Chapter 701 Forcibly Keeping Hibiscus
Mu Jin looked conflicted. After hesitating for a long time, she finally managed to say, "Madam, I haven't been back for half a month. I miss my son."
"Could I go back and stay for a few days? To see my son?"
"Besides, my mother-in-law and Yuanyao must be worried about me since I haven't been back for so long."
Qiao Qinghe softened her expression and said with a smile, "I thought you had some reason to leave."
"That's easy. I'll send someone over there to let them know that Zhan-ge'er can also stay at the Qiao residence."
"As for your mother-in-law and sister-in-law, I'll invite them over for a chat. If you have anything to say, you can tell them then."
"These are all minor matters, so please settle in comfortably. Don't keep threatening to leave unless it's absolutely necessary, or I'll get angry!"
Mu Jin looked bitter, hesitated several times before finally nodding in agreement: "I understand."
After Mu Jin left, A Shuang asked curiously, "Madam, why do I feel like you deliberately wanted to keep Doctor Mu in our mansion and not let him leave?"
Qiao Qinghe glanced at A Shuang, who looked puzzled, and smiled. "You've made some progress," but not much.
Ah Shuang frowned, puzzled, and finally asked, "Weren't Young Master Rui and the others cured of their poison? They seem to be in good health, able to eat, sleep, run, and jump."
"Why is the old lady insisting on keeping Doctor Mu here?"
Qiao Qinghe sighed, "She has to stay. She can't leave the Qiao residence until everything is settled."
Unless, of course, Mu Jin can take the initiative to confess everything to her.
Ah Shuang didn't understand, but she was very obedient.
Seeing that Qiao Qinghe was unwilling to say more, she did not ask any further questions, but promised in a very serious tone: "Don't worry, Madam, I will have someone keep an eye on Doctor Mu."
***
The next day, Qiao Qinghe had someone bring Mu Jin's son, Qiao Zhan, to the mansion.
Zhou and Qiao Yuanyao brought the child together and also came to see Qiao Qinghe and Mu Jin.
The two of them were also a little puzzled as to why Mu Jin hadn't returned home for so long, even though Qiao Jingyao had returned home twice during his leave. Yet Mu Jin was still staying at the Qiao residence.
After Qiao Qinghe explained to the two that Emperor Xiaozhao had entrusted her and Mu Jin with the care of the three children of the deposed crown prince, and that they must ensure the children's safety, the two had no more doubts.
After chatting for a while, Zhou got up to see Mu Jin.
Qiao Yuanyao stayed, prompted by Qiao Qinghe.
"Does your aunt have something to say to me?" Qiao Yuanyao cleverly sensed something.
Qiao Qinghe smiled and said, "It's nothing. I just wanted to ask if you've been to Princess Huaiyang's residence these days."
Before Qiao Yuanyao could speak, she added, "You know, Princess Huaiyang had some past grievances with the deposed crown prince."
"Now the three children of the deposed crown prince are being raised in our household."
“I’m afraid that Princess Huaiyang will harbor resentment towards us because of this.”
So, Aunt wanted to ask about Princess Huaiyang's attitude towards the Qiao family?
Qiao Yuanyao understood and replied with a smile, "Aunt, please rest assured, Princess Huaiyang has no complaints against you."
"However, the princess has been very busy lately, so the visiting card I sent a few days ago was returned."
"However, the people from the princess's residence were as polite as before, without the slightest hint of arrogance."
Qiao Qinghe frowned slightly. "I remember that you've been going to the princess's residence less often since the princess got married."
Qiao Yuanyao's eyes darkened slightly. "The princess is already married, so I shouldn't bother her too much. Naturally, I've been visiting less often."
Qiao Qinghe felt a chill run down her spine.
Qiao Yuanyao had already reduced the number of times she visited, and this rare instance of her sending a visiting card resulted in it being returned.
How could that stupid child, Yuanyao, not notice anything amiss?
Seeing that the servants of the princess's residence remained unchanged, they assumed that nothing had happened!
It's truly baffling what to say.
Seemingly noticing the unusual expression on Qiao Qinghe's face, Qiao Yuanyao asked nervously, "Aunt, is there something wrong?"
Qiao Qinghe initially wanted to drop the matter, but after thinking about it, she still said, "If possible, try to see Princess Huaiyang."
Qiao Yuanyao asked anxiously, "Has something happened to the princess?"
After asking, Qiao Yuanyao quickly shook her head and said, "Never mind, Aunt doesn't need to tell me. Just tell me what I need to do after meeting the princess, or what message you need me to convey to the princess?"
Seeing Qiao Yuanyao's nervous appearance, Qiao Qinghe relaxed and said with a smile, "No need for that. Just go see her as usual."
"When you get back, just tell me how she treats you."
"There's no need to pay special attention to the others."
Qiao Yuanyao felt increasingly strange. Her aunt had always been on good terms with Princess Huaiyang, so why would she ask her to test the princess's attitude?
Is there anything I can't say directly to Princess Huaiyang?
That's strange!
Is it really worth it for the sake of three children?
Despite her doubts, Qiao Yuanyao accepted Qiao Qinghe's request and prepared to send a visiting card to the princess's residence upon returning home.
The Zhou mother and daughter left, while Qiao Zhan stayed at the Qiao residence.
Qiao Zhan is eleven years old this year, about the same age as Li Rui and his brother. They are both boys, and Mu Jin has saved their lives.
So the three of them quickly became friends.
Because Qiao Qinghe had hired various tutors for the Li Rui brothers, Qiao Zhan also took a long leave from the academy and stayed at the mansion to study with the Li Rui brothers.
That morning, Qiao Qinghe had breakfast with Li Yiqian and Li Lan and then led them to digest their food.
Before they knew it, they had arrived at the courtyard of Li Rui and the other two.
Well, originally Li Rui and his brother lived in the west wing, but considering that they were both getting on in years and were boys, it would be inconvenient for them to live together.
Most importantly, she hired a group of tutors for them, and to make it easier for them to study, she had Wei Jia arrange for the two of them to live in separate courtyards again.
After Qiao Zhan arrived, he stayed with Mu Jin for two days before moving in with them.
When Qiao Qinghe took Li Yiqian and Li Lan there, they happened to run into Master Wu watching the three children practice horse stance.
The three children clearly had a foundation in martial arts, so their stances were quite impressive, earning nods of approval from their martial arts instructor.
In front of the children, who were lined up in a row, was a small square table with a small bronze tripod on it and an incense stick inserted inside.
The incense is about to burn out.
Master Wu then took another incense stick, lit it, and stuck it in the incense burner.
"Very good, you've lasted for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. There's still one incense stick's time left. Can you keep going?"
"able."
The three children spoke in unison, their voices loud and clear.
Master Wu nodded in satisfaction and continued to walk around the three children, observing them and pointing out their problems from time to time.
Li Yiqian abandoned Qiao Qinghe and Li Lan and ran over.
When Li Lan saw Li Rui and Li Ze, she instinctively hid behind herself.
At this moment, Qiao Qinghe's heart was in turmoil.
She finally remembered what had flashed through her mind when she saw the hatred hidden in Li Rui's eyes that day!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com