Facing Qiao Zhao’s calm and clear eyes, Li Hui fell silent.

When the moment came, he realized many words simply couldn’t be spoken.

But many words, no matter how shameful, had to be said.

“Third Sister, I… I’m here to apologize to you on behalf of Elder Sister. The person who injured Jia Shu, the youngest son of Marquis Changchun, was actually… Elder Sister…” After struggling to finish these broken words, Li Hui looked up at Qiao Zhao, only to find the young lady’s expression remained calm.

“Third Sister?”

Qiao Zhao smiled: “I know.”

“You know?” Li Hui looked astonished.

“Yes, I know. Though I only just found out.”

Sweat broke out on Li Hui’s forehead, his face growing hot.

So Third Sister already knew.

Standing in the West Side Courtyard, there had been a moment when he wanted to retreat.

Elder Sister was right—once Third Sister found out, their sisterly bond would likely be destroyed. If he just remained silent and pretended nothing had happened, and Elder Sister avoided such confusion in the future, then everyone could remain as they were before.

But how could he pretend it never happened?

His conscience wouldn’t let him pass this hurdle.

At this moment, Li Hui was glad he had come to confess. Otherwise, what kind of despicable people would they be in Third Sister’s heart?

“Why didn’t Elder Sister come?” Qiao Zhao asked without a ripple of emotion.

Li Hui was stumped by the question.

He couldn’t bring himself to lie, but couldn’t speak the truth either.

“Third Brother, some things cannot be done by proxy. I think apologies are one of those things.”

“Third Sister, Elder Sister was just confused for a moment.”

“Confused for a moment?” Qiao Zhao laughed. “At this year’s Flower Festival, Elder Sister was confused for a moment and lost me, then confused for a moment and made it known to everyone. Now she’s confused for a moment again and made me a scapegoat?”

“Third Sister—”

Qiao Zhao’s tone remained flat, as if discussing something unrelated to herself: “Does Third Brother know what I was like after being kidnapped? You all seem to have never asked me for details. Were you afraid asking would make me sad, remembering the past?”

Li Hui’s body trembled.

Qiao Zhao’s gaze turned toward the window lattice covered with green gauze, where their shadows were cast.

“Third Brother knows I don’t have a good temper—how could I submit willingly after falling into traffickers’ hands? I escaped again and again, only to be caught and brought back each time. Each time I was brought back, did Third Brother know how the traffickers would punish me?”

Li Hui pressed his lips tightly together, his palms damp with sweat.

The young lady’s cool voice seemed to come from the horizon: “In February in the south, the willow trees along the roads had already sprouted branches. He would casually break off willow switches and beat my back with them. He said willow switches were thin—they hurt when they hit, but wouldn’t leave scars. I refused to accept my fate and kept running, so he would starve me until I had no strength to escape. Third Brother surely doesn’t know what it feels like to go hungry, right? It’s like a fire burning in your stomach, the flames seeming to burn every inch of your skin—”

“Third Sister, stop talking, stop!” Li Hui’s face was deathly pale as he suddenly embraced Qiao Zhao. Cold sweat rolled down from his forehead, falling onto Qiao Zhao’s thick hair.

Qiao Zhao’s ears grew warm as she pushed Li Hui away.

Although they were now truly blood siblings, they lacked the bond of growing up together. Compared to her brother Qiao Mo, it was different.

Having started, Qiao Zhao didn’t stop: “Later, I didn’t dare escape anymore, because if I ran again, I might die.”

Yes, little Li Zhao had died just like that.

No matter how willful and spoiled little Li Zhao had been, she had never done anything truly evil.

But she died just like that. Those who hated her aside, those who deeply loved her—like He Shi—would never know that her beloved daughter’s soul had long since wandered off to who knows where.

“Third Brother probably didn’t like the old me either, right? Willful and spoiled. But all maturity comes from learning what pain feels like, and growing up because of it.”

“Third Sister, I’ll protect you from now on, I promise.” Li Hui didn’t dare look into his sister’s clear, bright eyes.

He always felt the former sister had died and been reborn, but no longer needed their compensation.

“About Elder Sister’s matter, I’ll tell Grandmother.” Qiao Zhao said calmly.

Li Hui was stunned.

His original plan had been for Elder Sister to apologize to Third Sister privately, clear things up between them, so the two sisters could get along well in the future.

He believed that after Elder Sister apologized to Third Sister, Third Sister wouldn’t make trouble with the elders, which would also preserve Elder Sister’s dignity.

But at this moment, after hearing Third Sister’s words, he couldn’t bring himself to object.

“Thank you for coming to see me, Third Brother. It’s late—please go back and rest early.”

Qiao Zhao didn’t ask if Li Hui would blame her.

She had said what needed to be said. If Li Hui couldn’t understand, even if she were eloquent as a lotus flower, it would be useless.

“Third Sister shouldn’t read anymore either—it’s bad for your eyes.”

Li Hui walked out of the West Side Courtyard and remained in a daze even after returning to his room.

“Young Master, you’re finally back! This servant was worried sick.”

“Prepare hot water for me. I want to bathe.”

“Yes.” The servant Qing Ji responded and ran inside, returning with a white jade box that he handed to Li Hui.

“What’s this?”

“It’s Cloud Frost Balm that Madam had sent over. She said Young Master had fallen, and this is for treating wounds. Young Master, where did you fall? Let this servant take a look!”

Li Hui held the Cloud Frost Balm, his heart filled with indescribable feelings.

The next day, the men of the household went to court or school as usual, while the womenfolk routinely went to Qingsong Hall to pay their respects to Old Madam Deng.

Li Jiǎo hadn’t slept well all night. She applied boiled eggs to her eyes and covered them with thick powder to hide the heavy dark circles before coming early to Qingsong Hall.

“Jiao’er came early today.”

“It’s getting hot—I couldn’t lie still, so I might as well come keep Grandmother company early.” Li Jiǎo’s smile was sweet, and she was skilled at coaxing the old lady.

She was somewhat uncertain about Third Brother’s thoughts now. Third Brother had told her to think carefully—did he insist she apologize to Li Zhao?

Fortunately, Third Brother had gone to the Imperial Academy early. If she could delay another day, his anger might pass. Then she could talk to him properly, and this matter should blow over.

Having her apologize to Li Zhao was unacceptable. Li Zhao was the type who would surely make it known to everyone once she learned the truth.

The people coming to pay respects gradually gathered.

Old Madam Deng surveyed the group and asked He Shi, “Where’s Zhaozhao?”

Yesterday Zhaozhao had used silver needles to cure the fool—it was too amazing. She just hadn’t been convenient to ask details at the time, but she’d been curious all along, waiting for her granddaughter to rest well for a night before questioning her thoroughly.

He Shi looked confused: “This daughter-in-law doesn’t know either. Did she oversleep?”

Second Madam Liu Shi lowered her head and secretly smiled.

This foolish sister-in-law of hers—she had to admire her. How did she give birth to someone as clever as Third Miss?

“Third Miss is here.” The head maid, Qing Yun at the door.

Qiao Zhao walked in, greeted the elders, and glanced at Li Jiǎo.

Li Jiǎo inexplicably felt an ominous premonition.

“The third girl doesn’t look well. Didn’t sleep well last night?” Old Madam Deng asked.

“Granddaughter indeed didn’t sleep well. Grandmother, I know who the real culprit is who injured the youngest son of Marquis Changchun!”