Chapter 62

In the Jinluan Palace.

The Second Prince stood quietly behind the Crown Prince, expressionless.

As an awkward prince without favor, he remained silent in the court as if he were invisible.

However, today, his usually lowered eyes glanced discreetly at the corner several times.

There stood a few eunuchs ready to be summoned and dispatched at any moment.

The Second Prince was waiting.

If Sheng Qishan wasn’t a fool, it was time for him to come to him…

Just as the Second Prince was thinking this, a frail eunuch cautiously entered the group of eunuchs from a side door and made a subtle gesture.

Seeing this, the Second Prince’s eyes brightened slightly.

Finally, he’s here!

Very unusually, he took a step forward, speaking before the Emperor could respond to the Crown Prince:

“Father, let me go.”

“Brother’s status is noble, it’s not appropriate for him to greet a mere examinee. It would be better for me to go. It will demonstrate Father’s concern for the injustice of the drum’s sound and will not compromise Brother’s dignity.”

As the Second Prince spoke, the courtiers all glanced sideways.

They had never seen the Second Prince take the initiative to speak in this court.

The few times he had spoken before were also when the Emperor had personally instructed him to.

The Crown Prince’s expression changed slightly, but he remained silent, awaiting the Emperor’s decision.

A subtle light flashed in the Emperor’s eyes. He believed he understood his second son quite well.

He wouldn’t speak out without reason.

So, was there some hidden motive behind the Zhuozhou examinee striking the drum?

“Second Brother’s words make sense. Since that’s the case, you shall go and bring that examinee here.”

The Emperor agreed to the Second Prince’s request. He wanted to see what his second son had in mind.

The Second Prince remained calm. “I will obey.”

Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince slowly curled his fingers under his generous court robes, fingertips turning slightly pale.

Qiao Zhongguo observed this scene, his brows furrowing suddenly.

If the Second Prince were to overturn the Qingguo Duke’s situation today, all their plans for the past period in the Qiao family would be in vain!

Things would revert to Jiaojiao’s initial prophecy: the Second Prince manipulating the Qingguo Duke and the Minister of Rites, gaining the support of the Gu family of Qingzhou, and gradually gaining power…

“Your Majesty, may your subject dare to join the Second Prince on this journey to clarify the situation for Your Majesty!”

Qiao Zhongguo stepped forward before the Second Prince could leave.

Since his reputation in the court wasn’t good anyway, when was a better time to act crazy than now?

The Second Prince paused in his steps upon hearing Qiao Zhongguo’s words, a hint of gloom flashing in his eyes.

What is Qiao Zhongguo doing?

He originally planned to let Tan Hanchi quietly die on his way to the Jinluan Palace. After all, he was just a scholar who had barely survived thirty lashes. It wouldn’t be surprising if he couldn’t make it.

At worst, the Emperor would scold him a bit. For him, as an unfavored prince, being scolded was no big deal.

With this, Sheng Qishan would be easy to manipulate!

But now, with Qiao Zhongguo unexpectedly appearing, skilled in martial arts and sharp-minded, it would be difficult to proceed…

“Lord Qiao, just an examinee. There’s no need for you to trouble yourself. I—”

Before the Second Prince could speak, Qiao Zhongguo, with a face full of gratitude, spoke quickly, loud enough for all the courtiers to hear:

“Your Highness is so magnanimous, I am ashamed!”

The civil and military officials: …

What’s this Qiao fellow up to now?

Qiao Zhongguo bowed to the Second Prince, his emotions overflowing, speaking in a firm and upright manner:

“In the past, I left many old injuries on the battlefield. As the years go by, I am always fearful, worried that I will be unable to relieve Your Majesty’s burdens. Therefore, I strive to be the first in everything.”

“The examinee striking the drum to seek justice must be of significant importance. I wish to go first to clarify the situation, lest we be caught off guard by an examinee later.”

“Your Highness, are you willing to fulfill my desire to serve Your Majesty?”

The civil and military officials: …

Faking it! Let’s see how far you can fake it!

Getting old? Who here has more muscle and flesh than him!

A while ago, didn’t they just have a daughter? Their old wives are going crazy with jealousy!

Those days, they were trying all sorts of deer antler and wolfberry dishes at home, almost making themselves sick!

Look at him, so conspicuously attentive, too much!

The Second Prince heard this, his expression unchanged on the surface but secretly clenched his fist.

He knew, this Qiao Zhongguo was the most troublesome!

Seeing Qiao Zhongguo persisting, the Emperor waved his hand indifferently.

This man was known for his loyalty and righteousness, especially when it came to loyalty to the country and the emperor.

“Then Qiao Aiqing shall go together.”

Qiao Zhongguo’s lips curled at the Emperor’s words, “Thank you, Your Majesty! Second Prince, please—”

The Second Prince remained calm and walked out of the Jinluan Palace with Qiao Zhongguo following behind. Meanwhile, Minister of Rites Xin Ruizhi stood in the palace, his back already soaked with sweat.

As they exited the Xuanwu Gate, someone immediately approached the Second Prince.

“Your Highness, you finally—”

“Ah Sheng, this is the esteemed Qiao from your respect and admiration.”

The Second Prince gestured, letting Qiao Zhongguo pass.

Qiao Zhongguo raised his eyes and saw a slightly hunched figure, but with bright eyes, slightly protruding temples, and steady footsteps. Clearly, he was someone skilled in martial arts!

Ah Sheng… This must be Li Xusheng that his wife mentioned.

Ah, another enemy of their Qiao family has emerged!

“Your servant pays respects to Lord Qiao!”

Li Xusheng was slightly surprised, not expecting Qiao Zhongguo to also come.

Fortunately, he was slow to speak and didn’t reveal the news of the Qingguo Duke waiting outside the palace!

“Where is the examinee now?”

Li Xusheng hurriedly replied, “Your Highness, he is currently waiting to be summoned in the Drum Tower courtyard.”

Qiao Zhongguo smiled and said, “Your Highness, let’s go take a look. The examinee has just received thirty lashes, he may not be able to hold on much longer.”

Qiao Zhongguo didn’t know that their precious son had already saved Tan Hanchi. At this moment, he was still afraid that something might happen to him.

The Second Prince nodded and walked towards the palace gate.

“Look, it’s General Qiao!”

As soon as Qiao Zhongguo and the Second Prince walked out of the palace gate, they immediately caused a stir.

Perhaps many didn’t recognize the Second Prince, but they certainly knew General Qiao!

[Ah ah ah! It’s Dad! Dad personally came to pick up Tan Hanchi! Sob sob sob, so reliable!]

Qiao Jiaojiao was overjoyed!

When she first saw the Second Prince, her heart sank, but she didn’t expect her dad to follow behind him!

Among the crowd, when Sheng Mingcheng saw the Second Prince, he was ecstatic, secretly praising his grandfather’s wisdom.

But the moment he saw Qiao Zhongguo, Sheng Mingcheng’s entire body trembled with fear!

Qiao Zhongguo!

How could Qiao Zhongguo come with the Second Prince!

Sheng Mingcheng climbed onto the carriage in panic, crying, “Grandfather, don’t say that. The Second Prince is here, we still have a chance.”

Qiao Zhongguo didn’t even bother to kick his hopelessly foolish grandson.

The Second Prince was supposed to be the last straw for their Qingguo Duke’s family, but now, even the Second Prince was useless!

Who could have expected Qiao Zhongguo to appear out of nowhere!

With his character, he wouldn’t let Tan Hanchi suffer even a bit!