The bailiffs surrounded the carts loaded with food and drinks, their mouths watering. Several officials walked over: “What’s going on?”

“This madam brought a lot of food.”

He Shi smiled: “Officials, don’t be polite. I’m just a woman who can’t help with other matters, so I can only buy some food to help the officials fill their stomachs.”

One of the officials frowned: “Madam, there’s no need for this—”

Who would dare to eat things of unknown origin? What if they were poisoned?

His gaze swept over and caught sight of the mark on the oil paper wrapper. His eyes couldn’t help but narrow—it was roasted duck from Desheng Tower!

“Madam is truly thoughtful.” The official’s tone changed, saying seriously, “Why aren’t you quickly thanking this madam?”

A group of people thanked He Shi one after another and couldn’t wait to grab the food.

A cough sounded, and Jiang Yuanchao said indifferently: “Commander Jiang, isn’t this a bit too casual? Daring to eat things of unknown origin?”

Jiang Cheng glared fiercely at that official and roared: “Who told you to eat random things? Everyone, stop!”

The bailiffs holding oil paper packages secretly curled their lips, thinking: You people from the West City Military Commissioner’s Office are well-fed, how would you know others’ hardships? This is roasted duck from Desheng Tower, sheep hooves from Baiwei Pavilion, and fine wine from Chunfeng Tavern!

At this moment, Li Hui squeezed in, ran to He Shi’s side, leaned close to her ear, and whispered: “Madam, Third Sister is fine. She’s currently at Shuying Nunnery.”

“Really?” He Shi felt the heart that had been hanging in her throat finally drop back down. Tears came instantly, but seeing all the officers staring at her, she wiped away her tears and smiled: “This little woman just saw the officers working hard and wanted to show some goodwill. Anyway, the intention is there—whether everyone eats or not is up to you.”

Since Zhaozhao was fine, it didn’t matter if the mountain road opened a day earlier or later.

The officers: “…” How could this be casual? They had been eating dry rations and drinking cold water just fine, and then you brought several carts of this!

“So it’s Madam Li.” Jiang Yuanchao greeted her with a smile at the corner of his mouth.

“It’s you?” He Shi’s face immediately turned cold.

Wasn’t this the brat from the Jinlin Guards? Just looking at him was annoying—there wasn’t a single good person in the Jinlin Guards!

“I didn’t expect Madam Li would still remember me.”

“Remember, how could I not remember? Lord Jiang is right. This little woman doesn’t know whether the food I brought is good or bad. It would be terrible if it made the officers sick. Steward, quickly drive the carts back.”

“Since it’s from Madam Li, there’s no problem. Commander Jiang, we should thank Madam Li.”

“Is this Madam Li, the wife of that person in the canopy?” Jiang Cheng asked in a low voice.

Jiang Yuanchao nodded.

Jiang Cheng twitched his mouth, thanked He Shi, and loudly said: “Everyone quickly divide up the food and eat, then continue working!”

He Shi snorted coldly and said to Li Hui: “Hui’er, take me to see your father.”

Jiang Yuanchao smiled indifferently, then heard someone behind him call: “Thirteenth Brother.”

He turned around and saw Jiang Eleven standing behind him with an ice-cold expression.

“Why did Eleventh Brother come?”

“Adoptive Father sent me to replace you.”

Jiang Yuanchao’s smile disappeared.

Jiang Eleven said expressionlessly, “Adoptive Father is very concerned about Miss Li’s safety. I wonder if Thirteenth Brother has any news about Miss Li?”

Jiang Yuanchao suppressed his inner surprise and said calmly, “Marquis Guanjun just came down from the mountain and said Miss Li is temporarily staying at Shuying Nunnery. Please tell Adoptive Father not to worry.”

“I’ll go ask Marquis Guanjun again.”

Jiang Eleven stepped toward Shao Mingyuan.

Jiang Yuanchao stared at his retreating figure in a daze for a moment, his smile becoming even colder.

What did Adoptive Father mean by this?

He watched Jiang Eleven stride toward Shao Mingyuan, staring motionlessly for a long time before silently withdrawing his gaze and smiling bitterly.

Adoptive Father was guarding against him developing feelings for Miss Li—truly thorough in his precautions.

Jiang Yuanchao mounted his horse, gently pressed his heels against the horse’s flanks, and galloped away.

Forget it, as long as she was fine.

Jiang Eleven came before Shao Mingyuan: “Marquis, I am Jiang Eleven.”

Shao Mingyuan glanced at him and smiled faintly: “I’ve heard much about you.”

Among the Jinlin Guards’ Thirteen Guardians, Jiang Eleven was in charge of punishment—he had learned this after returning to the capital.

“The Grand Commander is very concerned about Miss Li’s safety. I wonder if Miss Li was injured? Is she lacking anything?”

Shao Mingyuan’s gaze deepened.

What exactly had Miss Li traded with Jiang Tang that day? Jiang Tang’s concern for Miss Li seemed excessive.

As he pondered this, Chi Can had already spoken: “This doesn’t require Grand Commander Jiang’s concern, does it?”

Jiang Eleven wasn’t good at verbal sparring. His emotionless gaze fell on Shao Mingyuan’s face, waiting for his response.

“I haven’t seen Miss Li yet.” Shao Mingyuan said.

That night in the valley, he would keep it buried in his heart for life and never mention it.

“Will the Marquis go up the mountain again?”

“Yes.”

This kind of thing naturally couldn’t be hidden from the Jinlin Guards.

“Then please, after the Marquis goes up the mountain again, meet with Miss Li once to confirm her condition.”

Shao Mingyuan looked at him and smiled: “I wonder if this is the Grand Commander’s intention, or yours?”

Jiang Eleven replied expressionlessly: “Naturally, it’s the Grand Commander’s intention.”

He didn’t even know that girl—why did both the Adoptive Father and this Marquis Guanjun speak so strangely?

“Alright then. You can tell the Grand Commander that I will confirm it.”

It was courtesy reciprocated—since Jiang Tang gave him face, he naturally did not need to embarrass the other party.

“Thank you.”

After Jiang Eleven left, Yang Houcheng scratched his head: “Why is Jiang Tang so concerned about Miss Li?”

“Probably ate too much.” Chi Can said coolly.

“Don’t mind it. I’ll go back to the residence to rest first.”

“What time will you go up the mountain tomorrow?” Chi Can asked.

“At sunrise.”

Shao Mingyuan returned to the Marquis Guanjun’s residence, bathed and changed clothes, then went to see Qiao Mo.

“Uncle, I need to go out for a few days. If you have anything, just tell my guards.”

Qiao Mo was silent for a moment, then asked: “Is something wrong with Zhaozhao?”

Shao Mingyuan was stunned.

Qiao Mo smiled bitterly: “Though I’m a caged bird, I’m not a fool. Doesn’t Zhaozhao need to come give the Marquis acupuncture every day? If something hadn’t happened to her, how could the Marquis go out?”

Shao Mingyuan smiled awkwardly: “I originally didn’t want Uncle to worry—”

Qiao Mo’s expression changed: “Something happened to Zhaozhao?”

Shao Mingyuan always felt something was off, especially hearing “Zhaozhao” called from Qiao Mo’s mouth, which inexplicably made his heart race.

“It’s like this—yesterday there was heavy rain, and Miss Li went to Shuying Nunnery, but encountered a landslide—”

“What did you say?” Qiao Mo grabbed Shao Mingyuan’s wrist.

Shao Mingyuan was amazed: “Uncle?”

“How is she?”

“She… should be alright.” Shao Mingyuan said uncertainly.

“Should be?”

“Miss Li is currently at Shuying Nunnery.”

“Then where is she? Is she injured?”

“Uncle, don’t worry. Miss Li just injured her foot.”

“Just injured her foot?” Qiao Mo repeated this phrase word by word, giving Shao Mingyuan a meaningful look.