Shao Mingyuan escorted Qiao Zhao to the entrance of Xingzi Alley and stood beside the carriage, gently tapping the window.

The window curtain moved slightly, then was held down by the man’s large hand: “No need to lift the curtain, the wind will blow in and make it cold. I’m just telling you that it’s snowing and the roads are slippery, so be careful walking after you get out.”

“I understand. You be careful on the road too.” The girl’s soft voice came from behind the curtain, completely unlike her usual cool tone.

Chen Guang pricked up his ears to listen and gave Shao Mingyuan a thumbs up.

The General truly had a sweet tongue-tsk tsk; he was almost catching up to him.

Shao Mingyuan glanced lightly at the little coachman who was craning his neck around and warned, “Drive the carriage properly.”

Chen Guang touched his head and muttered quietly, “We’re already home—”

The rest of his words were glared back at by the General’s stare.

A personal guard from the neighboring residence led out a horse. Shao Mingyuan mounted the horse, looked at the carriage once more, then spurred his horse and departed.

The clip-clop sound of horse hooves striking the bluestone road echoed. A pale hand reached out and lifted the bamboo-green cotton curtain.

Qiao Zhao poked her head out and silently watched that upright, pine-like figure disappear into the distance. Only when it was blocked by the buildings ahead and could no longer be seen did she lower the window curtain.

Chen Guang, sitting outside, turned his head and called out with a smile, “Third Miss, please sit tight. I’ll drive the carriage to the second gate.”

“Alright.” Qiao Zhao responded from inside the carriage.

The carriage started moving again, but stopped after a short while. Chen Guang’s voice came from outside: “Second Madam, why are you standing here?”

Hearing that Second Madam Liu Shi was standing outside, Qiao Zhao quickly lifted the window curtain and indeed saw Liu Shi standing at the main gate with a maid holding an umbrella behind her. But looking at her damp hair tips and the mud spots splashed on her skirt hem, plus the small patch of melted snow water on the ground, it was clear she had been standing there for quite some time.

“Third Miss has returned.” Liu Shi smiled.

Probably from staying outside for too long, Liu Shi’s usually crisp voice sounded somewhat stiff.

Of course, Qiao Zhao wouldn’t sit in the carriage to converse with Liu Shi. She quickly climbed out of the carriage and asked, “Second Aunt, why are you standing here?”

Chen Guang said nothing but quickly opened an umbrella to shield Qiao Zhao, grumbling inwardly: The General went too far, coaxing Third Miss to go out without even bringing a maid, making him constantly do a maid’s work. Was this proper?

“Third Miss, you should go back quickly, it’s cold outside.” Liu Shi casually stuffed the hand warmer she was holding into Qiao Zhao’s hands and smiled, “I’m waiting for someone.”

The hand warmer was no longer very hot, further proving that Liu Shi had been outside for a long time.

Qiao Zhao’s heart stirred as she asked, “Are you waiting for Second Uncle? Could it be that Second Uncle is returning today?”

Upon hearing Qiao Zhao mention the husband she hadn’t seen for several years, Liu Shi’s eyebrows and eyes unconsciously took on a smile. Without the usual shyness of ordinary women, she spoke quickly and directly: “Yes, I received word early this morning that your Second Uncle can arrive home today. The steward has already gone to wait outside the city. I couldn’t sit still in the residence, so I simply came out to have a look.”

The casual phrase “came out to have a look” describes enduring the bitter cold in the ice and snow for half a day.

Qiao Zhao reached out to grasp Liu Shi’s hand, which felt like ice blocks to the touch. She couldn’t help but sigh inwardly and persuade, “Second Aunt, let’s go inside. We can have the gatekeeper keep watch and notify you immediately when someone arrives.”

Liu Shi waved her hand: “No need. I’d have nothing to do if I went back anyway, so I might as well stand here and wait – it gives me peace of mind. Third Miss, you go in quickly. The wind is strong here, be careful not to catch cold.”

“Then I’ll wait for Second Uncle together with Second Aunt.” Putting herself in Liu Shi’s shoes, Qiao Zhao could feel Liu Shi’s kindness toward her, so naturally, she couldn’t do something like going inside herself while leaving an elder to freeze outside.

Liu Shi felt warmth in her heart and couldn’t help but smile: “Why accompany me to freeze out here? I wouldn’t even let your two younger sisters come out. You young ladies are different from us – you can’t endure the cold, or you’ll suffer for it later. Go in quickly. Your mother slipped and fell today. Although she’s fine, you should still hurry to keep her company.”

Upon hearing that He Shi had slipped and fallen, Qiao Zhao’s heart jumped violently. But seeing Liu Shi’s tone suggested the problem wasn’t serious, she breathed a sigh of relief and said, “Then I’ll go in to check on my mother.”

She turned back to the carriage to get her own hand warmer and stuffed it into Liu Shi’s hands, then took out a small porcelain bottle from her pouch: “Second Aunt, these are cold-dispelling pills I made. Take one and you won’t feel so cold.”

“Ah, thank you so much, Third Miss.” Liu Shi was very straightforward and opened the porcelain bottle right in front of Qiao Zhao, took out a cold-dispelling pill and swallowed it, then urged, “Go in quickly.”

Qiao Zhao curtsied slightly before entering the residence and heading straight to Qingsong Hall to pay respects to Old Madam Deng.

Old Madam Deng was pacing back and forth in the main room. Upon hearing movement, she turned around sharply. Seeing it was Qiao Zhao, the light in her eyes dimmed slightly as she chided, “You girl, coming in without making a sound – Grandmother thought your Second Uncle had returned.”

Miss Qiao silently rolled her eyes and approached, saying, “I’ve disappointed Grandmother. This granddaughter deserves punishment.”

Old Madam Deng chuckled and reached out to tap Qiao Zhao’s smooth forehead: “You, still bantering with Grandmother. Your Second Uncle hasn’t returned for several years. I wonder if he’s gotten fatter or thinner. The place he went to isn’t very good, so his days certainly haven’t been comfortable. He might even look older than your father.”

Li Guangwen, who was just walking in, touched his nose.

Where was he old? Looking in the mirror this morning, he was still dashingly handsome! The second brother hadn’t even arrived home yet, and mother was already showing favoritism.

“Your second brother will be home soon. Where did you run off to so early this morning? Even when your wife fell today, you couldn’t be found—”

Before Old Madam Deng finished speaking, she saw Li Guangwen’s expression change drastically. He turned and ran outside, then with a loud bang, Master Li nearly knocked the door frame apart.

“What are you panicking about?” Old Madam Deng angrily slapped the table.

But Li Guangwen suddenly turned back around with such force that he even startled the old lady into forgetting her reaction.

“Eldest son, are you having a fit?”

Li Guangwen took a quick step forward, grabbed Qiao Zhao, and ran off like a flying.

This left Old Madam Deng nearly fainting from anger.

That scoundrel! Not only did he run off himself, but he even abducted her granddaughter, and she hadn’t finished speaking yet!

Although He Shi had slipped and fallen, she was perfectly fine. Instead, she had knocked unconscious the fat cat that Liu Shi kept, which happened to be passing by.

Li Guangwen pulled Qiao Zhao and burst directly into He Shi’s room: “He Shi, are you alright?”

He Shi, who was leaning against the headboard, eating roasted sweet potato, looked confused: “What’s wrong?”

Seeing He Shi’s robust appearance, Li Guangwen regained his composure. Suddenly feeling that showing such urgency in front of his daughter wasn’t quite appropriate, he coughed lightly and said, “Is the sweet potato sweet?”

Qiao Zhao: “…”

“Sweet.” He Shi replied happily.

Li Guangwen nodded and muttered to himself, “Mm, good that it’s sweet. Second brother is coming home soon, I’ll go to the front to have a look.”

Master Li fled in panic. Qiao Zhao pressed her lips together and smiled secretly, keeping He Shi company for quite a while before mother and daughter went to Qingsong Hall together.

The masters of both households had all gathered in Qingsong Hall to wait. Before long, a servant woman ran in and said, “Old Madam, something has happened!”