Shao Mingyuan silently moved back.

“Anyway, don’t misunderstand. That girl is so young—I’m not blind!”

Shao Mingyuan studied Chi Can’s expression, saw his righteous and stern appearance, and nodded: “Alright, it seems I was overthinking.”

“You always love to overthink things. Come on, that girl promised to make char siu venison for me earlier. There’s no day like today, and the tavern can provide ready-made ingredients. Let’s try her cooking skills today.”

The two walked back side by side. The area in front of the grape arbor was completely empty without a soul in sight.

“Where is everyone?” Chi Can looked around.

Shao Mingyuan beckoned to the personal guard at the back door.

The guard hurried over: “What are the General’s orders?”

“Where is the young lady who was drinking tea here just now?”

“That young lady left with her maid and Chen Guang together.”

“Very well, you may go.” Shao Mingyuan waved his hand and turned to Chi Can: “They’ve already left.”

“I know that! You don’t need to repeat it!” Chi Can said through gritted teeth with a dark expression.

“Uh, about that char siu venison—”

“You’re still bringing that up?”

Shao Mingyuan: “…” This was typical embarrassed anger, wasn’t it?

“I’m leaving!” Chi Can’s face was extremely sour as he stormed off in great annoyance.

She just left like that—that girl’s conscience must have been eaten by dogs!

Watching his friend leave with a dark expression, Shao Mingyuan returned to sit under the grape arbor, picked up the teacup Chi Can had used, and looked at it for a long while before putting it back down and leaving Chunfeng Tavern.

Before evening came, Qiao Zhao received a message from Chen Guang.

The West Residence was small, with only one pavilion not far from Li Hui’s study. Qiao Zhao met Chen Guang there.

“Is there news?”

The setting sun was gentle, adding even more radiance to Chen Guang’s handsome face. He smiled brilliantly: “That comrade of mine is an interrogation expert. With him taking action, even enemy spies would be caught easily, let alone just a weak-kneed servant.”

“So the servant has already confessed about the person behind this?”

“He confessed. It’s the Grand Madam of the Minister’s residence—Young Master Qiao’s eldest aunt. Tsk tsk, truly the most venomous woman’s heart. Young Master Qiao is already so pitiful, seeking refuge with his maternal family, yet his aunt can’t tolerate him and even wants to poison him.” Noticing Qiao Zhao’s pale complexion, Chen Guang suddenly stopped and hesitated before carefully asking: “Third Miss, what’s wrong with you?”

“I’m fine.” Qiao Zhao smiled.

Chen Guang said bluntly, “You say you’re fine, but that smile looks worse than crying. Ah, don’t cry… are you crying?”

Discovering that Qiao Zhao’s eyes had reddened, Chen Guang became completely flustered, taking out his handkerchief to offer it, then realizing this wasn’t appropriate, and anxiously pacing in circles.

Outside the pavilion, the terrain was open, so there was no need to worry about anyone overhearing their conversation. However, more than ten zhang away from the pavilion was a flower trellis that could shield one from view.

Behind the flower trellis, Li Jiǎo’s gaze was firmly fixed on Qiao Zhao and Chen Guang, her eyes flickering.

Looking at Li San and that coachman’s expressions, it didn’t seem like an ordinary master-servant conversation.

Li Jiǎo’s gaze lingered on Chen Guang’s handsome face for a moment, and a sudden suspicion arose in her heart: Could it be that Li San and the coachman—

This sudden thought made Li Jiǎo’s heart skip a beat.

If Li San had an affair with the coachman, she would truly be ruined!

Imagining the scene of being caught in the act by the elders, Li Jiǎo took a deep breath, feeling as if days of depression had been completely released.

She took one last look at the pavilion, then headed straight for Li Hui’s study.

Li Hui had just returned from the Imperial Academy not long ago and was reading in his study when he heard knocking.

“Who is it?”

“Third Brother, it’s me.”

Li Hui went to open the door: “How come Elder Sister is here at this time?”

Li Jiǎo’s gaze swept over the book scroll in Li Hui’s hand and smiled: “Why aren’t you resting after returning from the Imperial Academy? Still reading?”

Li Hui smiled: “It’s always good to work harder. The teacher said I could try taking the examination next year.”

His younger brother was so hardworking—naturally, Li Jiǎo was happy, smiling broadly: “With Third Brother being so diligent, you’ll pass the student examination next year.”

If her brother passed the student examination at just sixteen next year, that would bring glory to the family, and she, his full sister, would also have honor.

Li Hui smiled shyly: “Passing the student examination isn’t that easy. Teacher says for some students, the children’s examination is even more difficult than the provincial and metropolitan examinations. But don’t worry, Elder Sister, I’ll do my best. Only by quickly advancing through the imperial examinations and entering officialdom can I protect you all in the future.”

“You all?” Li Jiǎo didn’t react at first.

“Yes, you and Third Sister. Grandmother said Third Sister was kidnapped and sold before, so her marriage prospects will be very difficult in the future. She might have to remain at home forever. If I, as her brother, am more accomplished, she won’t suffer too much…”

Li Jiǎo remained composed on the surface but was furious inside.

What had possessed Third Brother to mention Li San in the same breath as her?

Grandmother, grandmother—everything was “Grandmother says.” Who knew what kind of spell Grandmother had cast on Third Brother!

“Elder Sister?”

Li Jiǎo instantly came back to her senses and smiled: “Regardless, studying should balance work and rest. If you exhaust yourself, others might not feel sorry, but Elder Sister certainly would. Come on, let’s go outside for a stroll. The sun is almost setting now, so it won’t be so hot.”

“Alright.” Li Hui put down his book scroll, and the siblings went out together.

In the pavilion, Qiao Zhao had already adjusted her emotions, her face returning to its calm appearance, and asked Chen Guang: “Did that servant confess the reason?”

Eldest Aunt—No, why did Lady Mao want to harm Big Brother so viciously?

Could it be because of Cousin Zimo?

Did Eldest Aunt know that Cousin Zimo secretly harbored feelings for Big Brother, and to prevent future problems, she poisoned Big Brother?

But this didn’t quite make sense.

Big Brother’s face was disfigured. Even if Cousin Zimo wanted to marry Big Brother, it could only be her one-sided wishful thinking. Neither the maternal family nor Big Brother himself would consider such a thing.

It was normal for Eldest Aunt to dislike Big Brother because of Cousin Zimo’s feelings, but why would she do such a heinous thing?

Qiao Zhao vaguely felt there was something she couldn’t understand.

“Third Miss, regarding this matter, I need to report to the General.”

Qiao Zhao glanced at him: “As if you’d listen if I said not to report it.”

“Heh heh heh.” Chen Guang awkwardly scratched his head, grinning to show his white teeth.

“Fine, go ahead.”

Chen Guang stood there without moving.

“Hmm?”

“Does Third Miss have any message for me to convey to the General?”

“No.” Qiao Zhao immediately denied it.

They weren’t even close—what did she have to say?

“Then I’m leaving.” Chen Guang’s face fell.

Did Third Miss have no message for the General? He wouldn’t mind being a messenger at all.

By the flower trellis, Li Jiǎo and Li Hui stood side by side, watching the young and handsome coachman leave the pavilion with frequent backward glances.

“That person seems to be Third Sister’s coachman, doesn’t he?” Li Jiǎo said with a hesitant tone.