Kou Bohai secretly breathed a sigh of relief, though his heart remained on edge: “I came today because there are some matters I need to discuss with the Marquis and my nephew Qiao Mo.”

Shao Mingyuan turned his head to instruct a guard: “Go invite Young Master Qiao to come.”

“Yes.”

The guard left on his orders. Shao Mingyuan didn’t speak for a moment, making Kou Bohai feel somewhat nervous.

When Marquis Guanjun first visited after returning to the capital, he had given the impression of being a low-key, modest young master from a prestigious family, with no sense of intimidation whatsoever. Why did this meeting make one’s heart race with unease?

“Uncle, please have some tea.” Shao Mingyuan lifted his teacup and took a shallow sip.

The slightly bitter tea flowed down his throat, providing some relief to his burning throat.

Of course, he would show great respect to his wife’s relatives and friends, but when these people harmed his wife’s loved ones, that respect was no longer warranted.

Before these people, he could be a junior, or he could be Marquis Guanjun.

Literati were naturally somewhat intimidated by military officers, and when facing the foremost among military officers, that feeling was indescribable.

Kou Bohai shifted uncomfortably in his seat and only relaxed slightly when he heard approaching footsteps.

“Uncle.” Qiao Mo entered and bowed to Kou Bohai.

Under normal circumstances, Kou Bohai would certainly remain seated, but at this moment the invisible pressure from Shao Mingyuan was too great, so he involuntarily stood up: “Mo’er has arrived, please sit quickly.”

Qiao Mo sat down as instructed, looking at his anxious uncle and sighing inwardly.

Regardless of why his eldest aunt had poisoned him, his relationship with his maternal grandfather’s family could never return to what it once was.

“Mo’er, how is your health?”

“Thank you for your concern, Uncle. I’ve recovered considerably.”

“That’s good, that’s good.” Kou Bohai wanted to bring up Lady Mao’s poisoning, but facing these two juniors, those words seemed stuck in his throat. For a long while, he didn’t know where to begin.

All thanks to that poisonous woman’s good deeds!

“Marquis, Mo’er, you may not know this, but your eldest aunt has gone mad.” Continuing in silence wasn’t a solution. After long hesitation, Kou Bohai steeled himself and spoke.

Having said this, his face immediately burned with embarrassment.

His wife had poisoned her nephew and become a madwoman—such a shameful secret he had originally wanted to hide for life. How could he speak of such things? But his father had instructed him not to conceal anything from Marquis Guanjun.

“How did Aunt go mad?” Although he already knew Lady Mao’s fate, Qiao Mo couldn’t show it, so he followed Kou Bohai’s lead and asked.

Kou Bohai’s face turned red with shame: “Mo’er, your uncle has wronged you. Your eldest aunt was possessed by evil spirits and poisoned you!”

Once he started, the rest became easier to say.

Kou Bohai briefly explained the situation from beginning to end, then sighed deeply: “The family is currently investigating the source of the poison, but progress has been limited. I came today because there’s something I need you to look at—perhaps we can find a breakthrough from it.”

Qiao Mo and Shao Mingyuan exchanged glances, then said calmly: “What is it that Uncle wants me to examine?”

Kou Bohai pulled out a neatly folded white silk handkerchief from his chest and solemnly handed it to Qiao Mo: “Mo’er, take a look at the handwriting on this handkerchief. Do you recognize it?”

Qiao Mo took the white silk handkerchief, and after just one glance upon opening it, his expression changed dramatically as he exclaimed: “Eldest sister?”

Even Young Master Qiao, who had remained calm and composed in public despite his family’s tragic circumstances, suddenly stood up, his tone urgent: “Uncle, where did this white silk handkerchief come from?”

Shao Mingyuan looked at Qiao Mo with surprise, his gaze involuntarily falling on the white silk handkerchief. Upon seeing the blood-written characters on it, he was stunned.

This handwriting was so familiar—he had just seen it recently in his wife’s letter home.

“Mo’er, you recognize the handwriting on this handkerchief?”

Qiao Mo gripped the handkerchief tightly, his lips pale: “How could I not recognize it? This is my eldest sister Zhaozhao’s handwriting!”

Shao Mingyuan’s heart tightened as he looked deeply at Qiao Mo.

The white silk handkerchief had been given to Chen Guang by Miss Li. Why would the handwriting on it be identical to his deceased wife’s?

“Indeed, there’s no mistake!” Kou Bohai sighed, his expression bewildered. “Your eldest aunt was frightened into madness. She said that on that rainy night, she saw a female ghost outside her window, and this white silk handkerchief was left by that ghost.”

“Left by a female ghost?”

“That’s what makes this so strange. After your eldest aunt went mad, she kept saying Zhaozhao had come to seek revenge, but how can there be ghosts in this world? Yet the handwriting on this handkerchief is indeed Zhaozhao’s. We originally thought we might have remembered wrong, which is why we came to have you confirm it.”

Qiao Mo suddenly looked at Shao Mingyuan: “Zhaozhao—”

He knew who was behind frightening his eldest aunt into madness—it was Miss Li!

Shao Mingyuan’s heart was already in tremendous turmoil.

When their gazes met, both were filled with shock and uncertainty.

“Marquis, Mo’er—” Kou Bohai spoke up, interrupting their eye contact.

Qiao Mo came back to his senses and forced a smile: “My apologies, Uncle. I lost my composure for a moment.”

“This can’t be blamed on you. The matter is truly too bizarre. Could there be ghosts in this world?”

After Kou Bohai asked this question, all three men in the hall fell silent.

“Regarding the investigation into the poison’s source, does Uncle need Mingyuan’s assistance?” Shao Mingyuan broke the silence.

“Uh, there’s no need to trouble the Marquis. I came today just to confirm the handwriting on the handkerchief.” Kou Bohai politely declined, then said to Qiao Mo: “Mo’er, your aunt has already gone mad. I hope you won’t become estranged from your maternal grandfather’s family because of this incident. Your grandfather and grandmother have been very distressed these past few days.”

“Mo’er understands. Please tell Uncle to convey to Grandfather and Grandmother that they needn’t take this to heart.”

“That’s good. I’ll head back now.” Kou Bohai felt slightly relieved, then turned to Shao Mingyuan: “I’m embarrassed that the Marquis had to witness our family’s shameful affairs. I hope the Marquis can help keep this confidential.”

“Naturally.” Shao Mingyuan’s mind was in chaos as he responded perfunctorily.

Seeing that Kou Bohai was preparing to leave, Qiao Mo couldn’t help but say: “Uncle, could you leave that white silk handkerchief with Mo’er?”

Kou Bohai hesitated for a moment.

Shao Mingyuan spoke up casually: “I might be able to investigate its origins through the quality of the silk and other aspects. Perhaps we can solve the mystery of the female ghost.”

Upon hearing this, Kou Bohai relented: “Very well, the handkerchief can remain here for now. If there’s any news about the female ghost, please trouble the Marquis to send word.”

After Kou Bohai left, Qiao Mo held the white silk handkerchief and looked at Shao Mingyuan: “The Marquis said that day that the female ghost was Miss Li commanding your subordinate to impersonate one, correct?”

“Yes.”

“Then what about this white silk handkerchief?”

“I’ll send someone to invite Miss Li over.” After a moment of silence, Shao Mingyuan uttered these words, then said to a guard: “Go fetch the prescription Miss Li wrote today.”

Qiao Zhao was somewhat surprised to receive the invitation and asked Chen Guang, “Has General Shao’s condition relapsed again?”

“No, the General just wants you to come over.”

“I see. Then tell the messenger that I have other matters today and will come tomorrow.”

Making three trips to Marquis Guanjun’s residence in one day was going too far.

“Third Miss—” Chen Guang looked pleading.

“Go on.” Qiao Zhao remained unmoved.

As soon as Chen Guang left the courtyard, he slapped himself.

Curse your loose tongue! Why did you have to tell the truth?