Chapter 116

When the Crown Prince left the Imperial Study this morning, he had already informed Qiao Zhongguo that he would personally bring the West Prince to pay respects to their teacher in the afternoon.

Upon receiving the news, Qiao Jiaojiao decided not to nap in the afternoon and eagerly waited to join in the excitement.

At this moment, the servants of the Qiao family finally came to report, “Master, the carriage of the Crown Prince and the West Prince is about to arrive on the next street. The newly appointed top scholar, Mr. Tan, is accompanying them.”

Upon hearing this, Qiao Zhongguo stood up with Qiao Jiaojiao in his arms and said, “Let’s go and greet them at the door.”

Qiao Jiaojiao was delighted to hear that Tan Hanchi was also coming.

[“Wow, it’s been so long since I last saw Tan Hanchi! Dad said he has become an important confidant of the Crown Prince. It seems he’s really climbing up the ladder!”]

[“Tan Hanchi now has his loyalty directed towards our Qiao family. If Emperor Yong persists and decides to pass the throne to the Second Prince, Tan Hanchi might just play the role of a double agent!”]

[“What should I do? Just thinking about it gives me such an adrenaline rush!”]

Seeing Qiao Jiaojiao’s excited expression, Qiao Zhongguo couldn’t help but smile.

Qiao Tianjing followed behind with a pensive expression.

With Tan Hanchi’s intelligence and talent, this so-called “double agent” might not pose a challenge to him…

The entire Qiao family walked to the door and waited for a while before the carriage arrived.

Qiao Jiaojiao first saw Tan Hanchi riding alongside.

[“Hmm, the clothes make the man indeed. Look at Tan, the top scholar, looking so radiant!”]

Tan Hanchi saw the Qiao family and his eyes lit up.

The carriage stopped at the door, and Qiao Zhongguo went forward to greet them. Tan Hanchi quickly dismounted.

“Master Qiao.”

Qiao Zhongguo smiled at him and then turned his gaze to the carriage.

The Crown Prince kept it simple, lifting the curtain himself and stepping out of the carriage, followed by the West Prince.

Qiao Jiaojiao took a glance.

[“Oh, the sweet and simple boy looks good! No wonder he’s the symbol of a full recovery—”]

[“Wait, I almost forgot. Let’s see if my merit has been returned!”]

Qiao Jiaojiao called out the merit panel, and in the upper right corner was written: Merit – 105 points.

[“As expected, 60 points have been returned! So my previous guess was correct. Using items from the merit shop to save people is also a form of merit!”]

[“Too bad, I was hoping to get back even 120 points.”]

“Your Highness, please come in.”

Qiao Zhongguo extended the invitation.

The Crown Prince nodded with a smile and walked in with the West Prince, accompanied by Qiao Zhongguo.

Qiao Tianjing followed behind, walking alongside Tan Hanchi.

The two clever individuals exchanged a subtle glance, both with a smile on their faces but keeping their thoughts to themselves.

In the main hall, everyone took their seats, and the West Prince stood in the center.

The Crown Prince spoke first, “Master Qiao, I entrust Little Xi to you from now on. Although he has been pampered since childhood, he is resilient and obedient. He will surely listen well.”

Upon hearing this, the West Prince’s face turned serious, and he bowed respectfully to Qiao Zhongguo.

“Master Qiao, Little Xi is willing to endure hardships and work hard. I will definitely study well!”

Seeing this, Qiao Zhongguo smiled and lifted Qiao Jiaojiao to Qiao Tianjing, then stood up and helped the West Prince up.

“Your Highness, I am a simple man, and there are some things I need to make clear in advance.”

“Starting from today, during teaching and training sessions, there are only teacher and student, no prince and subject. If you call me ‘teacher,’ I will only call you ‘Little Xi.'”

“I won’t be lenient, nor will I be soft-hearted. If I am to teach, I must teach someone with genuine skills!”

“Your Highness, have you thought it through?”

The West Prince clenched his hands tightly at these words and said firmly:

“Please, Master Qiao, do not pay too much attention to Little Xi’s identity. Train him as you did with Qiao’s second son back then. Little Xi won’t complain!”

Qiao Zhongguo looked at the West Prince steadily, as if testing his determination. After a while, he laughed heartily.

“Alright! You have ambition, young man. Don’t desert in the face of adversity!”

Saying so, he patted the West Prince’s shoulder heavily.

The force of the pat almost caused the West Prince to stumble and fall.

Seeing this, Qiao Jiaojiao couldn’t help but laugh.

[“Haha, Dad is getting into character so quickly! This sweet and simple kid really has some strength!”]

The West Prince finally steadied himself. Upon hearing Qiao Jiaojiao’s laughter, he couldn’t help but blush slightly.

When he becomes proficient, he won’t fear Qiao’s pats anymore!

The initiation ceremony was simple. As a member of the royal family, it was impossible for ordinary people to receive his kneeling ceremony, so presenting a cup of tea sufficed.

At this moment, Tan Hanchi stood up and politely said, “Master Qiao, as the West Prince is proficient in both literature and martial arts, as his teacher, I’d like to discuss and arrange the schedule with you.”

Qiao Zhongguo nodded, “Mr. Tan makes sense.”

The Crown Prince couldn’t stay for long. Seeing that the initiation ceremony was completed, he was about to take the West Prince away.

The West Prince looked reluctant to leave Qiao Jiaojiao. He hadn’t even spoken to Qiao’s sister yet.

Seeming to sense his thoughts, the Crown Prince smiled and said, “Little Xi, once the schedule is arranged, you’ll often come to the Qiao residence. Aren’t you looking forward to seeing Miss Qiao?”

The West Prince’s face lit up with joy, “So, Master Qiao will not come to the palace to teach me, but I’ll come to the Qiao residence?”

The Crown Prince nodded, “There are too many people in the palace, it’s not very convenient. After discussing with Brother and Mother, it’s decided that you will come to the Qiao residence for your studies.”

The West Prince was overjoyed and had no regrets. He bowed to Qiao Zhongguo and waved to Qiao Jiaojiao.

“Goodbye, Master Qiao!”

“Goodbye, Sister Qiao!”

Seeing the bright eyes of the West Prince, Qiao Zhongguo suddenly had a bad premonition.

Why does this brat seem a little out of sorts, as if his mind isn’t on the matter at hand?

After seeing off the Crown Prince and the West Prince, everyone finally relaxed.

Tan Hanchi was not someone who easily showed emotions, but at this moment, he couldn’t help but smile.

Qiao Tianjing patted Tan Hanchi’s arm, showing an extremely intimate tone.

“I haven’t congratulated Brother Tan yet. Now you are a big shot in front of the emperor!”

Tan Hanchi smiled, “Brother Qiao, why tease me? Being with the monarch is both a blessing and a curse.”

He would never say such things in front of others.

Qiao Jiaojiao was smiling as she watched her brother and Tan Hanchi interact. At that moment, for some reason, Tan Hanchi looked in her direction.

Qiao Jiaojiao tilted her head in confusion, then smiled sweetly at Tan Hanchi.

[“Good guy, Tan Hanchi, you must firmly stand on our side forever!”]

Tan Hanchi’s eyes flickered slightly.

That time, it probably wasn’t his imagination.

But he really hadn’t heard Miss Qiao’s voice since then.

Seeing the reactions of Master Qiao and Brother Qiao, perhaps they still didn’t know that their Miss Qiao was extraordinary.

Tan Hanchi pondered over it, convincing himself: Perhaps it’s because the Qiao family is so loyal and righteous, rare in the world, so even heaven favors them more than others.

After the trivial pleasantries, Qiao Zhongguo’s expression became slightly serious, finally bringing up the main matter.

“Tan, since His Majesty didn’t keep it from you this morning, I’ll tell you first.”

“Who do you think can replace General Xiao as the Great General of the Hussar?”