Kou Qinglan pulled Qiao Zhao through the bamboo grove. When they were almost at the pavilion, she suddenly stopped, released Qiao Zhao’s hand, tidied her hair and clothes, then walked forward leisurely, not forgetting to add: “Third Miss Li, let’s go.”

Qiao Zhao found it amusing, but the matter of her elder brother’s poisoning was like a huge boulder pressing on her heart, making it impossible for her to laugh. She could only follow silently.

“You’ve finally returned! Third Sister Li, come play chess with us.” Su Luo Yi’s eyes lit up the moment she saw Qiao Zhao.

Zhu Yán glared at her and tapped the stone table with her round fan: “We haven’t finished our game yet.”

Since the two were used to joking around, Su Luo Yi spoke casually: “The outcome is already decided anyway. Quickly give up your seat.”

Zhu Yán became annoyed upon hearing this and asked Qiao Zhao: “Third Miss Li, do you think the outcome of this game is already decided?”

Qiao Zhao smiled: “Who wins or loses still depends on how it’s played.”

Kou Zimo instructed a maid to bring an iced bowl for Qiao Zhao and laughed: “You two, stop making a fuss. Let Third Miss Li eat her iced bowl first.”

The group played chess and chatted, quickly passing the time until near noon. Kou Zimo invited them to stay for lunch, but Xu Jinghong politely declined: “Looking at the sky, it might rain. We should return early. Besides, I have other matters to attend to.”

Upon hearing this, Su Luo Yi and Zhu Yán also chimed in agreement.

After Kou Zimo repeatedly tried to persuade them to stay, she escorted the group toward the entrance.

Zhu Yán and Su Luo Yi each boarded their carriages. Xu Jinghong lagged behind a step and glanced back.

Kou Qinglan was pulling Third Miss Li aside, saying farewell words.

Xu Jinghong withdrew her gaze and boarded her carriage expressionlessly, thinking to herself: Today’s little gathering was organized by the Kou sisters for Third Miss Li. The rest of them were merely accompanying guests. Regardless of what purpose the Kou sisters had, having them present would only hinder matters and make them unwelcome.

She, Xu Jinghong, wasn’t so tactless.

Seeing Xu Jinghong and the other two all board their carriages, Kou Qinglan immediately dropped her smiling facade, acting as if she wasn’t familiar with Qiao Zhao at all, and retreated to Kou Zimo’s side.

“Third Miss Li, how did it go?” Kou Zimo knew her mother always kept a close watch, so at this busy entrance where people came and went, she didn’t dare mention Qiao Mo much. Taking advantage of the opportunity to see Qiao Zhao in her carriage, she lowered her voice to ask.

Qiao Zhao kept it brief: “The fire poison needs to be extracted first before medicine can be effective. I’ve already performed acupuncture on him once. He’ll need another treatment in three days.”

“Another acupuncture treatment?”

“Yes, the fire poison needs to be extracted bit by bit to minimize harm to the body.”

Hearing it was to reduce bodily harm, Kou Zimo immediately stopped hesitating and whispered: “Then I’ll invite Third Miss Li again in three days.”

Qiao Zhao nodded gently and lowered her head to board the carriage.

Kou Zimo stood in place, watching the carriage slowly depart.

Kou Qinglan walked over and muttered, “Elder Sister, do you believe Third Miss Li knows medicine? Aren’t you afraid she has ulterior motives?”

Kou Zimo lowered her eyes and sighed softly: “What could she possibly scheme for?”

“To scheme for Cousin!” Kou Qinglan blurted out.

Kou Zimo’s face turned red with embarrassment, glaring reproachfully at her sister: “Don’t talk nonsense!”

“Elder Sister, don’t disbelieve me. I saw it with my own eyes – the moment she saw Cousin, she rushed over and grabbed his hand, refusing to let go no matter how much we tried to pull her away. If you don’t believe me, ask Wanwan – children never lie.”

“Third Miss Li was probably taking Cousin’s pulse.”

Kou Qinglan stamped her foot: “Elder Sister, did Third Miss Li give you some kind of love potion? How did she bewitch you all one by one? Do you know what she told me? She said I would have my monthly period tonight. She can say such ridiculous things – she’s unreliable.”

“Third Miss Li said that, too?”

“Yes.” Kou Qinglan pursed her lips. “I was only somewhat suspicious before, but after hearing those words, I immediately understood she was bragging.”

“Second Sister, don’t be hasty in making decisions. Whether she’s bragging or not, we’ll know tonight.”

“Elder Sister, you really won’t shed tears until you see the coffin.”

Kou Zimo turned to walk back, sighing softly: “No, I just feel that Cousin’s condition couldn’t get much worse. Even if Third Miss Li has some ulterior motive, as long as she can improve Cousin’s facial burns even slightly, I’ll accept it.”

“But what if what she’s scheming for is Cousin himself?”

Kou Zimo’s body trembled, then she revealed a faint smile: “Then I won’t regret it either.”

Qiao Zhao returned to the West Residence and called for Chen Guang.

“Miss, you wanted to see me?”

Qiao Zhao nodded, pondered for a moment, then asked: “Chen Guang, did you always stay by General Shao’s side before?”

Chen Guang immediately perked up.

Oh! Third Miss was actually inquiring about the General’s situation – did this mean Third Miss was finally taking an interest in their General?

“Yes.”

“Then… I want to ask you about some things.”

The little coachman became exceptionally excited upon hearing this and immediately patted his chest: “Whatever Third Miss wants to know about our General, just ask! I know everything, and even if I don’t know something, I guarantee I’ll find out!”

The usually composed Miss Qiao’s expression instantly contorted.

When had she ever wanted to ask about Shao Mingyuan? And what on earth was this “guarantee I’ll find out” nonsense?

“Third Miss?” Noticing Qiao Zhao’s expression seemed off, Chen Guang blinked in confusion.

Qiao Zhao said with a stern face: “You’ve misunderstood. I want to ask about your affairs.”

Chen Guang was startled.

Asking about his affairs? Could it be that Third Miss hadn’t taken a fancy to their General but to him instead?

This wouldn’t work – they could never have a future together!

Qiao Zhao raised her eyebrows.

She always felt her coachman’s expressions were too rich – who knew what nonsense he was thinking?

Qiao Zhao decided to speak directly: “Are you skilled at interrogation?”

“Ah?” Chen Guang was stunned. Seeing Qiao Zhao’s serious expression, he reluctantly nodded: “Passable.”

While this wasn’t his specialty, as the General’s guard, he had trained in everything.

“What about assassination?”

The little coachman listened in bewilderment: “Passable.”

“What about evading pursuit?”

“Pass-passable.” The little coachman was almost in tears.

Third Miss, whatever you want to do, just say it directly! If this continues, his little heart won’t be able to take it!

“Oh, I understand. That’s all then, you may go.”

What? After asking all that, it just ends like this?

The little coachman kept looking back with every step, but seeing Qiao Zhao did not react, he nearly cried for real.

Wasn’t this just playing with his emotions, making him worry for nothing?

After Chen Guang left, Qiao Zhao returned to her room and reclined on the beauty couch, recalling every detail from today at Minister Kou’s residence, and sighed.

She figured that after Cousin Qinglan had her period tonight, both cousins would acknowledge her medical skills. In that case, even if Cousin Qinglan was dissatisfied with her words and actions today, the matter of treating Elder Brother with acupuncture shouldn’t face any complications.

Night soon fell.

At Minister Kou’s residence, Kou Qinglan bathed and changed clothes, then went refreshed to Kou Zimo’s boudoir.

“Elder Sister, I told you Third Miss Li was talking nonsense—” She had just begun speaking when Kou Qinglan suddenly felt a cramping pain in her lower abdomen.