Five days later, Chen Guang could already get out of bed and walk around.

“The marquis is leaving now?” Jiang Yuanchao stood in the courtyard, his gaze sweeping past Qiao Zhao and looking at Shao Mingyuan with a half-smile.

Shao Mingyuan raised his eyebrows without showing emotion: “We’ll have to trouble Lord Jiang to escort us part of the way.”

Jiang Yuanchao glanced at Qiao Zhao, as if asking her, yet also seeming to speak to Shao Mingyuan: “Does Jiang have a choice in the matter?”

These past few days, he had intermittently felt cramping pain in his abdomen, experiencing the effects of Seven-Day Gut Severing Powder. To stay alive, he could only be manipulated by them.

“The boat is already prepared. Since the marquis wants to leave, we should depart early.”

“Lord Jiang has prepared everything thoroughly. Many thanks.”

The weather had quietly turned cold, and the riverside already showed a desolate scene. Qiao Zhao’s group boarded the boat and left their temporary lodging.

Traveling northward all the way, almost every few li there were official boats intercepting and inspecting them. Each time they were allowed to pass because Jiang Yuanchao revealed his Jinlin Guards identity.

Jiang Yuanchao couldn’t help but sneer: “Is the marquis using Jiang as a protective talisman?”

Shao Mingyuan stood by the railing, looking at the sparkling river surface with a slight smile: “The capable should work harder.”

“Does the marquis admit his incompetence?” Jiang Yuanchao retorted sarcastically.

Shao Mingyuan’s smile was faint: “This marquis never competes with others in verbal sparring.”

Jiang Yuanchao turned to look at the river surface scattered with golden fragments, suddenly laughing: “Jiang is quite curious what earth-shattering deed the marquis accomplished to make all of Fudong so tense, with such strict inspection of passing vessels.”

Shao Mingyuan withdrew his gaze to look at Jiang Yuanchao: “This marquis is also curious what urgent business Grand Commander Jiang has that would command Lord Jiang to secretly infiltrate Fudong.”

Knowing he couldn’t get any information, Jiang Yuanchao caught sight of Qiao Zhao approaching and said nothing more.

“It’s time to eat.” Qiao Zhao walked over.

“What are we having tonight?” Shao Mingyuan asked with a smile.

“We caught a few fish and made braised fish with scallions and fish soup.”

The two chatted and laughed as they walked inside, leaving Jiang Yuanchao standing alone in place.

After walking a few steps, Qiao Zhao turned back: “Why isn’t Lord Jiang moving?”

Jiang Yuanchao stared at Qiao Zhao, pointing to his abdomen: “It hurts here. I don’t want to eat.”

Qiao Zhao was silent for a moment, then walked over and took out a small porcelain bottle to hand to him: “It’s not the antidote, but it can relieve the pain.”

Jiang Yuanchao held the porcelain bottle that seemed to still retain the young woman’s body warmth, sighing softly: “Thank you.”

Qiao Zhao lowered her eyes, her attitude cold and distant: “Lord Jiang is too kind.”

Jiang Yuanchao’s lips moved, wanting to ask for the whole truth, but seeing that annoying person constantly staying by Qiao Zhao’s side these past few days, he could only give up and silently follow.

Dinner was simple: one braised fish with scallions, a large pot of fish soup, and a plate of finely chopped pickled beans.

Given the circumstances, they couldn’t be particular, so several people sat in a circle to eat.

Shao Mingyuan carefully removed the fish bones and placed the meat in Qiao Zhao’s bowl.

Qiao Zhao smiled and ladled him a bowl of fish soup.

Jiang Yuanchao suddenly felt everything tasted like wax. He put down his chopsticks, got up, and went outside, standing by the boat railing to feel the river breeze.

The river wind was sharp and cold, clearing his head, and thinking of his earlier departure from the table, he couldn’t help but smile bitterly.

Facing her, he seemed to be losing his composure more and more.

This kind of self-inflicted trouble was something he would have scorned in the past, yet who knew that he, Jiang Yuanchao, would have such a day.

“My lord—” Jiang He had approached at some point, leaning against the boat railing and calling out carefully.

Jiang Yuanchao turned his head to look at him.

Jiang He handed over a steamed bun: “My lord, you didn’t eat enough, did you? This is still warm.”

Jiang Yuanchao stared at the white, plump steamed bun for a long while, then reached out to take it, tearing it apart with his hands and putting it in his mouth.

His movements were refined, making even a steamed bun seem like a rare delicacy.

Jiang He sighed: “My lord, when traveling, you really shouldn’t be picky about food—”

The gratitude that had welled up in Jiang Yuanchao from receiving a steamed bun immediately dissipated. He pointed toward the inside.

Before he could speak, Jiang He said with a bitter face: “This subordinate knows, this subordinate will get lost right away.”

With his ears finally quiet, Jiang Yuanchao stared at the river surface, lost in thought. Before long, he heard footsteps.

He turned around abruptly, and seeing it was Shao Mingyuan, the hint of joy that had involuntarily appeared in his eyes sank. He said indifferently: “Has the marquis finished eating?”

“I’m not picky about food, so I ate very well.”

“So the marquis came to chat with Jiang?” Jiang Yuanchao averted his gaze.

He really couldn’t look at this guy for another second. Every look made him want to hit someone, but he couldn’t win in a fight, which was truly frustrating!

“I wanted to tell Lord Jiang that the boat needs to dock briefly.”

“Eh?” Surprise flashed in Jiang Yuanchao’s eyes.

Shao Mingyuan was quite candid: “Two of my guards are here to meet me.”

Jiang Yuanchao’s gaze fixed deeply on Shao Mingyuan: “The marquis can maintain contact with his guards at any time, which is quite surprising.”

Shao Mingyuan smiled: “Lord Jiang is no different.”

The helmsman was Jiang Yuanchao’s man, and at his instruction, the boat quickly docked at the location Shao Mingyuan designated.

The riverside was cold with heavy dew at night. Two young men in black clothes came aboard together, and looking carefully, one was supporting the other by the arm, with his head lowered so his appearance couldn’t be seen.

“Ye Luo, how are you?” Chen Guang was greatly surprised.

Ye Luo inconspicuously gave Chen Guang a meaningful look, supporting the other personal guard: “General, Ye Feng was injured. This subordinate will help him inside to rest first.”

Jiang Yuanchao’s gaze followed Ye Luo until he helped the other personal guard into the cabin, then withdrew his gaze and smiled faintly: “It seems the marquis indeed went to do great deeds.”

Seeing Shao Mingyuan’s calm expression, he suddenly curved his lips: “By the way, Xing Wuyang was attacked and injured outside Fuxing City gates. That was the marquis’s handiwork, wasn’t it?”

Shao Mingyuan met Jiang Yuanchao’s gaze, his attitude unyielding: “The plague rumors in Fuxing City were spread by Lord Jiang, weren’t they?”

Jiang Yuanchao chuckled, his low laughter in the early winter night carrying a touch of solitude: “Without the unrest among Fuxing City’s people, how could the marquis have left the city so smoothly?”

Shao Mingyuan stared at Jiang Yuanchao, a trace of mockery flashing at the corner of his mouth: “So this marquis should thank Lord Jiang for his strong support?”

Jiang Yuanchao gripped the boat railing with both hands, his eyes seeming to hold cold starlight, saying unhurriedly: “If the marquis wants to give thanks, Jiang can accept it. Could you please have Miss Li give me the antidote soon?”

Shao Mingyuan righteously refused: “I’m afraid that won’t work. Only Miss Li makes decisions for me; I can’t make decisions for her.”

Jiang Yuanchao’s mouth twitched, and his face directly darkened.

This man was deliberately trying to anger him!

In the tense atmosphere, two more days passed. The boat had left Fudong territory, and the official boats patrolling along the way suddenly decreased, their attitudes not as serious as those encountered earlier.

Jiang Yuanchao walked up to Qiao Zhao, standing less than half a zhang away from her, extending his hand and asking calmly: “Can you give it to me now?”

Qiao Zhao smiled with curved lips: “No.”

Jiang Yuanchao’s face paled slightly as he stared at Qiao Zhao.