Chapter 42

After a while, Han Yaxian had already suppressed her shyness. Her expression was serious as she nodded gently.

“Since you trust me so, I’ll give it a try,” she said.

Qiao Tianjing got the confirmation he needed, feeling grateful to Han Yaxian.

“Then let’s meet at the willow tree by the Eastern Three Pavilion, okay?”

“Good.”

Han Yaxian nodded again, and silence fell between them.

Qiao Tianjing felt as if he could hear his own rapid heartbeat again. Suddenly, he blurted out foolishly, “That hairpin suits you very well.”

Han Yaxian instinctively raised her hand and touched the hairpin in her hair.

In the next moment, both of them blushed and turned away.

“Well… That settles it then,” Qiao Tianjing said awkwardly.

“Mm,” Han Yaxian responded promptly.

Qiao Tianjing couldn’t stay any longer. He hurriedly walked away, his neck flushed red.

That hairpin was carefully chosen by him.

It was the first time in his life that he had chosen a gift for a woman, selecting it meticulously with great care.

He had placed the hairpin in the betrothal gift sent to the Han family, never expecting Han Yaxian to pick it out and wear it on her head today.

The feeling was indescribable, as if his carefully prepared intentions were cherished. His heart felt sweet, and his steps unconsciously became lighter.

Han Yaxian heard the footsteps retreating behind her and couldn’t help but sneak a glance back, her heart pounding.

This fool.

Who would include a bamboo-shaped hairpin with engraved characters in a betrothal gift? It was obviously his doing.

Miss Han couldn’t help but touch the hairpin on her head, feeling a sweet and indescribable happiness.

————

Qiao Jiaojiao slept deeply for a while. When she woke up, she felt incredibly refreshed.

Aunt Liu attentively wiped Qiao Jiaojiao’s face and tidied up her hair into two cute little buns before sending her into the arms of Qiao Diyi.

“Younger brother, we still have half an hour before the afternoon poetry gathering. How about taking a stroll by the riverbank?” Qiao Tianjing casually suggested, exchanging a glance with Qiao Diyi discreetly.

Qiao Diyi understood the signal. “Bringing Brother Shen along would be even better!”

The two brothers, with Qiao Jiaojiao in tow, found the prince while he was reading in his carriage.

Qiao Diyi, in his usual casual manner, warmly invited, “Brother Shen, care to join us for a walk?”

The prince smiled faintly, scanning the entire court. Only Qiao’s second son dared to be so informal in front of him, and yet he quite liked this carefree demeanor.

“Sure.”

The prince stepped down from the carriage, led by Qiao Tianjing, and they walked eastward along the riverbank.

When it came to conversation, Qiao Tianjing, with his vast knowledge, was more engaging with the prince.

Meanwhile, Qiao Diyi amused Qiao Jiaojiao by pointing out flowers and teasing the birds in the trees, causing her to burst into giggles.

Originally feeling a bit down, the prince’s mood gradually lifted as he took in the beautiful scenery before him and listened to the carefree laughter of the children around him.

From afar, they spotted a pavilion.

Qiao Tianjing’s heart stirred slightly. “Your Highness, we still have plenty of time. Shall we sit in the pavilion for a while?”

The prince nodded slowly, indicating his consent.

As they approached the pavilion, suddenly, they heard soft voices speaking.

Qiao Tianjing’s heart leaped with joy, a wave of excitement washing over him.

It’s her!

She did invite the Xiao sisters from the Xiao family!

From where Qiao Tianjing and the others stood, obscured by a large willow tree, they couldn’t see the speakers.

But there was a hint of a skirt peeking out from behind the tree, a faint shade of blue.

Just moments ago, Qiao Jiaojiao was looking around, but now she suddenly froze.

[Could it be… Could that voice belong to my sister-in-law? Wait, that skirt, that color… Could it be Miss Xiao from the Xiao family?]

The prince had already made a gesture for Qiao Tianjing, Qiao Diyi, and him to leave quietly.

But when he caught sight of that skirt corner, his steps involuntarily paused.

Just then, a gentle voice sounded.

“Miss Han, I haven’t congratulated you yet. I heard you found a good husband.”

Qiao Jiaojiao’s eyes lit up upon hearing this.

A hearty voice suddenly interjected, it was the voice of Miss Xiao Qianyue from the Xiao family.

“Sister, refrain from speaking nonsense!”

Xiao Qianlan slightly sternly reprimanded Xiao Qianyue, then softened her tone.

“Sister Han, such matters are decided by our parents. You shouldn’t speak out of turn.”

Han Yaxian also knew that she had acted rashly. Normally, she wouldn’t dare to utter such words out of bounds.

But Qiao Tianjing had mentioned this matter, which was of great importance, so she had to risk being disliked for once.

So she solemnly composed herself, took Xiao Qianlan’s hand, and said, “Sister Xiao, please don’t blame me for being meddlesome. It’s just that I heard some gossip at this morning’s poetry meeting, and I’m concerned about your reputation.”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Qianlan furrowed her brows involuntarily.

From their interaction, she knew that Han Yaxian was a very sensible and cultured woman, which made her feel somewhat close to her.

She guessed that Han Yaxian probably had no ill intentions, so she nodded gently and said, “Sister Han, please go ahead.”

Han Yaxian took a slight breath, seeming hesitant to speak, and after a while, she hesitantly asked, “Sister Xiao, do you happen to know the gentleman from the Duke Qingguo’s mansion?”

Upon hearing their conversation about private matters, the prince had already intended to turn and leave.

However, upon hearing this, his heart skipped a beat. Despite knowing that eavesdropping was unbecoming, he found himself unable to move a step.

Qiao Jiaojiao’s heart was beating faster than the prince’s.

[“Oh my goodness, how can my sister-in-law be so amazing! Could this be heaven’s arrangement, to reconcile the misunderstanding between the prince and Miss Xiao, and let true love prevail?”]

[“This is great! We don’t need any melodramatic love stories, smooth sailing is the best!”]

Upon hearing this, Qiao Tianjing subtly lifted the corners of his mouth.

Where there’s a will, there’s a way—