Chapter 356

Qiao Jiaojiao looked incredulously at Chu Rou, who was visibly agitated.

It seemed that after the last use of the Truth-telling Pill, Chu Rou had become wary, hence her clarity just now!

So, how much of what she said was true and how much was false? What was she trying to cover up?

Why did Elder Brother ask whether Yuliu blamed the Northern King, whether she willingly fed herself to the Gu, and who took Yuliu’s virginity? Why did Chu Rou react so strongly?

Earlier, listening to Chu Rou’s schemes, Qiao Jiaojiao felt a chill down her spine, but now, she felt even colder inside!

Who could tell her how many hidden things this brainless sweet romance novel really contained!

Next, no matter how Qiao Tianjing questioned Chu Rou, she remained tight-lipped, even when Qiao Shiyi stepped forward to break her fingers. She only closed her eyes and bit her lips, saying nothing.

Qiao Tianjing glanced at the sky outside, shook his head helplessly.

Qiao Bo, seeing this, hugged Qiao Jiaojiao and followed Qiao Tianjing out, with Qiao Shiyi closing the door gently behind them.

Little did they know, the room erupted into a mournful wail the next moment, like a beast howling in agony, with faint thuds heard as if someone was pounding their head against the ground.

Qiao Jiaojiao couldn’t help but change her expression. Clearly, this was Chu Rou’s true outpouring of emotions.

Was it because she had learned of Shen Yuanbai’s “death news,” or did the questions just now touch a nerve?

After coming out into the courtyard, Qiao Tianjing did not immediately take Qiao Jiaojiao away. Instead, he led her around a corner towards another courtyard.

Qiao Jiaojiao’s thoughts were still immersed in Chu Rou’s recent answers, so she didn’t pay attention until Qiao Tianjing knocked on the courtyard door.

“Miss Sheng, Master Qiao is here unexpectedly. Are you resting well?”

Miss Sheng? Sheng Xiuran!

Qiao Jiaojiao was suddenly brought back to her senses.

Soon, footsteps approached from inside the courtyard, and the door opened. A veiled woman appeared before them—it was Sheng Xiuran, who had “disappeared” for so long!

Seeing Qiao Tianjing, she brightened up but remained respectful, taking a few steps back.

“Master Qiao, your visit today… is it… can I return to the Relief Institute?”

Qiao Tianjing turned slightly and said in a deep voice, “Indeed, Miss Sheng, in these few months, there have been earth-shaking changes outside. Shen Yuanbai’s men can no longer threaten you. As long as Miss Sheng wishes, you can leave tonight.”

Qiao Jiaojiao turned to look, seeing Sheng Xiuran covering her mouth in surprise and then nodding joyously.

“I do! I do! Thank you, Master Qiao. Please arrange for me to return to the Relief Institute tonight.”

Qiao Tianjing obviously anticipated Sheng Xiuran’s answer and nodded with a gentle smile.

“Then please pack up, Miss Sheng. Someone will come to escort you shortly.”

After Qiao Tianjing finished speaking, he was about to leave. At this moment, Sheng Xiuran hesitated slightly and then called out loud:

“Master Qiao, please wait!”

Qiao Tianjing paused in his steps. “Miss Sheng, what is it?”

Sheng Xiuran tugged nervously at her sleeve, fearing to keep Qiao Tianjing waiting for too long. She took a deep breath and said in a low voice:

“Just now, when Master Qiao mentioned that Shen Yuanbai can no longer threaten me, I thought about it. The only way to completely eliminate this threat is—if that secret were exposed.”

“Master Qiao, I… I want to know, does this matter involve many people? Are there casualties? I mean, among the royal family… are there casualties?”

Upon hearing this, Qiao Tianjing understood. Sheng Xiuran wanted to ask about the Third Prince, right?

But since Sheng Xiuran didn’t specify, Qiao Tianjing pretended not to know and smiled as he replied:

“Things have progressed smoothly. It hasn’t involved too many people. As for the royal family members you’re asking about, besides the Third Prince, all the other princes and princesses are fine.”

Upon hearing this, Sheng Xiuran suddenly felt a huge weight lifted off her chest and breathed a sigh of relief.

“That’s good, that’s good…”

Qiao Jiaojiao, small but perceptive, looked at Sheng Xiuran with probing eyes.

Sheng Xiuran realized that she had kept Master Qiao waiting for too long, which wasn’t proper. She quickly turned aside and hurriedly bowed.

“Thank you for informing me, Master Qiao.”

Qiao Tianjing nodded politely, “No need to worry, Miss Sheng. Farewell!”

With nothing else to attend to, Qiao Tianjing reached out and embraced Qiao Jiaojiao.

Qiao Jiaojiao clung to Qiao Tianjing’s shoulder. As she watched Sheng Xiuran hurry back into the house, her steps light and joyful, stopping abruptly in the middle of the courtyard.

Qiao Jiaojiao wasn’t sure what she was thinking, only seeing her suddenly clasp her hands together and bow towards the moon, as if devoutly praying for something.

—

Yikun Palace.

Yikun Palace was lively today because Concubine Jing, along with the Second Princess and the Third Prince, came together for dinner.

In these days, the Third Prince’s complexion had visibly improved a lot, and Concubine Jing’s smile couldn’t be contained.

She had now completely let go. As long as the Third Prince was healthy and well, she asked for nothing more.

Moreover, in the harem now, embracing the Empress was the right thing to do!

“Third Brother, these bamboo shoots are delicious. You must try them!”

The Second Prince pushed his favorite bamboo shoots in front of the Third Prince, smiling brightly.

The Third Prince couldn’t bear to reject his brother’s goodwill, so he picked up a piece with his chopsticks and tasted it. It was indeed very refreshing.

He smiled faintly, “Thank you, Second Brother.”

A double entendre.

That day, when his brother brought Miss Qiao to Xinghua Palace to treat him, he hadn’t found a chance to thank him properly.

The Second Prince understood and smiled knowingly, “Third Brother enjoying the food is the best outcome. When you recover fully, you should eat well and grow strong and healthy!”

“Second Brother has a sweet tongue!”

Concubine Jing heard this and laughed even more heartily.

“Your Highness, isn’t the Crown Prince coming today?”

The Empress smiled and said, “The newlyweds are enjoying their time together. I specifically instructed them to dine at East Palace and not to come over.”

Concubine Jing couldn’t help but reveal a hint of jealousy.

“The Crown Princess is quite likable. Look at how fond the Crown Prince is of her. Your Highness, you will soon become a grandmother.”

The Empress hurriedly waved her hand, “Don’t talk about these things in front of the child.”

Although she said so, her eyes were full of warmth, clearly looking forward to it.

After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, the Second Prince took the Third Prince and the Second Princess to see the loquat tree.

Concubine Jing sat in the courtyard with the Empress, accompanying her in digestion. As they chatted, Concubine Jing suddenly straightened up, her face filled with curiosity.

“Your Highness, there’s actually something I’ve been wanting to ask, something I’ve been curious about!”

The Empress raised an eyebrow, “Sister Jingfei, just ask.”

Concubine Jing hesitated for a moment but gathered her courage to ask, “Your Highness, what was that woman looking for when she took her own life?”

The Empress’s expression stiffened slightly.

Seeing this, Concubine Jing became nervous and quickly waved her hand, “Your Highness, please forget I asked!”

But the Empress soon relaxed her expression. Since she had already let go of it, there was no harm in mentioning it.

She shook her head and said lightly, “Sister Jingfei, I’ll tell you. She probably came to disgust me deliberately. That day at Yikun Palace, she stood at the palace gate and didn’t come in, only saying one thing.”

“She said: Empress, I really envy you.”

After saying this, the Empress couldn’t help but laugh.

That year, Yuliu took away everything she had one by one. What was there for her to envy herself about?

“Enough, it’s all in the past. Sister Jingfei, look how bright the moon is tonight.”

Concubine Jing looked up at the moonlight enveloping them, her face also showing a serene smile.