Chapter 5

“Master?”

The servant outside had just experienced the downfall of the Hua family, and even now, he was still trembling with fear, only daring to urge quietly.

Qiao Zhongguo snapped out of his daze, instantly composed, with no hint of anything unusual on his face.

[Ah! I want to see it too! I want to see the female lead! Waaah, Dad, take me along too! Please!]

Qiao Jiaojiao shouted eagerly, despite her fatigue and hunger, inwardly resenting that no one could understand her baby talk.

Qiao Zhongguo, who had been about to move, paused slightly upon hearing this, then raised his voice and said, “Escort them to the main hall, we’ll meet here.”

[Waaah! Daddy, I love you! You really understand me!]

Qiao Jiaojiao’s eyes welled up with tears.

Qiao Zhongguo, upon hearing this, quickly and lovingly took Qiao Jiaojiao in his arms, feeling proud in his heart: his daughter said she loved him!

Qiao Tianjing and Qiao Diyi had met Meng Guxue last night.

But at that time, they had no idea that the ten-year-old girl would bring such a huge change to the Qiao family.

She was only ten now, so there was really nothing to be wary of. At this moment, the two brothers were even more reluctant to leave.

Soon, the Meng family couple were welcomed in. Seeing the closed doors and windows, they were initially puzzled.

However, when their gaze fell on the baby in Qiao Zhongguo’s arms, everything became clear in an instant.

Mrs. Meng felt envious secretly.

It was widely rumored throughout the capital that Imperial Censor Qiao doted on his wife immensely, and… was in excellent health.

Look, even in middle age, he could still have another daughter, and he held her whenever he received guests, showing how much he adored her.

And then look at their two sons, both outstanding individuals. When it came to Mrs. Qiao in the circles of the capital’s ladies, who wouldn’t envy her to the point of biting their handkerchiefs?

And then look at their own old man, clearly five years younger than Imperial Censor Qiao, but pot-bellied, with thinning hair on his head, and concubines one after another.

Mrs. Meng was so resentful!

Comparison is the thief of joy!

Mr. Meng didn’t have this self-awareness. He straightened his belly and greeted them with a smile.

“Brother Qiao, last night’s incident was sudden, and I apologize for the inadequate hospitality. This morning, my daughter has already recovered, so I specially let her come to personally thank the two young masters of your house.”

As he spoke, he slightly turned to reveal Meng Guxue behind him.

Qiao Zhongguo knew his daughter’s thoughts and purposely turned her face outward.

Qiao Jiaojiao took a closer look and couldn’t help feeling a bit disappointed.

You see, in the novel, the author described Meng Guxue’s beauty as unparalleled, even claiming her to be the most beautiful and talented woman in the capital.

Qiao Jiaojiao’s expectations were too high, but after all, the ten-year-old girl hadn’t fully developed yet.

She had curved eyebrows, a little nose, a small mouth, and a somewhat pale complexion.

But her eyes were indeed beautiful, lively and spirited, currently darting around.

[Oh, it seems last night’s drowning was the trigger for the female lead to transmigrate. Now, with the soul of a modern adult in this body, the plot has finally started!]

The Qiao family father and son were instantly shocked to the point of numbness.

Transmigration?

So the real Miss Meng from last night had died in the drowning, and the one standing before them now was someone else?

Isn’t this… just like a soul reincarnation?

Thinking of this, even the vigorous Qiao Zhongguo felt a chill down his spine.

He had already subconsciously ignored one fact: his own daughter was also quite strange!

Although his mind was filled with countless thoughts, after so many years of navigating the officialdom, Qiao Zhongguo could still maintain a poker face.

“Brother Meng, why such formalities? Yesterday’s chaos was understandable, there’s no need to go to such lengths to come again.”

Mr. Meng was a cunning person. Now that the Qiao family was highly valued, even though Qiao Zhongguo was just a third-rank Imperial Censor, who dared to contradict him in court?

Because everyone knew that anyone caught by Qiao Zhongguo was either guilty or caught red-handed.

But he happened to be a lone minister, never attending banquets among colleagues and always going his own way.

Mr. Meng thought, if he could take this opportunity to establish a good relationship with Qiao Zhongguo, wouldn’t it add an extra layer of security for him in court?

“Oh, Brother Qiao, the grace of saving a life surpasses the heavens. Xiao Guxue, come over and thank the Second Young Master!”

Meng Guxue walked out generously, her eyes bright and her voice clear.

“Many thanks to the Second Young Master Qiao for saving my life. Meng Guxue is deeply grateful and will never forget it!”

Qiao Diyi took a closer look. Last night, Meng Guxue had been confused and timid, only crying and then running a high fever.

But after just one night, she seemed completely different!

Could it be true, as his younger sister said, that there was another adult woman’s soul living in Meng Guxue’s body now?

Thinking of this, Qiao Diyi’s shoulders shook, and his whole body felt a chill.

At the same time, Meng Guxue was also appraising Qiao Diyi.

Her eyes lit up slightly, and she couldn’t hide her amazement on her face.

Wow, he’s so handsome!

Is he at the level to steal the spotlight?

Her gaze then turned to Qiao Tianjing beside him, becoming even more amazed in an instant.

Oh my, he’s even more handsome! She wanted to choose the older one!

Seeing Meng Guxue’s gaze linger on his older brother, Qiao Jiaojiao became instantly furious.

[Darn it! The female lead isn’t allowed to covet my older brother! My sister-in-law is the daughter of the Minister of Industry, that’s a truly top-notch woman!]

Upon hearing this, Qiao Zhongguo and Qiao Tianjing were both slightly stunned.

Minister of Industry?

Isn’t that Han Mingzhe, known as “the stone harder than the stones in a privy”?

His daughter?

[Dad, today Mr. Meng is coming so eagerly, it’s actually to arrange a marriage between Meng Guxue and one of the two brothers! You absolutely must not consider it! Absolutely refuse!]

[Meng Guxue has taken a liking to my older brother. It’s because she felt slighted after being rejected, so she harbors a grudge, and later she schemed to bring down my older brother to prove herself!]

Upon hearing this, Qiao Zhongguo’s expression slightly darkened.

In terms of social interactions and reading between the lines, he was still far behind his wife. If she were here, she would have seen through the Meng family’s intentions with just one glance!

Sure enough, as they exchanged pleasantries, Mr. Meng revealed his intentions, but he was thinking of arranging it with Qiao Diyi.

After all, Qiao Diyi was closer in age to Meng Guxue and had personally saved her last night.

Meng Guxue couldn’t control her own destiny now, but that didn’t stop her from being clever!

She suddenly turned to Qiao Tianjing, showing what she thought was her sweetest smile, and said innocently and joyfully, “Big Brother Qiao, you’re so handsome! Meng Guxue really likes a big brother like you!”

Meng Guxue thought to herself, she was the transmigrated female lead, the most special woman in this world, and no one could escape her protagonist aura!

However, Qiao Tianjing already knew that there was an adult woman’s soul in this body. If it weren’t for his excellent composure, he would have wanted to turn around and leave right now.

Just then, Qiao Jiaojiao’s inner thoughts echoed, perfectly mirroring Qiao Tianjing’s inner thoughts.

[Ugh—Does she think she’s the destined one, so everyone should bow down to her charm?]