Jiang Shiyi stood without moving.

Jiang Tang frowned.

What was this wooden stake thinking about?

“Foster father, Third Miss Li is currently at Marquis Guanjun’s residence.”

Jiang Tang’s narrow eyes curved with interest as he looked at Jiang Shiyi, his tone carrying hidden meaning: “Shiyi is quite concerned about Third Miss Li’s whereabouts.”

Heavens, had his wooden stake foster son finally gotten enlightened? If he could truly win Third Miss Li’s hand in marriage, wouldn’t that mean he’d never have to worry about immortality pills again?

Jiang Shiyi maintained his ice-block expression, finding Jiang Tang’s words inexplicable, and replied emotionlessly: “Hasn’t Foster Father always been very attentive to Third Miss Li’s movements?”

Jiang Tang glanced sideways at Jiang Shiyi and finally deflated.

How could he have harbored expectations for this wooden stake?

“Fine then, continue having people keep watch. When Third Miss Li leaves Marquis Guanjun’s residence, invite her over.”

“Yes.” Jiang Shiyi acknowledged and prepared to withdraw.

Jiang Tang thought for a moment and called out: “Wait, make it tomorrow instead. It’s already late today.”

Jiang Shiyi paused, nodding to show he understood.

As Jiang Shiyi continued walking out, Jiang Shiran came rushing in like a whirlwind, nearly colliding with him.

Jiang Shiyi silently stepped aside. Jiang Shiran stumbled forward and grabbed the edge of a table to avoid falling.

Jiang Shiran straightened up and stamped her foot angrily: “Brother Shiyi, couldn’t you have caught me?”

Jiang Shiyi touched his nose and remained silent.

Jiang Shiran bit her lip, clearly accustomed to this. She glared fiercely at Jiang Shiyi before walking toward Jiang Tang.

“Father, I heard that Marquis Guanjun and the others have returned?”

Jiang Shiyi didn’t linger and walked straight out the door.

“Ran Ran is quite well-informed,” Jiang Tang said with a smile.

Jiang Shiran tugged at Jiang Tang’s sleeve: “Father, just tell me if it’s true or not.”

“Yes, they have returned.”

“That Li Sān has returned too?” Jiang Shiran asked.

Jiang Tang nodded slightly.

“Did she bring back medicine?”

Jiang Tang smiled: “That, your father doesn’t know.”

Jiang Shiran pushed Jiang Tang: “You’re the Commander of the Jinlin Guards—how could you not know?”

Jiang Tang looked at his daughter helplessly, feeling somewhat of a headache.

Although he was the Commander of the Jinlin Guards, he mainly controlled information outside the palace and couldn’t interfere with palace affairs. Moreover, even regarding outside information, people weren’t immortals—how could they know everything?

His daughter overestimated the Jinlin Guards’ capabilities.

“Fine, if you don’t know, then I’ll go to the palace and ask Zhenzhen.” Jiang Shiran dropped this statement and hurried away.

At Marquis Guanjun’s residence, because Qiao Wǎn was present, Qiao Zhao couldn’t speak freely about many things, so she casually shared some experiences from the south.

Qiao Wǎn listened with bright eyes. When she heard Qiao Zhao describe the fresh, spicy, and sour flavors of the braised noodles in Baiyun Town, she couldn’t help swallowing: “I’ve eaten at that shop too.”

Qiao Zhao looked at her with a smile.

The young girl seemed to recall the taste of the braised noodles, her eyes practically glowing: “The first time I returned to Jia Feng, my eldest sister took me there.”

She tilted her head and tugged at Qiao Mo’s sleeve: “Big brother, you were there too—do you remember?”

“I remember.” Qiao Mo fondly patted his youngest sister’s head.

“The braised noodles were delicious, but I couldn’t handle the spice—my throat felt like it was smoking. Eldest sister also said she’d take me to eat soup dumplings in the city, but unfortunately, grandfather fell ill and we couldn’t go…” The young girl’s voice grew quiet toward the end.

Later when she returned to Jia Feng again, eldest sister had already married, and grandfather passed away not long after…

Qiao Wǎn thought of sad things and hung her head listlessly.

Qiao Zhao looked at the dejected young girl and rubbed her chubby cheeks: “When Wǎnwan grows up a bit more, I can take you back to Jia Feng to eat soup dumplings and braised noodles.”

Grandfather Li had settled in Jia Feng, and their roots were there too. Shao Mingyuan should accompany her on frequent visits back.

Qiao Wǎn bit her lip and muttered: “How could that be the same?”

She wanted to eat braised noodles together with her brothers and sisters in a lively group. No matter what, Sister Li was still an outsider and couldn’t compare to her eldest sister.

Both Qiao Zhao and Qiao Mo heard Qiao Wǎn’s words. The siblings exchanged glances and smiled helplessly, but said nothing more.

Some things they could only keep from Qiao Wǎn for her entire life.

“General, you’ve returned.” A personal guard’s voice came.

All three siblings turned to see Shao Mingyuan in black robes striding over with long steps.

Qiao Wǎn’s eyes lit up as she ran over and threw herself at Shao Mingyuan: “Brother-in-law, you’re finally back—”

Shao Mingyuan bent down to steady Qiao Wǎn, his smile gentle: “Wǎnwan has grown taller.”

Though he spoke to Qiao Wǎn, his eyes fell directly on Qiao Zhao, who followed behind.

The young girl remained extremely excited: “Brother-in-law, look—haven’t I gotten fairer too? I’ve been working hard at reading and writing in my room these past days.”

“Yes, Wǎnwan has not only grown taller but also become more beautiful.” Shao Mingyuan praised casually.

Qiao Wǎn was overjoyed.

Qiao Mo’s calm voice rang out: “Wǎnwan, your brother-in-law has many things to attend to. Don’t pester him.”

“Oh.” The young girl suppressed her excitement. Noticing that Shao Mingyuan’s gaze kept falling on Qiao Zhao, she reached out to take Qiao Zhao’s hand: “Sister Li, let’s go play in the garden. Big brother and brother-in-law have business to discuss.”

Didn’t brother-in-law miss big brother and her after being away so long? Why did he keep staring at Sister Li?

Qiao Mo patted Qiao Wǎn: “Wǎnwan, go play by yourself. We all have matters to attend to.”

Qiao Wǎn pouted aggrievedly: “Big brother is being unfair!”

Seeing the young girl run off in a huff, Qiao Mo shook his head and smiled: “This child really won’t grow up.”

Shao Mingyuan said nonchalantly, “Wǎnwan is still young. Isn’t that just how children are?”

He said this while looking at Qiao Zhao with a smile.

Qiao Zhao gave him a look and quickly walked over: “How did it go?”

She could see that Shao Mingyuan had returned in haste—beads of sweat dotted his forehead, and up close she could hear his slightly labored breathing.

“His Majesty learned that we brought Xing Wuyang back and has already ordered the Three Judicial Offices to interrogate him thoroughly. The Qiao family fire case will also be investigated together. I’m essentially a witness this time and still need to hurry over there. I was afraid you and your brother-in-law would be anxious waiting, so I came back first to let you know.”

“In that case, wouldn’t sending someone back with a message have sufficed?” Qiao Zhao chided.

Shao Mingyuan’s hand twitched, wanting to tuck the strands of hair the wind had blown across the young woman’s face behind her ear, but remembering Qiao Mo watching like a hawk nearby, he obediently restrained himself.

He showed his beloved girl a gentle smile, his eyes tender and lingering: “By coming back to tell you personally, wouldn’t you both feel more at ease…”

“Ahem.” Qiao Mo coughed lightly.

They weren’t even married yet, and here he was flirting with his sister right in front of him—did he think he was dead?

Shao Mingyuan reluctantly glanced at Qiao Zhao once more, resumed his serious demeanor, and said to Qiao Mo: “Brother-in-law, I’ll head over now. The Three Judicial Offices may work through the night organizing case files today. I’ll go see whether Xing Wuyang’s collusion with pirates and the Qiao family fire will be tried simultaneously.”

Shao Mingyuan hurriedly returned to see Qiao Zhao once and hurriedly left again, leaving Qiao Mo with particularly complex feelings toward his sister.