“I’m fine.” The little stoic calmly shook her head. Seeing that he had yet to change from his court dress, she knew that he must’ve run over right after leaving the grand first writing ceremony.
As a matter of fact, that was indeed what happened.
The State Duke of Qing had also hurried over after receiving the news only when the ceremony ended.
On the other hand, the crown prince had still gone to speak with the king in the royal study. It was only after leaving the royal study that he was informed that his darling was pitted against the State Duke of Qing’s third son at Huabei Gate.
In no mind to care about changing his clothes anymore, he rushed over, worried that his pampered wife would be at a disadvantage.
“Your Highness, please pardon this offense.” The State Duke of Qing and the General of Military Might hastily bowed again to beg for forgiveness.
Crown Prince Mo was just about to reprimand them, but the little stoic tugged at his sleeve. “Alright, nothing happened to me. It’s only that Mom and them got a bit frightened.”
Since someone came looking for trouble on the first day of the new year, Qiao Mu naturally wouldn’t let that person off lightly.
Wei Ziqin and Qiao Zhongbang had also come out by this time, unable to continue sitting still inside the carriage.
“Mom, are you alright?” Crown Prince Mo ran up to support her; however, he called her “Mom” so naturally that everyone’s eyeballs were about to pop out.
Seeing this, Wei Ziqin quickly tugged his hand before making her salutations in all seriousness. “Greetings to the crown prince.”
Crown Prince Mo promptly reached out to help her up, not paying much attention to how the people around them were viewing this.
Could it be that Qiaoqiao’s mom wasn’t his mom? So what if he called her “Mom?”
By this time, Qiao Zhongbang had already exchanged pleasantries with the State Duke of Qing. The State Duke of Qing repeatedly expressed his apologies, while Qiao Zhongbang hastily reassured him.
Meanwhile, the blood-drenched Shi Guangjin had already been carried away.
The State Duke of Qing’s Madam née He was also secretly wiping her tears on the side. “Jin’er has been beaten too miserably.”
“You still dare to say that.” The State Duke of Qing’s Old Madam glared at her and rebuked resentfully, “If it weren’t for you ordinarily indulging him all along, would this have happened today? How many times have I admonished you already? If Jin’er doesn’t learn to curb his temper, he’ll bring disaster to the entire family sooner or later.”
“Grandmother, don’t get angry.” The sickly State Duke of Qing’s Estate’s second son, Shi Guangyun, quickly advised in a soft voice.
The old madam reached out to pat her second grandson’s hand, but when she saw Madam née He’s frown, she still couldn’t resist getting angry. “Look at what the son and daughter you’ve taught have turned into.”
“Grandmother, why have you also included your granddaughter, me, when you’re just criticizing Third Brother here!” Beside Madam née He, an 18-year-old young girl couldn’t resist talking back in defiance.
In consideration of her prestige, the old madam merely glared at that young girl fiercely before turning her head around in scorn, not sparing Madam née He a glance at all. “Look at the good daughter that you’ve taught. Rou’er, help me along.”
“Yes, Grandmother.” Another young lady of a similar age walked up to support the old madam. She looked gentle and refined, her appearance extremely delicate and pretty.
On the other end, Qiao Mu’s family had also boarded their carriage.
This time, with Crown Prince Mo accompanying the carriage outside, the numerous carriages in front didn’t dare act rashly. They rapidly moved to the sides, forcibly emptying a spacious path for the Qiao Family to pass through first.
Qiao Lin lifted the curtain. “Brother-in-Law, Brother-in-Law, Happy New Year, now give me New Year’s mo-… Mfmph! Mom, what are you covering my mouth for.”
When Mo Lian heard the words “Brother-in-Law,” he found it very much to his liking, and he immediately laughed heartily, handing over the New Year’s gift that had been prepared in advance through the window.
Qiao Sen’s eyes lit up, and he promptly sprawled onto the window, also parroting Qiao Lin in his New Year’s greetings.
Wei Ziqin knocked her son’s small head in both annoyance and amusement. “Only learning the bad.”
——
