Qiao Zhao nodded solemnly: “Please rest assured, I remember it all.”

Coroner Qian curled his lips: “Alright, don’t talk about such serious matters right now. We should think carefully about where we’re going next.”

Upon hearing this, Physician Li was so worried he scratched his head.

People fear fame like pigs fear being fat. In this vast world, there wasn’t a place where he could stay peacefully for long.

“Grandfather Li, why don’t you come back to the capital with us?” Qiao Zhao thought about how they would have to part again after this reunion, and seeing that Physician Li was already of such advanced age, she felt reluctant to let him go.

Now that Emperor Mingkang had passed away and the new emperor had ascended the throne, in the short term he shouldn’t move against Marquis Guanjun, this pillar of stability. Physician Li’s safety would be guaranteed in the capital.

“Grandfather Li, once you return to the capital, if ordinary people request consultations and you’re unwilling, we can refuse them for you.”

Physician Li shook his head and revealed a meaningful smile: “If someone requests my consultation, you won’t be able to refuse.”

Qiao Zhao was slightly stunned and couldn’t help exchanging glances with Shao Mingyuan.

Physician Li’s words were rather intriguing.

With no outsiders present, Physician Li surveyed the surroundings and lowered his voice: “Prince Rui has ascended the throne now, hasn’t he?”

Though he was in a southern small town, he had also heard about such major events as Emperor Mingkang’s death.

“Yes.” Shao Mingyuan increasingly felt that Physician Li was acting strangely.

A light sigh sounded: “That’s right, then. In the future, this new emperor of yours won’t have peace.”

“Physician, what do you mean—”

Physician Li sneered: “When was the new emperor’s eldest daughter born?”

“Late November of the twenty-sixth year of Mingkang.” Qiao Zhao replied after brief consideration.

“That’s it then. Back when Prince Rui asked me to help regulate his body, I repeatedly warned him not to approach women for a full year. Now it seems he treated my words as wind past his ears.”

“Grandfather Li—” Qiao Zhao felt her heart sink upon hearing this.

Physician Li waved his hand: “Alright, you needn’t worry. As long as I stay far from the capital, I won’t have to deal with these troublesome matters. So don’t mention returning to the capital again.”

Physician Li’s words indeed dispelled Qiao Zhao’s thoughts of further persuasion, and she turned to asking about his plans.

“This time I plan to head north to gather a type of snow lotus for medicine.” Physician Li glanced at Shao Mingyuan. “In the north, your people can protect this old man comprehensively, right?”

“Please rest assured. In the Northern Territories, as long as you don’t venture deep into Northern Qi’s heartland, you can sleep peacefully.”

“That’s good then.”

When dusk was approaching, the group reached the county town and chose an ordinary inn to stay in. After dinner, Physician Li picked his teeth and said to Shao Mingyuan, “Young man, come with me. Let’s have a chat.”

The moonlight was like water, and the tree shadows swayed. Physician Li walked to an open area and stopped.

Shao Mingyuan also stopped.

“About what I said today, you need to keep it in mind.”

“Please rest assured, Physician. This junior has noted it down.”

Physician Li coughed lightly: “About what I said before, you also need to keep it in mind.”

Shao Mingyuan was stunned.

Physician Li heavily patted Shao Mingyuan’s shoulder and sighed deeply: “Young man, you must have restraint.”

After saying this, Physician Li strode away, leaving Shao Mingyuan’s handsome face rapidly turning bright red.

He was very restrained!

Two days later, an ordinary blue-curtained carriage stopped by the roadside in the suburbs. Physician Li stood beside the carriage while Coroner Qian smoothed the horse’s coat stroke by stroke.

“Alright, let’s part ways here. We’re heading north, and you can go wherever you want. There are no banquets in the world that don’t eventually end.” Physician Li waved his hand in a carefree manner, turned around, and jumped onto the carriage.

Ye Luo sat in the driver’s seat and raised his whip.

“Ye Luo, take good care of the two elderly gentlemen.”

“Yes.” Ye Luo responded concisely.

“We’re leaving.” Physician Li stuck his head out of the carriage window and waved.

The carriage slowly began moving. Qiao Zhao stood by the roadside and could still hear Coroner Qian’s muttering from inside the carriage: “I say, Old Li, you’re not leaving a message for Cuihua? You’re just leaving like this?”

“If you want to leave one, you leave it!”

“But what about all those chickens and ducks we raised?”

“Cuihua will feed them.”

“Look, in the end, you still need Cuihua’s help.”

“What help? The eggs belong to her family, even the brooding hens belong to her family. To put it plainly, those chickens and ducks originally belonged to her. If she doesn’t feed them, who will?”

“Ah, I feel sorry for Cuihua—you heartless, ungrateful old man.”

…

The carriage gradually disappeared into the distance. Shao Mingyuan took Qiao Zhao’s hand: “Let’s go too. Just as the physician said, there are no banquets in the world that don’t eventually end. I can see that the two elderly gentlemen are very happy together.”

Qiao Zhao collected her emotions and nodded with a smile: “Yes, actually, as long as you have a compatible companion, you won’t be lonely anywhere. With the two elderly gentlemen together, I feel much more at ease.”

The two continued traveling by waterway, beginning their return journey.

When the boat reached the Yu River region, Shao Mingyuan held Qiao Zhao as they stood at the bow, pointing with his hand: “Turn from over there, and that’s the way to Lingnan.”

Upon hearing the words “Lingnan,” even though the matter had already been settled, Qiao Zhao still couldn’t help but feel her heart skip a beat. Meeting his deep black eyes, she had a sudden inspiration: “That bracelet—”

Shao Mingyuan nodded with a smile and whispered in Qiao Zhao’s ear: “Those things have already been extracted.”

“Eh?”

The river wind rustled. Shao Mingyuan held the person in his arms tightly: “I don’t plan to use those things. I intend to quietly transport them to a safe place first, to prepare for any eventuality. If they’re not needed, I’ll leave them as dowry for our daughter.”

“You’re thinking too far ahead.” The man’s hot breath sprayed on her neck, making Qiao Zhao feel ticklish, and she gently pushed him.

Shao Mingyuan looked at the surging river water and smiled: “It’s not far at all. I’ve already planned it out. In the future, we’ll have three children—two sons and one daughter. It would be best if the girl is the youngest, so she’ll have two older brothers to dote on her.”

“One son isn’t enough—you want two?”

Shao Mingyuan nodded seriously: “At least two. Boys are all mischievous and will probably need frequent beatings, so they need to take turns.”

Qiao Zhao: “…” This father had planned it out well—so very considerate of his sons.

The two traveled slowly along the way. By the time they reached the capital, it was already autumn.

Qiao Mo, who had received the news, brought Qiao Wan to wait at the suburban dock, and accompanying them was Zhu Yàn, the heir of Marquis Taining.

“Big brother, look—isn’t that brother-in-law on that boat?” The little girl had sharp eyes and spotted a deep blue figure from afar, excitedly tugging at Qiao Mo’s sleeve.

“Yes, that’s your brother-in-law.”

As they spoke, the boat drew near. The river water sparkled under the setting sun as Shao Mingyuan helped Qiao Zhao disembark.

The three of them hurried forward to greet them.

“Brother-in-law, Sister Li, you’re finally back.” Qiao Wan ran over and took Qiao Zhao’s arm.

“We’re back.” Qiao Mo smiled and patted Shao Mingyuan’s shoulder.

Zhu Yàn also wore a smile.

“Is everyone well?” Shao Mingyuan looked at Qiao Mo and Zhu Yàn as he asked.

“Everything at home is fine,” Qiao Mo said.

However, Zhu Yàn’s smile faded slightly, and after hesitating for a moment, he said: “Shixi has been having some trouble recently.”

“What’s wrong?”

“The Eldest Princess Changrong is in labor, and the situation doesn’t look good.”