Qiao Zhao’s head throbbed with pain. She gently rubbed her temples and asked A’Zhu: “Have Master and Third Young Master both returned?”

She had slept too deeply and had only just awakened at this hour.

“Yes, Master and Madam came to check on you last night.”

Qiao Zhao relaxed and only then turned her attention to the rumors A’Zhu had heard.

“Where’s Binglu?”

“Binglu just went out.”

As they were speaking, Binglu came rushing in angrily, her face flushed red: “Miss, I’ve found out—it’s all because Old Qian was talking nonsense while drunk that such rumors started!”

“Old Qian?”

“Yes, this Old Qian is truly detestable! Yesterday, he abandoned Miss to chase after the horse, claiming he had a poor memory and would forget things immediately. I originally thought it was understandable that he was confused in his old age, but I never expected this person wasn’t just senile—he’s also a gossip!”

“Do the rumors only say that young men were sharing my carriage, nothing else?” Qiao Zhao asked A’Zhu, finding the whole matter absurd.

“Nothing else—”

Qiao Zhao looked at Binglu: “The rumors originated from Old Qian. What’s the reaction from Old Madam and the others?”

“When Madam heard about it, she immediately took people to Old Qian’s quarters, dragged him out of bed while he was still sleeping, and slapped him several times. Later, when Old Madam heard the news, they’re all questioning him in Qingsong Hall now.” Binglu grew angrier as she spoke. “I don’t know if Old Qian’s brain is full of grass. Even if he can’t control his mouth, he should know that the person who shared the carriage yesterday was a princess. How could such words spread!”

Binglu stamped her feet as she spoke: “Miss, yesterday when you returned, you insisted on instructing me not to mention yesterday’s events. Now look what’s happened—such rumors are spreading. I’m about to burst from keeping this secret. If you allow it, I’ll go explain everything to Old Madam and the others right now.”

Qiao Zhao remained calm: “Don’t be hasty. First, help me with breakfast. After I eat, I’ll naturally go take a look at Qingsong Hall.”

A’Zhu immediately brought washing supplies, and seeing that both Miss and A’Zhu were unhurried, Binglu’s agitated heart also settled down.

After Qiao Zhao finished her meal, she took Binglu to Qingsong Hall.

“Third Miss has arrived—” Qing Yun, who was guarding outside the door, was about to announce Qiao Zhao’s arrival when she was stopped.

“Sister Qing Yun, no need to announce me. I want to hear what’s happening.”

Since they were questioning matters concerning the Third Miss inside, Old Madam would eventually summon her for questioning anyway. So Qing Yun didn’t stop her, allowing Qiao Zhao to stand at the door and listen.

From inside came Old Qian’s pleading voice: “Old Madam, Madam, this old servant only spoke nonsense because I drank too much. Please spare me this once.”

The sound of slapping rang out—Old Qian was slapping himself.

Lady He wasn’t satisfied at all, wishing Old Qian would hit himself even harder.

But Old Madam Deng waved her hand, stopping his self-punishment, and said coldly, “Old Qian, you’ve been a driver in the West Residence for decades. Whether to spare you is another matter. I ask you—who did you drink with yesterday, and what exactly did you say?”

“This old servant, this old servant doesn’t remember—” Old Qian began crying.

Yesterday, that cold-faced guard called Chen Guang had threatened him, saying that if he talked about what happened on the road after returning home, his life would be forfeit. How would he dare speak carelessly? He truly couldn’t remember what he had said while drunk.

“Old Qian’s wife, tell us—who did Old Qian drink with last night?”

Old Qian’s wife knelt on the ground, head lowered, trembling as she said: “In response to Old Madam, this worthless old man went out last night. This old servant doesn’t know who he drank with—”

Old Madam Deng slammed the table and said coldly: “This is truly strange! He doesn’t remember what he said while drunk, and doesn’t even know who he drank with? Hong Song, go see if Nanny Rong has returned.”

“Yes.” Hong Song stepped out, saw Qiao Zhao standing at the door, and couldn’t help but be startled. She bowed: “Third Miss.”

Qiao Zhao nodded and walked inside.

“Grandmother, Mother, Second Aunt.”

Seeing Qiao Zhao enter, Lady He immediately stood up and pulled her over: “Zhaozhao, did you sleep well? Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?”

Qiao Zhao smiled: “Mother, I’m perfectly fine.”

“Zhaozhao, come here.” Old Madam Deng spoke.

Qiao Zhao walked over.

“You rested as soon as you returned yesterday, and Grandmother didn’t have time to ask—who were the people who shared your carriage yesterday?” Old Madam Deng somewhat regretted not asking yesterday, which led to such inexplicable rumors spreading.

Qiao Zhao spoke calmly: “I will naturally explain yesterday’s events clearly to my elders, but such behavior of fabricating stories about one’s master absolutely cannot be tolerated. Did Grandmother send Nanny Rong to find people familiar with Old Qian?”

Since Old Qian forgot who he drank with, starting the search from people familiar with him wouldn’t be wrong.

“Correct.” Her granddaughter’s intelligence made Old Madam Deng slightly relieved.

Intelligent people, logically speaking, wouldn’t do foolish things.

“Then let’s wait until they arrive before discussing this.” Qiao Zhao was calm and composed as she sat down beside Old Madam Deng.

She had just been angry and indignant, but seeing Qiao Zhao’s demeanor now, Old Madam Deng couldn’t help but find it amusing: This child truly could keep her composure.

Soon Nanny Rong led three people in and reported: “Old Madam, Old Zhao from the gate, Old Wang who tends the garden, and Old Du who manages the storeroom—these three often associate with Old Qian. This old servant brought them all here.”

“Speak up. Where were you three last night? Did any of you drink with Old Qian?”

Old Zhao spoke first: “After Master returned last night, this old servant locked the gate and went back to my room to rest. I didn’t drink.”

Old Wang continued: “Yesterday this old servant’s eldest son returned, so I went home early. My eldest son even called some close friends to drink. Old Madam can send someone to verify this.”

“Yesterday it was raining and this old servant’s chronic leg pain flared up, so I also retired early.” Old Du said.

Old Madam Deng frowned as she listened, looking at the driver, Old Qian: “Old Qian, you truly have no memory of it at all?”

Old Qian shook his head: “This old servant doesn’t know what’s been wrong lately—I forget many things as soon as they happen.”

“So among you three, only Old Wang drank?” Qiao Zhao suddenly asked.

Old Wang was startled, then nodded: “This old servant did indeed drink yesterday, but it was with my family—”

Qiao Zhao ignored his words and looked at the other two.

The other two said in unison: “This old servant didn’t drink last night!”

Old Madam Deng couldn’t help but frown.

Old Wang had outsiders at his home who could serve as witnesses, so his suspicion could be temporarily ruled out. As for the other two, even if one of them was truly lying, there seemed to be no way to force them to admit it if they insisted on denying it.

Qiao Zhao stood up and smiled: “Grandmother, among these three, only Old Wang has outsiders as witnesses, so his suspicion can be temporarily ruled out. As for whether the other two drank or not, I can test it out.”

Hearing this, Old Madam Deng was very curious and asked: “How will you test it?”