As soon as these words were spoken, all eyes immediately fell on Qiao Zhao.

Under the torchlight, the young woman’s plain clothes were tinged with a faint golden-red hue, her features as exquisite as a painting.

Meeting the many gazes, she remained completely unmoved, only looking calmly into Jiang Wu’s eyes.

A playful gleam flashed in Jiang Wu’s eyes as he said with a half-smile: “Miss Li wants me to stay?”

He glanced at Shao Mingyuan and asked with a smile: “On what grounds? I’m not Marquis Guanjun.”

Marquis Guanjun was deeply infatuated with this little girl, but to him, she was just a little girl, nothing more.

He admitted this little girl was somewhat different from others, but that was all.

Want him to stay?

He didn’t know whether to laugh at this little girl’s naivety or her overestimation of herself.

“Little girl, if you say this again in a few years, I might consider it.” Jiang Wu smiled coldly, his tone full of mockery.

A flash of killing intent appeared in Shao Mingyuan’s eyes, but a soft hand suddenly grasped his, making him momentarily forget about troubling Jiang Wu.

Qiao Zhao immediately released Shao Mingyuan’s hand, stepped forward, and laughed lightly: “Lord Jiang might want to look at this before speaking.”

The young woman’s pale hand suddenly rose, revealing a token.

Jiang Wu’s color changed dramatically as he stepped forward abruptly.

Shao Mingyuan blocked his path.

“Please let me pass, Marquis. I want to see what Miss Li holds in her hand.”

Shao Mingyuan didn’t move an inch.

“Brother Shao, let Lord Jiang come over. He won’t harm me,” Qiao Zhao said softly.

She always felt calling him “Brother Shao” was embarrassing, but at such a crucial moment, as long as it worked, that was fine. Miss Qiao thought silently.

Hearing that “Brother Shao,” Shao Mingyuan’s heart soared. Though he still glared at Jiang Wu with hostility, he quickly stepped aside.

“What does Miss Li hold in her hand?” Jiang Wu asked urgently.

Qiao Zhao’s tone was calm: “Doesn’t Lord Jiang recognize it?”

She straightforwardly threw the token into Jiang Wu’s hands.

If Jiang Tang had sufficient authority over Jiang Wu, then giving him the token would ensure his full assistance. If Jiang Wu weren’t so obedient to Jiang Tang, then the token would be just a worthless piece of metal, and holding onto it tightly would be useless.

Qiao Zhao had always been clear-thinking and naturally wouldn’t make petty gestures.

The token felt heavy as soon as it entered his hands. Jiang Wu carefully examined it and confirmed it was indeed the Jinlin Guards’ Heaven-grade token.

He looked at Qiao Zhao with surprise and uncertainty.

Why would this little girl possess a Heaven-grade token of the Jinlin Guards?

This Heaven-grade token was no ordinary thing – it could command the obedience of their Thirteen Guardians.

“Where did Miss Li obtain this token?”

Qiao Zhao smiled sweetly: “What does Lord Jiang think? Surely I didn’t steal it?”

Jiang Wu naturally knew the young woman before him was joking.

If the prestigious Jinlin Guards’ Heaven-grade token could be stolen, then the Jinlin Guards might as well disband.

Jiang Wu was equally straightforward. After the initial shock, he returned the token to Qiao Zhao: “What would Miss Li have me do?”

Qiao Zhao smiled: “I spoke very clearly just now. I want Lord Jiang to stay and stand with Marquis Guanjun through thick and thin.”

Jiang Wu’s eyes narrowed.

What a clever girl. With one sentence, she had bound the Jinlin Guards stationed in Jia Feng to the same boat as Marquis Guanjun and his people, even putting enormous pressure on Governor Li.

This girl was gambling-gambling on whether Governor Li would abandon his siege of Marquis Guanjun out of fear of the Jinlin Guards.

If she won the gamble, naturally, Marquis Guanjun’s group could retreat safely. If she lost, Governor Li would still have trouble explaining to the Jinlin Guards in the capital afterward. His foster father would certainly cause trouble for First Minister Lan, and to appease his foster father’s anger, First Minister Lan might even sacrifice Governor Li as a gesture of goodwill.

In that case, this little girl would have at least helped Marquis Guanjun’s people get some revenge.

Jiang Wu shook his head secretly.

How could he have thought this was an ordinary little girl? For his foster father to give out a Heaven-grade token, this little girl must have special qualities he didn’t know about.

Jiang Wu turned around to look at Governor Li.

Governor Li’s expression changed: “Lord Jiang Wu, what is this—”

Jiang Wu raised his eyebrows and smiled: “Governor Li should have heard Miss Li’s words just now.”

Governor Li looked deeply at Qiao Zhao.

Only now did he focus his attention on a little girl for the first time.

What did Jiang Wu mean?

A vague sense of foreboding rose in his heart. Governor Li raised his hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead and forced a smile: “I did hear, but this humble official doesn’t quite understand—”

“Miss Li’s meaning is my meaning,” Jiang Wu said indifferently.

Sweat immediately poured down Governor Li’s forehead as he unconsciously stepped back half a pace, his expression grim: “Is Lord Jiang Wu going to interfere in bandit suppression?”

Lord Jiang Wu swept his cold gaze over and said casually: “The bandits are those black-clad men, right? Naturally, I won’t interfere with Governor Li’s bandit suppression. I’m only here to protect the safety of Marquis Guanjun and his people.”

Governor Li never expected such a turn of events in what should have been a sure victory, and couldn’t help but glare fiercely at Qiao Zhao.

It was all this damn girl – with one sentence she had forced him into a dilemma where he couldn’t advance or retreat!

He and Marquis Guanjun had already torn off all pretenses. If he let Marquis Guanjun go tonight, there would be endless future troubles, and he couldn’t explain it to First Minister Lan either.

But now the Jinlin Guards stood on Marquis Guanjun’s side. If he didn’t plan to spare Marquis Guanjun, he’d have to deal with these Jinlin Guards too, and then he’d equally have trouble explaining to the capital.

Governor Li’s heart was torn between conflicting thoughts, his face alternating between green and white.

His advisor stood beside him and reminded in a low voice: “Sir, indecision leads to chaos!”

Governor Li’s heart trembled.

Sir Han was right. The arrow was already on the bowstring – could it still be withdrawn?

If he shot this arrow today, he would certainly offend Jinlin Guards Commander Jiang Tang, but this Jiang Wu was reportedly sent to Jia Feng because he had displeased Jiang Tang. Surely Jiang Tang wouldn’t fall out with Elder Lan over just one Jiang Wu?

Yes, to appease Jiang Tang, Elder Lan might use him as a scapegoat, but having served Elder Lan for many years, even without merit, he had worked hard. Elder Lan couldn’t be too ruthless and dishearten those who followed him.

Elder Lan’s punishment afterward would be better than Marquis Guanjun’s mad revenge.

Governor Li’s eyes turned cold: “Since Lord Jiang Wu puts it that way, this humble official must give offense!”

“Governor Li, you’re quite bold, but don’t regret it!” Jiang Wu said coldly.

This Governor Li – he had truly underestimated him in the past.

“Attack!” Having made his decision, Governor Li naturally hesitated no more and raised his hand to give the order.

The government troops charged forward.

Shao Mingyuan pushed Qiao Zhao behind him and called out: “Chen Guang, protect Miss Li and get her back to the house!”

Qiao Zhao was grabbed by Chen Guang by the arm.

At this moment, she knew not to cause trouble and could only retreat into the courtyard with Chen Guang.

She was quickly separated from Shao Mingyuan by some distance.

In the firelight, the man’s eyes were bright and clear, filled with tenderness and reassurance.

Qiao Zhao’s heart suddenly ached as she called out: “Brother Shao, take care!”