Invitation To The Spring Festival

"You seem to know a lot about the fourth prince." Tang Yunxiao spoke in a cold manner.

The smile at the corner of lips just now seemed to be an illusion, as she now stared at his expressionless face.

She had heard of his first military achievement when the marriage decree was bestowed upon her. By this time, as per the rumours, the third prince should still be on his own, away from the imperial struggles. 

"Are you willing to believe me if I can prove it to you?"Qingxiao asked determinedly. No, she couldn't let this man be deceived by Tang Fanghua. The best outcome would be if he were to go against him. If not, he should at least stay neutral instead of helping him. 

Tang Yunxiao felt a curiosity spark inside him. He was curious to see what tricks she had up her sleeves to reveal his fourth brother's truth to him. 

"If the evidence is strong enough, why not?"

"In that case, may I invite the third prince for the spring festival held in our humble Jiao residence?"

She asked in a sweet manner, anticipating his response with raised brows. 

Tang Yunxiao counted in his heart. That's seven months more. Tch, what a pity. He was expecting to see her again much sooner. But could he really urge her anymore? She might no longer want to show him the "evidence".

"More than glad to be invited to the minister of finance's residence." He spoke mirthfully, emphasising on the later part. 

Jiao Qingxiao flashed a bright smile at him, not minding the slight taunt.

For the rest of the journey the carriage was silent, with the woman staring out of the window and the man leaning back with his hand covering his eyes. 

As Qingxiao entered the house, she found her sister already waiting at the doorstep. He Qilin looked at her with clear concern. "Sister, did anything happen on the way? I have been waiting here for two ke now. Aunt would worry about you so I didn't say anything to her yet."

Two ke? How could she be this late? It didn't feel as if the carriage was running slow. Moreover, cousin sister and she set out at the same time. 

He Qilin looked at her perplexed expression and albeit feeling weird, could finally be worry free. 

"Fine, fine, don't think too much. Let's enter now. Cousin brother apparently returned earlier as he felt sick. By the time he sent the carriage back for us we were no longer there."

That explains it. Jiao Qingxiao braced herself for a round of scolding as soon as she entered her mother's courtyard. Yet to her surprise, she was merely greeted by a "Aye, you are back so early? Didn't buy anything?"

Qingxiao frowned. Mother seemed different. She had never been so carefree with her. Yet looking at the familiar face that had cared for her for as long as she could remember she shook the thought off of her head.

Slightly mindlessly, she nodded her head, and sat down with folded legs. With her chin resting on her hand, she mumbled under her breath, "Mother, is father back?"

She couldn't help but miss her father. Despite his high position in the court, he had always refused to go against his principles and accept "gifts" from various families. He had never favoured the powerful. His only desire was to protect the Tang dynasty from the hands of the corrupt nobles and officials. 

Maybe that's why he was also targeted by the fourth prince. And yet, just because of her, towards the end of his life, he still threw away his morals and lifelong values, just for her shake.

The disappointment in his eyes haunted her even after entering the palace. And yet…all this for what? Only for his daughter to be plotted and killed by that man's sweetheart?

"Your father has gone to rest early, don't disturb his sleep, ok?"Jiao Hua warned her sternly, as she served a bowl of red bean paste along with some dumplings. 

Jiao Qingxiao's eyes lit up. Dipping the dumpling in the paste, she savoured the mix of sweet and sour taste on her tongue. Jiao Hua scrunched her nose annoyedly. She still couldn't understand where her daughter got such weird taste from combining dishes. 

"Mother, I want to talk to father."Qingxiao spoke in a coquettish manner, slightly pulling on her mother's hand.

"Talk to him tomorrow then. Today he dealt with several people, I am sure he doesn't have the energy to entertain you today."

Jiao Qingxiao finally gave up, bringing her focus back on the bowl of dumplings. Spring festival was when Tang Fanghua first approached her father. He was cunning with his words. It was clearly bribery, yet he had the face to frame it as if he cared for the kingdom. And at that time, she believed him naively. Even felt bad for that waste of a space guy.

He even bad-mouthed Tang Yunxio in front of her father, to deflect the blame away. Thankfully her father was a wise man, and saw through such petty tricks immediately, refusing any help whatsoever. However, she could use this opportunity to show Tang Yunxiao the facade of the brother he trusted so much. 

But how could she bring up about inviting Tang Yunxiao to the spring festival? His father would surely think the third prince had some ulterior motives for helping her out. But how could she convince him? Hm….it was difficult indeed. 

As she plotted attentively, she failed to realise her mother scrutinising her with a frown. 

"Aye, what evil plan are you thinking of? Don't disturb your father. He really is tired. You can just go to him early in the morning….

"I know mother!"Qingxiao spoke hurriedly. Taking the last bite of the dumpling coated with red bean paste in her hand, she ran away towards her courtyard.

Jiao Hua took a look a a few dumplings still left on the bowl and shook her head in disappointment.