Qiao Zhao struggled to touch Shao Mingyuan: “Tingquan, have Chen Guang take me back. You… entering the capital privately without summons, if word gets out…”

“I’m not afraid. The Jinlin Guards Commander already saw me, so what’s there to fear?” Shao Mingyuan lowered his head to kiss Qiao Zhao’s hair and said softly, “I’ll take you home.”

Qiao Zhao said no more, her cheek pressed against his cold armor, and the heart that had never relaxed for even a moment finally settled down.

The Li residence was brightly lit, the large red lanterns had been replaced with white ones, swaying slightly in the wind against the pitch-black night, appearing cold and desolate.

Shao Mingyuan signaled Chen Guang to knock on the door.

“Who is it?” came a cautious voice from the gate.

“Chen Guang.”

The door creaked open.

“Third Miss has returned, don’t make any noise!” Chen Guang warned the gatekeeper and stepped aside to let Shao Mingyuan enter.

Under the dim light, Shao Mingyuan’s silver armor was stained with blood, as if he had just returned from a battlefield.

The gatekeeper quickly lowered his head, his heart trembling.

The one holding Third Miss was—heavens, it was Marquis Guanjun!

Wasn’t Marquis Guanjun fighting the Tatars? How could he appear here? Why was Third Miss with Marquis Guanjun?

Countless thoughts flashed through the gatekeeper’s mind, and as soon as the group entered, he immediately closed the gate.

This wasn’t Shao Mingyuan’s first time here, so he was quite familiar with the way and headed straight for Qingsong Hall.

In Qingsong Hall, lamp shadows flickered, and a maid guarded the door, dozing off.

The sound of footsteps startled her like a frightened bird. She jumped up suddenly, and seeing the young man who had suddenly appeared, she almost cried out in alarm.

“It’s me, Chen Guang!”

“Chen Guang, how are you?” Recognizing Chen Guang, Binglu’s eyes suddenly brightened. “Where is our miss?”

The little maid guarding outside Qingsong Hall was Binglu.

“Third Miss has returned.” Chen Guang stepped aside, and only then did Binglu see Shao Mingyuan behind him.

Seeing the person in Shao Mingyuan’s arms, Binglu rushed over, but Chen Guang quickly grabbed her: “Keep your voice down. Do you want everyone to know?”

“I won’t make noise, I won’t make noise!” Binglu covered her mouth, tears streaming down her face. “What happened to our miss? What happened to our miss?”

“She’s a bit injured, but she’s fine.” Seeing Shao Mingyuan’s grim expression, Chen Guang quickly consoled her.

Binglu breathed a sigh of relief and wiped her tears, revealing a smile: “I knew our miss would have heaven’s protection!”

“Why are you at Qingsong Hall?” Chen Guang asked curiously.

“A’Zhu and I made an arrangement—one person guards the first half of the night, one guards the second half. When you have news of our miss, you’ll come to Qingsong Hall first, so we can get news of our miss immediately.”

“Hurry and report to Old Madam.” Chen Guang sighed.

“Yes, Old Madam hasn’t slept yet!”

Binglu turned and went inside. Soon, there was movement in Qingsong Hall, and the senior maid Qingjun came out with Binglu. Seeing Shao Mingyuan, she was slightly surprised but quickly invited them in.

Old Madam Deng indeed hadn’t slept and hadn’t even changed from her daytime clothes, sitting fully dressed in the main hall.

“Old Madam, your grandson-in-law has brought Zhaozhao back.” Shao Mingyuan, holding Qiao Zhao, knelt on one knee and paid respects to Old Madam Deng.

Old Madam Deng stood up abruptly and quickly walked to the two of them. Seeing Qiao Zhao’s appearance, her expression immediately changed: “Third girl, how are you?”

Qiao Zhao forced a smile: “Grandmother, I’m fine…”

“Fine is good, fine is good!” Old Madam Deng’s tears streamed down, no longer maintaining her usual calm composure.

For an elderly person approaching sixty, losing a son, having her granddaughter’s whereabouts unknown, and having to keep it secret from her two daughters-in-law, the pressure and pain could be imagined.

But Old Madam Deng had just breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Qiao Zhao’s hands. Her expression immediately changed. She wanted to hold Qiao Zhao’s hands but was afraid of hurting her, asking tremblingly: “Marquis, who exactly captured Zhaozhao? Did they torture her?”

Using silver needles and bamboo splinters inserted under fingernails was already one of the cruel tortures, yet it was used on a young girl. Even unrelated people would be angry, let alone one’s granddaughter.

Old Madam Deng supported herself on the chair back, nearly unable to stand steady, anger crashing against her heart like ocean waves.

“Your grandson-in-law is incompetent and hasn’t yet found who abducted Zhaozhao.”

Old Madam Deng’s rationality slightly returned, and she couldn’t help being stunned: “Marquis, when did you return?”

“Just rushed back. Your grandson-in-law came too late.”

“You—” Old Madam Deng wanted to ask about the battle situation, but felt it inappropriate. She swallowed the words and instructed the maids, “Qingjun, Hongsong, take Third Miss to the warm pavilion to rest.”

“Old Madam, Zhaozhao is injured and shouldn’t be disturbed. I’ll take her directly.”

Old Madam Deng nodded, signaling Qingjun to follow.

After a moment, Qingjun came out, but Shao Mingyuan was nowhere to be seen.

Old Madam Deng cast an inquiring look.

Qingjun looked strange: “Replying to Old Madam, after the Marquis put Third Miss down, he just—”

“Just what?” Old Madam Deng was observant as silk and had already noticed that Qiao Zhao’s clothes had been changed. Although the changed clothes were similar in color and style to what her granddaughter wore when paying respects this morning, this couldn’t escape her eyes.

Old Madam Deng’s face remained unchanged, but how could her heart not be anxious? Seeing that Shao Mingyuan hadn’t come out, her heart skipped a beat: Could it be that the Third girl had already lost her chastity, and the Marquis was afraid she might think too much?

“The Marquis just fell asleep,” Qingjun said with an odd expression.

She hadn’t seen anyone fall asleep so quickly. He had just put Third Miss down and fell asleep leaning against the bed.

Chen Guang couldn’t help saying: “Our general traveled for a whole day without closing his eyes.”

Old Madam Deng sighed: “Fine, don’t disturb the Marquis. Let him sleep for a while. Qingjun, go tell the Master not to worry.”

Qingjun left on orders. Binglu guarded Qiao Zhao in the warm pavilion, Hongsong went to prepare hot soup on orders, leaving only Chen Guang and Old Madam Deng in the room.

“Chen Guang, where did you find Third Miss?”

“Old Madam, you should ask our general about this. I don’t know either. After the general returned, he asked me a few questions and rode off on horseback. When he came back, he brought Third Miss with him.”

Old Madam Deng listened with furrowed brows.

She could be certain that the Third girl’s disappearance was unusual, and there was also the Second son’s death—

Thinking of her second son, who died young, Old Madam Deng’s heart ached.

“Mother, has Zhaozhao returned?” Li Guangwen came running hurriedly, supporting himself on the door frame and panting heavily.

“She’s resting in the warm pavilion.”

“I’ll go see her!” Li Guangwen lifted his foot to walk toward the warm pavilion but was stopped by Old Madam Deng.

“The third girl is injured and has finally settled down to rest. Don’t disturb her. We’ll talk tomorrow.”

“I won’t speak, I’ll just take one look.” Hearing this, Li Guangwen became even more anxious and ran over with his heart burning with worry. Looking inside, he couldn’t help being stunned.

Why was there a man beside his daughter?