Chapter 29

“Wife, why are you back so early?”

Mrs. Han was greatly surprised and immediately went to greet him.

Han Mingzhe was thirty-five years old this year, with a scholarly and elegant appearance, but he was slender and his cheeks were slightly sunken, making him look somewhat frail.

Usually, he would stay at the Ministry of Works until dinner time before returning home. Sometimes, if official matters were busy, he wouldn’t return home until late at night.

“Dad!” Xian’er also went up to meet him.

Han Mingzhe looked at Xian’er steadily, and the smile on his face became even brighter.

He had only one daughter in his life, and she was raised almost like a son, studying and behaving like one.

He never thought that having a daughter was a disadvantage. Just look at what Xian’er had just said. How many sons could be as insightful as her?

He was worried that his wife wouldn’t understand and accepted gifts from others. That’s why he hurried back from the Ministry of Works. He didn’t expect Xian’er to be so sensible, and he was relieved.

“Wife, just listen to Xian’er. From today onwards, the Han Mansion will refuse guests. Don’t get involved in those trivial matters. It’s more important to handle official business and do practical things!”

The news of the marriage between the Qiao and Han families quickly spread to the Meng family.

Ever since the Lantern Festival, Meng Guxue had been somewhat absent-minded.

Mrs. Meng thought that Meng Guxue was still thinking about Qiao Tianjing, so she immediately revealed this news to Meng Guxue, hoping that she would give up her unrealistic thoughts.

After hearing this news, Meng Guxue was stunned for a while.

She had been feeling uneasy lately because of another time traveler who was hiding his identity. She even had thoughts of retreat.

But at this moment, upon learning that Qiao Tianjing had someone else in his heart, Meng Guxue realized that good men were really becoming scarce.

No, she absolutely couldn’t settle for this. She couldn’t live aimlessly in this era, marrying and having children, leading an ordinary life that wasn’t worth mentioning!

In any case, she had to try her best at the poetry gathering in the capital in a month’s time. She wanted to make a name for herself and become a phoenix rising to fame!

Mrs. Meng looked at Meng Guxue, who suddenly transformed from a wilted eggplant into a radiant one, feeling a little bewildered.

Had this child finally come to her senses, or had she become even more eccentric?

—

Mrs. Qiao took Qiao Jiaojiao and made a special trip to the Duke of Yan’s residence.

Although the news of the marriage between the Qiao and Han families had already spread, Mrs. Qiao felt it was necessary to inform her father in person.

This time, she didn’t even present an invitation at the door, as it was just a routine visit.

When they arrived at the Duke of Yan’s residence, the steward hurriedly came to greet them, looking somewhat flustered.

Mrs. Qiao was observant and asked as she walked inside, “Xie Bo, is something wrong at the mansion?”

The steward wiped the sweat from his forehead and looked embarrassed. “Miss, it’s Madam. Madam is in a bad mood. Right now, she’s having a dispute with the master and the young master in the main hall.”

Upon hearing this, Qiao Jiaojiao immediately understood.

【Aunt must have heard the news of the marriage and isn’t happy about it!】

【She’d better not try to bully my mother later, or I’ll bite her! Ahh!】

Qiao Jiaojiao was now a little over five months old, and her lower front teeth were starting to emerge. She had been feeling uncomfortable lately, wanting to bite everything she saw!

Mrs. Qiao gently patted Qiao Jiaojiao and a hint of coldness appeared on her face.

Wasn’t the elder sister-in-law giving up yet? She actually caused trouble in front of Dad!

“Xie Bo, I’m not going anywhere else, just to the main hall. There are some things that can’t be explained clearly, and Dad might not be at ease.”

The steward was somewhat anxious, but having served in the Duke’s residence since childhood, he knew that the young lady always had her own ideas, and the master doted on her greatly. So he nodded.

As they approached the main hall door, they could hear Mrs. Zuo’s furious voice from inside.

” Zou Hejing go and ask your sister what she means by this! How can our Ning’er compare to the daughter of a Ministry of Works official?”

“I went to the Qiao Mansion last time out of kindness, and she embarrassed me, saying that the eldest son’s ideas were superior and not suitable for our Ning’er!”

“What’s more, is the daughter of the Han family suitable?”

“What is Qiao Zhongguo thinking? Han Mingzhe’s reputation in the capital is so bad. Isn’t he afraid of tarnishing the Qiao family’s reputation? He should at least consider our Duke of Yan’s residence!”

“I understand now. Your sister is not dissatisfied with Ning’er, but with me, her sister-in-law!”

“I already talked to Ning’er about it. She also really likes the eldest son. Now that the news is out, Ning’er has cried several times. What’s going on now!”

” Zou Hejing tell me, is there anyone who treats their sister like this!”

“Sister-in-law, if there’s anything on your mind, just talk to me directly instead of bringing it to Dad’s attention.”

The door creaked open, revealing Mrs. Qiao’s cold expression outside, still holding Qiao Jiaojiao with puffed cheeks.

【Oh, this is a classic case of engagement turning into enmity! My mother clearly rejected it last time, but it seems my aunt didn’t care at all!】

【And bringing up the matter of engagement in front of children before it’s settled shouldn’t be done. If Zuo Anning cried like that, maybe my aunt gave her some hope early on? Maybe even made some promises!】

“Jing’er!”

“Sister!”

Neither the Duke of Yan nor Zuo Hejing expected Mrs. Qiao to suddenly appear.

Mrs. Zuo had just fired off a barrage of words, but now she was taken aback when she saw Mrs. Qiao, and her momentum suddenly diminished.

However, as soon as she thought of Zuo Anning crying like a tearful person in the room, she couldn’t contain her anger.

Last time she boasted to her family that Qiao Zhongguo would definitely be her son-in-law.

Now that the news had reached her ears and her sisters-in-law didn’t know how to mock her!

No, today she must make Zuo Hejing cancel the engagement with the Han family!

“Sister, since you’re here, let’s speak frankly. Tell me, what’s wrong with our Ning’er? Why would you choose the daughter of a lowly Ministry of Works official over our Ning’er?”

The Duke of Yan was already somewhat displeased, but he didn’t want to step on Mrs. Zuo’s face, so he let her have her tantrum for a while.

Now seeing her go to question Mrs. Qiao again, the Duke of Yan immediately frowned.

However, before the Duke of Yan could speak, Mrs. Qiao had already stuffed Qiao Jiaojiao into his arms.

“Dad, don’t worry. Let me and big sister explain this matter.”

Qiao Jiaojiao nodded heavily.

【That’s right! Otherwise, who knows what kind of trouble might arise later. If it spreads all over the city and reaches big sister’s ears, it won’t be good!】

Mrs. Qiao also had this thought in mind, so she turned to Mrs. Zuo and said, “Sister-in-law, Ning’er has grown up under my care. She has a pure heart, gentle and upright. Naturally, she’s excellent.”

Mrs. Zuo raised her head at the words and immediately arrogantly said, “In that case, you should go and cancel the engagement with the Han family and let the eldest son marry our Ning’er!”

Qiao Jiaojiao:?

【Why is this aunt so shameless? Can’t she let my mother finish her words!】