“Aren’t you afraid Jiang Tang might harm her?” Chi Can couldn’t completely understand Shao Mingyuan’s thinking.

Shao Mingyuan said frankly, “Jiang Tang knows Miss Li is someone under my protection. Even if Miss Li can’t make him agree to help, she won’t get into trouble.”

Chi Can breathed a sigh of relief, then felt another pang of heartache.

Third Miss Li was someone under Tingquan’s protection?

When these words came from Shao Mingyuan’s mouth, why did they sound so awkward?

Seeing his expression wasn’t good, Shao Mingyuan thought for a moment and explained: “I was entrusted by someone.”

“Why are you explaining this?” Chi Can glanced at Shao Mingyuan. “You two both have your plans, and I’m just worrying unnecessarily. Fine, I’ll go back first. Call me if anything happens.”

As Qiao Zhao left Marquis Guanjun’s residence, she paused while getting into the carriage.

“Miss, what’s wrong?” Binglu asked.

Qiao Zhao casually withdrew her gaze from a certain spot and got into the carriage without changing expression: “Nothing, let’s go.”

She always felt that the one-legged beggar lying at the corner asking for alms seemed somewhat familiar.

Speaking of which, having a photographic memory was sometimes a burden, too.

Returning to the Li residence, Qiao Zhao retrieved a porcelain bottle from the bottom of a chest and put it in her pouch. After a brief rest, she went out again.

“Third Miss, are you going to the General’s place again?” Chen Guang asked, following Qiao Zhao.

“No, somewhere else.” Qiao Zhao walked out through the side door. Before reaching the carriage, she suddenly stopped and quickly walked toward the base of the wall.

The sun had climbed high in the sky. In the cool shade by the wall lay an old yellow dog, panting with its tongue hanging out.

Next to the old yellow dog lay a one-legged beggar with disheveled hair and a dirt-covered face that obscured his original appearance.

The shaded area by the wall was limited, and the old yellow dog was quite large. The one-legged beggar, annoyed at having his space taken, kicked the old yellow dog with his good leg.

“Woof!” The previously lazy old yellow dog suddenly bared its teeth and barked at the one-legged beggar.

Chen Guang blocked Qiao Zhao: “Third Miss, don’t go over there. Be careful not to get bitten by the dog.”

Seeing that Qiao Zhao didn’t seem to be dissuaded, Chen Guang glanced at the one-legged beggar and said considerately: “Does Third Miss feel sorry for that beggar and want to give him money? I can handle this.”

The one-legged beggar next to the old yellow dog almost couldn’t help nodding frantically.

Yes, if you want to give money, let that idiot next to you do it. Miss Li, it’s such a hot day—you suddenly walking this way is too damn scary!

No, no, stay calm, stay composed. He had turned into a one-legged man—it was impossible to be recognized again!

Jiang He stared at the broken porcelain bowl in front of him, engaging in self-hypnosis.

“That dog won’t bite,” Qiao Zhao smiled, walking over as she spoke.

“Why?” Chen Guang couldn’t help asking.

Jiang He almost asked aloud, quickly biting his tongue tip hard.

Qiao Zhao explained seriously: “Because it’s too old to bite hard, it can only scare people by barking.”

The old yellow dog: “…” These humans were too much. Could they stop making fun of it?

Qiao Zhao was already standing in front of Jiang He.

Jiang He stared nervously at the light green embroidered shoes on the young woman’s feet. Having a sudden inspiration, he held up his broken bowl and pleaded: “Young lady, please be kind and spare some food.”

Qiao Zhao bent down and said with a smile, “Young man, why would you need me to give you food? Aren’t you making your living under Lord Shisan’s command?”

Jiang He nearly fainted.

Why was he discovered?

Stay calm, stay calm. The other party must be testing him. If he couldn’t keep his composure, he’d fall into the trap!

“What is the young lady saying? Please be kind, young lady. Even giving me a steamed bun would be fine. I was beaten and had my leg broken by my heartless master, who threw me out. I haven’t eaten anything for two days.”

Qiao Zhao extended her slender, pale finger and pointed at the empty trouser leg, gently reminding: “If you bind your leg for too long without releasing it, it will eventually rot due to poor blood circulation.”

“What?” Jiang He almost jumped up.

The young woman smiled sweetly with her chin in her hand: “Then young man, you might really have to squat by the wall outside my house begging for food. Mm, when that time comes, I’ll have someone send you steamed buns every day.”

Jiang He quickly lifted his clothing to release the bound leg, asking with a mournful face: “Dear ancestor, even like this, how did you recognize me?”

The dumbfounded Chen Guang: “…” He wanted to know this question too! He had at least received training in this area, yet he hadn’t noticed.

The young woman explained earnestly: “Those of us who are good at painting, especially at figure painting, don’t just look at faces when observing people—we also look at bone structure. Of course, besides your facial structure not changing, that small mole next to your left eyebrow is in the same position as when you were selling candied hawthorn last time.”

“You also disguised yourself as a candied hawthorn seller?” Chen Guang rolled up his sleeves.

Jiang He was already crying: “Is that the point?”

“Then what is?” Chen Guang raised his eyebrows.

Jiang He wiped his tears in despair: “The point is, of course, why would someone like Miss Li exist, remembering the mole next to my eyebrow after seeing me just once so long ago!”

His superior was setting him up! Could it be that the department’s budget had become so tight that they wanted to save even the wages for hiring someone to scrub toilets?

Jiang He stood up with a heart dead as ash, lifting his leg to kick the old yellow dog that was watching the excitement: “Scram!”

This beast had been competing with him for the shaded spot just now. How dedicated he had been—to make himself look like a real beggar, he had endured without making a move.

“Woof woof—” The old yellow dog barked twice, glanced at Qiao Zhao, and walked away sadly, wagging its tail.

It was all because this person had revealed the truth about it not being able to bite hard. There was no way to get by in the future.

“Young man, please trouble yourself to take me to see Lord Jiang.”

“You want to see our lord?”

“I think your lord would also be happy to see me.”

Jiang He laughed dryly: “Miss Li is joking.”

The small Jinlin Guard, who had failed at surveillance once again, led Qiao Zhao dejectedly to see Jiang Yuanchao.

“Miss Li.” Qiao Zhao’s appearance somewhat surprised Jiang Yuanchao. Then, seeing the disheveled Jiang He, he vaguely understood something.

He knew this fool would be discovered sooner or later, but he hadn’t expected it to be so soon!

“My lord, this subordinate tried his best—”

“Scram!” Jiang Yuanchao’s thin lips lightly spat out one word, then smiled apologetically at Qiao Zhao. “I’ve made Miss Li laugh.”

He had thought about Miss Li being angry when she discovered being monitored, but he hadn’t expected Miss Li to come directly to find him.

Jiang Yuanchao glanced at Jiang He from the corner of his eye.

He admitted he had some anticipation about Miss Li’s reaction to discovering the surveillance, otherwise, he wouldn’t have sent this fool.

Qiao Zhao said indifferently: “I’m used to it. I came to see Lord Jiang today because there’s something I need to trouble you with.”

“Please speak, Miss Li.”

“I want to see Grand Commander Jiang. I’d trouble Lord Jiang to arrange an introduction.” Qiao Zhao said with a calm expression.

Mm, it seemed that being under surveillance could sometimes be used to one’s advantage.

“Miss Li wants to see the Grand Commander?” Jiang Yuanchao’s smile faded, greatly surprised.

Just then, a voice came from outside the hall: “Thirteenth Brother—”