In the flower hall sat a blue-clothed young lady with a tall and well-proportioned silhouette, listlessly propping her chin while examining the misty rain painting on the wall.

Qiao Zhao walked in expressionlessly.

A pink-clothed maid reminded: “Miss Chi, Third Miss has arrived.”

The blue-clothed young lady spun around abruptly.

Binglu immediately let out an exclamation: “Heavens!”

Why would there be such a beautiful girl? Even prettier than the Ninth Princess!

Eh, but she looked somewhat familiar…

“Miss Chi, didn’t we agree to meet at Wufu Teahouse for tea? Let’s go chat there.”

Chi Can raised an eyebrow.

Go to a teahouse? He wouldn’t go—what if that girl’s coachman recognized him again?

“I’d like to taste tea personally brewed by Third Miss.” The blue-clothed young lady spoke, her voice not like the sweet and delicate tones of ordinary girls, but clear and refreshing like wind, making one feel carefree and joyful.

Binglu covered her cheeks.

Even her voice was so pleasant—how she hoped Miss would become friends with Miss Chi.

“I don’t have tea here.” Miss Qiao’s face darkened slightly.

The blue-clothed young lady curved her lips in a smile: “Plain water would be fine too. As long as it’s from Third Miss, anything would do.”

Qiao Zhao: “…” This was beyond shameless!

Afraid that continuing would let others see through the ruse, Qiao Zhao had to yield, saying word by word: “Then please move to Yahe Courtyard, Miss Chi.”

Chi Can smiled with satisfaction, rising to walk side by side with Qiao Zhao.

Qiao Zhao’s stature hadn’t fully developed yet, making her naturally petite and slender, while Chi Can was of medium height among men. Standing together, he was immediately a full head taller than her.

Qiao Zhao pursed her lips in annoyance and couldn’t help but quicken her pace.

Chi Can appeared completely at ease, even having the leisure to look around after entering Qiao Zhao’s residence, praising: “The pomegranate trees in this courtyard are growing so well. They’ll be ready to eat soon.”

Seeing Qiao Zhao’s silence, he smiled and said, “I like eating pomegranates. When they ripen, remember to save some for me.”

Binglu quietly tugged at Qiao Zhao’s sleeve.

What was wrong with Miss? She seemed very unhappy ever since meeting Miss Chi.

But looking at Miss Chi’s manner, she seemed quite familiar with Miss.

“Alright, please come in, Miss Chi.” Qiao Zhao led Chi Can into the room, smiling: “I’ll go get water for Miss Chi.”

Seeing her turn to leave, Chi Can was somewhat surprised.

This girl looked quite angry, yet she was going to personally bring him water? She wouldn’t put laxatives or something in it, would she?

Qiao Zhao walked outside and quietly instructed Binglu: “Go to Chunfeng Tavern and find the proprietor. Tell him I have something urgent, and if General Shao is available, please ask him to wait for me at the teahouse near the Li Residence. If he agrees, quietly report back to me.”

Binglu didn’t ask questions and crisply agreed, then turned and left.

Qiao Zhao personally carried a cup of water.

Young Master Chi, still unaware that Miss Qiao had quietly dug a trap, became even more comfortable now that no outsiders were in the room, smiling as he said: “Now that we’re inside, why are you still wearing that veiled hat? Can you not be seen by people?”

Qiao Zhao said indifferently: “I forgot to take it off.”

With someone like this waiting for her, she was already angry enough—how could she remember anything else?

As she spoke, she casually removed the veiled hat and placed it on a nearby tall table, looking at Chi Can: “Chi… what brings you to see me today?”

Chi Can’s gaze fell on Qiao Zhao’s right cheek, his expression darkening.

Such a fresh and lovely little cabbage—how had she turned into pickled vegetables in the time he’d looked away?

“What’s wrong?” Qiao Zhao raised an eyebrow.

“You went to Shuying Convent today?”

“Yes.”

“You didn’t frighten the abbess, did you?”

Qiao Zhao held back her irritation and asked: “Is that what you came to ask about today?”

Chi Can became displeased: “What’s with this ‘you, you’—getting more and more impertinent. Is this your attitude toward your lifesaver?”

“Big Brother Chi? Or Sister Chi?”

Chi Can was left speechless: “Never mind, this isn’t important. I came to ask what you meant by writing that letter, you little heartless thing?”

Upon hearing this, Qiao Zhao’s expression darkened slightly: “It seems I should be the one asking that question.”

“I didn’t mean anything—just sent you two boxes of cloud frost cream. If you don’t appreciate it, fine, but you dared to scold this young master—”

“So it was that simple.”

Chi Can nearly jump up: “What else would it be? Don’t overthink it.”

Did she think he would feel heartache for her?

Qiao Zhao smiled: “I thought you and your servant both had special hobbies.”

Hearing Qiao Zhao’s words, Chi Can surprisingly didn’t get angry. He crossed his legs, eyes slightly raised as he glanced sideways at Qiao Zhao: “The objective is what matters most—what does the method matter? So rigid-minded at such a young age.”

Qiao Zhao was truly impressed and sighed as she asked: “Then what’s your objective in coming today?”

Chi Can held up one finger: “Just one question—how did you see through my servant’s flaws?”

“That’s rather difficult to answer.”

“How so?”

Qiao Zhao sighed: “Your servant was full of flaws. You should ask why my eyes aren’t blind.”

“Be serious!” Chi Can raised his hand to tap Qiao Zhao’s forehead, but when his hand reached halfway, he suddenly couldn’t bring it down. He awkwardly withdrew it, his ears uncontrollably turning red.

Feeling the atmosphere had become strange, Qiao Zhao blinked in confusion.

“Stop being mysterious—I’m in a hurry.” Chi Can coughed.

“His sitting posture was cruder than the most ill-mannered maid’s, making it hard for me to believe he was from the Eldest Princess’s residence. When he mentioned Miss Chi attending Fushan Society gatherings, his body tensed and his eyes flickered—common reactions when people lie. But what made me certain were those two boxes of cloud frost cream.”

“What flaws could two boxes of cloud frost cream have?”

“There were two flaws.”

“Two?” Chi Can listened in bewilderment.

Could cloud frost cream reveal two flaws? Was this girl trying to ascend to heaven?

“First, the quality of the cloud frost cream. The two boxes your servant brought were identical to what General Shao gave me—both top-grade cloud frost cream. If it were truly Miss Chi, sending some gifts might be possible, but sending such high-quality cloud frost cream? I don’t think I have such good connections.”

“Shao Mingyuan also sent you cloud frost cream?” Chi Can’s voice rose.

Qiao Zhao: “…” Was this the point?

“Did you use it?”

Qiao Zhao shook her head.

“Then tell me the second flaw.”

“Second, there was half a fingerprint left on the cloud frost cream from sweat stains. From the outline, it didn’t look like a woman’s.”

Chi Can instinctively look down at his own hands.

This worked, too? He had just held them a bit longer at the time.

Well, probably held them until he got heatstroke.

Young Master Chi stood up rather embarrassedly: “I understand. I’ll be going then.”

“I’ll see you out.”

Chi Can was about to reflexively object when he quickly pinched himself and held back.

Qiao Zhao walked Chi Can to the outside of the Li Residence.

“You go back.”

“I’m going to that teahouse to buy some pastries. My father likes their green tea cookies.”

Chi Can looked at the nearby teahouse and smiled: “Then I’ll buy some to try too.”

Miss Qiao smiled slightly: “Good.”

She had no way to deal with the unscrupulous Chi Can, so she’d better let his good friend General Shao discipline him—otherwise, life would be impossible.