Upon hearing this, Binglu couldn’t help but spit: “Bah! The Earl of Changchun’s worthless son goes to brothels to fool around, then gets beaten up and crippled—what does that have to do with our miss? Why are they splashing all this dirty water on our miss?”

Qiao Zhao shook her head, signaling Binglu not to say more. After pondering for a moment, she lifted the carriage curtain and asked Chen Guang, “Chen Guang, when we left this morning, you said there were idle men following us?”

In this world, there might be many coincidences, but she believed that more often than not, there were inevitable connections hidden beneath those coincidences.

Having idle men inexplicably tail them early in the morning was already suspicious, and now this absurd incident had occurred.

Chen Guang gripped the whip and turned back: “Yes, the little bastard didn’t even think about what I do for a living, yet dared to follow—”

Binglu glared at him: “Who are you calling ‘lord’ in front of?”

Chen Guang grinned sheepishly.

He’d gotten carried away—in the military camp, he had quite a few people under him, so what was wrong with calling himself ‘lord’? Unlike now, when he could only claim lordship in front of this horse pulling the carriage.

Oh my, General, please hurry up and marry your wife!

“Did you shake off that person later?” Ignoring the bickering between the maid and coachman, Qiao Zhao asked again.

Chen Guang immediately perked up upon hearing this: “Ah, yes, I shook him off. I led that bastard into a ditch.”

“Hmm?”

Under the sunlight, Chen Guang smiled, showing his white teeth: “I dumped him at the entrance of Bichun Tower. If that bastard wanted to go in, he’d probably get beaten out by Bichun Tower’s pimps.”

“Miss—” Upon hearing the three words “Bichun Tower,” A’Zhu’s expression became grave as she looked at Qiao Zhao.

“Bichun Tower.” Qiao Zhao murmured the name.

Indeed, everything was connected after all.

Although she still wasn’t clear why the Earl of Changchun’s youngest son would be implicated with her, it must be related to the idle man who had followed her this morning.

For Miss Qiao, not knowing the details for now didn’t matter—grasping the key point was enough.

Her expression remained unchanged as she calmly asked Chen Guang: “That idle man—could you recognize him again?”

Chen Guang was startled, then nodded: “Yes, I could.”

Remembering people’s physical characteristics was the most basic ability they needed to possess.

“Where did you first discover that idle man?”

“It seemed to be near the teahouse, not far from the West Residence.”

“After you take us back to the residence, go look for that idle man.” Qiao Zhao thought for a moment and instructed: “Check the nearby taverns.”

“Alright.” Chen Guang agreed readily.

Even if she hadn’t said anything, he would have tracked down that idle man after Third Miss encountered such trouble.

Their exchange was simple, but Binglu couldn’t help herself and tugged at Qiao Zhao’s sleeve to ask: “Miss, why look for him at nearby taverns?”

Qiao Zhao smiled: “That idle man must have received someone’s silver to follow us. Think about it—if an idle vagrant who can barely fill his stomach suddenly got an unexpected windfall, what would he do?”

“Eat and drink his fill!” Binglu’s eyes lit up as she gazed at her miss with admiration.

Her miss truly combined beauty and wisdom in one person.

Qiao Zhao nodded. Despite facing what was a mess ahead, her expression showed no trace of anxiety: “Chen Guang is quick-witted and perceptive, discovering the tail early on, which shows the teahouse area is this idle man’s usual range of activity. If he’s going to eat, he’ll choose familiar places nearby.”

Chen Guang: Hehe, the miss praised him for being quick-witted and perceptive. He knew Third Miss had good judgment.

Qiao Zhao paused, then continued: “If you can’t find him at taverns, then after dark, go search the nearby low-class brothels—”

Chen Guang nearly fell off the carriage.

“What?”

“Brothels.” Miss Qiao’s expression remained blank. “You’ve never been to one?”

Chen Guang: “…” Of course, he’d never been! Was it appropriate for the Third Miss to speak so casually and matter-of-factly about this?

“Right, you just returned from the Northern Territories and aren’t familiar with the area, so—”

Chen Guang quickly interrupted Qiao Zhao: “Third Miss, rest assured, I will find that idle man for you!”

Qiao Zhao quite trusted Chen Guang in this regard, so she said no more. The carriage soon returned to the West Residence.

“Zhaozhao, you’re back!” He Shi had been waiting outside the whole time. As soon as she saw Qiao Zhao approaching, she hurried over to grasp her hand and asked quietly: “The Earl of Changchun’s youngest son was injured at Bichun Tower. This matter has nothing to do with you, right?”

Qiao Zhao shook her head.

He Shi breathed a huge sigh of relief: “Good, as long as it’s unrelated. If it were related, you should leave right now while you still can—Mother will cover for you!”

“Mother—” Qiao Zhao gently squeezed He Shi’s hand.

This feeling of having someone protect you from behind, regardless of right or wrong, was something she had never experienced before, and she found it rather nice.

“Third Miss has arrived,” called out the maid waiting at the door, lifting the door curtain.

As soon as the Earl of Changchun’s wife saw Qiao Zhao enter, she rushed forward.

He Shi raised the scissors in her hand: “Don’t move! If you move, I’ll move too!”

It was still before noon, and the bright sunlight streaming into the room made the scissors’ reflection dazzlingly threatening.

The Earl of Changchun’s wife quickly stopped, saying hatefully: “What, are you going to shield your daughter?”

He Shi rolled her eyes: “What kind of talk is that? I asked my daughter, and she has nothing to do with your family’s affairs. How is that shielding?”

“Just because she says it’s unrelated means it’s unrelated?”

He Shi scoffed: “Of course! Should I not trust my daughter and trust your son, who spends his days in wine and women instead? You believe your son’s words, too, don’t you!”

“You!” The Earl of Changchun’s wife was so choked with anger that her eyes rolled back.

The Earl of Changchun was more composed than his wife. He solemnly addressed Old Madam Deng: “Old Madam, with the physician as witness, you can see we’re not here to make false accusations. Regarding today’s matter, we hope you’ll explain. If not, we’ll see each other in court.”

“My lord, please remain calm.” Old Madam Deng looked at Qiao Zhao. “Third Girl, where did you go today?”

“I went to Chunfeng Tavern to meet a friend. I’ve never seen the Earl of Changchun’s young master, much less have any connection to today’s incident.”

Hearing Qiao Zhao say this, Old Madam Deng’s heart, which had been suspended in anxiety, finally relaxed.

“My lord and madam have both heard—my granddaughter never lies. She went to Chunfeng Tavern, not Bichun Tower.”

The Earl of Changchun’s gaze was like a hawk’s, staring directly at Qiao Zhao as he sneered: “If Third Miss didn’t go to Bichun Tower, why did my son mention the words ‘Third Miss of the Li residence in Xingzi Alley’ when he was conscious? Since your residence intends to shield her to the end, we’ll take our leave!”

The Earl of Changchun turned to leave, causing Old Madam Deng and the others to panic.

Today’s matter had truly pushed the Li residence into a desperate situation.

The Earl of Changchun’s residence was biting down on Third Girl and wouldn’t let go, and with the physician as witness, once this matter reached the courthouse, it would immediately spread like wildfire. Even if it was eventually clarified that Third Girl wasn’t the one who injured the person, the fact that the victim had specifically mentioned Third Girl when conscious would be enough to make her suffer greatly.

They absolutely could not go to court.

“My lord, please wait—” Old Madam Deng broke out in a cold sweat from anxiety.

The Earl of Changchun paid no attention and walked straight toward the door.

“I was the one who injured him.” A voice rang out.