If Princess Zhenzhen intended to make a move against her, this visit would have been the perfect opportunity. Coming a second time would arouse suspicion.

Yet besides leaving a box of pastries, the other party had done nothing else.

Recalling Princess Zhenzhen’s tone and expression when speaking, Qiao Zhao suddenly had a thought: Could it be that Princess Zhenzhen was—

“Young lady, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell somewhere?” Seeing Qiao Zhao’s sudden change of expression, Binglu asked worriedly.

“Binglu, call Chen Guang for me.”

“Call him here?” Binglu was stunned.

“Yes, quickly!”

“Oh, alright, this servant will go immediately.”

Soon, Chen Guang was dragged over by Binglu.

“Third Miss, you’re looking for me?”

Good heavens, this was Third Miss’s boudoir, and he had just walked in like this. If the general found out, he’d kill him, wouldn’t he?

“Which Jinlin Guard delivered the message to you?” Qiao Zhao asked.

“That Jiang He, the one who likes to disguise himself as a beggar.”

“Go find him and tell him I want to see their superior.”

“What?” Chen Guang was shocked.

Third Miss wanted to see that Smiling Tiger from the Jinlin Guards? He had just harshly mocked Jiang He, and now Third Miss wanted to meet with his master?

“Go arrange it quickly. I have urgent business.” Having spoken too much, Qiao Zhao’s injuries were aggravated, and fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead.

A’Zhu silently took a handkerchief to wipe her sweat.

“Go quickly! What are you standing there dazed for?” Seeing Chen Guang spacing out, Binglu kicked him.

Only then did Chen Guang come to his senses, running to the courtyard before turning back: “Third Miss, where will you meet?”

It was one thing for him to enter Third Miss’s boudoir—after all, he was the general’s subordinate and could be considered the general’s sword—but the Jinlin Guards commander was a man!

Oh, that didn’t sound quite right either…

“In the back garden. You bring him in by climbing over the wall.” Qiao Zhao thought for a moment.

Given her current physical condition, she couldn’t leave the house, nor could she openly meet with the mighty Jinlin Guards commander in the reception hall. The back garden would have to suffice.

“Is there a problem?” Seeing Chen Guang standing like a wooden chicken, Qiao Zhao frowned.

“Just one problem.” Chen Guang held up a finger.

“Speak.”

“You won’t tell the general, will you?”

Leading another man to climb over walls and meet with Third Miss in the back garden—the general would chop him up and feed him to the dogs.

“I won’t. Go quickly, I have urgent business.”

After Chen Guang left, Qiao Zhao wearily closed her eyes.

If someone was determined to seek death, her belated efforts to remedy the situation might already be too late. She could only do her human best and leave the rest to Heaven’s will.

“A’Zhu, help me with my grooming.”

“Miss Li wants to see me?” Jiang Yuanchao was somewhat surprised upon hearing Jiang He’s report. He immediately stood up and went to his study to remove his crimson official robes and change into regular clothes.

Chen Guang waited outside. Seeing Jiang Yuanchao emerge, he couldn’t help curling his lip.

Why dress so formally? It’s not like he was having a private meeting with a young lady.

“Where is Miss Li waiting for me?” Jiang Yuanchao asked Chen Guang.

“At the Li residence.”

Jiang Yuanchao’s steps paused.

Going to the Li residence with his status wouldn’t be appropriate, especially after the Emperor had set his sights on her.

“Lord Jiang, could you please hurry? Third Miss has urgent business with you.”

Jiang Yuanchao nodded, and the two quickly arrived at the Li residence.

“Lord Jiang, let’s go around this alley and enter from behind.”

Jiang Yuanchao was somewhat puzzled: “I recall there’s no back door at the Li residence.”

Chen Guang sneered inwardly: You remember quite clearly!

“Who said anything about using the back door? We’re climbing over the wall!”

Jiang Yuanchao: “…”

When he saw Qiao Zhao in the back garden of the Li residence, Jiang Yuanchao suddenly didn’t know what expression to wear, so he ended up with no expression at all: “You have business with me?”

“The Emperor wants my life?”

Jiang Yuanchao was slightly startled, then sighed: “You’re still as sharp and bold as ever.”

“Thank you for Lord Jiang’s warning.” Qiao Zhao curtsied slightly.

Jiang Yuanchao instinctively reached out to support her, but realizing what he was doing, he abruptly withdrew his hand: “You have injuries. Don’t move carelessly.”

Qiao Zhao glanced at him.

“Meeting me here today isn’t just to thank me, is it?”

“Princess Zhenzhen came today and left me a box of pastries.”

“You didn’t touch them, did you?” Though Jiang Yuanchao knew that with Qiao Zhao’s intelligence, she wouldn’t fall into a trap, he still couldn’t help feeling a surge of anger from the bottom of his heart.

For a mighty Son of Heaven to deal with a boudoir maiden in such a way was truly chilling.

“There’s no problem with the pastries. I’m worried there’s a problem with Princess Zhenzhen.”

Jiang Yuanchao raised his eyebrows: “You mean—”

Qiao Zhao pondered for a moment, then voiced her suspicion: “I’m afraid Princess Zhenzhen might seek death. I’d like to ask Lord Jiang to investigate.”

Jiang Yuanchao was silent for a moment: “If that’s truly the case, how could there be time?”

“I think even if the palace moves against me, they couldn’t be too obvious about it, so they’d most likely choose a chronic poison. If Princess Zhenzhen was forced to take poison, there would still be a chance to save her.”

“But why would you do this?” Jiang Yuanchao asked bluntly.

Qiao Zhao looked up in surprise, as if not understanding his question.

“If Princess Zhenzhen chooses suicide, it means she knows that failing to accomplish the task would implicate others. So even if she’s saved, she’ll still face the same situation. By saving her, how do you know she’d be willing?”

Qiao Zhao shook her head: “I don’t know if she’d be willing, but since I know about this matter, I can’t pretend nothing happened. At least…”

She sighed: “At least give her one more chance to choose between life and death.”

“Very well, I’ll help you.”

Jiang Yuanchao agreed so readily that Qiao Zhao felt embarrassed instead.

She and he were clearly on opposite sides, yet she was asking for his help. Fundamentally, she was being improper, but with an innocent person’s life at stake, she truly had no other option.

“I will repay Lord Jiang’s assistance in the future.”

Gazing at the girl’s earnest expression, Jiang Yuanchao smiled bitterly: “Must you keep such clear boundaries?”

Qiao Zhao avoided answering, taking a porcelain bottle from her sleeve and handing it over: “This contains antidote pills. I’m asking Lord Jiang to deliver this to Princess Zhenzhen.”

“Can it cure all poisons?” Jiang Yuanchao played with the porcelain bottle with some interest, not particularly caring about Princess Zhenzhen’s life or death.

“I wouldn’t say it cures all poisons. Poisons have commonalities. As long as it’s not a deadly poison, taking this medicine can neutralize or suppress part of the toxicity, buying time for rescue…”

Qiao Zhao explained in detail, and Jiang Yuanchao smiled self-mockingly.

This seemed to be the most she had ever spoken to him, and the most patiently.

“I understand. I’ll deliver this to Princess Zhenzhen personally. Don’t worry.”

Qiao Zhao thought for a moment, then took out another porcelain bottle: “This is for Lord Jiang.”

Jiang Yuanchao tucked the bottle into his chest and chuckled softly.

Was this a little bribe to make him handle the matter well?

Miss Qiao was ice-smart, but sometimes she was like a little girl.

And yet… he liked it.

“I’ll be going then. When it’s done, I’ll have someone send word to Chen Guang.” Jiang Yuanchao’s lips curved slightly as he strode away.