As soon as Qiao Zhao disembarked from the boat, a young man dressed as a servant came running over: “Third Miss, you’re finally back!”

Qiao Zhao had a good memory and recognized the servant as Old Zhang, who tended the horses in the front courtyard.

“Uncle Zhang, what are you doing here?”

Uncle Zhang was delighted to see Qiao Zhao and explained: “Well, it’s already the twelfth lunar month, and the Old Madam and others at home figured you might return any day now, so they’ve had this old servant come to the dock to wait every day.”

Qiao Zhao felt a warmth in her heart and turned back to look at Shao Mingyuan.

“I’ll take people to have an audience with His Majesty. You should go home first,” Shao Mingyuan said gently, concealing the reluctance in his eyes.

“That’s right, Miss Li. You go home first. Shixi and I will enter the palace to see the Empress Dowager. When the Empress Dowager summons you, then you can enter the palace.”

Qiao Zhao nodded, thought for a moment, and instructed Shao Mingyuan: “Those rescued women insist on following me, so let them stay at the Marquis Guanjun’s residence for now. You can arrange some work for them as you see fit.”

“Alright, don’t worry. I’ll arrange everything properly.”

Zhu Yàn stood to the side, coldly observing the interaction between Qiao Zhao and Shao Mingyuan, feeling puzzled, and looked questioningly at Yang Houcheng.

Yang Houcheng coughed lightly and blinked.

Zhu Yàn had no choice but to suppress his confusion and refrain from asking.

On the way back, Qiao Zhao couldn’t help but ask the old servant: “How is the Old Madam?”

“Third Miss, don’t worry. The Old Madam is in great spirits.”

“What about Madam?”

“Madam’s health is also good. The doctor says this pregnancy is very stable. Next year, Third Miss will have a little brother to hold.”

Qiao Zhao smiled: “What about the Master?”

“The Master, well—” the old servant’s tone paused.

Qiao Zhao’s smile faded: “Is something wrong with the Master?”

“The Master doesn’t have any major issues—”

“Uncle Zhang, just speak directly.”

“The Master doesn’t have any major problems. It’s just that some days ago, while playing chess with someone, they got into an argument. The other person had been drinking and lost control, giving the Master a beating.” Seeing Qiao Zhao’s expression change slightly, the old servant quickly added, “Third Miss, don’t worry. The Master wasn’t seriously hurt, and he even got half a month’s leave because of it.”

Qiao Zhao immediately felt something was off: “A chess brawl, and he gets half a month’s leave?”

The old servant chuckled: “The one who beat the Master was the Chancellor of the Hanlin Academy.”

Qiao Zhao: “…”

“Is everyone else well?”

“Everyone in our West Residence is doing fine, just missing you while you were away. However, the Old Madam in the East Residence isn’t doing well—she’s completely lost her sight…”

“Oh, and the family received news that Second Master is returning to the capital to report on his duties. He should arrive in a few more days…”

Qiao Zhao patiently listened to the old servant’s account, and by the time she returned to the Li residence, she had a general understanding of the family’s situation.

Winter in the capital was much colder than in the south. The underfloor heating had already been lit in Qingsong Hall, where both First Madam He Shi and Second Madam Liu Shi were staying, discussing New Year preparations with Old Madam Deng.

Second Master Li Guangshu had been posted away for several years, and this was the first time in years he would return to the capital for the New Year. For the people of the West Residence, this year’s New Year celebration would naturally be more grand than in previous years.

Second Madam Liu Shi’s eyebrows and eyes radiated joy as she held a long shopping list for Old Madam Deng to review: “Old Madam, please see if there are any oversights in the list your daughter-in-law has prepared?”

Old Madam Deng glanced at it and, seeing that the standards were higher than in previous years, raised no objections and nodded: “Let’s proceed according to this. First daughter-in-law, have you prepared your gift list?”

When she received no response from He Shi, Old Madam Deng called again: “First daughter-in-law?”

Only then did He Shi react: “Old Madam, you’re calling me?”

“First daughter-in-law, what are you thinking about?”

He Shi touched her protruding belly, her face showing worry: “Old Madam, I had a dream yesterday. I dreamed that my Zhaozhao was carried away by a huge black eagle. It frightened me so much I barely slept all night. You don’t think something has happened to Zhaozhao, do you?”

Before Old Madam Deng could speak, Liu Shi laughed and said: “Elder sister-in-law, haven’t you heard that dreams are always the opposite? Third Miss is fine. Perhaps she’s already on her way home.”

Just as Liu Shi finished speaking, the head maid Qing Yun came running in quickly, smiling before she spoke: “Old Madam, Third Miss has returned!”

Old Madam Deng stood up abruptly: “Really?”

He Shi lifted her foot to walk outside, but was grabbed by Old Madam Deng: “Slow down, be careful of the child in your belly.”

After saying this, Old Madam Deng rushed past He Shi and strode out quickly.

The Li residence hadn’t changed much, except that the greenery in the courtyard had lost its color, and the bluestone paths were swept clean.

Qiao Zhao saw Old Madam Deng leading the way out and quickly stepped forward to meet her, performing a deep bow: “Grandmother, your granddaughter has returned.”

Old Madam Deng quickly pulled Qiao Zhao up, looking her up and down, and sighed with relief: “It’s good that you’re back, good that you’re back. It’s cold outside, let’s go inside to talk.”

Before Qiao Zhao could speak, she was embraced by He Shi, who began crying softly: “My Zhaozhao, how did you become so thin, just skin and bones? A’Zhu, Binglu, how did you take care of Miss?”

He Shi glared disapprovingly at Binglu and A’Zhu, but was stunned by what she saw.

Compared to Binglu and A’Zhu, her precious daughter looked quite well.

“Weren’t you following the Empress Dowager’s orders to gather medicine? Don’t they provide meals?”

Old Madam Deng coughed: “Enough, let’s go inside to talk.”

Qingsong Hall was warm as spring. As soon as Qiao Zhao entered, she felt hot and took off her outer garment, handing it to A’Zhu while instructing: “You two go rest in the West Side Courtyard first. You’ve worked hard these past days.”

After Old Madam Deng and the others were seated, Qiao Zhao formally greeted each of the elders again.

“Did everything go smoothly?” Old Madam Deng asked.

“Smoothly. The medicine has been brought back.” Qiao Zhao looked at the joyful faces before her, hesitated for a moment, then said: “I have something happy to tell Grandmother. Grandfather Li is still alive. Your granddaughter encountered the old gentleman during this southern journey.”

“Really?” Old Madam Deng was overjoyed, clasping her hands together: “Heaven be praised, I always said that Physician Li, being such a living immortal, wouldn’t come to harm…”

Next, Old Madam Deng and the other two pulled Qiao Zhao aside, asking endless questions. Qiao Zhao selected what she could share and told them everything.

She was articulate, describing the customs and local conditions of the south so vividly that Old Madam Deng and the other two listened with rapt attention, until an urgent male voice came from the doorway: “Has Zhaozhao returned?”

Qiao Zhao quickly stood up, looking toward the door: “Father—”

Li Guangwen strode in quickly.

After months of separation, Master Li still looked distinguished, though the bruising around his eyes somewhat damaged his appearance.

“Zhaozhao has gotten thinner.” In front of Old Madam Deng and the others, Li Guangwen tried his best to maintain a calm demeanor, studying Qiao Zhao for a long time before sighing.

Qiao Zhao smiled: “Being away from home naturally isn’t as comfortable as being at home. I’ll gain the weight back in a few days.”

Only then did Old Madam Deng react, quickly instructing Qing Yun to notify the kitchen to prepare a fine feast and urging Qiao Zhao to go wash up.

He Shi accompanied Qiao Zhao back to Yahe Courtyard, her gaze falling on the moon gate to the east, whispering to her daughter: “Your grandmother has chosen a family for Li Jiǎo. Since marriage discussions aren’t held in the twelfth month, she plans to finalize it after spring begins next year.”