Just as the little maid Binglu had predicted, Li Jiāo stayed holed up in her room for the next several days, claiming illness to avoid attending the women’s academy. Fourth Miss and the others, recognizing Qiao Zhao’s formidable nature, dared not cause trouble. Eldest Miss Li Jiǎo was also temporarily well-behaved. Qiao Zhao’s days suddenly became peaceful and calm.

Each day, she dutifully paid her respects to her elders, attended the academy, listened to her father tell stories, and in her leisure time, taught the maids to play chess. The days weren’t difficult to endure, and soon it was time to visit Shuying Temple.

Early in the morning, Qiao Zhao was properly dressed and seated before her dressing mirror, having A’Zhu arrange her hair.

Young ladies didn’t need complex hairstyles. A’Zhu skillfully arranged her hair into twin buns, then picked up a red jeweled flower from the cosmetics case and held it up to compare with her hair ornament. She saw Qiao Zhao raise her eyebrows slightly.

A’Zhu was observant and tactfully put the red jeweled flower back.

Just then, Binglu ran in, her cheeks flushed red from running. She held a cluster of lilac flowers and asked Qiao Zhao, “Miss, are these pretty?”

Strings of small purple and white flowers still carried dewdrops, elegant and fragrant.

Qiao Zhao replied: “Very pretty.”

Hearing this, Binglu beamed with a big smile and picked out two of the freshest lilac sprigs to pin in Qiao Zhao’s hair.

The young lady in the mirror had eyebrows like distant mountains. The purple and white flowers adorning her raven-black hair buns, combined with the red beauty mark between her brows, made her instantly vivid and charming.

A’Zhu waited for Qiao Zhao’s instructions.

Qiao Zhao nodded: “This will do.”

“The blue bird brings no message from beyond the clouds, the lilac knots sorrows in the rain.”

These clustered flowers truly captured her current predicament.

Binglu tugged at her peach-colored vest: “Miss, does this servant look good in this outfit today?”

Young girls always looked good in such bright colors. Qiao Zhao nodded and praised sincerely: “Very good.”

Binglu sighed in relief: “As long as Miss thinks it looks good. Thinking about going to Shuying Temple, I didn’t know what to wear.”

Qiao Zhao walked outside while listening to the little maid chatter beside her, showing no sign of impatience.

The master and servant entered the main house of Yahe Courtyard to pay respects to He Shi.

He Shi had been waiting there already. Upon seeing Qiao Zhao, her eyes lit up. She rose and walked over to take her hand: “Zhaozhao, did you sleep well last night?”

“I slept very well.” Qiao Zhao’s gaze fell on the dark circles under He Shi’s eyes, and her pupils flickered slightly.

He Shi said embarrassedly: “Thinking about you going to Shuying Temple today, Mother couldn’t sleep all night. One moment I was excited that my Zhaozhao would meet Master Wumei, the next I was worried you might accidentally displease the master.”

Hearing this, Qiao Zhao felt warmth in her heart. She squeezed He Shi’s hand in return and comforted her: “Mother, don’t worry. Haven’t I already met the master once?”

“Oh, that’s right, Zhaozhao has already met her.” He Shi came to her senses and pulled Qiao Zhao outside. “Let’s hurry and pay our respects to Old Madam.”

As the mother and daughter walked out of the room, they saw Li Guangwen standing in the courtyard.

In the morning light, Li Guangwen stood tall in his casual blue robe, seemingly surrounded by a halo of light. He Shi felt as if the dozen or so years hadn’t flowed past this man at all—he was still the same as when she first laid eyes on him.

“Ma… Master, you’re not going to court today?” Upon seeing Li Guangwen, all of He Shi’s fierce demeanor vanished, leaving only incoherent speech.

Li Guangwen was silent for a moment before saying, “Today is a rest day.”

His gaze passed over He Shi and fell directly on Qiao Zhao.

If only Zhaozhao were a son, then he could keep her by his side always. It would be convenient to play chess with her or watch her write anytime. Unfortunately, she was a daughter, cheaply benefiting He Shi.

Li Guangwen rather dissatisfiedly glanced at He Shi.

“Eh, a rest day, that’s good—” When He Shi was nervous, she became even more incoherent.

Qiao Zhao really couldn’t bear to listen anymore and asked Li Guangwen: “Does Father have something to say?”

“Oh, I heard you’re going to pay respects to Master Wumei today?”

“Yes.”

Li Guangwen nodded and seriously comforted his daughter: “Don’t be nervous. Although Master Wumei was once a princess, she’s now taken religious vows. Regardless of how the world sees her, she’s just a nun.”

Qiao Zhao smiled: “Daughter knows. I’m not nervous.”

Not nervous?

Li Guangwen opened his mouth. The belly full of prepared words suddenly had nowhere to go.

If his daughter said this, how could he, as a father, properly comfort her?

Qiao Zhao quietly looked at him.

Why did it seem like Father was the nervous one?

“Good that you’re not nervous. Then Father is going out.” That day he heard from the clerk at Jigu Bookstore that they would be releasing new story books today. He was just in time to snatch up a copy.

Li Guangwen ignored He Shi, said this to Qiao Zhao, then turned and walked to the door. As if remembering something, he stopped and turned around, saying seriously: “Zhaozhao, if you feel uncomfortable at Shuying Temple, don’t go anymore in the future.”

He didn’t expect to climb up through his daughter’s connections. Editing historical records at the Hanlin Academy and occasionally skipping work was quite comfortable. Although the salary was meager and he wasn’t well-off usually, fortunately he had no major expenses besides occasionally buying story books. As for He Shi, she had money and didn’t need him to support her—he couldn’t afford to anyway.

Qiao Zhao was stunned for a moment, then smiled: “Daughter understands.”

Only then did Li Guangwen completely relax and walk away leisurely.

He Shi stood there speechless for quite a while.

Qiao Zhao placed her hand over He Shi’s: “Mother, let’s go to Qingsong Hall.”

It wasn’t appropriate to rashly interfere in matters between parents.

Two equally kind-hearted people weren’t necessarily suitable for each other.

Like He Shi and Li Guangwen before her, like the Grand Princess and Grandfather in the past.

The word “love” truly brought endless troubles.

Miss Qiao, who had never been moved by any man, sighed to herself.

Old Madam Deng had been waiting for Qiao Zhao to arrive. As soon as she entered, the old lady looked her up and down. Seeing that she was still dressed, with only the lilac flowers in her hair providing a touch of bright color, made her appear even more refined and beautiful.

Mm, Third Granddaughter’s looks followed He Shi’s. Among all the girls in the East and West residences, she was the most outstanding. Although the little girl’s outfit was overly plain, it was surprisingly suitable.

Old Madam Deng secretly made excuses for her granddaughter, glancing at Binglu, who followed closely behind. She couldn’t help but smile.

This maid’s peach-red outfit was quite festive.

“Is everything ready?” Old Madam Deng beckoned to Qiao Zhao.

Qiao Zhao paid her respects and walked over.

“Everything’s ready.”

There was nothing to prepare at all—she just needed to go.

So it seemed that in the entire household, only she wasn’t nervous?

Like He Shi and Li Guangwen, Old Madam Deng pulled Qiao Zhao aside for a few words of instruction before urging her to set out.

Just then, Qing Jun entered and reported: “Old Madam, the Prefectural Lady from the East Residence sent someone to say they’ve prepared a carriage for Third Miss.”

Old Madam Deng’s smile faded as she said indifferently: “Tell the East Residence people that I said Third Miss has already left.”

Did the West Residence not have carriages?

Hmph! The carriage belonged to the West Residence, and the granddaughter belonged to the West Residence too. That naturally cold-hearted old Prefectural Lady from the East Residence had better stay as far away from the West Residence as possible!

And so Qiao Zhao left in the West Residence’s small carriage, heading toward Dafu Temple.