“Elder sister and the marquis seem quite familiar with each other,” Qiao Mo said meaningfully.

Qiao Zhao blinked.

What exactly was Big Brother trying to express?

“He toward you—” Qiao Mo’s tongue got tied in a knot.

The young woman before him was still young, like a gardenia that had just formed buds—though beautiful, it hadn’t yet bloomed, easily inspiring protective and cherishing feelings.

But his elder sister was only two years younger than him, and their sibling relationship had always been more like compatible friends. At this moment, wanting to interrogate his sister left him feeling somewhat lacking in confidence.

Qiao Zhao, unaware of her brother’s internal struggle, smiled radiantly: “Don’t worry, big brother. He treats me very well.”

Qiao Mo rubbed his forehead.

This foolish sister—what he was worried about was precisely that the man treated her too well!

That fellow looked at his sister like a hungry wolf. If his sister were still her former self, it would be one thing, but now that she was so young, he couldn’t even think deeply about it. The moment he did, he felt like killing that fellow.

“Big brother?” Noticing Qiao Mo’s distraction, Qiao Zhao called out in confusion.

Qiao Mo came back to his senses and coughed lightly: “Cough, cough. As long as he treats you well.” After restraining himself, he ultimately couldn’t help but advise: “After all, you’re not yet married. You should maintain proper distance.”

Qiao Zhao smiled with pursed lips: “I understand.”

Seeing his sister agree so readily, Qiao Mo felt even more uneasy.

Did his sister understand? Although he was her brother, he wasn’t their mother after all—some things couldn’t be said too explicitly.

Young Master Qiao was feeling dejected when a personal guard approached and said, “Young Master Qiao, the palace has sent down rewards for the two Miss Xings staying at the residence. Our general isn’t here now—could you perhaps go out and receive them?”

Since Qiao Mo lived at Marquis Guanjun’s residence and given Shao Mingyuan’s attitude, everyone in the household gave this brother-in-law sufficient face. In their hearts, he could be considered half a master, so having him receive the palace eunuch was appropriate.

Qiao Mo was slightly stunned and looked toward Qiao Zhao.

Qiao Zhao, surprised in her heart, briefly explained the background of the two Miss Xings.

After listening, Qiao Mo said to the guard: “Since the rewards are for the two Miss Xings, please invite them out.”

Zhenniang and Jingniang had just arrived in the capital with Imperial Censor Xing and were temporarily arranged by Shao Mingyuan in the guest courtyard. Fearing they might seek death, several people were assigned to watch them.

When the sisters heard that rewards from the palace had come for them, they were completely bewildered. Even when the eunuch delivering the imperial decree placed the tray holding the jade ruyi into Zhenniang’s hands, she remained statue-like without reacting.

The messenger eunuch coughed lightly: “The two Miss Xings should express their gratitude.”

Seeing the Xing sisters still standing dumbfounded, the messenger eunuch couldn’t help but frown.

Qiao Zhao gently touched Zhenniang and whispered, “Sister Zhenniang, you should express gratitude now.”

Zhenniang awakened as if from a dream and hurriedly expressed thanks. The tray in her hands tilted, and the jade ruyi covered with red silk nearly slipped off. Fortunately, Qiao Zhao was quick to steady it, avoiding the misfortune of breaking the jade ruyi.

The messenger eunuch’s brow furrowed so tightly it could crush a mosquito as he said shrilly: “Miss Xing must hold it steady. This is the jade ruyi bestowed by His Majesty. If you can’t hold it steady, then there’ll be no good fortune!”

Zhenniang was completely startled awake, cold sweat soaking her back. She kowtowed repeatedly in gratitude until the messenger eunuch departed with a flick of his sleeves. Only then did she clutch the jade ruyi and collapse to the ground, her eyes vacant and unfocused.

Beside her, Jingniang tugged at Zhenniang’s sleeve: “Elder sister, what did that eunuch say just now?”

Zhenniang’s emotions were turbulent as she held the jade ruyi without making a sound.

“Did he say that His Majesty praised us for being clever and filially devoted, especially bestowing a jade ruyi and hoping our future days would be satisfactory and as we wish?”

Zhenniang slowly nodded, still feeling as if in a dream: “That’s what he said.”

How could His Majesty know of their sisters, and why had he bestowed this jade ruyi? Could it be father—

Zhenniang’s eyes, which had been like dead ashes, suddenly gained light.

The capital in the twelfth lunar month was cold, and the bluestone ground was icy and bone-chilling.

Qiao Zhao placed her hand on Zhenniang’s shoulder and sighed: “Sister Zhenniang, please get up and return to your room. The ground is too cold.”

Zhenniang clutched the jade ruyi tightly as she stood, her expression still somewhat dazed even after leaving. However, Qiao Zhao keenly noticed that life had returned to her eyes.

From receiving the imperial decree to leaving, the Xing sisters never once glanced at the silks, satins, and jewels. It was Qiao Zhao who instructed the guards to send them over.

After the sisters had gone far, Qiao Zhao withdrew her gaze and sighed softly: “I was always worried about what would become of them. Now with this jade ruyi, perhaps things will be different.”

In this era, for unmarried women, their father was their heaven. If heaven didn’t allow them to live, they had no power to survive, and even if others sympathized, they were powerless to help.

Qiao Zhao had experienced such powerlessness herself. She hadn’t expected that because of a jade ruyi, what everyone considered an impossible situation would be resolved.

She was surprised, yet when a certain person’s handsome face appeared in her mind, she felt it was within expectations.

At this moment, Qiao Mo spoke: “Elder sister said that their father, Imperial Censor Xing, was overly pedantic, and his love for his daughters was less than his reverence for propriety. Now it seems that wasn’t entirely true.”

Qiao Zhao tugged at the corner of her mouth: “I’m afraid it’s not that Imperial Censor Xing’s doing.”

Rather than believe that a person’s deeply rooted thoughts could change overnight, she preferred to trust rational speculation.

“Oh, then what’s the story—” Qiao Mo suddenly realized, looking at his sister with a strange expression.

Those who had the imperial audience were just those people. If it wasn’t Imperial Censor Xing’s doing, then it was Marquis Guanjun’s achievement. His sister was quite good at adding glory to Marquis Guanjun’s reputation.

After inwardly grumbling a few times, Qiao Mo said with a serious expression: “Sister should hurry back to the Li residence. You just returned today and were summoned by the Empress Dowager—the family must be concerned.”

“Mm, then I’ll go back now. When he returns, if there’s important news, please send someone to inform me.”

Qiao Zhao couldn’t stay long at Marquis Guanjun’s residence and left, suppressing her reluctance.

Perhaps because she had waited so long for this day, her heart couldn’t quite settle.

Darkness fell quickly. Red lanterns were lit under the eaves and corridors of Marquis Guanjun’s residence. The bluestone path seemed covered with silver frost under the moonlight, and the sound of hoofbeats on it created a tapping sound, approaching from far to near.

“General.” A personal guard stepped forward to greet him.

Shao Mingyuan dismounted, handed the reins to the guard, and walked hurriedly inside.

“The marquis has returned.” Qiao Mo’s mouth held a slight smile, his tone gentle.

The young general’s black robe seemed even more crisp from the cold, making him shine like bright moonlight.

Qiao Mo raised his eyebrows slightly, thinking: This brother-in-law of his had only his military reputation known in previous years, with no fame for beauty spreading. Looking carefully now, he was extremely handsome.

After Shao Mingyuan greeted Qiao Mo, he glanced behind him, then glanced again.

Zhaozhao had gone back—

She had gone back!

Someone who had rushed home all the way felt empty inside, yet saw his brother-in-law smiling at him even more warmly.