Jiang Yuanchao inwardly groaned that trouble was coming.

In the blink of an eye, Jiang Shiran had already entered, saying excitedly: “Thirteenth Brother, today I—”

Her words abruptly cut off. Jiang Shiran stared straight at Qiao Zhao and cried out in shock: “Why are you here?”

“Miss Jiang, I have business with Lord Jiang.”

“Business? What business could you have—Wait, where’s the scar on your face?”

“It’s already healed.”

“Didn’t they say I had disfigured you? How could there not be a trace left?” Jiang Shiran’s expression darkened. “I understand now. You weren’t seriously injured at the time—you deliberately exaggerated to ruin my reputation, didn’t you?”

“No, I used special medicine—”

Jiang Shiran interrupted Qiao Zhao: “You don’t need to make excuses. If it were such a serious scar, no medicine could have healed it. You deliberately wanted to ruin my reputation, making others avoid me when I go out to gatherings. And once wasn’t enough—you had to harm me a second time. Now, many people are saying behind my back that I was the one who injured that bastard from Earl Changchun’s residence at Bichun Tower!”

Jiang Shiran grew angrier as she spoke, raising her hand to strike Qiao Zhao: “I’ll beat you to death, you little bitch—”

“Ran Ran, don’t make trouble!” Jiang Yuanchao grabbed Jiang Shiran’s wrist.

Jiang Shiran stared at her wrist in disbelief, then looked up at Jiang Yuanchao: “Thirteenth Brother, you’re saying I’m making trouble? You’re calling me troublesome for her sake? Have you fallen for her? Have you forgotten that we’re already engaged?”

Jiang Yuanchao felt overwhelmed, saying helplessly, “I haven’t forgotten. Ran Ran, this is a place of business. You should go back quickly. Whatever we need to discuss, we can talk about at home.”

“Then why is she here?” Jiang Shiran pointed at Qiao Zhao. “Thirteenth Brother, you’re telling me to go back, but why can she enter your office freely? This is the Jinlin Guards headquarters—don’t try to fool me. I don’t believe just any young girl can come here!”

Her gaze fell on the tea table, making her even more furious: “You’re even serving her tea!”

“Miss Jiang, I’m not here to see Lord Jiang—”

“You shut up!” Jiang Shiran turned her attention back to Qiao Zhao. “I’ve never seen such a promiscuous girl like you!”

“Promiscuous?” Qiao Zhao was stunned.

This was the first time in both her lives combined that she’d heard such an evaluation.

Miss Qiao was getting a bit angry.

“Isn’t that what you are? My father even warned me not to provoke you, saying you belong to Marquis Guanjun. Bah! You’re carrying on with Marquis Guanjun without proper matchmaking or betrothal, and now you’re here trying to seduce my Thirteenth Brother—”

Without proper matchmaking? Carrying on with Marquis Guanjun? Seducing Jiang Yuanchao?

Each word pierced her heart, pushing Qiao Zhao’s anger to its peak. She raised her hand and slapped Jiang Shiran.

The crisp sound echoed through the hall. Not only was Jiang Yuanchao too shocked to react, but even the Jinlin Guards standing outside were dumbfounded.

Good heavens, this girl was bold—she dared to hit Miss Jiang? Most importantly, this was on the Jinlin Guards’ territory!

Jiang Shiran was equally stunned.

As the beloved daughter of Jinlin Guards Commander Jiang Tang, had she ever been struck?

“You hit me? You dare to hit me?” Jiang Shiran covered her cheek, even forgetting to strike back.

Qiao Zhao said calmly: “If Miss Jiang finds it hard to believe, I can hit you again.”

What kind of girl would casually use such vicious words as “promiscuous” and “without proper matchmaking”? This was intolerable!

Beyond Qiao Zhao’s expectations, Jiang Shiran didn’t continue settling accounts with her. Instead, she looked at the stunned Jiang Yuanchao: “Thirteenth Brother, you just watched her hit me? You have feelings for her, don’t you? Wuu wuu, I’m going to tell my father!”

Jiang Shiran covered her face and ran away crying, leaving only Jiang Yuanchao and Qiao Zhao in the hall.

After a moment of silence, Jiang Yuanchao spoke: “Miss Li, you’re going to have trouble.”

“Will Lord Jiang discipline me?”

Jiang Yuanchao smiled helplessly: “Miss Li should know your trouble isn’t with me.”

His adoptive father doted on his adoptive sister to the bone. Even with Marquis Guanjun’s influence, this matter wouldn’t just be overlooked.

“Miss Li, you shouldn’t have been so impulsive,” Jiang Yuanchao sincerely advised.

Toward the young woman before him, he always felt an inexplicable curiosity, and that curiosity had unknowingly turned into fondness. No matter what, he didn’t want her to get into trouble.

Qiao Zhao smiled: “I don’t act impulsively.”

It was just that some things could be endured for a moment, but such insults—she couldn’t bear them.

Her grandparents’ upbringing over more than ten years also wouldn’t allow her to be a coward.

“Miss Li, you should leave,” Jiang Yuanchao suddenly said.

“Hmm?”

“I’ll explain things to the Grand Commander. You go back first.”

Qiao Zhao was somewhat surprised.

In her impression, Jiang Yuanchao was the type who weighed pros and cons in every word and action. She never expected he’d be willing to take responsibility at this moment.

“Leave quickly,” Jiang Yuanchao’s tone softened.

Why was it that he just couldn’t handle this girl? She had teased him, mocked him, and distanced herself from him. And though he knew she had no relationship with that person, he still couldn’t help wanting to protect her.

“Thank you, Lord Jiang, but I originally came to see the Grand Commander today. I’ll leave after meeting him.”

“Miss Li, the Grand Commander’s concern for his daughter far exceeds your imagination. Whatever business you have with the Grand Commander, today isn’t a good time.”

“I think the Grand Commander won’t mind.”

“Why?” Jiang Yuanchao increasingly couldn’t understand the young woman before him.

“I’d also like to know why.” A man’s voice sounded as Jiang Tang entered.

Jiang Shiran clung close to Jiang Tang, her eyes red—she had already complained tearfully.

Jiang Tang had put on some weight and usually gave people a kind, benevolent impression. But now his face was dark, his gaze sharp as he stared at Qiao Zhao, revealing the dignity of a Jinlin Guards Commander.

Jiang Tang’s martial arts skills were excellent. Even though he was older and living comfortably, the number of people in court whose skills surpassed his could be counted on one hand. When he was angry, few could maintain their composure. The Jinlin Guards standing outside were all looking down at their feet, afraid the Grand Commander’s wrath might accidentally affect them.

Yet Qiao Zhao remained composed as she greeted Jiang Tang: “Greetings to the Grand Commander.”

Jiang Tang’s eyes looked Qiao Zhao up and down, his voice calm and steady: “I know you. You are the second daughter of Hanlin Academy Reviser Li Guangwen.”

Qiao Zhao smiled graciously: “Being remembered by the Grand Commander is my honor.”

Jiang Tang’s expression darkened: “Then, Miss Li, can you tell me what makes you think I won’t mind that you struck my daughter? Do you rely on Marquis Guanjun’s protection?”

His relationship with Marquis Guanjun was one of mutual benefit, ultimately for his beloved daughter’s future. But if this relationship now caused his beloved daughter to be humiliated because of Marquis Guanjun, then such a relationship could be discarded.

He, Jiang Tang, really wasn’t someone who couldn’t survive after offending others.

At least not now.

“Father, why waste words with her? I never want to see her again!”