Chapter 13

Aunt Liu carried Jiaojiao back to the backyard, where the banquets on both sides had already begun.

Mrs. Qiao excused herself from the table and temporarily retreated to give Jiaojiao a feeding.

Aunt Liu recounted the amusing incident of Jiaojiao wetting her pants in the front yard, which made Mrs. Qiao chuckle.

“Aunt Liu, not tomorrow, but tonight, our young miss wetting the Crown Prince’s clothes will probably spread throughout the capital!” Aunt Liu exclaimed.

Jiaojiao: (/ω＼)

Could this be the legendary “a pee that shakes the world”?

Inside the room, the atmosphere was warm, but then came a knock at the door.

“Mrs. Qiao, it’s me, Aunt Liu,” another maid’s voice sounded from outside.

“Aunt Liu, come in,” Aunt Liu responded in a low voice.

Aunt Liu pushed the door open, looking a bit anxious. “Mrs. Qiao, Mrs. Meng just came and said that Miss Meng left to change before the banquet started and hasn’t returned since.”

“She’s worried that Miss Meng might offend the distinguished guests in the front, and she’s getting a bit anxious now. She wants Mrs. Qiao to send a few people out to look for her.”

Jiaojiao, who was already half-dozing, was instantly jolted awake!

What! Meng Guxue is missing?

This is bad, she must have sneaked into the front yard quietly! She’s probably gazing affectionately at Prince Jing now!

This girl is really bold and reckless. If it weren’t for the protagonist’s halo, offending the Crown Prince and the princes would be enough to bring her trouble!

Mrs. Qiao, however, remained calm at the news and said lightly, “Send a few clever maids to look for her. With so many people in the mansion today, it’s probably going to take until the end of the banquet to find her, right?”

Aunt Liu’s eyes flashed slightly upon hearing this, immediately understanding.

“I understand, Mrs. Qiao.”

Mrs. Qiao nodded in satisfaction and added, “Don’t make a fuss. Today is Jiaojiao’s full moon banquet, and there must be no mistakes.”

Aunt Liu responded and left the room.

Jiaojiao looked at Mrs. Qiao with her bright eyes.

Why do I feel like there’s more to what Mother said?

Mrs. Qiao’s lips curled slightly as she whispered softly to Jiaojiao, “You must be tired today, my dear. Have a nap first.”

Jiaojiao was rocked gently, her eyelids soon starting to fight, and then she fell into a deep sleep.

Mrs. Qiao looked out of the window with a deep gaze, a hint of cunning flashing in her eyes.

In the backyard of the Qiao residence, there was a small garden built by her husband in his spare time. It had artificial hills and locust trees arranged according to military formations. Without guidance, it was not easy to find a way out.

If Miss Meng is so restless and wants to use the Qiao residence to climb up the ranks, let her stay there until the end of the banquet.

At this moment, in the small garden, Meng Guxue walked to the same intersection for the sixth time.

Looking at the familiar markings on the fake mountain wall, Meng Guxue completely broke down.

Damn it! What kind of place is this?

And she really needs to pee now!

The banquet had lasted for a whole hour, and Mrs. Meng was anxious, her mouth almost foaming.

Seeing that the guests were almost leaving, Mrs. Meng slumped in her seat, tears about to burst out.

At this moment, Aunt Liu hurriedly walked up to her and whispered in her ear, “Mrs. Meng, Miss Meng has been found. She just got lost in the backyard. It’s nothing serious.”

Mrs. Meng was startled, feeling like a drowning person was finally coming up for air.

“Quick, take me to see that dead girl!” Mrs. Meng didn’t care about her dignity anymore, gritting her teeth.

Upon seeing the disheveled Meng Guxue, Mrs. Meng wished she could slap her across the face.

But the first thing Meng Guxue said was, “Mother, have the Crown Prince and the others left?”

Mrs. Meng suddenly felt dizzy because Meng Guxue blurted it out in front of Mrs. Qiao’s senior maid. This… was truly unfortunate!

“You brat, come back with me now! For the next six months, you’re not allowed to step out of this house!” Mrs. Meng scolded angrily.

Aunt Liu pretended not to hear and wanted to follow, but Mrs. Meng felt too embarrassed and quickly motioned for her to stay as she dragged Meng Guxue away by the arm.

When Aunt Liu returned to report to Mrs. Qiao, her face instantly turned ice-cold.

“So, she really harbored such intentions,” Mrs. Qiao remarked.

After all the guests had left, the Duke of Yan arrived with a wooden box in hand.

Mrs. Qiao was overjoyed and greeted her father warmly. “Father! Why did you come so late?”

Although the Duke of Yan had some white hair, he was still robust and energetic.

He chuckled heartily. “My dear, you know I detest such occasions the most.”

Mrs. Qiao shook her head helplessly and quickly went to fetch Jiaojiao.

Jiaojiao, who was already half asleep, was fully awakened by the bumpy ride.

Mrs. Qiao stuffed Jiaojiao into her father’s arms. “Jiaojiao, say hello to your grandfather.”

Jiaojiao widened her eyes in astonishment.

“Wow, is this Grandfather? He looks so young, nothing like someone in their sixties!”

Mrs. Qiao smiled, but unfortunately, Father couldn’t hear Jiaojiao’s thoughts; otherwise, he’d be overjoyed.

The Duke of Yan held Jiaojiao affectionately and handed over the wooden box in his arms.

“Jing’er, take care of this for Jiaojiao. This will be her dowry in the future.”

Mrs. Qiao received the wooden box with curiosity, almost dropping it.

“It’s so heavy!?”

Opening the box, she couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise.

The box was filled with gold, including various longevity locks, bracelets, and even hairpins.

Mrs. Qiao was shocked. This must be worth a fortune!

“Father, this is too much, I can’t accept it.”

The Duke of Yan said sternly, “It’s not for you; it’s for Jiaojiao. Don’t refuse, it’s her grandmother’s intention.”

Mrs. Qiao was taken aback at his words. Her mother had been gone for over a decade.

The Duke of Yan teased Jiaojiao while speaking softly, “Your mother prepared this as soon as you were born, saying that she would have another daughter in the future.”

“Daughters will get married eventually, and the dowry must be generous. So it was prepared early, but who knew that it would take a full ten years for this pregnancy.”

Hearing this, Mrs. Qiao recalled her mother’s gentle and caring demeanor, feeling a sourness in her nose.

Jiaojiao saw Mrs. Qiao’s eyes turning red and couldn’t help but feel sorry for her.

“Mother must miss her own mother too. Grandmother must have been a very kind elder to think so far ahead for Mother. If she knew Mother was upset, I wonder how sad she would be.”

Mrs. Qiao was deeply moved by Jiaojiao’s words and almost shed tears.

If Mother knew how the Duke of Yan’s residence would be ruined by her elder brother and sister-in-law in the future, and how they would ruthlessly target the Qiao residence, how heartbroken would she be?

Thinking of this, Mrs. Qiao clenched her sleeves tightly, making a decision in her heart.

After Jiaojiao was carried away by Aunt Liu, Mrs. Qiao said solemnly, “Father, there’s something I need to tell you.”