Chapter 10

Under the meticulous care of the entire family, Qiao Jiaojiao finally reached her one-month milestone!

The Qiao family had started preparing for the full moon banquet five days ago, with Qiao Zhongguo personally overseeing every detail to ensure it was a complete success.

Upon hearing the news of the Qiao family’s newborn, the emperor graciously commanded:

“Prince, go to the Qiao family and offer congratulations on my behalf.”

This was an honor that couldn’t be sought elsewhere.

Qiao Zhongguo expressed his profound gratitude in court, but upon returning home, he couldn’t help but worry.

Their Qiao family was really standing out too much now.

However, this bit of favoritism wasn’t without its advantages.

Qiao Zhongguo decided to present Qiao Jiaojiao before everyone. Who knew, they might hear some remarkable secrets, and the Qiao family could plan ahead and seize opportunities!

The invitations for the full moon banquet were personally reviewed by Mrs. Qiao. She specifically added the Han family, a deputy minister of the Ministry of Industry, hoping to meet her future daughter-in-law in advance.

On the day of the full moon, Mrs. Qiao carefully dressed up Qiao Jiaojiao.

The little one lay on the bed, her eyes round and bright, her skin fair and tender. She had a small tuft of hair on her head, and she wore a festive red dress and tiger-head shoes, looking just like a doll in a New Year’s painting.

Mrs. Qiao lovingly held Qiao Jiaojiao in her arms, asking Aunt Liu in a gentle voice, “Have the items for the almshouse been sent over?”

Aunt Liu’s face lit up with joy as she nodded repeatedly. “Madam, rest assured. They were sent early this morning, with the young miss’s name on them.”

“These children without parents and homes are truly pitiful. Thanks to Madam and the young miss’s kindness, their lives have improved a lot.”

Qiao Jiaojiao heard about the almshouse for the first time and realized that her mother was doing good deeds in her name.

Her heart trembled slightly. Wait, wasn’t this accumulating merit!

Thinking of this, Qiao Jiaojiao immediately summoned the Merit Mall.

She looked closely and she couldn’t help but be overjoyed.

[Ah! My merit points have risen to 120! Mom, you’re really amazing!]

[Wow, money really works wonders. I’ve helped so many people at once, equivalent to a fifth of my previous life’s merit!]

Although Mrs. Qiao didn’t understand what merit points were, seeing Qiao Jiaojiao so happy, she knew she hadn’t done anything wrong.

“Mama, good deeds should not stop. From now on, you don’t need my orders. Send money over regularly every month. Those children are really not easy.”

Aunt Liu hurriedly agreed.

As time passed, guests began to arrive in groups of three or five.

Mrs. Qiao had recovered from her postpartum period and looked even more radiant.

She sat steadily in the reception hall, and everyone who saw her couldn’t help but admire her.

Qiao Jiaojiao proudly hummed, her adorable appearance attracting the attention of many ladies.

Soon, the reception hall was filled with guests, and Qiao Jiaojiao was passed around by everyone. Gold jewelry adorned her wrists and neck.

At this moment, someone outside announced, “Mrs. Han and Miss Han have come to congratulate—”

Mrs. Qiao’s eyes instantly lit up. Qiao Jiaojiao’s big eyes were just like hers, and both mother and daughter eagerly looked towards the door.

But there were whispers in the room.

“The Han family? Aren’t they known for not attending any banquets?”

“Hmph, they usually act high and mighty, but today, aren’t they coming eagerly?”

Mrs. Qiao frowned upon hearing these criticisms and stood up.

At this moment, two figures approached from outside.

The lady on the left appeared to be around thirty, dressed in festive attire but still showing traces of her past.

Her brows were slightly furrowed, and she faced the scrutiny of the crowd calmly, neither happy nor sad.

Beside her was a young girl in her prime, wearing a light yellow long dress. She had a slender figure and carried herself with grace and dignity.

Qiao Jiaojiao scrutinized the girl’s features carefully. While not stunning, she exuded elegance and composure, neither arrogant nor impetuous.

[Ah! Mom! It’s my future sister-in-law! I really like her! Sob, I liked her at first sight!]

Qiao Jiaojiao was looking at Miss Han through the lens of the original work, while Mrs. Qiao observed her manners and character.

With just one glance, Mrs. Qiao was impressed by Miss Han.

Beautiful inside and out, she was definitely worthy of being called the future Mrs. Qiao.

Thinking of this, Mrs. Qiao hugged Qiao Jiaojiao and personally went to greet them.

This act of recognition surprised everyone present.

Mrs. Han didn’t expect Mrs. Qiao to come forward personally and hurriedly returned the courtesy.

She had no intention of attending any banquet. Firstly, her husband was a lone minister, and she couldn’t afford to hold him back. Secondly, she was tactless and didn’t want to offend anyone.

But when she received the invitation from the Qiao Mansion, her husband insisted that they must attend.

The reason was simple: Qiao was the only person he respected in the court.

Mrs. Han originally thought that it would be difficult to get along with these noble ladies. However, seeing Mrs. Qiao’s gentle and beautiful appearance, she felt as if she were bathed in a warm spring breeze.

“We’ve come a bit late. Please forgive us, Madam.”

Mrs. Qiao shook her head with a smile. “Not at all, not at all. It’s still early.”

She glanced sideways, her gaze softening as it fell on Miss Han. With a smile, she asked, “And who is this?”

Miss Han took the initiative to step forward, giving a graceful salute. Mrs. Han then introduced, “This is our youngest daughter, Yaxian. She’s here to show her respects to Madam.”

Mrs. Qiao was thrilled to have found a prospective daughter-in-law.

She understood her son well. Although he appeared reserved, he was warm-hearted. He needed a woman who was gentle, calm, and cultured to be his companion.

Mrs. Han noticed Mrs. Qiao’s gaze and saw her daughter’s satisfactory appearance. Her heart couldn’t help but skip a beat.

She had heard that the eldest son of the Qiao family, aged eighteen, was a renowned scholar in the capital and still unmarried…

Mrs. Han’s thoughts stopped there, and she dared not think further.

The Han family was far inferior to the Qiao family, and her husband’s reputation was not good. If Yaxian were to marry into such a prestigious family, she might suffer.

Meanwhile, although the other ladies dared not gossip openly, they exchanged knowing glances, speculating about Mrs. Qiao’s intentions.

At this moment, another announcement came from outside the door: “Mrs. Meng and Miss Meng have come to congratulate!”

Qiao Jiaojiao was still immersed in the grace of the beautiful sister-in-law and couldn’t help but get excited.

[The female lead! The female lead is here again!]

[Quick, let her see the elegance of my legitimate sister-in-law and let her know that the well-cultivated daughters of the official mansions are not inferior to time-traveling heroines!]

Mrs. Qiao’s eyebrows furrowed at this.

Her husband had already told her that the Meng family was considering a marriage alliance with their Qiao family. Moreover, this ten-year-old girl had grand ambitions and even set her sights on their eldest son!

She wanted to see what this girl, who had captured Jiaojiao’s attention, looked like.