First, a hand emerged from the carriage—slender and fair, like the most succulent spring onion, drawing everyone’s gaze.

That hand steadily and firmly grasped A’Zhu’s hand as the young lady rose, stepped forward, and descended from the carriage. Every movement was composed and elegant.

The young lady appeared delicate, her figure as slender and fragile as a pristine white magnolia blossom that seemed like it would break at the slightest touch. Yet her azure dress somehow suppressed three parts of her natural frailty. For a moment, she seemed like a tall, straight poplar—verdant, proud, and fearless of any wind or frost.

Some habits become ingrained in one’s bones. Qiao Zhao had learned carefree composure from the renowned Master Qiao Zhuo, but had also received the strictest ladylike education from her grandmother and mother.

She straightened her dress, took several quick steps, and was about to curtsy to Old Madam Deng when He Shi rushed over from the side and embraced her tightly.

“Zhaozhao, my good child, Mother thought she would never see you again! Wuu wuu wuu—” He Shi held Qiao Zhao tightly and wailed loudly.

Qiao Zhao was hugged so tightly she could barely move. She managed to raise her head and gave the dumbstruck Old Madam Deng an apologetic smile.

Old Madam Deng felt a strange stirring in her heart.

This girl had been willful and spoiled since childhood, and had learned the bad habit of currying favor with superiors while trampling on inferiors. She even looked down on her mother. When had she ever displayed such refined and appropriate bearing?

Though her background was ordinary, she had lived to this age after all. Just now, when Third Girl alighted from the carriage and took those quick steps, though her pace was fast, her feet remained hidden, and even her hanging pearl earrings only swayed gently. Such deportment she had only seen in that picky and demanding old sister-in-law from the East Residence. Even that old sister-in-law’s carefully educated granddaughter couldn’t achieve such naturalness, as if propriety had been integrated into her very bones.

Seeing He Shi holding Qiao Zhao and crying loudly in an unseemly manner, Old Madam Deng suppressed these thoughts, darkened her face, and said coldly: “What are you standing at the main gate for? Quickly take Third Girl inside.” She then bowed to Physician Li: “We’ve made a spectacle of the old gentleman. Please, sir, move to our humble abode. This old body has already ordered a simple meal and wine prepared to thank the old gentleman for his life-saving grace toward that troublesome child.”

Physician Li nodded approvingly to himself.

He hadn’t expected Miss Li to have such an unreliable mother, but her grandmother seemed quite dependable.

“No need. I have matters to attend to and cannot stay long.” Physician Li beckoned to Qiao Zhao: “Girl, come here.”

“Mother—” Qiao Zhao reminded gently.

He Shi reluctantly let go, crying with tears streaming down her face.

Qiao Zhao couldn’t bear to watch and took out her handkerchief to hand to her: “Mother, please wipe your face first.”

He Shi took the handkerchief, stared blankly at Qiao Zhao, then suddenly covered her face and wailed: “Ying ying ying—”

Her daughter was giving her a handkerchief to wipe her face! This was terrible—her daughter being so considerate must be because she suffered greatly outside!

The more He Shi thought about it, the more heartbroken she became, clutching the handkerchief and crying even more pitifully.

Qiao Zhao: “…”

She was wrong! She was at fault!

Not daring to stimulate He Shi further, Qiao Zhao hurried toward Physician Li.

Physician Li raised his hand and patted Qiao Zhao’s head, then said to Old Madam Deng, “This old man rescued this girl from human traffickers. Finding her quite agreeable, I’ve already recognized her as my adopted granddaughter. Old Madam doesn’t object, I hope?”

Old Madam Deng was startled and quickly said: “How could I? This is Third Girl’s good fortune.”

This elder had an extraordinary bearing, and even his accompanying servants were unusual, showing he was a person of status. If he could recognize Third Girl as his adopted granddaughter, Third Girl would finally have a way to survive.

Thinking of her just-returned granddaughter, Old Madam Deng felt troubled.

No matter how much she disliked this granddaughter, she still hoped for her family’s descendants to do well.

This was also the first time Qiao Zhao heard Physician Li speak this way. She concealed her surprise in her eyes, feeling warmth in her heart.

She hadn’t expected Physician Li to make such plans for her.

Was it because the old man saw Qiao Zhao’s shadow in young Miss Li Zhao?

Just thinking this, Qiao Zhao, who had long suppressed all emotions in her heart, suddenly felt her eyes grow hot, and tears fell silently.

No matter what, “Qiao Zhao” had not completely disappeared from this world. There would always be some people who remembered she had once lived.

Seeing her tears, Physician Li was somewhat surprised, but quickly covered his astonishment with a smile, raising his hand to pat her lovingly: “Girl, when Grandfather Li finishes this busy period, I’ll come to see you. If anyone bullies you, then tell Grandfather!”

Qiao Zhao regained her composure, curtsied to Physician Li, and said word by word: “Zhaozhao understands.”

Physician Li narrowed his eyes.

Was it his imagination? Miss Li was becoming more and more like Miss Qiao.

“Then that’s settled. Grandfather will go first.” Physician Li nodded farewell to Old Madam Deng.

Old Madam Deng hurried to say: “Old gentleman, if you have business and must leave, this old body dares not detain you. But please leave your name so we may know our benefactor’s identity.”

Physician Li raised his chin proudly: “This old man’s surname is Li, styled Zhenhé. Since your residence’s master is a court official, he should know who this old man is.”

Having left these words, Physician Li turned and strode toward his carriage. The guards who had been waiting anxiously immediately urged the carriage forward, and in the blink of an eye, it disappeared at the entrance to Xingzi Alley.

The carriage traveled west, then suddenly north, making several large circles this way before finally entering quietly through a side gate of a magnificent residence. It proceeded to an elegant, secluded small courtyard before stopping to let Physician Li alight.

Physician Li emerged with a dark expression, looked around on all sides, then stared at the courtyard entrance without moving.

“Sir—”

Physician Li glared fiercely at the guard and angrily demanded, “Where is this?” Without waiting for an answer, he sneered: “Don’t tell me this is some minister’s residence. This old man was calculating—from the side gate to here took a full two quarters of an hour. No minister’s residence could be this large!”

The guards looked at each other, none daring to speak for a moment.

Their master had lured the old physician here under the name of a minister’s residence, and now there was no hiding it.

“The divine physician indeed has keen eyes! This prince failed to welcome you from afar. Please forgive me, divine physician.” A man of about thirty walked out from the small courtyard and bowed to Physician Li.

The four-clawed coiled dragon pattern on the man’s sleeves made Physician Li find it particularly glaring. He twitched his eyebrows: “Prince Rui?”

He hadn’t dealt with these imperial relatives and nobles for a long time, but still had an impression of the current Son of Heaven’s two surviving sons.

The Fifth Imperial Son was enfeoffed as Prince Rui, and the Sixth Imperial Son as Prince Mu. The two princes were similar in age, but Prince Rui was weak in constitution and much thinner than Prince Mu.

“I wonder what matter Your Highness has summoned this old man for?”

Physician Li had an ominous premonition. One truly couldn’t be greedy—he had trapped himself for the sake of one spiritual herb.

He should have known a small minister’s residence couldn’t obtain such a rare spiritual herb. Unfortunately, he was in urgent need, so he took the bait.

Prince Rui had long heard of Physician Li’s eccentric temperament. Even with his princely status, he dared not put on airs and hurried to say: “This prince’s body is unwell and wishes to have the divine physician provide treatment. Please follow this prince inside to discuss further.”

The two entered the house in the small courtyard, leaving only Prince Rui’s trusted confidants. Under Physician Li’s impatient gaze, Prince Rui stammered: “Over the years, this prince has only had two sons who died in succession. I wish to have the divine physician examine whether there’s anything wrong with this prince’s body…”