“Shao-gege.” Qiao Zhao looked at Shao Mingyuan with a half-smile.

She had called Chi Can “Chi-gege” and Yang Houcheng “Yang-gege.” “Shao-gege” was really just a form of address, nothing more.

Shao Mingyuan naturally heard that this “Shao-gege” carried mockery with little genuine feeling in it.

Not only was he not discouraged, but his heart soared with joy.

Chen Guang’s approach was correct. With such a clever and composed girl like Zhaozhao, if he continued being overly reserved and thin-skinned, he’d never escape bachelorhood in this lifetime.

Before, she politely called him General Shao. Now she coldly called him Shao-gege. In the future, there would surely come a day when she’d sweetly call him husband.

He firmly believed this and was willing to make every effort for that day, even unto death.

A disheveled girl came running over with several people chasing after her.

“San Ni, don’t run around!”

“San Ni, come back—”

The disheveled young woman ran past Qiao Zhao, stumbled, and fell forward.

Qiao Zhao quickly reached out to catch her, but the girl pushed back.

Mentally disturbed people had enormous strength. Though the other party was just a teenage girl, Qiao Zhao felt a great force coming at her, her body uncontrollably falling backward.

She fell into a warm embrace.

The young woman who continued running madly ahead was stopped by Chen Guang standing not far away, crashing into his arms.

Binglu’s eyes suddenly widened.

That bastard Chen Guang had such good fortune fall from the sky?

And he wasn’t letting go! Hmph, she’d never pay attention to that bastard again. She’d go find her, Miss!

The little maid walked toward Qiao Zhao in a huff, only to see the General holding her Miss’s slender waist without moving.

Binglu paused, blinking.

Was it popular now to hold on without letting go?

How annoying – why didn’t she have a handsome young man to hold her?

“Have you hugged enough?” Qiao Zhao lifted her hand to secretly pinch someone’s waist.

Shao Mingyuan coughed lightly and released his hold.

The people behind caught up, looking somewhat fearfully at Shao Mingyuan before bowing: “My Lord, thank you for stopping San Ni.”

Shao Mingyuan recognized the speaker – it was the village chief’s second son, with the village chief’s two grandsons following behind.

“Chen Guang, bring San Ni over.”

San Ni looked back to see that her family had caught up and immediately tried to run again.

Chen Guang unceremoniously gripped her hand and dragged her over.

“San Ni, stop going crazy and come home with us!” The village chief’s second son said with a dark expression.

“I want to find San Dan-gege, I want to find San Dan-gege!” Seeing her family approach, San Ni became even more agitated. Chen Guang held her firmly to prevent her from breaking free.

Qiao Zhao’s expression became somewhat subtle.

The direction San Ni had been running was toward the apricot grove…

Thinking of San Ni and San Dan’s affair at the Qiao family ruins, Qiao Zhao felt quite disgusted, but seeing that both were now one simple-minded and one mad, she could only sigh.

Many villagers came out to watch the commotion, standing at a distance, pointing and whispering.

“What are you two standing around for? Take San Ni home!” The village chief’s second son felt embarrassed and shouted.

The two young men stepped forward, each grabbing one of San Ni’s arms to drag her back by force.

“Wait a moment.” Qiao Zhao suddenly spoke.

Everyone stopped and instinctively looked at her.

Qiao Zhao stepped forward.

Seeing this, Shao Mingyuan silently followed, giving Chen Guang a look.

The meaning was clear: Watch San Ni carefully, don’t let her hurt Miss Li in her madness.

Chen Guang felt wronged: men and women shouldn’t touch – the earlier situation was sudden and unavoidable, but why did he still have to act now?

The General raised his eyebrows expressionlessly: If you don’t act, should this General act instead? That would make your future General’s wife angry.

Through eye contact alone, Chen Guang clearly understood the General’s thoughts. He could only resign himself with a sigh and place his hand on San Ni’s shoulder.

Qiao Zhao placed her hand on San Ni’s wrist, her expression gradually becoming serious.

She withdrew her hand and glanced at Shao Mingyuan.

“What is it?”

“Let’s talk inside.” Qiao Zhao turned and returned to the courtyard first.

“Bring her in.”

Because of last night’s fierce battle, the ground around Tofu Beauty’s house was reddish-brown. The villagers stood far away, not daring to approach but reluctant to leave, craning their necks to watch the excitement.

“What relation are you to San Ni?”

“I’m her second uncle, and these two are San Ni’s older brothers.” The village chief’s second son replied.

“Where are her parents?”

“San Ni has a hard fate – she lost her mother at birth, and her father died some years ago.” The village chief’s second son looked carefully at Qiao Zhao. “Miss, what’s wrong with San Ni? She’s mad and very strong – be careful she doesn’t hurt you. We should take her back.”

Just then, an aged voice came from the doorway: “My Lord, I heard San Ni is here.”

“Father, why have you come?”

The village chief walked in with a stern face: “So many people can’t watch one child properly, and you still have the face to ask!”

He approached Qiao Zhao, greeted her properly, then looked at San Ni with a sigh: “San Ni, come home with Grandfather.”

Qiao Zhao was startled to discover that the village chief, who had seemed so vigorous when they first arrived at Baiyun Village, appeared to have aged several years in just these few days, even his steps becoming unsteady.

Perhaps he truly loved this granddaughter.

Thinking of what she had just discovered, worry flashed through Qiao Zhao’s heart.

She found San Ni’s behavior of having an affair with a man at her family’s ruins disgusting, but for this young woman in her flower-like years, she felt the instinctive pity of one woman for another.

A moment of uncontrolled passion leading to forbidden fruit – what kind of life awaited this young woman?

Qiao Zhao didn’t know, but she knew that even if she didn’t speak these words now, they couldn’t be hidden forever.

“Village Chief, San Ni’s madness – I can cure it.”

The village chief froze, trembling: “What did you say? Can you cure San Ni’s madness?”

The others all looked at Qiao Zhao with disbelief.

Qiao Zhao nodded lightly.

The village chief’s legs gave way, and he knelt: “Miss, if you can cure San Ni’s illness, this old man will burn incense and kowtow to you daily.”

Hearing this, Shao Mingyuan’s sword-like eyebrows knitted together in displeasure: “Village Chief, you can’t speak carelessly!”

What did he mean by daily incense and kowtowing? Was he cursing his Zhaozhao? If he dared do such a thing, he’d immediately smash the village chief’s house.

“This old man means daily prayers to Buddha for the Miss’s health and happiness, and a beautiful marriage.”

Shao Mingyuan nodded.

That was more like it.

“Village Chief, please stand and speak.” Qiao Zhao said flatly.

The village chief stood up, wiping away tears: “Miss, you don’t understand – this granddaughter of mine lost her parents young and grew up with us old folks. She foolishly made a mistake, and we bear responsibility too! Miss, can you cure San Ni?”

“San Ni isn’t truly mad – she’s just been severely shocked and lost her wits. So curing her madness isn’t difficult.” Qiao Zhao glanced at San Ni and sighed. “However, there’s another matter the Village Chief should know.”

“Please speak.”

“San Ni is with child.”