Seeing Binglu’s anxious and frantic appearance, Qiao Zhao laughed: “What do you want to learn?”

Binglu counted on her fingers: “Learn chess, learn medicinal principles, and also learn—”

She glanced at A’Zhu and said, “Also, learn to make porridge!”

Qiao Zhao burst into laughter: “I remember that time I taught you chess, you fell asleep after just a few moves.”

Binglu’s face reddened upon hearing this: “That time was an accident, really an accident. It won’t happen again. Please continue teaching this servant, Miss.”

She absolutely couldn’t be outdone by this latecomer A’Zhu!

Qiao Zhao looked at Binglu with a smile.

Even when the little maid blushed, she was lively. Anyone who saw her would feel that life became more flavorful.

“Binglu, everyone has their strengths. You don’t need to learn what A’Zhu learns. Think about what you’re good at?”

What was she good at?

Binglu blinked, calculating in her mind: she was good at arguing, good at wearing nice clothes, good at eating and drinking well…

The more Binglu thought, the more panicked she became, blurting out: “Good at breaking big stones—”

Meeting her miss’s strange expression, the little maid hastily explained: “No, what this servant means is, this servant has more strength than ordinary people!”

When she was small, she used to lift her cousin and beat him, so Third Uncle had always wanted to teach her martial arts. However, she had heard from a pretty sister that if she learned martial arts, her hands and feet would become coarse, so she refused Third Uncle no matter what.

“Great strength—” Qiao Zhao pondered.

Binglu felt quite ashamed, saying sheepishly: “Probably because this servant eats more than others.”

Upon hearing this, Qiao Zhao curved her lips slightly, pondering for a moment before saying: “Would Binglu like to learn some self-defense skills?”

“Self-defense skills?” Binglu was greatly surprised.

“Yes, that way, if I encounter danger in the future, you could protect me.”

Upon hearing this, Binglu’s spirits lifted, and she nodded repeatedly: “I’ll learn, I’ll learn.”

After saying this, she became somewhat dejected: “But who would teach me?”

She was Miss’s maid, and Third Uncle was a guard at Madam’s maternal family home. It was difficult to see him even once in ordinary days, so how could she learn from Third Uncle?

“I’ll teach you,” Qiao Zhao smiled.

Binglu was greatly shocked: “Miss knows martial arts?”

Qiao Zhao shook her head: “No.”

“If you don’t know, how can you teach me?”

“I’ve seen it.”

Binglu: “…” Miss looks so beautiful even when bragging!

Noticing the little maid’s doubt, Qiao Zhao didn’t mind and lifted her foot: “Follow me to the study.”

The two maids followed Qiao Zhao into the study step by step, where they saw her grind ink, take up her brush, and begin painting with flowing movements on the paper.

Binglu stood right beside Qiao Zhao, watching as lifelike figures appeared one after another under her brush, and couldn’t help but cover her mouth.

Miss was truly amazing at painting!

Qiao Zhao was completely undisturbed by the outside world, concentrating wholeheartedly on her painting, until A’Zhu gently reminded: “Miss, it’s time to pay respects.”

Qiao Zhao came back to her senses, set the brush aside, and pointed to the half-completed artwork: “The front shows several basic movements for practicing martial arts, and the back is a complete set of boxing techniques. If you want to learn, you can start practicing according to this from today. When there are incorrect postures, I’ll correct them for you.”

“Miss, miss, this will work?” Binglu was dumbfounded.

Did Miss think this was some secret manual that she could practice according to and become a master?

As if guessing Binglu’s thoughts, Qiao Zhao said calmly: “You won’t become a master, but against ordinary people, it will be sufficient.”

“Miss, have you seen this?” Binglu found it incredible.

She had grown up with Miss since childhood – how come she had never known about this?

Seeing Qiao Zhao’s gaze sweep over the rows of books, Binglu suddenly understood: “So Miss saw it in books!”

No wonder Miss often said people become well-behaved through books. Being able to read was truly wonderful – it was a pity she would get sleepy after reading just a few pages.

Having successfully misled the little maid, Qiao Zhao smiled.

She had indeed seen it.

During those two years at the Marquis Jing’an residence, because grandfather had passed away, she as a married granddaughter couldn’t observe mourning, yet she had no heart to go out either. The long days were spent wandering through every corner of the marquis residence.

Shao Mingyuan’s third younger brother, her brother-in-law Shao Xiyuan, would practice horse stance and boxing every day at the martial arts ground carved out in a corner of the garden.

Although the young brother-in-law was somewhat spoiled, his heart was pure and kind. Over the two-plus years, they had gotten along well as in-laws, and that child had even taught her the Shao family archery techniques.

It was just a pity that she truly had no talent for martial arts. Although she had the ability to remember everything she saw and could memorize what her brother-in-law taught by heart, it was only used to pass time. Only archery, because it relied more on eyesight and mental state, was practiced fairly well.

Qiao Zhao lowered her gaze to look at her slender, delicate hands.

This body was much more fragile than her previous one. She really should practice those strength-building boxing techniques, at least so that when encountering danger again, she wouldn’t be unable to even run.

Qiao Zhao first went to He Shi’s place, then accompanied He Shi to Qingsong Hall to pay respects to Old Madam Deng.

Old Madam Deng asked: “What did the divine physician say about that matter?”

Second Madam Liu Shi’s eyes flashed.

Yesterday, she had received word that the famous Physician Li had come to see Third Miss. She learned that at the time, Eldest Miss had also been at Qingsong Hall and had even dined with Physician Li. Her heart was filled with regret, only hating that her two daughters were not accomplished enough and didn’t usually serve beside the old madam, missing such a good opportunity in vain.

Speaking of which, yesterday, the county lady from the East Residence had also come over in the rain. Since she never visited without a reason, judging by the old madam’s tone, it was related to the divine physician, wasn’t it?

Upon hearing Old Madam Deng’s words, Li Jiǎo’s heart also stirred as she looked toward Qiao Zhao.

Could it be that Third Miss Li would frequently interact with Physician Li in the future? She wondered what relationship Physician Li had with Marquis Guanjun. If so, wouldn’t Third Miss Li have many opportunities to come into contact with Marquis Guanjun?

Thinking of this, Li Jiǎo felt stifled.

In front of everyone, Qiao Zhao smiled openly and generously: “I’ve already written the county lady’s request in a letter. I’d like my grandmother to send a capable person to deliver it to Prince Rui’s residence. However, whether Grandfather Li will come after seeing the letter, the granddaughter doesn’t dare guarantee.”

As Qiao Zhao spoke, she handed over a letter.

Old Madam Deng looked at Qiao Zhao with complex eyes.

Qiao Zhao playfully winked at her.

Old Madam Deng then smiled: “You don’t know – the East Residence sent someone over before dawn.”

Qiao Zhao’s eyes turned, and she smiled: “Since that’s the case, why doesn’t grandmother let the East Residence’s person go together? It would also put the county lady at ease.”

“Oh, that’s good too.” Old Madam Deng turned to instruct Qingzhen: “Give the letter to Steward Li and have him go together with the East Residence’s person.”

“Yes.”

Qingzhen took the letter out to give to Steward Li and left together with Nanny Zhou, who had been sent by the county lady from the East Residence.

Just after leaving the main gate, Nanny Zhou quietly slipped a bulging purse to Steward Li, her face full of smiles: “Steward Li, before going to the prince’s residence, the county lady wants to give a few instructions. Please come with me to the East Residence first.”

With money to be gained and being summoned by the county lady from the East Residence, Steward Li agreed without hesitation.

The two quickly arrived at the East Residence. Nanny Zhou whispered the situation into Old Madam Jiang’s ear exactly as it was. Old Madam Jiang’s gaze fell on Steward Li as she said coolly: “Bring Third Miss’s letter for me to see.”