Shao Mingyuan listened to Qiao Zhao’s words and nodded in agreement: “Yes, that’s how the world is, whether in the south or the Northern Territories.”

In the Northern Territories, human lives were as cheap as ants, but women were often the first to suffer misfortune.

He had already seen far too much of this.

Was Zhaozhao worried about these things?

The young general gazed at the girl’s calm and untroubled brows and eyes, and in a moment of inspiration, this thought flashed through his mind. He couldn’t help but reach out to grasp her hand, saying softly, “Zhaozhao, don’t worry about this. Not only will you not make mistakes, but even if you truly did make mistakes—no matter how great the mistake—I’ll bear all the consequences for you, alright?”

Qiao Zhao’s eyes widened slightly.

This shameless fellow, at the slightest opportunity, would grab her hand, and he was becoming increasingly skilled at it.

But the man’s words were truly too moving, like a pure white and light feather tickling at Miss Qiao’s heartstrings again and again, causing her heart, which had just become as still as an ancient well, to immediately ripple with waves.

When did Shao Mingyuan learned to scatter sweet words and honeyed phrases at any moment without a teacher?

The sound of footsteps approached, and Qiao Zhao immediately withdrew her hand.

Chi Can and Yang Houcheng walked over.

Chi Can’s gaze swept over the girl’s slightly reddened cheeks, and he asked in a calm tone: “What’s the next plan? Go herb gathering first, or visit Xing Wuyang’s territory first?”

“Go herb gathering first.” Shao Mingyuan and Qiao Zhao said in unison.

As their words fell, the two looked at each other.

Shao Mingyuan couldn’t help but curve his lips upward, thinking to himself: Zhaozhao has such a connection of hearts with him—clearly, she’s destined to be his wife.

Qiao Zhao, however, felt somewhat embarrassed and quietly shifted her gaze away.

Chi Can could bear it no longer and let out a cold laugh: “Enough, you two!”

Though he had let go, it still made his heart ache. These two people, especially that bastard Shao Mingyuan—did they think he was dead?

May that fellow surnamed Shao remain a bachelor for life!

In front of Chi Can, Shao Mingyuan naturally restrained himself somewhat and explained: “Zhaozhao’s mission for this southern journey was originally herb gathering. Having been delayed in Jia Feng for so long, if we go to Xing Wuyang’s place again, it won’t be easy for you all to explain to the Empress Dowager—”

Chi Can interrupted him: “Don’t worry about the Empress Dowager’s side—Yang Er and I are here.”

Either he or Yang Er carried more weight in the Empress Dowager’s heart than the Ninth Princess. With them present, the Empress Dowager naturally wouldn’t blame them for delaying a bit of time.

Shao Mingyuan smiled: “Even if the Empress Dowager’s side can be explained, I’m afraid those Imperial Guards will also quit.”

Upon hearing this, Yang Houcheng kicked the ship’s railing in annoyance: “Exactly! Those fellows have come crying to me several times, saying it’s too dangerous and they want to go home. Damn it, every one of them is a coward!”

“You can’t blame them. The affair in Jia Feng originally wasn’t something they should have gotten involved in. Speaking of it, they also suffered undeserved calamity, so it’s human nature for them to want to retreat.”

Yang Houcheng blinked: “Tingquan, I see that your guards are all fearless of death. When you led troops in the Northern Territories, were they all so obedient without any deserters?”

Shao Mingyuan smiled gently: “Cherishing life is instinct—how could there be no deserters?”

“Then how did you discipline them?” Yang Houcheng humbly asked for advice.

Though he was just a small squad leader in the Imperial Guards, he had a bunch of troublemakers under him who couldn’t be beaten or scolded. Coming out on this mission, he still had to coax those bastards—being this squad leader was too frustrating!

Shao Mingyuan glanced at his eagerly waiting companion and said matter-of-factly: “No need for discipline. Anyone who deserted on the battlefield—just kill them as a sacrifice to the flag.”

Yang Houcheng’s smile froze at the corners of his mouth.

This really wouldn’t work—if he killed even one of those little ancestors, he’d be in deep trouble.

“So fighting on the battlefield is still the most satisfying!”

“Yang Er, give up. Tingquan would never take you to a battlefield.” Chi Can said coolly.

“Why not?”

“Because your parents only have you as their son. If Tingquan took you to a battlefield, your parents would smash up the Marquis Guanjun’s residence.”

Yang Houcheng let out a heavy sigh.

“Shixi, Chongshan, we’ll go herb gathering first. After we finish handling this matter, you should take those Imperial Guards and leave the coastal area first, returning to Jia Feng to wait for us.”

“Wait for you?” Chi Can’s expression tightened.

Yang Houcheng scratched his head: “Right, Tingquan, what do you mean by this?”

Shao Mingyuan glanced at Qiao Zhao and explained: “Zhaozhao and I estimate that something’s not quite right with Xing Wuyang’s side. You’d better not wade into these muddy waters. Xing Wuyang is different from Governor Li. Governor Li is a civil official—no matter how much he schemes, he can’t stir up too big a storm. Xing Wuyang is different. He’s a major general who commands heavy troops and has been entrenched in the southern coastal area for many years. Confronting him head-on would be like throwing an egg against a rock.”

“But we can’t let the two of you take risks.” Yang Houcheng shook his head repeatedly. “If we hide in a safe place while watching you two venture into the dragon’s den and tiger’s lair, what kind of people would we be?”

“Big Brother Yang, this isn’t the time to talk about brotherly loyalty. The commotion we caused in Jia Feng was considerable and will reach the Capital. The Capital will remind Xing Wuyang to be extra careful. In that case, if all of us suddenly enter his jurisdiction after gathering herbs, we’d probably be schemed against before we could do anything. The two of us present a much smaller target and would be more convenient for taking action.”

Qiao Zhao’s words left Yang Houcheng speechless.

Chi Can suddenly asked: “Since Xing Wuyang’s place is full of crises, Tingquan, can you guarantee Third Miss Li’s safety?”

Shao Mingyuan raised his eyebrows and smiled: “I will naturally guarantee her safety.”

In a dragon’s den and tiger’s lair, with many people, he might not be able to look after everyone, but if it were just Zhaozhao alone, he naturally wouldn’t let anyone harm a single hair on her head.

“I hope you can live up to what you said today.” Chi Can said indifferently.

The boat traveled for several days, and the river’s surface gradually widened.

The boat docked at a coastal town, and everyone began preparing supplies for going out to sea. Because of this, they decided to rest and relax in the town for a day.

The town had no name. Because it was a stopping place for many who went out to sea, people all called it Sea Gate Crossing.

Qiao Zhao and her group walked into the town. The deeper they went, the more peculiar it felt, and the way the townspeople looked at them was also somewhat off.

Qiao Zhao’s group involuntarily slowed their pace.

Yang Houcheng muttered quietly: “This town is a bit strange. But if you ask what’s strange about it, I can’t quite say—it makes one’s heart pound with unease.”

Qiao Zhao secretly observed the surrounding environment and gradually frowned.

This town was indeed extremely strange.

People came and went in the town, their clothing and appearances all bearing the characteristics of southern coastal people that she had read about in travel journals. So, where exactly did everyone’s sense of strangeness come from?

She quietly paid attention to those pedestrians and keenly noticed that their gazes were all focused on her group, which couldn’t help but stir something in her heart.

This kind of coastal town was originally a place where all sorts of people mingled. The townspeople’s attention to these outsiders was a bit too focused, and within that focus was a hint of pity and sympathy.

Pity and sympathy?

Qiao Zhao’s steps halted, and she finally understood what was wrong!