Qiao Zhao admitted that Shao Mingyuan was different from Chi Can.

Chi Can’s letting go had only made her feel relieved.

But Shao Mingyuan was different. She couldn’t deny that she had also developed feelings for him.

His affection for her wasn’t purely a burden to her, but rather the kind of “letting go” that required resisting temptation in order to gain that freedom called “liberation.”

The allure of “freedom” was too great, greater than the longing to spend a lifetime with him.

Qiao Zhao raised her hand to press against her heart.

Her heart felt somewhat uncomfortable, but she had no regrets.

After washing up, she removed her outer garments and lay down, tossing and turning while listening to the sound of waves outside the window.

Tonight it was Binglu on watch duty. Hearing her young mistress flipping back and forth on the bed like a pancake, she couldn’t help asking: “Miss, are you too hungry to sleep?”

The person on the bed stopped moving.

Binglu sat up with a start: “Miss, let this servant go to the kitchen and bring you something to eat.”

Qiao Zhao didn’t know whether to laugh or cry: “No need, I’m not hungry.”

“How can you not eat dinner? Miss, you’re already thin to begin with. If you skip dinner, you’ll get even thinner, and you won’t grow taller either…” the little maid chattered on.

The General was so tall – Miss should grow a bit taller too, so they’d look more well-matched.

Qiao Zhao’s mouth twitched as she sighed: “Binglu, if you keep talking, I’ll have A’Zhu take over instead.”

“This servant won’t say anymore, won’t say anymore.” Binglu covered her mouth, but after holding back for a moment, asked again, “Then why can’t you sleep, Miss?”

Qiao Zhao couldn’t stand it anymore. She sat up, got out of bed, picked up her outer garments and put them on, then walked toward the door.

This little maid was going to nag her to death – how would she know why she couldn’t sleep!

“Miss, where are you going? Are you going to the kitchen?”

Qiao Zhao closed her eyes, took a quiet deep breath, and said: “I’m going out for a walk. Don’t follow me.”

Pushing open the door, she was met with wind carrying the fishy scent of seawater. The further out she walked, the louder the sea wind became, as if fierce beasts had quietly awakened on the ocean floor when night fell.

Qiao Zhao walked to the ship’s railing and stood there gazing at the sea surface that was so blue it appeared black.

Moonlight scattered down, causing the sea surface to shimmer with bits of broken silver.

This was a quiet night, so quiet that only the sound of the sea could be heard.

Wait—

Qiao Zhao’s expression grew slightly tense as she listened to the approaching footsteps and couldn’t help frowning.

For people she was very familiar with, she could distinguish their footsteps.

The approaching footsteps belonged to two people, one of whom sounded like Shao Mingyuan.

Hadn’t he felt dizzy and gone to sleep? Why was he wandering around outside so late?

Qiao Zhao turned around, leaning back against the railing as she looked forward, and saw Shao Mingyuan and Chen Guang walking in this direction.

Chen Guang was slightly ahead by two steps, with Shao Mingyuan walking behind.

Qiao Zhao’s gaze passed over Chen Guang and settled on Shao Mingyuan.

In the night, with many lanterns hanging on the ship, she could see his appearance.

His eyes were pure as black gemstones, his expression calm as water. Seeing her was like seeing a stranger – there wasn’t the slightest ripple of emotion.

“Miss Li, how come you’re here?” Chen Guang suddenly spoke up.

“I came out for a walk.” Qiao Zhao looked toward Shao Mingyuan. “Didn’t Big Brother Shao go to sleep?”

Shao Mingyuan looked at her with a slight smile: “I couldn’t fall asleep later and felt stuffy, so I came out for some fresh air.”

“Is your head still dizzy?”

“Still a bit dizzy.”

Qiao Zhao couldn’t help but look deeply at the man across from her.

She asked a question, he answered it, absolutely not saying one extra word. Was he trying to maintain complete distance from her?

Indeed, he was someone who had led troops in battle for years, decisive and efficient. Once he made a decision, he was utterly ruthless, just like that arrow beneath Yan City.

This was for the best.

Qiao Zhao pressed her lips together and said coolly, “If you still feel dizzy, General Shao should go back and rest. Sleep is the best medicine.”

The moment he heard the address “General Shao,” Shao Mingyuan’s lips moved, he lowered his eyelids, and responded faintly with “Mm.”

Qiao Zhao no longer wanted to stay. She gave a slight bow and said, “Then I’ll return to my room first, General Shao.”

“Miss Li, take care.”

Under the moonlight, the young woman in plain robes walked away quickly. The young general gazed in the direction of her departure, and though he couldn’t see, he never looked away.

“General—” For some reason, seeing the General and Miss Li like this made Chen Guang’s heart feel blocked up. He couldn’t help calling out.

“What?”

“You—” Chen Guang remembered the General’s earlier instructions and sighed heavily. “Why don’t we go back and rest?”

“Has she returned to her room?” Shao Mingyuan asked softly.

“She has.”

“Then lead me around a bit more.” Unable to see with his eyes, he found himself wanting even more to see her appearance. If only he had known to look at her more often before.

Zhaozhao had just changed back to calling him “General Shao” – it didn’t sound as nice as “Big Brother Shao.” Shao Mingyuan thought dejectedly.

He thought again: “Miss Li” actually didn’t sound as nice as “Zhaozhao” either.

As bitter feelings spread through his heart, Shao Mingyuan stumbled slightly.

Chen Guang quickly steadied him: “General, be careful!”

Shao Mingyuan shook off his hand and said coolly, “Didn’t I already tell you not to support me?”

He had to get used to life without sight, and he also had to get used to life without Zhaozhao.

Wasn’t that just how life was – there were many things one didn’t want or wish for, but could only silently accept and grit one’s teeth to continue forward.

Early the next morning, dark clouds obscured the bright sunlight. Seabirds flew very low, occasionally letting out clear cries.

Usually, everyone ate breakfast in their respective rooms. Chen Guang brought breakfast and set it before Shao Mingyuan: “General, it’s time to eat.”

Shao Mingyuan nodded slightly and reached out his hand.

“Sir, your hand is still injured. Let this subordinate feed you.”

“No need. Let me get used to it first.”

Zhaozhao was so clever – if he didn’t adapt quickly, what if she noticed something amiss?

Seeing Shao Mingyuan’s hand pass over the steamed bun and reach toward the porridge bowl, Chen Guang’s lips moved as he forcibly held back from speaking up to remind him.

That large hand touched the rim of the bowl, slowly moved down, and steadily grasped the bowl while his right hand went to take the spoon.

Chen Guang’s expression grew somewhat ugly.

He had just placed the spoon to the left of the porridge bowl.

Just as he was hesitating whether to give a reminder, he heard a crash as the porridge bowl was knocked over, hot porridge splashing all over Shao Mingyuan.

Chen Guang jumped up: “General, are you burned?”

He grabbed a cloth and frantically wiped at Shao Mingyuan. Shao Mingyuan said calmly, “Don’t panic, I’m fine.”

Chen Guang lowered his head and desperately wiped at the porridge that had fallen on Shao Mingyuan’s robes. His tiger eyes filled with tears, and as he wiped, he couldn’t help crying: “General, why don’t we just tell Miss Li—”

“Silence!” The young general who had been calm-faced suddenly turned stern, saying coldly: “Chen Guang, if I hear such words again, you won’t need to stay by my side anymore.”

“This subordinate was wrong, this subordinate just—” just feels sorry for you.

Shao Mingyuan stood up, pulling off his outer robe as he said: “Bring me a change of clothes.”

“Please wait a moment.” Chen Guang hurried to rummage through chests and cabinets.

Shao Mingyuan had just removed his outer garment when he heard knocking at the door.