Qiao Zhao had already received the news that Shao Mingyuan would arrive at the capital’s outskirts tomorrow.

On the second day, the three siblings rose early. After getting ready, the Qiao sisters took a carriage while Qiao Mo rode on horseback, heading together to the capital’s outskirts.

Throughout the journey, Qiao Wan was extremely excited, “Sister Li, when brother-in-law learns that the bad people surnamed Lan have been beheaded and their property confiscated, he’ll be very happy.”

Looking at her younger sister’s bright, starry eyes, Qiao Zhao smiled and nodded, “Yes, he’ll be very happy.”

The downfall of the Lan father and son was the result of efforts from multiple parties, and naturally included Shao Mingyuan’s scheming. The falling out between those jianghu people and Lan Songquan was something he had orchestrated single-handedly.

Thinking that she would soon see him, Qiao Zhao’s mood soared, and a smile naturally appeared at the corners of her mouth.

Qiao Wan blinked and covered her mouth as she laughed, “Sister Li, you must be missing your brother-in-law.”

Qiao Zhao only smiled without speaking.

Of course, she couldn’t speak carelessly in front of the young girl, but having her say insincere words wouldn’t be right either.

The sound of galloping hooves drew near. Qiao Zhao could tell it wasn’t Qiao Mo. She raised her hand to lift the carriage curtain and saw a tall, upright figure riding a horse from far to near. Soon reaching the carriage, he slowed his pace and greeted Qiao Mo, “Going to meet Tingquan?”

The newcomer was none other than Chi Can.

After bringing down the Lan father and son, his standing among the ministers had changed, and these past two days, he had been truly high-spirited.

Qiao Zhao found it difficult to connect this currently radiant man with the person full of resentment after drinking some days ago.

Looking again at her elder brother, who was equally relaxed in expression as he replied to Chi Can, she couldn’t help but feel somewhat emotional: men indeed need to achieve something to have a broad state of mind.

While she was thinking, Chi Can had already looked her way.

“Big Brother Chi.” Qiao Zhao smiled and greeted him.

Chi Can seemed not to have expected that Qiao Zhao would completely disregard the unpleasantness that had occurred not long ago. After a slight pause, he smiled.

Soon, the group left through the north city gate and reached a tea stall beside the official road at the capital’s outskirts.

Shao Zhi and the others were already waiting there. Seeing Qiao Zhao arrive, they hurried over to pay respects to their mistress.

“When approximately will the General arrive?” Qiao Zhao, supported on both sides by A’Zhu and Binglu, got down from the carriage and gazed into the distance.

The official road was wide and level, with trees lining both sides. Looking far ahead, it was still a stretch of lush greenery, seemingly endless.

Looking further to the side in the distance, there were undulating green mountains. At this season, flowers were blooming beautifully, with wildflowers covering the mountain slopes like gorgeous floral carpets spread over the continuous green mountains. She could distantly see several carriages scattered and parked there—likely female family members from some residences who had come out for an outing.

Qiao Zhao lightly inhaled a breath of air carrying the fragrance of green grass, immediately feeling refreshed and invigorated.

“We just received word that the General should arrive in about an hour. Madam, please sit and have some tea first.” Shao Zhi moved over a long bench, wiped it with his sleeve, and invited Qiao Zhao to sit.

When traveling, Qiao Zhao naturally wouldn’t be overly particular. She thanked him and sat down.

Qiao Mo and Chi Can sat at another table, drinking tea while waiting.

Qiao Wan had been cooped up in the Marquis’ residence for too long. Rarely getting out for fresh air, her eyes curiously looked around. Suddenly, she frowned and tugged at Qiao Zhao’s sleeve, “Sister Li, look at those people over there—they’re so strange. How can a whole family, old and young, all go on a long journey together?”

Qiao Zhao glanced over casually and couldn’t help but pause in surprise.

Walking toward their direction were several dozen people, clearly a large family. At the front was an old, worn carriage, followed by several uncovered board carts loaded with miscellaneous items, with a few young children sitting in the remaining space.

Behind the carts walked men, women, and old and young. The men’s expressions were numb, and the women’s eyes were red-rimmed. If not for the absence of mourning music and white banners, one might think this was a funeral procession.

Several young ladies were being protected as they walked in the middle. Qiao Zhao immediately recognized one of them as Lan Xinong.

As if sensing something, Lan Xinong, who was walking in the long procession, suddenly looked up and met Qiao Zhao’s gaze.

In that instant, Qiao Zhao’s feelings were extraordinarily complex.

Among the capital’s noble ladies, Lan Xinong, like Jiang Shiran, had lived more luxuriously than true princesses, high and mighty, for over ten years. But with one sudden change, she had fallen to circumstances where she couldn’t even afford to ride in a carriage.

“Second Sister, why did you stop walking?” asked a young lady beside Lan Xinong.

Lan Xinong stared unblinkingly at Qiao Zhao, not responding to the girl’s words.

The curtain of the frontmost carriage was suddenly lifted, revealing a face aged like tree bark.

Lan Shan’s cloudy gaze fell on Chi Can and Qiao Mo, suddenly brightening, then quickly becoming dim and lifeless again as he silently lowered the curtain.

Chi Can sneered, “Heaven truly has eyes, letting us see Lan Shan’s wretched departure from the capital.”

“Indeed, heaven has eyes.” Qiao Mo’s gaze swept lightly over the Lan family’s old and young, his eyes showing no ripples.

When Lan Shan and his son had instructed people to kill his entire family, they hadn’t thought about not harming the innocent. When the Lan family’s old and young were enjoying wealth and honor, they never considered that those days of fine clothes and jade food were obtained by drinking others’ blood.

If they could enjoy wealth, they should be able to endure poverty. This was very fair.

Qiao Zhao sighed softly, “Big Brother, let me borrow your jade flute.”

Qiao Mo untied the jade flute from his waist and handed it to Qiao Zhao.

The jade flute felt slightly cool in her hands. Qiao Zhao brought the flute to her lips and began to play.

Gentle, quiet flute music arose, carried by the wind to Lan Xinong’s ears—it was the famous song from the previous dynasty, “Seeing Off Your Journey.”

She and Lan Xinong were both in the Fushan Society. If not for their naturally opposing positions, they might have become friends. Now, in these circumstances, it was even less convenient to converse, so let her bid farewell with a song.

The tranquil, distant flute music echoed through the mountains and fields. Lan Xinong’s gaze flickered, revealing a faint smile, and she lifted her feet to continue forward.

“Bah!” Seeing the Lan family people walk away, the stall owner spat hard. Noticing Qiao Zhao and the others looking over, he hastily explained, “The Lan family is the disaster of our Great Liang. Now they’re finally finished, and everyone will have good days ahead. Hmph, who would have thought they’d pass by here—if they had offended you distinguished people, that would have been terrible…”

Qiao Zhao withdrew her gaze, no longer interested in listening further.

The Lan father and son were indeed unforgivably evil, but these words had no meaning when heard.

The urgent sound of galloping hooves came from ahead, and a silver-white figure rapidly approached from far to near.

Chi Can immediately stood up, “Tingquan is coming.”

The fine horse moved like the wind, and soon the appearance of the rider became clear.

Silver helmet and armor with a red cloak—the newcomer was indeed Shao Mingyuan.

Chi Can mounted his horse and rode out to meet him.

Shao Mingyuan reined in his horse and asked with a smile, “Everything settled?”

Chi Can nodded with a smile, “Settled!”

The two men looked at each other and smiled, extending their hands to high-five.

Shao Mingyuan looked toward Qiao Zhao.

Under his burning gaze, Qiao Zhao inexplicably felt her face grow hot and asked randomly, “Why are you alone?”

“I was anxious and left them behind.” As soon as he finished speaking, Shao Mingyuan bent down, extended his hand to grasp Qiao Zhao’s wrist, and with one forceful pull, brought her onto the horse.

Instantly falling into a familiar embrace, Qiao Zhao said with slight surprise, “Tingquan?”

The man’s hearty laughter sounded in her ears: “Wife, it’s time for us to go home.”