Qiao Zhao looked back at Jiang Yuanchao: “Lord Jiang needn’t trouble himself with my concerns. I only want to ask—was that person you?”

Jiang Yuanchao fell silent.

After waiting a while without receiving an answer, Qiao Zhao smiled: “Never mind. One cannot speak of ice to summer insects.”

In this world, some people would shed their last drop of blood to defend their homeland, while naturally others would not hesitate to see their country destroyed for personal gain.

With such people, she had nothing to say.

Qiao Zhao walked past Jiang Yuanchao and continued forward.

“Zhaozhao—” Watching the young woman leave so resolutely, as if separated from him by not just mountains and rivers but worlds apart, Jiang Yuanchao called out instinctively.

Qiao Zhao’s face showed thin anger. Her hand moved slightly, but good upbringing made her suppress the impulse to slap the man before her hard across the face.

She didn’t turn back, pausing only briefly before striding toward the Marquis Guanjun’s residence.

Jiang Yuanchao stood motionless in place.

“Sir?” Jiang He called out cautiously.

Jiang Yuanchao said nothing and lifted his feet to walk forward.

Jiang He turned to look at the young woman’s receding figure, then at Jiang Yuanchao walking in the opposite direction. He sighed quietly and hurried to catch up.

Qiao Zhao came before Qiao Wan.

“Sister Li.” Qiao Wan looked up at Qiao Zhao and sniffled.

Qiao Zhao took Qiao Wan’s hand: “Let’s go inside to talk.”

Qiao Wan nodded obediently.

The Marquis Guanjun’s residence was very spacious. Perhaps because there was no mistress of the house, everywhere one looked, there were green trees and rocks, giving off an indescribable sense of ruggedness.

Returning to familiar surroundings, much of the unease faded from Qiao Wan’s face as she actively asked: “Sister Li, will my brother-in-law come back?”

Qiao Zhao smiled and patted Qiao Wan’s head: “Didn’t your brother-in-law say to stay home obediently, and he’ll return quickly?”

Qiao Wan’s small face wrinkled: “I know brother-in-law was just coaxing me. He was afraid I’d be scared staying alone in the residence.”

Qiao Zhao was slightly stunned, feeling emotional: Little sister was also beginning to understand things.

“Then you don’t believe your brother-in-law’s words?”

“I—” Qiao Wan bit her lip. “Sister Li, I’ll tell you secretly, but don’t tell your brother-in-law. I don’t believe it, but I’m afraid brother-in-law would worry, so I had to pretend to believe.”

Qiao Zhao found this amusing and asked: “Then do you believe my words?”

Qiao Wan nodded: “I believe you.”

Without waiting for Qiao Zhao to ask, Qiao Wan explained: “I heard everything Sister Li said to those people watching the excitement just now. Sister Li could ask questions that left them speechless. I think that’s amazing, so I believe your words.”

“Then I’m telling you, your brother-in-law will definitely return safely, so Wan Wan must eat on time while in the residence and can’t cry, alright?”

Qiao Wan smiled with pursed lips: “Sister Li, I’m already nine years old. I won’t cry—crying is useless. My legitimate mother told me that people become well-behaved through books, so I should read more. Before, I was naughty and only wanted to play, but now I understand. From now on, I’ll study hard, so when things happen, I can be like you and… my eldest sister…”

Speaking of this, the little girl became somewhat sad. Her fan-like eyelashes trembled as she stared at her shoe tips without speaking.

Qiao Zhao sighed softly and led Qiao Wan inside, when she suddenly noticed the little girl tugging at her sleeve.

Qiao Zhao stopped and looked at Qiao Wan: “What’s wrong, Wan Wan?”

Qiao Wan was troubled.

“Your brother-in-law isn’t here, so you can tell me anything.”

Qiao Wan bit her lip and made up her mind: “Sister Li, after you and brother-in-law get married, please don’t let brother-in-law forget my eldest sister, alright?”

The little girl’s expression was timid, with some unease.

Qiao Zhao suddenly found herself speechless.

Fearing she might be unhappy, the little girl hurriedly said: “I know brother-in-law likes you, but my eldest sister is pitiful—”

“Don’t worry, your brother-in-law will never forget your eldest sister. I promise you.”

Only then did Qiao Wan smile.

Qiao Zhao accompanied Qiao Wan through dinner before returning to the Li residence. As soon as she entered, she discovered the elders had all gathered in Qingsong Hall.

“Third girl, how are things with the Marquis?” Old Madam Deng asked.

“He’s currently been taken away by the Jinlin Guards—”

Before Qiao Zhao could finish speaking, He Shi suddenly stood up and embraced her: “Zhaozhao, don’t be afraid. Whatever happens, mother is here. Even if Marquis Guanjun becomes a commoner, as long as he treats you well, that’s fine. We have a dowry, so we won’t go hungry.”

Old Madam Deng sighed quietly.

This foolish daughter-in-law—Marquis Guanjun was the orphan of Marquis Zhenyuan. The emperor had decreed his imprisonment, and only two outcomes awaited him: either Marquis Zhenyuan could be vindicated, or he would be executed as the son of a criminal minister. There was no option of becoming a commoner.

As Old Madam Deng thought this, Second Master Li Guangshu spoke directly: “Sister-in-law, don’t be naive. Marquis Guanjun has been imprisoned by imperial decree. Never mind him—the entire Marquis Jing’an household will probably lose their lives, and perhaps our Li residence can’t escape misfortune either.”

He Shi’s face turned pale: “You mean the emperor will have the son-in-law beheaded?”

Li Guangshu smiled with a curl of his lips.

Such an obvious thing—did it need asking? He was truly unlucky. His niece’s engagement to Marquis Guanjun brought no benefits, and now, because of Marquis Guanjun’s imprisonment, they might face the blade themselves.

“Then, then what about our Zhaozhao?” He Shi looked at Zhaozhao in confusion, so anxious that sweat broke out on her face. Suddenly, she felt a sharp pain in her abdomen.

“Mother—” Seeing He Shi’s condition was wrong, Qiao Zhao’s heart sank as she hurried to support her.

Old Madam Deng quickly stood up: “He Shi, what’s wrong?”

“I, my stomach hurts…” He Shi was in such pain she couldn’t straighten up, her face white as paper.

“This is terrible—she’s going into premature labor!” Old Madam Deng glared fiercely at Li Guangshu, but had no time to scold him as she hurriedly ordered servants to fetch the midwife.

“Mother, don’t worry.” Qiao Zhao took out a porcelain bottle from the food box she’d brought back, poured out pills, and fed them to He Shi.

He Shi felt much better and leaned on Qiao Zhao weakly: “Mother is fine.”

Old Madam Deng quickly ordered maids and servants to help He Shi to the birthing room that had been prepared earlier.

Qiao Zhao wanted to follow, but Old Madam Deng stopped her: “Third girl, you’re still an unmarried young lady after all. Stay outside—if something happens, it won’t be too late to go in then.”

“Old Madam, let me go in and watch,” Second Madam Liu Shi volunteered.

“Alright, you go. With you accompanying your sister-in-law, she’ll feel more at ease.”

With He Shi’s labor beginning, the entire Li residence became tense. Li Guangwen paced anxiously outside the birthing room, listening to He Shi’s cries of pain and becoming increasingly flustered when he saw servants carrying out basins of bloody water.

The more Li Guangwen watched, the more panicked he became. Each time a servant carried out a basin of bloody water, he would run over and kick Li Guangshu in the rear. When Li Guangshu tried to retaliate, Old Madam Deng would snort coldly and raise her walking stick, forcing Li Guangshu to behave.

Eventually, Li Guangshu’s rear end was numb from the kicks, with only one thought in his mind: When would his sister-in-law finally give birth? If she didn’t deliver soon, he’d be kicked to death!