Chapter 18

Qiao Tianjing’s expression changed slightly. His gaze scanned the surroundings, and it was only when he saw the guards scattered among the crowd that he felt slightly relieved.

Qiao Diyi wasn’t as observant. Upon seeing Qiao Jiaojiao wanting the tiger lantern, he walked over without hesitation.

At this moment, a tender voice sounded.

“Brother, I want this little tiger!”

Qiao Jiaojiao’s ears perked up. Why did this voice sound so familiar?

“Okay, then go ahead and pick it yourself.”

The warm voice slowly reached her ears, instantly awakening Qiao Jiaojiao’s memory.

“It’s the Crown Prince and that silly sweet guy!”

Upon hearing the words “Crown Prince,” Qiao Diyi was suddenly alert.

Where? The Crown Prince is here too?

Qiao Tianjing pulled at Qiao Diyi’s sleeve, gesturing for him to look at the tiger lantern.

At this moment, under the tiger lantern, a young boy was sitting on a teenager’s shoulder, reaching out eagerly for the lantern.

Seeing this scene, Qiao Jiaojiao couldn’t help but be shocked.

“This Crown Prince is too unpretentious, allowing the silly sweet guy to sit on his shoulders? Tsk tsk, such rare brotherly affection in the royal family!”

Qiao Jiaojiao’s astute commentary struck a chord with Qiao Tianjing and his brother.

Even they hadn’t expected the Crown Prince to be so doting towards the Western Prince in private.

At this moment, a guard approached the Crown Prince and whispered something to him.

The Crown Prince turned slightly at the words, noticing the Qiao brothers standing not far away.

He didn’t show any embarrassment at being observed, but instead smiled gently and waved at them.

The silly sweet guy, at this moment, exclaimed excitedly, “Brother, don’t move, I’m about to reach the lantern!”

“Little Xi, Little Sister is here, aren’t you going to take a look?” the Crown Prince, Shen Yuanzhan, asked with a smile.

“Little Sister? Is it the pretty little sister from the Qiao Family?”

Western Prince Shen Yuanling’s eyes lit up at the mention, forgetting about the lantern and turning to look westward.

This turn of his head allowed him to see the porcelain doll-like Qiao Jiaojiao, instantly filling him with joy.

Qiao Diyi brought Qiao Jiaojiao to the Crown Prince, intending to pay respects, but was immediately stopped.

“No need for too much formality tonight, let’s just stroll around like friends.”

Qiao Diyi, being straightforward, relaxed upon hearing the Crown Prince’s words and greeted him, “Brother Shen, are you here to enjoy the lantern festival too?”

Qiao Tianjing: *silent*

This silly second brother, he should at least address the Crown Prince properly!

Qiao Jiaojiao: *silent*

【Hahahahaha, Second Brother is awesome!】

Qiao Diyi: ?

Why is my little sister suddenly praising me?

The Crown Prince was momentarily stunned, then burst into laughter.

This second son of the Qiao family is quite interesting!

The Western Prince couldn’t wait to see Qiao Jiaojiao.

“Brother, put me down, I want to kiss Little Sister!”

Qiao Tianjing and Diyi: Absolutely not! Even if you’re a prince, you can’t do that!

The nearby guard helped lift the Western Prince down, but he immediately climbed back into the Crown Prince’s arms and leaned over to look at Qiao Jiaojiao.

Qiao Jiaojiao gave him a glare. “What are you looking at, you little brat!”

Qiao Tianjing and Qiao Diyi: *silence*

Thankfully, nobody else could hear!

The Western Prince, seeing Qiao Jiaojiao’s glare, shouted joyfully, “Sister looked at me! She likes me too! Brother, can I choose Sister to be my Western Princess?”

【He’s so young but so audacious, dreaming big! This little short-lived ghost might not even live to adulthood!】

Qiao Tianjing: Thank heavens only he and the second brother can hear these outrageous words.

The Crown Prince shook his head helplessly and said to the Qiao brothers, “The palace has been busy selecting a Crown Princess for me recently. Little Xi took a liking to your little sister and has been clamoring for her to be the Crown Princess.”

Qiao Tianjing smiled politely. “That’s great news, congratulations, Your Highness.”

When Qiao Jiaojiao heard this, she suddenly shivered.

【Wait a minute! The key factor for the Crown Prince’s sudden death is here! The selection of the Crown Princess must be done carefully!】

【The eldest daughter of the Duke of Qingguo, Sheng Xiuran, was chosen by the Emperor as the Crown Princess. But she’s in love with the King of Jing! She’s even obsessed with him!】

【After the King of Jing and Sheng Xiuran got together, the Crown Prince knew everything the King of Jing did! And after the Crown Prince’s sudden death, who knows if Sheng Xiuran had a hand in it!】

Qiao Tianjing and Qiao Diyi were suddenly sweating profusely.

Qiao Jiaojiao was so anxious!

【The second daughter of the General of Hussar, Xiao Qianlan, would be perfect! Unfortunately, she only became a side consort. She genuinely loves the Crown Prince, and their relationship is the best!】

【After the Crown Prince’s sudden death, Miss Xiao insisted that the Crown Prince’s death was suspicious and ended up sacrificing herself in a few days.】

【Sigh, a white moonlight with another white moonlight, they were truly made for each other!】

【Moreover, Miss Xiao’s younger sister is my second sister-in-law! Oh, my silly second brother, he’s lucky to have a girl willing to go to war with him!】

Qiao Diyi, who had just been worried about the Crown Prince, suddenly felt a warmth in his heart and was momentarily dizzy.

Miss Xiao…

His wife is Miss Xiao!

Qiao Tianjing had been in court for a long time. Compared to Qiao Diyi, he knew better about the importance of choosing the Crown Princess.

She would be the mother of the future nation, the wise assistant to the future Emperor!

But now, the news of the Crown Princess’s selection had not been widely announced, and the selection was still undecided. If he were to mention it now, the Crown Prince would surely be suspicious!

Fortunately, the selection process for the Crown Princess was very complex and would take some time to finalize. He had to come up with a solution before then!

At this moment, the Crown Prince looked at Qiao Tianjing thoughtfully and suddenly said, “You’re also of marriageable age now, and I presume Mrs. Qiao is quite knowledgeable about eligible young women in the capital?”

Qiao Tianjing’s heart fluttered at the Crown Prince’s words. Did this mean the Empress had intentions to inquire about the news from the noblewomen in the capital?

If so, perhaps he could use his mother’s mouth to remove the eldest daughter of the Duke of Qingguo from the list.

But this would entail some risk for his mother, and the matter must be handled discreetly, or it might incur the Duke of Qingguo’s resentment!

In an instant, Qiao Tianjing’s mind was filled with countless thoughts, and then he nodded helplessly. “My mother is indeed very concerned and has done a lot of research.”

The Crown Prince immediately understood, smiling and saying, “Little Xi always talks to the Empress about how adorable your little sister is, and the Empress has been eager to meet her.”

“If Mrs. Qiao is available, could she bring Miss Qiao to the palace to chat with my mother?”

Qiao Tianjing immediately agreed. “It would be an honor for my mother.”

The Crown Prince nodded in satisfaction and said warmly, “Let’s continue strolling forward together.”

Qiao Jiaojiao, upon hearing this, suddenly became excited.

【So does that mean I can go sightseeing in the palace? Wow, I’m so happy!】