The two drank their porridge in silence. Seeing Qiao Zhao take out her handkerchief to wipe the corners of her mouth, Jiang Yuanchao handed her a cup of clear tea.

The steaming hot tea entered her stomach, bringing a warm feeling that dispelled the fatigue and chill from her body.

Jiang Yuanchao wanted to speak several times, but forcibly restrained himself.

He couldn’t be too hasty. Just now, when he had served her porridge, she had also served him a bowl, showing that she still couldn’t harden her heart completely.

He had plenty of time to spend with her and wasn’t afraid she wouldn’t speak up eventually.

It was rare for Jiang Yuanchao to be so quiet, and Qiao Zhao was happy to keep it that way. She was still holding a cup of tea, not yet finished drinking, when she suddenly heard Jiang He’s startled cry from the courtyard.

“Who are you? Get out quickly!”

“I’m looking for someone.” A man’s low, hoarse voice came through.

Qiao Zhao’s hand trembled, nearly dropping the teacup to the ground, and her constantly taut nerves instantly relaxed.

He had finally come.

Jiang Yuanchao’s expression changed slightly: “Marquis Guanjun?”

That voice wasn’t Marquis Guanjun’s voice, but rather the voice of the elder brother from the pair of brothers they had encountered at the inn.

Since the younger of the two was Miss Li, the elder brother was naturally Marquis Guanjun.

“We don’t have the person you’re looking for here—” Before Jiang He could finish speaking, his words turned into a scream, followed immediately by a thudding sound.

Through the open door of the dining hall, Jiang Yuanchao saw Jiang He being easily thrown out by a tall, large-framed man.

Jiang Yuanchao turned back to glance at Qiao Zhao.

Qiao Zhao instinctively took a step back, her eyes full of wariness.

At that moment, Jiang Yuanchao suddenly felt as if his heart had been pricked by a needle, causing a sharp pain.

The tall, long-legged man had already walked in. His gaze passed over Jiang Yuanchao and fell on Qiao Zhao, and only then did his anxious heart settle, revealing a weary smile.

Qiao Zhao likewise curved her lips upward.

“The marquis comes uninvited without even giving notice?” Jiang Yuanchao found their smiles particularly grating, but asked without showing any emotion on his face.

The moment Shao Mingyuan saw that Qiao Zhao had already revealed her true appearance, he understood that Jiang Yuanchao knew their identities. His dark eyes fixed intently on Jiang Yuanchao: “Is Lord Jiang inviting Miss Li as a guest?”

The two men were similar in height, staring at each other unblinkingly, their gazes meeting in the air as if they could spark flames.

There was a moment of uncomfortable silence in the hall.

Jiang Yuanchao was the first to break the silence, chuckling softly: “Meeting an old acquaintance in a foreign land—shouldn’t one extend hospitality?”

Shao Mingyuan smiled and looked toward Qiao Zhao, asking gently: “Are you finished eating?”

Qiao Zhao nodded.

Shao Mingyuan walked over and took Qiao Zhao’s hand: “Since you’re finished, we won’t disturb Lord Jiang any further.”

Jiang Yuanchao’s gaze lingered on their clasped hands, his smile turning cold.

He didn’t like seeing them this way.

Was Marquis Guanjun provoking him?

Jiang Yuanchao was extremely puzzled.

He had personally watched Marquis Guanjun separate from Miss Li, confirming he had gone far before following Miss Li. How had Marquis Guanjun found this place?

“Is the marquis only taking Miss Li alone?” Jiang Yuanchao asked with a smile.

“Of course not. The people Lord Jiang invited together, this marquis will naturally take them all away.”

“I’m afraid the marquis won’t get his wish. They were injured, and Jiang was a poor host.”

Shao Mingyuan’s eyes grew deep, asking without showing emotion: “Could Lord Jiang take this marquis to see them?”

Jiang Yuanchao curved his lips in a smile: “Naturally.”

Shao Mingyuan, holding Qiao Zhao’s hand, followed Jiang Yuanchao to see Chen Guang and Imperial Censor Xing.

Chen Guang was unconscious, and Imperial Censor Xing, having struggled through the night, was physically weak and currently also in deep sleep.

Shao Mingyuan stared fixedly at Jiang Yuanchao: “What does Lord Jiang mean by this? Could it be that this marquis has offended you in some way?”

“No, it’s just a misunderstanding. Jiang is also acting under orders to escort Imperial Censor Xing to the capital.”

Qiao Zhao sneered inwardly.

If Jiang Yuanchao’s purpose aligned with theirs, why had he tried to kill her before she hinted at her special relationship with Miss Qiao?

However, at this moment, she naturally wouldn’t expose Jiang Yuanchao’s words. Such diplomatic pleasantries couldn’t fool her, nor could they fool Shao Mingyuan.

The current situation was simply that neither side wanted to tear off the facade, maintaining a fig leaf of civility.

“Since the marquis has arrived, Jiang will take his leave. Jiang has already paid the rent for this place, so the marquis may stay as he pleases.”

Shao Mingyuan stretched out his hand to block him: “Lord Jiang needn’t hurry to leave.”

Jiang Yuanchao’s expression darkened slightly: “What does the marquis mean by this?”

Shao Mingyuan smiled: “Since we’re all heading to the capital, traveling together would allow us to look out for each other, wouldn’t it?”

“That’s unnecessary. Jiang has other matters to attend to.”

Shao Mingyuan blocked Jiang Yuanchao’s path, standing motionless.

Of course, he couldn’t let Jiang Yuanchao just leave like this.

At this moment, Jiang Yuanchao’s attitude was polite, but once he walked away, even if he didn’t lead his subordinates to cause them trouble, he needed only to spread some word, and Xing Wuyang’s people would swarm over like hungry wolves smelling blood.

Chen Guang was severely injured, Imperial Censor Xing was physically weak, and Zhaozhao was a delicate woman. When that time came, relying on his strength alone would be utterly inadequate to resist.

“This marquis hopes Lord Jiang can stay, at least until we leave this place, to keep us company. Just as you said earlier, meeting old acquaintances in a foreign land, we should have a proper gathering.”

Jiang Yuanchao put away his smile, staring coldly at Shao Mingyuan. After a long while, he asked: “What if I refuse?”

Shao Mingyuan was unconcerned, smiling faintly: “Then Lord Jiang can try.”

Jiang Yuanchao secretly clenched his fists, veins bulging on the back of his hands.

Was Marquis Guanjun certain he wasn’t his match? How overly confident!

“Then Jiang will try!” Jiang Yuanchao glanced at Qiao Zhao, then directly attacked Shao Mingyuan.

Shao Mingyuan released Qiao Zhao’s hand, dodged sideways to avoid Jiang Yuanchao’s attack, and became entangled in combat with him.

Qiao Zhao calmly retreated several steps, making room for the two men.

She had confidence in Shao Mingyuan’s martial skills.

However—

Thinking of those bloodshot eyes, Qiao Zhao felt her heart wrench with worry.

He looked extremely tired and should not have rested at all.

In less than the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, Shao Mingyuan and Jiang Yuanchao had already exchanged over a hundred moves.

Jiang Tang, as the commander of the Jinlin Guards and Emperor Mingkang’s trusted confidant, had martial skills that ranked among the best in the court, and Jiang Yuanchao, who had learned his true teachings, was naturally no slouch.

But Shao Mingyuan could be said to have exceptional natural talent—otherwise, he wouldn’t have become a renowned young hero at the age of fourteen.

In this fierce battle, both men used their full strength, but Jiang Yuanchao gradually began to feel overwhelmed.

For some reason, he very much didn’t want the young woman before him to see his defeat, even though he knew she would be happy to see it.

Jiang Yuanchao suddenly lifted his lips and let out a clear, long whistle. Soon, the courtyard filled with expressionless young men.

Shao Mingyuan grabbed Jiang Yuanchao’s shoulder with one hand, remaining unperturbed by the suddenly appearing men, and said lightly: “Lord Jiang truly has strength in numbers.”

Jiang Yuanchao raised his eyebrows and asked with a smile: “Does the marquis want Jiang’s life?”

Shao Mingyuan’s face remained calm, but his eyes seemed to brew a storm, with killing intent flickering within.

Seeing this, Qiao Zhao hurriedly called out: “Tingquan—”