“Except for him, all of you get out.”

Physician Li threw out this inexplicable statement, then looked sideways at Qiao Zhao, then at Shao Mingyuan, his expression complex: “You get out too.”

The group withdrew outside the door, completely bewildered.

Yang Houcheng held back for a moment before saying, “Tingquan, why do I feel that Physician Li looked at you strangely? He looked at Miss Li strangely too—”

Shao Mingyuan glanced at Chi Can and said lightly: “You must have seen wrong.”

“Impossible! Didn’t Physician Li just tell you alone to stay behind?”

“Then who’s standing here now?” Chi Can spoke up irritably.

If the patient needed something pleasing to look at, he should have been the one left behind, not Shao Mingyuan!

That old man was probably blind!

“That’s true, too.” Yang Houcheng scratched his head and sighed: “These people with great abilities all have such strange personalities. Who knows what they’re thinking?”

Thinking this, he secretly glanced at Shao Mingyuan and thought: Speaking of which, Tingquan also has great abilities – throughout the capital, no one can match his martial skills. But this isn’t something to envy, since Tingquan has exceptional natural talent and was born to be a martial arts prodigy.

Fortunately, Tingquan’s personality is quite normal.

Inside the room.

Physician Li opened his mouth: “He—”

He looked at Qiao Zhao, then changed his words: “You—”

Qiao Zhao still had tear tracks at the corners of her eyes as she curved her lips: “What does Grandpa Li want to say?”

“I—” Yes, what did he want to say? There was so much he wanted to say!

How was she captured by the Tartars back then? What did it feel like in the moment of death? Why did she become another person? Was there anything abnormal about her body?

Whether from the perspective of an elder or that of a physician, he had countless questions to ask, but he had been disrupted by that boy who appeared at the door!

That little bastard had killed girl Zhao – what did girl Zhao feel when facing that little bastard again?

“Girl Zhao, does he… know your identity?”

Physician Li’s cautious tone made Qiao Zhao couldn’t help but smile: “Of course not.”

She pressed her lips together, looked toward the closed door, and said lightly: “How could I tell him? He and I are just strangers.”

If not for Grandpa Li’s entrustment that inexplicably created some connection between them, he would truly be just a particularly special stranger to her.

“Strangers…” Physician Li repeated, thought for a moment, then asked: “Don’t you hate him?”

This kind of question, Qiao Zhao thought, might only be asked once in her lifetime, so she answered seriously: “Not at all. Grandpa Li has never been to the Northern Territories – the cruelty of the Tartars is far more terrifying than the legends say. When I fell into their hands back then, meeting such an end was fortunate.”

If she had truly been violated to death by those beasts in turns, when she opened her eyes and awakened again, she couldn’t possibly have had such composure to gradually adjust herself and face the future.

“It’s just that seeing him makes it easy to think of unpleasant things.” Miss Qiao said these words with a grievance she hadn’t noticed.

But Physician Li saw it. He raised his hand to gently stroke her hair, comforting her: “This is also normal – how could there be no reservations at all? Don’t worry, girl Zhao. Just endure for a few more years. When that little bastard can’t withstand the cold poison, he’ll die from the pain, and then no one will offend your eyes.”

“Grandpa Li—” Qiao Zhao didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

Grandpa Li was saying this on purpose, wasn’t he?

Never mind that she bore him no hatred – even if she did, she wouldn’t want Great Liang’s military star to fall like a meteor. That would be a disaster for Great Liang, a disaster for thousands upon thousands of girls like her.

“Doesn’t Grandpa Li plan to cure his cold poison?”

Physician Li smiled cheerfully: “That depends on what girl Zhao thinks. If girl Zhao wants me to, I’ll cure his cold poison. If girl Zhao doesn’t want me to, I don’t care if he dies!”

Qiao Zhao: “…” Grandpa Li was still so willful!

Having this question thrown at her felt somewhat strange.

Qiao Zhao had a magnanimous nature. Since she bore no hatred toward Shao Mingyuan, she naturally wouldn’t be coy about it, so she said generously: “Grandpa Li should still cure his cold poison. With him around, wouldn’t the common people be able to live peaceful lives?”

Physician Li glanced at her sideways and sighed: “You girl has learned your grandfather’s ways completely.”

When poor, focus on bettering oneself; when successful, help better the world.

Her old friend was noble and carefree, and had taught this girl too well. Sometimes it made him unable to help feeling wronged on her behalf, wanting to drag that stinking boy outside over to ask: You killed such a good child – don’t you regret it? Don’t you feel bad?

He had set his demands too low. How could just having that little bastard look after girl Zhao be enough? Since girl Zhao was girl Qiao, that little bastard should treat girl Zhao with his whole heart and soul. Even if he gave his life to her, it would be appropriate.

Learning Qiao Zhao’s true identity, Physician Li’s resentful little flame toward Shao Mingyuan flared up again.

What a pity he couldn’t say anything – it was suffocating! Since he wasn’t allowed to feel better, he couldn’t let that little bastard feel better immediately either.

“Grandpa Li?”

Physician Li glanced at Qiao Zhao and snorted: “What’s the rush? Wait until I return from the south. Aren’t you going to treat your brother’s face anymore?”

Miss Qiao was baffled by this scolding.

She wasn’t rushing at all. Of course, her brother’s face should be treated first.

When she thought of Shao Mingyuan’s cold poison, her heart would feel a little pity, but when she thought of her elder brother’s face, her heart ached.

Moreover, Shao Mingyuan’s cold poison was just troublesome and required more time to remove – actually, she could manage it too. But she was powerless against her brother’s burn injuries. If Grandpa Li was unwilling to treat Shao Mingyuan in the future, she could find an opportunity to help him. Of course, as long as Grandpa Li was treating him, she’d better avoid such troubles.

“Grandpa Li, you must be extra careful when you go south, especially along the coastal areas. I heard Japanese pirates are rampant there, and it’s not peaceful.”

“I know. I’ll bring Ye Luo with me, and a coachman with good martial skills – they’re both skilled hands that boy found for me.”

“Won’t two people be too few?” Qiao Zhao was still worried.

Physician Li waved his hand: “Not too few. I’m just a decrepit old man with no wealth or beauty. As long as I don’t reveal my identity after leaving the capital, who would target me? Two people are enough. Taking more would draw attention – troublesome!”

Qiao Zhao knew Physician Li was stubborn, so she didn’t try to persuade him further. She just secretly thought about reminding Shao Mingyuan later to secretly send a few more people for protection.

“Girl Zhao, your current body is much weaker than before. Remember to practice the Five Animal Frolics I taught you – don’t be lazy.”

“Yes.” Qiao Zhao laughed dryly.

She really had no talent in this area, but for the sake of strengthening her body, she should persist.

Physician Li nodded: “I’ll leave the capital tomorrow, but since I now know you’re girl Qiao, I’ll organize some more things to give you later.”

After Physician Li finished speaking, he asked about the rain incident. Qiao Zhao explained the whole sequence of events.

After listening, Physician Li glanced at the sky outside the window and asked: “At this time, not seeing you return, shouldn’t the Li Residence be sending people to look for you?”