“Which general?”

Qiao Zhao suppressed her laughter as she looked at Li Guangwen’s eager expression and said, “It seems to be Marquis Zhenyuan, who once led troops to repel the Tartars who had occupied Shanhaiguan.”

Li Guangwen immediately put away his smile.

“Father—”

Li Guangwen ignored Qiao Zhao and paced back and forth in the small study with his hands behind his back.

After turning several circles, he finally said: “That Marquis was executed along with his entire family!”

“Why?”

“Why?” Li Guangwen began pacing in circles again, accidentally bumping into the corner of the table. It hurt so much he frowned deeply, but maintaining face in front of his daughter, he endured it and said: “Grand Secretary Lanshan accused him of treason!”

“Treason—” Qiao Zhao sighed lightly. This was truly a grave charge.

But Li Guangwen suddenly became agitated: “What treason? It was a case of killing the good hunting dogs once the birds are caught, slaughtering the loyal hounds once the rabbits are dead! I think His Majesty has become muddled from practicing Taoism—”

“Cough, cough, cough—” Qiao Zhao began coughing.

“What’s wrong with Zhaozhao?”

Qiao Zhao half-raised her head, smiling with difficulty: “Father, you should tell me about interesting events from outside instead.”

If he continued talking like this, she would have to go listen to stories in the imperial prison.

Li Guangwen seemed to realize this too and nodded blankly: “Oh, right, this father should tell you about interesting events from outside instead. Speaking of which, yesterday, Marquis Guanjun led the procession escorting the coffins of fallen soldiers into the city. There was a young girl who was bewitched by lust and incredibly bold, seeing that Marquis Guanjun was handsome, she rushed forward in front of everyone and stopped him…”

Qiao Zhao: “…” She’d rather go listen to stories in the imperial prison after all!

Having finally sent Li Guangwen away, not long after, Binglu came in to report: “Miss, the Third Young Master has come.”

Qiao Zhao was somewhat puzzled.

Ever since Li Hui had awkwardly apologized to her that time, they hadn’t encountered each other much. What could he want with her today?

She thought carefully.

Could it be that Li Jiāo from the East Residence had been wronged, and he also wanted to stand up for her?

“Please invite the Third Young Master in.”

Li Hui stepped into the study, but upon meeting Qiao Zhao’s calm, water-like gaze, his face turned red instead.

“Isn’t Third Brother going to the Imperial Academy today?”

“I am going, I’ll leave in a moment.”

“Then does Third Brother have some business coming here?”

Li Hui glanced around the study and, seeing no hanging calligraphy or paintings, felt disappointed. With a slightly red face, he said: “I heard that Third Sister writes excellent calligraphy and received an audience with Master Wumei yesterday?”

Qiao Zhao’s mood was rather complex.

Truly, father and son—they asked the same questions. Next, wouldn’t he ask to see her calligraphy?

Seeing Qiao Zhao only smile without speaking, Li Hui steeled himself and spoke up: “If Third Sister’s calligraphy caught Master Wumei’s eye, it must be excellent. I wonder if this elder brother might take a look?”

Looking at the half-grown youth standing before her, face red as he formally addressed himself as “elder brother,” Qiao Zhao felt rather helpless. But she couldn’t pick up the brush and write again, so she said, “I just wrote a piece of calligraphy that Father took away. If Third Brother wants to see it, you might as well go look at Father’s place.”

“Oh, I see—” Li Hui quickly glanced at Qiao Zhao, nodded, and said: “Then I’ll go.”

He turned and walked out, but suddenly stopped at the doorway, turned his head to drop a “Farewell, Third Sister,” and then hurried away.

Binglu looked completely baffled and muttered, “How did the Third Young Master become so proper?” It made her feel useless.

A’Zhu entered carrying a tray: “Miss, please have some lily congee.”

Binglu patted her forehead: “Oh, right, Miss, today is the day you go to the women’s school at the East Residence. This servant prepared your bookcase last night and will fetch it for you right away.”

Seeing Binglu rush off, A’Zhu leaned close to Qiao Zhao’s ear and whispered: “Miss, this servant heard from the purchasing woman that yesterday the coffins of the fallen soldiers who entered the city were granted permission by the Son of Heaven to be buried in the Western Mausoleum, and Marquis Guanjun’s wife was posthumously granted the title of Super-First Rank Marchioness…”

She didn’t understand what use it was for Miss to have her gather information about major events in the city, but since it was Miss’s instruction, she would do it well.

Qiao Zhao nodded, indicating she understood.

A’Zhu had a gentle nature and smiled when meeting anyone—it seemed she was gradually integrating into the servants’ circle. As for whether Marquis Guanjun’s deceased wife received a posthumous title, it held no meaning for her whatsoever.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“Miss, your book case.” Binglu hurried in, and seeing A’Zhu standing close to Qiao Zhao, she snorted lightly and stepped forward to efficiently push her aside.

“Miss, the Second Miss suffered great misfortune yesterday and must be holding back a belly full of anger. You must be extra careful today.”

“The Second Miss will cause trouble for me?” Qiao Zhao couldn’t help but laugh.

That girl was becoming more resilient with each setback.

“More than just causing trouble—in this servant’s opinion, she’ll at least want to fight you to the death,” Binglu spoke rapidly.

Qiao Zhao was amused and laughed out loud.

Binglu was stunned for a moment, then suddenly covered her face.

“Hmm?” Qiao Zhao raised an eyebrow.

“Oh my, Miss, you looked so beautiful when you smiled just now.” Binglu patted her face and rarely let out a sigh. “You haven’t smiled like that in a long time.”

These days, Miss’s smiles had been too faint, making her feel like there was always a layer of something between them.

“Is that so?” Qiao Zhao turned her head toward A’Zhu. “A’Zhu, is the pouch I asked you to prepare ready?”

“It’s ready.” A’Zhu pulled out a plain pouch from her sleeve.

Qiao Zhao reached out to take it, opened it to look, then casually tied it at her waist.

Binglu pursed her lips: “Such an ugly pouch—how dare you give it to Miss to wear!”

Where was it ugly?

Qiao Zhao couldn’t help but lower her head to look at the newly attached pouch at her waist.

“Miss made this herself.” A’Zhu reminded expressionlessly.

Binglu: “…” Damn A’Zhu, why didn’t you say so earlier!

The little maid looked at the pouch again, trying hard to find some praiseworthy words. After searching for a long time, she felt it would be better to directly apologize to Miss.

After so many years, she had rarely done needlework, only to have Binglu despise it? Qiao Zhao suddenly felt a bit dejected and stood up, saying coolly: “It’s time to go to Qingsong Hall to pay respects.”

It wasn’t until she had walked several steps away that Binglu suddenly found the pouch’s merit and called out: “Miss, the fabric is good!”

Qiao Zhao didn’t understand for a moment.

Binglu explained: “This servant means the fabric used for the pouch is good—Miss has excellent taste!”

“Ha ha ha.” The usually steady A’Zhu couldn’t help but laugh.

Miss Qiao’s face darkened as she pinched the pouch and strode away.

Li Guangwen returned to his study and directly took down a piece of calligraphy hanging on the wall. He gestured with his hands to measure, then found materials to personally mount his daughter’s writing and hang it up.

He had just arranged the materials he needed when someone knocked on the study door.

“Who is it?”

“Father, it’s me.”

Li Guangwen got up and walked to the door, pulling it open in one motion.

“Hui’er? Today isn’t a holiday at the Imperial Academy, is it? Why haven’t you left yet at this hour?”

Li Hui nearly couldn’t resist rolling his eyes.

Today wasn’t even a rest day, yet you simply didn’t go to court at all!

“Father, I heard that Third Sister wrote some calligraphy for you. Your son would also like to take a look.”

Li Guangwen immediately threw his son’s tardiness for school to the back of his mind, looking like he’d found a kindred spirit: “Come, come, come, this father was just thinking of having you learn more from your Third Sister when you have time.”