Chapter 17

Soon it was the Lantern Festival on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.

Early in the morning after breakfast, Mr. Qiao began subtly urging Qiao Tianjing to go out with various excuses.

Today was the last day of rest before returning to work. Giving him some uplifting news would help him feel more motivated to attend court tomorrow!

Qiao Tianjing seemed a bit out of sorts today, with dark circles under his eyes, looking somewhat lethargic.

He had definitely fallen under his little sister’s spell!

The closer it got to the Lantern Festival, the more she would incessantly talk about Miss Han from the Han family. Even he was inexplicably nervous, tossing and turning until the wee hours of the morning before finally falling asleep.

Qiao Jiaojiao could now eat some watery rice porridge. Seeing her father urging her eldest brother to go out, she couldn’t help but wonder.

“Why go out today when it’s supposed to be a rest day? It’s so cold outside, why is Dad asking Big Brother to go out?”

“I think Big Brother should rest up and gather his strength! Tonight, during the Lantern Festival, he’ll have the chance to be a hero and save the beauty!”

Mr. Qiao suddenly realized that they had to wait until the evening to save the prospective daughter-in-law.

Oh, dear daughter, please share more details, like which street and which corner Big Brother should take to rescue your sister-in-law perfectly!

Qiao Tianjing breathed a sigh of relief when he heard this. So it was in the evening after all. He would indeed take a good nap in the afternoon.

At this moment, Qiao Jiaojiao’s eyes lit up eagerly.

“What should I do? I really want to go too! I want to witness the birth of a romance and see the female lead show off!”

“Tonight’s Lantern Festival will be lively! There seems to be a grand matchmaking event at one of the buildings, and the female lead will shine brightly. And the male lead just happens to see her at her shining moment!”

“I really want to join in the fun! Can Big Brother and Second Brother take me? Ahhh! I hate that I can’t speak!”

Qiao Jiaojiao exclaimed excitedly, accidentally knocking over the bowl of porridge that Mrs. Qiao handed her.

Qiao Jiaojiao: “…”

“Sob, Mom, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be naughty. I also want to go to the lantern festival! I really want to go!”

Mrs. Qiao was not angry. She patiently wiped Qiao Jiaojiao’s dirty arm and gently kissed her forehead, already considering the feasibility of letting Qiao Jiaojiao go out.

She was reluctant to restrain Jiaojiao, especially since her desire to go out was so strong.

The eldest son had to save Miss Han, and he might not have time to take care of Jiaojiao.

The second son had not yet settled down and was too rough. What if he accidentally hurt Jiaojiao?

Then, why not let her husband—

“Mom, little sister is a bit older now. Can I take her out tonight?”

After weighing the pros and cons, Mr. Qiao was pleasantly surprised to find that he was the best candidate to take Jiaojiao out!

Reliable, gentle, capable of taking care of people, and skilled in martial arts!

Qiao Jiaojiao, upon hearing this, excitedly pointed her chubby little finger at Qiao Diyi and exclaimed!

“Second Brother! Second Brother! You’re handsome and loving. With your help, I’m about to see a world I’ve never seen before! Please continue to radiate your charming charm and take me out!”

Mr. Qiao frowned suddenly. Why did this little brat deserve so much praise from Jiaojiao?

But Qiao Diyi was clearly elated.

Look at how dazzling I am in my little sister’s eyes. How could I let her down?

So he stood up abruptly, solemnly declaring, “Mom, Dad, rest assured, I guarantee with my life that I will take good care of my little sister!”

Qiao Tianjing also couldn’t bear to disappoint Qiao Jiaojiao, so he added, “Mom, Dad, I’ll take care of my little sister together with Second Brother.”

Qiao Jiaojiao looked at Qiao Tianjing with excitement again.

“Ahh! Big Brother’s assistance!”

Qiao Zhongguo looked towards his wife, his eyes carrying a plea for her to make the final decision on this matter. After all, it needed her definitive word.

Qiao Jiaojiao quickly scanned the room and immediately turned to butter up the ultimate decision-maker in the house.

With her little bottom wiggling, she struggled to wriggle into Mrs. Qiao’s arms, her big eyes glistening with moisture as she looked up at her.

“Ah, ah, ah, Mother, the most beautiful and kind-hearted in the world, please agree to let me go! This adorable daughter of yours is begging you. Aren’t you moved at all?”

“There’s no one in the world as good as Mom, and children with mothers are like treasures.”

Seeing Qiao Jiaojiao flatter so much, Mrs. Qiao couldn’t help but laugh.

She hugged her daughter and said, “Alright, alright, you can go. It’ll give me a break too.”

“Wow, a ray of light suddenly flashed into my eyes! Is it the sunlight? No, it’s the radiant light of motherhood!”

Mrs. Qiao: *chuckles*

What a little imp!

“Second, make sure to take good care of your sister and don’t let her get hurt.” Mrs. Qiao instructed with concern.

Qiao Diyi immediately promised.

As night fell, the noise outside the mansion could be heard faintly.

Qiao Jiaojiao was wrapped up from head to toe, wearing a tiger-head hat, tiger-head shoes, and a red fox cloak. She sat there like a little Buddha by her mother’s side.

Mrs. Qiao couldn’t resist leaving a few fragrant kisses on Qiao Jiaojiao’s face.

Qiao Jiaojiao burst into laughter.

Qiao Diyi came in and took Qiao Jiaojiao away, holding her affectionately. He patted her gently, “Little sister, Second Brother will take you out to play!”

“Let’s go play!”

Mrs. Qiao watched as the two of them, one big and one small, walked briskly out the door, feeling both joy and worry.

In the front yard, Qiao Jiaojiao saw her eldest brother dressed in white, standing under a pine tree, looking picturesque and cheerful.

Qiao Jiaojiao immediately exclaimed in excitement.

“That’s right, that’s right! Just like this, don’t dazzle Sister-in-law to death, hahaha!”

Qiao Tianjing shivered slightly all over, immediately turning away, his face flushed.

That little sister of his, really…

Qiao Diyi just chuckled on the side, enjoying the scene.

The three siblings boarded the carriage that had been prepared early on. The carriage was warm and cozy, with some soft and chewy sweets laid out inside.

Aunt Liu sat in the carriage behind, following along just in case Qiao Jiaojiao needed to pee or change clothes.

The lantern festival was arranged on Putian Street, the largest street in the capital. When they arrived at the entrance of the street, the carriage was not allowed to enter.

Qiao Tianjing instructed Aunt Liu to wait here, and he and Qiao Diyi walked in with Qiao Jiaojiao in his arms.

Qiao Jiaojiao was warm all over as she got out of the carriage, feeling like a bird released from its cage. With her lively eyes darting around, she exclaimed in excitement.

“Wow, is this the grand scene of the Tang Dynasty described in books? It’s so lively! It feels like everything is peaceful and prosperous here!”

“Sob, thinking about this grand scene, which has a part of the Qiao family’s contribution to it, suddenly makes me feel proud!”

Qiao Tianjing and Qiao Diyi couldn’t help but puff out their chests at these words.

During the struggles with the Northern Kingdom, the Qiao family’s army was the most feared on the battlefield!

“Ah, that little axe lantern is too cute! I want it!”

Qiao Jiaojiao’s thoughts jumped quickly. Her eyes rolled, and she immediately spotted a prominent tiger lantern in the distance.

Following Qiao Jiaojiao’s gaze, Qiao Tianjing saw an unexpected figure.