Chapter 378

A’er and Atu pricked up their ears. They had just heard some commotion from inside the carriage a moment ago, but now it was quiet.

They exchanged a glance, feeling like old mother hens.

His Highness and the Princess are really well-matched! Are they having a quarrel?

“No!”

Suddenly, Baili Chengyou’s voice rang out slightly louder from inside the carriage, startling A’er and Atu.

Uh oh, looks like they really are arguing!

“Baili Chengyou! Who’s in charge here between us!”

Meng Guxue’s voice followed, sounding annoyed.

“Don’t you be unreasonable.”

“I want to be unreasonable!”

“You!”

“That’s how I am, what can you do about it!”

A’er: …

Atu: …

Well! Turns out the little couple are just flirting. All that worry for nothing!

When the carriage arrived at the banks of Jinghua River, the surroundings were already cleared. Baili Chengyou helped Meng Guxue down from the carriage, just as they ran into Qiao Jiaojiao and her entourage.

“Sister Meng!”

Qiao Jiaojiao called out sweetly.

“Qiao Jiaojiao! Master Qiao!”

Meng Guxue immediately brushed past Baili Chengyou, eagerly welcoming them.

Baili Chengyou: …

A meddling outsider!

As Meng Guxue approached, Qiao Jiaojiao suddenly caught a strange scent.

[Hmm, what’s this smell? Not foul, but definitely odd. I’ve never smelled this before…]

[If it’s not foul, it shouldn’t be poison or anything harmful. Too bad Doctor Zou is too tired to come tonight, otherwise I’d have him check Meng Guxue’s pulse again!]

While Qiao Jiaojiao was pondering, servants sent by the Crown Prince approached to lead the way.

The group walked towards the banks of Jinghua River, where lanterns adorned both sides, creating a festive and splendid atmosphere.

After passing a restaurant, a two-story painted boat came into view.

Qiao Jiaojiao was amazed at how luxurious the boat looked!

At the bow of the boat, the Crown Prince was already waiting. When he saw Qiao Zhongguo and his group, he smiled and waved.

Everyone boarded the painted boat and proceeded inside, where they found a spacious hall already set up.

As they took their seats, Qiao Jiaojiao scanned the room and finally saw the Crown Empress and the Second Crown Empress.

The Crown Prince, known for his promiscuity, had married a Crown Empress who was not exceptionally beautiful. She sat beside him with a plain expression and numb eyes.

The Second Crown Empress, on the other hand, was stunningly beautiful, matching well with the Second Crown Prince. However, the two of them sat with enough distance between them to fit another person.

Baili Chengyou and Meng Guxue looked relatively normal, sitting side by side, their sleeves occasionally brushing against each other as they whispered softly.

Qiao Jiaojiao continued to look around and finally spotted the Princess Xi who had poisoned Meng Guxue!

She was dressed in gorgeous attire, her features delicate and beautiful, radiating an aura of pride that made her seem unapproachable.

Qiao Zhongguo’s gaze then turned to the Northern Kingdom delegation beside her. He scanned them but didn’t spot any unfamiliar faces.

Could it be that Shen Yuanbai isn’t coming tonight?

The Crown Prince took up the mantle of hosting the emissaries with gusto. Once the delicious food and fine wines were served, he adopted the demeanor of a gracious host, making small talk and toasting repeatedly.

By the middle of the banquet, the atmosphere had lightened considerably. Even the Crown Empress, who had been stern-faced earlier, now had a smile on her face.

Everyone stood up, mingling and chatting. The Grand Empress gathered the Second and Third Crown Empresses, along with the Princess Xi, together. Seeing this, Qiao Jiaojiao hurriedly scampered over to Meng Guxue.

“All that formal talk is so boring, I prefer gossip! Is there any juicy gossip you can share with me?”

Meng Guxue smiled warmly as Qiao Jiaojiao approached and immediately lifted her up into a hug.

The Princess Xi glanced at Qiao Jiaojiao with a hint of sarcasm and said, “The Third Sister-in-law is from the Yong Dynasty, yet even the envoy’s daughter is so close to you.”

Meng Guxue replied nonchalantly, “Well, everyone loves the Third Sister-in-law wherever she goes.”

The Second Crown Empress, curious, leaned closer to Qiao Jiaojiao without any ill intentions.

“It’s quite rare for such a young child to accompany her mother on diplomatic missions. And she’s so lively. Her mother must be a great beauty, isn’t she?”

Meng Guxue immediately thought of Mrs. Qiao’s appearance and nodded repeatedly.

“The Second Sister-in-law has a keen eye indeed. This girl’s mother was known as the most beautiful woman in the capital of the Yong Dynasty back in her day!”

The Second Crown Empress looked enlightened and gently poked Qiao Jiaojiao’s cheek, “No wonder! The child’s cheeks are really springy!”

Qiao Jiaojiao turned her head towards the Second Crown Empress and smiled, revealing two dimples.

Seeing this, the Second Crown Empress softened and showed genuine affection.

At this moment, the voice of the Princess Xi, Baili Miaoxue, rang out with ambiguous meaning.

“Sister-in-law, since you like this child so much, why don’t you have one yourself?”

“The Second Brother has reached middle age without an heir. No wonder those courtiers are eager to place someone by his side.”

Upon hearing this, the previously harmonious atmosphere instantly chilled.

The Second Crown Empress glanced at the Princess Xi and chuckled softly, “Why bother, Sister Xi? After all, you’re an unmarried princess. It’s not appropriate to talk about bearing children. Even so, a princess like you—”

Qiao Jiaojiao’s eyes widened in amazement.

“Wow, this Second Crown Empress is quite bold! Her personality seems straightforward!”

Baili Miaoxue’s expression darkened, about to retort, when the Grand Empress immediately stepped forward to smooth things over.

“Alright, alright, let’s all be friendly. What a wonderful occasion! Let’s not spoil it with unpleasantness.”

The Grand Empress signaled to a servant, who promptly brought fruit wine.

She encouraged everyone to drink more, and Baili Miaoxue, for the sake of the Grand Empress’s face, let go of her apparent displeasure.

Meng Guxue, feeling the effects of the alcohol, couldn’t handle even fruit wine. Before long, she wanted to change her clothes.

The Grand Empress, hearing this, said gently, “Little Sister Three, go with her.”

Meng Guxue smiled and agreed, then turned to prepare to take Qiao Jiaojiao back.

Seeing this, Qiao Jiaojiao seized Meng Guxue’s arm.

“Sister Meng, Qiao Jiaojiao wants to go too!”

Meng Guxue hesitated for a moment at Qiao Jiaojiao’s grip. The Second Crown Empress nodded, “Perfect, let’s all go together!”

The Second Crown Empress led the way, and Meng Guxue, considering the number of people, decided to take Qiao Jiaojiao along.

As they passed the main hall entrance, Qiao Jiaojiao discreetly glanced inside.

Qiao Tianjing kept an eye on Qiao Jiaojiao’s side, and the siblings exchanged a glance, their eyes conveying mutual understanding.

The changing room was at the back of the main hall, near the stern of the ship.

They walked side by side, with servants following behind. Upon reaching the changing room, a servant opened the door, and the Grand Empress entered first.

Inside, the space was equally spacious, with a tea table and a bed for resting, and further inside was a dressing area.

As they entered in a single file, they brought only personal maids to assist them.

The Grand Empress smiled and said, “Little Sister Three goes first since she mentioned it.”

Meng Guxue didn’t refuse, but she wasn’t used to being served by others, so she went inside by herself.

She was just about to close the door to the inner room when Qiao Jiaojiao suddenly stepped forward and chased after her, her face flushed.

“Sister Meng, Aunt Liu didn’t come with us, and Qiao Jiaojiao can’t dress properly alone. Can I come too?”