Chapter 33

Seeing their father standing there dumbfounded, both Qiao Tianjing and Qiao Diyi became increasingly anxious.

Qiao Diyi even wondered, could father be planning to drag little sister out and burn her as a witch?

If Qiao Jiaojiao knew what Qiao Diyi was thinking at that moment, she might have rolled her eyes and said, “Second Brother, your imagination, I appreciate it!”

“Father?” Qiao Diyi called out with a trembling voice, “Little sister is not some demonic creature. Please calm down and don’t act rashly!”

Qiao Zhongguo angrily retorted, “How can I calm down!”

Upon hearing this, Qiao Diyi immediately exchanged a glance with Qiao Tianjing, then rushed forward and hugged Qiao Zhongguo’s legs.

“Big Brother! Quickly take little sister away! The farther the better! I’ll hold father back!”

This yell was so valiant and fearless, showing his love for his sister.

Qiao Zhongguo: “…”

How did I raise such a stupid son?

Qiao Tianjing: “…”

Second Brother, we didn’t plan this, are you sure you haven’t read too many martial arts novels?

“Get off me! Both of you can hear Jiaojiao’s thoughts, how could I, as her father, not hear them!”

Qiao Zhongguo lifted his foot, but unexpectedly, his two sons were quite strong. It seemed they had improved their martial arts skills quite quickly.

Qiao Diyi was still immersed in his martial arts fantasy world, while Qiao Tianjing had a faint smile on his face.

“Father, it’s true!”

After a while, Qiao Diyi finally snapped out of it and asked, “Huh? What did you just say, Father?”

Qiao Zhongguo: “…”

Perhaps the little bit of insignificant wisdom he had back then had run out, so he ended up with a simple-minded, physically strong second son.

“Both your mother and I can hear Jiaojiao’s thoughts. We know about the Spring Examination cheating, as well as the fate of King Jing and Princess Meng Guxue, and the dangers the Crown Prince and Western Prince will face.”

Upon hearing these words, Qiao Tianjing felt a huge sense of relief.

Great!

During this time, he had racked his brains, changing the trajectory step by step based on Jiaojiao’s hints, but he still felt overwhelmed in many places.

Now knowing that his father could also hear Jiaojiao’s thoughts, he felt much more relieved.

Father wasn’t just a hero in the eyes of outsiders; in the eyes of his son, he was a stable, unshakeable mountain, providing unparalleled security!

“Father, regarding the Spring Examination, how do you plan to handle it?”

When it came to serious matters, Qiao Zhongguo’s expression instantly became serious.

“Have you arranged for someone to protect Tan Hanchi?”

Qiao Tianjing nodded immediately, “I’ve used your secret guards. I reassigned two of them.”

Qiao Zhongguo had a group of loyal and capable secret guards, tough characters who had fought alongside him on the battlefield, silent and efficient.

When Qiao Tianjing turned seventeen, Qiao Zhongguo delegated some of the authority over these secret guards to him.

Qiao Zhongguo frowned slightly upon hearing this, “It might not be enough. Call in more guards from the West.”

Qiao Tianjing couldn’t help but be surprised, “Tan Hanchi seems to be just an ordinary scholar now without any connections. Why would Duke Qingguo’s mansion go to such lengths to kill him?”

Qiao Zhongguo’s expression suddenly became profound.

“Eldest, I’m not guarding against assassins from Duke Qingguo’s mansion, but the Second Prince.”

“Although he’s only thirteen now, according to Jiaojiao’s prophecies, he’s deeply cunning and resourceful, destined to be the ultimate winner.”

“So, don’t underestimate him just because nothing has happened yet. After all, he’s the son of destiny in Jiaojiao’s words.”

Upon hearing this, Qiao Tianjing stood up straight, nodding earnestly.

“I’ve learned from you, Father!”

Qiao Zhongguo had a lot of confidence in his intelligent eldest son.

“By protecting Tan Hanchi, we gain the upper hand. As for the rest, it all depends on how I stir things up in the court!”

Qiao Tianjing remembered how Qiao Zhongguo often dominated the court with his eloquence and unrivaled presence at Jinluan Palace, and couldn’t help but smile knowingly.

A few days later, the Spring Examination arrived as scheduled.

All the vendors and night markets on Shuntian Street West were shut down, and the whole place was eerily quiet to ensure the best exam environment for the participating students.

By the eighteenth day of the second month, the three sessions of the Spring Examination finally came to an end.

The process of grading the papers would take almost a month and was tentatively scheduled to be released on the fifteenth day of the third month.

During this waiting period, the capital would host one of its biggest events—the East Suburb Poetry Festival!

Qiao Jiaojiao looked left and right, finally anticipating the third day of the third month.

Today’s weather was sunny and warm, with a gentle breeze, truly a blessing from the heavens.

Qiao Tianjing and Qiao Diyi had already bid farewell to Mrs. Qiao. Qiao Jiaojiao sat on the bed, clutching her clothes, tearfully watching her two brothers.

[Oh no! Can one of my kind brothers take me along? I promise not to make any noise or cause any trouble!]

[Sob, I regret being born so late! At least let me speak a few words!]

[Big Brother, Second Brother, can’t you see my earnest little eyes? Please take me with you!]

Mrs. Qiao had already learned from Qiao Zhongguo that the whole family could hear Jiaojiao’s thoughts. Hearing Jiaojiao’s incessant whimpering now, she couldn’t help but smile.

“Elder Brother, Second Brother, Jiaojiao seems really eager to go with you. Take her along, and I’ll have Aunt Liu accompany her.”

Qiao Tianjing and Qiao Diyi smiled at each other. They had come on this trip specifically to take their little sister with them.

“Understood, Mother!”

Qiao Jiaojiao was overjoyed in an instant!

[Ah! Big Brother, come and hug me! Let’s set off now!]

The Poetry Festival in the capital was held every year, while the Spring Examination took place every three years. This year, these two grand events happened to coincide, making it even livelier than the past two years.

Today, almost half of the carriages in the capital headed to the eastern suburbs, and once they reached Yintian Road, it became completely impassable.

Since the weather was nice, Qiao Tianjing and Qiao Diyi decided to walk with Qiao Jiaojiao in their arms.

The venue was at the foot of the Wangjing Mountain outside the city, where peach blossoms bloomed every March, creating a romantic atmosphere.

Qiao Jiaojiao sat in Qiao Diyi’s arms, her eyes rolling around.

Suddenly, her eyes lit up, and she exclaimed, “Big Brother! Big Brother! Is that Sister-in-law? Wow, Sister-in-law looks so beautiful today!”

The marriage between the Qiao and Han families had been finalized, and both sides had exchanged engagement letters, which was considered extremely auspicious.

Now that the wedding date was not set, the lady was free to go out.

Hearing Qiao Jiaojiao’s words, Qiao Tianjing’s heart skipped a beat. He immediately followed her gaze and indeed saw Han Yaxian in a pink dress.

On this day of the Poetry Festival, it was widely recognized as a day where one needn’t be too cautious about the mingling of men and women.

So, the young ladies walking on the street today didn’t even wear veils, and later at the Poetry Festival, men and women also wouldn’t be seated separately.

In the midst of the bustling crowd, Han Yaxian didn’t turn her head, but the side of her face revealed a serene smile, causing Qiao Tianjing’s heart to race.

Qiao Jiaojiao couldn’t help but chuckle.

[Tsk tsk, even my elder brother, a gentleman like him, can’t help but be conventional.]

[I remember the wedding date is set for September! Elder Brother, be patient a little longer, and soon you’ll be able to be with your beautiful sister-in-law!]

Qiao Tianjing blushed at Qiao Jiaojiao’s words and dared not look in Han Yaxian’s direction again.

Just then, someone tapped Qiao Tianjing’s shoulder from behind.