Qiao Zhao was overjoyed: “Grandpa Li, do you have a way to cure his eyes?”

Physician Li nodded: “He’s quite lucky. I obtained a type of pearl from the pirates on Mingfeng Island that has miraculous effects on clearing the meridians around the eyes.”

“That’s wonderful.” Qiao Zhao couldn’t contain her joy.

Physician Li glanced at her and said coolly: “Indeed, daughters’ hearts turn outward, thinking only of that boy.”

Qiao Zhao’s face warmed slightly: “Grandpa Li, don’t tease me. If any friend had gone blind and there was hope for recovery, I would be just as happy.”

“Alright, alright. This old man needs a good sleep. Whatever needs to be discussed can wait until I’ve slept enough. I haven’t rested properly these past days—often going several days without closing my eyes.” Physician Li waved at Qiao Zhao, shooing her out.

“Then rest well. I’ll have A’Zhu wait outside the door, and she’ll come get me as soon as you wake.” Physician Li’s words revealed much unusual information. Though Qiao Zhao was extremely curious, she pushed down all her questions and quietly closed the door before retreating.

Having not slept all night, Qiao Zhao was also having trouble keeping her eyes open, but she didn’t return to her room. Instead, she turned and went to Shao Mingyuan’s quarters.

The door was slightly ajar. Qiao Zhao knocked gently.

A familiar male voice quickly came from inside: “Just bring the water in.”

Water?

Qiao Zhao was puzzled and spoke up: “It’s me.”

The voice inside sounded somewhat flustered: “Zhaozhao? Didn’t you go to rest?”

“I came to check on you. What are you doing?”

“Uh, I was already asleep.”

Qiao Zhao raised an eyebrow.

If he was asleep, what water was being brought?

Just then, Chen Guang’s voice sounded: “Miss Li is here? The General was just preparing to bathe.”

Qiao Zhao’s gaze dropped to the water bucket Chen Guang was carrying.

Coughing sounds came from inside the room as Shao Mingyuan quickly explained: “I accidentally fell asleep just now. I was preparing to bathe.”

“So my coming here is inconvenient?”

The door creaked open, and Shao Mingyuan stood in the doorway grinning foolishly: “Of course it’s convenient. Zhaozhao, it’s convenient whenever you come.”

“Cough, cough, cough.” Chen Guang couldn’t stop coughing.

The General surpassed his teacher—even he was getting uncomfortable with it.

Qiao Zhao stepped inside.

Chen Guang reflexively closed the door for the two of them.

Qiao Zhao paused in her steps and smiled helplessly.

A large wooden tub sat in the middle of the room, steam rising from it. Shao Mingyuan was indeed preparing to bathe. So why had he lied about already being asleep?

Qiao Zhao’s gaze fell on Shao Mingyuan. After looking him over for a moment, she said slowly: “General Shao, your belt is tied backwards.”

So this person had already undressed earlier—no wonder he’d fibbed about already sleeping.

Shao Mingyuan’s face turned bright red as he coughed into his fist.

Qiao Zhao smiled sweetly and asked innocently: “Have both General Shao and Chen Guang caught a cold?”

Shao Mingyuan very much wanted to pull the teasing young lady into his arms to make her behave, but thinking of Yang Houcheng saying he reeked, he lost all such thoughts and quietly moved further away from Qiao Zhao.

“Don’t move,” Qiao Zhao said, then stepped forward.

The familiar faint sandalwood mixed with the young lady’s body fragrance wafted over, and Shao Mingyuan’s whole body stiffened.

“Extend your hands so I can look at them.”

Shao Mingyuan instinctively hid his hands behind his back.

Miss Qiao’s face darkened: “Extend them.”

“Uh.” The young general obediently extended his hands.

His palms were wrapped in gauze that had turned a dark brownish color.

Qiao Zhao’s face darkened as she silently and carefully unwrapped the bandages. Sure enough, as expected, the wounds on his palms had split open again, a bloody mess.

“General Shao, do you not want these hands anymore?” the young lady asked coldly.

Shao Mingyuan’s heart skipped a beat.

Zhaozhao seemed angry!

“Didn’t you say you were only in charge of commanding?”

Shao Mingyuan smiled sheepishly: “I really was in charge of commanding. Everything else was done by the guards.”

“Then how did your hands get like this?”

“I just shot one arrow. Just one arrow.”

Qiao Zhao wanted to kick him, saying angrily, “Shao Mingyuan, do you just love shooting arrows?”

Shao Mingyuan couldn’t care about being afraid that Qiao Zhao would mind his smell anymore. He wrapped his arm around the young lady’s shoulders and said gently, “It was dark at the time, and the distance was far. Only I could take out their leader with one shot. I shot that arrow to ensure the battle went smoothly. Zhaozhao, are you worried about me?”

“Who’s worried?” Qiao Zhao twitched her lips and snorted coldly: “I’m reminding you not to let your wounds keep splitting open—it’s not good for you.”

“So Zhaozhao is worried about me after all.” The man rested his stubbled chin on top of the young lady’s head and gently nuzzled.

Qiao Zhao’s body tensed as she pushed him: “Aren’t you going to bathe?”

“In a moment.” The man held the young lady without moving, murmuring in her ear: “Zhaozhao, I’m very happy that Physician Li didn’t die.”

Qiao Zhao stopped struggling and let the man hold her, murmuring: “So am I.”

She paused, then told the man holding her: “Grandpa Li knows.”

Though her words were vague, Shao Mingyuan immediately understood and couldn’t help but hold the young lady in his arms even tighter: “Zhaozhao, thank you.”

That Zhaozhao had voluntarily told Physician Li about this matter showed she truly was willing to accept him, so she didn’t want her most respected elder to become an obstacle between them.

Qiao Zhao buried her head in Shao Mingyuan’s chest, her voice sounding muffled: “Grandpa Li says he can cure your eyes.”

She wrapped her arms around his waist and could feel his body tense for an instant when she said those words.

Being able to cure his eyes was wonderful news—what was he nervous about?

Qiao Zhao pondered this question while unconsciously drawing circles on the man’s waist with her hand.

The young general quickly caught the young lady’s restless hand, his voice low: “Zhaozhao, don’t tease.”

Qiao Zhao looked up at the man so close to her.

He had a high, straight nose bridge, thin lips with perfect shape, and a profile that was sharply defined yet not overly harsh, with eyes bright as stars.

His expression was somewhat stiff, carrying an indescribable tension, making him look more like a bewildered youth.

Qiao Zhao’s heart somehow softened. She reached up with both hands to pull the man’s handsome face down and stood on tiptoes to lightly peck his lips.

“Zhaozhao—” Shao Mingyuan looked surprised, his hands and feet stiff as he forgot to react.

“Mingyuan, rest assured. Since I’ve agreed to be with you, I’ve agreed. I absolutely won’t go back on my word, whether your eyes are bad or good.”

Was this fool worried that if his eyes recovered, she would break their agreement?

She couldn’t promise other things, but keeping her word, she certainly understood.

Moreover—

Qiao Zhao closed her eyes and curved her lips.

If she didn’t deceive her own heart, she was truly fond of this man.

“Why aren’t you saying anything?” After not getting a response from Shao Mingyuan for quite a while, Qiao Zhao looked up.

The young general suddenly lifted the young lady.

“Shao Mingyuan, your hands!”