Tears welled up in her cold eyes once again, as cold as the weather outside.
All the plans had been drafted from the beginning, and she would not meet with the Crown Prince until they were completed, thus avoiding any additional trouble.
And then there was that crucial strike, which was extremely skillful.
No matter how capable Qiao Lian'er is, by the time she figures everything out, it will be too late.
That day will be the day when the injustice done to the Du family is vindicated.
The horse ranch and teahouse were filled with the refreshing aroma of tea, which dispelled the chill in the air.
"Your Highness, would you do me the honor of having dinner at the Qiao family's residence tonight?" Qiao Lian'er asked.
Chu Yaoce was somewhat surprised. It was Qiao Lian'er who took the initiative to invite him to her home for dinner. There must be a reason for this.
"It is true that the Emperor dislikes forming cliques, but if you go out to eat openly and honestly once or twice, the Emperor will not say anything."
"But why?"
Qiao Lian'er said, "I still want to resolve this matter peacefully. If the Crown Prince is willing to intervene on behalf of the Qiao family, it will be equivalent to proving to Du Qinglan that the Qiao family is close to the Crown Prince and has the power to exonerate her family. It all depends on her choice."
Chu Yaoce smiled and asked, "Why are you feeling soft-hearted?"
In his mind, this did not align with Qiao Lian'er's decision.
"Because Brother Da Meng cherishes her to the bone, and because everyone in the Qiao family loves her so much, I'm doing this because of the Qiao family's sacrifices. I don't want to see their disappointment when they find out the truth, and I don't want to face their heartache. What's the difference between this and stabbing them in the heart?"
"If she pulls back from the brink and lives a good life with Brother Meng, I can pretend that nothing happened before. Our Qiao family has never cherished a girl who is about to marry into our family like this before. It can be said that we have put the most effort into her before she got married."
"It's not that I'm soft-hearted towards her, it's that I cherish the Qiao family's feelings."
"To be honest, Du Qinglan isn't completely hopeless. I'm thinking of betting on her last shred of conscience."
Chu Yaoce paused for a moment, then agreed: "Okay, this is also part of our cooperation, and I am naturally willing to cooperate."
Just as dinner was being served, a loud voice came from outside the door.
"I just happened to be passing by and the aroma is wonderful. It seems to be a dish I've never tried before. May I have a drink?"
Everyone looked outside and saw that the servants were bowing, and it was His Highness the Crown Prince who had entered.
The Qiao family members immediately went out to pay their respects.
The Crown Prince smiled faintly and said, "Everyone, there's no need to be so polite. On the contrary, it is I who have troubled you. I feel so bad."
Qiao Lian'er said, "It is an honor for the Qiao family that the Crown Prince has graced our home with his presence. Since you have come all this way, I will not only drink a cup of wine, but I will make sure you drink until you are completely drunk."
As he spoke, he gestured for the room to be entered.
The Crown Prince laughed heartily: "The Qiao family's children are all outstanding. Since you're here, I'll drink to my heart's content with everyone."
The Qiao family members all vaguely sensed that Lian'er seemed to be very familiar with the Crown Prince, and there was a very relaxed atmosphere between them.
Could it be—
They dared not think any further, but a surge of overwhelming excitement welled up inside them.
Lian'er really knows how to choose. She chose the Crown Prince, and the Crown Prince seems to like the Qiao family. You know, it's not like you can just choose a side and they'll accept you.
Du Qinglan was also among the Qiao family, and with her keen insight, she immediately guessed this.
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