The boat drifted through waters and clouds, while the wind brushed against travelers’ faces.

River vessels came and went like shuttles. Chi Can and his two companions leaned against the railing, chatting leisurely. As the sky gradually darkened, sunset clouds filled the heavens. A passenger boat glided past not far away, and the three men’s conversation suddenly ceased.

Chi Can’s gaze fixed directly on the black-clothed man standing against the railing of the neighboring boat. The man seemed to sense his attention, looked back, and gave him a slight nod.

The black-clothed man was still quite young, appearing to be in his early twenties. His form-fitting dark robes outlined his tall, well-built figure. A smile graced his handsome face, yet that smile never reached his eyes.

If Chi Can possessed an exquisite beauty that carried an otherworldly allure when he smiled, then this black-clothed man’s smile was like a gentle spring breeze—warming others while leaving no trace on the smiler himself.

After the neighboring boat crossed paths and passed by, Yang Houcheng asked Chi Can, whose brow was tightly furrowed: “Shixi, who was that person? Do you know him?”

“I wouldn’t say I know him—” Chi Can paused, only then withdrawing his gaze, speaking lazily, “That’s no good person.”

“How so?” Zhu Yàn also became interested.

The man looked unfamiliar. It would be strange if their friend recognized him when they had never seen him before.

Chi Can snorted coldly before saying, “You know of Jiang Tang, don’t you?”

“Don’t jest. Who doesn’t know Jiang Tang? The great Grand Commander of the Jinlin Guards.” Yang Houcheng’s expression had already turned serious.

The Jinlin Guards answered directly to His Majesty, serving as the emperor’s eyes and ears. People throughout the realm respectfully avoided them. Jiang Tang was the Commander of the Jinlin Guards, and he held another identity—the current Son of Heaven’s milk brother.

One could imagine what an imposing figure Jiang Tang was. Whether imperial relatives or civil and military officials, all had to show him deference.

Seeing his two friends’ expressions turn serious, Chi Can explained: “Jiang Tang has thirteen capable subordinates, known as the Thirteen Guardians. The one who just passed by is Jiang Tang’s adopted son, Jiang Shisan. He was sent to garrison the Southern Region several years ago, so people in the capital are unfamiliar with him. I only had dealings with him during my last visit to Jia Feng.”

Speaking to this point, Chi Can’s lips curved coldly: “He’s nothing but a smiling tiger. What terrible luck to encounter him for no good reason!”

Zhu Yàn and Yang Houcheng harbored no fondness for the terrifying Jinlin Guards either, so they asked no further questions.

Yang Houcheng changed the subject: “It’s gotten so late. Shall we return to our rooms for dinner?”

This boat had been chartered by the three men. Given the generous payment, the service was naturally excellent. The three seated themselves in the dining hall, and soon steaming hot dishes were brought up.

Yang Houcheng glanced toward the doorway, puzzled: “Why hasn’t Miss Li come out yet?”

“Perhaps she’s not hungry,” Chi Can said coolly.

“How could that be? She didn’t even eat lunch. Shouldn’t we go check on her?” Yang Houcheng suggested.

Finding it troublesome, the three hadn’t brought servants on this trip. This boat was filled with men, making it rather inconvenient for a young lady to stay aboard.

Only now did the three young masters belatedly realize that a young official’s daughter, without even a serving maid at her side, had quietly managed everything herself and followed them for so many days without complaint—quite remarkable indeed.

“What a bother. Come on, let’s go check.” Chi Can stood up.

The three arrived outside Qiao Zhao’s door. Yang Houcheng called out, “Miss Li, it’s time for dinner.”

Silence from within.

The three exchanged glances.

“Should we go in and look?” Yang Houcheng asked the other two.

Chi Can crossed his arms over his chest, saying indifferently: “What if she’s changing clothes inside? What if she’s bathing? If all three of us see her, whose fault would that be?”

Damn it, he had inexplicably encountered such situations before.

“I’ll do it.” Zhu Yàn gave Chi Can a meaningful look, saying, “Miss Li isn’t that type of person.”

He stepped past the other two and knocked on the door: “Miss Li, are you there?”

Still no response from within.

“Miss Li, pardon the intrusion.” Zhu Yàn reached out and pushed the door open.

The boat’s guest quarters were simply furnished, with no screens or other barriers to block the view. The three immediately saw Qiao Zhao lying on the bed.

The young woman’s azure-black hair spilled loosely, making her face appear snow-white in contrast, though her eyes remained tightly closed.

All three men’s expressions changed simultaneously. No longer caring about propriety, they strode inside.

Drawing closer, the three could see the young lady’s face was frighteningly pale, with fine beads of sweat dotting her forehead—she had fallen ill.

“But—but wasn’t she fine earlier?” Yang Houcheng exclaimed in shock.

Zhu Yàn frowned, his tone somewhat hesitant: “Miss Li seems to have barely eaten anything these past few days.”

The three grown men naturally wouldn’t pay excessive attention to a young lady’s daily routine, but with Zhu Yàn’s reminder, they immediately understood.

Yang Houcheng studied Qiao Zhao’s complexion, somewhat anxiously: “Could the young lady have fainted from hunger? Why wouldn’t she eat properly?”

Yes, why wouldn’t she eat properly? Someone who had stepped forward to play chess with Chi Can just to have an earlier meal.

Zhu Yàn thought silently, then looked toward Chi Can: “Shixi, what do you think we should do?”

“What else can we do? When we reach the next dock and the boat anchors, we’ll find a physician to examine her.” Chi Can glanced at Qiao Zhao, saying coolly, “We certainly can’t let her die on this boat.”

“What talk of death? I’m sure the young lady will be fine,” Yang Houcheng reassured.

His friend was just being stubborn and soft-hearted, very concerned despite his words.

Chi Can looked away resentfully.

What tone was that Yang fellow using? He wasn’t concerned at all!

The three men stood in Qiao Zhao’s room, falling into momentary silence.

The young woman on the bed stirred.

She suddenly called out softly: “Father, Mother—”

The room grew even quieter.

After a long while, Yang Houcheng smiled: “So she’s homesick.”

Zhu Yàn shook his head: “It’s not simply homesickness. A young lady abducted to the south—when she returns home, things likely won’t go well for her.”

“Enough. These aren’t matters we should worry about.” Chi Can lifted his foot to leave, but upon reaching the doorway, he turned back and plopped down in a chair. Meeting his two friends’ surprised gazes, he huffed: “It wouldn’t be appropriate for any one of us to stay alone, so let’s all keep watch together. Women truly are troublesome, regardless of age!”

Zhu Yàn chuckled softly, glanced at Qiao Zhao, then felt somewhat worried.

The young lady’s condition suggested her illness was quite serious.

“Miss Li—” he called gently.

The young woman’s eyelashes fluttered but didn’t open.

All three being men, none felt it appropriate to touch her forehead to check for fever, so they could only wait helplessly.

The boat finally docked.

Chi Can started to send a boatman into the city to fetch a physician, but Yang Houcheng stopped him: “Never mind, I’ll go instead. I’m faster on foot.”

Zhu Yàn followed him out: “I’ll go into the city to buy a young maid—it’ll be more convenient for caring for her. Shixi, Miss Li can’t be left unattended in this condition. Please watch over her.”

After the two departed, only Chi Can remained conscious in the room. He looked down at the unconscious Qiao Zhao from his elevated position, muttering to himself: “Quite capable, this young lady—managing to get those two running errands for you.”

The young woman on the bed gave no response, but her complexion began turning red—an abnormal flush.

Chi Can pressed his lips together, glanced toward the doorway to confirm no one was coming, then quickly reached out and placed his hand on Qiao Zhao’s forehead.