As soon as Qiao Zhao left, Shao Mingyuan suddenly became nervous, instinctively straightening his back.

Old Madam had specifically sent Zhaozhao away to speak with him—she must be planning to discuss their wedding date.

He couldn’t help but be nervous.

Old Madam Deng was an experienced woman. Seeing Shao Mingyuan’s tense posture, she smiled and sighed. “Marquis, properly speaking, this matter should be discussed with your adoptive father, Marquis Jing’an. However, since you’ve already established your residence and live separately, speaking with you directly should be the same.”

“Please speak, Old Madam.” Shao Mingyuan’s heart began pounding.

His guess was indeed correct—Old Madam was going to discuss their wedding date with him. Could it be that seeing his great victory in battle, she would make an exception and let them marry during Zhaozhao’s mourning period for her uncle?

It was already April now. Preparing for a wedding this month seemed a bit rushed. Well, May would be good too—neither cold nor hot, so Zhaozhao wouldn’t feel stifled sitting in the bridal sedan.

“This old woman wants to discuss your wedding date with the Marquis.” Old Madam Deng spoke directly.

While marriage arrangements were typically decided by parents, given Marquis Guanjun’s special circumstances, this didn’t apply. Since that was the case, there was no need to waste time—better to speak with someone who could make decisions.

“Oh.” Shao Mingyuan suddenly realized he hadn’t been this nervous even when first wielding a blade to kill enemies. After responding, he didn’t know what else to say.

“The third girl will come of age next year, which coincides perfectly with the end of her mourning period. Let’s set the Marquis and Third girl’s wedding date for February next year. What does the Marquis think?”

Marquis Guanjun: “…” What happened to May this year?

It was April now—February next year was still ten months away!

Just thinking about those long ten months made Shao Mingyuan’s heart feel bitter.

He would track down everyone responsible for Li Guangshu’s death and have them torn apart by a thousand cuts!

Seeing Shao Mingyuan’s lack of response, Old Madam Deng considerately asked, “Does the Marquis feel it’s too rushed? If so—”

“Not rushed, not rushed at all.” Shao Mingyuan jolted back to attention.

Old Madam, please don’t scare him—was it so difficult for him to marry a wife?

“Since that’s settled, let’s set it for that time then. The Marquis has traveled far and still needs to visit your adoptive father, so don’t linger here too long.”

Shao Mingyuan stood up without showing his emotions. “This son-in-law takes his leave.”

A real man bleeds but doesn’t shed tears—he certainly couldn’t cry and plead with Old Madam to change her mind. He could only endure it.

Qiao Zhao saw Shao Mingyuan out and noticed his poor spirits. She asked with concern, “Are you tired?”

Shao Mingyuan grabbed Qiao Zhao’s hand and placed it over his heart. “I’m not tired—my heart is broken.”

Qiao Zhao curved her lips in a smile. “Did you learn this smooth talk from Chen Guang?”

“It’s not smooth talk—it’s from the bottom of my heart. Zhaozhao, do you know? Old Madam set our wedding date for February next year.” Mentioning this made Shao Mingyuan feel like life wasn’t worth living.

“You think it’s too late?”

“Ten months! If each day feels like a year, Zhaozhao, calculate how long that is.”

Qiao Zhao smiled and glanced at Shao Mingyuan. “You should be content. Grandmother is already being very considerate of you. With my second uncle’s passing, as his niece, I need to observe a year of mourning. Just consider it ‘good things come to those who wait.'”

Once she had waited over two years for him; now it was his turn to wait. It seemed Heaven was fair after all.

“Yes, good things come to those who wait.”

The two stopped at the pavilion by the second gate.

“What happened with the Ninth Princess?”

Ever since Qiao Zhao was kidnapped by Li Guangshu, Shao Mingyuan never again dared to be careless. He had instructed the personal guards hidden around the Li residence to report any unusual activity to the north, so he naturally knew about Long Ying bringing Princess Zhenzhen for help in the middle of the night, though he didn’t know the specific details.

Qiao Zhao had expected Shao Mingyuan to ask this question, yet she hesitated for a moment.

She had nothing to hide from him, but if she told him about an emperor’s despicable methods, how should a subject conduct himself?

Shao Mingyuan saw Qiao Zhao’s hesitation and gently took her hand. “Zhaozhao, is there anything we can’t discuss between us?”

Qiao Zhao lowered her eyes, her gaze falling on the fresh green embroidery on her goose-yellow shoes.

April was the best season of the year. Outside the pavilion, vegetation flourished, a pomegranate tree bloomed like fire, bird songs never ceased, and everywhere radiated vibrant life.

“His Majesty planned to use Princess Zhenzhen to poison me, so he could recruit you as an imperial son-in-law.” Qiao Zhao still revealed the truth.

Though concealing it would spare Shao Mingyuan some pain, she didn’t want him to be unprepared when similar situations arose in the future.

Shao Mingyuan’s eyes instantly narrowed, concentrating towering rage.

Once again, while he fought bloody battles, that person sitting safely on the dragon throne had designs on his beloved!

Loyalty to sovereign and love of country—these were beliefs carved into his very bones. Must they force him into desperation, to commit acts of rebellion?

Shao Mingyuan looked at Qiao Zhao.

The young woman before him appeared calm, her eyes showing complete trust in him.

Shao Mingyuan felt a sharp pain in his heart.

If those people reached for his beloved again, what did it matter to bear the infamy of rebellion!

The young woman’s soft hand gripped the man’s rough, large hand. “Tingyuan, I survived. It’s not easy for others to take my life, not even the current emperor. Don’t always blame yourself for not being able to protect me perfectly. You must know that I am first Qiao Zhao, and only then your fiancée.”

If not for their meeting, understanding, and mutual affection after her rebirth, would she have simply accepted her fate? Of course not—she would still fight with all her strength to uncover the truth about the Qiao family fire and track down everyone who harmed the Qiao family.

“I understand.” Shao Mingyuan gently embraced Qiao Zhao without saying more.

He would wait here, whether enemies came from the open or shadows, he would face them all.

After parting with Qiao Zhao, Shao Mingyuan first went to Marquis Jing’an’s residence to pay respects and inform him of the wedding date. Under Marquis Jing’an’s gratified gaze, he returned to Marquis Guanjun’s residence.

Though Marquis Guanjun’s residence was empty, the remaining servants had cleaned every corner spotlessly. Even without the master present, it showed no signs of decay.

Shao Mingyuan had barely walked inside when a simply-dressed figure rushed over. “Brother-in-law, you’re finally back!”

“Wanwan.” Shao Mingyuan bent slightly, patting Qiao Zhao’s head with a smile. “Wanwan has grown taller again.”

Qiao Wan was especially delighted to hear this, chattering away like a sparrow as she pulled Shao Mingyuan along.

Shao Mingyuan listened with a smile, showing no impatience whatsoever.

“Brother-in-law, there’s one more very important thing to tell you.”

“What is it?”

“My eldest brother is coming to the capital soon.” Speaking of this, the little girl showed some displeasure. “But big brother wrote to Sister Li without writing to me.”

“So Sister Li told you this good news?”

“Yes, Sister Li showed me the letter.”

Shao Mingyuan smiled slightly. “That’s because your big brother wants you to grow closer to Sister Li. He hopes to have a sister to take care of you in his place.”

“So that’s how it is.” Upon hearing this, Qiao Wan immediately cast this small displeasure to the back of her mind.

Shao Mingyuan returned to his study, his expression turning cold as he summoned Shao Zhi and Shao Liang. “Starting today, keep a close watch on Jiang Yuanchao for me.”