A lamp burned in the study, but with only one light source, the illumination was somewhat dim.

Shao Mingyuan sat in his chair, signaling that Shao Zhi could begin speaking.

Shao Zhi stepped forward, lowering his voice: “General, these past few days, your subordinate has made contact with the guards who escorted Madam to the Northern Territories, the Yulin Army, and people from Yuanwei Escort Agency. I discovered one person worth noting.”

“Who?” Shao Mingyuan sat with his back to the light, making it difficult to discern his facial expression. His voice seemed even deeper and more resonant in the dim lighting.

Lin Kun, the deputy escort leader of Yuanwei Escort Agency. Lin Kun was the leader of the escort team that accompanied Madam north. Your subordinate investigated and found that when Su Luofeng led his troops to change routes, Lin Kun had publicly contradicted him with fierce words, nearly coming to blows with Su Luofeng’s soldiers.”

“Where is he now?”

“After this batch of escorts returned, the head of Yuanwei Escort Agency gave them leave. Lin Kun went back to his hometown. Your subordinate has already found out where Lin Kun’s hometown is. I came specifically to report to you and will head there immediately to find him.”

Shao Mingyuan nodded slightly: “Go then. Take several more men with you and be careful on the road.”

“I obey your command!” Shao Zhi withdrew.

As the door opened and closed again, the wind that rushed in made the candle flame flicker, causing the indoor lighting to brighten and dim alternately, while outside the sound of rain pattered steadily.

Shao Mingyuan didn’t return to the living quarters. He went to the washroom, took a bath, changed into snow-white undergarments, then returned to the study and lay down on the couch to sleep.

After a night of wind and rain, the next morning brought clear skies.

The banana plants outside the window, having been beaten by rain, appeared even more verdantly fresh. The pomegranate flowers at the base of the wall had fallen to the ground in scattered petals, yet the branches remained vibrantly festive with blooms.

Qiao Zhao rose early in the morning, pushed open the window, and let the crisp air rush in, sweeping away the night’s drowsiness.

“Miss, today you don’t have to go to the women’s school, yet you’re up so early!” Binglu walked over, rubbing her eyes as she stood beside Qiao Zhao. Looking out the window, she couldn’t help but exclaim softly, “Oh my, so many pomegranate flowers have fallen – what a pity.”

Qiao Zhao smiled: “It’s not a pity. Most of these fallen pomegranate flowers wouldn’t bear fruit anyway. In ordinary households, they would normally remove them so the tree can produce large, sweet pomegranates.”

“So that’s how it is.” Binglu’s eyes brightened. “Miss, you know so much.”

Qiao Zhao turned to look at her, reaching out to pinch the little maid’s rosy cheeks: “Read more books and you’ll know more too. People become well-behaved through books.”

“Oh.” Binglu nodded with partial understanding.

Qiao Zhao just smiled.

Binglu was quite good this way – carefree and cheerful, living her days as a little maid with relish and contentment.

“Miss, the lily porridge is ready. Please have some first.” At this moment, A’Zhu came over carrying a small azure-green bowl filled with soft, thick porridge that gave off an aromatic fragrance.

Drinking lily porridge could calm the mind and spirit, treating insomnia.

Yes, Qiao Zhao had suffered from insomnia the previous night.

She had taken a bath, washed up, and gone to bed early. Originally, she had dozed off drowsily, but then she dreamed of that day when enemy troops pressed against the city walls.

She stood atop the city wall while the Tartars’ sinister laughter echoed in her ears. The wind on the wall was much stronger than on flat ground, blowing her forehead hair back to reveal her smooth brow.

Shao Mingyuan sat mounted on his horse below the wall, behind him a mass of Great Liang soldiers and banners fluttering high in the wind.

For that brief moment, she had felt somewhat wronged – wronged that fate had pushed her onto burning coals, her beautiful youth suddenly turning to ash.

She had wanted to tell him that if he ever had the chance to meet her parents and siblings, he should tell them she wasn’t sad, and they shouldn’t be too sad either.

Unfortunately, that arrow came too quickly, and she hadn’t had time to say anything.

In the middle of the night, Qiao Zhao woke with a start.

She seemed to still feel the sharp pain in her chest, and even while gazing up at the bird-shaped silver hooks of the gauze bed curtains, she could vaguely see Shao Mingyuan’s apologetic eyes flickering before her.

So he had been apologetic that day.

Lying on the arhat couch, Qiao Zhao smiled bitterly to herself.

She hadn’t noticed it at the time – it seemed the daytime meeting had stirred ripples in her state of mind.

Qiao Zhao thought perhaps it was heaven’s will. She hadn’t been able to express her concern for her parents and relatives, and as a result, when she awoke one day, her parents and relatives were all gone, leaving only her eldest brother and youngest sister.

In the deep quiet of night, with only the sound of heavy rain outside beating against the window lattice, Qiao Zhao, awakened from her nightmare, could no longer fall asleep. Her longing for her elder brother grew increasingly intense.

She wondered what condition her brother’s facial injuries were in. When she saw him again, she would find a way to ask Physician Li to treat him.

Qiao Zhao tossed and turned through the entire latter half of the night. As dawn broke faintly, she couldn’t wait to get up.

“Miss, please drink it while it’s hot.” A’Zhu placed the lily porridge on the table.

Qiao Zhao left the window and walked over to sit down, picking up the white porcelain spoon to take a sip.

Binglu chattered: “Did you add rock sugar? Lily porridge without rock sugar is bland and tasteless.”

“I added some.” A’Zhu’s tone was gentle.

Feeding the young miss was a task Binglu had claimed for herself. She had gotten up a bit late today, and A’Zhu had beaten her to it. The little maid was annoyed and found fault: “Why lily porridge anyway? Preserved egg and lean pork porridge taste much better. You’re new here, so you don’t know – Aunt Liu from the main kitchen makes the best preserved egg and lean pork porridge. Her lily porridge is just so-so.”

A’Zhu replied calmly: “Next time, I’ll ask Aunt Liu to make preserved egg and lean pork porridge for Miss. This lily porridge was made by me.”

Binglu: “…” So what if you can make lily porridge?

Qiao Zhao silently finished the lily porridge, set down the spoon, and then looked deeply at A’Zhu and asked: “Does A’Zhu understand medicinal principles?”

Last night, A’Zhu had slept in the outer room on night duty. Knowing she hadn’t slept well, A’Zhu had known to made a bowl of lily porridge for her to drink. This thoughtfulness was quite rare.

A’Zhu was slightly startled upon hearing this. Meeting her miss’s calm, tranquil gaze, she replied respectfully: “I don’t understand them, I’ve only read some superficial books.”

Qiao Zhao smiled.

The maid that Brother Zhu had given her was truly a treasure – literate, able to play chess, and understanding some medicinal principles. Most precious of all, she was diligent and eager to learn. Qiao Zhao had only taught her for a few days, yet her chess skills had improved by leaps and bounds.

Qiao Zhao never believed she was the only intelligent woman in the world. Having such a talented maid by her side, as long as the other party was willing to learn, she was happy to teach.

“Then how about I teach you in the future?”

A’Zhu was stunned again. After a long while, confirming that her miss wasn’t joking, she bowed: “Thank you, Miss!”

People in this world were born into different social ranks – some wore fine silks and satins, some became slaves and servants, and some once commanded slaves and servants but fell from the clouds in a single day to become lesser beings.

Regardless, it was too difficult for those at the bottom to climb upward. Even if one became a head maid beside the master, if one day they displeased the master, a single word from the master could dismiss them, sending them tumbling back into the mire.

But one type of person was different – servants who understood medicine, especially maids and matrons who knew medical arts. As long as they had real skill, even the mistress of the house would regard them highly and treat them with courtesy. Like Nanny Gui from the West Residence and Nanny Dong from the East Residence.

Upon hearing this, Binglu panicked.

Miss was teaching A’Zhu chess and medicinal principles, and A’Zhu, that little hussy, could even make lily porridge. What was she supposed to do?

“Miss, this servant also wants to learn!”