“May I ask the reason?” Miss Qiao asked, holding the fire poker.

The reason?

His subordinate wanted to help him be a hero, saving a beauty?

Shao Mingyuan was straightforward in character, but he wasn’t stupid. Of course, he would never reveal such a reason even if beaten to death.

“My subordinate… has some mental problems.”

Miss Qiao’s expression darkened further.

Her mind was perfectly fine—would she believe such a reason?

Qiao Zhao put down the fire poker, picked up her porridge bowl, and sipped the porridge in small mouthfuls without saying another word.

Shao Mingyuan’s heart tightened.

Based on his years of experience observing enemy situations, Miss Li should be angry.

The young general, who had never dealt with young women before, instantly didn’t know what to say and glumly drank his porridge while holding his bowl.

Qiao Zhao glanced at him, feeling exasperated.

This person’s subordinate had damaged her carriage, he couldn’t give a proper explanation, and yet he had the nerve to drink porridge?

Setting her porridge bowl down on the stove with a thud, Qiao Zhao looked directly at Shao Mingyuan and said coolly, “General Shao.”

Shao Mingyuan looked up.

“I remember you said earlier that you went to Dafu Temple alone. How is it that a subordinate has appeared?”

Shao Mingyuan held his porridge bowl, sighing inwardly: Miss Li had a meticulous mind—if she were in his military camp, she would be a talent picked from thousands! Unfortunately, she was a young woman. What a pity.

Shao Mingyuan decided to confess a small part of the truth: “Miss Li, it’s actually like this. Physician Li will be leaving the capital soon, so he has entrusted me to look after you. I instructed a personal guard to pay close attention to your movements. Well, he thought that if he damaged your carriage and caused the coachman to fail in his duties, he might have a chance to infiltrate the Li residence as a coachman and better protect you. That’s why he lost his mind and did such a foolish thing.”

The young general’s handsome face reddened slightly: “He’s so stupid that I also feel quite ashamed and find it inconceivable. I hope Miss Li will forgive me.”

Qiao Zhao: “…” She was speechless.

After a long silence, Miss Qiao spoke: “So that’s how it was. Thank you for your thoughtfulness, General Shao.”

Knowing he wasn’t just randomly being so kind to any young lady made her feel somewhat better.

“It’s what I should do. Since I promised the physician, I should be trustworthy in carrying out what I’m entrusted with. I never expected good intentions to lead to bad outcomes, instead causing Miss Li to suffer.” Shao Mingyuan smiled apologetically at Qiao Zhao. “Miss Li, I am very sorry.”

“General Shao, need not blame yourself so much. About your subordinate—”

“I’ve sent that scoundrel back to bring a carriage to fetch Miss Li. Once I safely escort Miss Li back, how to deal with him is entirely up to Miss Li.”

Qiao Zhao smiled. “Is it General Shao who is entirely up to me, or your subordinate?”

Shao Mingyuan was stunned.

Miss Li’s question was quite skillful—if she were negotiating with enemy forces, she definitely wouldn’t suffer any losses.

“It’s my fault for not disciplining him strictly. Whatever demands Miss Li has, you may present them to me. Whatever is within Mingyuan’s power, I will never refuse.”

Qiao Zhao’s apricot-like eyes curved as she smiled gently. “General Shao, those words are too absolute.”

Shao Mingyuan looked at her, not understanding her meaning.

“If I asked General Shao to marry me, would General Shao also agree?”

If he dared agree, she would immediately give him a blow with the fire poker!

“Cough, cough, cough—” Shao Mingyuan turned his head and began coughing violently. By the end, his throat felt itchy, and he faintly tasted blood.

He wiped the corner of his mouth before turning back, glancing at Qiao Zhao with embarrassment. “Miss Li jests.”

Miss Li didn’t seem like someone who would easily misunderstand, and because of this, he hadn’t thought about such things at all.

“So in the future, General Shao shouldn’t speak so absolutely, especially to young ladies.”

Shao Mingyuan thought for a moment and nodded seriously to Qiao Zhao. “Miss Li is right.”

Qiao Zhao smiled. “Then let General Shao’s subordinate serve as my coachman in the future. Consider it his punishment.”

The carriage had overturned, and the old coachman from the West Residence had disappeared while chasing the horse, showing how unreliable he was. Even if Shao Mingyuan’s guard had some mental problems, his martial skills should still be decent.

Miss Qiao would never do something she wasn’t capable of just to show off. Binglu had just started learning martial arts and wouldn’t be useful for some time. Since she would be going out frequently in the future, why wouldn’t she welcome having such a coachman?

Shao Mingyuan hadn’t expected Qiao Zhao to make such a request and immediately agreed.

With Chen Guang able to openly protect Miss Li in the future, he could rest assured. Of course, he would still need to warn that scoundrel not to do any more foolish things.

The simple kitchen suddenly became quiet, and Shao Mingyuan soon heard light breathing.

He looked over and saw the young lady with her head resting on her knees, already asleep.

Her breathing was very light, just like her complexion—pale, crystalline, like white snow on high mountains that would melt as soon as the sun came out.

Shao Mingyuan hesitated for a moment, then got up and walked outside.

“General Shao, have you finished your porridge? Where is our young lady?”

She fell asleep. You should go look after her.”

“Yes.” Binglu turned and went inside.

Shao Mingyuan glanced at the two hunters who were still unconscious and walked outside.

The rain had stopped at some point. The trees, washed by the rain, appeared even more verdant, and the fresh, moist scent of earth came rushing toward him.

Shao Mingyuan stood there gazing into the distance for an unknown length of time before suddenly turning back to the kitchen.

Binglu had been crouching close beside Qiao Zhao to support her sleeping mistress so she wouldn’t fall to the ground. She looked up when she heard movement.

“Wake Miss Li up. We can leave now.”

Binglu was overjoyed and immediately turned around, calling softly, “Miss, wake up.”

There was no movement. She reached out and gently pushed Qiao Zhao. “Wake up, Miss—”

Still no movement. Binglu’s expression changed, and a large hand reached over, placing itself on Qiao Zhao’s forehead.

“General Shao?” Binglu’s eyes widened, becoming somewhat panicked.

Shao Mingyuan’s lips pressed into a tight line as he said seriously, “Miss Li has a fever.”

As he spoke, he bent down to lift Qiao Zhao and strode outside, sighing inwardly as he walked: That scoundrel Chen Guang had harmed Miss Li terribly. Of course, as Chen Guang’s master, he was the first who couldn’t escape responsibility.

Binglu followed Shao Mingyuan outside in panic and confusion, only to see a green-curtained carriage stopped on the road below, with three people walking up the path they had taken, stepping carefully through the mud.

“General Shao, there’s a carriage, there are people!”

“Yes, they came to fetch you.” Shao Mingyuan carried Qiao Zhao quickly down the path and met the approaching people.

“General, this subordinate arrived late.” Chen Guang paid his respects, breathing heavily.

The two people behind him said in unison, “Greetings, General.”

Shao Mingyuan nodded slightly, brushed past them, and left behind a sentence: “Chen Guang, come drive the carriage. You two take the two people tied up in the house to the military camp. Train them harshly, and once they’re properly disciplined, send them north to kill Tartars. Remember to tell them that if they dare speak nonsense about today’s events, we’ll cut out their tongues for drinking wine!”

“Yes, sir!”

Shao Mingyuan carried Qiao Zhao toward the carriage and discovered a disheveled old man standing beside it. He couldn’t help glancing at Chen Guang.