Upon hearing these words, Qiao Mo’s expression showed no change, only his eyes suddenly deepened.

This subtle change would escape others’ notice, but Qiao Zhao caught it.

Elder Brother’s heart must surely be in tumult right now, wasn’t it?

How could he not be shocked? With Grandpa Li’s medical skills, poison couldn’t remain in Big Brother’s body, so both she and Big Brother could deduce that this poison had been administered again after Grandpa Li left.

It could even be said that the Lingxiang poison in Big Brother’s body was administered within their maternal grandfather’s household.

And this almost certain deduction made her afraid to think deeper.

In this instant, the siblings seemed to share an unspoken understanding, their gazes meeting in the air.

Qiao Zhao saw a trace of bewilderment in Qiao Mo’s eyes, which was quickly replaced by depth.

But Qiao Zhao could not remain silent.

The person before her was her elder brother, the person closest to her in this world. Despite all manner of concerns, knowing someone was secretly harming her brother, she could no longer proceed cautiously.

“Young Master Qiao, you should move out.”

Qiao Mo was startled.

Though the girl before him made him instinctively feel close, such words were still too presumptuous for their shallow acquaintance.

Yet the young lady’s dark, deep eyes looked at him this way, making it impossible for him to avoid the question.

Qiao Mo said, “There’s no suitable place to stay, so I can only temporarily reside at the Minister’s residence.”

Qiao Zhao’s heart stirred.

What did he mean by no suitable place to stay? They had a residence in the capital.

Wait, was there a deeper meaning in Big Brother saying this?

That fire at home – was it truly not as simple as she had vaguely sensed?

Bringing up the fire now was inappropriate, but the poison in Big Brother’s body could not be ignored.

“Wait a moment.” Qiao Zhao suddenly said this and walked toward Qiao Wan.

Seeing the female rogue approaching, Qiao Wan’s eyes showed wariness, her small face scrunching up like a bun.

Qiao Zhao half-crouched to meet Qiao Wan’s gaze at eye level: “Miss Qiao is truly beautiful.”

Ah? Qiao Wan hadn’t expected Qiao Zhao to say this, her face suddenly reddening.

This female rogue wasn’t so detestable after all.

However, she wasn’t someone who loved hearing pretty words, and wouldn’t forgive someone who randomly touched her brother just because of this.

Even after Qiao Zhao turned and returned to Qiao Mo, the blush hadn’t faded from the little girl’s face.

Kou Qinglan: “…” Was Third Miss Li here to treat Cousin Brother’s face?

Qiao Zhao stopped before Qiao Mo, tilting her head up slightly, her voice very soft: “Your sister hasn’t been poisoned.”

Qiao Mo’s expression visibly relaxed as he smiled, “That’s good.”

Despite half his face being ruined, the man before her stood tall and elegant, his brows and eyes clear and serene, as if disfigurement was merely an insignificant trouble to him, not weighing on his mind at all.

Qiao Zhao stared at Qiao Mo in a daze, inexplicably feeling somewhat wronged.

“Miss Li—”

Qiao Zhao came to her senses, suppressing the grievance in her heart, saying softly: “Young Master Qiao is truly good to his sister.”

Qiao Mo smiled, “My sister is the person closest to me in this world.”

That’s not true! Miss Qiao quietly protested in her heart.

She was the person closest to Elder Brother – Wanwan could only rank second!

After feeling wronged for a moment, Qiao Zhao smiled self-mockingly in her heart and continued with business: “Your sister doesn’t live with Young Master Qiao, does she?”

“Correct, my maternal aunt arranged a separate courtyard for my sister.”

“Even so, your sister would still often dine with Young Master Qiao, wouldn’t she?”

“Mm.” Qiao Mo nodded, suddenly understanding, “Miss Li means the Lingxiang poison was put in the food?”

Qiao Zhao glanced at Kou Qinglan and walked several more steps away.

Qiao Mo followed upon seeing this.

Kou Qinglan couldn’t help biting her lip.

Just examining a face – why was there so much to discuss? Cousin Brother and Elder Sister had never exchanged so many words!

Qiao Zhao stood beside the green bamboo, keeping her voice very low: “Calculating from when Physician Li detoxified Young Master Qiao, if Young Master Qiao unknowingly ingests Lingxiang poison daily, then analyzing the days elapsed against your poisoning severity, it couldn’t possibly be in drinking water – that would accumulate toxins too quickly, and wouldn’t produce the current pulse patterns and symptoms. In that case, putting poison in food would be the best choice.”

After finishing, Qiao Zhao pressed her lips together.

Qiao Mo listened somewhat entranced, not only because of the alarming content the young lady spoke of, but because the way she analyzed matters methodically always made him think of someone.

Qiao Zhao continued analyzing: “But your sister hasn’t been poisoned, so I can further deduce that this poison is most likely administered in breakfast.”

Wanwan and Big Brother didn’t live in the same place. Even if they often dined together, they were unlikely to share breakfast.

Qiao Mo’s heart shook.

Just from discovering his poisoning, she could deduce to such an extent – Miss Li’s impression grew increasingly similar to his eldest sister’s.

“May I presumptuously ask why Miss Li appeared here today?”

Even if the girl before him was still young, there was no need to speak in circles with intelligent people.

Qiao Zhao smiled slightly: “Because Miss Kou asked me to treat Young Master Qiao’s face.”

During Elder Brother’s most difficult time, Cousin Zimo’s unchanged devotion was a precious affection.

Only—

Qiao Zhao’s thoughts turned to Qiao Mo’s poison, her heart clouded with gloom.

Who was the mastermind behind Big Brother’s poisoning was hard to say.

It could be outside forces who had bribed servants in the Minister’s residence, or it could be—

Qiao Zhao was unwilling to think deeper, yet reason forced her to face this reality.

If it were the latter, the truth might be even more cruel.

Qiao Mo seemed to sense Qiao Zhao’s mockery but didn’t mind, smiling faintly: “But Miss Li should know that the burns on my face are severe – even Physician Li had to leave the capital to gather herbs.”

The implication being: knowing you couldn’t cure it, why did you still come? The reason of being entrusted by Kou Zimo to treat his face wouldn’t hold up.

Qiao Zhao blinked.

Big Brother was indeed still so skilled at finding loopholes in details.

“Because I wanted to meet Young Master Qiao, so I came.”

Qiao Mo was startled.

His eldest sister was also like this – once she decided to do something, regardless of worldly opinions, she would do it openly and honestly.

“Grandpa Li said I’m very similar to another goddaughter of his, so I wanted to see what that Miss Qiao’s elder brother was like.”

Qiao Mo fell silent for a moment, suddenly overwhelmed with sadness.

He had once thought that Physician Li’s newly recognized goddaughter might become friends with Wanwan, but upon meeting her in person, he discovered Miss Li would more likely become kindred spirits with his eldest sister.

They were such similar people – so similar that he couldn’t help searching for his eldest sister’s shadow in her.

Seeing Qiao Mo frown in silence, Qiao Zhao asked earnestly: “May I call you Big Brother Qiao?”

Having asked this question, her heart couldn’t help beating rapidly.

Clearly, with Grandpa Li’s connection, calling Elder Brother “Big Brother” using Li Zhao’s identity would be perfectly normal, yet she was so nervous her palms sweated.

Miss Qiao thought silently: If Elder Brother refused, she would very likely cry.