In that instant, Qiao Zhao was struck as if by lightning, standing frozen in place.

Physician Li frowned: “Zhaozhao, don’t you recognize Grandpa Li anymore?”

Qiao Zhao came to her senses as if awakening from a dream. The usually steady and composed young lady lifted her skirts and ran, jumping onto the other ship.

The deck swayed.

Shao Mingyuan couldn’t help but say, “Be careful. What if you fall in?”

Qiao Zhao couldn’t care about such concerns. She rushed over and grabbed Physician Li’s sleeve, her voice trembling: “Grandpa Li, you, you’re still alive!”

Physician Li raised his hand to ruffle the young lady’s soft hair, smiling: “Your Grandpa Li has been snatching people from the King of Hell for so many years. Has the King of Hell ever managed to take anyone from me? When it comes to me personally, the King of Hell wouldn’t dare collect me even more.”

Hearing these familiar words, Qiao Zhao’s tears fell like rain.

“Why are you crying? You’re not a girl who loves to cry,” Physician Li said, patting Qiao Zhao’s back, equally moved with emotion.

He had survived the hurricane at sea—the dangers and hardships involved could hardly be described in just a few words.

Qiao Zhao wiped her tears with the back of her hand and smiled: “These are tears of joy. Grandpa Li, you must be hungry, right? Let’s return to the ship first. Whatever needs to be discussed can wait until after we’ve eaten.”

Physician Li smiled with satisfaction, glanced at Shao Mingyuan and Yang Houcheng, and said coldly: “Zhaozhao is still the most considerate. Unlike you two boys who kept pestering me with questions the moment we met, not considering that at my age, do I have the energy to talk so much?”

Shao Mingyuan lowered his eyes and smiled: “Physician, please don’t be angry. It was all due to our lack of consideration.”

Yang Houcheng secretly pursed his lips.

No energy? Stop fooling people—when he raises his voice, it’s louder than mine!

The group boarded their ship.

Physician Li glanced at Chi Can who came to greet them and couldn’t help but smile: “Everyone’s here. Where’s that boy surnamed Zhu?”

“Yang Er and I were both ordered by the Empress Dowager to protect Third Miss Li in gathering herbs. Zhu Wu didn’t come.”

After hearing Chi Can’s explanation, Physician Li suddenly glanced at Shao Mingyuan and asked in puzzlement: “They were ordered by the Empress Dowager to protect Zhaozhao. The Empress Dowager wouldn’t give such orders to the Marquis Guanjun, would she?”

So this boy came voluntarily to protect Zhaozhao?

Thinking of this, Physician Li felt inexplicably uncomfortable.

This brat has completely forgotten his deceased wife! It hasn’t even been a year—how can he face Zhaozhao!

Shao Mingyuan explained with a smile: “This junior came south to pay respects to my father-in-law’s family. My brother-in-law entrusted me to look after Zhaozhao, so we traveled together.”

Hearing this, Qiao Zhao’s lips curved slightly.

This man usually appeared serious and reliable, but wasn’t honest at all. His answer both explained that he came south to pay respects to his father-in-law’s family and pointed out that looking after her was approved by her elder brother—he was purely trying to win Grandpa Li’s favor.

Sure enough, Physician Li’s expression softened somewhat upon hearing this, and he walked inside.

Breakfast had long been set on the table. After several people devoured the meal like wolves, each held a cup of tea and drank slowly.

Qiao Zhao looked at their red-eyed, weary appearance and couldn’t help saying: “Why don’t you all go rest first? Whatever needs to be said can wait until after you’ve rested well.”

“Miss Li, aren’t you curious about our battle with the pirates and Physician Li’s resurrection from the dead?” Yang Houcheng asked in puzzlement.

Qiao Zhao looked around at everyone and smiled: “As long as the result is good, why rush to know the details of the process, no matter how extraordinary? Grandpa Li, let me take you to rest.”

Physician Li stood up and stretched lazily: “That’s fine. I’ve been unable to sleep comfortably on Mingfeng Island these past few months—too many disgusting things there!”

Seeing Qiao Zhao supporting Physician Li as they disappeared through the doorway, Yang Houcheng shook his head: “Miss Li really can contain her curiosity. I’ve been feeding mosquitoes all night and have no mind to sleep. I’m dying to know about Physician Li’s situation immediately.”

Chi Can rolled his eyes at him: “Hurry up and wash. You reek.”

“Where do I reek? I’m not making steamed buns with rising dough—how could I go sour overnight?” Yang Houcheng lowered his head to sniff his arm. The smell nearly knocked him out, so he quickly returned to his room, not forgetting to leave a parting remark: “Mingyuan, you should also hurry up and wash. Maybe Miss Li was driven away by our smell.”

Shao Mingyuan’s consistently calm expression stiffened. He couldn’t help but sniff, then his face looked somewhat unpleasant.

“Alright, don’t be as foolish as Yang Er. It’s good that you’re back. Hurry up and wash and sleep. Whatever needs to be discussed can wait until after you’ve rested well.” Chi Can paused for a moment before saying, “Third Miss Li waited for you all night and hasn’t closed her eyes either.”

Shao Mingyuan smiled: “You didn’t sleep either, did you?”

“Who said that? I slept soundly,” Chi Can curved his lips. “Go on. With Physician Li here, your eyes can recover.”

As Shao Mingyuan walked out, he said, “Physician Li said even a clever housewife can’t cook without rice.”

“Don’t let that old man fool you. Whoever believes him is a fool,” Chi Can said dismissively.

Shao Mingyuan’s smile deepened. He had never felt as relaxed as he did now.

Whether his eyes could recover or not, Physician Li’s safe return was the greatest joy.

He had many regrets in his life, but he only hoped Zhaozhao would have as few regrets as possible.

Qiao Zhao led Physician Li into a room and personally made the bed: “Grandpa Li, rest well. Once you’ve slept enough, we can have a proper conversation.”

Physician Li plopped down in a chair and squinted as he looked Qiao Zhao over.

After not seeing her for several months, the little girl looked more mature than when he left the capital, but her height hadn’t changed much.

Physician Li couldn’t help but sigh.

This child’s height was truly worrying. She was almost fourteen years old, a grown young lady, yet still had short arms and legs. If she stayed like this, she would face the gates of hell when bearing children in the future.

“Grandpa Li, aren’t you going to rest?” Seeing Physician Li staring at her, Miss Qiao inexplicably felt that this little old man wasn’t thinking of anything good and couldn’t help but urge him.

“I’m not in a hurry to sleep yet. Girl, tell me, has that boy Shao Mingyuan taken a fancy to you?”

Qiao Zhao’s face flushed as she stammered: “Grandpa Li—”

The words she had once said to Physician Li about not wanting any further relationship with Shao Mingyuan still rang in her ears. Now, to personally admit that the two had privately pledged themselves to each other was still somewhat embarrassing.

Physician Li, being old and experienced, understood what was happening from Qiao Zhao’s reaction. He darkened his face and slammed the table: “That bastard! He deserves to go blind. How could he harbor thoughts toward a young girl?”

Miss Qiao was displeased upon hearing this.

How was taking a fancy to her being blind? It had discerning eyes!

“Grandpa Li, he… he knows…” Qiao Zhao quickly explained.

“Knows what?” Physician Li asked dismissively, then suddenly widened his eyes: “He knows you’re Zhaozhao?”

Qiao Zhao lowered her eyes and nodded: “My elder brother told him.”

Physician Li’s expression changed unpredictably. After a long while, he sighed: “That boy is lucky. Since he’s become my grandson-in-law, I won’t let him remain blind.”