Chapter 359

Xiao Xi carried Qiao Jiaojiao on his back and took a shortcut through Chunhua Garden, quickly passing by Yuhua Lake.

Today, the place was also decorated with lanterns and colors, not dark at all.

Seeing the eunuchs behind them were far away, Qiao Jiaojiao quietly asked, “Xiao Xi, are you daring to come here? You’ve got some guts!”

Xiao Xi turned his head to look at Yuhua Lake, his face showing no fear.

“Sister Qiao, I’m not afraid at all. I’ve been here before and sat by the lake for a long time!”

“So now I’m not scared at all!”

Qiao Jiaojiao hadn’t expected this backstory. She nodded repeatedly, her face showing a child-like expression of admiration.

The two small figures crossed Chunhua Garden and Xiao Xi skillfully returned to Yikun Palace.

“Mother! I brought Sister Qiao here!”

Qiao Jiaojiao quickly got down from Xiao Xi’s back and walked into the main hall, where she immediately saw the radiant Empress Dowager.

She ran up happily, saying with a smile, “Mother, you seem to be getting younger and younger!”

The Empress Dowager bent down and lifted Qiao Jiaojiao up, showing a face full of fondness.

“Jiaojiao, with your little mouth, you’ll be as eloquent as Xiao Xi in the future.”

Qiao Jiaojiao snuggled into the Empress Dowager’s arms, full of joy.

What she said wasn’t flattery; the Empress Dowager’s current state was indeed much better than when they first met.

At this moment, there came the sound of salutations from outside the door: “Greetings to His Majesty, greetings to the Empress Dowager.”

Qiao Jiaojiao turned her head and saw the former Crown Prince, now dressed in dragon robes, tall and handsome, and Xiao Sister in phoenix robes, graceful and noble.

Her eyes suddenly lit up.

[My goodness! This pair is so eye-catching!]

When Shen Yuanzhan walked up to Qiao Jiaojiao, his face was already full of smiles.

Qiao Jiaojiao hesitated for a moment, then called out, “Your Majesty?”

Upon hearing this, Shen Yuanzhan’s face immediately turned unhappy. “Why has Jiaojiao grown so distant from her brother so quickly?”

Qiao Jiaojiao scratched her head, looking embarrassed. “Before, I used to call you Crown Prince Brother, but now I just can’t say it.”

“Then from now on, shall Jiaojiao call you Emperor Brother? How about that?”

Upon hearing this, Shen Yuanzhan’s brows relaxed, and he reached out to take Qiao Jiaojiao from the Empress Dowager’s hands, saying with a smile, “That’s perfect. Come, let Brother carry Jiaojiao to the palace banquet.”

Shen Yuanzhan deliberately wanted to give face to the Qiao family.

During this time, there were continuous reports about the Qiao family’s excessive favor, fearing that it might breed dissent. Either it was to blunt Qiao Zhongguo’s sharpness or suppress Qiao Tianjing’s momentum.

He sighed inwardly.

These people, instead of thinking about doing more for the people or dealing with the Northern country’s ill intentions, they just fixate on the Qiao family.

No wonder the Emperor increasingly suspected Qiao Zhongguo. With these people constantly presenting negative reports, could Qiao Zhongguo really fare well?

They thought he also played the game of imperial ambitions, but they didn’t know that he could sit on this throne thanks to the help of the Qiao family and the righteousness of Qiao Zhongguo.

There’s no need for them to submit reports. Qiao Zhongguo worries about him having a hard time and has declined multiple times, refusing to let the court lose such a capable minister, which persuaded him to stay.

Checks and balances are one thing, and mutual understanding between ruler and subject is another. He still believes: don’t use suspicious people, and don’t suspect people who are used!

The Great Yong Dynasty will eventually have a war with the Northern country, and the situation in the South League is equally delicate. He doesn’t want to waste his energy on suspicion and suppression of his ministers.

He once made a grand wish in front of Jiaojiao:

He wanted to emulate those benevolent emperors in history, holding onto his original intentions, treating good officials well, and leading the Yong Dynasty towards a prosperous era!

Therefore, today, he intended to use this palace banquet to let the entire capital know that he values the Qiao family highly, respects them greatly, and will never doubt their loyalty!

And the little Qiao daughter in his arms, she is someone who can walk sideways in the capital from now on. Whoever sees her in the future must treat her with utmost respect!

Qiao Jiaojiao vaguely understood the situation her father and elder brother faced in the court, so she pretended to be innocent and leaned into Shen Yuanzhan’s arms.

“I’m so lazy, Xiao Xi carried me over just now. Now I’m troubling Emperor Brother to carry me over!”

“But when Dad and Mom see me later, they will definitely say I’m not sensible. Emperor Brother, you have to help me out!”

Shen Yuanzhan smiled as he heard this. “With Brother here, your Dad and Mom won’t dare say anything to you.”

He gently lifted Jiaojiao and walked grandly towards the Hua’e Xianghui Building, accompanied by a large group of people.

Inside the Hua’e Xianghui Building, it was already bustling.

Qiao Zhongguo, Han Mingzhe, and Xiao Hongda stood together, attracting occasional glances from the hall.

Seeing this, Xiao Hongda couldn’t help but tease, “Old Qiao, you’ve really attracted attention now. Look at the way those people are looking at you, each one wishing they could pull you down and stomp on your face a couple of times.”

“When Er Lang really becomes the Captain of the Jinwu Guard, the memorials against your Qiao family will probably cover the Emperor’s jade table.”

Han Mingzhe also looked worried upon hearing this.

Without a doubt, he was in Qiao Zhongguo’s camp. During these days of official business, his colleagues had not been kind to him.

Plus, his already bad reputation… sigh, even drinking water at his position would turn cold.

Qiao Zhongguo shook his head helplessly upon hearing this. “I would love to retire and enjoy life at home. But His Majesty won’t allow it. Last time, I almost rolled on the floor in the study!”

Xiao Hongda: “…”

Wait a minute, that mental picture!

At this moment, other officials gathered in small groups, covertly observing Qiao Zhongguo.

During this period, they had submitted numerous memorials, all aimed at undermining Qiao Zhongguo’s morale.

They didn’t need much; just pulling Qiao Zhongguo down from the position of Imperial Secretary would do. Otherwise, if he continued to act recklessly in the court, spewing words left and right, who could endure that?

Just wait and see. They say a new official burns three fires upon taking office. What about a new emperor ascending to the throne?

Could the Emperor really ignore the wishes of all the courtiers?

At this moment, there finally came the respectful announcement from outside the hall: “His Majesty arrives! Her Majesty the Empress arrives! Her Majesty the Empress Dowager arrives!”

Everyone hurriedly returned to their positions, kneeling down respectfully to salute.

Shen Yuanzhan took his seat and calmly said, “Rise, everyone, take your seats.”

The officials, accompanied by their families, respectfully took their seats, eagerly looking up, only to suddenly see the new emperor holding a little girl in his arms.

All the courtiers: Huh?

Who’s child is that?

Qiao Jiaojiao, being clever, shouted towards her parents, Qiao Zhongguo and his wife, “Dad, Mom!”

Qiao Zhongguo, seeing this, quickly stood up and knelt down in apology.

“Your Majesty, my daughter is rude. Please forgive her.”

All the courtiers: Huh??

That little girl is Qiao Zhongguo’s daughter?

Shen Yuanzhan smiled, his lips curling up. “Oh, Master Qiao, Jiaojiao is innocent and romantic. What fault is there?”

“Speaking of which, when I saw Jiaojiao, my heart was filled with joy. I was just thinking of granting her the title of County Princess and giving her the name ‘Yongle’. Master Qiao, what do you think?”

All the courtiers: Huh???