The crowd of onlookers instantly fell silent, all looking at the Earl of Changchun’s wife in unison, then turning to look at Qiao Zhao.

The wastrel son of the Earl of Changchun’s residence had awakened?

Just moments ago, the Earl of Changchun’s wife had said he couldn’t wake up.

The Earl of Changchun’s wife’s eyes filled with wild joy: “My lord, Shu’er has awakened! Shu’er has awakened!”

The Earl of Changchun was equally excited. After calming down slightly, he suddenly looked at Qiao Zhao, his tone hesitant: “Just now, Miss Li Third said my son would wake up—”

Was this a coincidence?

But how could there be such a coincidence in this world?

Hiss—Could Miss Li Third have the ability to predict the future?

No, no, no, that would be too absurd.

At this moment, countless onlookers were thinking the same thing.

Most of them were commoners or servants from various residences who were naturally inclined to attribute inexplicable events to supernatural forces, and they couldn’t help but whisper among themselves.

“Do you think Miss Li Third knows some kind of… skills?”

“Like—”

“Communicating with spirits?”

“Get lost!”

The whispered conversations of the onlookers reached Qiao Zhao’s ears, leaving her with nothing but amusement and helplessness.

What she had just said wasn’t meant that way.

Who knew that the Earl of Changchun’s son would wake up neither early nor late, but precisely at that moment when someone came to report he had awakened.

“It’s just a coincidence,” Qiao Zhao said calmly.

Seeing her so calm and composed, the Earl of Changchun became even more suspicious and couldn’t help but look at her deeply.

The Earl of Changchun’s wife tugged at the Earl of Changchun: “My lord, Shu’er has awakened. Let’s hurry back to see him first.”

“Good.” With his son awakened, any accounts would have to be settled later—seeing his son first was the proper thing to do.

“Why don’t you both go back to see your son first? Since he’s awakened, he’ll naturally be able to identify the assailant. Our Li residence will be ready anytime for you to come for confrontation,” Li Guangwen said, standing in front of his children.

He had been confused earlier.

According to established rules, daughters were raised and taught by mothers, while sons were disciplined and taught by fathers.

Hui’er had moved out of the back courtyard when he was seven or eight years old to be personally taught by him. How could a son he had raised sneak into a brothel to hurt people?

He hadn’t even seen as clearly as Zhaozhao and had nearly wronged his son.

Li Guangwen felt ashamed in his heart, and his posture protecting his children became even more upright.

The Earl of Changchun coldly glanced at Li Hui: “The monk may run away, but the temple cannot. Madam, let’s go!”

The large group from the Earl of Changchun’s residence departed in a rush, but the crowd watching the excitement was still reluctant to disperse.

Li Guangwen blocked most of the gazes from Qiao Zhao: “Go back quickly!”

After the Li residence people had also left, the onlookers finally reluctantly dispersed when they saw there was no more excitement to watch.

Chi Can stood in place, his expression rather unpleasant.

Yang Houcheng walked over and patted his shoulder: “What’s wrong? You did a good deed, but you’re not happy?”

Chi Can pointed his fan at the closed gate of the West Residence, indignantly saying: “They just left like that?”

Where was the expected gratitude?

Shouldn’t they have invited him into the residence for a cup of tea?

He had been ignored by both that girl and her father!

“Alright, as long as Miss Li is fine. With such strong sunlight, let’s go drink tea,” Yang Houcheng said, putting his arm around Chi Can’s shoulder.

“Go away, who wants to drink tea with you?” The displeased Young Master Chi glanced at Shao Mingyuan and Zhu Yàn standing not far away, then turned and walked away in a huff.

After walking more than ten zhang and looking back, he discovered that those three people had turned and left, making him half-dead with anger.

He was just saying that—did they take it seriously?

“You three, stop right there!” Young Master Chi chased after them with a dark expression.

Li Guangwen and his wife returned to the residence with their children. When Old Madam Deng saw everyone had returned, she first breathed a sigh of relief, then, after hearing He Shi explain the situation, said with a stern face: “Hui’er, since you didn’t do it, why did you take responsibility for this matter?”

Li Hui lowered his head, his complexion very unsightly, and said softly: “Third Sister cannot go to court.”

Old Madam Deng sighed deeply: “Yes, Third Girl cannot go to court, but you shouldn’t casually take such matters upon yourself either. As long as the matter has nothing to do with you, the truth will eventually come to light. Confessing to a crime first—isn’t that acting foolishly!”

Li Hui pressed his lips together and remained silent.

“Alright, Old Madam, please stop scolding Hui’er. He was also doing it for Zhaozhao’s good,” He Shi couldn’t help but speak up for Li Hui.

Anyone good to her daughter, she was willing to be good to as well.

Li Hui couldn’t help but glance at He Shi, then quickly lowered his eyes again.

“Zhaozhao—” Old Madam Deng called Qiao Zhao’s name. Meeting the young lady’s calm eyes, she couldn’t help but sigh: “Forget it. Grandmother won’t ask you about why you met with that Young Master Chi at the tavern. As long as you can be well, that’s enough.”

Hurried footsteps could be heard as Li Jiǎo rushed in, her complexion particularly unsightly: “Grandmother, I heard something happened?”

After entering, she immediately saw Li Hui and hurried to his side, grasping his hand: “Third Brother, are you alright?”

She had heard long ago about the Earl of Changchun’s residence coming to their door. Originally, she had planned to pretend she didn’t know, but she hadn’t expected Third Brother to foolishly protect Li Third.

“I’m fine.” Li Hui kept his eyes downcast and gently freed his hand from Li Jiǎo’s grasp.

Li Jiǎo looked concerned and stamped her foot: “Third Brother, you can’t be so confused in the future. If something happened to you, what would our whole family do?”

Li Hui remained silent.

Old Madam Deng spoke up: “Alright, Hui’er was also protecting his sister. No matter what, at least he looks like a proper elder brother.”

Although she didn’t approve of her grandson’s recklessness, she did appreciate his courage in standing up for family members.

“This matter with the Earl of Changchun’s residence probably isn’t over yet. However, we have nothing to hide, so the scoundrel waking up is a good thing. Even if they come to cause trouble again, we won’t be afraid.” Old Madam Deng looked deeply at several of her grandchildren: “You must remain calm. Let’s eat first now.”

Li Jiǎo lowered her head and responded along with Li Hui and the others.

The Earl of Changchun and his wife rushed back to the Earl of Changchun’s residence and immediately heard their son’s cries of pain.

“It hurts, it hurts—”

The Earl of Changchun’s wife burst into tears upon hearing this and rushed in to embrace Jia Shu: “My child, does it hurt very much?”

A strong force pushed her away. Jia Shu waved his arms with a terrified expression, speaking incoherently: “Third Miss of the Li residence… Third Miss…”

“Shu’er, what’s wrong with you?” The Earl of Changchun’s wife was startled.

The Earl of Changchun’s face was as dark as water: “Quickly summon the physician!”

After examining him, the physician shook his head and sighed: “The young master’s head injury may have affected his mental faculties due to blood clots.”

“What does that mean?” The Earl of Changchun’s wife looked at the Earl of Changchun.

The Earl of Changchun’s face turned pale.

What did it mean? It meant his son had become mentally impaired!

The Earl of Changchun’s wife immediately understood and swayed unsteadily.

Seeing the couple plunged into despair, the physician consoled them: “At least he’s awakened. With gradual care, there might still be hope for recovery.”

“How much hope is there?” The Earl of Changchun’s wife asked urgently.

The physician: “…” How did they take the consolation seriously?

The physician bowed and took his leave.

“Third Miss, Third Miss—” Jia Shu kept muttering incessantly.

The Earl of Changchun slammed the table heavily: “Let’s go! Take Shu’er to the Li residence. This time, they must give us an explanation!”