A dark mass of troops approached from a distance, bringing billowing clouds of dust.

The man in the lead rode a black horse, his face flushed red, gripping a long spear. He stood before the citizens like a towering mountain.

The agitated citizens suddenly fell silent.

This man, before them, was the mountain that had pressed down on them for over ten years, heavy and irresistible.

This was General Xing Wuyang, the Anti-Japanese General.

Qiao Zhao and Shao Mingyuan quickly exchanged glances.

“Who said I contracted plague and died?” Xing Wuyang pointed his long spear forward, his voice booming like thunder: “Anti-Japanese General Xing Wuyang is here! Fellow citizens, see clearly!”

Qiao Zhao curved her lips in a mocking smile.

Judging by appearance alone, anyone would think Xing Wuyang was loyal and patriotic, loving his country and people. Who could imagine such filth lay beneath the surface?

Xing Wuyang’s sudden appearance with a large army shocked the citizens.

Everyone looked up at him in a daze, their eyes filled with awe and shrinking fear.

“Fellow citizens, with me, Xing Wuyang, here in Fuxing City, when have you ever suffered from Japanese pirate raids these years? Where could you go if you flee the city now?” Xing Wuyang waved his hand. “Everyone, go back. There is no plague in Fuxing City. Don’t abandon your peaceful lives to believe wild rumors!”

The citizens looked at each other, clearly wavering.

Seeing this, Shao Mingyuan made a swift decision: “Chen Guang, when chaos breaks out, make sure to protect Master Xing.”

“Yes!”

Seeing that his appearance had stopped a riot, Xing Wuyang on horseback curved his lips in an unrestrained smile.

Just then, a sharp gleam shot toward him. Xing Wuyang hastily raised his spear to block it, but the gleam pierced through the spear and embedded itself in his shoulder.

The sudden pain made Xing Wuyang cry out uncontrollably. His black horse neighed in fright and reared up on its hind legs.

“General!” The soldiers cried out in alarm.

Several personal guards surrounded Xing Wuyang, one shouting: “Quickly protect the General and retreat!”

Xing Wuyang covered his bleeding shoulder and commanded with hatred: “Control these people and search!”

Xing Wuyang’s sudden attack caused the crowd, which had already begun to waver, to become agitated again. Seeing soldiers approaching them, someone screamed hoarsely: “This is bad! They’re going to kill us all to avenge General Xing!”

At these words, the crowd immediately surged in all directions like floodwater through a broken dam.

Teams of cavalry split up to give chase while Qiao Zhao’s group took the opportunity to slip into the deep mountain forests.

The South was rich in waterways. The four quickly bought a small boat at a dock, but Shao Mingyuan didn’t board. Instead, he seriously instructed Chen Guang: “Take good care of Miss Li and Master Xing. I’ll catch up later.”

“Understood.” Chen Guang immediately agreed, looking at Shao Mingyuan’s serious expression and wanting to speak, but hesitated.

“You’re going back?” Qiao Zhao stood before Shao Mingyuan and looked up at him.

Shao Mingyuan reached out to ruffle the hair of the young woman before him.

Her hair was so soft, just like her appearance—delicate, tender, and beautiful, as if she couldn’t withstand a breeze. But he knew what kind of strong soul lay beneath this fragile exterior.

He loved that real her to distraction.

“Yes, I have to go back.”

Chen Guang finally couldn’t help but interject: “General, why are you taking such risks to go back? Can’t we just bring Master Xing to the capital to accuse Xing Wuyang?”

With both witness and evidence, plus accusations from an imperial censor conducting imperial inspections, Xing Wuyang would be convicted.

Shao Mingyuan glanced at Censor Xing and said flatly: “Don’t ask so many questions. Just do your duty.”

“The General can rest assured. This subordinate will give his life and not fail your trust.”

“Zhaozhao, wait for me to return.”

“Must you go?” Qiao Zhao vaguely guessed Shao Mingyuan’s intention but didn’t voice it.

Shao Mingyuan nodded slightly: “Making this trip will save a lot of trouble later.”

“Then fine, you go. We’ll wait for you at the agreed place.” Qiao Zhao tried her best to remain calm.

“Then I’m going.” Shao Mingyuan looked deeply at Qiao Zhao once more and turned to leave.

“Tingquan—” Qiao Zhao couldn’t help calling out.

Shao Mingyuan turned around.

“Did you bring the hemostatic powder, antidote pills, cold-dispelling pills, and miracle pills?”

Shao Mingyuan smiled: “Don’t worry, I brought them all.”

“Then… never mind, you can go.”

Shao Mingyuan suddenly stepped forward, wrapped his strong arms around Qiao Zhao, leaned down to her ear, and chuckled softly: “Are you feeling like you forgot something?”

Hearing him say this, Miss Qiao threw all her worries and concerns to the back of her mind. Blushing, she lifted her foot to kick him lightly and scolded: “Don’t talk nonsense!”

Shao Mingyuan laughed heartily: “Don’t worry, I’ll return early.”

He smiled, a sharp light flashing in his eyes as he said calmly: “Xing Wuyang alone can’t stop me!”

Only after Shao Mingyuan’s figure disappeared did Qiao Zhao board the boat. The small vessel slowly moved away from the shore.

The river was quiet. For some reason, there were almost no other boats coming and going.

Qiao Zhao stood at the bow, feeling the river wind was bone-chillingly cold.

Watching that man venture alone into a den of dragons and tigers, saying she wasn’t worried, would be a lie. But no matter how worried she was, she couldn’t stop him.

Her man was an eagle, and she couldn’t be the one to break his wings.

“Third Miss, it’s cold outside. Please come in.”

Qiao Zhao turned to smile at Chen Guang, then looked back toward the direction the boat had left: “Winter is approaching. Even here it’s getting cold. The capital should require lined jackets at this time.”

When she left, her mother, He Shi, was already pregnant. She should be showing now. Qiao Zhao wondered if the morning sickness had passed. If she were there, she could brew some appetite-stimulating soup to help her mother, but now, thousands of miles away, she could only worry in her heart.

And her father—he must be very much looking forward to the child in her mother’s womb.

Thinking this way, Qiao Zhao couldn’t help but smile.

Seeing Qiao Zhao standing motionless, Chen Guang simply turned back to the cabin. Soon, he emerged with a cloak and draped it over Qiao Zhao’s shoulders, his ears slightly red: “Third Miss, catching a cold would be troublesome.”

If only Binglu were here. Did he, a grown man, really have to take on maid duties too?

Qiao Zhao came back to her senses, pulled the cloak tighter, and smiled: “It’s more refreshing outside. Chen Guang, do you miss returning to the capital?”

Chen Guang smiled: “This subordinate has followed the General in the Northern Territories for years and doesn’t have feelings for the capital. But no matter what, it’s better than here. Those northern barbarians are formidable, too, but our soldiers and people are united, working together. This southern region is simply maddening.”

“Yes, only after coming here did we realize how unexpected the South is.” Qiao Zhao’s tone was full of sighs.

Chen Guang suddenly straightened up, his expression growing tense as he lowered his voice: “Third Miss, look at the person standing at the bow of that boat over there. Don’t they seem somewhat familiar?”