The wind on the river was bone-chillingly cold, and the young woman’s slender figure seemed as if it could be blown away by the wind at any moment.
She raised her eyebrows with a light smile: “What exactly is it—wasn’t that something Lord Jiang told me himself?”
This was sarcasm directed at Jiang Yuanchao’s broken promises.
Jiang Yuanchao, however, laughed dismissively: “Little girl, you certainly have a sharp tongue. Let’s not waste time arguing. The person in your cabin—I’m taking them with me today. If Miss Li is willing to cooperate, we can part on good terms. Otherwise—”
“Otherwise, what?” Qiao Zhao asked with a calm expression.
Jiang Yuanchao suddenly reached out and pinched the young woman’s pointed chin: “Are you not afraid of me?”
Marquis Guanjun wasn’t here. He and Jiang He could easily handle one of Marquis Guanjun’s guards. Where did this little girl get the confidence to remain so composed when facing him?
Or perhaps this was simply her nature—able to face any situation with equanimity?
Jiang Yuanchao was momentarily distracted, a graceful silhouette flashing through his mind.
“Take your hands off her!” Chen Guang struck out with his hand.
Jiang Yuanchao’s gaze was sharp as a blade as he glanced at Chen Guang and coldly shouted: “Do you want to see me point my sleeve crossbow at Miss Li?”
Chen Guang’s movements froze.
From their earlier exchange, he had already realized he was no match for Jiang Yuanchao.
If Jiang Yuanchao were alone, he would risk his life to perish together with his opponent—that wouldn’t matter. But now the opponent had another person with him. Though that one was rather stupid, he was still a person, and dealing with the defenseless Miss Li would be more than sufficient.
He had received solemn trust from the General—how could he let a moment of impulse put Miss Li’s life in danger?
Chen Guang was caught between conflicting concerns and didn’t dare make any move for the moment. He could only glare at Jiang Yuanchao with wide eyes. If looks could kill, the Smiling Tiger opposite him would have been riddled with holes long ago.
Qiao Zhao’s fingers hanging at her side moved slightly, and she said expressionlessly: “Whether I’m afraid or not can’t change Lord Jiang’s intentions, can it?”
Jiang Yuanchao chuckled softly: “You’re right about that.”
He looked at her, his gaze carrying hidden tenderness.
She was just a little girl whose height didn’t even reach his shoulder—why was she always able to stir his heartstrings?
He must be ill.
Now that the person was gone, he suddenly realized with startling clarity that his lovesickness had long since penetrated his bones, and he couldn’t help seeking traces of her in other women.
He released the young woman’s chin and raised his hand to stroke her beautiful hair: “I must take that gentleman inside with me. If you obediently listen, I won’t make things difficult for you all. How about it?”
Qiao Zhao pressed her lips together and remained silent.
Jiang Yuanchao curved his lips in a smile: “Then I’ll take that as your agreement.”
The man turned around and walked toward the cabin.
Being tall, he needed to bend down to enter the cabin.
Just as he bent down, Qiao Zhao quickly took out a palm-sized bottle, pulled out the stopper, and splashed its contents on his back.
The cabin door was narrow, and Qiao Zhao had chosen the perfect timing. Although Jiang Yuanchao sensed something was wrong and quickly dodged to one side, half of his body was still splashed with the transparent liquid.
In that instant, half of his body felt as if it were engulfed in raging flames. Through the firelight, he could see the young woman’s expressionless face.
The burning sensation was unbearably painful. Jiang Yuanchao could no longer care about anything else and dove into the river.
The river water at this time of year was bone-chillingly cold, but it still couldn’t relieve the burning sensation throughout the body of the person rolling in the water.
“My lord, my lord—” Jiang He gripped the ship’s rail and nearly burst into tears. “You must hang on! This subordinate can’t swim, so I can’t rescue you!”
He seemed to think of something and clung to the rail, looking at Chen Guang with pleading eyes: “You can swim, right?”
Chen Guang sneered: “Of course I can, but I won’t save him.”
They were enemies—what was this fool thinking?
Qiao Zhao stood by the boat’s edge, staring fixedly at the person struggling in the water, suddenly meeting his blood-red eyes.
“What did you splash on me?” Jiang Yuanchao asked with difficulty.
Qiao Zhao tugged at the corner of her lips, withdrew her gaze, and said in a flat, emotionless voice: “Chen Guang, let’s go.”
“Right away.” Chen Guang vigorously worked the oars.
The boat gradually moved away. Chen Guang couldn’t help but look back and saw Jiang He crouching by the boat’s edge, watching Jiang Yuanchao struggling in the water while continuously wringing his hands. Finally, he took out a fishing rod and cast it down, hooking Jiang Yuanchao’s hair.
Chen Guang could no longer bear to watch and turned back with twitching lips. Seeing that Qiao Zhao hadn’t even turned her head from beginning to end, he couldn’t tell if what he felt was admiration or emotion. Finally, he sighed: “Third Miss, thank goodness for you this time. Otherwise, our trip to Fu Xing City would have been all for nothing.”
“Don’t speak too soon. We can only relax once your General joins us.” Qiao Zhao still held the empty bottle in her hand. Thinking of Jiang Yuanchao’s painful struggle in the water, her mood was particularly complex.
She didn’t regret it.
They had put so much effort into rescuing Imperial Censor Xing, giving the Qiao family’s blood feud hope of being avenged. Anyone who dared touch Imperial Censor Xing—she would fight them to the death!
Jiang Yuanchao, you insist on taking Imperial Censor Xing away—what is your purpose?
Qiao Zhao thought silently and raised her hand to toss the empty bottle into the river.
The setting sun made the river water shine brilliantly. Jiang Yuanchao climbed onto the boat, his face red as fire, his eyes bloodshot. His tightly furrowed brow and the large drops of sweat rolling down his forehead all showed his current agony.
“My lord—”
“Shut up!” Jiang Yuanchao’s voice was hoarse as he roared.
Jiang He covered his mouth and looked at Jiang Yuanchao with pleading eyes, his face full of concern.
Jiang Yuanchao silently removed his upper garments. The process of undressing pulled at his skin, and he couldn’t help but let out a low groan.
Jiang He’s eyes suddenly widened as he exclaimed: “My lord, your whole body is red like a shrimp!”
Jiang Yuanchao was so angry that his hands shook.
This fool—not only was he unhelpful, but he also wanted to anger him to death with words. If he hadn’t been following him for so many years, he would think this fool was a spy!
“My, my lord, this side has blistered too, it looks really serious—”
“Bring me a soft cloth.” Jiang Yuanchao seemed to feel no pain and said expressionlessly.
Jiang He hurriedly dove into the cabin and soon brought out a soft cloth.
Jiang Yuanchao took the soft cloth and gently wiped the blistered areas, the pain making him suck in his breath.
“What did Miss Li splash on you? It’s so powerful!”
Jiang Yuanchao didn’t respond. In his mind, scenes of his encounters with Qiao Zhao flashed like a revolving lantern, finally freezing on the moment when he had just made eye contact with her disguised as a young man.
He had truly been careless. He had never imagined that the defenseless young woman could also cause harm to others. Otherwise, with his martial skills, how could he have been caught off guard by her?
She was a ruthless little girl!
A murderous glint flashed in Jiang Yuanchao’s eyes, and he sneered inwardly: She was just relying on the fact that he treated her differently.
No matter how much she resembled the person in his heart, she ultimately wasn’t her.
He had been foolish—why did he cling to that trace of hope?
Li Zhao—
Jiang Yuanchao silently repeated these two characters in his heart and said in a low voice: “Next time we meet, I definitely won’t spare you!”