It wasn’t really difficult—just a young girl, after all. Since she was someone Marquis Guanjun wanted to protect, there was no need for him to offend the marquis over this matter.

He just couldn’t quite understand it.

The young general across from him smiled warmly and gently: “Then I thank you for this. I won’t delay Grand Commander Jiang from his duties—I’ll take my leave first.”

Jiang Tang hurriedly stood up and personally escorted Shao Mingyuan to the door, just as Jiang Yuanchao returned.

“General Shao.” Jiang Yuanchao called out in greeting.

Shao Mingyuan nodded: “Lord Jiang.”

Jiang Tang and Jiang Yuanchao stood at the door, watching Shao Mingyuan depart.

“Come with me.” Jiang Tang withdrew his gaze and turned to walk inside.

Jiang Yuanchao lowered his eyes and followed.

As soon as the door closed, Jiang Tang’s expression darkened: “Shisan, regarding today’s events, shouldn’t you give me an explanation?”

“It was Shisan’s failure to handle things properly, allowing the Li family to make such a commotion and ruin Ran Ran’s reputation—”

Jiang Tang waved his hand: “That’s not a concern. She’s Jiang Tang’s daughter—who would dare gossip about her?”

It wasn’t as if she needed to marry into those families who treated reputation as their livelihood. His precious daughter could live however she pleased!

Having served as Commander of the Jinlin Guards for so many years, he had long understood that his daughter could live comfortably because of his position. If she lost his support, even if she were the capital’s most renowned lady, others would still look down on her.

Jiang Tang fixed his gaze on Jiang Yuanchao’s face, his eyes probing: “Shisan, when I returned earlier, the Li family was making a scene, saying you forcibly dragged that young girl into a room. Is this true?”

“Yes, it’s true.”

“Why?”

“I discovered Miss Li wanted to do something foolish and was afraid the situation would become unmanageable, so in my urgency—”

Jiang Tang’s probing gaze remained fixed on Jiang Yuanchao’s face throughout, but Jiang Yuanchao’s expression remained unchanged.

“Hehe.” Jiang Tang chuckled. “I thought that little girl held some special meaning for you.”

“Adoptive Father jests. In Shisan’s eyes, Miss Li is merely a little girl.”

Jiang Tang finally showed a satisfied smile: “Come home with me early today. That girl Ran Ran has a stubborn temperament—I’m afraid only if you speak up will she obediently go to the Li residence to apologize.”

“Yes.” Jiang Yuanchao quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

Jiang Tang rose and walked to the window, standing with his hands clasped behind his back, speaking leisurely: “That girl Ran Ran has been spoiled by me—sometimes she’s quite troublesome.”

Jiang Yuanchao smiled: “Ran Ran is naturally straightforward and still young. These aren’t serious matters—naturally, she won’t trouble Adoptive Father in the future.”

Jiang Tang turned around, clearly quite satisfied with Jiang Yuanchao’s words, smiling and shaking his head: “Ran Ran isn’t that young anymore—it’s been two years since her coming-of-age ceremony.”

He looked at Jiang Yuanchao with a smile, and Jiang Yuanchao’s heart skipped a beat.

Adoptive Father’s words meant—

“Shisan, I’ll make arrangements later to settle the engagement between you two.”

Since he had promised Marquis Guanjun not to touch that little girl, he naturally wouldn’t break his word. But although Shisan appeared nonchalant, he still felt somewhat uneasy.

In that case, an engagement would be best.

Jiang Yuanchao’s expression changed.

Jiang Tang observed him: “What, unwilling?”

His hands clenched into fists within his sleeves, and Jiang Yuanchao inwardly sighed, revealing a flawless smile: “Shisan will comply entirely with Adoptive Father’s arrangements.”

“Hahahaha—” Jiang Tang burst into laughter, patting Jiang Yuanchao’s shoulder. “Let’s go. I must hurry and tell Ran Ran this good news—she’ll be delighted.”

The two walked outside side by side.

Shao Mingyuan had just left the Jinlin Guards’ headquarters and hadn’t walked far when he saw Chen Guang poking his head out and frantically waving at him.

Shao Mingyuan paused and walked toward Chen Guang.

There sat a small, delicate azure-curtained carriage.

“General, Miss Li is inside.”

After speaking, Chen Guang scurried to the carriage window: “Miss, our general has come to see you.”

Shao Mingyuan was stunned.

That wasn’t right—the sequence was wrong.

The carriage was completely quiet.

After a moment, the curtain lifted and Qiao Zhao stepped down from the carriage, nodding politely to Shao Mingyuan.

Shao Mingyuan’s gaze fell on the right side of Qiao Zhao’s face, and his heart jolted.

Injured to this extent—it was truly disfiguring.

Seeing Shao Mingyuan staring continuously at her face, Qiao Zhao blinked, her meaning clear: Does General Shao need something from me?

Shao Mingyuan came to his senses, suppressing his inner shock, and smiled warmly: “Does Miss Li need something from me?”

Qiao Zhao was stumped.

She had been waiting here, hoping to catch Jiang Tang when he came out, so she could show him what she held in her hand. She certainly wasn’t waiting for Shao Mingyuan.

So, not being able to speak was truly frustrating.

She shook her head.

Chen Guang frantically gave Shao Mingyuan meaningful looks from the side.

Had the General put all his wit into warfare? He had already said the General had come to find Miss Li, yet the General could still ask such a question—how could he live up to his blatant lie?

Seeing Qiao Zhao remain silent and only shake her head, Shao Mingyuan pondered briefly and asked: “Is Miss Li unable to speak?”

Qiao Zhao nodded.

Shao Mingyuan glanced at Chen Guang.

Chen Guang quickly said: “This subordinate already gave the Frost Cloud Ointment to Miss Li, but she didn’t use it. Oh, Master Li enjoys eating roasted duck from Desheng Restaurant—this subordinate will go buy a few to bring back.”

Without waiting for Shao Mingyuan’s response, Chen Guang ran off.

Qiao Zhao silently withdrew her gaze, thinking: Father probably won’t be in the mood for roasted duck today.

“Miss Li.”

Qiao Zhao met Shao Mingyuan’s eyes.

His gaze was calm, revealing no emotion, his tone warm as ever: “Grand Commander Jiang won’t trouble your family anymore—you needn’t worry.”

Qiao Zhao’s heart stirred.

So Shao Mingyuan had truly come for her matter.

This meant the future troubles she worried about had been resolved just like that?

Qiao Zhao couldn’t help but grasp her sleeve, inside which lay a prepared note.

It seemed this trump card could be saved for later.

This feeling of having someone resolve troubles before she could—it was quite novel.

Qiao Zhao’s tense nerves relaxed somewhat.

“Miss Li, don’t worry about the injury on your face. I believe Divine Physician will surely have a solution.”

Qiao Zhao nodded again.

“This incident was due to my poor judgment. However, I have no female soldiers under my command and cannot find suitable candidates immediately. Miss Li, would this arrangement work: have a trusted maid train with Chen Guang first, and I’ll transfer someone from elsewhere to send to you later.”

Qiao Zhao nodded, then shook her head.

Shao Mingyuan understood her meaning: “Miss Li means to have the maid train with Chen Guang, without needing to transfer anyone?”

Qiao Zhao nodded.

Having Chen Guang outside and Binglu inside was sufficient. Although Grandfather Li had asked Shao Mingyuan to look after her, continuing this way would create too many entanglements with him.

What was owed in the past, he couldn’t make up for. In her current life, she didn’t want to owe anyone.

“Very well. If you need anything, Miss Li, just have Chen Guang find me.”

Qiao Zhao’s eyes curved in satisfaction.

This was indeed good about Shao Mingyuan—he wasn’t overly fussy.

Having said everything that needed saying, Shao Mingyuan returned to his earlier question: “What did Miss Li need from me?”

Qiao Zhao: “…” You’ve said everything there was to say—what could I possibly need?