Chapter 3

Qiao Tianjing, at the age of eighteen, took a completely different path from his father. He was a renowned scholar in the capital city and currently held the position of Assistant Minister of Revenue.

Qiao Tianjing’s attainment of this position was not unrelated to his father, but he was also diligent and had never made a mistake in his official duties.

At this moment, he wore a stern expression, exuding a kind of intimidating aura even when not angry.

Qiao Diyi, at the age of fifteen, followed the path of a military officer. He was currently training in the military camp and held a minor position.

This was specially instructed by Mr. Qiao. Qiao Diyi was full of youthful vigor and inevitably restless, so it was not suitable to give him a high position. He needed proper tempering!

At this moment, Qiao Diyi felt indescribable horror in his heart, but he usually listened to his eldest brother the most. Seeing his eldest brother’s serious expression now, he immediately kept silent.

Jiaojiao looked at the two motionless figures and couldn’t help but look puzzled.

“Why are my brothers suddenly staring at each other?”

From her perspective, she could only see their sharp chins.

When Qiao Tianjing heard this, his expression suddenly changed, and he affectionately touched Jiaojiao’s cheek.

“Little sister is so lovely; she looks just like Mother.”

Qiao Diyi also realized this and leaned down slightly, gazing steadily at Jiaojiao. Seeing her big, bright eyes, he found her truly adorable.

Jiaojiao looked at her two outstanding brothers and suddenly felt sorrowful.

“These two young gentlemen, with such bright futures, my eldest brother’s reputation in the official circles was ruined by schemers, and he was eventually dismembered by horses!”

“My second brother was ambushed on the battlefield, dying a hero’s death!”

“As for me, the youngest, I died unexpectedly at the age of three!”

“Ah! Why does heaven treat us like this? Clearly, we are a loyal and righteous family, yet we suffered a massacre, with our lineage cut off. It’s unfair!”

Qiao Tianjing and Qiao Diyi: !?!

What!?

My little sister died at the age of three!?

No, this was something they absolutely couldn’t accept!

Their parents had waited for more than ten years before they finally got their little sister!

At this moment, Qiao Tianjing and Qiao Diyi were not immediately shocked by their own fates, but were worried about Jiaojiao’s safety.

Just now, Jiaojiao hadn’t revealed her own fate. Now that Mr. and Mrs. Qiao knew that Jiaojiao was destined to die young, they felt like the world was spinning.

“No, I need to accumulate more merit! The more merit I accumulate, the more capital I’ll have to protect the Qiao family!”

Merit?

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Qiao immediately decided that starting tomorrow, she would accumulate merit and perform good deeds in Jiaojiao’s name, offering worship to the Buddha, no matter how much money it would cost!

After greeting so many people, Jiaojiao felt exhausted and also felt hungry, her stomach empty.

“Ah— I’m so hungry—”

She cried out like a kitten.

Mrs. Qiao heard this and immediately reached out, “Jiaojiao is getting fussy, probably hungry. Let me feed her, you all go out.”

Although ladies from wealthy families usually didn’t breastfeed their own children, Jiaojiao was their long-awaited darling for over a decade. Mrs. Qiao had long decided to personally take care of everything.

Seeing Dad about to leave, Jiaojiao was scared and screamed, “Dad! You mustn’t get drunk tonight!”

Qiao Zhongguo didn’t want Jiaojiao to think he could hear her thoughts, fearing it might make her feel constrained in the future, afraid to think freely.

So, as Jiaojiao had anticipated, he gently said, “My dear, you’ve just given birth and are still weak. Let me stay to take care of you tonight.”

Mrs. Qiao had her own plans. She nodded understandingly, “Husband, it’s inconvenient for a big man like you to stay here. You should stay in the study for a few nights.”

Ah! The wheels of fate were turning! Oh no, I’m really going to starve! Aunt Liu, you can’t leave!

Jiaojiao was busy, but when the milk reached her lips, her mind turned into mush, and she fell into a deep sleep after a few sips.

Seeing Jiaojiao already drifting off, Mrs. Qiao called Aunt Liu over and instructed her calmly, “Aunt Liu, you don’t need to serve tonight. Go outside the study and see if there are any maidservants with ulterior motives.”

Aunt Liu’s face changed drastically upon hearing this, “Madam, are you suggesting…?”

Mrs. Qiao remained calm, “In such a large mansion, there are bound to be some unsavory characters.”

“Aunt Liu, don’t make a big deal out of it, or it won’t look good on Master’s face. He knows my heart, after all.”

Aunt Liu solemnly agreed and hurried out.

On the other side, Qiao Zhongguo had already completed the study. He smiled and ordered the servants to bring two large jars of wine, declaring that he was in a good mood today and must get thoroughly drunk.

In the courtyard, under the moonlight, the two brothers faced each other with solemn expressions.

Qiao Diyi spoke first, “Brother, what’s going on? How can we hear Little Sister’s thoughts? And it seems like she can predict the future too!”

Qiao Tianjing appeared much calmer now. He paced slowly before turning to ask, “Second Brother, is she our sister?”

Qiao Diyi was slightly stunned by the question but quickly replied without hesitation, “Of course she is. She also came from Mother’s womb, just like us, so she’s our full sister!”

Qiao Tianjing nodded faintly, speaking calmly, “Isn’t that enough? Perhaps it’s because even heaven couldn’t bear to see our Qiao family, loyal to the country, meet such tragic ends. So, they sent Little Sister to save us.”

“Second Brother, I carefully observed Father and Mother’s expressions today. It seems they can’t hear Little Sister’s thoughts. Therefore, you and I know about this, but it must not be spread.”

“Otherwise, it will surely bring disaster upon her and calamity upon our Qiao family!”

Qiao Diyi understood his elder brother’s intentions and nodded solemnly.

“You can rest assured, Brother. I understand. From now on, I’ll protect our little sister with my life.”

—

Jiaojiao woke up several times during the night, vaguely hearing Aunt Liu’s voice.

“Madam, you guessed right! Oh my heavens, I saw that little vixen with my own eyes…”

“…Suddenly screamed in the room, and was dragged out by Master himself. Now there’s a big commotion in the front yard…”

Jiaojiao couldn’t keep up with her thoughts and muttered before falling asleep again.

The next day, when she opened her eyes, it was already bright outside.

Jiaojiao felt someone gently shaking her. Soon, her father’s handsome face, with a hint of stubble, came into view.

Ah! Dad looks even more handsome in the daylight!

Qiao Zhongguo slowly lowered his head and saw Jiaojiao looking at him with wide eyes, softening his expression instantly.

At that moment, a desperate plea came from nearby.

“Master, please spare Liu’er! Considering the thirty-plus years of service Liu’er and Hua Da have rendered in the mansion, spare her, Master!”

“She was just being foolish. I’ll take her home and discipline her properly. I won’t let her embarrass herself again!”

“Master, have mercy! Master, have mercy!”