Qiao Zhao looked in the direction Chen Guang indicated and saw a small boat heading toward them. At the bow stood a man in black robes with his hands behind his back, his garments fluttering in the wind.
Because he was backlit, the man’s features were unclear, but Qiao Zhao recognized him with just one glance.
The approaching person was undoubtedly Jiang Yuanchao.
The oncoming boat gradually drew closer. Chen Guang also recognized Jiang Yuanchao, opening his mouth in surprise before quickly lowering his eyes to hide his emotions.
Jiang Yuanchao turned his gaze toward Qiao Zhao, his lips curved in a familiar smile.
Qiao Zhao still wore her human skin mask and lowered her head like a shy, timid youth.
Jiang Yuanchao chuckled softly. Just as the two boats were crossing paths, he suddenly leaped across, jumping onto Qiao Zhao’s boat.
The boat swayed, and Qiao Zhao’s slight frame swayed with it.
Jiang Yuanchao, who had landed beside her, reached out to steady her.
Seeing this, Chen Guang flew into a rage and immediately attacked.
Jiang Yuanchao seemed completely unsurprised and began fighting with Chen Guang.
The boat wasn’t large to begin with, and the narrow deck rocked violently under their combat.
Qiao Zhao grasped the boat’s rail to steady herself, watching the two men fight with cold eyes.
Chen Guang was a personal guard trained by Shao Mingyuan, so his skills were naturally excellent. Jiang Yuanchao was the adopted son most favored by Jinlin Guards Commander Jiang Tang, having learned profound martial arts from Jiang Tang’s true teachings.
After several dozen moves, Chen Guang gradually fell into a disadvantage.
At this time, from the cabin of Jiang Yuanchao’s boat, another young man emerged.
He rubbed his eyes and asked blankly: “Sir, is there anything you need me to do?”
Jiang Yuanchao’s lips held a light smile. While exchanging blows with Chen Guang, he glanced at Qiao Zhao and said casually: “Bring that young master to our boat.”
Chen Guang became greatly alarmed upon hearing this and shouted: “You dare!”
He tried to intervene but was skillfully entangled by Jiang Yuanchao.
Jiang He acknowledged the order and jumped directly onto Qiao Zhao’s boat.
The instant he leaped over, before his feet even touched the deck, Qiao Zhao used all her strength to kick him viciously.
Jiang He fell into the river with a splash, huge splash, soaking both Jiang Yuanchao and Chen Guang.
Jiang Yuanchao wiped his face, no longer able to maintain his smile, and roared: “Jiang He, just how stupid are you!”
Did this idiot emerge from the cabin just to embarrass him?
Chen Guang’s mouth broke into a wide grin. He gave Qiao Zhao a thumbs up and took advantage of Jiang Yuanchao’s dark expression to attack.
Jiang He, who had fallen into the water, struggled desperately and cried pitifully: “Sir, sir, this subordinate isn’t good at swimming—”
Jiang Yuanchao nearly exploded with rage. In front of Qiao Zhao and the others, he couldn’t maintain his usual gentle and refined image. With a dark face, he roared: “Why don’t you just die!”
While cursing, he bent down to pull Jiang He up. Chen Guang wouldn’t give him this opportunity and immediately pressed his attack.
Finally forced into desperation, Jiang Yuanchao had no choice but to jump into the water himself, dragging Jiang He like a dead pig onto their boat before climbing up himself, completely soaked and very bedraggled.
Chen Guang burst into laughter.
Jiang Yuanchao suddenly reached into his sleeve and pulled out a crossbow, aiming it directly at Qiao Zhao.
Chen Guang’s laughter stopped abruptly.
Seeing this, Jiang He hastily pulled out his sleeve crossbow and also aimed at Qiao Zhao, thinking: That was too embarrassing just now. He needed to redeem himself!
Jiang Yuanchao’s mouth twitched as he said angrily: “Aim at the other person!”
Why had he thought to bring this idiot along?
“Oh!” Jiang He suddenly understood and quickly adjusted his crossbow’s direction, aiming at Chen Guang.
Chen Guang’s expression remained impassive as he pulled Qiao Zhao behind him and asked coldly: “Who are you people? What do you want?”
Both he and Third Miss were currently in disguise. Had Jiang Yuanchao gone mad, biting anyone he saw?
Jiang Yuanchao didn’t answer Chen Guang’s question. He stared fixedly at Qiao Zhao, his lips slightly curved as he asked: “Does young master still remember me?”
Qiao Zhao raised her head to meet the gaze of the tall man on the opposite boat. The mockery in his eyes made her heart tighten.
Jiang Yuanchao had recognized her.
As this thought flashed through her mind, Qiao Zhao lightly pressed her lips together and said calmly: “I dare not forget.”
Hearing this, Jiang Yuanchao burst into laughter. Though soaked through, his naturally elegant bearing remained undiminished as he declared loudly: “Miss Li, it’s been a long time.”
Qiao Zhao couldn’t immediately understand how Jiang Yuanchao had recognized her identity. However, since he had already recognized her, further concealment would only invite ridicule. She smiled calmly, her gaze falling on the crossbow in Jiang Yuanchao’s hand that was aimed directly at her: “It’s been a long time. Lord Jiang becomes more and more surprising to me.”
Jiang Yuanchao toyed with the crossbow in his hand. His body shot up from the ground like a great eagle spreading its wings and landed once again on Qiao Zhao’s boat.
Chen Guang watched him warily: “Lord Jiang, since you’ve recognized Miss Li’s identity, why are you making things difficult for us?”
Jiang Yuanchao smiled lightly: “You’re mistaken. I have no intention of making things difficult for Miss Li.”
“Then what do you mean by this?”
Jiang Yuanchao glanced coolly at the cabin and said unhurriedly: “I only want to take one person away.”
Chen Guang’s expression changed dramatically as he said coldly: “I don’t understand Lord Jiang’s meaning!”
Jiang Yuanchao smiled slightly: “You don’t need to understand. It’s enough that Miss Li understands.”
Qiao Zhao raised her eyebrows slightly: “You want to take Censor Xing away?”
Jiang Yuanchao’s lips curved upward: “I knew Miss Li was ice-smart and snow-clever.”
Qiao Zhao’s gaze locked tightly on the man before her, feeling that something about him was different this time they met.
His attitude toward her was different.
Before, he had treated her as an interesting little girl, even showing her some special consideration and indulgence because she resembled his “beloved” to some degree.
But this time, she only saw coldness and calm in his eyes that held no smile, as if the moment she said “no,” the crossbow in his hand would mercilessly shoot over and take her life.
Qiao Zhao was furious.
When she was still Qiao Zhao, her husband had given her an arrow, causing her to wake up as Li Zhao.
Now the person standing before her, who had once personally told her he had feelings for Qiao Zhao, was preparing to give her another arrow.
She must have dug up the matchmaker god’s ancestral grave in her previous life!
Despite the rage burning in her heart, Qiao Zhao’s expression remained unchanged as she asked calmly: “May I ask why?”
Jiang Yuanchao placed his index finger against his lips, smiled, and shook his head: “Clever little girls shouldn’t ask why.”
Qiao Zhao’s hand moved slightly. Jiang Yuanchao added: “Nor should they treat a chicken feather as an imperial decree.”
With her intelligence, Qiao Zhao immediately understood Jiang Yuanchao’s meaning.
He was warning her not to take out the Jinlin Guards’ Heaven-class token that Jiang Tang had given her to command him.
The most ridiculous part was that he had personally handed her that token.
“Does Lord Jiang consider that a chicken feather?” Unable to contain her anger, Qiao Zhao asked coldly.
Both Chen Guang and Jiang He couldn’t understand their conversation and couldn’t help looking at each other in confusion.
The two men met each other’s gaze, suddenly remembered they were currently enemies, and simultaneously looked away in annoyance.
Jiang Yuanchao smiled as he looked at the young woman who didn’t even reach his shoulder height and asked calmly: “What would Miss Li like me to consider it?”