Lady He listened in stunned silence, and after a long while opened her mouth: “Old Madam, let me go instead!”
“You won’t do. However, I arranged today’s matter, you just listen carefully!” Old Madam Deng was rarely so stern in both voice and expression.
“Yes, your daughter-in-law understands.” At this critical moment, Lady He felt the old lady should be more reliable than herself, so she stopped arguing and hurried off to make arrangements.
Li Jiǎo, hidden by the doorway, heard every word of this conversation between Old Madam Deng and Lady He clearly, and her expression immediately changed.
How could Grandmother go to the Jinlin Guards’ headquarters?
What about Father’s official position? What about Second Uncle’s official position? If they offended the Jinlin Guards, losing their posts might be light punishment—they might even face family ruin and death.
How could Grandmother do this for Li Zhao? Did she want the whole family to be buried along with Li Zhao’s disfigurement?
Li Jiǎo was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan. She wanted to rush out and persuade Old Madam Deng, but knew that although Grandmother was usually kind and easygoing, once she made up her mind about something, she couldn’t be stopped—it would only earn her a scolding for nothing.
Li Jiǎo’s eyes rolled, and she headed straight for Jinrong Courtyard.
In Jinrong Courtyard, unripe crabapples weighed down the branches. Lady Liu, having nothing better to do, was instructing her two daughters in embroidery.
The sunlight was bright, and Fourth Miss Li Yàn and Sixth Miss Li Chán sat respectively on stone stools with brocade cushions under the crabapple tree, each holding an embroidery hoop. The older girl listened attentively, while the younger one looked utterly bored.
Lady Liu reached out and tapped Li Chán’s head, scolding: “All you do is daydream. You’re not young anymore, yet you’re still not serious about learning anything. What will you do in the future? Let me tell you, these days I’ve been watching coldly—if you want to surpass Third Miss in anything, it’s probably only in needlework—”
Lady Liu had barely finished speaking when a maid announced: “Madam, First Miss has arrived.”
Lady Liu saw Li Jiǎo standing at the courtyard gate and straightened up: “First Miss has come. Is there something you need?”
Li Jiǎo made a curtsy to Lady Liu: “Second Aunt, do you know that Third Sister has had an accident?”
Lady Liu’s heart skipped a beat.
Oh no, Third Miss had another accident? Who would be unlucky this time?
Without bothering to ask details, Lady Liu quickly turned and shouted: “Yàn’er, Chán’er, go back to your rooms first!”
Li Jiǎo was bewildered.
What was Second Aunt doing? She hadn’t even said what happened yet, and she was already making Fourth Sister and the others hide?
Lady Liu turned back: “Alright, First Miss, now tell me what happened to Third Miss.”
“Today, Third Sister attended a gathering of the Fushan Society—”
Li Yàn, who had just reached the room entrance, ran back: “Third Sister joined the Fushan Society?”
Li Jiǎo felt deflated.
Lady Liu glared at Li Yàn.
Li Yàn pleaded: “Mother, just let me listen. I promise not to leave the courtyard entrance.”
Only then did Lady Liu nod and look at Li Jiǎo.
Li Jiǎo was completely confused about the situation. She pressed her lips together and spoke quickly: “According to the rules, the vice president had to test the new member. Third Sister drew the name of Jiang Shirǎn, daughter of the Jinlin Guards’ Commander. Jiang Shirǎn proposed archery, but ended up shooting Third Sister in the face. Third Sister’s face is ruined, Grandmother is furious, and now she’s going to sit in protest at the Jinlin Guards’ headquarters!”
Lady Liu listened in bewilderment, blinking: “And then?”
“And then—” Li Jiǎo nearly choked.
So she’d run here to tell this, and Second Aunt thought she was listening to a story? At this moment, shouldn’t she be shocked and go with her to persuade Grandmother?
“So you’re saying that Miss Jiang provoked Third Miss?”
“Yes—” Li Jiǎo nodded instinctively, then quickly corrected herself, “No, Second Aunt, didn’t you hear me? Grandmother is going to sit in protest at the Jinlin Guards’ headquarters!”
“I heard you. So it’s still that Miss Jiang who provoked Third Miss?” Lady Liu also found Li Jiǎo’s words incoherent and felt relieved: it seemed this time no one in the household would be unlucky.
Li Jiǎo was dumbstruck: “Second Aunt, how do you still not understand? That’s the Jinlin Guards’ headquarters! If Grandmother angers them, what will we do?”
“Don’t worry, First Miss. The Old Madam always thinks more thoroughly than we do,” Lady Liu said nonchalantly.
First Miss Li simply couldn’t believe that Second Aunt, who usually opposed her stepmother at every turn, was such a broad-minded person. She stamped her feet: “Second Aunt, as long as you know about this matter, I’ll take my leave first.”
Seeing Li Jiǎo leave in a hurry, Lady Liu called out: “Chán’er, you come out too. I’ll take you to see Third Miss.”
Li Jiǎo left Jinrong Courtyard, thought for a moment, and headed straight for Qiao Zhao’s quarters.
Qiao Zhao could no longer speak and was using her brush as a voice, instructing A’Zhu on various matters.
Li Jiǎo rushed in, breathless: “Third Sister—”
Qiao Zhao set down her brush and looked at her with calm eyes.
At that moment, Li Jiǎo inexplicably felt ashamed of herself.
It was Li Zhao who had been disfigured, so why did she appear more disheveled?
This thought was fleeting. Li Jiǎo caught her breath and said, “Third Sister, the family is about to face disaster. Only you can persuade Grandmother now!”
Qiao Zhao blinked to express her question.
“Grandmother is going to sit in protest at the Jinlin Guards’ headquarters, and she wants Father and Third Brother to bring her meals, all to seek justice for you!”
Qiao Zhao’s eyes flickered slightly, warmth filling her heart.
So the family of this era would go to such lengths for their children. How fortunate she was to be born into this family.
“The Jinlin Guards’ headquarters—you should know what kind of place that is. If Grandmother does this, our family will bring great disaster upon ourselves! Third Sister, you couldn’t bear to let our family suffer such misfortune because of you, could you?”
Qiao Zhao pressed her lips together.
“Oh, Third Sister, quickly come with me to stop Grandmother. If we’re late, it’ll be too late.” Li Jiǎo pulled Qiao Zhao up and headed outside.
Qiao Zhao broke free from Li Jiǎo’s grip and pointed to the paper and brush for A’Zhu.
A’Zhu understood, took the paper, brush, and other items, and followed Qiao Zhao to Qingsong Hall.
Old Madam Deng had just finished packing when she saw the two sisters arrive together. She asked: “How did you two come together? Zhaozhao, why aren’t you resting properly?”
Li Jiǎo spoke up: “Grandmother, Third Sister heard that you were going to sit in protest at the Jinlin Guards’ headquarters and was very anxious, so she hurried over.”
Old Madam Deng’s expression darkened slightly: “Zhaozhao, I told you, this is now an adult matter. Don’t overthink it. You should go back to your room and rest properly!”
Qiao Zhao pointed to her mouth, indicating she couldn’t speak now, then reached into her pouch and pulled out a delicate jade-green gourd-shaped bottle, handing it over.
Old Madam Deng took it, looking puzzled.
Qiao Zhao took the paper and brush from A’Zhu’s hands, spread them on the table, and wrote a line with flowing strokes, then held it up for Old Madam Deng to see.
Li Jiǎo glanced at it and nearly exploded with anger. The paper read: “Grandmother, take this bottle of cooling oil to prevent heatstroke.”
Old Madam Deng was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter: “Good girl, Grandmother understands.”
Old Madam Deng left with her maids and servants, leaving Li Jiǎo nearly ready to bang her head against the wall. She reached out and gripped Qiao Zhao’s wrist tightly, demanding: “Third Sister, what do you mean by this? How can you be so selfish, putting the whole family’s safety at risk just so you can vent your anger?”