss Li’s party was due to instructions from the capital.

From what he knew, all towns with Jinlin Guard stations had received word to closely monitor Miss Li’s group.

The leaves on the courtyard trees had already turned yellow, falling onto the blue stone bricks to form a thin golden carpet. Jiang Wu stepped on the golden carpet, his thoughts deep.

Why would his adoptive father pay such attention to a young girl? This matter was truly puzzling.

Not knowing what he was thinking of, Jiang Wu viciously kicked the trunk beside him. Leaves rustled down, and he brushed off the dead leaves that had fallen on his shoulders before striding into the house.

The study was quiet. Jiang Wu retrieved a pair of finely embroidered shoe insoles from a hidden compartment, gently caressing them for a long while before carefully putting them away again.

Xingzi Alley wasn’t within Jia Feng City—Qiao Zhao’s party headed toward the outskirts.

Qiao Zhao rode in a temporarily purchased carriage with Binglu and A’Zhu, while Shao Mingyuan and the others rode horses on both sides of the carriage.

“With so many of us, we were probably spotted by those Jinlin Guards as soon as we disembarked.” Yang Houcheng looked back and sighed.

He couldn’t forget the journey back to the capital from Jia Feng several months ago, when they would occasionally spot Jiang Yuanchao.

“Let them watch.” Chi Can said lazily.

Ever since Qiao Zhao had sent that box of ointment to Shao Mingyuan, he seemed to have given up hope and returned to his usual demeanor.

“I’m just worried they’ll report news of our stay in Jia Feng back to the capital.”

Chi Can smiled dismissively: “Don’t worry. Even if they report back, it would only go to Jiang Tang, and he wouldn’t disturb the Emperor over such a small matter.”

“That’s true.” Yang Houcheng nodded, then turned to ask Shao Mingyuan: “Tingquan, why aren’t you saying anything?”

Shao Mingyuan withdrew his gaze from the carriage: “Hm?”

Yang Houcheng held his forehead and muttered, “I really can’t handle you!”

He had never expected that once his friend, who had only known leading troops into battle for years, set his heart on a girl, it would be like an old house catching fire.

Thinking this, Yang Houcheng secretly glanced at Chi Can. Seeing his indifferent expression, he quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, Shixi seemed to have truly given up hope, otherwise, there would be even more headaches.

Speaking of which, why did each of them fall for a girl who hadn’t even reached the age of the hairpin ceremony? Thank goodness he and Zi Zhe were normal, or he would start doubting life itself.

“After that village ahead, we’ll reach Xingzi Alley, right?” Shao Mingyuan pulled on his reins and looked into the distance.

“Right, that’s Baiyun Village. We even had tea at the village chief’s house once.” Yang Houcheng said.

Shao Mingyuan thought for a moment and sought their opinions: “How about we lodge in Baiyun Village?”

Chi Can couldn’t help thinking of the bitter, coarse tea at the village chief’s house and unconsciously furrowed his brow, but nodded: “Whatever.”

The afternoon in Baiyun Village was peaceful and tranquil. Several large dogs lay lazily on the ground but stood up alertly upon hearing movement, shook their fur, and ran to stop in front of the group.

As the group approached, one large dog suddenly began barking, followed by a chorus of barking.

Villagers, awakened by the commotion, rubbed their eyes and pushed open their doors to investigate. Seeing Shao Mingyuan and the others on their tall horses, they froze, then quickly approached and tentatively asked: “Where are you all from? Are you here looking for someone in our village?”

Shao Mingyuan dismounted, holding his reins with gentle courtesy: “Uncle, we’re here to find the village chief.”

The villager looked Shao Mingyuan up and down, quickly glanced at Chi Can and the others, and nodded: “Please wait a moment.”

These people looked intimidatingly noble, not to be trifled with. Naturally, he needed to find the village chief to make decisions.

The villager ran to notify the village chief. Chi Can dismounted and pointed to a large compound not far away, saying to Shao Mingyuan: “That’s the village chief’s house.”

“You all came together last time, didn’t you?” Shao Mingyuan asked.

“Yes.” Chi Can glanced back at the stopped carriage and said indifferently, “Miss Li was there too. I brought her over then, though we didn’t stay overnight.”

He was silent for a moment, then smiled: “Don’t worry.”

Shao Mingyuan sighed inwardly and said quietly: “I wanted to ask if there was anything unusual in the village at that time.”

Only then did Chi Can realize he had misunderstood, and tugged at the corner of his mouth: “It was very quiet, but not this kind of peaceful quiet—it was deathly quiet. We learned later it was related to the Qiao family fire.”

“It sounds like my father-in-law’s family had quite an influence on the people of Baiyun Village.” Shao Mingyuan murmured.

Chi Can snorted: “Tingquan, in the future, when you’re in front of Miss Li, will you also keep saying ‘your father-in-law’s family’?”

Shao Mingyuan coughed lightly: “That’s an unchangeable fact.”

Chi Can moved closer to Shao Mingyuan’s ear and said quietly: “Honestly, I think Miss Li is quite wronged following you—a perfectly good girl having to be your second wife.”

But who could blame Miss Li for liking him?

He could see clearly that Miss Li didn’t care about such empty titles. He could only add some trouble for his friend and vent some of the frustration in his heart.