Qiao Zhao obediently sat down, placing her hands folded on her lap and leaning forward slightly in an attentive listening posture.

“This old woman heard that Third Miss Li has already prepared the medicinal ointment?”

Qiao Zhao nodded: “In response to the Empress Dowager, the medicinal ointment has indeed been prepared.”

“Can it cure the Ninth Princess’s face?”

Qiao Zhao naturally couldn’t give such a guarantee, so she said: “It can definitely improve the Ninth Princess’s facial condition, but whether it can completely return to normal depends on individual constitution.”

“Summon Ninth Princess here.” Empress Dowager Yang instructed Lai Xi.

Soon, a palace attendant announced at the door: “Ninth Princess arrives—”

Accompanied by a wave of cool air, Princess Zhenzhen walked in from outside.

She wore a light veil over her face, her exposed eyebrows and eyes exquisite as a painting. They contained anxiety as she quickly glanced at Qiao Zhao before paying respects to the Empress Dowager.

Facing her beloved granddaughter, Empress Dowager Yang’s attitude was much more amiable as she smiled and beckoned: “Come quickly.”

Princess Zhenzhen walked over, trying her best to maintain composure, smiling as she said: “Imperial Grandmother, Zhenzhen just came in from outside. Don’t let me pass the cold air to you.”

Empress Dowager Yang reached out to grasp Princess Zhenzhen’s hand and chided: “Why didn’t you bring a hand warmer?”

“I was eager to see Imperial Grandmother and forgot to take one.”

Empress Dowager Yang directly placed the Buddha’s hand warmer from her own hands into Princess Zhenzhen’s, then said: “Third Miss Li has returned and brought medicinal ointment. Try it to see if it works.”

Princess Zhenzhen’s eyes brightened, looking toward Qiao Zhao with anticipation.

Qiao Zhao took out a light blue porcelain box from her sleeve.

The porcelain box was printed with elegant patterns. Opening it revealed a white ointment with a delicate texture, like congealed cream and beautiful jade.

“This… can cure my face?” Princess Zhenzhen unconsciously touched her cheek through the veil.

“Let me first see Your Highness’s current condition.”

Princess Zhenzhen hesitated for a moment.

“Go to the warm chamber.” Empress Dowager Yang gestured for palace maids to lead the two to the warm chamber.

The warm chamber was as warm as a spring day. Princess Zhenzhen was silent for a moment, then raised her hand to remove her veil.

Her originally peerless countenance was now covered with layers upon layers of scabs of varying colors and depths. The areas without scabs appeared ghastly pale from not seeing sunlight for too long, making one’s scalp tingle at first sight.

Princess Zhenzhen met Qiao Zhao’s gaze, gripping the veil tightly. Her knuckles were faintly white from the force, but she forced herself not to dodge.

The person before her held her hope in their hands. She could not retreat.

Qiao Zhao carefully examined Princess Zhenzhen and smiled.

“What is Third Miss Li smiling about?” Princess Zhenzhen bit her lip and asked, anger rising in her heart.

She wanted to rage, but firmly restrained herself.

She had already become neither human nor ghost in appearance. If even her temperament became detestable, that would be too tragic.

“Your Highness’s condition is better than I imagined, so I breathed a sigh of relief and am happy for Your Highness.”

“What do you mean by that?” Princess Zhenzhen felt her heart pounding like thunder, murmuring.

Qiao Zhao placed the medicinal ointment in Princess Zhenzhen’s hands: “Your Highness should try it first. Every night before sleep, apply a thick layer to your face, then wash it off in the morning. Persist for three days to see the effects.”

“That’s all?” Princess Zhenzhen found it hard to believe it was so simple.

“Your Highness didn’t scratch randomly. The scabs on your face formed naturally, so this is sufficient. If there are effects after three days of use, we can adjust the method then.”

Princess Zhenzhen gripped the porcelain box tightly and nodded: “Good, I’ll try it.”

She put the veil back on and walked out with Qiao Zhao.

Empress Dowager Yang glanced at Princess Zhenzhen, who nodded slightly at her.

Empress Dowager Yang raised her eyelids slightly, gesturing for Qiao Zhao to be seated.

“How old is Third Miss Li?”

“I’ll be fourteen soon.”

“Fourteen? Still quite young then.”

Qiao Zhao found this increasingly baffling.

Empress Dowager Yang picked up her tea: “Third Miss Li traveled to the south to gather medicine without regard for hardship. This old woman is very touched. You’ve worked hard this time. Go home early to rest.”

Carrying the gifts bestowed by Empress Dowager Yang, Qiao Zhao was dismissed.

Outside the palace, the view was open. The Li family carriage was stopped under a tree not far away. Since Chen Guang’s injuries hadn’t fully healed, the coachman had been replaced by someone else, who was leaning against the carriage with his eyes closed.

Hearing movement, the coachman opened his eyes: “Third Miss, you’ve come out.”

Qiao Zhao boarded the carriage and instructed: “Go to Marquis Guanjun’s residence.”

The coachman was startled but, seeing Qiao Zhao’s calm expression, quickly agreed and raised his whip, driving straight to Marquis Guanjun’s residence.

The carriage stopped in front of Marquis Guanjun’s residence. Qiao Zhao knew Shao Mingyuan wasn’t there at the moment and was wondering how to speak to the gatekeeper when the gatekeeper ran over and respectfully welcomed her in.

“The Marquis instructed that if you came, we should invite you inside to rest.”

“Is Young Master Qiao here?”

“Yes, please wait a moment.”

Qiao Zhao sat in the guest hall waiting for a while when she heard hurried footsteps approaching.

She suddenly stood up.

Qiao Mo appeared at the doorway, a gentle smile like clear wind and bright moon at the corners of his mouth, though he had grown even thinner.

Qiao Zhao lightly pressed the corner of her eye and quickly stepped forward to meet him.

Qiao Mo supported Qiao Zhao’s shoulders and sighed softly: “Sister has grown thin.”

Qiao Zhao looked up at him intently, murmuring: “Elder Brother too.”

The siblings gazed at each other for a long time before returning to normal.

It wasn’t appropriate to say much in front of the servants, so Qiao Mo suggested: “Let’s go see Wanwan.”

Marquis Guanjun’s residence was quite spacious, even the bluestone paths were much wider than those at the Li residence. Perhaps because the personal guards were habitually meticulous, though the master had been away for months, the paths were swept spotlessly clean.

Walking along the path, Qiao Mo suddenly said, “This is a good place.”

No interfering elders, no scheming inner residence women. If his sister lived here, she would be much more comfortable than most women.

Qiao Zhao paused in her steps, looking at Qiao Mo.

Though half of Qiao Mo’s face was disfigured, he did not attempt to conceal it now. His eyes were calm as autumn water, the corners of his mouth holding a gentle smile: “Does he know?”

Qiao Zhao inexplicably blushed. Facing her elder brother, she felt somewhat guilty and stammered: “He knows.”

Qiao Mo’s gaze fell on the young girl’s face flushed with rosy color, asking meaningfully: “What does Eldest Sister think?”

“Think about what?” Qiao Zhao played dumb.

It seemed one really couldn’t speak too definitively. Now her face hurts.

Qiao Mo chuckled: “Elder Brother understands. It seems I’ll be able to see Eldest Sister every day soon.”

Qiao Zhao felt embarrassed being teased and smiled with pursed lips: “That’s not certain. At least for the near future, I won’t be able to see Elder Brother.”

Qiao Mo’s eyes flickered slightly, not understanding her meaning.

Qiao Zhao wanted to share her joy with her brother and naturally stopped being mysterious, saying in a low voice: “Grandfather Li is still alive.”

Even the composed Qiao Mo lost his composure for a moment, exclaiming: “Really?”

Qiao Zhao grasped Qiao Mo’s sleeve and nodded vigorously.

Qiao Mo raised his hand wanting to touch Qiao Zhao’s hair, but his hand trembled badly. It finally fell as he repeatedly said, “This is truly wonderful.”

Tears glimmered in Qiao Zhao’s eyes: “Elder Brother, Grandfather Li still thinks of you. He wants you to come find him in Jia Feng. He says the injury on your face cannot heal with ointment alone—the scar needs to be cut open and the skin stimulated to heal properly.”