Old Madam Xue was completely stunned by the news of Qiao Mo’s engagement, urgently ordering someone to summon Kou Xingze back to question him.

“How could Mo’er become engaged to the Xu family? Did you not hear any word of this beforehand, Master?”

Kou Xingze likewise felt his face had been lost. Being questioned by Old Madam Xue in this manner made him angry, and his tone reflected it: “Mo’er is a grandson-in-law, not a grandson. Must he seek my approval for whom he becomes engaged to?”

Old Madam Xue was so choked with anger her chest felt stuffy: “Master, what kind of talk is this? Though Mo’er is a grandson-in-law, the Qiao family has no surviving elders. What would be improper about discussing such an important matter as marriage with his maternal grandfather’s family?”

Kou Xingze sneered coldly: “You also know Mo’er has no elders left, yet what was the situation when Mo’er was staying at our residence? Mo’er is Qiao Zhuo’s grandson – do you take him for a foolish bookworm? You and Lady Mao guarded against him like thieves. I said from the beginning there was no need for such behavior – both he and Zimo have good characters, but you wouldn’t listen to a single word. That would have been one thing, but Lady Mao had to be so blinded by greed as to poison Mo’er. Do you think Mo’er doesn’t know what’s in his heart?”

This series of questions left Old Madam Xue speechless.

Of course, she cared for her grandson-in-law, but at that time, he had suffered a family tragedy and was disfigured – there was no hope of his marrying a lady from a great family. Yet her eldest granddaughter was devoted to him with all her heart. If her grandson-in-law had thoughts of taking shortcuts, wouldn’t that create a tremendous scandal?

She naturally also hated Lady Mao for poisoning Mo’er.

After all, they were husband and wife of many years. Having vented his anger, Kou Xingze’s tone softened: “Forget it, these two children simply had no fate together. But there’s one thing you must remember, Madam – Mo’er is now engaged to Elder Xu’s family. Put away your unwillingness. Mo’er is someone who understands propriety. As long as we don’t go too far, he cannot fail to acknowledge this family connection.”

Old Madam Xue fell silent for a moment, but ultimately harbored anger with nowhere to vent it. Within two days, she fell ill.

When elderly people fall ill, sickness comes like a landslide but departs like drawing silk. By the time Old Madam Xue had recovered completely, Qiao Mo and the Xu family young lady had even set their wedding date.

Old Madam Xue had just recovered when hearing this news made her fall ill with melancholy again. This illness kept her bedridden for several months, but that is a story for later.

Qiao Zhao had not been idle these past days either.

After Qiao Mo became engaged to Xu Jinghong, he proposed moving out to live independently. Though Qiao Zhao was extremely reluctant, she could not stop him.

Previously, when the Qiao family suffered disaster, the Marquis Guanjun had invited them to stay at the marquis’ residence out of family duty, and naturally, no one would say anything. But now that Qiao Mo’s official career was flourishing and he was engaged, continuing to live at the marquis’ residence would seem like coveting wealth and status.

Fortunately, the Qiao family originally had a residence in the capital. Qiao Zhao arranged for people to repair and manage it for half a month, and the Qiao residence was renewed, even the flowers and trees became vibrant with life.

This day was when Qiao Mo would move with Qiao Wan.

Calling it moving, the Qiao residence was already prepared, and there were naturally people to properly move and arrange the siblings’ belongings from the marquis’ residence.

Shao Mingyuan and Qiao Zhao accompanied the two to the Qiao residence and had a lively meal in the garden pavilion of the Qiao residence as a housewarming celebration.

“Tingquan, I owe you much for these days.” Qiao Mo raised his cup to toast Shao Mingyuan.

Shao Mingyuan held his cup with a gentle smile: “Brother-in-law speaks too formally.”

The two men drained their cups simultaneously.

Qiao Zhao smiled: “Big Brother, bring Wanwan to visit when you have leisure time.”

Qiao Mo looked down at Qiao Wan and smiled: “I’ll visit often, but Wanwan is not small anymore. I plan to hire several teachers for music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and needlework to resume the studies that were interrupted these past two years.”

Wanwan was already ten years old. Though it sounded young, marriage discussions were only three or four years away.

Now, Wanwan was certainly pure and innocent, but her brother-in-law was a dragon among men. As Wanwan grew older and reached the age of budding romance, she might well develop feelings of admiration.

Of course, given Wanwan’s upbringing, she should not do anything improper. However, matters of the heart were most painful for women. Rather than let his younger sister suffer from love later, it was better to make arrangements now.

Moreover—

Qiao Mo glanced at Qiao Zhao.

Moreover, his elder sister had a perceptive heart. If Wanwan truly developed other feelings in the future, how could she hide it from her? If the sisters developed resentment between them, that would be his failure as an elder brother.

“I don’t want to learn needlework.” Hearing Qiao Mo’s words, Qiao Wan wrinkled her face and appealed to Qiao Zhao for help, “Sister Li, please help me persuade Big Brother.”

Qiao Zhao asked with a smile: “Persuade him of what?”

Qiao Wan said righteously, “Persuade Big Brother not to hire a needlework teacher for me. I get dizzy as soon as I pick up a needle.”

Qiao Zhao’s mouth twitched.

They were indeed biological sisters – she also got dizzy when picking up a needle.

Miss Qiao immediately felt sympathy for her younger sister, smiling awkwardly at Qiao Mo: “Big Brother, how about—”

Qiao Mo coughed with his fist to his lips: “You’ll have to embroider your wedding handkerchief eventually, won’t you?”

Qiao Zhao was immediately speechless.

“Wanwan, don’t forget Mother’s teachings. I remember Mother mentioning that you had more talent for needlework than your elder sister.”

Qiao Zhao: “…” What a loving brother!

“Alright then.” Qiao Wan reluctantly agreed. When the Qiao Zhao couple was leaving, she held onto Qiao Zhao and wouldn’t let go, saying pitifully, “Sister Li, come play with me often.”

“I will.” Qiao Zhao wanted to lift her hand to pat Qiao Wan’s head, but discovered her younger sister was nearly as tall as herself, so she silently withdrew her hand.

In the carriage on the way back, Qiao Zhao felt somewhat melancholy.

Though Shao Mingyuan had consumed some wine, he was very sensitive to his wife’s emotional changes. Holding her, he asked: “What’s wrong?”

Hot breath sprayed against her neck. Qiao Zhao dodged to one side and sighed: “I was originally quite tall, but now I’m about to be surpassed by a ten-year-old Wanwan.”

“That’s because Wanwan is taller than the girls her age.” Speaking of this, Shao Mingyuan embraced Qiao Zhao and chuckled softly, “Besides, I think you’re wonderful however you are. Being shorter doesn’t affect anything.”

The man spoke while placing his large hands on her fullness.

Qiao Zhao slapped his hand away: “Just a few words and you’re already being improper!”

Shao Mingyuan felt very wronged: “Marital intimacy is naturally ordained – how is that being improper?”

He had already been very proper – a man in his twenties, only now knowing such pleasures.

Newlywed couples always lacked restraint. Just thinking of this, Shao Mingyuan could barely contain himself, burying his face in Qiao Zhao’s neck and kissing her delicately.

“We’re still in the carriage…” Though Qiao Zhao said this, she couldn’t help being moved, ultimately half-resisting and half-yielding as a certain someone had his way.

When the carriage reached the marquis residence, Qiao Zhao panicked slightly, asking Shao Mingyuan with a red face: “Will people notice anything improper?”

“No, Chen Guang is still a bachelor – what would he understand?” Shao Mingyuan said with full confidence.

Chen Guang: “…” If he gets married, he can’t continue being a coachman!

The capital had been peaceful for only a few days when suddenly a thunderbolt struck from clear skies.

Prince Rui, who had been missing for some time and whose residence had already been prepared for funeral rites, had returned!

Emperor Mingkang was overjoyed and hastily summoned Prince Rui for an audience.

Hearing this news, Prince Mu touched the wall where the “imperial edict” was hidden, his heart beginning to stir restlessly.