Chapter 74

When Qiao Zhongguo returned home, he found the whole family waiting for him.

His heart warmed suddenly, and he showed a sincere smile.

“Wife, I’m starving!”

Mrs. Qiao, seeing him being loud, gave him a reproachful look.

“The meal has been prepared long ago, just waiting for you.”

Qiao Zhongguo laughed heartily and eagerly took the child from Qiao Tianjing’s arms.

Qiao Jiaojiao’s big, round eyes stared at Qiao Zhongguo, afraid that her father’s mood might not be good.

Not wanting Qiao Jiaojiao to worry, and with no one else around, he spoke first:

“The Second Prince has been confined, and it seems unlikely that Sheng Mingcheng will survive. In front of the Emperor, the Second Prince begged for a favor to take Sheng Xiuran as a concubine.”

[What?]

Qiao Jiaojiao was a bit confused when she heard this, but after a moment’s thought, she suddenly understood.

[Tsk tsk, this male lead is quite cunning! Did he use Sheng Xiuran as a shield?]

In his heart, Qiao Zhongguo silently gave Qiao Jiaojiao a thumbs-up.

“The Second Prince has met Sheng Mingcheng privately. If Sheng Xiuran is not brought out, he won’t be able to explain it.”

Qiao Jiaojiao showed a look of understanding.

[Sheng Xiuran has been infatuated with the Second Prince for so long. I didn’t expect her wish to be fulfilled amidst such a tragedy. It’s so ironic…]

[If she’s really just a hopeless romantic, there’s nothing to say. She’ll just be a neglected concubine by the Second Prince.]

[If she has some backbone, at least for her brother’s sake, she could still pose a threat to the Second Prince, and maybe they could use her later…]

Qiao Jiaojiao’s thoughts went a bit deeper, making Qiao Tianjing’s eyes shine, nodding repeatedly, but Qiao Diyi felt terrified.

It’s over. Little sister is showing signs of being like big brother, all into playing politics and scheming!

Qiao Zhongguo, however, didn’t mind Qiao Jiaojiao’s thoughts.

Whatever Jiaojiao liked to do, she could do it. As her father, he only worried that his daughter might have a hard time.

The meal was served.

Although Mrs. Qiao was in the inner courtyard, Qiao Zhongguo didn’t hide anything from her. Having heard Qiao Jiaojiao’s thoughts, she understood a lot.

She knew her husband must be feeling uneasy today, so she specially instructed the kitchen to make Qiao Zhongguo’s favorite, juicy pork knuckles, which looked so shiny, enticing Qiao Zhongguo’s appetite.

Seeing Qiao Zhongguo eagerly waiting, Qiao Jiaojiao couldn’t help but giggle.

In the past, her father had eaten too much hardship on the battlefield, even gnawing on roots. Now that he was enjoying the sweet life, his favorite was juicy pork knuckles, with every bite full of meat!

Seeing Qiao Zhongguo’s impatient look, Qiao Jiaojiao grinned and suddenly spoke:

“Dad…”

Qiao Zhongguo’s hand, which had reached out, suddenly stopped, and he looked down in shock at Qiao Jiaojiao.

Qiao Jiaojiao laughed even more joyfully, repeating over and over:

“Daddy… Daddy Daddy…”

Qiao Zhongguo picked up Qiao Jiaojiao with a whoosh, surprised and relieved at the same time.

“Jiaojiao can call me Dad now! Wife, Jiaojiao can call me now!”

“What a good girl, my sweetie, oh, my heart is melting!”

Qiao Madam, Qiao Tianjing, and Qiao Diyi exchanged glances and smiled at each other.

No matter how turbulent the situation was outside, no matter how much scheming and intrigue there was, as long as their family was together, it was the sweetest moment.

—

When the night was darkening, Sheng Xiuran was carried into the Chonghua Palace in a small sedan chair.

Sitting in the bumpy sedan chair, she felt completely lost.

Her brother had gone out early in the morning and hadn’t returned until noon. She was worried sick, fearing that something might have happened to him.

Then, a little later, a group of people suddenly rushed in, saying that the Emperor had granted a favor, allowing her to become a concubine for the Second Prince.

Upon hearing this, Sheng Xiuran’s face turned pale.

She, as the legitimate daughter of the Qingguo Duke’s Mansion, had been carefully raised by her grandfather, knowing all about propriety, righteousness, integrity, and various arts.

Throughout history, wives were noble, concubines were lowly, and mistresses were even lower.

She wanted to be the Second Prince’s lawful wife, not a mistress without even a name!

However, the guards didn’t give her a chance to refuse, rudely stuffing her into the carriage.

She wanted to ask about her brother’s whereabouts, but no one was willing to speak to her.

“Miss Sheng, please get out of the sedan.”

A female voice came from outside the sedan, bringing Sheng Xiuran back to her senses.

Pale-faced, she lifted the curtain and saw a plain-looking but slender maid.

“Where… where is this?” Sheng Xiuran asked timidly.

The maid replied calmly, “Miss Sheng, I’m Liuyun, your maid from now on. This is the Chonghua Palace of the Second Prince. From today onwards, you are the prince’s concubine.”

Sheng Xiuran’s legs went weak, and she immediately shouted, “Where is the Second Prince? I want to see the Second Prince! I refuse to be a concubine!”

A faintly mocking smile appeared on Liuyun’s face.

She knew that this Miss Sheng had long been admiring the prince. After all, that heroic rescue was orchestrated by the prince himself.

And among all the women in the world, none could resist the prince’s charm!

“Miss Sheng, the Qingguo Duke’s Mansion has been completely wiped out, and even Lord Sheng will soon be executed. You can be an exception, all thanks to the Second Prince’s mercy.”

“If you are grateful, just stay obediently in this Chonghua Palace. In terms of food, clothing, and daily necessities, the prince will not mistreat you.”

Upon hearing this, Sheng Xiuran felt dizzy.

“What! You said… you said my brother…”

When it came to Sheng Mingcheng, Liuyun’s face turned cold.

“Lord Sheng lost his mind, went to the Dengwen Drum Tower to accuse the Second Prince of baseless charges, and caused the Second Prince to be confined by the Emperor. Even if he were executed a hundred times, it wouldn’t be enough!”

Liuyun shouldn’t have said so much, but as she said herself, there was no woman in the world who could resist the Second Prince, including herself.

That scoundrel Sheng Mingcheng dared to be disrespectful to the Second Prince, nearly harming him. She had long wished for Sheng Mingcheng’s death!

“So, Miss Sheng, I advise you to behave yourself. Don’t entertain any fantasies, let alone harbor any improper thoughts towards the prince!”

After saying this, Liuyun came over to pull Sheng Xiuran.

Seeing her thin and weak appearance, but surprisingly strong grip, she dragged the dazed Sheng Xiuran into the side chamber.

Sheng Xiuran was thrown onto the bed, and the dull pain in her wrists woke her up.

She suddenly screamed, “I want to see the prince! My brother can’t die! Take me to see the prince, I beg the prince to save my brother!”

Liuyun sneered inwardly. Indeed, she was stupid.

“Miss Sheng, just rest quietly. There are people guarding the door at all times. I advise you not to have any evil thoughts!”