Shao Mingyuan looked at the maid with an indifferent expression.

The master had just left, and the young master was already inviting him to drink tea in the garden. This was suspicious.

Seeing his lack of response, the maid quickly glanced at the doorway and said in a low voice: “Young Master says he has been acquainted with Miss Qiao since childhood, and perhaps there are things you want to know that he can tell you.”

Shao Mingyuan’s eyes tightened.

Acquainted with Zhaozhao since childhood?

If the person standing behind him now wasn’t Zhaozhao, upon hearing these words, regardless of what strangeness that young master had, he would go without hesitation.

But now, why would he need to wade into these murky waters?

Shao Mingyuan’s gaze swept coldly over the maid, causing her to lower her eyes involuntarily.

“No—” Shao Mingyuan was about to refuse, when he suddenly felt a hand lightly touch his back and quickly write a character: “Go.”

The rest of his words were forcibly swallowed back. He stood up with a faint smile: “I wonder how to get to the garden?”

The maid’s face instantly reddened as she bowed her head and said hesitantly: “Please follow this servant, my lord.”

Qiao Zhao silently followed behind Shao Mingyuan as they walked out. Shao Mingyuan deliberately fell a few steps behind the maid, turning his head to look at her with a quietly questioning gaze.

Qiao Zhao pointed to her hair.

Shao Mingyuan then understood her meaning.

The “young master” who wanted to see him was a young lady.

Thinking of this, he became even more puzzled.

Why did Zhaozhao want him to meet a young lady?

“I want to see her.” Qiao Zhao said silently.

The “young master” waiting for Shao Mingyuan in the garden should be Uncle Xie’s youngest daughter, Xie Shengxiao.

Xie Shengxiao was two years younger than her and could be considered her close friend. After several years of not seeing each other, she wanted to meet her.

As for why Xie Shengxiao invited Shao Mingyuan to meet in the garden, Qiao Zhao couldn’t guess the reason, but one thing was certain – it wasn’t to curry favor with the powerful.

This was Xie Shengxiao, after all – her only close friend from her life as Qiao Zhao.

If Xie Shengxiao were that kind of person, then she could only blame herself for being blind.

“My lord, our young master is over there.” The maid led the two to the back garden and quietly withdrew.

Shao Mingyuan looked into the distance and saw a figure in blue robes standing beside a cluster of brilliant chrysanthemums.

That person stood with their back to him. Judging by height alone, they weren’t much shorter than an ordinary man. They casually picked flowers with a natural air of carefree elegance.

Perhaps hearing movement, that person suddenly turned around.

Shao Mingyuan’s steps paused.

Qiao Zhao gently nudged him from behind, and only then did he stride forward.

“Marquis Guanjun?” the blue-robed young master asked.

Their voice was clear and pleasant, more casual than a woman’s but more melodious than a man’s, creating a surprisingly harmonious match with their appearance and bearing.

Qiao Zhao sighed inwardly: As expected, this was undoubtedly her good friend Xie Shengxiao.

“Indeed, that’s me. May I ask who you are?”

Xie Shengxiao avoided answering, throwing the red chrysanthemum in her hand to the ground with a cold laugh: “Good that it’s you!”

As her words fell, she skillfully unfastened the soft whip coiled around her waist and lashed it toward Shao Mingyuan.

Shao Mingyuan quickly dodged to the side.

Xie Shengxiao wielded her long whip with considerable skill, creating shadowy afterimages in the air.

While dodging, Shao Mingyuan couldn’t help but glance at Qiao Zhao, only to see her standing nearby with a smile on her lips, her gaze entirely focused on Xie Shengxiao.

The young general suddenly felt a bit dejected.

Why was Zhaozhao looking at someone else?

With this thought, the young general no longer held back. His entire body suddenly rose higher, and in mid-air, he lifted his foot to kick, hooking the opponent’s long whip and flinging it onto a nearby artificial mountain. Then his body gracefully turned half a circle in the air before landing elegantly.

“I yield.” Shao Mingyuan nodded respectfully to Xie Shengxiao.

Xie Shengxiao lifted her chin with a cold laugh: “Inferior skills leave nothing to argue about. I’ll remember this whip strike – someday I’ll return it to you for A’Chu!”

After saying this, she turned around and said indifferently: “Please leave, my lord.”

Just then, an angry shout came: “Shengxiao, you’re causing trouble again!”

Xie Shengxiao’s body stiffened.

Uncle Xie strode over with large steps. Seeing the chrysanthemum petals scattered on the ground, his face twitched as he angrily said: “Shengxiao, quickly apologize to his lordship!”

Xie Shengxiao pressed her lips together without speaking.

Uncle Xie looked ashamed: “My lord, it’s my fault for not teaching my daughter properly. This girl is too unruly.”

Shao Mingyuan looked at Xie Shengxiao indifferently, his tone slightly surprised: “Oh, so this isn’t your son but your daughter.”

Qiao Zhao lowered her eyes and curved her lips slightly.

She had seen through it long ago – this Shao Mingyuan fellow appeared serious on the surface but was full of mischief inside.

Sure enough, when Uncle Xie heard Shao Mingyuan say this, his expression immediately became colorful. With no outlet for his frustration, he glared at Xie Shengxiao: “You dead girl, get back to your room!”

Xie Shengxiao said coolly: “Father, you’re the one who revealed my identity.”

After saying this, Xie Shengxiao strode away.

Uncle Xie’s face darkened completely, wishing he could pluck out his beard hair by hair.

Why was he so stupid as to reveal his daughter’s identity when Marquis Guanjun hadn’t figured it out?

Seeing Uncle Xie’s expression of wanting to cry but having no tears, Qiao Zhao shot Shao Mingyuan a reproachful glance.

Shao Mingyuan curved the corners of his mouth and smiled: “Uncle needn’t mind. Your daughter’s skills would be quite good even in a military camp.”

Uncle Xie: “…” Was this supposed to be a compliment? Thanks so much!

“My lord, let’s return inside to talk.”

When they returned to the house, Uncle Xie still looked embarrassed: “My daughter is senseless and has truly made a spectacle for your lordship.”

Shao Mingyuan smiled and changed the subject: “Uncle, this junior’s visit today also has another matter to tell you.”

“Please speak, my lord.”

“This junior brought an experienced coroner on this trip. Two days ago, he performed autopsies on my father-in-law’s family and discovered that twenty-four members of my father-in-law’s household died from throat slashing – only two perished in the fire.”

“What?” Uncle Xie suddenly stood up.

He had originally given the impression of just being a straightforward old man, but now a sudden burst of killing intent erupted from him.

Shao Mingyuan, having long experienced battlefields and killed countless enemies, was most sensitive to such an aura.

“Are your lordship’s words true?”

Shao Mingyuan nodded: “Absolutely true.”

Uncle Xie slowly sat back down: “Then what are your lordship’s plans?”

“Since this junior has already discovered that my father-in-law’s family was murdered by villains, I naturally must investigate the matter thoroughly so they can rest in peace.”

“Indeed, it should be so.” Uncle Xie nodded, looking deeply at Shao Mingyuan: “But what if no clues can be found? Or if the perpetrators have overwhelming power and influence—”

“Though faced with countless difficulties, my resolve will not change.”

“Well said!” Uncle Xie slapped the table and looked at Shao Mingyuan with a sigh: “Brother Qiao having such an excellent son-in-law like your lordship means he can die without regrets.”

Shao Mingyuan guiltily glanced at Qiao Zhao and said awkwardly: “Uncle’s words make this junior too ashamed.”

Just then, a servant rushed in: “Master, it’s terrible – those troublemaking ruffians are here again!”

Uncle Xie’s expression changed: “Quickly make sure the young lady is watched so she doesn’t go out!”

Shao Mingyuan stood up: “Uncle, let this junior accompany you to have a look.”