Speak of the devil, and he appears. Chi Can furled his umbrella and strode in. Glancing at the beef and roast chicken on the table, he laughed: “What? The Li residence didn’t provide dinner?”

He knew it—things wouldn’t work without him accompanying them.

Physician Li was feeling somewhat conflicted inside. Hearing this, he rolled his eyes: “Who said they didn’t provide dinner? Not only did the Li residence provide dinner, but the old lady of the house even sat with her granddaughter to keep us company.”

In Great Liang, the lady of the house rarely appeared to entertain male guests unless they were distinguished visitors or elders of the family. Since Physician Li was both a distinguished guest and an elder, Old Madam Deng would bring her granddaughter to receive them together.

Upon hearing this, Chi Can glanced at Shao Mingyuan and said with a smile: “Then it must be that Tingquan, disguised as a guard, didn’t get to eat.”

Shao Mingyuan said nothing, but Physician Li continued: “Who said that? He was also eating in the same hall at the time, and he had his seat, making it even more comfortable to eat.”

Chi Can’s face instantly darkened.

This annoying old man—would he die if he didn’t butt in?

Young Master Chi held it in for a long time before managing to say: “This Li residence has no propriety!”

Having a young man present and still calling out Third Miss Li to entertain guests was truly improper!

After silently criticizing, Chi Can asked Shao Mingyuan: “Making me run to Chunfeng Tavern twice in one day in this rain—what’s the matter this time?”

His friend’s displeased tone puzzled Shao Mingyuan somewhat, but since the matter he had promised Physician Li required Chi Can’s mediation, he spoke directly: “Shixi, I want to ask you to pass a message to Prince Rui—”

“What message?” Chi Can wasn’t stupid. Hearing this and thinking it over briefly, he immediately glanced at Physician Li and guessed: “Want to invite the divine physician to stay at your residence for a few days?”

“No, the divine physician doesn’t want to stay at Prince Rui’s residence anymore, so I’m asking if you could speak with Prince Rui and see if, for my sake, he would allow the divine physician to leave freely?”

Chi Can was stunned, his tone strange: “Not returning him?”

“Borrowing someone” and not returning them was a bit unreasonable, wasn’t it? That’s not how it was discussed initially!

Shao Mingyuan knew Chi Can’s difficulty and patted his shoulder: “So please tell Prince Rui to consider it a favor to me, Shao Mingyuan—”

Chi Can jumped up abruptly, his expression changing dramatically: “Are you insane?”

He glanced at Physician Li, then at his calm-faced friend, and grabbed Shao Mingyuan to drag him outside, saying to Physician Li as they walked: “Divine physician, please wait. We brothers need to have a word!”

Chi Can dragged Shao Mingyuan outside, kicked open the door of the adjacent private room, and ordered Ye Luo and Tao Sheng, who were standing guard: “You two keep watch at the door!”

With that said, he slammed the door shut with a bang.

Ye Luo and Tao Sheng exchanged glances, and each looked away.

Inside the room, Shao Mingyuan calmly patted Chi Can’s hand that was gripping him: “Shixi, if you have something to say, say it. Let go of me.”

“Say what?!” Chi Can released his grip with a dark face, glaring furiously at the calm-faced Shao Mingyuan, barely restraining himself from cursing: “Shao Mingyuan, have you been away from the capital so long that your brain has turned to mush?”

“Hmm?”

Chi Can pushed Shao Mingyuan into a chair and sat down in another chair himself, keeping his voice extremely low: “What do you mean ‘a favor to you’? Do you think you’re still that wild boy from when you were ten-odd years old that no one paid attention to?”

Unable to contain his anger, he reached out and punched Shao Mingyuan, saying through gritted teeth: “You’re Marquis Guanjun, the invincible Northern Expedition General. Are you trying to sell yourself to Prince Rui?”

He became more agitated: “Although I spend my days idly, I still know that succession struggles are untouchable. I originally thought you were sensible—when you needed something from Prince Rui, you knew to go through me. Who knew I was wrong—you’re sticking your neck out to jump into a quagmire!”

After Chi Can finished speaking in one breath, Shao Mingyuan finally spoke faintly: “It’s not that serious. Consider it owing Prince Rui a favor.”

His friend’s concern warmed his heart slightly, and he spoke frankly: “This is one of the conditions the divine physician proposed. I have no choice but to agree.”

Chi Can blinked, only now thinking to ask: “Tell me the truth—what exactly do you need that old geezer for?”

“Medical treatment.”

“I know it’s for medical treatment. If that old geezer didn’t have this one skill, with his temperament, someone would have beaten him to death with a stick and buried him long ago. I’m asking who you’re seeking treatment for. Don’t tell me it’s for yourself.” He knew his friend’s character—if it were for himself, he definitely wouldn’t get involved in such trouble.

After a moment of silence, Shao Mingyuan said, “I want to ask Physician Li to treat my cousin’s face.”

Chi Can was stunned, looking shocked: “Qiao Mo?”

Shao Mingyuan nodded: “Yes. I’ve seen my cousin; his facial injuries are very severe. Aside from Physician Li, probably no one else could work such miraculous healing.”

Chi Can feel silent.

After a long while, he asked: “Is it worth it?”

Getting yourself into such trouble just to heal Qiao Mo’s face?

Shao Mingyuan smiled: “Of course it’s worth it. You should know that people with damaged appearances cannot enter government service. My cousin’s family is all gone—the Qiao family’s future prosperity rests entirely on my cousin alone.”

Seeing Chi Can still silent, Shao Mingyuan reached out and patted his shoulder: “As you said, I’m no longer that wild boy from when I was ten-odd years old that no one paid attention to. I’ll maintain proper boundaries and won’t let myself get trapped. I’m counting on you regarding Prince Rui.”

“Fine, but this is the last time. If you get into trouble again in the future, don’t say you know me.” Chi Can resignedly agreed.

Shao Mingyuan chuckled softly.

The two turned to walk outside. Halfway there, Chi Can suddenly said: “I say, did you eat with the family’s womenfolk along with Physician Li?”

“Yes.” Shao Mingyuan answered honestly.

It was just providing a meal for him as a guard, but somehow, in his friend’s mouth, it sounded off.

What did he mean by “eating with the family’s womenfolk”?

“What did you think of it?”

Shao Mingyuan was puzzled by the question. Thinking that his friend had just agreed to help with such a big favor, he didn’t want to brush it off casually. After careful consideration, he said: “The Li residence’s food was quite good.”

Chi Can: “…” What meat would they give a guard to eat?! The Li residence had no propriety!

“The food was quite good? Don’t tell me you even had char siu venison?”

Shao Mingyuan was startled: “How did you know?”

At the time, he had been surprised by that dish of char siu venison on the table, which made him realize something was amiss.

Chi Can’s face had completely darkened. Without saying a word, he strode ahead and walked outside.

He was furious! That smug girl—originally, he was collecting interest by having her make char siu venison for him, but she made it for Shao Mingyuan first.

This meant that what the maid called Binglu had said at the time was true!

He suddenly stopped and turned back to study his friend.

Hmph, what was so great about him? He just had a bit more power, was a bit stronger at martial arts, and had a slightly better temper. That smug girl was truly snobbish!

Shao Mingyuan didn’t know why Chi Can was inexplicably angry, thinking it might be because he hadn’t eaten well today while dealing with his affairs, causing such a bad mood. To help balance things out, he quickly tried to salvage the situation: “I didn’t eat it—I only had a few bites of yam.”

Upon hearing this, Chi Can became even angrier.

So the interest he had collected with his life-saving grace—this person had gotten to eat it first, but didn’t even appreciate it!

Young Master Chi opened the door and walked out, slamming it shut with a bang, leaving the bewildered Marquis Guanjun locked inside.