Chapter 32

Mrs. Qiao led Qiao Jiaojiao into the mansion first, and after a while, Qiao Tianjing and Qiao Diyi finally caught up.

As soon as Qiao Jiaojiao saw them, she had been half asleep with her eyes closed, but she instantly sat up.

[Ah! Can someone tell me what’s going on with Tan Hanchi?]

[He’s such an influential figure. If he could really be of use to our Qiao mansion, that would be amazing!]

[Moreover, he was the biggest victim of the Spring Examination fraud case. If we could protect him, perhaps the fraud case could be completely solved following Tan Hanchi’s lead!]

As Qiao Jiaojiao thought about it, she couldn’t help but drift off.

[When it comes to dogs, it’s still the male lead. He saves Tan Hanchi on one hand by granting him favors, and on the other hand, he protects the villainous Duke Qingguo in the fraud case. It’s a win-win for both sides!]

[No wonder he laughs last. Could he be playing spy games within spy games?]

Mrs. Qiao didn’t expect that the scholar who had followed her sons earlier would be such a crucial figure. Now, even she felt a bit curious.

Seeing Qiao Jiaojiao eagerly watching her brothers, Mrs. Qiao casually spoke up, “I’ve never seen that scholar who followed you two earlier.”

Qiao Jiaojiao immediately threw herself into Mrs. Qiao’s arms, happily exclaiming.

[Mother, your question really touched my heart! Mother, you always understand me! Sob sob!]

Qiao Tianjing and Qiao Diyi didn’t know that their mother could also read Qiao Jiaojiao’s thoughts, but upon hearing this, they silently nodded.

Truly, mother and daughter were connected!

So, Qiao Tianjing explained gently, “Mother, that person who followed us just now is a friend we made today.”

“His name is Tan Hanchi, from Zhuozhou. He’s here to participate in this year’s Spring Examination. My son met him on the Lantern Festival night. He’s upright and talented.”

“Today, when my brother and I passed by the teahouse, we happened to see him being troubled by Sheng Mingcheng from Duke Qingguo’s mansion, so we lent a hand, and that’s how we became acquainted.”

Upon hearing this, Qiao Jiaojiao couldn’t help but marvel at the wonders of fate.

[So Sheng Mingcheng from Duke Qingguo’s mansion knew Tan Hanchi even before the Spring Examination!]

[No wonder Duke Qingguo chose Tan Hanchi to be the unlucky one to be replaced. Could this be Sheng Mingcheng’s idea?]

[It’s so coincidental that my brothers happened to encounter Tan Hanchi being bullied and decided to help!]

[Tsk tsk, could it be that even heaven is helping our Qiao mansion? If we could bring Tan Hanchi over, King Jing wouldn’t be able to cause as much trouble!]

Qiao Tianjing chuckled and shook his head upon hearing this.

Little sister, it’s not that heaven is helping our Qiao mansion, it’s because of you, my dear!

Since the Lantern Festival, when Qiao Jiaojiao mentioned Tan Hanchi’s extraordinary qualities, Qiao Tianjing had someone keeping an eye on him day and night.

Today, upon hearing that he was being bullied, Qiao Tianjing hurriedly dragged Qiao Diyi to his rescue.

To avoid arousing Tan Hanchi’s suspicion, they had to act very casually and naturally.

After investigating for a while, they found out that Tan Hanchi had already gained some fame from the Lantern Festival couplets, and many prestigious families had extended invitations to him, but he remained unmoved.

From this, it could be seen that he had no intention of associating with the powerful and was very guarded against others approaching him.

Fortunately, everything seemed to be going smoothly for now, especially when they introduced themselves, Tan Hanchi appeared pleasantly surprised.

Qiao Tianjing attributed this to their renowned father.

Mrs. Qiao had a good understanding of the situation. She then asked, “So, what about this Mister Tan now? Is he staying at the Qiao mansion?”

Qiao Tianjing shook his head, “He’s a man of integrity. He said he’ll come visit again after the Spring Examination ends and he has achieved something.”

Mrs. Qiao nodded in agreement, “Indeed, he’s truly a rare good child.”

Upon hearing this, Qiao Jiaojiao couldn’t help but feel anxious.

[Oh dear, we must keep a close eye on Tan Hanchi. Once he achieves a good rank in the Spring Examination, Duke Qingguo’s mansion will surely send someone to assassinate him!]

[If we’re just a step too late, he might be rescued by King Jing!]

Qiao Tianjing had already made careful arrangements, and upon hearing this, Mrs. Qiao secretly decided to discuss it with her husband tonight.

When Qiao Zhongguo returned home in the evening, Qiao Jiaojiao happened to be playing in the front courtyard with Qiao Tianjing, and Mrs. Qiao immediately brought up the matter of the Spring Examination and Tan Hanchi.

Qiao Zhongguo gently patted Mrs. Qiao’s hand and said, “Wife, don’t worry. I’ll talk to the eldest tonight.”

“The dates for the Spring Examination have already been set: the 9th, 12th, and 15th of the second month, with the Ministry of Rites appointing Xin Ruizhi, the Minister of Rites, as the presiding official.”

Mrs. Qiao tilted her head slightly and said, “Today is the 5th of the second month, so it’s happening in these few days?”

“I remember that the Minister of Rites is the son-in-law of Duke Qingguo, right? If this is indeed related to Duke Qingguo’s mansion, Jiaojiao is truly amazing!”

Qiao Zhongguo nodded with a sense of relief, “Yes, if it weren’t for Jiaojiao, I can’t even imagine the consequences!”

Mrs. Qiao also mentioned what had happened at Duke Yanguo’s mansion earlier that day. Qiao Zhongguo sighed deeply upon hearing this.

“Wife, from now on, we just need to take good care of your father.”

Mrs. Qiao nodded gently, “That’s what I think too.”

After a while, Mrs. Qiao brought Qiao Jiaojiao back, and Qiao Zhongguo took Qiao Tianjing and Qiao Diyi to the study.

Qiao Zhongguo cut straight to the chase and asked about Tan Hanchi. The two brothers exchanged a glance, their expressions solemn, as if they had made a big decision.

Qiao Tianjing spoke first, “Father, do you think little sister is good?”

Qiao Zhongguo was slightly surprised, not understanding why Qiao Tianjing suddenly shifted the topic to Qiao Jiaojiao.

But he didn’t brush off his two sons. Without hesitation, he said, “You two rascals combined can’t compare to even one of Jiaojiao’s toes!”

“She’s my precious little darling, my close-knit little cotton jacket. What’s the matter?”

Before Qiao Zhongguo finished praising them, Qiao Tianjing suddenly kneeled down, and Qiao Diyi followed suit without hesitation.

Qiao Zhongguo was shocked. Could it be that these two rascals were vying for attention tonight?

I’ve cherished these two rascals for over a decade, and now, showing a little extra affection to Jiaojiao is causing trouble?

“What are you two doing? Do you want me to hug you like I do with Jiaojiao?”

Qiao Tianjing almost couldn’t maintain his serious expression after hearing that.

Father, can you please stop being so whimsical!

Qiao Zhongguo also realized that the two sons had something important to discuss, so he composed himself and said calmly, “Just say it quickly, if you have something to say.”

Qiao Tianjing took a deep breath and mustered up his courage to speak, “Father, actually, little sister… Little sister is extraordinary. Since the day she was born, my brother and I have been able to hear her thoughts!”

“And it seems like little sister can predict the future. All her prophecies have come true, including about Tan Hanchi. I only approached him after hearing little sister’s thoughts.”

“Father, little sister is wholeheartedly devoted to our family. Although this matter is truly bizarre, as long as it’s little sister, we’re not afraid!”

“Father, I originally didn’t want to tell you, because I was worried you wouldn’t accept it. But as little sister’s revelations become more crucial, I know I can’t keep it from you any longer!”

“Since you love your little sister so much, you surely won’t mind this matter, right?”

Qiao Zhongguo: (☉_☉)

No, I do mind.

So, not only is there a darling little cotton jacket, but there are also two little rascals hiding inside it!