Chapter 125

The Xiao Residence.

General Xiao and Mrs. Xiao warmly welcomed the Qiao family, but due to worrying about Qiao Tianjing’s situation, Qiao Zhongguo refrained from drinking tonight.

Just as everyone was putting down their chopsticks, a servant from the Xiao Residence came to report that the eldest of the Qiao family had arrived.

Qiao Jiaojiao’s heart skipped a beat and she quickly sat up straight.

[“Big brother is here! It must mean there’s news from Guo Gaoyi’s side! Dad, let’s hear what he has to say!”]

At this point, General Xiao stood up and instructed, “Quickly welcome Mr. Qiao in!”

Qiao Tianjing briskly walked in, first giving a proper salute to General Xiao before looking towards his own father.

Qiao Zhongguo understood and whispered, “General Xiao, is it convenient to go to the inner hall?”

General Xiao nodded, and Mrs. Xiao, understanding the situation, dismissed all the servants.

Qiao Zhongguo picked up Qiao Jiaojiao, and together with Qiao Tianjing, followed General Xiao into the inner hall.

Once the door was closed, Qiao Zhongguo went straight to the point and asked, “Eldest brother, what’s the situation?”

Qiao Tianjing hesitated for a moment, glancing at Qiao Zhongguo, unsure of how much his father had revealed to General Xiao.

Seeing this, Qiao Zhongguo immediately put his arm around General Xiao’s shoulder and quickly explained, “Eldest brother, General Xiao is my father’s half-brother. You can consider him as your adoptive father.”

Qiao Tianjing was slightly surprised to hear this. His father had never mentioned this matter to him before.

No wonder his second brother was made to apprentice under General Xiao, so that was the reason!

With that, Qiao Tianjing no longer concealed anything and quickly recounted the events of tonight, only omitting the details about Li Xusheng.

Hearing this, Qiao Jiaojiao couldn’t help but sigh in relief.

[“That was close! If we were one step late tonight, Guo Gaoyi would have truly been in the Second Prince’s hands!”]

[“So, it seems that Guo General’s side needs to send someone to clarify the situation as soon as possible.”]

[“As long as Guo Gaoyi returns home and explains the reasons, with Guo General’s intelligence, he will surely understand the situation.”]

[“Since the Second Prince’s plan has failed, in case he becomes desperate, who knows what he might do!”]

Qiao Tianjing nodded repeatedly.

That was exactly what he meant, so he couldn’t wait for his father to return home and hurriedly came to the Xiao Residence.

“Older brother, what do you think?” Qiao Zhongguo asked with a furrowed brow.

Xiao Hongda paced back and forth a few steps, then said solemnly, “Old Qiao, it seems we can’t afford to wait any longer.”

“Guo Gaoyi was manipulated tonight, which just gave General Guo a wake-up call. Let’s take advantage of this opportunity to force General Guo to eliminate any future troubles!”

Qiao Zhongguo nodded in agreement, but still had some hidden worries.

“You are currently a prominent figure in the capital. If you go to find General Guo at night, you may be subject to unwarranted suspicion.”

Upon hearing this, Qiao Jiaojiao’s eyes lit up with inspiration.

[“General Xiao must go stealthily, otherwise, the Emperor will surely start suspecting all kinds of things.”]

[“With General Xiao’s martial arts skills, coming and going freely should not be a problem, right?”]

[“Why don’t we stay a little longer at the Xiao Residence? Who would expect the host to leave his guests and sneak out?”]

Qiao Tianjing really wanted to give Qiao Jiaojiao a thumbs up. Her little brain was truly clever!

At that time, it would be best if his father could pretend to be drunk and then have General Xiao, who appeared tipsy, send him to the door. That way, everything would be seamless!

“Old Qiao, I’ll sneak out. You provide cover for me in my residence. I’ll be back within an hour.”

Xiao Hongda calculated calmly and said.

Clearly, all the clever minds in the room had thought of the same thing.

General Xiao was also straightforward. After informing Mrs. Xiao, he changed into his night clothes and sneaked out of the Xiao Residence through the back door.

Mrs. Xiao knew that her husband held an important position and only did official business.

She was timid by nature and couldn’t help her husband much, but she never dragged him down either.

After General Xiao left, Mrs. Xiao remained calm and composed. She even had several jars of wine brought in, and in front of the servants, she said to Mrs. Qiao, “It seems they are in good spirits and want to drink a few more cups.”

Then she turned to the servants and said, “No need to attend to us anymore. Come back later to clean up.”

Mrs. Qiao smiled at Mrs. Xiao’s actions, nodded in agreement, and thought to herself, “Mrs. Xiao seems gentle on the outside but firm on the inside.”

Mrs. Qiao knew well the feelings of those who stayed behind while their husbands were on the battlefield.

Mrs. Xiao, alone at home, had managed to raise her two daughters so well, indicating that she was not as weak as she appeared.

Having such a future mother-in-law was truly reassuring—

————

General Xiao stealthily made his way to the Guo Residence and soon arrived at the gate.

By now, it was already dark, and the gates of the Guo Residence were closed.

Instead of forcibly scaling the wall, General Xiao knocked on the gate.

The gatekeeper, seeing a man wearing a hood, was startled.

“Who are you! Why are you lurking around here?”

General Xiao handed a piece of green jade to the gatekeeper and lowered his voice, saying, “I have urgent business, please give this jade to General Guo. Tell him an old acquaintance has come to visit, and he will definitely see me.”

The gatekeeper hesitated, still suspicious.

Seeing this, General Xiao’s face darkened. “I said it’s urgent business. If there’s any delay, beware of your own head!”

The gatekeeper was startled by this sternness and no longer hesitated, closing the gate and hurrying towards the inner courtyard.

In the courtyard of the Guo Residence, it was chaotic at this time.

When Guo Gaoyi returned home, his hair was soaked, and he reeked of alcohol.

What’s more, the Qiao family’s secret guards had been heavy-handed. Guo Gaoyi’s cheeks were swollen, looking both miserable and pitiful.

In such a sorry state, Guo Gaoyi couldn’t hide anything. Under General Guo’s stern gaze, he had no choice but to confess everything about tonight.

General Guo was a shrewd man. He immediately guessed that someone was trying to frame his son and use it to control him!

However, General Guo didn’t know who sent the two men claiming to be the Guo Residence secret guards, who unexpectedly helped him resolve a big trouble!

General Guo felt a hidden anxiety. It seemed that someone had already set their sights on the military power of the southern border, and it was wise to be prepared!

Now that the opponent’s plan had failed, they might come back again!

Thinking of this, General Guo looked at his incompetent son and couldn’t contain his anger!

With a stern expression, he suddenly picked up a wooden stick from the side and fiercely struck Guo Gaoyi.

“Who allowed you to go drinking after leaving the office! Who allowed you to trust others so easily!”

Guo Gaoyi screamed in pain, unable to dodge, and tears flowed out.

Guo’s wife and the old lady received the news and hurried over. As soon as they entered the courtyard, they saw Guo Gaoyi being beaten, and they immediately shouted in distress:

“Don’t hit him! Don’t hit him!”

Guo Gaoyi was cunning. Seeing his rescuers arrive, he hurriedly cried out, “Mother! Grandmother! Save me! Father wants to beat me to death!”

General Guo was enraged by his words and increased the force of his blows!

“Do you still not repent! Do you know you almost caused a big disaster!”

“I won’t stop beating you until you’re sober tonight!”

Mrs. Guo and the old lady saw this and rushed forward, protecting Guo Gaoyi in their arms.

Seeing Guo Gaoyi’s miserable appearance, Mrs. Guo couldn’t help but shed tears, while the old lady angrily scolded General Guo for being too cruel.

General Guo was furious. This son of his had been spoiled by them!

He couldn’t speak ill of his wife, so he looked at his wife and said angrily, “Indulgent mother spoils the child, look at how foolish he has become!”

Mrs. Guo didn’t dare to argue, but the old lady didn’t give in. She had just raised her cane when a gatekeeper came in holding a piece of green jade and quickly reported:

“Master, there is a guest at the gate holding a jade, claiming to have urgent business!”