Qingjun quickly said, “Old Madam is still sleeping.”

Rustling sounds came from the inner room, and Hongsong helped Old Madam Deng walk out.

“You’re here. Has the Marquis eaten?” Old Madam Deng’s steps were unsteady, heartbreaking to see.

“Your son-in-law has already eaten.” Shao Mingyuan quickly paid respects to Old Madam Deng.

Old Madam Deng sat down in the grand chair and waved her hand: “At a time like this, don’t be so formal. Eldest, what did they say at the yamen?”

At the mention of this, Li Guangwen became angry: “Those people are truly incompetent, good for nothing! After studying all night, they concluded that Second Brother died of sudden heart palpitations!”

From childhood to adulthood, although he and his younger brother often quarreled and had grown more distant in recent years due to differing philosophies, he was still his blood brother from the same mother. To die so young, leaving behind orphans, widows, and an unborn child—how could an elder brother not feel heartbroken?

“Mother, don’t worry. Your son came back to pack his things. From today on, I’ll live at the Ministry of Justice yamen. Until they thoroughly investigate Second Brother’s cause of death, I’ll stay there and not leave!”

“Old Madam, Father-in-law, your son-in-law has some things to say.” Shao Mingyuan spoke up.

Old Madam Deng looked at him, and seeing he remained silent, signaled for the maids and servants in the room to withdraw.

“Marquis, please speak freely.”

The second son had only petty cleverness, while the eldest was a stubborn mule. In real situations, this grandson-in-law was more reliable.

“Your son-in-law believes their conclusion about Second Uncle’s cause of death can be accepted.”

“What do you mean by that?” Upon hearing this, Li Guangwen’s face darkened as he looked at Shao Mingyuan with displeasure.

Shao Mingyuan glanced at Old Madam Deng and, after a moment of silence, said: “Second Uncle’s death may be related to Prince Su’s remaining followers—”

“What did you say?” At these words, Old Madam Deng turned pale with shock.

Li Guangwen suddenly widened his eyes.

Through the investigation your son-in-law sent people to conduct in Lingnan, we learned that there has been continuous activity in Lingnan recently. Even the court has sent Jinlin Guards to investigate. The skinny horse Second Uncle brought back from Lingnan should be a pawn they cultivated to drag court officials into their schemes. Second Uncle spent several years in Lingnan, I’m afraid—”

Shao Mingyuan didn’t finish his sentence, but Old Madam Deng’s heart had already sunk into an ice pit.

If the second son was truly connected with Prince Su’s remaining followers, once discovered, the entire Li residence would have to pay with their lives!

“That beast!” Old Madam Deng felt a surge of turbid qi rise and coughed heart-wrenchingly.

Shao Mingyuan quickly patted Old Madam Deng’s back gently and brought her hot tea to drink.

Old Madam Deng drank several sips of tea to suppress the turbid qi, tears flowing from the corners of her eyes: “That rebellious son, he truly deserved to die. I never imagined he could do such despicable things!”

Back then, Marquis Zhenyuan was exterminated along with his entire clan just for having a slight connection with Prince Su, yet the second son would actually collude with Prince Su’s remaining followers—this was wishing the Li family would die faster!

Old Madam Deng’s grief over losing her son was immediately replaced by rage.

“Mother, please calm down. Second Brother was never very bright, as you well know.”

Old Madam Deng placed the teacup on the tea table and nodded: “You’re right. From now on, don’t mention that rebellious son again. Act as if our family never had such a person. Marquis, thank you for your reminder today. Otherwise, if this had continued, the despicable things that the second son did might have been discovered.”

“Old Madam is too kind, which embarrasses your son-in-law. We’re all family.”

Old Madam Deng’s expression softened somewhat, becoming even more satisfied with this grandson-in-law.

“By the way, Marquis, if the second son was connected with Prince Su’s remaining followers, why did he kidnap the Third girl?”

Shao Mingyuan hesitated for a moment.

“Marquis, at a time like this, are you still going to hide things from this old woman?”

“Zhaozhao has an object that those rebels have always wanted to obtain.”

“What object?”

“It’s better not to mention what specific object it is, or it will implicate more people. But Old Madam can rest assured that that thing is no longer in Zhaozhao’s hands. I will quickly spread this news, and I believe those people won’t target her anymore once they know.”

“Who has that thing now?” Li Guangwen asked.

“Your son-in-law has it.”

Li Guangwen’s eyes widened: “You’re saying you want to spread the news that this thing is in your hands?”

“Yes.”

Li Guangwen looked at Shao Mingyuan with disdain: “Are you stupid?”

Shao Mingyuan’s expression froze.

Father-in-law was so direct!

Seeing his foolish son-in-law still stubbornly confused, Li Guangwen sighed deeply and reached out to pat his shoulder, but finding him too tall, quietly stood on his tiptoes and said earnestly: “Let me give you an idea.”

“Please speak, Father-in-law.”

“You know Lan Songquan, right?”

“Son of Lan Mountain, current Vice Minister of Works.”

“Right, that’s him. This bastard loves receiving gifts the most, even worse than his father. You can find an excuse to give that troublesome thing to him.”

Shao Mingyuan: “…” This works too?

“Well, if that thing can’t be given away, you can give him something similar. Just make those rebels think it’s in his hands.” Li Guangwen thoughtfully suggested.

He didn’t know what harmful thing it was, but it would be good to give it to anyone, as long as it didn’t harm his daughter and son-in-law.

“What, you think this idea isn’t good?” Seeing Shao Mingyuan remain silent, Li Guangwen glanced at him sideways.

Shao Mingyuan smiled: “Your son-in-law will arrange it later.”

As a military leader, he was more accustomed to open strategies rather than playing with conspiracies and schemes, but Father-in-law’s idea seemed quite good…

Li Guangwen’s face became serious: “You must handle this matter quickly and not let them harm Zhaozhao again. Of course, don’t let them harm you either. If something happens to you, what will Zhaozhao do?”

Shao Mingyuan lowered his eyes to hide his smile: “Your son-in-law understands.”

If Zhaozhao knew about Father-in-law’s idea, she would probably laugh.

Thinking this, he couldn’t help glancing toward the warm pavilion.

Li Guangwen waved his hand with a dark face: “Go see Zhaozhao!”

Exchanging glances in front of him was truly annoying to watch!

“Thank you, Father-in-law.” Shao Mingyuan tried hard to maintain composure, but the corners of his mouth couldn’t help turning up.

He thought he wouldn’t be able to see Zhaozhao today, but didn’t expect Father-in-law to be so considerate.

Shao Mingyuan couldn’t help glancing at Old Madam Deng.

“Go ahead.” Old Madam Deng’s gaze was full of kindness.

“Then I’ll go see Zhaozhao first.” Shao Mingyuan suppressed his impatient feelings and walked toward the warm pavilion neither hurried nor slow, but forgot to duck his head and bumped into the door frame.

Someone was too embarrassed to look back and quickly went inside.

Old Madam Deng slowly withdrew her gaze, feeling some comfort amid her heavy mood.

Looking at the Marquis this way, he was truly sincere toward Third girl. At least she could feel at ease about Third girl’s future.

In the warm pavilion, Binglu was serving Qiao Zhao porridge. Hearing the commotion, Qiao Zhao looked toward the door.