Chapter 152

Tan Hanchi paused slightly, but then continued to walk away without hesitation.

Even if today’s events were reported to the Emperor, he would still be in the right!

The Qiao family’s secret guard sensed something was amiss the moment the Grand Princess appeared.

Now, seeing the Grand Princess approach Tan Hanchi, he knew he couldn’t wait any longer and hurriedly went to find Qiao Zhongguo.

After all, the Grand Princess was extremely noble, and he, as a secret guard, couldn’t make any rash decisions. Mishandling the situation could even threaten the entire Qiao residence!

The Grand Princess didn’t expect Tan Hanchi to ignore her words. Seeing him walk away faster, she bit her lip and shouted:

“Tan Xiuzhan, do you see me as a monster? Or do you not care about Miss Zuo from Duke Yan’s residence?”

Hearing this, Tan Hanchi abruptly turned around.

The Grand Princess saw him stop and clenched her fists, suddenly feeling a surge of anger.

So, Tan Hanchi does care for Zuo Anning!

---

At the front courtyard banquet, Qiao Zhongguo was chatting with the Crown Prince about the Western Prince’s progress in martial arts when a servant came to pour wine and lightly touched Qiao Zhongguo’s arm.

Qiao Zhongguo remained calm and said leisurely, “Jiaojiao is being a bit unruly; perhaps she wants to go to the rear courtyard.”

Qiao Jiaojiao, who was babbling with the Western Prince, was puzzled: ???

[No matter, if Father says I’m being unruly, then I am!]

Thinking this, Qiao Jiaojiao pretended to be impatient and started calling, “Mother! Mother!”

Qiao Zhongguo inwardly praised Jiaojiao for her cleverness and got up to coax her.

The Crown Prince, understandingly, waved his hand.

“Master Qiao, please go ahead. I am fine.”

Qiao Zhongguo bowed apologetically to the Crown Prince and carried Qiao Jiaojiao out.

As soon as they stepped into an empty spot in the inner courtyard, a shadowy figure immediately appeared before Qiao Zhongguo and whispered:

“General, Tan Xiuzhan was stopped by the Grand Princess on his way back from changing clothes!”

The guard quickly reported everything that had happened.

Qiao Zhongguo’s heart pounded in alarm, not expecting any issues with Tan Hanchi!

“Quick, let’s go!”

Qiao Zhongguo turned and strode towards the dressing quarters.

Hearing this, Qiao Jiaojiao’s expression also changed dramatically.

[Mother is cautious and arranged everything well in advance. The men’s dressing quarters are in the outer courtyard, and the women’s are in the inner courtyard, in completely opposite directions.]

[So, the Princess couldn’t have gone the wrong way. She must have deliberately gone to block Tan Hanchi!]

[Why would the Princess block Tan Hanchi?]

Qiao Jiaojiao’s eyes sparkled, her mind racing!

[Wait! Tan Hanchi is now a close attendant of the Emperor, no longer in his previous lowly state!]

[Could it be that the Grand Princess is interested in Tan Hanchi and, knowing he wouldn’t give up his career to become a consort, is scheming against him here at the Qiao residence?]

Thinking this, Qiao Jiaojiao felt a wave of disgust.

[These royals are really targeting our Qiao family, aren’t they? Scheming even at my brother’s wedding!]

[If something happens, it would ruin my brother’s wedding and make Emperor Yong blame our Qiao family!]

[This is infuriating!]

Qiao Jiaojiao puffed up her cheeks, thoroughly annoyed by those who continuously plotted against her family.

[Who knows what vile tricks the Grand Princess might use. No matter how clever Tan Hanchi is, he could still fall into a trap if he’s unprepared!]

[The Grand Princess might have been planning this for a long time…]

Her thoughts made Qiao Jiaojiao’s heart race with fear.

[Wait a minute! If the Grand Princess has been scheming for a while, she would definitely have had Tan Hanchi investigated and monitored! She might have even discovered the subtle relationship between Tan Hanchi and Cousin Anning!]

[No way! Cousin Anning cannot be involved in this! She was at the same banquet as the Grand Princess!]

“Sister! Sister!” Qiao Jiaojiao urgently tugged at Qiao Zhongguo’s sleeve.

A few days ago, Zuo Anning had stayed at the Qiao residence for a while, and it was during that time that Qiao Jiaojiao had learned to call her “sister.”

Hearing Qiao Jiaojiao’s call, Qiao Zhongguo was also alarmed.

Now, seeing Jiaojiao providing an excuse, he quickly went along with it, pretending to realize something.

“Ah, yes. We did plan to match Tan Hanchi with Anning, and now that Tan Hanchi is being schemed against, we don’t know if Anning is involved.”

“We can’t be careless. We must be cautious!”

So, Qiao Zhongguo instructed the accompanying secret guard, “Fifteen, you don’t need to follow me. Go to Madam and ask about Anning’s situation. If Anning has left the banquet, have Madam take her most trusted people to find her!”

Hearing this, Qiao Jiaojiao felt much more at ease.

[Father is indeed meticulous. If the Grand Princess is really plotting against Cousin Anning, she wouldn’t dare cause serious harm.]

[But the best way to harm a noblewoman is to ruin her reputation and virtue!]

[Only if Mother or Aunt Liu goes to find her can I be truly at ease!]

Qiao Zhongguo hurried to the dressing quarters, his face showing a mix of concern and anger.

The Grand Princess openly scheming against Tan Hanchi in the Qiao residence was a blatant disregard for him, Qiao Zhongguo!

If something disgraceful really happened, whether it ruined Tan Hanchi or harmed Anning, he would not let it go unpunished!

---

Meanwhile, when Tan Hanchi stopped walking, he immediately sensed something was wrong.

He hadn’t realized how much he cared for Miss Zuo until his reaction just now, which was almost instinctive.

Thinking it over, regardless of what the Grand Princess meant, the priority was to find Qiao Zhongguo and ensure Miss Zuo’s safety!

“Your Highness, I don’t understand what you’re saying. There’s no one else here, and it’s highly improper for us to be meeting like this. Please, Your Highness, do not come any closer.”

“I must take my leave!”

Tan Hanchi’s face was serious as he turned to leave.

The Grand Princess had imagined countless scenarios but never thought she couldn’t keep Tan Hanchi there.

Seeing her plan failing, she lifted her skirt and chased after him, grabbing his robe.

Tan Hanchi stiffened, his expression filled with disbelief.

He couldn’t believe the Grand Princess would go to such lengths, an act so disrespectful it trampled on the dignity of the royal family!

If he couldn’t figure out her intentions now, he wouldn’t be Tan Hanchi.

But he couldn’t understand why she would plot so deeply. Even if she succeeded today, did she not realize he would never be content, only disgusted by her?

The Grand Princess, having caught up, quickly took a pill from her sash and swallowed it, then said in a low voice:

“Tan Xiuzhan, I just want to ask you one question. You’re being so disrespectful—is it because of the favor my father shows you?”

Tan Hanchi didn’t turn around. He faintly smelled a strong, sweet fragrance, permeating the air around him…