“Absolutely not!” The same two words came out simultaneously from Chi Can and Qiao Zhao’s mouths.

Shao Mingyuan’s expression remained unperturbed, clearly having considered this thoroughly on the way back: “Since His Majesty wants stability, having a general who can replace Xing Wuyang would achieve the same result. This way, we can settle other accounts with Xing Wuyang, and the brother-in-law can extricate himself.”

More importantly, if he went south, he could personally investigate the true culprit behind the Qiao family fire. Though any discerning person could now speculate that the Qiao family fire was related to that account book and that Xing Wuyang was involved, without concrete evidence, one cannot convict someone based on speculation alone.

“It’s not that simple. The situation in the south is much more complex than fighting the northern barbarians. Most importantly, my imperial uncle wouldn’t want to see any single military general become too powerful…” Chi Can analyzed. “Once you’re far from the capital, if certain people whisper a few words before the throne, your achievements might turn into crimes, and you wouldn’t even have a chance to defend yourself. It’s already troublesome that both northern and southern borders are unstable, but if we wait until the day when the realm is at peace—”

“That’s a matter for the future,” Shao Mingyuan said indifferently.

Chi Can’s face darkened: “Today’s causes become tomorrow’s consequences. Just to save Qiao Mo, you won’t think about the future?”

He couldn’t watch his childhood friend seek death. As for Qiao Mo, they could think of other methods. At worst, he could ask his mother to see what could be done. If that didn’t work—

Heh, he wasn’t that familiar with Qiao Mo anyway. If it didn’t work out, so be it.

“No, General Shao cannot go,” Qiao Zhao spoke up.

Shao Mingyuan looked toward Qiao Zhao.

Qiao Zhao said calmly, “I mentioned before that the cold poison in General Shao’s body has already invaded his heart meridian due to the severe emotional fluctuations from two days ago. Now that detoxification has begun, it cannot be abandoned halfway. If General Shao goes south to fight the Japanese pirates, then there’s no need to consider any future—there won’t be one.”

Both Shao Mingyuan and Chi Can understood what Qiao Zhao meant.

Chi Can nodded secretly.

Mm, the feeling of agreeing with each other was quite good.

“But—” Shao Mingyuan began.

Qiao Zhao interrupted: “If saving Big Brother Qiao comes at the cost of General Shao’s life, then Big Brother Qiao definitely wouldn’t be at peace either. So there’s no ‘but’—rather than taking this dead-end path, we should think of better solutions.”

Solutions are always thought up by people. Trading one life for another was the most foolish approach.

Qiao Zhao couldn’t help but glance at Shao Mingyuan.

It seemed her previous words had been wasted—this person still didn’t care about his own life at all.

Was it because of guilt?

However, she didn’t need him to repay this guilt with his life. She would find a way to save her brother herself.

“Third Miss Li is right. Let’s think of other methods. How about this—I’ll go back and ask my mother to think of something,” Chi Can said.

Qiao Zhao raised her eyes: “Big Brother Chi, wait a moment.”

“Hmm?” Chi Can looked at her.

“The Eldest Princess’s status makes it inappropriate for her to get involved.”

She already owed Chi Can a life-saving debt. If she continued to owe him more, she couldn’t possibly repay it with marriage in the end, could she?

She hoped to resolve matters concerning herself and her brother through her abilities, not by relying on others.

“This won’t work, that won’t work—then what do you say we should do?” Chi Can sat back down with a thump, frowning as he asked Qiao Zhao.

Look how capable this girl thought she was—both he and Shao Mingyuan weren’t good enough, but she was?

“I wonder if General Shao and Big Brother Chi know—among those in and out of court who can speak before His Majesty, or even make His Majesty change his mind, who are they?”

Chi Can answered without hesitation: “There are three: one is the current Chief Minister Lan Shan, one is Jinlin Guards Commander Jiang Tang, and one is the Chief Eunuch and Eastern Depot Supervisor Wei Wuxie. These three can all speak before His Majesty.”

After speaking, he glanced at Qiao Zhao: “You’re not thinking of targeting these three, are you?”

“Why not?” Qiao Zhao asked in return.

Chi Can leaned back in his chair lazily: “Don’t even think about it. Let’s talk about Chief Minister Lan Shan first—Xing Wuyang was originally his protégé. It would be good enough if he didn’t have Qiao Mo silenced, and you still expect him to speak well of Qiao Mo before His Majesty to spare him? Unless his brain was kicked by a donkey.”

Chi Can picked up his teacup, took a sip, put it down, and continued: “Chief Eunuch Wei Wuxie is even more impossible. My imperial uncle most detests eunuchs being talkative. Wei Wuxie is eyeing the position of Head Eunuch—no one has enough influence to make him displease His Majesty at such a crucial moment.”

Chi Can glanced at Shao Mingyuan: “As for Jinlin Guards Commander Jiang Tang, though he seems the most approachable, it’s also impossible. He might give Tingquan face on some trivial matters, but he won’t go against His Majesty’s wishes on something like this.”

Jiang Tang was deliberately building good relations with Shao Mingyuan for future considerations, but if he lost His Majesty’s trust, there would be no future to speak of—he’d be in trouble immediately.

These people who had survived in the court and inner palace were all clear about what mattered most.

“Then it’s Jiang Tang,” Qiao Zhao said after hearing Chi Can’s analysis.

“What do you mean ‘it’s Jiang Tang’?” Chi Can frowned. “Third Miss Li, didn’t you hear what I just said?”

Qiao Zhao smiled: “Thank you for the guidance, Big Brother Chi. What I mean is, I have a way to make Jiang Tang agree to help.”

Both Shao Mingyuan and Chi Can were stunned, looking at her with surprise.

Under their gaze, the young woman remained composed and unhurried: “Dealing with Xing Wuyang can come later. The urgent matter now is to save Big Brother Qiao. As long as it’s not connected to the account book and doesn’t implicate Xing Wuyang, I think there should be room for maneuvering before His Majesty.”

“But this favor isn’t simple—why would Jiang Tang be willing to help?” Chi Can asked.

Shao Mingyuan also looked at her intently.

Qiao Zhao smiled: “So we need to make Jiang Tang have to agree to help. Time is of the essence. General Shao, Big Brother Chi, I’ll take my leave first.”

“Wait.” Shao Mingyuan called out to her. “If Miss Li wants to see Jiang Tang, I’ll accompany you.”

Chi Can was dumbfounded: “Tingquan, she’s acting recklessly, and you’re following suit? How can a little girl make Jiang Tang agree to help? It’s impossible to even think about.”

It couldn’t be seduction, could it? It seemed Jiang Tang hadn’t been near women since his wife died.

Shao Mingyuan smiled: “Making a fool instantly become normal also seems impossible to think about, but Miss Li accomplished it.”

Chi Can was speechless.

“Thank you for understanding, General Shao, but I want to see Jiang Tang alone. It wouldn’t be appropriate for General Shao to appear.”

What she wanted to discuss with Jiang Tang was something he was reluctant to let others know about. Moreover, it was originally a fair trade—if Shao Mingyuan appeared, it would seem like Shao Mingyuan owed Jiang Tang a favor.

For someone like Jiang Tang, favors weren’t easy to repay.

“Why wouldn’t it be appropriate?” Shao Mingyuan asked.

“It’s just a fair trade. Things would be simpler if General Shao didn’t appear.”

“Then I’ll send someone to accompany you.”

“Having Chen Guang accompany me is enough. I’ll return to the residence first to prepare.” Qiao Zhao bid farewell and left.

Chi Can couldn’t help wanting to follow, but was stopped by Shao Mingyuan: “Since Miss Li says so, let’s let her try first.”