Chapter 85

Qiao Zhongguo was somewhat surprised by this. After all, he was a martial man at heart. He had also heard Qiao Jiaojiao’s words earlier but didn’t make any moves.

Unexpectedly, Qiao Tianjing had taken it to heart.

“Although those properties were sold at a low price, they still cost quite a bit of silver. It was Mother who generously opened the treasury to support her children. If we really make money in the future, Mother should get the lion’s share!”

Qiao Tianjing’s face was full of smiles.

Mrs. Qiao gently shook Qiao Jiaojiao and looked somewhat sly.

“Eldest, you should also consider saving more silver to give to your future daughter-in-law.”

This teasing made Qiao Tianjing blush.

Qiao Zhongguo pondered for a moment and couldn’t help but say solemnly, “Eldest, you need to be careful with this matter. Once the business starts, if it’s discovered, it might arouse suspicion.”

Qiao Zhongguo discreetly pointed upwards.

Qiao Tianjing quickly suppressed the smile on his face. “Dad, rest assured. I’ve thought about this for a long time before deciding to intervene. I’ll definitely handle it discreetly.”

“And, as Jiaojiao anticipated, the Second Prince has also made a move.”

Qiao Zhongguo’s expression turned grave. “The Second Prince indeed has great scheming and means. I imagine he had grand ambitions from the beginning, which is why he covered all the bases so thoroughly.”

Qiao Tianjing nodded in agreement, but then a smile flashed across his face.

“But he couldn’t have imagined that there was someone in this world who could predict the future.”

“The Second Prince and I both targeted the same three properties. He probably didn’t expect that someone would be as keen as him in seizing the opportunity. So, the price he offered was very low.”

“I took the initiative and, before the Second Prince had a chance to negotiate, I acquired the properties at a higher price.”

“Although it cost me some extra silver, it caught the Second Prince off guard. Moreover, these three properties have great potential. If they really develop successfully in the future, they will be quite profitable.”

Qiao Tianjing spoke confidently, with a calculated plan in mind.

The Qiao couple had great confidence in their eldest son and only gave him a few reminders before letting him go ahead!

Whatever the Qiao family did, they always gave it their all. Since they were defying fate, the more resources and strategies they had, the better!

That night, Aunt Liu took Qiao Jiaojiao away to sleep.

Mrs. Qiao pulled Qiao Zhongguo aside and brought up the matter of the Imperial Ancestral Temple today.

“That Miss Xiao seems very cheerful. I think our second son is very fond of her.”

Qiao Zhongguo smiled contentedly. “That kid has finally come to his senses. How about we send him to be a student under General Xiao!”

Mrs. Qiao was somewhat surprised by this. “We have no relationship with the Xiao family. Wouldn’t it be impolite to go and apprentice there?”

Qiao Zhongguo hugged Mrs. Qiao and laughed heartily.

“How could we have no relationship? I once swore brotherhood with Old Xiao!”

“Really?”

Mrs. Qiao was shocked. Qiao Zhongguo had never mentioned this before!

Qiao Zhongguo nodded with a smile. “Back then, Old Xiao and I trained together in the military camp. We were always competing against each other, refusing to yield. But deep down, we respected each other and had a good relationship!”

“Later, when the war broke out, we were assigned to different armies, and when we parted ways, we bowed with incense and became sworn brothers under the witness of heaven and earth.”

“After that, as we rose in ranks, we tacitly stopped contacting each other. Even when we met at court, we pretended not to recognize each other.”

“Now that I’ve retired from military service and severed ties with the army, if I reestablish contact with Old Xiao, the Emperor shouldn’t be too wary.”

“Moreover, the current Northern Frontier General isn’t very capable. If we can nurture our son’s sense of righteousness, the Emperor should also be pleased to see it.”

Mrs. Qiao sensed Qiao Zhongguo’s intention to send Qiao Diyi to the Northern Frontier, and her expression darkened involuntarily.

“Husband, I really don’t want anyone else in our family to go to the battlefield.”

When Qiao Zhongguo was away at war years ago, she spent every day worrying at home. Even now, the memory was frightening.

Qiao Zhongguo gently embraced Mrs. Qiao’s shoulders and said warmly, “My dear, the Second has this talent. Don’t let his superficial nature fool you; when it comes to military strategy, he’s quite knowledgeable.”

“He’s cut out for this. The intrigues of the court don’t suit him. If we let him venture in the Northern Frontier Army, perhaps he could conquer the North in the future and fulfill what I couldn’t finish. It’s up to Diyi.”

Qiao Zhongguo had once reached the gates of the Northern Capital, but Emperor Yong ordered a retreat. Six consecutive orders stopped the iron cavalry of the Qiao family.

It was a lifelong regret for Qiao Zhongguo.

Mrs. Qiao didn’t say anything more after hearing this. She just held onto Qiao Zhongguo’s waist.

No one understood her husband’s aspirations and loyalty better than she did. He was a true hero, with ambitions that reached to the heavens. His deep regrets were never spoken aloud.

The two sat quietly for a while before Mrs. Qiao brought up the matter of the relief hall and Qiao Jiaojiao’s ideas.

“Husband, I think Jiaojiao’s idea is excellent. Those children look pitiful. If they can change their fate with their own abilities, it would be the best.”

Qiao Zhongguo pondered for a moment and then nodded solemnly.

“Let’s have someone handle it. There’s a private school in the south of the city. For children who want to study, we’ll send them there.”

“For those who can’t learn, let them learn a trade. Whether it’s blacksmithing, embroidery, or carpentry, there’s always a way out.”

“If there are talented martial artists, it’s especially good to cultivate them from a young age. They won’t lack food and clothing in the future.”

Mrs. Qiao felt immensely relieved after hearing this.

As long as it was a promise made by Qiao Zhongguo himself, he would definitely take it seriously. This way, those children would have a place to go.

“I hope Jiaojiao’s three formulas all work. Let Tianjing bring back a lot of silver. Otherwise, with so many children in the relief hall and so many favors to repay, the treasury will really be strained.”

Mrs. Qiao smiled. She used to pay little attention to material possessions, but now that there were so many things to do, she realized that you could never have too much money.

“And there’s the matter of the eldest son’s wedding. We’re about to enter the Western Moon soon, and there are many things to prepare in advance. I think we shouldn’t make it too extravagant, but we definitely can’t make the Han family girl feel wronged.”

Qiao Zhongguo listened to Mrs. Qiao’s chatter with a heart full of warmth.

After Mrs. Qiao finished speaking, he poured a glass of warm water.

“Wet your throat, my dear.”

Mrs. Qiao looked at Qiao Zhongguo. “Are you saying I talk too much?”

Qiao Zhongguo couldn’t help but laugh at her words. “How did you jump to that conclusion, my dear?”

After Mrs. Qiao finished drinking, she handed the cup back to Qiao Zhongguo. He took it obediently and placed it back on the table.

As he turned around, he saw Mrs. Qiao leaning lazily against the soft pillow, her lips moist from the water, sparkling.

Suddenly, he felt a tickle in his heart. He took three or four steps and leaned over.

In the dim candlelight, Mrs. Qiao’s shy voice came through:

“Don’t get too carried away tonight. I walked around the Imperial Ancestral Temple today, and my legs are sore.”

Qiao Zhongguo chuckled softly. Whatever he did made Mrs. Qiao let out a soft gasp.

The canopy dropped, and faintly, Qiao Zhongguo’s voice, full of eagerness, could be heard:

“My dear, can I give you a massage later?”