Chapter 77

【Wait! Wait! Isn’t that Aunt An over there?】

Although it was just a glance, Qiao Jiaojiao firmly believed that she couldn’t be mistaken; Aunt An had just appeared at the window!

At Qiao Diyi’s words, Qiao Jiaojiao followed his gaze and suddenly furrowed her brows slightly. “Isn’t that cousin Anning?”

At the window of the tea house across the street, there leaned a veiled young girl.

She was wearing a light purple jacket and was gazing down at the top scholar passing by below with a look of seriousness and curiosity.

Qiao Jiaojiao was slightly surprised. So, this was cousin Anning!

She had visited the Duke of Yan’s Mansion several times later, but because Aunt An and her mother had fallen out, she had never met her cousin Anning.

Looking at her from afar now, all she could discern was her fair skin and exquisite features.

【Could it be that Aunt An also brought Cousin Anning out to see the excitement?】

It was because Mrs. Zuo was a key figure in the downfall of the Qiao family in the original work that Qiao Jiaojiao couldn’t help but pay special attention to her.

She was afraid that Aunt An would do something crazy again!

【No, I’m still so worried!】

Qiao Diyi could see Qiao Jiaojiao’s anxiety and simply raised his hand and called out, “Cousin Anning!”

Zuo Anning was also fifteen years old, but she was born a few months later than Qiao Diyi.

The call was loud and clear, and it just happened to reach Tan Hanchi’s ears as he passed by downstairs.

Instinctively following Qiao Diyi’s gaze, he looked up and saw a beautiful young girl wearing a veil by the window on the second floor.

With just one glance, Tan Hanchi realized that something was amiss and quickly averted his gaze.

Hearing someone call her name, Zuo Anning looked over curiously. When her gaze met Qiao Diyi’s, her face instantly turned red.

She had known about the falling out between her mother and her aunt because Cousin Qiao had chosen a girl from the Han family as his wife, not her. Initially, it hadn’t mattered much to her, after all, they were still related by blood.

But her mother had previously promised her that her future husband would definitely be Cousin Qiao, which had made her hopeful. However, when her hope was dashed, she couldn’t help but cry. As a result, she was brought before her aunt and was too embarrassed to show her face.

But now that Cousin Qiao took the initiative to greet her, she had to reciprocate, no matter how shy she felt.

It wasn’t appropriate for a young lady to shout and scream in public, so Zuo Anning took a step back and bowed slightly to Qiao Diyi.

Qiao Jiaojiao probably understood Zuo Anning’s current feelings. She had no objections to this cousin.

After all, what Aunt An had done and this innocent cousin had nothing to do with each other.

【Cousin Anning is actually a rare clear-headed person.】

【After accidentally overhearing her uncle and aunt’s plans against our Qiao family, she felt scared and angry, and immediately wanted to tell her grandfather.】

【Who knew that her aunt would discover Cousin Anning’s intentions and lock her firmly in the room, ignoring her pleas to open the door until the Qiao family was destroyed, before finally letting her out.】

【After learning about her parents’ actions, Cousin Anning was overwhelmed with grief and eventually decided to expose her parents’ crimes to her grandfather.】

【Seeing that things couldn’t be kept secret any longer, Aunt An, taking advantage of her grandfather’s extreme sadness and illness, actually gave Anning to the Second Prince as a concubine!】

【As a result, the Second Prince then gave Anning to one of his attendants… sigh, it’s so uncomfortable.】

Upon hearing this, Qiao Diyi, his entire body trembling with anger, viciously grasped the window frame in front of him.

Insane!

Uncle and Aunt are truly insane!

【Brother even greeted Cousin Anning, but Aunt didn’t show her face. Could it be that she’s not in the private room now?】

【But I clearly saw Aunt just now!】

Qiao Jiaojiao was silently wondering, and Qiao Diyi had already shouted, “Cousin Anning, I’m coming to see you!”

Is Aunt there or not? Just go and see to find out!

Qiao Jiaojiao really liked Qiao Diyi’s decisive manner.

Qiao Diyi did as he said, picked up Qiao Jiaojiao and went downstairs, through the crowd, into the tea house opposite, and all the way up to the quiet room where Zuo Anning was.

Qiao Diyi and Zuo Anning were first cousins, so there was no need for them to be as cautious as strangers.

Zuo Anning came to open the door, her face flushed, and she seemed very embarrassed.

Qiao Jiaojiao immediately glanced around and saw that there was only Zuo Anning and a maid in the room.

【Huh, Aunt isn’t here. Could it be that I was mistaken?】

Qiao Jiaojiao muttered to herself, seeing Zuo Anning’s uneasy appearance, she sweetly smiled at her.

【Anning cousin, there’s really no need to feel embarrassed. What big brother did has nothing to do with you at all.】

【Besides, Mom really likes Anning cousin. She was talking about you not long ago, saying how good Anning cousin is and wondering what kind of family would be a good match for you.】

Qiao Diyi was also polite. Even though they were first cousins, he didn’t approach too much. He just smiled and said, “Anning cousin, it’s been a long time since we last met. My mom was just thinking about you recently. If you have time, come to our house for a visit.”

Zuo Anning was both surprised and delighted to hear this, especially since her mother had said many bad things about Aunt in front of her and said that she wasn’t allowed to visit Aunt.

Qiao Diyi could see Zuo Anning’s concerns and laughed heartily.

“Anning cousin, the grievances of the older generation have nothing to do with us younger generation. My mom really thinks highly of you. If you’re worried about Aunt scolding you, just come secretly when you have time, I promise to pick you up!”

Upon hearing this, Zuo Anning couldn’t help but chuckle, finally dispelling the shyness on her face.

“Second cousin, you haven’t changed a bit.”

Qiao Diyi smiled foolishly, then became curious and asked, “Anning cousin, did you come out alone? It’s too dangerous with so many people here today.”

Zuo Anning hurriedly waved her hand when she heard this. “No, no, Mom brought me out, but she saw an old friend just now and said she was going to catch up with them.”

“Here, in the room at the end of the corridor.”

【An old friend?】

Qiao Jiaojiao’s thoughts turned slightly, and she had a bad premonition.

【Oh no, it couldn’t be what I’m thinking, could it?】

Qiao Diyi and Qiao Jiaojiao’s thoughts instantly aligned.

After all, after hearing each other’s innermost thoughts, they had no secrets. There was a huge hidden danger on Aunt’s side!

Thinking of this, Qiao Diyi immediately smiled and said, “Although Mom and Aunt are not in contact anymore, we as the younger generation cannot forget the rules. Anyway, we should pay our respects.”

“Aunt’s friend, I’m sure she’s a prominent lady in the capital, right? It’s only right to show respect to her.”

“Anning cousin, take me to knock on her door.”

Zuo Anning naturally hoped that her mother and aunt could repair their relationship. Moreover, according to etiquette, she should pay her respects to her mother’s friend.

Thinking of this, Zuo Anning nodded gently. “Second cousin, come with me.”