Xiao Hongda's courage and loyalty were far beyond the imagination of Qiao Tianjing and Qiao Jiaojiao, so this visit to Duke Dingguo's Mansion could be said to be extremely smooth.
Now that everything has been discussed, we can start making precise plans!
"Uncle Xiao, that portrait——"
Qiao Tianjing just started the conversation and Xiao Hongda took over naturally.
"Let's just go with the flow, otherwise I will have no reason to enter the palace that day."
【hiss--】
Qiao Jiaojiao's eyes widened.
It’s numb. My scalp is numb again!
It's so easy to talk to a smart person! Just open your mouth and he can see the words coming out of your throat!
[Now that the excuse has been given, even if Zhou Bo refuses to stuff the portrait into the Duke Dingguo's mansion, we have to make one ourselves, hehe...]
Xiao Hongda thought for a moment and said, "Da Lang, we need to talk to His Highness and the Queen about this matter. Only when we work together can we finally resolve the issue!"
Qiao Tianjing nodded happily, "I originally wanted to report to His Highness after getting Uncle Xiao's approval."
The two discussed some details and then Qiao Tianjing stood up and said goodbye.
Before leaving, Qiao Tianjing thought about it, and decided to pull Qiao Jiaojiao and kneel solemnly in front of Xiao Hongda.
"Uncle Xiao, please don't refuse. Please accept Dalang and Jiaojiao's greetings."
Xiao Hongda was willing to step forward, so he took the biggest risk. Even in the imperial study, he wanted to be the first person to stand out!
Once the plan fails, there will be no recovery, and even the reputation of this life will be tarnished.
Xiao Hongda's lack of hesitation made Qiao Tianjing feel apologetic.
When Xiao Hongda saw Qiao Tianjing kowtowed to him properly and even Qiao Jiaojiao knelt in a proper manner, his heart softened.
"Dalang, there is no need to do this. The Xiao family and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince have long been in solidarity. Uncle Xiao will step forward for his own sake."
"Your Qiao family has made every effort to help. If this succeeds, the honor will go to Uncle Xiao."
"Don't you think it's a pity, Dalang?"
Qiao Tianjing looked calm and shook his head.
"Uncle Xiao, Dalang did these things not for the Qiao family to stand out and gain glory."
"Da Lang uses the tactics of a strategist. When necessary, he will accept any conspiracy or overt scheme. But Da Lang always keeps in mind the loyalty and righteousness that his father taught him since he was a child."
"If these plans can help Yong Dynasty get a wise ruler, let the people live in peace, and let my father's ambitions be fulfilled, Dalang will not be obsessed with power and will not be greedy for achievements. As long as the family is safe and sound, it will be enough."
"Thank you Uncle Xiao for your thoughts. Uncle Xiao is a man of high integrity. I admire you very much."
When Xiao Hongda heard these words, his face was moved.
It was not until Qiao Tianjing carried Qiao Jiaojiao away that Xiao Hongda took a deep breath!
That rough man, Old Qiao, was so lucky to have given birth to such a good son!
Dalang is an incredibly upright child, truly a rare talent!
Ahhhh!
He was so jealous that he was unrecognizable!
Jilang!
After Erlang came back, he taught him a lesson severely and brought him home to be his son-in-law!
A son-in-law is half a son. If Erlang is together with that tomboy Qianyue, they will become a good son, right?
When the time comes, dragging this young couple out to the battlefield to kill the enemy, just thinking about it will make him so proud!
Good, good, good!
That’s it!
————
Time passed quickly as several groups of people were busy.
Two days later, Xiao Hongda brought news to Qiao Tianjing that Zhou Bo had "succeeded"!
He made a small mistake "extremely carelessly", and Zhou Bo immediately saw the opportunity and stuffed the portrait into a box.
The box was "specially" marked and would be delivered to the East Palace in the next two days.
Xiao Hongda was even considerate enough to make a copy of a painting and asked Qiao Tianjing to follow suit and copy more.
Qiao Tianjing didn't expect that there was a portrait in the envelope, and he opened it in front of Qiao Jiaojiao.
Qiao Jiaojiao:!!!
[Ah! Yu Liu! It's really beautiful! ]
[Back then, everyone said that Yu Zhaoyi looked like Yu Liu, but now it turns out that there is still a gap! ]
[The person who looks most like Yu Liu in this world is, as expected, the Second Prince! ]
Qiao Tianjing was so frightened that he crumpled the portrait into a ball and held it in his hand!
It’s over, I’ve dirty my little sister’s eyes!
Qiao Jiaojiao couldn't help but laugh when she saw Qiao Tianjing's nervous look.
[The ancients were conservative after all, so this painting is not really explicit. ]
[However, it is hard to imagine what kind of mood Zhou Bo was in when he had these portraits drawn. Tsk tsk, such a despicable method, I guess they are the first ones to be disgusted! ]
Seeing that Qiao Jiaojiao didn't care too much, Qiao Tianjing secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
He wanted someone to quickly get the portrait out. If the Second Prince still wanted to use it to slander the Crown Prince, he would bring disgrace upon himself!
————
Two days later, it was May 12, only three days away from the prince's wedding.
And today, Qiao Zhongguo finally brought the second prince to the last post station outside the capital!
This time, Qiao Zhongguo will escort the second prince back to Beijing. He will not return home for a while, but will go directly to the palace to report.
So the group had to take a short rest at the post station, change clothes, tidy up their appearance, and prepare to meet the emperor!
Qiao Tianjing got the news and came here with Qiao Jiaojiao to wait early.
Qiao Jiaojiao couldn't hide her excitement and was looking forward to it all the time.
After waiting for more than an hour, I finally saw a convoy speeding towards this side from afar. The leader was covered in dust but still looked handsome and majestic!
Qiao Jiaojiao's eyes turned red and she wanted to shout out loud, but her throat felt extremely sore.
She leaned forward, and Qiao Tianjing understood and put her down. Qiao Jiaojiao couldn't help but take a step forward and ran towards the convoy.
“Daddy!”
“Second brother!”
The childish voice was drowned out by the sound of horse hooves, but Qiao Zhongguo had already seen his little darling!
It’s Jiaojiao!
At this moment, all those who were eager to go home on the road were comforted and relieved. Even a tough guy like Qiao Zhongguo couldn't help but have tears in his eyes!
He kicked off his horse, strode forward, picked up Qiao Jiaojiao and held her high above his head!
Qiao Jiaojiao almost flew up!
Her eyes were curved but her voice was choked with sobs as she shouted out in joy:
"Daddy! Daddy is back!"
Qiao Zhongguo's heart softened and he immediately hugged Qiao Jiaojiao in his arms, calling her his darling.
Qiao Diyi came from behind. He was darker and thinner, but his hearty smile hadn't changed at all!
Qiao Jiaojiao immediately shouted: "Second brother! Jiaojiao misses you so much!"
Qiao Diyi opened his arms and came forward, hugging Qiao Jiaojiao tightly in Qiao Zhongguo's arms.
"Little sister, big brother missed you so much!"
Qiao Tianjing didn't step forward, but when he saw the three of them hugging each other, his eyes became moist and his face was full of tenderness.
At this time, the convoy drove closer, and the second prince lifted the curtain and got off the carriage, his eyes fixed on Qiao Tianjing.
Qiao Tianjing felt something in his heart. He looked up and made eye contact with the Second Prince, then immediately bowed respectfully.
The second prince walked up to Qiao Tianjing, his voice low and a meaningful smile on his face.
"Da Lang, I haven't seen you for a long time. Zhu Feng... Thank you for your care."
Qiao Tianjing was not afraid at all and shook his head with a smile.
"Your Highness, I am just doing my duty at all times."
"Dalang is here to welcome Your Highness back to the capital."
The stage is set up, all the actors are present, and finally - the show is about to begin!