Receiving Lady He’s meaningful glance, Lady Liu secretly curled her lips.

She didn’t care whether Third Miss was intelligent or lovely. It was just that every time it seemed Third Miss would encounter misfortune, it was always others who ended up unlucky instead. To avoid having her two daughters implicated, it was safer to pray that Third Miss would remain safe and sound.

Sigh, having to worry about someone else’s daughter was truly exhausting.

Mothers always tend to think more. Lady He, who had just calmed down for a moment, suddenly asked again: “What if Zhaozhao left before it started raining? There was thunder all day today—what if the carriage was struck by lightning on the road? And Master too!”

The more Lady He thought about this, the more distressed she became. She lifted her foot to walk outside: “Old Madam, I should still go look for them!”

“Come back here!” Old Madam Deng sternly stopped her with a dark expression. “Master went out long ago, and just now Hui’er took people out to search as well. What chaos would you add by going out too? When Zhaozhao comes back and doesn’t see you, won’t she have to go out looking for you as well?”

Lady He returned dejectedly, clutching her handkerchief and crying again.

The head maid Qing Yun hurried in with a smile on her face: “Old Madam, Third Miss has returned.”

Old Madam Deng was overjoyed: “Quick, have her come in!”

Lady He had already rushed out in one swift motion.

Qiao Zhao had just steadied herself on the steps, her dress hem fluttering in a gust of wind, when someone embraced her.

“My Zhaozhao, you worried Mother to death!” Lady He cried with tears and snot streaming down her face, hugging Qiao Zhao tightly without letting go.

Miss Qiao struggled to lift her head and looked at Physician Li.

Physician Li coughed once.

Lady He stopped crying and looked up.

Eh, this old gentleman looked familiar!

Qiao Zhao said rather helplessly: “Mother, it’s Grandfather Li who brought me home.”

Lady He: “…” She remembered now—her daughter had acknowledged a divine physician as her godfather!

At this time, Old Madam Deng, having received the news, had already come out to greet them: “The Divine Physician has come as well. Please, quickly come inside.”

In front of everyone, Physician Li explained as if casually: “This old man is leaving on a long journey tomorrow, so I came to see little Zhao. Later, I remembered that today was the day she was going to Shuying Nunnery, so I went directly to find her. Halfway there, I encountered her broken-down carriage and happened to bring her back.”

Li Jiǎo’s gaze fell on Qiao Zhao as she smiled sweetly and went over to take her arm: “It’s good that Third Sister has returned. Everyone has been worried. Father and Third Brother went out to look for you and haven’t returned yet.”

She grasped Qiao Zhao’s hand firmly, full of concern: “Third Sister’s hands are so cold. Did you get caught in the rain on the road? You’ve even changed clothes.”

She had never seen Li San wear these clothes before.

Li Jiǎo glanced at Physician Li from the corner of her eye, thinking: Was it really such a coincidence that Li San’s carriage broke down and she just happened to encounter Physician Li?

Qiao Zhao withdrew her hand and said indifferently: “Yes, I got caught in the rain and changed clothes.”

So the fact that she had changed clothes was what Li Jiǎo was focusing on?

She completely couldn’t understand such twisted petty thoughts. She bowed to her elders and said frankly: “I made Grandmother and everyone worry. Some travelers had a broken carriage and shared mine, but because of the extra weight, my carriage broke down too.”

Lady He was delighted to hear this: Excellent! She could finally spend money to replace the carriage with legitimate justification!

Li Jiǎo’s eyes flickered: “Third Sister should still be more careful. You don’t know anything about these travelers—how could you easily let them ride in your carriage? Moreover, it was raining in the wilderness. What if the travelers had ill intentions?”

She turned to Old Madam Deng: “Grandmother, just hearing about Third Sister’s experience makes me fearful for her.”

Old Madam Deng’s expression grew slightly grave.

The eldest granddaughter’s concerns were not without merit.

However, glancing at her pale-faced granddaughter, the old lady still couldn’t bear to say more and politely said to Physician Li: “Divine Physician, please come in for some tea.”

Physician Li waved his hand: “No need. Having safely delivered little Zhao home, this old man is at ease. I’m leaving tomorrow and still have many things to organize, so I won’t stay long.”

“Then this old woman is truly ashamed.”

Physician Li smiled, his tone unexpectedly gentle: “Old Madam, such words are too formal. This old man is little Zhao’s godfather—we’re all family, after all. You worry about little Zhao, but I hope for her wellbeing even more.”

Old Madam Deng felt that this time, Physician Li seemed much closer to her third granddaughter. This closeness was different from before—if previously it was affection for a compatible junior, now it was unreserved intimacy.

Having someone care for her granddaughter, Old Madam Deng naturally welcomed it. She politely saw off Physician Li before leading the large family back to the main hall.

Qiao Zhao endured her discomfort and said, “Grandmother, I’d like to bathe.”

“Go ahead.” Old Madam Deng carefully examined Qiao Zhao and swallowed all the words in her belly.

The Third Girl looked clean, but upon closer inspection, she appeared quite disheveled and indeed needed to freshen up quickly.

“Mother will accompany you.”

“No need, Mother. Father and Third Brother haven’t returned yet—you should wait for them here.”

Only then did Lady He give up, instructing: “I’ll have the kitchen prepare ginger tea. Remember to drink a bowl after your bath.”

Qiao Zhao nodded in agreement.

About half an hour later, A’Zhu came to report: “Miss fell asleep after washing.”

“Did she drink the ginger soup?”

“Yes, she did.”

Lady He relaxed and looked toward Old Madam Deng.

“Let her sleep. Whatever needs to be said can wait until tomorrow.” Old Madam Deng sighed.

It was good that she returned safely. Other matters could be discussed slowly later. But why hadn’t the eldest son and Hui’er returned yet?

Old Madam Deng looked at the increasingly late hour and felt somewhat anxious as well.

“Old Madam, Third Young Master has returned.”

As Qing Yun announced this, Li Hui had already stepped inside, bowing to Old Madam Deng. She immediately grabbed him and sighed with relief: “Finally back! Did you encounter your father?”

Li Hui had many mud splatters on his sleeves, but he couldn’t be bothered to care about that. His expression was grave: “Grandson never encountered Father and didn’t find Third Sister either—”

“Zhaozhao has already returned and is sleeping.”

Hearing Old Madam Deng say this, Li Hui’s eyes immediately brightened, his shoulders relaxing at once. Then, realizing his loss of composure, he quickly pressed his lips together.

“Hui’er, go wash up first, then come back for dinner.”

Li Hui shook his head: “Grandson is somewhat worried about Father.”

Old Madam Deng and Lady He nodded together.

Who wasn’t worried? The most unreliable one in the entire household was still outside.

“Then let’s eat first. Everything should be done after eating one’s fill.” Old Madam Deng instructed Qing Yun to prepare dinner, keeping everyone in Qingsong Hall for the meal.

When the dishes were served, the roomful of people ate quietly, the atmosphere quite heavy.

They had only eaten half their meal when a servant woman rushed in frantically: “Disaster! Old Madam, the Master has been escorted home by the Jinlin Guards!”

Jinlin Guards?

The faces of everyone in the room instantly changed.

Old Madam Deng put down her chopsticks and immediately headed outside. Walking too hastily, her body couldn’t help but sway.

Li Hui reached out to steady Old Madam Deng, secretly drew a breath, and said in a low voice: “Grandmother, don’t panic. Grandson will accompany you to see what’s happening.”