Chapter 133

“Brother! Brother!”

Qiao Jiaojiao stood up with the help of a small stool and reached out her hand to Qiao Tianjing.

Qiao Tianjing maneuvered through the rows of wooden stakes in front of him, first bowing to Prince Xi, then smiling as he lifted Qiao Jiaojiao up into his arms.

Qiao Jiaojiao noticed the sweat beads on Qiao Tianjing’s forehead and knew he had hurried here, so she waved her hand not far away.

“Daddy! Daddy!”

Qiao Zhongguo was busy whittling wood under the shade of a tree.

Prince Xi was still young, and the weapons in the mansion were not suitable for him to use, so Qiao Zhongguo decided to personally make him a wooden spear.

Qiao Tianjing spotted his father and hurried over, squatting behind him and lowering his voice.

“Dad, there’s news.”

Qiao Zhongguo suddenly looked up and saw Qiao Tianjing’s serious expression. “The spies tracking Li Xusheng just sent a message. Aunt wants to meet with Li Xusheng, and he’s agreed!”

Qiao Jiaojiao had already learned from Qiao Tianjing that since the night they helped Guo Gaoyi, the Qiao family had been tracking Li Xusheng’s movements, but it was only now that he had made a move.

【Ah! Aunt can’t hold back anymore, can she!】

【It’s been over a month since Aunt Anning last visited our house, and there hasn’t been any good news from Duke Yanguo’s Mansion. It means Aunt is still keeping it from him.】

【I guess she’s pregnant now and can’t hide it anymore, so she’s gone to discuss with Li Xusheng!】

【Catch the thief and catch the stolen goods. This time we’ll finally catch Aunt’s little tail!】

Qiao Zhongguo thought carefully for a moment and said in a deep voice, “Eldest, this matter concerns the reputation of Duke Yanguo’s Mansion. Since we have evidence, we can’t keep hiding it from your grandfather.”

“Hurry and send someone… no, you go yourself and take your grandfather to catch them!”

“Be careful when you go to Duke Yanguo’s Mansion. Don’t alert your uncle and Anning. Don’t let them know for the time being.”

Qiao Tianjing shook his head when he heard this.

“Dad, that might not work.”

Qiao Zhongguo’s expression changed slightly. “What do you mean?”

Qiao Tianjing sighed softly. “A few days ago, after learning about Aunt’s situation, I also arranged for someone by her side. He and the spy tracking Li Xusheng sent messages one after the other.”

“Aunt is now heading to Qianxiang Tea House, and Anning cousin… she’s following Aunt.”

Qiao Jiaojiao sucked in a breath of cold air.

A daughter catching her mother in the act was something unimaginable, not only in ancient times but also in the era of Qiao Jiaojiao’s previous life.

Moreover, Anning had been well-educated since childhood, and those principles of propriety and integrity were ingrained in her.

It was really hard for Qiao Jiaojiao to imagine how much of a blow this would be to her.

【Anning cousin must have noticed something!】

【Over a month ago, she suspected Aunt was pregnant, which should have been a joyous occasion, but Aunt kept silent, and as a daughter, she must have been both anxious and worried.】

【Moreover, Aunt had been visiting her family frequently before, but now she’s been quiet for over a month and has resorted to old tricks again. I’m afraid Anning cousin can’t be at ease, so she resorted to this plan.】

Qiao Zhongguo furrowed his brow tightly, not expecting the situation to become so tricky.

“I was thinking of keeping this from your mother for now. After all, until there’s a result, it’s just causing her unnecessary worry.”

“But now it’s not possible anymore. If Anning discovers the truth, she’ll be very frightened.”

“Eldest, go now and take your grandfather to Qianxiang Tea House. If Anning realizes the truth, bring her back to the Qiao Mansion after it’s done. Your mother will comfort her properly.”

Qiao Tianjing nodded, knowing that was the only option now.

Qiao Jiaojiao returned to the embrace of Qiao Zhongguo.

She looked eagerly at the back of Qiao Tianjing as he hurried away, really wishing she could follow.

But she was still too young, not only unable to help but also likely to cause trouble.

【Sigh, when will I grow up quickly?】

【I hope Big Brother will succeed and catch Li Xusheng! This way, another threat will be eliminated!】

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Zuo Anning sat in the carriage, accompanied by her old maid, Aunt Zhu.

Aunt Zhu had been serving at Duke Yanguo’s Mansion for many years, initially serving the late Duchess of Yanguo.

Later, when the Duchess passed away, Duke Yanguo assigned Aunt Zhu to serve Anning.

Aunt Zhu truly cared for Anning and, to speak frankly, she regarded Anning as her own granddaughter.

Now, sitting in the carriage with Anning, her brows furrowed tightly, full of worry.

“Miss, what you’re doing is really inappropriate. Let’s go back.”

Anning held Aunt Zhu’s hand, a hint of fear on her beautiful face, but more of determination.

“Mommy, I must find out what’s wrong with Mother. Why won’t she tell us if she’s pregnant? Dad is indeed unreliable, but isn’t Grandfather there? If Mother tells Grandfather, he’ll support her. Why doesn’t she say?”

“Mommy, I’m really worried. I’m afraid Mother has encountered something unavoidable.”

“Mother clearly said she was going to her grandfather’s house today, but look at this road, it’s clearly in the opposite direction!”

“Mommy, please don’t dissuade me. Since Mother won’t tell, I’ll go see for myself!”

Aunt Zhu knew that although Anning seemed docile, she was actually very determined.

So she stopped trying to persuade her and silently resolved in her heart to prioritize Miss no matter what happens!

After the carriage had gone for a while, it suddenly stopped.

Aunt Zhu stuck her head out and asked in a low voice, “Why did we stop?”

The coachman honestly replied, “Ma’am, the carriage you were following has stopped, and the people on the carriage have also gotten off.”

Anning gently lifted a corner of the carriage curtain and indeed saw her mother getting off the carriage.

Her eyes widened, and she suddenly froze.

Her mother was going to Qianxiang Tea House, the same tea house where she had seen the “old friend” last time.

For some reason, the words “old friend” popped into Anning’s mind.

Last time, her mother met an old friend here.

But that old friend disappeared without a trace, and she never saw him in the end.

“Mommy, let’s get off.”

Anning put on her veil, had Aunt Zhu pay the silver, and then quickly followed into the Qianxiang Tea House.

She hurriedly followed her mother upstairs.

She cautiously followed to the corner and watched her mother enter the private room at the end of the corridor, the same room as last time!

Her breath quickened slightly, and she slowly retreated to the first floor, pretending to book that room. However, the shopkeeper informed her that the room had been booked by a VIP for over three months. If she didn’t mind, the room next to it was still available, with a similar view. Would she like it?

Anning steadied her mind and nodded gently, “Okay, I’ll take the room next door.”