Qiao Zhao nodded in agreement: “I think so too. I even suspect that his infiltration into Fudong this time was very likely done behind the back of Jiang Tang, the Commander of the Jinlin Guards.”

“He tacitly admitted that spreading rumors about the plague in Fuxing City was his handiwork. Zhaozhao, what do you think his real purpose was?”

Shao Mingyuan didn’t believe a single word of Jiang Yuanchao’s claim about helping them escape the city in the chaos.

Qiao Zhao shook her head: “I can’t figure out his purpose for now either. However, one thing is certain – he wanted Fuxing City to fall into chaos.”

“Fishing in troubled waters – which fish is Jiang Yuanchao trying to catch?” Shao Mingyuan gazed toward the distant horizon where sky met water and murmured.

At this moment, Chen Guang rushed in: “General, this is bad! The boat is leaking water, and Ye Luo is busy bailing it out, but can’t keep up!”

Shao Mingyuan brought Qiao Zhao outside.

The deck was already covered with a layer of water that was visibly rising at an alarming rate.

Ye Luo was sweating profusely from his efforts. As soon as he saw Shao Mingyuan and Qiao Zhao emerge, he immediately reported: “General, there are several holes in the boat!”

Qiao Zhao lifted her skirt and bent down to touch the water bubbling up at her feet, saying in a grave voice: “It’s soft wax. It seems this is a parting gift Jiang Yuanchao left for us before departing.”

Chen Guang said angrily: “That man had no good intentions!”

Shao Mingyuan looked toward the riverbank and said in a deep voice: “Ye Luo, stop what you’re doing. Take Xing Wuyang with you – we’re abandoning ship and going ashore. Chen Guang, take care of yourself.”

“What about Censor Xing?” Chen Guang asked anxiously.

The General would protect Miss Li, Ye Luo had to guard Xing Wuyang, and with his injury, he couldn’t carry anyone – that left no one to take care of Censor Xing.

That black-hearted Jiang Yuanchao must have calculated this point precisely and was waiting to watch them make fools of themselves!

“I’ll bring Censor Xing.”

“What about Third Miss?”

Shao Mingyuan glanced at Chen Guang and directly carried Qiao Zhao on his back, saying indifferently: “Too much nonsense. Hurry and abandon ship.”

After much commotion, several people made it to shore in a bedraggled state.

Shao Mingyuan had brought two people while swimming to shore by himself, leaving his stamina somewhat depleted as he supported himself with his hands on the ground, breathing slightly heavily.

Qiao Zhao wrung out her soaked dress, her body trembling slightly in the cold wind, her porcelain-white face with thin lips turned dark from the cold.

Seeing this pained Shao Mingyuan’s heart greatly, but at this moment, he had nothing but his soaked clothes and the account books wrapped in waterproof oiled cloth in his arms. He could only say: “Let’s find a secluded place to make a fire.”

Qiao Zhao smiled: “It doesn’t matter.”

Though her expression remained calm, inwardly, she was extremely annoyed that Jiang Yuanchao had calculated against them one more time before leaving.

It was already early winter weather. Chen Guang’s wound had just formed a scab, and contact with water would risk deterioration. Censor Xing was physically weak, and after all this ordeal, it was possible he might not endure and fail to reach the capital, not to mention the unconscious Xing Wuyang.

Chen Guang angrily kicked a stone by the shore: “If I’d known, I should have given him some rat poison. Third Miss, you’re just too soft-hearted.”

Qiao Zhao’s lips twitched slightly, her attitude cold: “Don’t mention him anymore. Preserve your strength – we still need to travel.”

Fortunately, they had already left Fudong territory and didn’t need to worry about their whereabouts being discovered at any moment. Shao Mingyuan sent Ye Luo to hire another boat, and after several days of travel, the group finally returned to Jia Feng in a dusty state to reunite with Chi Can and the others.

Yang Houcheng came forward and gave Shao Mingyuan a big embrace, beaming with joy: “Tingquan, we’ve finally waited for your return! My eyelids kept twitching these past few days – I was afraid something had happened to you all.”

“Enough, crow’s mouth. Can’t you see they have mud all over their faces? Let them wash up first before talking.” Chi Can had a faint smile in his eyes, but his tone carried mockery.

Seeing his good friends, Shao Mingyuan also relaxed, introducing Censor Xing: “Lord Xing, this is Young Master Chi from Princess Changrong’s residence, and this is Heir Yang from Marquis Liuxing’s residence.”

“Greetings to both young masters.” Since disembarking, Censor Xing had maintained a grave expression, and even after Shao Mingyuan’s introduction, his face showed no signs of brightening.

“You must be Censor Xing, right?” Yang Houcheng didn’t mind Censor Xing’s coldness at all and grinned: “The two Miss Xings have been hoping daily, knowing that the Champion Marquis and others went to rescue you.”

Chi Can, noticing Censor Xing’s low spirits, remained silent.

“May I ask where my daughters are?” Censor Xing asked in a deep voice.

“We’ve already sent someone to notify them. Please wait a moment.”

As soon as Yang Houcheng finished speaking, they heard a woman’s urgent voice: “Father—”

Everyone looked toward the sound and saw Zhenniang lifting her skirt as she ran toward them, throwing herself before Censor Xing and kneeling, choking with emotion: “Father, your daughter has finally waited for your return—”

Censor Xing’s attitude was much colder than everyone had expected as he asked in a deep voice: “Where is your sister?”

Zhenniang, kneeling on the ground, trembled and stammered: “Jingniang is feeling unwell and is still lying down.”

“Take me to see her.”

“Yes.” After the initial excitement passed, Zhenniang stood up, lifted her sleeve to wipe the corners of her eyes, and said gently: “Father, please follow me.”

Censor Xing nodded, then turned to Qiao Zhao and the others: “This official must go see my daughter. I hope you will all excuse me.”

Shao Mingyuan smiled: “Lord Xing, please do as you wish.”

After Censor Xing left with Zhenniang, Shao Mingyuan withdrew his gaze and said thoughtfully, “Censor Xing’s attitude toward his daughters is somewhat strange.”

Qiao Zhao thought for a moment and said, “I’ll go take a look.”

In Jingniang’s room.

Censor Xing glanced at his younger daughter, who was still sleeping with a pale complexion, then walked to the outer room.

Seeing this, Zhenniang quietly followed him out.

Censor Xing sat down, his face stern as he asked: “How were you rescued?”

Zhenniang dared not conceal anything and told Censor Xing the whole story.

After listening, Censor Xing remained silent for a long time, repeatedly lifting the teapot to fill his teacup, quickly consuming a belly full of tea.

“Father—” Zhenniang hung her head uneasily.

Her father was strict and upright – he probably couldn’t accept the fact that she and her sister had been defiled by the pirates.

Censor Xing set down the teacup, the porcelain clinking crisply against the table surface.

“So you’re saying your sister was pregnant with a pirate’s child?”

“It’s already been terminated—” Zhenniang said urgently, but meeting Censor Xing’s cold, stern gaze, she couldn’t help but swallow the rest of her words.

Censor Xing stared at Zhenniang, then, after a long while, he stood up and walked away with a flick of his sleeves.

“Father—” Zhenniang’s heart panicked, and she couldn’t help but grab Censor Xing’s sleeve, her tone unconsciously pleading.

However, Censor Xing ignored his eldest daughter’s plea and coldly uttered four words: “A disgrace to the family!”

After saying this, Censor Xing departed with a flick of his sleeves, leaving Zhenniang standing there stunned. After a long moment, her eyes blinked lightly, and a line of tears fell.

Having been taught by her father since childhood, how could she not understand her father’s meaning at this moment?

Her father despised the fact that they had been defiled by the pirates and had not preserved their dignity through death.

Zhenniang wiped her tears, smiled bitterly, untied her sash, and hung it from the beam.

Although Qiao Zhao had followed, with her upbringing, she naturally couldn’t do something as improper as eavesdropping on a father-daughter conversation, so she stood in the corridor.

Seeing Censor Xing emerge, she approached him.

Censor Xing said indifferently, “My daughters have already retired. Miss Li, please return.”