C90 (1/2)
Qiao Liangjin brought Qiao Zheng to arrange the residences of all the victims in an orderly manner. They also arranged for their food and drinks. By the time everything was settled, it was already late at night.
Qiao Liangjin rubbed her aching arms and gave a big yawn before climbing into the carriage with Qiao Zheng.
Qiao Zheng looked at Qiao Liangjin's exhausted appearance and said with a pained heart: ”Jin'er, it has been hard on you today.”
Qiao Liangjin waved her hand and pointed to Qiao Ruo Ying who was riding a horse with him outside the carriage. She whispered: ”Big brother is the hardest person to deal with today. Father, didn't you notice that ever since big brother came back from Sheng Cheng, he had become much more mature?”
Qiao Zheng pulled open the curtain and looked at Qiao Ruo Ying who was riding slowly beside the carriage late at night. He then closed the curtain and nodded his head with a bitter smile. ”If Ying has changed a lot, he has learnt a lot during this trip to Sheng Cheng City.”
And then he said, ”If it is really possible, I hope that you are really as naive and carefree as before. However … Father is probably really old, and does not have that much power to protect you, so you all have matured. ”
Qiao Liangjin was silent as she rested her head on Qiao Zheng's shoulder. She knew how much pressure this man, who was serving the imperial court, was under. He was not a saint, and he could not do anything. However, the love he could give them was real.
Seeing Qiao Zheng and Qiao Liangjin get off the carriage one by one, Guo Caijing walked over and worriedly said, ”I heard that the victims are at the city gates today and that something is going to happen. I have been worried the entire time, seeing that you two have returned safely, I am relieved.”
Qiao Zheng patted Guo Caiting's bony palm to comfort her.
Qiao Liangjin, who was still a heartless person, rubbed her stomach and giggled, ”Third Aunt, we are all starving. Is there anything good to eat?”
Qiao Xinting supported Guo Caiting as she nodded and said, ”Mom said Big Sis and Big Bro like eating rice balls and sweet and sour fish. They have long been prepared and are waiting for you two to come back.”
When Qiao Liangjin heard this, she hurriedly used one hand to hold onto Qiao Zheng, one hand holding onto Guo Caiting's other arm, and shouted to Qiao Ruo Ying who was behind him: ”The enemy will arrive at the dining hall in thirty seconds. Everyone hurry up, no one fight with me for it today, I want to eat three big bowls of rice.”
Although Qiao Zheng was very tired, he had solved the problem of the people outside the city gates and was in a good mood. Looking at Qiao Liangjin's mischievous appearance, he scratched the tip of her nose and laughed, ”How old is this girl to still be so naughty?”
Qiao Xinting who was standing to the side saw Qiao Zheng's pampering towards Qiao Liangjin and the smile on his face froze. Qiao Liangjin had unluckily noticed this small action.
Guo Caiting lightly tugged Qiao Xinting's sleeve, shaking her head slightly. Qiao Xinting immediately lowered her head, supporting Guo Caiting as they entered the door.
When they arrived at the dining room, the Countess, Qiao Maoshan and their wife and children were already seated. Seeing Qiao Lianjin and the rest enter, Qiao Maoshan immediately forced out a smile as he stood up to welcome them and said: ”Big brother, we have heard of what happened outside the city today. Big brother has done this beautifully.”
Qiao Zheng gave two light coughs and looked at his daughter, his eyes filled with praise as he said: ”If Jin'er had not gone out to help today, I'm afraid I would not be able to come back at this time.”
The old mistress groaned. She tapped the cane on the floor and said in a low voice, ”She's a girl after all. What's wrong with showing your face all day long?”
Qiao Liangjin looked at the madame indifferently, smiled and said: ”In this Prime Minister Manor, other than my father, who else can help him solve his problem? You? Or you? Or … ”You?”
Qiao Liangjin's slender fingers moved along Qiao Maoshan's and Lin Fangli's faces one by one. His face was filled with disdain.
On the other hand, Qiao Zheng held Qiao Liangjin's hand and said with a hint of rebuke, ”Jin'er, that's your uncle. Alright, alright, sit down and eat. Everyone is tired and hungry.”
Qiao Liangjin turned around and pulled Qiao Ruo Ying to sit on Qiao Zheng's left and right while Qiao Xinting timidly stood beside Guo Caiting. Although she was a girl from the Prime Minister's Estate, she rarely appeared in front of so many people.
Qiao Liangjin sat down and turned around to look at Qiao Xinting behind him. She waved her hand and said, ”Xinting, come and sit here.”
The madame's face darkened immediately and her voice was filled with dissatisfaction. ”Nonsense. A concubine can only serve the meal here, and she still wants to eat at the table?”
Being scolded by the madame, Qiao Xinting was shocked. She timidly hid behind Guo Caiting.
Qiao Liangjin stubbornly waved her hand and called out, ”Xinting, come, sit with elder sister.”
Guo Caiting looked down awkwardly at Qiao Xinting who was hiding behind her, patting the back of her hand that was tightly gripping her arm, saying in a low voice, ”Go, don't worry, trust your elder sister.”
When the madame saw that Qiao Liangjin did not care about her face at all, she decided that she would take it out today. She shouted, ”I want to see how she will eat this today!”