“Speak.”

“How can I speak with you like this?”

Shao Mingyuan obediently set Qiao Zhao down, turned his body to the side, his face showing a suspicious blush, and cleared his throat: “Go ahead.”

“I specifically mentioned that we were government people. Logically, since their father is an official, they should have a subconscious sense of familiarity with government people. But after I mentioned it, their emotions, which had just stabilized, collapsed again as if they’d received a great shock. Tingquan, what do you think is going on?”

Shao Mingyuan thought briefly and said, “If that’s the case, their falling into pirates’ hands probably wasn’t so simple. Their father likely encountered great trouble or has already been killed, and the one who harmed him is most likely an official here.”

“I had the same suspicion. However, their father is a Supervisory Censor. Though only a seventh-rank official, he can patrol on behalf of the Son of Heaven, reporting what he hears directly to the imperial ear, making him a very special and important presence locally. If he truly met with misfortune, the court should have received news.”

Qiao Zhao quietly pressed her aching arm and continued: “Aren’t we trying to catch Xing Wuyang’s wrongdoings? Perhaps we can find a breakthrough from these two young ladies, so we absolutely cannot let them shut down mentally and have nervous breakdowns.”

After she finished speaking, seeing Shao Mingyuan remain silent, she tugged at his sleeve: “Tingquan, what do you think?”

Shao Mingyuan sighed helplessly, his tone full of indulgence: “Yes, all the reasoning is on your side. I can’t out-argue you anyway.”

He took the young woman’s hand and placed it over his heart, saying softly, “But it makes me feel bad. If you can’t bear to see me suffer, please cherish yourself from now on, alright?”

“I understand. Once your eyes are better, you can supervise me.” Qiao Zhao said with a smile.

Hearing the young woman’s laughing words, Shao Mingyuan suddenly very much wanted to see her appearance immediately and murmured: “Zhaozhao, you look beautiful when you smile.”

Qiao Zhao pressed her lips together and said lightly: “It’s Li Zhao who looks beautiful when she smiles.”

Shao Mingyuan held her hand and wouldn’t let go, saying gently: “Though I’ve never seen how you originally smiled, I think both are beautiful.”

“Sweet talker.” Qiao Zhao said softly, but let him hold her hand without moving.

“I don’t sweet-talk.” The man said seriously. “They’re both really beautiful.”

Qiao Zhao leaned gently against Shao Mingyuan’s arm and sighed: “Shao Mingyuan, when your eyes get better, I’ll draw how I used to smile for you, alright?”

“Good, then it’s a promise.”

The room became quiet. Neither spoke for a long time, warmth surrounding them both.

The pirates on Mingfeng Island had been eliminated, but Qiao Zhao’s ship began turning around to return. The reason was that the scar-removing holy medicine made from gel pearls that Physician Li had originally gathered hadn’t been lost since he kept it close to his body, and there was enough of it, saving everyone a great deal of effort.

Over the next few days, Qiao Zhao would visit the two women from time to time to talk, her tone gentle and patience unlimited. Finally, she got the two women to drop their guard and allow her to examine them closely.

After the examination, Qiao Zhao was secretly alarmed.

Not only were both women’s bodies already in ruins, but the slightly younger woman was pregnant!

“Zhenniang, would you like to come out and walk with me? The sunlight is very nice today.” Qiao Zhao asked tentatively.

Over the past few days, Zhenniang had told Qiao Zhao her name through writing.

Zhenniang glanced at her sleeping sister and shook her head.

Qiao Zhao sighed inwardly but wasn’t discouraged.

Though they still hadn’t spoken until now, at least they would respond to what she said. This was a good sign. For patients whose hearts had been severely traumatized, physicians could only proceed gradually – being too hasty was taboo.

“Then would you like to come to my room and look around? I have many books there. If you’re interested, you can read whatever you like.”

Zhenniang’s eyes lit up, staring intently at Qiao Zhao.

Qiao Zhao knew this topic had caught Zhenniang’s interest and immediately said: “Medical books, history books, chess manuals, and time-passing travel journals and storybooks – almost every type. Would you like to take a look?”

Zhenniang’s eyes had a brightness that hadn’t been there before, but she still shook her head.

Qiao Zhao stood up: “Then tell me what type of books you’d like to read, and I’ll go get them for you, alright?”

The young woman’s mouth held a peaceful smile, as if all the storms outside had nothing to do with her – this place was the only safe harbor.

Zhenniang stared intently at Qiao Zhao. After the two silently looked at each other for quite a while, she suddenly uttered two words: “History books.”

Qiao Zhao quietly breathed a sigh of relief and showed a bright smile: “I’ll go get them for you.”

She quickly returned carrying several history books and handed them to Zhenniang.

Zhenniang suddenly snatched the books and clutched them tightly to her chest.

Qiao Zhao’s face remained composed, but her heart ached a little.

These books were all collected for her by Father before departure. With Zhenniang grabbing them like this, they would probably be quite damaged.

Zhenniang picked up a history book and began reading seriously.

Qiao Zhao sat not far from her and asked softly: “Why do you like reading history books?”

These past few days, when Qiao Zhao came over, she had always talked to herself. At this moment, she asked this question without expecting to get a response from Zhenniang. Who would have thought Zhenniang would suddenly say: “I want to see what’s wrong with this world. Father often said that using history as a mirror, one can understand the rise and fall of dynasties.”

“Zhenniang—” Qiao Zhao opened her mouth.

Zhenniang suddenly threw down the book and covered her face, crying bitterly.

The sleeping Jingniang was awakened and, thinking Qiao Zhao was bullying her sister, pounced toward her with claws bared.

Zhenniang held Jingniang and gently patted her: “Sister, go to sleep.”

Jingniang was stunned, and perhaps extremely weary, she slowly closed her eyes again.

After Jingniang was fast asleep, Zhenniang looked at Qiao Zhao.

Qiao Zhao keenly noticed that after crying, Zhenniang’s entire mental state had changed. Her heart couldn’t help but rejoice, but she didn’t dare show it easily and patiently waited for Zhenniang to speak.

After a long silence, Zhenniang asked in a trembling voice: “Who exactly are you people?”

Qiao Zhao knew it was time for a good conversation and said, “My father is a Compiler at the Hanlin Academy. We came from the capital.”

“The capital?” Zhenniang’s eyes suddenly widened as she grabbed Qiao Zhao’s hand and asked in a lost voice: “Really? You’re really from the capital?”

Qiao Zhao nodded.

“Then what are you doing at the coast?” Zhenniang still hadn’t dropped her suspicion.

“A noble person in the capital fell ill and needed a medicinal ingredient only available here, so I came to gather medicine. The men on the ship are Imperial Guards who were ordered to protect me.”

“Imperial Guards?” Zhenniang’s eyes shifted as her grip on Qiao Zhao’s hand suddenly tightened: “Are the Imperial Guards the Son of Heaven’s guards?”

“Exactly.” Qiao Zhao answered without hesitation.

What Zhenniang avoided like snakes and scorpions were those corrupt officials. So toward imperial family members, she would very likely feel like she’d grabbed a lifeline – the same principle as when children fight with other children and get hurt, then see adults and tearfully complain.

As Qiao Zhao expected, once she received the affirmative answer, Zhenniang said hoarsely, “Please save my father!”