Li Jiǎo said while tugging at Old Madam Deng’s sleeve, smiling brightly: “We sisters can keep each other company, so Grandmother can rest assured. Don’t you think that’s good?”
Old Madam Deng nodded and was about to agree when a clear, indifferent voice spoke up: “No, it’s not.”
Old Madam Deng was stunned.
Li Jiǎo hadn’t expected Qiao Zhao to refuse so directly. Her pupils contracted as she looked at her.
In front of Grandmother, how dare Third Li refuse like this? Did she think that gaining Master Wumei’s favor meant she could reach for the heavens?
Li Jiǎo looked at Qiao Zhao, her eyes suddenly reddening: “Perhaps I’ve somehow displeased Third Sister. Could Third Sister please explain clearly?”
She turned to look at Old Madam Deng, tears welling in her lashes.
Old Madam Deng instinctively patted Li Jiǎo’s hand and looked at Qiao Zhao, her tone still gentle: “Zhaozhao, why don’t you want to go shopping with your eldest sister? If you two go together, you’ll have each other’s company.”
Qiao Zhao’s expression remained indifferent, as if Li Jiǎo’s grieved tears did not affect her whatsoever: “Shopping and buying things should be pleasant activities, but going with Eldest Sister would make me unable to help feeling apprehensive.”
“Third Sister, what do you mean by that?”
Qiao Zhao calmly raised her eyes to meet Li Jiǎo’s gaze: “Several months ago, when I went out with Eldest Sister, I ended up being kidnapped by human traffickers.”
She was going out today to see her brother—how could she bring along someone who already harbored ill intentions toward her for such an important matter?
Grandfather had said that hesitation when decisive action is needed will surely lead to trouble, and learning to refuse is far more important than people imagine.
Rather than pretending sisterly harmony today by agreeing to go shopping with Li Jiǎo, it was better to refuse outright. Even if it brought Grandmother’s displeasure, the consequences would be much better than letting her cause trouble.
Hearing Qiao Zhao’s words, Li Jiǎo panicked: What did Third Li mean by this? Was she planning to say in front of Grandmother that being kidnapped at the Flower Festival was her doing?
What evidence did she have?
Thinking of evidence, Li Jiǎo’s heart settled back down.
That’s right—Third Li couldn’t possibly have evidence. What was she afraid of?
“Third Sister, saying this is too hurtful. Grandmother, you watched Jiǎo’er grow up. Am I such a venomous person who would harm my sister by having her kidnapped by traffickers?”
Before Old Madam Deng could react, Qiao Zhao calmly interrupted Li Jiǎo: “I didn’t say Eldest Sister harmed me. I only said that day when I went out with Eldest Sister, I ended up being kidnapped by traffickers. That incident is a lifelong shadow for me, so going out with Eldest Sister again, I can’t help but remember it. When I remember it, naturally I feel apprehensive—how could I be happy then?”
Though this grandmother was fairly reasonable, even ten fingers differ in length—how strange would it be for people to have favorites?
Li Jiǎo had lost her mother early and was practically raised by Old Madam Deng, so Old Madam Deng inevitably favored her somewhat. Once Li Jiǎo said those words and Old Madam Deng took a stance first, it would be too late for her to say this.
Most elders, when they’ve taken the wrong stance in front of the younger generation, are unwilling to admit it. Instead, to prove they were right, they made the younger generation comply with their decision.
Indeed, because Qiao Zhao had spoken first, Old Madam Deng lifted the hand that had been comforting Li Jiǎo and gently patted Qiao Zhao’s shoulder: “Zhaozhao, don’t dwell on past events. Since you feel uncomfortable, go by yourself.”
Qiao Zhao smiled sweetly, the young girl’s charming innocence returning to her face: “Then thank you very much, Grandmother.”
Seeing her granddaughter’s joy was genuine, Old Madam Deng suddenly felt she had made the right decision and smiled comfortingly: “Go ahead.”
Watching Qiao Zhao leave happily, Li Jiǎo nearly dug her nails into her palms.
What had happened to Third Li? Why did she suddenly seem enlightened? Previously, anyone could deceive her easily, but now she could deceive others easily. With Third Li’s maneuvering, her own words just now seemed guilty instead!
Old Madam Deng glanced at Li Jiǎo: “Jiǎo’er, don’t take it to heart either. Shopping should be a happy activity—forcing people together really isn’t good. You should understand your Third Sister’s psychological burden…”
The usually gentle and virtuous Eldest Miss Li nearly rolled her eyes.
So, Third Li being kidnapped once had made her into a crystal person who couldn’t be touched or bumped? She should have just had her kidnapped permanently!
Of course, such words couldn’t be spoken. Li Jiǎo calmed her emotions and pursed her lips: “Granddaughter indeed wanted to buy some things. Since Third Sister doesn’t want to go with me, I’ll go by myself.”
“Go ahead, go ahead. In a few more days, it’ll be too hot. Now is just the right time for shopping.”
After leaving, Qiao Zhao didn’t take the Li residence carriage but had Binglu hire a cart. She first went to a brush and ink shop to select a piece of high-quality pure ink, then headed toward the Marquis Jing’an residence.
Halfway there, the carriage was blocked by crowds and couldn’t proceed. Qiao Zhao simply abandoned the cart and walked with her two maids.
Common people loved watching the excitement of weddings and funerals, especially the funeral of the Marquis Guanjun’s wife. The guests attending were countless—either princes and nobles or high officials and important ministers. The sedan chairs and carriages stretched for miles from the Marquis Jing’an’s residence, so attracting crowds of onlookers was hardly surprising.
Qiao Zhao walked forward, passing tall decorative canopies one after another. In her ears was the excited chatter of the people, and many vendors took the opportunity to hawk seeds and other snacks perfect for watching excitement, as if this funeral were a city-wide carnival that would surely be discussed by the capital’s people for a long time over tea and meals.
And she was the protagonist.
“They’re coming, they’re coming!” The crowd stirred.
The grand funeral procession came from the north. Under the blazing sun, it seemed as if heavy snow suddenly fell—a vast expanse of white.
Many people exclaimed: “Look! The Marquis Guanjun is personally carrying the banner!”
People rushed to stand on tiptoes to get a better view. Qiao Zhao ignored everything else and pushed toward the very front.
“Miss, Miss, please be careful!” Binglu constantly pushed people who got close to Qiao Zhao aside, her face pale with anxiety.
What was wrong with Miss? Where was her usual calm composure? Was she going all out just to see the Marquis Guanjun?
A’Zhu didn’t show urgency on her face but firmly protected Qiao Zhao, not daring to be distracted for a moment.
But at this moment, Qiao Zhao couldn’t care about anything else. She watched as the funeral procession approached from far to near, moving slowly forward—the young general carrying the banner, Chi Can, Zhu Yàn, and others among the mourning relatives and friends, and her pleasant younger brother-in-law, Shao Xiyuan. Whether familiar or strange faces, none could enter Miss Qiao’s eyes.
Her gaze, from beginning to end, was fixed on only one person.
That person stood tall and straight like a pine and a bamboo. From a distance, one could only sense his outstanding bearing, but when he drew near, one could see that half of that face, which should have been bright as the clear moon, had been brutally destroyed.
The side where Qiao Zhao stood gave her a clear view of the disfigured half of Qiao Mo’s face.
When she was captured by those wolf-like barbarians, Miss Qiao hadn’t cried; when she was killed by an arrow from the husband who had made her wait two years, Miss Qiao hadn’t cried; when she reopened her eyes to face the mockery and criticism of all sorts of people, Miss Qiao hadn’t cried.
But at this moment, Qiao Zhao suddenly raised her hand to cover her eyes.
Tears fell.