“Brother-in-law, please get in the carriage.” Shao Mingyuan reached out to help Qiao Mo.

Qiao Mo withdrew his gaze and got into the carriage. On the way back to Marquis Guanjun’s residence, he finally couldn’t help asking, “Does Miss Li know I’ve been released?”

Shao Mingyuan was somewhat surprised, keenly sensing that Qiao Mo’s attitude toward Miss Li had changed somewhat.

He didn’t conceal anything. “Brother-in-law, you were able to get out so quickly thanks to Miss Li’s efforts.”

“Oh?”

“Miss Li went to find Jiang Tang.”

Qiao Mo’s expression immediately changed. “The Commander of the Jinlin Guards?”

Shao Mingyuan nodded. “Yes.”

“Why would Jiang Tang agree to her?” Qiao Mo’s expression grew increasingly grim.

“Miss Li said she made a fair trade with Jiang Tang. I didn’t ask what specifically it was.”

“Why didn’t Your Lordship ask? What kind of fair trade could a little girl make with the Commander of the Jinlin Guards?” Qiao Mo smiled bitterly.

Shao Mingyuan smiled. “Since Miss Li didn’t say, I didn’t ask. However, I believe Miss Li isn’t someone who acts recklessly.”

Qiao Mo was silent for a while before saying, “Your Lordship, I want to see Miss Li.”

“Since brother-in-law was released today, I sent someone to inform Miss Li, but she said she has matters to attend to and can’t come over for now.”

Qiao Mo closed his eyes.

Several days of prison life had left him physically and mentally exhausted, but thinking of those items in his pouch, he desperately wanted to see that girl immediately and ask her for clarification.

Could she be deliberately avoiding seeing him?

Thinking of this possibility, Young Master Qiao, who could usually maintain his composure, felt he couldn’t wait even a moment longer.

“Brother-in-law, don’t worry. Miss Li will come today.”

Qiao Mo opened his eyes.

Shao Mingyuan honestly explained, “Miss Li will come every day from now on to perform acupuncture for me, so if she finishes her business, she’ll come.”

“That’s good.” Qiao Mo stared at Shao Mingyuan for a while, his expression quite complex.

Shao Mingyuan was puzzled by his stare and advised, “Brother-in-law, please go bathe and change clothes first. Have something to eat and rest well afterward. I’ll notify you immediately when Miss Li arrives.”

“Alright.” Qiao Mo nodded, and his heart, which had been tormented for two days, finally eased slightly.

At this time, Qiao Zhao was being invited by Jiang Tang into the Jinlin Guards’ headquarters for tea.

The tea served to guests was excellent, Bai Hao Yin Zhen silver needle tea. After taking a sip, Qiao Zhao felt the fragrant aroma fill her senses. She set down the teacup and smiled, “Truly excellent tea.”

“Special supply tea—there’s less than ten jin per year.” Jiang Tang smiled warmly, returning to his kind and benevolent appearance.

“Then I’m truly fortunate. Thank you, Grand Commander.”

After the pleasantries, Jiang Tang went straight to the topic. “Young Master Qiao has been released from prison. Miss Li should fulfill her promise now, shouldn’t she?”

He had taken the pill that his subordinate had tested for poison, spending most of the day in the privy. However, afterward he felt refreshed and clear-headed. That night, he didn’t experience convulsions, and his morning heart palpitation symptoms had eased considerably.

If at first he had maintained a wait-and-see attitude, by now he was determined to obtain that prescription.

Qiao Zhao drew a folded letter from her sleeve and pushed it across.

Jiang Tang pulled out the paper inside and quickly scanned it.

The paper listed various medicinal ingredients, including detailed steps for preparing the medicine.

This was a very sincere prescription.

Jiang Tang’s feelings toward the young girl before him became even more complex. He put away the letter and said, “I’ll have a physician try to prepare the medicine later. If there’s anything unclear, I’ll ask Miss Li for guidance.”

“Naturally.” Qiao Zhao agreed readily.

Seeing her calm expression, Jiang Tang couldn’t tell if she was confident or fearlessly ignorant. He smiled tentatively, “Isn’t Miss Li afraid that I might turn my back on you and cause trouble for you afterward?”

Once he had the prescription and could successfully create medicine to counteract the pill poison, what would she have left to rely on?

Hearing Jiang Tang’s question, Qiao Zhao replied without changing expression, “I’ve heard that the current dynasty has already changed Grand Masters three times.”

Emperor Mingkang believed in Taoism and pursued immortality, naturally gathering famous Taoist priests in the palace to refine immortality pills for him. Among these Taoist priests, the highest status belonged to the Grand Master personally appointed by the emperor.

However, the emperor’s likes and dislikes were unpredictable. Today’s Grand Master could become tomorrow’s prisoner, or even lose his life.

Jiang Tang didn’t understand why Qiao Zhao would bring this up and smiled without showing his thoughts. “Correct, three Grand Masters have been changed. So what?”

Qiao Zhao picked up her teacup and took a light sip. Looking as innocent as any ordinary thirteen or fourteen-year-old girl, she smiled sweetly, “Doesn’t the Grand Commander know that Grand Masters don’t all belong to the same school? Each school has different pill refining methods and ingredients.”

Jiang Tang immediately put away his smile.

Having reached this point in the conversation, he understood.

Taoism was divided into many sects. With different pill refining methods and ingredients, the elixirs produced were different, and obviously, the resulting pill poisons were also different.

This little girl was reminding him that if he crossed the river and demolished the bridge now, after obtaining the prescription, when the emperor appointed a new Grand Master, this detoxification prescription would become worthless paper.

Jiang Tang stared intently at the little girl across from him.

This meant that he, the dignified Commander of the Jinlin Guards, would always be controlled by a little girl?

Qiao Zhao met his gaze calmly.

So what? If he had the ability, let him kill her.

There was such a type of control in this world that couldn’t be resolved by killing someone or crossing the river and demolishing the bridge.

Jiang Tang finally withdrew his gaze and sighed. “Miss Li, you must take good care of yourself in the future.”

Qiao Zhao smiled. “I hope for the Grand Commander’s continued protection.”

She set down her teacup. “I still have matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave now. Thank you for the excellent tea, Grand Commander.”

Jiang Tang looked at the composed and calm young girl, feeling both amused and helpless.

Having lived for so many years, holding a high position and great power, with his word carrying ultimate authority, he now found himself unable to deal with a little girl.

If he could recruit this little girl for his use—

This thought flashed by, and Jiang Tang instructed a nearby Jinlin Guard, “Call Eleven over.”

Soon, a handsome man with a cold demeanor entered. “Grand Commander.”

“Escort Miss Li back to her residence.” Jiang Tang ordered.

“Yes.” Jiang Eleven came before Qiao Zhao. “Miss Li, please.”

Qiao Zhao stood up. “There’s no need to trouble yourself.”

“Miss Li is my honored guest. Having someone escort you is proper. Please don’t decline.” Jiang Tang gave Jiang Eleven a meaningful look.

Seeing this, Qiao Zhao didn’t refuse further. She bowed to Jiang Tang and walked out.

Not long after, Jiang Eleven returned silently.

Jiang Tang was surprised. “So fast?”

Jiang Eleven was equally surprised. “Escorted to the carriage at the gate”—how much more time did that need?

Jiang Tang glared at him with disappointment. “Who told you to escort her to the gate?”

Seeing Jiang Eleven’s continued cold, expressionless demeanor, Jiang Tang felt frustrated and waved his hand. “Go!”

No wonder Ran Ran had been infatuated with Shisan since childhood, but completely ignored Eleven, who was more handsome. With that wooden personality, who would find him appealing?

Outside the Jinlin Guards’ headquarters.

“Third Miss, are we returning to the Li residence or our General’s residence?” Chen Guang asked, holding the reins.