Chapter 22

Qiao Jiaojiao couldn’t help but twist her body with embarrassment, her face flushed.

There was no way she could speak, so she could only resort to this clumsy method.

Just wait a little longer, when she can speak, things will be much easier to handle!

Qiao Tianjing was also feeling a bit anxious now. People from the northern region had actually infiltrated the capital!

It seemed that some things couldn’t be hidden from Father anymore, otherwise, it would be too late to correct the mistake!

Thinking of this, Qiao Tianjing truly felt a sense of urgency.

However, what he didn’t know was that Qiao Zhongguo could also hear Qiao Jiaojiao’s thoughts, and he had already planted his spies by the second prince’s side since Qiao Jiaojiao’s full moon celebration.

At this moment, Qiao Zhongguo, who was far away in the Qiao Residence, had already received the news!

Seeing her husband getting dressed to go out, Mrs. Qiao couldn’t help but look puzzled, “Husband, are you going out?”

Worried that Mrs. Qiao might be concerned, Qiao Zhongguo replied with a relaxed smile, “Eldest and second young masters have been out with Jiaojiao for a while, I’m going to pick them up.”

Mrs. Qiao chuckled, “You really worry about them, then go and come back quickly!”

To be honest, she was also a little worried.

Qiao Zhongguo smiled and agreed, then led a few trusted subordinates towards Putian Street.

At this moment, Qiao Diyi was anxious to take Qiao Jiaojiao home, afraid that she might catch a cold with wet pants, and at the same time, he wanted to quickly take the Crown Prince and the Western Prince away from this dangerous place.

He had martial skills and wasn’t afraid of people from the north, but the Crown Prince was the foundation of the stability of the country and must not be endangered!

At this critical moment, Qiao Diyi’s mind was still clear.

He deliberately exposed Qiao Jiaojiao’s wet clothes and smiled, “It seems that little sister wants to go home.”

The Crown Prince smiled knowingly and nodded.

“It’s time to go.”

Otherwise, the Queen Mother would worry about him and Little Xi.

The leader of the opposing side had already appeared, and the crowd gradually dispersed, continuing to stroll the streets and enjoy the lanterns.

Qiao Tianjing and Qiao Diyi felt slightly relieved when they saw this, and they were about to leave when suddenly a loud shout came from somewhere on the street:

“The Crown Prince! That’s the Crown Prince!”

With this statement, there was a moment of silence on the street, and the next moment, several arrows whistled through the air!

“Protect the Crown Prince!”

The imperial guards immediately drew their soft swords from their waists and surrounded the Crown Prince and Qiao Jiaojiao in the middle.

Qiao Jiaojiao was at a loss.

[Why is the situation not following the script again?]

Qiao Diyi’s expression was extremely cold. He firmly held Qiao Jiaojiao in his arms, tense and ready to act.

The sound of footsteps echoed, followed by screams and chaotic fleeing sounds. The once lively Putian Street was instantly in chaos!

Qiao Jiaojiao was held in Qiao Diyi’s arms, still able to remain calm.

Her eyes were deep as she analyzed in her mind:

[The exclamation just now sounded too strange, as if deliberately calling out the Crown Prince’s identity!]

[Could it be that the person who shouted already knew that there were northern people lurking around, so they deliberately spoke out, hoping to use the northern people to eliminate the Crown Prince?]

[Who around here would have such intentions? The answer is about to be revealed!]

Qiao Jiaojiao couldn’t help but look towards the Zhucui Pavilion on the other side.

[Is the male lead already unable to control his temper?]

The top floor of the Zhucui Pavilion was an elegant box, and at this time, the Second Prince, Shen Yuanbai, sat at the table with an extremely gloomy expression.

“Uncle Zhou, who allowed you to act on your own!”

His eyes were full of suppressed anger.

Kneeling in front of him was an old servant with a bent figure, his head full of silver hair, looking extremely old.

His face was full of fear, but there was also a hint of unrestrained delight that he couldn’t hide.

“Young master, there are quite a few people from the northern region here this time. The Crown Prince and the Western Prince are downstairs, accompanied by only twelve covert guards. Perhaps we can really take care of them here!”

“As long as the Crown Prince and the Western Prince die, you will be the most legitimate heir to the throne! By then, you can avenge the princess!”

Upon hearing this, Shen Yuanbai couldn’t contain his anger and stood up abruptly. “Uncle Zhou, I know you are wholeheartedly seeking revenge for my mother, but have you ever thought that this is beneath the imperial city? Reinforcements will arrive soon.”

“Once these northern people are captured and if they confess their purpose, will Father spare me?”

“Even if these northern people manage to escape unscathed, the teahouses and taverns in the Western District will be thoroughly investigated. Do you think the Zhucui Pavilion can escape?”

Uncle Zhou’s face turned pale at this point.

Thinking about how the young master had been planning since childhood, and how today he finally had the splendid Zhucui Pavilion, he realized how foolish he had been.

“I… Young master, I didn’t think about all this, I thought you—”

Shen Yuanbai’s expression turned cold. “You thought that because the Crown Prince treated me kindly, I would forget the grudge of matricide and be forced by this? Is that so?”

Uncle Zhou trembled all over, repeatedly kowtowing on the ground, “Young master, the servant dare not! The servant’s only intention is for you, the servant just doesn’t want you to miss this great opportunity!”

Watching Uncle Zhou, whose forehead was already bleeding from knocking on the ground, Shen Yuanbai’s expression was stunned, and finally he slowly sat back down, with deep fatigue evident in his brows.

“Uncle Zhou, that’s enough, I know you mean well.”

“But this move is indeed a desperate one. Now we can only take drastic measures and abandon the Zhucui Pavilion.”

Uncle Zhou felt regret in his heart upon hearing this.

He still harbored a glimmer of hope, “Young master, let’s take another look. Perhaps these northern assassins have special methods.”

Shen Yuanbai shook his head, coldly saying, “Uncle Zhou, never place your hopes of success on others.”

As Shen Yuanbai’s words fell, suddenly the sound of hooves came from afar. Uncle Zhou peeked out and instantly turned pale.

“Qiao Zhongguo! It’s Qiao Zhongguo!”

Shen Yuanbai closed his eyes resignedly upon hearing this.

Qiao Zhongguo was once the bravest and most skilled general in the Great Yong Dynasty, and now his sword was still sharp. These northern assassins wouldn’t last more than a few moves under his command.

He stood up abruptly, his voice cold and decisive.

“Spread the word, retreat immediately, and take all the confidential documents with us, leaving behind not even a shred of paper!”

Uncle Zhou collapsed to the ground upon hearing this, regret overwhelming him.

Before leaving, Shen Yuanbai glanced at Qiao Zhongguo, who was approaching on horseback.

Qiao Zhongguo came too fast…

For some reason, everything seemed to have gone downhill since a few months ago.

Today, he clearly had a premonition of meeting the fated one, but that person still didn’t appear in the end.

Where did things go wrong? Could it be that even the heavens were unwilling to help him?

Shen Yuanbai’s expression was bewildered, tinged with a hint of confusion. In the end, he could only leave with a heart full of unwillingness.

Feeling the cold spreading to her legs through her wet pants, Qiao Jiaojiao’s whole body felt numb.

The attacks from the northern assassins were extremely fierce, almost suicidal.

The Crown Prince frowned, but his expression remained unchanged.

At this moment, even the usually foolish and innocent girl stood beside the Crown Prince with a serious face, exceptionally calm and silent.

Qiao Jiaojiao finally realized that these princes and the Crown Prince were not simple at all!

Watching three more guards fall, Qiao Diyi’s eyes became fierce.

These northern assassins were ruthless, clearly aiming for death!

Seeing the northern assassins in the back row pulling their bows and arrows, Qiao Diyi shouted loudly:

“Be careful, the arrows are poisoned!”

Just then, the sound of hoofbeats came from the distance. Everyone looked up and saw Qiao Zhongguo leading several men on horseback, especially those conspicuous under the streetlights!

Qiao Jiaojiao rejoiced when she saw this, crying out joyfully.

[Father! Father has come!]

[Sob, sob, sob, my father is truly the invincible hero of the world!]