Chapter 154

“Minister Qiao Zhongguo greets the Grand Princess!”

Qiao Zhongguo didn’t dare to delay for even a moment. He roared out a greeting with the same vigor he used to curse enemies on the battlefield.

Qiao Jiaojiao, standing close by, felt a sharp pain in her ears, and her head buzzed loudly.

[“Oh… oh dear, there are so many little bees flying around!”]

The Grand Princess, already guilty and uneasy, was caught completely off guard by the loud shout. Hearing Qiao Zhongguo’s name, she trembled and instinctively took several steps back.

The only one unaffected was Tan Hanchi.

His eyes were bloodshot, overflowing with desire, having lost all rationality.

Qiao Zhongguo rushed over in a few strides. Seeing Tan Hanchi’s crazed state, he knew instantly that he had fallen victim to something.

Shaking his head, Qiao Zhongguo thought, [“Tan, no matter how smart you are, you’re still too inexperienced!”]

[“I’ve been through so much, I would never fall for such a trick!”]

Just as this thought crossed his mind, a sweet, cloying scent wafted over.

Huh? What’s this smell?

Wait, my head feels a bit dizzy…

Qiao Zhongguo’s heart pounded as he looked down at the Grand Princess on the ground.

The Grand Princess hadn’t expected Qiao Zhongguo to suddenly appear and was now scared out of her wits.

The effects of the attracting pill hadn’t worn off yet. If Qiao Zhongguo were also affected, this would become an utter mess!

Qiao Zhongguo felt a rush of heat gather in his lower abdomen. Having fathered three children, he knew exactly what this reaction was!

In that moment, Qiao Zhongguo finally understood.

No wonder Tan Hanchi was affected. What kind of drug is this that doesn’t need to be ingested or touched but can influence someone just through its scent!

“Grand Princess, this is the outer courtyard. Why are you here?”

“Where are your attendants? Why aren’t they with you? Those wretched servants, don’t they know how easily you could be encountered by male guests out here!”

Qiao Zhongguo felt unbearably hot, but he rasped out his questions and placed his hat on the Grand Princess’s head.

This was clearly the outer courtyard, with Qiao family servants stationed everywhere. The Grand Princess couldn’t have wandered here by accident!

Moreover, how could the Grand Princess be without any attendants unless she had dismissed them herself?

Even if this were reported to the emperor, it wouldn’t be Tan Hanchi’s fault for encountering the Grand Princess here!

As soon as Qiao Zhongguo finished speaking, Tan Hanchi, again uncontrollably, reached out towards the princess.

Qiao Jiaojiao, sitting in Qiao Zhongguo’s arm, felt the scorching heat of his arm and was alarmed.

[“What? My father is affected too!”]

[“How does this work!?”]

Qiao Jiaojiao turned to look at the panicked Grand Princess on the ground and suddenly smelled a pungent stench.

She wrinkled her nose in disgust.

[“Ew! What’s that smell? It’s awful!”]

Awful smell?

Qiao Zhongguo, using his other strong arm to hold Tan Hanchi back, heard Jiaojiao mention the smell and looked at his daughter in surprise.

In that instant, he seemed to see a golden light flash over Jiaojiao’s body, but he couldn’t be sure.

There was no time to think. Even his internal energy was struggling to suppress the overwhelming desire.

“Grand Princess, I will immediately have someone escort you back to the inner courtyard. You must be careful, and those lazy servants should indeed be taught a lesson!”

Qiao Zhongguo urgently muttered something, then grabbed Tan Hanchi’s clothes and dragged him away!

Tan Hanchi struggled uncontrollably, but Qiao Zhongguo only quickened his pace.

Seeing Tan Hanchi being dragged away, the Grand Princess hurriedly got up, but she didn’t dare to reveal her intentions in front of Qiao Zhongguo and could only grit her teeth in frustration.

Qiao Zhongguo had already walked quite a distance away, and only then, when the sickly sweet smell completely dissipated from his surroundings, did he feel a jolt of clarity!

However, Tan Hanchi seemed to have inhaled too much of it; even after being removed from its influence, he remained agitated.

Qiao Zhongguo, knowing the area well, led them to a courtyard. In the bright moonlight, a pond could be seen.

Without hesitation, Qiao Zhongguo tossed Tan Hanchi into the water.

Splash!

Water splashed onto the bank, leaving Qiao Jiaojiao dumbfounded.

[“Dad, that’s quite rough and wild!”]

[“Thank goodness, disaster avoided!”]

[“What kind of trick did the Grand Princess use? How did Tan Hanchi lose his mind completely? Even Dad almost fell for it!”]

Qiao Zhongguo also felt a shiver down his spine!

Though he didn’t know what kind of drug it was, he was certain that it originated from the Grand Princess!

For the Grand Princess to plot against Tan Hanchi like this, she was truly ruthless!

This matter couldn’t be let go! Qiao Zhongguo couldn’t swallow this indignation!

Tan Hanchi struggled in the pond, the cold water rushing into his mouth and nose. With a sudden shiver, he slowly began to shake off the effects of the drug.

“Tan, are you awake?”

Qiao Zhongguo stood at the bank, looking down at him.

When Tan Hanchi heard the voice, he turned abruptly in the water. Seeing Qiao Zhongguo, his memory gradually returned.

Qiao Jiaojiao saw Tan Hanchi in the moonlight, his figure disheveled, his face pale, and an intense gloominess between his brows.

[“He’s angry! Tan Hanchi is angry!”]

[“He’s really going to get a lesson this time. Whether it’s Tan Hanchi or our Qiao family, we really can’t let our guard down!”]

[“Damn it, why are their methods so endless!”]

Tan Hanchi swam to the shore, but before he could climb out, his expression suddenly froze, and he looked up, asking urgently:

“Lord Qiao! What about Miss Zuo? How is Miss Zuo?”

Hearing Tan Hanchi suddenly mention Zuo Anning, Qiao Jiaojiao’s heart skipped a beat!

[“Did the Grand Princess and Tan Hanchi talk about something? Otherwise, why would he suddenly ask about Anning cousin?”]

Tan Hanchi couldn’t afford to waste time. His expression was extremely grave as he urgently said, “The Grand Princess mentioned Miss Zuo earlier! I’m fine, Lord Qiao, you must go and check on Miss Zuo!”

Qiao Jiaojiao couldn’t wait any longer and quickly grabbed Qiao Zhongguo’s clothes.

[“Dad, hurry! Let’s go to the inner courtyard!”]

Qiao Zhongguo turned and walked away, his voice cold: “Tan, go and change your clothes by yourself. Don’t show any signs of abnormality. This matter isn’t over!”

Qiao Jiaojiao’s heart was in turmoil.

[“In this world, it’s much stricter on women than men! If something happened to Anning cousin, and the Grand Princess used such despicable means, it would really be her life at stake!”]

[“No, just in case, I’ll check the Merit Mall to see if there’s anything useful!”]

Qiao Zhongguo held Qiao Jiaojiao steady and headed towards the inner courtyard with a stern face.

Qiao Jiaojiao called up the Merit Mall, showing 145 points in the top right corner.

Qiao Jiaojiao wasn’t surprised anymore. These merit points would inexplicably increase from time to time, and she had no idea where they came from.

After careful consideration, she realized it might be due to the butterfly effect. By subtly altering certain people’s destinies, the positive changes reflected in her merit points.