Chapter 17: Truth Talisman

The Huo clan clearly suspected the Emperor's motives were impure.

That was why they had left Qiao Niannian in the Imperial Palace overnight.

Marquis Mingyuan lived nearby.

He heard his wife's suspicions regarding the Emperor making things difficult for their daughter loud and clear.

Under normal circumstances, he would certainly have scolded his wife a few times.

Walls have ears; how could she speak such treasonous words?

However, he was also worried about his daughter and harbored the same doubts in his heart.

This time, he decided to act as if he hadn't heard anything.

If his wife spoke of it again next time, he would simply step in to stop her!

After comforting himself, Marquis Mingyuan looked toward his daughter, offering words of warmth and concern.

"Niannian, did you suffer any grievances in the palace? If you were wronged, tell Father. Even if I have to give up this title of Marquis, I will seek justice for you."

This time, Lady Huo did not refute Qiao Chushan's words; instead, she followed his lead: "Listen to your father."

Seeing that the relationship between the two had softened considerably, Qiao Niannian spoke with a smile.

"Mother, Father, the Emperor did not make things difficult for me. It was the Tenth Princess who likes me and kept pestering me to tell her stories, which caused me to lose a whole night's sleep."

Naturally, the matter of the Emperor being cursed with a blood curse could not be let her parents know. Qiao Niannian had long prepared an excuse before returning.

She could only apologize for the deception.

Only after hearing Qiao Niannian say this did Qiao Chushan and Lady Huo breathe a sigh of relief.

Their daughter had always loved reading storybooks; Lady Huo felt it wasn't a big deal and let it be.

Although she had never heard her daughter tell a story, it wouldn't be strange if she knew how after reading so many.

"That's good, as long as you're alright."

"Yes, your mother was so worried about you that she didn't sleep a wink all night."

Qiao Niannian was instantly moved. She stepped forward to take Lady Huo's arm, nuzzling against it affectionately.

"Mother, I've made you worry."

Even though the Emperor had sent word, her mother would surely be uneasy.

Lady Huo shook her head; as long as her daughter was safe, that was enough.

Watching the mother and daughter embrace, Qiao Chushan felt as if his heart were soaked in honey.

The scene was warm and beautiful.

Qiao Niannian had been inside for a while, and seeing that her parents weren't fighting, she found it somewhat curious.

【Father and Mother's relationship has improved quite a bit. Could it be because something happened to Mother that Father finally saw his own true feelings?】

【This is for the best. Before, Father and Mother would argue whenever they met, but now they don't argue regardless of the reason. That's a good thing.】

Hearing his daughter's inner voice, Qiao Chushan felt a surge of grievance, feeling deeply wronged.

When had he ever argued with his wife?

It was always his wife who found him disagreeable!

Hearing her daughter's inner voice, Lady Huo's expression also became awkward. She glanced at Qiao Chushan, and seeing that his expression was normal, she breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, he couldn't hear such embarrassing words.

Otherwise, wouldn't he be dying of embarrassment?

Besides, she wasn't an unreasonable person; every time she argued, she had a valid reason.

If Qiao Chushan hadn't made a mistake, would she even argue with him?

Thinking of how this man had stayed up all night worrying about Niannian, Lady Huo spoke softly.

"Your father was also so worried that he didn't sleep all night."

After saying this, she turned her gaze elsewhere, acting as if she hadn't said anything just now.

Qiao Niannian found it hilarious.

【It seems both Mother and Father care for each other; they were just constantly being manipulated by villains.】

【It's all the fault of that little white lotus, Qiao Yueying. She's such a good actress.】

【Speaking of which, that box sealed with the blood curse was placed there by Chunmei. I must remind Mother to catch Chunmei and interrogate her thoroughly.】

【This time, I hold the full script of the book. I can tell my parents about future events in advance. As long as they are prepared, they can definitely change the "family crematorium" ending.】

Qiao Niannian straightened her back with full confidence.

"Mother, I have something very important to tell you!"

"Regarding beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep..."

Qiao Niannian:...

What the hell?

Qiao Niannian opened her mouth again.

"Beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep..."

Since Lady Huo could hear her daughter's inner voice, she naturally knew what her daughter was trying to say. Seeing that her daughter couldn't speak the words, she assumed the laws of this world wouldn't allow her to.

Fearing her daughter would be anxious, she immediately found an excuse.

"Daughter, Mother also has something to tell you. The person who placed the effigy on Mother's ceiling beam has been found. It was Chunmei."

"To think I was so good to her, and you liked her so much. I never expected her to be so vicious that she almost killed me. Mother has already ordered her to be locked in the woodshed."

In truth, it wasn't just the effigy incident, but also the previous matter where Lady Huo had asked Chunmei to notify Qiao Chushan and Qiao Niannian to jump into the river.

Chunmei had also been acting in defiance of orders, which had caused the misunderstanding with Qiao Chushan.

Thinking of how many such things this maid had done over the years, Lady Huo was fuming with rage.

Just as Qiao Chushan was about to find an excuse to bring up Chunmei's matter, his wife had already spoken.

Qiao Chushan could only chime in with an agreement.

Qiao Niannian was surprised.

【I didn't expect Mother and Father to have already found out. They're so impressive.】

【Since they know, I don't have to force myself. It must be that the Heavenly Dao won't let me reveal the plot.】

【However, even though I knew long ago, since Mother is telling me this, shouldn't I show some kind of reaction?】

Qiao Niannian thought for a moment and then put on an expression of fury.

"Mother, I really didn't expect Chunmei to be so vicious. This is too much!"

After delivering her lines, Qiao Niannian looked at Lady Huo and Qiao Chushan, wanting to see how her performance was.

Both of them had "lol" expressions in their hearts.

*Great acting. Don't do it again next time.*

However, on the surface, both of them wore the same expression of anger.

They hadn't been able to sleep and had conducted a thorough investigation of the Marquis's manor overnight. Chunmei had been caught, but she refused to speak of the person behind her even if it meant death. Lady Huo knew exactly who the mastermind was and didn't bother interrogating her further.

Guards had already been assigned to watch her; she would simply be sent to the yamen in the morning.

Having explained the matter regarding Chunmei, Lady Huo, thinking of her daughter's lack of rest, immediately told her to go rest in her own courtyard.

Just as Qiao Niannian had taken two steps, she saw guards dragging Chunmei toward them.

Seeing Qiao Niannian, Chunmei fell to her knees with a "thud." "Second Young Lady, please save this servant! This servant truly knows she was wrong."

Chunmei was usually very good at reading people's expressions, and she had relied on her silver tongue to win Qiao Niannian's favor.

And Lady Huo doted on Qiao Niannian the most.

As long as Qiao Niannian pleaded for her, Lady Huo would surely release her.

Qiao Niannian raised an eyebrow. "You say, you want me to help you?"

A flash of joy crossed Chunmei's eyes. She broke free from the restraint of the two guards, crawled to Qiao Niannian's side, and grabbed her legs.

"Miss, please help me! This servant was blinded by greed before and did wrong things. I have changed now. Second Young Lady, please give this servant one more chance!"

Qiao Niannian felt that Chunmei was insulting lard.

Lard is so delicious!

It makes stir-fry smell wonderful.

However, helping her wasn't impossible.

"I can help you."

Qiao Chushan and Lady Huo were stunned.

No.

Their daughter couldn't be sympathizing with this wicked maid, could she?

Just as Lady Huo was about to speak,

She saw Qiao Niannian pull a talisman from her person. As the talisman landed on Chunmei, it vanished.

Qiao Chushan:...

Lady Huo:...

What just happened?

Chunmei dazed for a moment, looking at her young lady with a face full of confusion.

"Miss..."

(End of Chapter)