Binglu suddenly became fully alert and turned to look at Qiao Zhao: “Miss, is it Chen Guang?”

Qiao Zhao put down her book and said in a low voice: “Go open the window.”

When Chen Guang went to A’Zhu’s sister-in-law’s house to wait and catch the culprits, she had already instructed that no matter how late it was, as long as those people went to A’Zhu’s sister-in-law’s house, they must bring any live captives to her, even if it was the middle of the night. She would wait in the study.

Or rather, in Qiao Zhao’s estimation, the people going to A’Zhu’s sister-in-law’s house to kill and silence her would most likely choose midnight, as it would be more convenient for their actions. So she hadn’t planned to sleep early tonight anyway.

“Yes.” Binglu quietly responded and went to open the window.

Seeing this, Qiao Zhao stood up and walked toward the window.

The window was opened, and a black-clothed person with a black cloth covering their face flipped through the window and landed silently, casually closing the open window.

Binglu was stunned, her expression suddenly changing: “You’re not Chen Guang! You lecher, take my punch—”

The black-clothed person who had steadied himself pulled down the black cloth, revealing a handsome face.

Binglu forcibly pulled back her punch, nearly falling over. Supporting her nearly dropping jaw, she stammered: “Gen-General, how did you come here—”

But Shao Mingyuan didn’t answer Binglu’s question. He strode toward Qiao Zhao, who was standing frozen in place, reached out to embrace her, and kissed her cherry lips that were slightly parted in surprise.

Binglu’s eyes suddenly widened.

The General was… was taking liberties with Miss!

No, as a loyal maid protecting her master, even though she thought this scene was quite beautiful, she couldn’t let the General take advantage of Miss like this!

The little maid looked around and grabbed a vase from the tall table, walking forward.

Wait, Miss seemed to be responding?

Oh my, too embarrassing, she couldn’t watch!

Binglu hurriedly turned and ran outside. Only when she reached the doorway did she realize she was still holding a large vase. She quickly turned back to place the vase where it belonged. Her curious gaze couldn’t help but peek inside once, and she stumbled and ran away in panic.

In her shock, Qiao Zhao was completely dazed, allowing the man who still carried the chill of his journey to kiss her with all his might.

With her hands and feet going weak, she could only cling to the man’s shoulders like a vine, letting him take what he wanted.

After a long while, Shao Mingyuan finally released Qiao Zhao and said hoarsely, “Zhaozhao, I’m back.”

Qiao Zhao reached out to touch Shao Mingyuan’s cheek, examining by candlelight the man who shouldn’t possibly be here.

He had traveled hard all the way—his eyes were bloodshot, stubble had sprouted on his chin, rough and coarse, and even his clothes were dirty and dusty.

But all these imperfections couldn’t compare to the joy his appearance brought her.

Happiness bubbled up from the depths of Qiao Zhao’s heart, sprouting branches and leaves, blooming into large, magnificent flowers.

“Zhaozhao, are you alright?” Shao Mingyuan’s eyes didn’t blink for a moment, staring intently at the person before him.

This girl he had thought of day and night, held dear in his heart, today he finally saw her again.

Only during this separation did he realize that longing could make one’s heart ache so much that he could barely breathe.

“I’m fine. What about you? How did you come back?” After the initial surprise, Qiao Zhao regained her composure and asked the question she was most concerned about.

Shao Mingyuan blinked: “I secretly ran back to see you.”

Qiao Zhao frowned: “With two armies at war, how could you secretly run back?”

Shao Mingyuan reached out to smooth the furrow between the young lady’s brows. His fingertips were much rougher than before after these days of brief separation.

“Don’t frown. Listen to me. The north is currently preparing for the final assault. Both sides are in a stalemate, and there won’t be any changes for at least seven or eight days. I took advantage of this gap to rush back overnight.”

After hearing this, Qiao Zhao was still somewhat uneasy: “But if you leave camp without permission and someone with ulterior motives finds out, that would be a capital offense—”

Shao Mingyuan lowered his head to kiss her smooth, full forehead: “I know you’re worried about me, but don’t think about these things. Trust me—even if I’m caught up in romantic feelings, I wouldn’t joke with the lives of my soldiers.”

Only then did Qiao Zhao’s expression soften. She turned to pour a cup of warm water and handed it to Shao Mingyuan, saying reproachfully: “Even if everything is foolproof, since there will be results in just a while longer, why be so impatient?”

Shao Mingyuan didn’t speak, just gazed deeply at her.

Qiao Zhao pressed her lips together, reached out to tug at him, and asked softly: “What’s wrong?”

Shao Mingyuan took Qiao Zhao’s hand and sighed lightly: “Zhaozhao, more than three years ago, on our wedding day, I received orders to go to war and left without saying goodbye. That lesson was enough for me. This time, I don’t want to leave without saying goodbye again. I came to bid you farewell.”

Qiao Zhao’s eyes instantly filled with tears. Teardrops fell like rain, dripping onto the man’s hand, but she only called out two words: “Tingquan—”

“Silly girl, don’t cry.” Shao Mingyuan embraced Qiao Zhao, his heart full of guilt.

In this lifetime, he owed her too much. He didn’t want to owe her another farewell.

“Who’s crying? Let go of me quickly. Just now you were being handsy in front of Binglu—don’t you know shame?” Qiao Zhao raised her hand to wipe away her tears, covering her loss of composure.

Shao Mingyuan lowered his head to gently bite her earlobe, his voice extremely hoarse: “Your maid wouldn’t gossip about this to others, would she?”

Qiao Zhao raised her hand to pinch his waist and said reproachfully, “Even if she doesn’t gossip to others, I still feel embarrassed. Behave yourself.”

How could Shao Mingyuan bear to let go? He held the person in his arms even tighter and said softly: “I won’t let go.”

“You’ve even learned to be shameless?”

The man chuckled softly: “I’ve always been shameless, but I’m only shameless with you alone.”

Being bold, thick-skinned, and acting shamelessly were all things Chen Guang had taught him. Now it seemed that the kid was truly a good teacher and friend. If he had been thinner-skinned, he probably would still have only his full heart of longing right now, instead of having this soft jade in his arms.

“Zhaozhao, I miss you.” The man sighed against the young lady’s dark hair.

Qiao Zhao trembled all over and stopped moving.

Gentle kisses fell on her forehead, then moved down to her brow, then down to her cheek, and finally captured her soft lips.

The other’s lips were ice cold, as if still carrying the chill of the northern lands, yet they made her feel as if she were drinking sweet dew, intoxicating her heart and soul.

“Shao Mingyuan, you should rest for a while…” Qiao Zhao said indistinctly.

His exhaustion could no longer be concealed, making her heart hang in worry.

“I won’t rest. I have to leave now.” Shao Mingyuan tightened his hold on the young lady’s waist, then quickly released her.

Qiao Zhao was stunned: “You’re leaving already?”

Shao Mingyuan showed her a bright smile: “I’ve calculated it all. I’ll stay here for two quarters of an hour and then rush back. No one will know.”

“You fool…” Qiao Zhao bit her lip tightly.

Shao Mingyuan reached out to gently caress her lips and said tenderly, “I’m leaving. Next time I come, I definitely won’t climb through the window. I want to walk through your family’s front gate openly and honorably, carrying betrothal gifts. Zhaozhao, don’t forget—when I was in the imperial prison, you promised to marry me.”

“I haven’t forgotten. Go quickly, and rest well when you get back.”

“Mm.” Shao Mingyuan kissed Qiao Zhao again and turned toward the window.

Just then, the window was suddenly knocked on.