Chapter 157

Zuo Anning listened to Aunt Zhu recounting everything that had just happened, and couldn’t help but blush.

After all, when she entered this locust tree grove just now, she was prepared for the worst.

Mrs. Qiao and Jiaojiao were indeed smart, immediately discerning Zuo Anning’s intentions.

Anning knew about this locust tree formation, where ordinary people couldn’t find a way out.

So when she entered with Aunt Zhu, she didn’t even think that Aunt Zhu could come out to get reinforcements for her.

When the banquet ended, as an aunt, Mrs. Qiao would naturally notice Anning’s absence. After a search, she would definitely be able to rescue Aunt Zhu.

As for Anning, because she couldn’t find relief, she didn’t care about the consequences of the potent medicine on her.

Thinking of this, Mrs. Qiao felt both pained and anxious, unable to help but speak, “Anning! You silly child, you… you…”

Zuo Anning knew that Mrs. Qiao had seen through her thoughts and could only tightly grasp Mrs. Qiao’s hand, her voice choked with emotion as she said, “Aunt, since that person wants to plot against Anning, she will definitely bring someone to witness Anning’s loss of composure. With good intentions or not, besides this locust tree formation in the backyard, there is no safe place.”

“Anning may not care about her reputation and face, but she cannot disregard her grandfather.”

“A while ago, the matter of my parents’ separation had already caused a sensation. If Anning were to disgrace herself today, her grandfather’s lifelong reputation would be ruined because of Anning.”

“Aunt, Grandfather has been too good to Anning. Anning feels guilty…”

Zuo Anning suddenly lowered her head, tears falling one by one.

The incident where she discovered Mrs. Zuo and Li Xusheng’s affair had caused her irreparable harm.

How could she, as a daughter, feel at ease when her mother was guilty of wrongdoing against her grandfather?

“And Aunt and Uncle, and Cousin. Aunt, today is Cousin’s wedding day with Yaxian. How can Anning ruin this day…”

“If I disgrace myself in public, it will also harm the Qiao Family and make Cousin and Yaxian the laughingstock of the capital. Aunt, I can’t, I can’t be so selfish and incompetent.”

Mrs. Qiao couldn’t help but feel heartbroken when she heard this, tears streaming down her face.

“You foolish child, so you brought Aunt Zhu here to hide in this locust tree formation, even if it meant enduring the harm of the medicine, or even… risking your life?”

Zuo Anning nodded gently, without saying anything else.

Jiaojiao also felt heartache for Zuo Anning. Seeing her nod silently, she couldn’t help but tear up too.

[Anning cousin… sigh…]

[It’s okay, it’s okay, today’s tribulation has passed, and the days ahead will be joyful!]

[As for that Grand Princess…]

Jiaojiao’s expression darkened.

[A person who accumulates virtue and does good deeds can often hold onto a kind heart, but being kind to bad people is foolishness! The Grand Princess has done many unrighteous things, so don’t blame us for fighting back fiercely!]

Mrs. Qiao couldn’t bear to say anything more to Zuo Anning. This child was too sensible and too heart-wrenching.

“Come, put this on. Aunt will take you back to the room.”

Mrs. Qiao said gently, draping a thin cloak over Zuo Anning and escorting her out of the artificial mountain.

Qiao Zhongguo glanced back at the path they had come from, and Jiaojiao staggered over to him, only to be picked up by him.

After escorting Mrs. Qiao and the others back to the main house, Qiao Zhongguo hurriedly went to the front yard.

The play in the front yard should be starting soon, right?

After Zuo Anning’s face was cleaned, her mood gradually calmed down.

She smiled and urged Mrs. Qiao, “Aunt, today is Cousin’s wedding day. You can’t leave the seat for too long. Go back quickly. Anning is fine now.”

Mrs. Qiao looked at her tenderly, feeling a bit bitter in her heart, but still nodded gently.

“Alright, Anning, you rest well. After the banquet disperses, Aunt will come to see you.”

Zuo Anning immediately nodded.

At the moment Mrs. Qiao turned around, her expression immediately turned cold, delicate features frosting over with frost.

Fine, thieves had reached into her Qiao Family’s backyard! She wanted to see how the thief would escape unscathed today!

Leaning against the door frame, Zuo Anning watched as Mrs. Qiao left the main courtyard. At this moment, Aunt Zhu approached with a handkerchief in hand.

“Miss, there’s still a wound on your shoulder, it needs to be cleaned first. I’ll go find someone for medicine later.”

Zuo Anning gently shook her head, “Aunt Zhu, it’s alright, it’s just a minor injury.”

Aunt Zhu immediately said with distress, “Miss, I can see that it’s bleeding, how can it be a minor injury! Those heartless people actually targeted you, what exactly is the reason!”

“Fortunately, Miss and Master arrived in time and rescued you—”

Aunt Zhu stopped abruptly, suddenly realizing.

“Huh? Miss, I didn’t see Young Miss give you any antidote earlier, how did you suddenly get better?”

Zuo Anning’s expression moved slightly.

She knew why she had gotten better—it was her cousin Jiaojiao…

It seemed that Aunt and Uncle weren’t surprised just now, they must have known about Jiaojiao’s extraordinary abilities, right?

It was great, her cousin Jiaojiao was so powerful, she felt very relieved.

Seeing Aunt Zhu still looking at her with doubt, Zuo Anning gently shook her head, “Perhaps the effect of the medicine has passed…”

Even though Aunt Zhu treated her like her own daughter, such mysterious matters could not be disclosed.

The fewer people who knew, the better protection for her cousin Jiaojiao.

---

When Qiao Zhongguo returned to the front yard with Jiaojiao in his arms, he did not see the Crown Prince’s figure.

The Second Prince was obediently sitting there, and even Tan Hanchi had returned.

Qiao Zhongguo glanced at Tan Hanchi from afar, seeing him staring intently at himself, he nodded slightly.

Seeing this, Tan Hanchi’s hand holding the wine glass suddenly relaxed, finally feeling relieved.

Great, Miss Zuo is okay…

The Second Prince saw Qiao Zhongguo returning with Jiaojiao in his arms again, and couldn’t help but walk over with a surprised expression.

“Teacher—Lord Qiao, didn’t you send someone to pass the message to the Crown Prince just now? And why did Miss Qiao not return to the backyard?”

Qiao Zhongguo, accustomed to raising his hand to rub the Second Prince’s head, suddenly realized the current situation and stopped his hand.

“Your Highness, I didn’t meet the Crown Prince just now and now I’m going to find him. You sit here obediently, don’t wander around.”

Qiao Zhongguo said and then turned and left.

Seeing this, the Second Prince’s eyes flashed slightly, knowing that something had happened today.

What exactly happened that even Master specifically went to find the Crown Prince?

He believed that Master wouldn’t harm the Crown Prince. In this way, it must be that they needed the Crown Prince’s identity?

Now, who in the Qiao Family needs the Crown Prince to suppress them?

Thinking of this, a trace of understanding flashed across the adorable face of the Second Prince.

Was it Elder Sister?