Qiao Zhao immediately straightened up, abandoning her casual demeanor: “Marquis Guanjun went to Minister Kou’s residence? What happened after that?”

Had he gone to her maternal grandfather’s house to… announce the death?

Shao Mingyuan would meet with her elder brother!

Just thinking of this possibility made Qiao Zhao unable to remain calm.

But A’Zhu was stumped by the question. She shook her head: “This servant only heard this much, and only because those matrons were betting on whether Marquis Guanjun would be thrown out of the Minister’s residence.”

“He won’t be.” Qiao Zhao regained her cool composure.

Meeting A’Zhu’s questioning gaze, she explained: “Marquis Guanjun shot his wife, Lady Qiao, for the sake of the nation’s greater good. Minister Kou, as an important court official, would not make things difficult for Marquis Guanjun.”

Analyzing so calmly how her relatives would react to her being personally shot by her husband left her with indescribable feelings.

Her maternal grandfather would certainly not blame Shao Mingyuan. But what about her elder brother?

Qiao Zhao became lost in thought for a moment and said nothing more.

A’Zhu quietly withdrew.

At Minister Kou’s residence.

Since Old Minister Kou and his son had gone to court early in the morning, when they heard Marquis Guanjun had come to pay his respects, he was received by Old Madam Xue and the eldest daughter-in-law, Madam Mao.

Shao Mingyuan wore a half-worn white robe. Upon seeing Old Madam Xue, he immediately lifted his robe hem and knelt on one knee: “Son-in-law Mingyuan pays respects to maternal grandmother and respects to aunt-in-law.”

The handsome young man had restrained his commanding aura of slaughter and battle, appearing like a well-read noble young master from an aristocratic family, respectfully kneeling before his elders.

Old Madam Xue remained silent for a long time.

The young man kneeling on the ground showed no trace of impatience, nor the pride of a youth granted a marquis title. Time passed bit by bit, and he maintained his kneeling posture without moving a muscle.

The young maids serving in the room couldn’t help but frequently glance at this peerlessly handsome young marquis.

This was their young mistress’s husband – so handsome indeed, and with such tremendous ability. It was just a pity that their young mistress didn’t have the fortune—

“Enough, Marquis, please rise.” Old Madam Xue finally spoke.

Shao Mingyuan didn’t move: “Mingyuan knows his sins are grave and dares not seek his maternal grandmother’s forgiveness. I humbly request that my maternal grandmother allow Mingyuan to meet with the elder brother-in-law.”

“The Marquis wishes to see Qiao Mo?”

“Yes, my wife’s coffin has been placed in Marquis Jing’an’s residence. Mingyuan wishes to personally inform the elder brother-in-law of this matter.”

“Qiao Mo, he—” Old Madam Xue opened her mouth to speak, but ultimately shook her head and sighed: “Enough. Nanny Qing led the Marquis to see the young master.”

A matron in her forties or fifties approached: “Marquis, please follow this old servant.”

Shao Mingyuan kowtowed once to Old Madam Xue before rising and following Nanny Qing out.

As soon as he left, a young lady in green emerged from behind the screen.

“Qinglan!” Madam Mao frowned.

The young lady in green was Madam Mao’s second daughter, Kou Qinglan.

Kou Qinglan wasn’t afraid of Madam Mao’s scolding. She turned and reached out to pull another young lady in blue from behind the screen.

The young lady in blue was slightly older than Kou Qinglan. Being pulled out like this, her face flushed red as she glared at her, “Second sister, let go quickly.”

Kou Qinglan smiled sweetly: “Elder sister, don’t be angry. I’ll let go right away.”

After she released her hand, the young lady in blue curtsied gracefully to Old Madam Xue and Madam Mao: “Grandmother, Mother.”

Madam Mao sighed: “Zimo, why are you also fooling around with your sister?”

Before Kou Zimo could speak, Kou Qinglan rushed to say: “Mother, don’t blame elder sister! I was very curious about what that invincible Marquis Guanjun looked like, so I pulled my elder sister to come see.”

The young lady’s voice was like an oriole’s, speaking of her purpose without any concealment, which left Madam Mao helpless. She could only turn to Old Madam Xue: “Old Madam, it’s all because I’ve spoiled these two girls—”

Old Madam Xue shook her head: “They’re at the age of curiosity. It’s not surprising they’d want to see that famous marquis.”

After speaking, she looked at her two granddaughters, her expression turning serious: “But you must never do this again. Though your cousin is no longer with us, he’s still your cousin-in-law in name. If word spreads, people will say our Minister’s residence lacks proper conduct!”

Kou Qinglan stuck out her tongue: “Granddaughter knows she was wrong. Granddaughter was just curious.”

Old Madam Xue glanced at Madam Mao: “Madam Mao, take them away.”

Madam Mao understood Old Madam Xue’s meaning.

With Marquis Guanjun still in the residence, it was indeed inappropriate to let the young ladies run about.

However—

Thinking of the young general who had just knelt before Old Madam Xue, then looking at her two daughters as beautiful as flowers and jade, Madam Mao’s heart stirred.

This Marquis Guanjun was more courteous than she had imagined. Already granted a marquis title and ministerial position in his early twenties, his prospects were limitless. Truly, he would be a rare good son-in-law.

Her father-in-law was about to retire, and her husband had always been neither advancing nor retreating. When the time came, her two daughters’ marriages would be neither high nor low.

With this thought, after Madam Mao led her two daughters back to their courtyard, she sent servants to the quarters where the young master was staying to gather information.

Shao Mingyuan was led by Nanny Qing to a courtyard in the northwest corner of the Minister’s residence.

This courtyard, named “Listening to Wind Residence,” was very secluded, so quiet that only the rustling of bamboo leaves could be heard.

Nanny Qing stopped: “Marquis, please wait a moment. The young master is not convenient for meeting people. This old servant will go in first to request permission.”

“Thank you for your trouble.” Shao Mingyuan stood quietly in the courtyard, waiting.

After a moment, sounds came from within. Shao Mingyuan looked up to see the Qiao family’s Yulang, whom he had met once before, striding over.

The approaching young man wore white robes with black hair – his entire person had only these two colors. Looking at his bearing, one would feel his elegance was peerless, but when one’s gaze fell on his left face, it immediately evoked the terror of facing a hideous demon.

Even though she had seen the young master in this state before, Nanny Qing still lowered her head and eyes, not daring to look again, thinking: The young master’s face is ruined, looking like an evil spirit. Why doesn’t he cover it up?

In an instant, Qiao Mo had stopped before Shao Mingyuan.

His eyes remained bright as before, deep black and tranquil. Looking at him this way, Shao Mingyuan suddenly saw a flash of similar eyes before him.

His wife Lady Qiao, standing on the city wall gazing at him from afar, had looked at him with just such clear and peaceful eyes.

At that time, he hadn’t dared to look any longer, not knowing that single glance had already been engraved in his heart, never to be forgotten.

“Brother-in-law—” Shao Mingyuan spoke first, his voice low and hoarse.

Those tranquil eyes suddenly changed. The man’s voice was cool as water, like wind blowing through a bamboo forest: “Shao Mingyuan?”

“Yes.”

“My brother-in-law, my elder sister’s husband, Shao Mingyuan?”

“It is I.” Shao Mingyuan enunciated each word, almost unable to remain standing, yet he could only and must stand straight, bearing the simple yet heavy questioning from the person in this world closest to Lady Qiao.

“You failed to protect my sister.”

“Correct.”

“I ask you, having shot and killed my sister, do you have any regrets?”

Shao Mingyuan was silent for a moment before answering: “No regrets.”

If he had to do it again, he could only make the same choice.

Though he had no regrets, he felt guilty.

Guilt for life!

But such words – he had no right to speak them to Lady Qiao’s relatives.

“Very good.” Qiao Mo raised the sword in his hand and thrust it toward Shao Mingyuan’s heart.