After Qiao San retreated, there was silence in the study for a while.

After a long while, Qiao Zhongguo murmured slowly: "It was a close call..."

Qiao Tianjing agreed with this and nodded solemnly.

Yeah, that was a close call.

From the moment he learned of the tragic end of the Qiao family, he deeply realized that their enemy was the second prince who was favored by this world.

He has a stunning appearance and a very scheming mind.

The emperor favors him, women are obsessed with him without regrets, and he has incredible opportunities. Even talents like Tan Hanchi were originally intended for his use.

Their Qiao family has come this far thanks to the younger sister's ability to predict the future. Even so, the second prince's methods are still endless and difficult to guard against.

If Meng Guxue, who also foresaw the future, surrendered to the Second Prince, Qiao Tianjing couldn't imagine how difficult it would be for their Qiao family, and how powerful the Second Prince would be.

"She... shouldn't be that stupid, right?" Qiao Diyi said after hesitating for a while.

Even someone as honest as him knew that given the Second Prince's cold-bloodedness, if Meng Guxue dared to tell him everything, she would be imprisoned forever until every last bit of her value was squeezed out!

Upon hearing this, Qiao Tianjing shook his head pessimistically.

"She won't do it now, and there's no guarantee that she won't do it in the future. Meng Guxue isn't a very smart person, and she doesn't seem to be very scheming. She can't outsmart the Second Prince."

When Qiao Diyi heard this, he frowned tightly, and then he seemed to have made up his mind and said in a cold voice:

"Then..."

He raised his hand and made a gesture of wiping his neck.

In order to protect the Qiao family, Qiao Diyi doesn't mind getting his hands stained with blood, not to mention that Meng Guxue is the enemy who wants to harm the Qiao family!

If he has to suffer any divine punishment for this, it will be borne by him, Qiao Diyi alone!

Qiao Tianjing's face was full of thought; he was still thinking.

At this time, Qiao Zhongguo suddenly stood up.

His expression was more serious than ever before, and he said in a deep voice: "Big brother, second brother, I will teach you a lesson now."

“Sometimes, you don’t have to use your own knife to kill someone.”

Upon hearing this, Qiao Diyi looked at his father a little confused, but a glimmer of light flashed across Qiao Tianjing's eyes!

Qiao Zhongguo walked to the flickering candlelight and said slowly:

"Meng Guxue may become a sharp weapon in the hands of the Second Prince. Similarly, she can also become... a sharp knife that stabs the Second Prince!"

"Similarly, the Second Prince wanted to use Meng Guxue, but when things became impossible, he would... destroy Meng Guxue without hesitation!"

Having said this, Qiao Zhongguo turned around.

His eyes were bright, his brows were relaxed, and his grinning mouth was full of cunning, just like when he was playing tricks on the battlefield, full of energy!

"Big brother, what do you think of the drama that would be created if the hero and heroine fought and killed each other..."

Qiao Diyi shuddered suddenly.

Dad...Dad is so scary!

Qiao Tianjing slowly raised the corner of his mouth.

Dad, that's wonderful——

Qiao Zhongguo chuckled, "Alright, come over here, I already have a plan in mind!"

"Then it will be like this... and then like this..."

Qiao Tianjing would occasionally interject, "Dad, wait a minute, we can do this and that here..."

Qiao Diyi listened eagerly, and finally became a member of the atmosphere group, and from time to time:

"Ah? Is this possible?"

"Ah? Is this possible?"

"ah???"

......

When the father and his two sons left the study.

Qiao Zhongguo: I haven’t played tricks for a long time, it’s so enjoyable!

Qiao Tianjing: I really learned a lot today and I feel refreshed!

Qiao Diyi: Huh? So, he is the only stupid person in the family!

————

After the morning court session the next day, Qiao Zhongguo was named by Emperor Yong to stay.

The atmosphere in the imperial study was somewhat depressing.

Qiao Zhongguo waited respectfully on the side. Opposite him stood the calm-looking prince, and next to him stood the expressionless Tan Hanchi.

Emperor Yong sat behind his desk with a gloomy look on his face.

"Qiao Aiqing, the Northern Kingdom delegation has sent news that they will arrive in Kyoto on February 15th."

Upon hearing this, Qiao Zhongguo suddenly realized that the Northern Kingdom’s delegation was about to arrive.

"On that day, let Qiao Aiqing go to the city gate to welcome him."

This is meant to intimidate the Northern Kingdom's envoys.

After all, Qiao Zhongguo was the man who had conquered the capital of the Northern Kingdom in one fell swoop!

Qiao Zhongguo's eyes flickered when he heard this, and he accepted the order calmly.

Emperor Yong seemed to be in a bad mood. After giving his orders, he asked them to leave.

After leaving the imperial study, the prince walked in front, followed by Qiao Zhongguo and Tan Hanchi.

The prince took the initiative to start the conversation, "Master Qiao, how has Xiao Si been doing recently?"

Qiao Zhongguo immediately replied: "Your Highness, the Fourth Prince is working as hard as ever. If he can persist for a long time, he will definitely achieve great things in the martial arts in the future."

The prince nodded with satisfaction upon hearing this, and then chatted, "How is Jiaojiao doing recently?"

When the prince asked about Jiaojiao, Qiao Zhongguo smiled, "Children change every day. Jiaojiao is particularly lively and likes to join in the fun."

"Well, maybe it was because the second brother mentioned the East Suburb Poetry Festival in front of her that she kept talking about it and clamoring to attend it!"

The prince's expression changed slightly when he heard this, and he looked at Qiao Zhongguo deeply.

Qiao Zhongguo was frank and still smiling, allowing the prince to look at him.

The prince's mind raced, and he suddenly smiled and said, "Come to think of it, I attended the East Suburb Poetry Festival last year with Jiaojiao in my arms."

"This year, Nanli Country and Beiguo have sent delegations. If nothing unexpected happens, I will take them to see it for themselves."

When Qiao Zhongguo heard the answer he wanted, he looked back at the prince deeply, then smiled and nodded.

"There are many talented people in our Great Yong Dynasty. It's time to let them see them for themselves."

Tan Hanchi: “…”

Playing tricks early in the morning, huh?

The prince went to the East Palace halfway, while Qiao Zhongguo and Tan Hanchi continued to leave the palace together.

The two of them looked distant, and although they were talking, to others, it seemed like just ordinary greetings between colleagues.

"Master Qiao, the purpose of the Northern Kingdom delegation is unclear, so you must be careful."

Tan Hanchi spoke calmly, with a hint of meaning.

Qiao Zhongguo nodded politely, "People in the north regard me as a thorn in their eyes and a thorn in their flesh."

"It's just a small delegation. It won't cause any big trouble. What I'm afraid of is..."

When Qiao Zhongguo said this, he suddenly paused and then laughed.

"It's nothing. If an enemy comes, we will fight him with our troops. If a flood comes, we will block it with earth."

Tan Hanchi knew very well what Qiao Zhongguo had not yet said.

Lord Qiao didn't take the Northern Kingdom, his former defeated enemy, seriously at all. What he was worried about... was the suspicious emperor on the throne.

Thinking of this, Tan Hanchi also gave a "polite" smile.

"Yes, if the enemy comes, we will be able to stop them. Sir Qiao, don't worry."

The deep meaning of this:

Lord Qiao, I am very happy to be your general who blocks the enemy's attack and the soil that covers the water.

The corners of Qiao Zhongguo's mouth slightly raised, but immediately suppressed them again.

Boy Tan, I knew you were reliable!