That young man wasn’t standing in the most prominent position, yet he always caught one’s eye immediately. It was a face that was too exquisite and handsome, as if blessed by heaven alone, even the curve of his upturned lashes was much greater than ordinary people’s, and when they fluttered lightly, they stirred the rippling waves in his eyes.

He approached Li Guangwen and smiled as he bowed: “Uncle Li.”

“It’s you.” Li Guangwen’s anxious heart suddenly relaxed somewhat.

He admitted that the recent landslide, when this young man threw himself at the corpse to identify it, had deeply moved him.

This lad was sincere toward his daughter, wasn’t he? Well, regardless of whether his daughter would be willing to marry him in the future, at least while traveling, she would have a reliable person to take care of her.

Wait, this seemed even more terrifying. What if this lad tried to take advantage of his daughter? Wouldn’t this be like having the advantage of proximity?

Master Li began to worry again.

“Uncle Li, I wonder if Third Miss Li is ready?” Facing Li Guangwen’s unpredictable expression, Chi Can asked impassively.

“She’s packed. Please sit first, I’ll go check.”

Chi Can watched Li Guangwen’s retreating figure and silently stepped back into the group.

Yang Houcheng quietly nudged Chi Can with his elbow and whispered, “Shixi, you being so serious makes me a bit uncomfortable.”

Chi Can glared at him and said softly, “If you’re uncomfortable, get lost!”

“Enough, I’m the leader of this mission. Oh, Miss Li is coming.”

Chi Can’s expression stiffened, quickly glancing in that direction before lowering his eyes in silence.

“Brother Yang, why is it you?” Qiao Zhao was somewhat surprised to see Yang Houcheng standing at the front.

Yang Houcheng grinned: “I’m with the Imperial Guards. When the Empress Dowager wanted to find someone reliable to protect Miss Li, she thought of me.”

As he spoke, he deliberately stepped aside to reveal Chi Can.

In that instant, Chi Can felt somewhat nervous—he had never experienced such emotions when facing another person. Along with his annoyance came a secret anticipation.

That anticipation instantly vanished when it met the girl’s calm, indifferent gaze.

“Brother Chi.” The girl’s gaze was frank as she nodded in greeting.

Chi Can smiled: “It’s time to depart.”

This was fine for now. On the long journey south, there would be many opportunities for close contact. He didn’t believe a girl’s heart could be made of iron.

Amid Old Madam Deng’s earnest instructions and He Shi’s tearful gaze, Qiao Zhao boarded the carriage and headed toward the city outskirts under Yang Houcheng’s escort.

Li Guangwen, accompanied by Li Hui, saw them off outside the city gates.

“Master Li, we need to speed up to reach the suburban dock. Please return.” Yang Houcheng said.

Chi Can spoke solemnly: “Uncle Li, please rest assured. We will protect Third Miss Li well.”

Qiao Zhao poked her head out the carriage window and waved to the Li father and son.

Li Guangwen felt his eyes growing hot, but as such a strong man in public, he certainly couldn’t show it. He secretly sniffled and pretended to be nonchalant: “Then I entrust her to you all. Hui’er, let’s go.”

The carriage moved. Li Guangwen hadn’t walked more than a few steps when he suddenly stopped and turned around, staring longingly at the departing carriage as if his feet had grown roots. Finally, with reddened eyes, he was led home by his son.

At the Jiang Residence, in Jiang Tang’s study.

Amid the lingering tea fragrance, Jiang Tang was quietly instructing Jiang Yuanchao: “Shisan, this time I’m sending you to Lingnan on a matter of great importance. You must do well and strive to make a name for yourself.”

The bloodbath at Shuying Convent was connected to Prince Su’s remnants, and Lingnan, being Prince Su’s former territory, indeed warranted investigation.

His daughter was no longer young and had reached marriageable age. Originally, he had wanted Shisan to settle down, but this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. As long as Shisan could achieve something in Lingnan, it would be considered a great merit, securing him a place at court. Even if he were gone, Shisan wouldn’t easily be pulled down by those scheming old foxes.

“Foster father, rest assured. Shisan understands.”

“Good, that you understand.” Jiang Tang looked deeply at Jiang Yuanchao, then suddenly smiled: “By the way, I heard today is also the day Third Miss Li departs for the south.”

Jiang Yuanchao’s expression remained indifferent: “Is that so? Shisan has been busy these past few days with handover duties and hasn’t paid attention.”

“Heh heh heh.” Jiang Tang laughed heartily and took out a token from his chest, handing it to Jiang Yuanchao.

Jiang Yuanchao looked at the token, his smile slightly freezing, not quite understanding Jiang Tang’s meaning.

This Heaven-character token represented a rank higher than even the Thirteen Guardians within the Jinlin Guards, meaning that upon seeing this Heaven-character token, even the Thirteen Guardians had to obey.

“Foster father?” Jiang Yuanchao accepted the Heaven-character token with both hands, his mildly surprised tone perfectly expressing his confusion.

Jiang Tang smiled: “It’s not for you.”

Jiang Yuanchao’s heart suddenly stirred as he thought of a possibility, though it seemed rather bizarre.

Jiang Tang explained: “When you go to Lingnan, you’ll initially travel by water and share part of the route with Miss Li. Help me deliver this token to her.”

“Yes.” Jiang Yuanchao suppressed his doubts and agreed without showing any emotion, though Qiao Zhao’s image involuntarily flashed through his mind.

What kind of deal had that little girl made with his foster father that would make him give her the Heaven-character token?

Jiang Tang patted Jiang Yuanchao’s arm: “Alright, go quickly.”

As his words fell, the study door was pushed open with a bang, and Jiang Shiran rushed in like a whirlwind.

“Ran Ran?” Jiang Tang frowned.

Jiang Shiran had run urgently, her chest heaving. She glanced at the standing Jiang Yuanchao and angrily questioned Jiang Tang: “Father, I’ve heard everything. Are you sending Brother Shisan to the south?”

“Yes.”

“Why? You know—”

Jiang Tang’s expression darkened slightly: “Ran Ran should remember what Father said.”

“What did Father say?” Jiang Shiran pondered for a moment, then suddenly remembered and stepped back in disbelief: “Father, were you serious?”

She stepped back again, her face full of grievance and anger: “Really? Just because I offended Li San, you’re transferring Brother Shisan away?”

“Did you think Father was just talking?”

Sending Shisan to Lingnan was naturally unrelated to Miss Li, but his daughter’s lawless temperament needed restraining. If his daughter hadn’t gone to make trouble before the Empress Dowager, how would Miss Li have ended up going south?

Based on this reasoning, Jiang Tang decided to take the opportunity to frighten his daughter.

“Father, I’m beginning to wonder if I’m your daughter or if Li San is your daughter!” Jiang Shiran covered her mouth, her eyes gradually reddening.

Seeing his daughter cry, Jiang Tang’s heart softened again. He sighed: “Alright, Ran Ran, your Brother Shisan is about to leave. Go talk with him.”

“I don’t want to! Father, are you planning to find me a stepmother? I hate you!” Jiang Shiran stamped her feet and ran off.

Jiang Tang felt overwhelmed and glanced at the calm-looking Jiang Yuanchao: “Aren’t you going to comfort that girl?”

“Yes.” Jiang Yuanchao turned and left.

The study was empty and quiet. Jiang Tang let out a long sigh.