“I heard that General Shao took Big Brother Qiao to his residence yesterday?”

There was a reason why Qiao Zhao kept calling him “Big Brother Qiao.”

Given her current identity, it would undoubtedly be more appropriate to call her elder brother “Young Master Qiao” in front of Shao Mingyuan, but doing so would invisibly create distance between her and her brother.

By frequently calling him “Big Brother Qiao” in front of Shao Mingyuan, over time it would make him subconsciously feel that she was very close to her brother. This way, if her brother had any troubles in the future, or if she wanted to see her brother, it would seem natural.

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Regarding Big Brother Qiao’s maternal aunt, what does General Shao plan to do?”

Regarding anyone who dared to harm her brother, no matter who they were, she had no intention of letting them off easily.

However, this person before her was too capable. Before she could even act, he had already taken the first step to bring her brother out of the Minister’s residence. While this ensured her brother’s future safety, if he had any plans regarding Lady Mao that she didn’t know about, she would be at a disadvantage.

“I want to wait until my brother-in-law’s health improves a bit, then ask for his opinion.”

The Minister Kou’s residence and Qiao Mo had bones broken but tendons still connected—they were inseparably related. As for how to deal with Lady Mao, naturally Shao Mingyuan would primarily follow Qiao Mo’s opinion.

If his brother-in-law didn’t want to make a big fuss out of consideration for his maternal relatives, all he could do was ensure his brother-in-law’s future safety and respect his brother-in-law’s wishes.

“I heard from Chen Guang that the person who interrogated the servant was an interrogation expert under General Shao’s command. I wonder if they managed to get out of the servant, whether Big Brother Qiao’s maternal aunt was acting under someone’s orders?”

“I asked about that. That servant has already confessed everything he could. As for whether he was acting under orders, the servant probably doesn’t know.”

Qiao Zhao pressed her lips together, looked up to meet Shao Mingyuan’s gaze, and asked him seriously, “Then with Big Brother Qiao living at General Shao’s residence from now on, can General Shao guarantee his safety?”

Shao Mingyuan looked deeply at Qiao Zhao, always feeling that this young lady’s concern for his brother-in-law had far exceeded the reasons she had previously given. However, the young lady’s open and clear gaze prevented him from thinking in other directions.

“It’s my duty and responsibility,” Shao Mingyuan answered her this way.

Hearing this answer, Qiao Zhao smiled sweetly.

Since that was the case, she would take bold action and deal with Lady Mao first.

As for whether her brother would give up pursuing Lady Mao out of consideration for other relatives in his maternal family, cough cough, that wouldn’t be her concern.

“I haven’t yet congratulated General Shao on moving into your new residence.”

Shao Mingyuan’s facial expression was very calm, as if he had no emotional fluctuations whatsoever about moving house. “I’ve just cleaned it up, but haven’t officially moved yet.”

He hadn’t officially moved, but he had already begun residing regularly at the Marquis Guanjun’s residence.

At night, even though the vast Marquis Guanjun’s residence was cold and empty, lacking any human warmth, he felt more at ease than when living in the Marquis Jing’an’s residence, where he had lived for many years.

“I’d like to go see Big Brother Qiao. Would that be convenient for General Shao?”

Shao Mingyuan smiled. “Of course it’s convenient. In the future, whenever Miss Li wants to see my brother-in-law, you can come over anytime.”

“Thank you, General Shao.”

“Would Miss Li like to go now?”

“Good.” Qiao Zhao nodded, seemingly thinking of something, and asked casually, “General Shao, everyone outside is saying that the reason you brought Big Brother Qiao out was because you dreamed of…”

She felt it was somewhat strange to say “your wife” in front of Shao Mingyuan.

However, Shao Mingyuan calmly continued, “Dreamed of my wife.”

“Uh, did you dream of her giving you a prophetic dream?”

Shao Mingyuan looked at Qiao Zhao with surprise.

Miss Li didn’t seem like someone who would be enthusiastic about such gossip.

Moreover, even if someone were gossip-minded, very few people would dare to ask him directly.

At this moment, Shao Mingyuan didn’t feel angry, but more confused.

Were all girls this complex? He thought he had seen through a girl’s temperament, but this girl still had many unknown sides.

Hmm, this was completely different from his comrades-in-arms who fought alongside him. The young general sighed inwardly.

The young lady before him was still looking at him with wide, bright eyes, her long eyelashes fluttering, quite different from her usual calm and tranquil appearance.

Shao Mingyuan smiled. “Of course it’s true.”

“This kind of thing sounds rather incredible,” Qiao Zhao murmured.

“Prophetic dreams from relatives are not uncommon.”

“Relatives?” Miss Qiao caught the key point.

Shao Mingyuan’s face felt somewhat hot, but he didn’t let the young lady before him notice at all. “A wife naturally counts as a relative too.”

He and Lady Qiao had only met once. Although they were husband and wife, they had been separated by death before they could develop feelings. His feelings toward her were more guilt than anything else. Having the words “beloved wife” constantly on his lips would be hypocritical and affected.

Miss Qiao’s face darkened somewhat.

Who was his relative? How absurd!

“Did your late wife ask you to take care of Big Brother Qiao?”

Shao Mingyuan was stunned.

Why was she continuing to ask? Miss Li was being somewhat strange today.

Even so, he still answered, “Yes, my late wife told me that she was worried about her brother living at his maternal family’s home, and hoped I could bring him to live with me and take care of him, so that she could rest in peace…”

The meaningful look in the young lady’s eyes across from him made Shao Mingyuan pause mid-sentence and ask, “What’s wrong, Miss Li?”

Qiao Zhao: “Heh heh.”

Looking at this fellow’s serious expression as he made up lies, she hadn’t expected it—so this was what Shao Mingyuan was like!

“Nothing. Please have General Shao take me to see Big Brother Qiao. I heard he’s been unconscious the whole time, and I’m somewhat worried.”

“Mm.”

The two got up and walked toward the back door. Chen Guang, who had been waiting at the door, came forward to meet them.

Shao Mingyuan nodded to him. “Escort Miss Li to the Marquis Guanjun’s residence.”

“Right away—” Chen Guang suddenly stopped, his voice rising. “Go where?”

“The Marquis Guanjun’s residence.” Shao Mingyuan frowned.

How had this rascal become less sharp-witted after working as a coachman for a while?

“Oh ho ho ho, this subordinate will go prepare the carriage right away!” Chen Guang jumped up.

Heavens, he had been worrying about the General all this time, finding the General too slow to act, but it turned out he was worrying for nothing.

Hmph, disguising yourself as a man and sneaking into Third Miss’s house—what kind of ability was that? Being able to get Third Miss to voluntarily come to your own house—now that was real capability!

His General was truly capable.

Chen Guang hummed a little tune all the way while driving the carriage. Inside the carriage, Binglu’s face was dark. “Miss, don’t stop me. I’m going to sew Chen Guang’s mouth shut!”

The road from Chunfeng Tavern to the Marquis Guanjun’s residence was flat and wide. Qiao Zhao sat steadily in the carriage, thinking that seeing her brother in the future would no longer require scheming and plotting, and her mood couldn’t help but become much lighter.

At this moment, however, Li Jiǎo’s heart was stretched taut to the extreme.

She had mistakenly entered a brothel and killed the young master of the Earl of Changchun’s residence. Now, the most important thing was to get back before Chun Fang returned to the residence, and stop Chun Fang from seeking help from the family.

That way, whether it was people outside or people in the family, no one would know what had actually happened.

At this moment, Li Jiǎo suddenly didn’t regret killing someone.