Shao Mingyuan was startled for a moment, clearly not understanding what Qiao Mo was referring to.
Qiao Mo smiled: “The Marquis once said that in this life you would only have Elder Sister as your wife—”
Shao Mingyuan came to his senses and said earnestly, “Mingyuan’s heart will not change.”
“Why torment yourself so? I already know what kind of person the Marquis is. When people die, they’re like extinguished lamps. Why must the Marquis guard these empty things and waste this life?”
Shao Mingyuan lowered his gaze and was silent for a moment before saying, “This is the only thing I can do for Qiao Zhao.”
He had never protected her, never loved her. He was the worst husband in the world—how could he feel at ease marrying and having children after personally killing her?
This wasn’t atonement, because no matter what, Qiao Zhao would never come back to life. He simply wanted to remain alone and clean. If they were to meet in the underworld in the future, she would be his only wife, and no one else’s tablet would need to be placed beside theirs in the ancestral hall.
Qiao Mo looked deeply at Shao Mingyuan and sighed: “The Marquis doesn’t understand my elder sister’s character. She was a very carefree girl. I believe she never blamed you.”
“I know.” Shao Mingyuan clenched his fists.
He knew his wife was not an ordinary woman—otherwise, she wouldn’t have written him such a letter after leaving the capital for military service on their wedding day.
“So if Elder Sister’s spirit exists in heaven, she wouldn’t want the Marquis to torment you like this.”
“Brother-in-law need not try to persuade me.” Shao Mingyuan smiled.
“But what if the Marquis encounters a young lady who makes your heart flutter? The Marquis is still so young, and life is so long. Why bind yourself with such shackles?”
“It won’t—”
Shao Mingyuan wanted to say it wouldn’t be shackles.
He found it sweet as honey—how could he consider it shackles?
However, Qiao Mo interrupted him: “Can the Marquis guarantee you’ll never have your heart stirred?”
His relatives and friends, including himself, had already suffered too much misfortune. He didn’t want Shao Mingyuan to be the same.
Upon hearing Qiao Mo’s words, the image of a young lady seriously threatening him with a silver needle suddenly appeared in Shao Mingyuan’s mind.
Would he never feel his heart flutter for another young lady in his lifetime? Perhaps that would be difficult to achieve.
He wasn’t a saint, just an ordinary mortal with emotions and desires. Perhaps at some moment his heart would indeed flutter.
However, that would be the extent of it.
A person could hardly control momentary attraction, but could control their reason.
Shao Mingyuan smiled openly: “I understand everything, brother-in-law has said. However, I think that whether marrying and having children or remaining alone, following one’s heart is best.”
He couldn’t convince himself to cross the hurdle of having personally killed his wife to marry and have children. So even if the world thought being alone was desolate and lonely, for him, it was the best choice.
“Brother-in-law, previously, you suspected Miss Li was suspicious. I’ve already arranged for people to investigate Miss Li’s experiences over these years. When the results come out—”
“There’s no need.” Qiao Mo smiled self-mockingly. “These things don’t matter anymore.”
What he had protected so desperately had already been handed over. Now imprisoned with his appearance ruined, what could anyone still covet?
“Let’s still investigate. That way, everyone can be at peace.”
Although his intuition told him to trust that Miss Li had no ulterior motives, and he reluctantly accepted Miss Li’s exceptional talent for imitating others’ handwriting, in the dead of night, when he thought of that family letter, how could the depths of his heart be completely free of doubt?
That tiny bit of doubt was enough to make him toss and turn, unable to sleep.
Footsteps approached, followed by coughing: “My Lord Marquis, time is about up.”
Shao Mingyuan stood up: “Brother-in-law, set your mind at ease. I’ll find a way to rescue you as soon as possible. Also, Miss Li’s medical skills are excellent—remember to take the pills she gave you.”
After Shao Mingyuan left, Qiao Mo smiled silently.
Still saying he wouldn’t feel his heart flutter for other young ladies—didn’t that silly boy know his trust in Miss Li had already become extraordinary?
Thinking this, Qiao Mo took out the pouch Qiao Zhao had forced upon him earlier.
His gaze fell on a corner of the pouch, and he immediately couldn’t look away.
Embroidered in the corner of the pouch was a lifelike little duck. The green duck’s eyes looked straight over, as if making eye contact with someone.
This pouch—
Qiao Mo’s hand shook as he quickly opened the pouch. Inside, besides a small porcelain bottle, there was also a folded piece of plain paper.
Qiao Mo opened the paper with almost trembling hands. On it was only one line of small characters: “The wise use their enlightenment to enlighten others.” Signed: Achu.
This was Elder Sister Qiao Zhao’s handwriting, and also Miss Li’s, Li Zhao’s handwriting.
And Achu was Elder Sister’s childhood name—
Qiao Mo suddenly stood up, rushed to the iron bars, and called out: “My Lord Marquis—”
A jailer walked over with a fairly polite attitude: “Young Master Qiao should sit back down. The Marquis Guanjun left long ago—how could he hear you?”
“I wonder if the Marquis Guanjun mentioned when he might come again?” Qiao Mo deeply regretted not asking this question earlier.
The jailer looked both amused and exasperated: “Young Master Qiao, do you think this place is a teahouse where you can come whenever you want? This is the imperial prison. The Marquis Guanjun, being able to visit you, was already calling in favors. To tell you the truth, after the Marquis Guanjun left, Minister Kou also came but wasn’t able to enter to see you.”
Qiao Mo sat back down with a dazed expression, gripping the pouch in his hand tightly without speaking for a long time, though his heart was in tremendous turmoil.
What did Miss Li mean by leaving him this message?
That phrase was the origin of Elder Sister’s name, and “Achu” was Elder Sister’s childhood name. What was Miss Li trying to hint at?
And that pouch—embroidering green-eyed ducks in the corner was a habit unique to Elder Sister!
Qiao Mo felt his heart beating violently. A thought flashed through his mind before he quickly dismissed it.
Such an extraordinary thing was impossible!
Handwriting could be imitated, Elder Sister’s childhood name and habits could also be known by others. Even Elder Sister’s birth date and time had originally been given to the Marquis Jing’an’s residence—what would be strange about someone getting hold of it?
In this world, as long as someone had the will, many secrets weren’t secrets.
Qiao Mo leaned against the damp, cold wall of the prison, convincing himself with reason. But another voice uncontrollably rang in his heart: Qiao Mo, you now have nothing, utterly destitute—what could Li Zhao possibly want from you?
Qiao Mo spread his hand and stared at it silently.
Or was it that the mastermind behind the fire that burned his home to nothing believed he still possessed something?
If there was anything, it would be that ledger.
True, although he had presented the ledger to His Majesty, with his photographic memory, he had long since memorized every word in the ledger.
But what meaning did this have? Even the current emperor seemed indifferent to the ledger—were others still unwilling to let the matter rest?
Qiao Mo caressed the smooth, delicate white porcelain bottle. After a long silence, he finally opened it. Inside were several pills—no more, no less than seven, in seven different colors.
Qiao Mo’s heart shook as a childish female voice rang in his ears: “Big Brother, I’ve learned to make medicine with Grandfather Li, but I made the pills rainbow-colored and Grandfather Li scolded me, saying others would be too frightened to take them.”
He had said: “It’s fine. Others might not dare eat them, but Big Brother dares. As long as little sister made them.”