As the weather grew colder and the scenery on both banks became desolate, Qiao Zhao’s mood during the return journey was weighed down by thoughts of the Zhenniang sisters.

This was the first time she didn’t know how to solve such a problem.

Censor Xing was the father of the Zhenniang sisters. No matter how eloquent she might be, with Censor Xing’s attitude set as it was, she couldn’t possibly persuade the sisters.

The river was vast, with magnificent waves that couldn’t be seen from the capital. Qiao Zhao leaned against the ship’s railing, lost in thought.

Hurried footsteps approached. Qiao Zhao turned to see A’Zhu rushing over: “Miss, the two Miss Xings want to jump into the river! Binglu is holding one with each hand and can barely hold on…”

Qiao Zhao lifted her skirt and hurried over.

“Let us go—” Miss Xing shouted.

Binglu was sweating anxiously: “Two young ladies, could you please not make things difficult for this servant? Isn’t it good to live well? Why must you die? I’m just a servant girl born to serve others, and even I don’t want to die!”

Though Binglu was strong, she was still young after all and couldn’t hold back two people desperately seeking death. Zhenniang, held by her left hand, struggled forcefully, broke free, and leaned over the ship’s railing to throw herself overboard.

Qiao Zhao quickly grabbed Zhenniang: “Sister Zhenniang, calm down!”

Seeing it was Qiao Zhao, Zhenniang felt even more ashamed and struggled to pull back her hand: “Miss Li, you needn’t persuade us anymore. Just let us sisters depart cleanly. We’re not acting impulsively – we’ve thought it through long ago…”

She used too much force, and Qiao Zhao had such a delicate frame that she immediately lost control and toppled toward the ship’s exterior.

“Miss—” A’Zhu’s face changed dramatically.

Qiao Zhao felt her wrist tighten as she fell into a warm embrace.

“It’s alright now.” Shao Mingyuan patted Qiao Zhao’s back and said gently.

Qiao Zhao’s heart had been pounding, but hearing this voice immediately calmed her.

Chi Can, who had followed beside Shao Mingyuan, approached Zhenniang with a furious expression and said sternly: “Miss Xing, if you want to die, fine, but could you not harm others?”

Zhenniang stared blankly at Chi Can.

Chi Can pointed at Qiao Zhao: “If we hadn’t come over, Miss Li would have fallen into the river! Were you trying to kill her?”

“I, I didn’t mean to…” Zhenniang murmured.

In his fury, the man before her was as dazzling as fire, yet his words were filled with icy mockery: “You know we can’t just watch you die, you clearly know Miss Li sent two maids to watch you day and night – couldn’t you be a bit more considerate? Look at what Miss Li’s two maids have become!”

Zhenniang couldn’t help but look at Binglu and A’Zhu.

A’Zhu had fair skin, making the dark circles under her eyes more prominent – she clearly hadn’t slept well in a long time.

Binglu was young, with a palm-sized face and a pointed chin. Her cheeks had lost their former plumpness, and from just exerting herself to hold the sisters, sweat had dampened her hair, strands sticking to her cheeks, making her appear both disheveled and pitiful.

Zhenniang bit her lip lightly. Thinking of how the two maids had watched over them day and night these past days, immediately opening their eyes at the slightest movement, a trace of shame flashed in her eyes.

Chi Can laughed coldly, speaking without any mercy: “If you want to die, fine, but could you wait until we reach the capital to seek death before your father? Stop tormenting others!”

Yang Houcheng quietly tugged at Chi Can and whispered: “Shixi, that’s too much.”

Chi Can shook off Yang Houcheng’s hand and sneered: “Some people righteously waste others’ goodwill – if we don’t speak plainly, they’ll just pretend to be confused!”

“I didn’t…” Zhenniang murmured, covering her face and weeping.

Living was difficult – why was even dying so hard? What exactly had she and her sister done wrong?

Zhenniang looked up and, through her tearful eyes, saw Censor Xing’s expressionless face. She withdrew her gaze and looked at Qiao Zhao: “Miss Li, rest assured. My sister and I won’t cause any more trouble.”

Qiao Zhao opened her mouth, not knowing how to comfort her.

From that day on, the Zhenniang sisters indeed quieted down. Everyone understood this calm was only temporary, but faced with such an unsolvable problem, they were helpless and could only secretly watch the sisters’ movements.

The further north they traveled, the colder it became. Without noticing when, everyone had changed from lined jackets to padded clothes. When they saw the first snow, the capital finally came into view.

“Finally back.” Chi Can gazed at the approaching suburban pier of the capital and breathed out white mist.

Yang Houcheng stood beside him without speaking.

“Something on your mind?” Chi Can raised an eyebrow at him.

Yang Houcheng pointed ahead: “Shixi, look how prosperous the suburban pier is. Even in such cold weather, ships continuously dock, and there are more pedestrians and cart drivers than in the southern towns.”

Chi Can glanced at him: “What exactly are you trying to say?”

When had Yang Er become so sentimental?

Yang Houcheng wore a dark blue padded robe that made him appear tall and upright. With his hands on the ship’s railing, he murmured: “I don’t know why, but after going south, seeing such prosperity again makes me uncomfortable.”

Chi Can smiled: “You’re uncomfortable from just this? Ask Tingquan – after staying in the Northern Territories for so many years, how did he feel returning to the capital?”

Shao Mingyuan, unexpectedly asked, smiled: “No matter where one is, seek only peace of mind.”

Yang Houcheng slapped the railing: “Well said – seek only peace of mind! Tingquan, Shixi, I’ve decided – I want to go south to fight pirates! Now that Tingquan has brought Xing Wuyang back to the capital, His Majesty will select a new general for the south. I’ll find a way to get a position and go with them.”

After speaking, he blinked and couldn’t help asking his two friends: “Why aren’t you trying to dissuade me?”

Chi Can gave him a look: “You’ve already decided, so what’s there to dissuade?”

Yang Houcheng looked at Shao Mingyuan.

Shao Mingyuan wore a black padded robe that didn’t appear bulky at all, instead making him upright as a pine tree. Seeing his friend look at him, he smiled: “As long as you’ve thought it through clearly.”

“That’s not what you used to say.” Yang Houcheng still felt somewhat unaccustomed.

“Before, you were fearless from ignorance, so naturally, we worried about you running off to the battlefield on a whim. Now you’ve made the journey yourself, seen what the south is like, and know how formidable the pirates are. Since you have your own choice, we naturally won’t stop you.” Shao Mingyuan said calmly.

Yang Houcheng excitedly slapped Shao Mingyuan’s arm: “It’s good that you support me. Who knows – maybe His Majesty will have you replace Xing Wuyang’s position, and I’ll be working under you.”

“You’re overthinking.” Chi Can said indifferently but didn’t explain further. He touched the sword at his waist that represented his Golden Guards identity: “I probably won’t stay with the Golden Guards either.”

“Shixi, where are you planning to go?” Yang Houcheng became interested.

“I don’t know if it will work out yet. We’ll know when the time comes.”

“Look, is that person in azure on the shore Zi Zhe?”

The ship docked and everyone disembarked one by one. Zhu Yàn came forward to embrace his friends in turn.

“Finally waited for your return.”